News stories from Saturday April 17, 1971
Summaries of the stories the major media outlets considered to be of particular importance on this date:
- Members of the U.S. ping-pong team are returning to America after their visit to Communist China. The players reported that they were greeted warmly everywhere and were impressed with the forthrightness of Premier Chou En-lai. The Nixon administration plans to continue initiatives toward Red China, suggesting that China admit prominent Americans and send Chinese to visit the United States; China's order for American non-strategic goods would also be significant. President Nixon hopes for the release of four U.S. prisoners who are being held in China. [CBS]
- U.S. B-52s bombed the Ashau Valley as South Vietnamese forces continued their drive in the valley; President Thieu stated that South Vietnam is capable of invading North Vietnam. [CBS]
- A Teamster-sponsored conference is being held in St. Louis to bring students and labor together on the peace issue. United Auto Workers president Leonard Woodcock noted that many student-workers for Robert Kennedy in 1968 switched to George Wallace after Kennedy's assassination because both candidates represented those who felt left out. He stated that only a political coalition can solve American problems, and the Vietnam war must be the first problem solved. Turnout among union members at the conference was poor. [CBS]
- Senator Henry Jackson declared that the Vietnam war must end so that American resources can be used elsewhere. [CBS]
- The Army announced that Maj. Carl Hensley committed suicide; Hensley was investigating cover-ups of war crimes. [CBS]
- Senator Mike Mansfield said that he believes Congress should investigate FBI surveillance of congressmen. It was learned that a federal judge authorized the taping of conversations between an FBI informer and Rep. John Dowdy. [CBS]
- Today was the tenth anniversary of the Bay of Pigs invasion. The invasion was commemorated at a ceremony in Miami. [CBS]
- Egypt, Libya and Syria agreed to form a Union of Arab Republics after a referendum in each country in September. The union will have a president and a council to determine foreign policy. [CBS]