1.
SV INT Nixon enters room to applause (reporters voice over)
0.16

2.
SV POW wives - Nixon speaking (4 shots)
0.51

3.
GV POW wives listen (reporter's voice over) (3 shots)
1.01

4.
SV Nixon continues and wives applaud
1.26


NIXON: "Since we last met - it's hard to realise it was a year ago - some very intensive negotiations have been under way. I will not and can not comment on those negotiations. One, I do not want to raise false hopes; and two, any comment while negotiations are taking place, could jeopardise their success. And I know that none of you would want any chance for success in negotiations to be jeopardised."



"We shall, under no circumstances, abandon our POWs and our IA's wherever they are. (CHEERS) And when I used the word abandon, I Aid quite deliberately. That means that we cannot leave their fate to the goodwill of the enemy, we must have some strength on our side."



SOF STARTS AT 10 FT - 16 SECS: "Since we last met...."



SOF ENDS AT 32 FT - 51 SECS: ".... to be jeopardised."



SOF STARTS AT 38 FT - 1.01 MIN: "We shall under no circumstances ..."



SOF ENDS AT 54 FT - 1.01 MIN: "... strength of our side."




Initials ESP/2211 ESP/2233


TELERECORDING original on 12799/72 80ft
COMMENTARY ON FILM FOR GUIDANCE ONLY

Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: President Richard Nixon yesterday (Monday)dropped in unexpectedly on a convention of Prisoner of War wives in Washington. He told them that whatever peace terms were agreed in Vietnam, neither the POWs nor these missing in action (MIAs) would be abandoned or forgotten. Herewith follows a transcript of the main part of his address:
SYNOPSIS: President Nixon made a surprise appearance at a convention of prisoner of war wives and relatives in Washington on Monday. After telling them that draft dodgers and deserters would not receive any amnesty, whatever the outcome of the Vietnam peace negotiations, he went on to refer to the peace talks themselves.

Then he moved on to the subject of immediate interest to the women of the Convention - what would happen to their husbands, sons, fathers, brothers, in the event of peace.