July 11, 1972

July 11-15: K Okamoto admits on July 10 his role as killer in Lod (Lydda) Internatl Airport massacre on May 30 in which 26 air travelers were killed and 72 injured; stresses his ideological affinities with extremist guerrilla group Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, during mil trial near Tel Aviv; issue in trial is whether Okamoto will receive death sentence or prison sentence, perhaps for life, not his involvement in massacre; M Kreitzman, Okamoto's chief defense atty, appears in opening session to base his defense on claim of insanity; Okamoto refuses psychiatric examination; Kreitzman claims that Israeli gen in charge of Lydda airport region, Maj Gen R Zeevi, agreed in writing to Okamoto's demand to be allowed to commit suicide after questioning; Okamoto tells pres of mil tribunal Lt Col A Frish that his group, United Red Army, worked in cooperation with Popular Front and not for it; 3 charges against Okamoto carry possible death sentence; illus of Okamoto and guards at mil ct; Jerusalem ct sentences Arab to death for throwing grenade in Old City on Nov 9, '71, killing Arab girl and injuring 13 Christian Pilgrims

Article notes Gov Askew's mood at opening of Dem Natl Convention; describes activities intended to persuade delegates to change votes; notes bitterness of Calif controversy and difficulty of getting passes to convention floor; notes reprs of Sen Kennedy and presence of Reprs Mills and C Albert; describes new D Tuck (Dem prankster) story

preflight screening of passengers on shuttle flights to deter hijacking slows travel on July 10, 1st time such screening is implemented since ordered by White House; passenger reaction; rule applies to Eastern Air Lines, Pacific Southwest, Air Calif and Southwest Airlines; Fed agent illus at Newark Airport

(NYS Delegation to Dem Conv) NY delegates to Dem Natl Conv reach compromise by electing 4 co-chmn, Bronx Borough Pres R Abrams, state Dem chmn J F Crangle, Assemblywoman M A Krupsak and union official L Roberts, representing various factions, races, sexes, geog areas and pol philosophies, to lead state delegation; Crangle is drafted by acclamation despite pleas by Sen McGovern supporters and NYC Mayor Lindsay that he be nominated sole chmn; motion for co-chmnship is made by R C Wade; Lindsay and Crangle comment; illus of 4 co-chmn

Sen Humphrey releases his 93 black delegates and 97 black alternates on July 10 to allow them to cast symbolic 1st-ballot votes for Repr Chisholm at Dem Natl Convention; black supporters of Sen McGovern charge that effort is latest 'stop McGovern' maneuver and describe it as conspiracy and racism; Calif State Sen M M Dymally, Humphrey supporter, denies charges; Chisholm and some black leaders denounce move; move strengthens Chisholm's candidacy by adding to her delegate total; caucus votes to support McGovern position on Calif challenge; also votes to support challenges in Ill, Ala, S Carolina and Texas, all of which involve allegations of disproportionate representation of blacks, women or young people