News stories from Saturday November 21, 1970
Summaries of the stories the major media outlets considered to be of particular importance on this date:
- Americans bombed North Vietnam heavily; missile and anti-aircraft sites were hit. The Defense Department said that this was not a resumption of bombing, just retaliation for North Vietnam shooting down an American reconnaissance plane. No agreement has ever been made stating that American reconnaissance planes can fly over North Vietnam; the administration just hoped they wouldn't be shot at. Senator Mike Mansfield said that the bombing represents renewed involvement.
In Paris, the North Vietnamese delegation denounced the raids and claimed that six U.S. aircraft were shot down. They hold President Nixon responsible for hampering the peace talks.
[CBS] - The Navy announced that it sunk a North Vietnamese trawler in the South China Sea. [CBS]
- An American division in Vietnam used the Agent Orange defoliant after it was banned. Commanders knew that it was a violation; punitive action is being considered. [CBS]
- In Fort Hood, Texas, a military jury acquitted Sgt. David Mitchell of crimes at My Lai. Mitchell praised "Army justice" and said that although "something" probably happened at My Lai, he doesn't know what. Defense attorney Ossie Brown stated that Mitchell won't testify at Lt. William Calley's trial. [CBS]
- James Kelly was ambushed and killed near Covington, Virginia. He had escaped from prison and taken hostages yesterday; no others were hurt. [CBS]
- Office of Economic Opportunity director Donald Rumsfeld fired attorneys Terry Lenzner and Frank Jones. Lenzner asserted that the poor deserve good legal aid, and he wanted the OEO to be reformed. Jones claimed that the Office of Economic Opportunity is run by southern bigots and right-wing politicians. [CBS]
- Transportation Secretary John Volpe proposed that all 1972 cars have bumpers that can take a 5 m.p.h. crash without damage. [CBS]
- Some General Motors assembly lines have begun rolling again. In Willow Springs, Illinois, the Fisher Body Division plant is operating. United Auto Workers who were interviewed said that they are not happy about the amount of money they lost during their strike. [CBS]
- South Vietnam Vice President Nguyen Cao Ky toured U.S. military bases. Elsewhere in North America, some South Vietnamese are avoiding military service. Many South Vietnamese students stay in Canada following the completion of their education, and some even actively support the Viet Cong. Other students say that they support President Nguyen Van Thieu, but don't want to fight. [CBS]