News stories from Saturday December 29, 1979
Summaries of the stories the major media outlets considered to be of particular importance on this date:
- President Carter delayed his plan to seek economic sanctions from the U.N. Security Council against Iran, in order to allow Secretary General Kurt Waldheim to fly to Tehran for negotiations regarding the hostages. [CBS]
- President Carter used the hotline to speak to Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev about his country's involvement in Afghanistan; the Carter administration charged that the Russians have "invaded" Afghanistan. Carter hinted at possible U.S. aid to the Muslim guerrillas who are fighting the Soviet troops. Rebel fighting continued in outlying areas of Afghanistan but the capital of Kabul is under control of Soviet troops. All U.S. embassy personnel are reportedly safe at this time. [CBS]
- At the United Nations, Secretary of State Cyrus Vance is present to direct U.S. efforts to get the Security Council to meet and then place economic sanctions against Iran. Vance met with Secretary General Kurt Waldheim. Opposition to economic sanctions is likely. In Tehran, Iranian foreign minister Sadegh Ghotbzadeh condemned Soviet intervention in Afghanistan. [CBS]
- Today was the first full day of the ceasefire in Rhodesia. Four major violations of the ceasefire were committed by guerrilla forces. [CBS]
- The announcement by President Carter that he is pulling out of the Iowa debate has created fear among his Democrat challengers that he is ahead. Kennedy campaign manager Paul Tully complained that Carter does not want to debate now that he is ahead in the polls. Des Moines Register editor James Gannon, whose newspaper arranged the debate, also expressed his disappointment. California Governor Jerry Brown stated that President Carter is using the hostages to avoid debating with the other candidates. [CBS]
- Business at the Boeing Aircraft plants is booming and therefore Seattle is thought to be booming too. People are migrating to Seattle in search of jobs. However, there was recently a riot at the local food bank for the unemployed, and many are having difficulty finding a job. [CBS]
- The $25 U.S. savings bond is being phased out at the end of this year. [CBS]
- The Federal Aviation Administration ordered airlines to check engine mounts on most Boeing 747s. [CBS]
- A "sing-out" at the Kennedy Center was held for the Iranian hostages. [CBS]