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SCU Ford enters room for press conference
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SV Newsmen
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SCU Ford speaks:
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SV and CU Ford listens to question before replying on presidency (2 shots)
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CU
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SV and CU Ford seated with Nixon (5 shots)
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"I know the President is not going to resign. I have seen no evidence that would justify affirmative action on a quick impeachment. I do not think it's proper to have the investigation by the house committee and judiciary, but there is no evidence that would justify impeachment under the constitution."



In a partly indistinct question, Mr. Ford is asked how he might view the prospect of one day becoming President.



"I don't think there's really any possible bust-up. I just took this job today and I think I'd better work on these chores before I start thinking about some others.




Initials AE/16.36 AE/16.51



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: United States Vice-President Gerald Ford, in one of his first statements after taking office, declared he was convinced that President Nixon had no intention of resigning.

Less than 24 hours after being sworn in as Vice-President, filling the vacancy created by the resignation of Mr. Spiro Agnew, Mr. Ford held a news conference in Washington yesterday (Friday, December 7).

Newsman asked if he had been assured by the President that there would be no further shock disclosures in the Watergate affair. On the contrary, said Mr. Ford, President Nixon had given assurances that he would be completely exonerated when the full facts about Watergate were known.

This was how he answered the question of whether the President would resign: