News stories from Sunday April 18, 1971
Summaries of the stories the major media outlets considered to be of particular importance on this date:
- Vice President Ky of South Vietnam charged that the U.S. has provided his country with obsolete airplanes. Ky said that if "Vietnamization" means South Vietnam defending itself, it will take 15-20 years. He added that South Vietnam is a good friend of the U.S., not a puppet, and men like Senator George McGovern will not help America's reputation; Ky said that he will kick McGovern out of the country if he comes to South Vietnam. McGovern's latest allegation involves Ky's supposed involvement in Southeast Asian opium traffic. [CBS]
- U.S. forces participated as support troops for patrols in South Vietnam's drive in the Ashau Valley. [CBS]
- Allard Lowenstein opened "Dump Nixon" headquarters in Providence, Rhode Island. His "Citizens for Alternatives Now" sponsored bipartisan speakers at an antiwar rally there. Lowenstein said that he hopes his rally stimulates other rallies, and stated that President Nixon is incapable of doing the job of President. 15,000 people attended the rally, at which Senator Muskie made a speech. [CBS]
- Heavyweight boxing champion Joe Frazier was the guest of President Nixon at a church service. Nixon will address Republican governors tomorrow. [CBS]
- Republican party chairman Robert Dole accused Senator Edmund Muskie of attempting to destroy the FBI's credibility. [CBS]
- Charles Evers was nominated to run for Governor of Mississippi as an independent. [CBS]
- One thousand Vietnam veterans are expected in Washington for a week of antiwar protest activities. Veteran John F. Kerry said that veterans are the best ones to tell the truth about war; they can talk about the dangers of American policy in Vietnam with more credibility than anyone. Protesting veterans may give their medals back to the government.
The "Concerned Officers Movement" includes active-duty soldiers who are against the Vietnam war. The movement is suing the Defense Department for harassing its members with transfers and menial jobs. The Defense Department cited a directive stating that no commander can be indifferent to conduct affecting his unit's performance. Movement members say that their highest obligation is to American citizens, and their highest loyalty is to the U.S. constitution. High-ranking officers seemingly can say whatever they please, but lower officers are harassed for dissenting.
[CBS] - American ping-pong players returned to the U.S. after their visit to Communist China. In Los Angeles, the players said that they made many friends and described Premier Chou En-lai as "intelligent, versatile and informal". U.S. player George Buben said that the Chinese put their lesser players against the American players in ping-pong matches in order to make the contests fair. Buben questioned whether American society would give the Chinese as warm a welcome as China gave the Americans. [CBS]
- Ralph Nader called on the government to ban yearly changes in car styles, because frequent changes prevent new manufacturers from entering the industry. [CBS]
- Tomorrow is the 75th running of the Boston Marathon. The marathon attracts a wide variety of contestants, including Yale University professor Erich Segal, the author of "Love Story". Segal thinks that running is a test of a person's character, and said that he stands for "square" values including the value of a sound mind and body. Segal has entered the marathon 15 times and would like to finish this year's race in less than three hours; he hopes someday to win a Boston Marathon medal by finishing in the top 25. [CBS]