February 17, 1972

Sen, 81‐0, approves Sen Case legis requiring all internatl agreements to be submitted to Cong for its information; action, opposed by State Dept, is aimed at restricting secrecy by exec branch on foreign commitments; HR Foreign Affairs Com chmn Repr Morgan says similar bill in HR by Repr Morse will be given ‘priority consideration’; White House has no immediate comment; similar legis in ‘56, which died in HR, recalled

Natl Fertility Study co‐dir C F Westoff says lower birth rate expectations have become increasingly possible because of improved contraception and recent liberalization of abortion laws

Gandhi says India's foreign policy remains firmly based on principles of nonalignment despite treaty with USSR, int, New Delhi; says India is anxious to improve relations with other nations and would welcome dialogue with US; appears relaxed and energetic despite bad cold and start of prov election campaign; denies India is obligated to demonstrate gratitude to USSR for USSR aid during war with Pakistan; reserves India's right to make its own judgments and decisions despite wishes of other nations; desires closer relations with China; reserves comment on Pres Nixon's China visit, saying she thinks US policy towards India changed, plainly meaning for the worse, when China policy changed; says US has always had difficulty in understanding India and made wrong assessments from start, tending to see things in terms of Communist or non‐Communist; says she does not wish Communism for her country; insists creation of ind Bangladesh did not enhance left‐wing forces in Assam and W Bengal or help them to endanger Indian unity; says India has no designs on W Pakistan and that it fought holding action on western front; hopes Indian Ocean region can be kept free of superpower naval rivalry but is skeptical about how this can be achieved; illus

US command announces it has undertaken a ‘limited‐duration’ bombing campaign against N Vietnamese arty positions in Quangbinh Prov of N Vietnam and in northern half of DMZ; repts 5 arty pieces destroyed since strikes began, 1 US plane downed; says strikes are necessary to counter threat to security of remaining US forces posed by introduction of new offensive weapons in area; map

State Dept announces high US officials will consult with US Asian and Pacific allies at end of Nixon's trip to China; says Asst Sec Green and White House aide J H Holdridge will go to Tokyo immediately after trip; their pors; Nixon scheduled departure marked with unusual display of pomp and ceremony; HR approves resolution asking day of natl support and day of prayer for Nixon peace mission; Sens Mansfield and Scott laud mission, ss, Sen