January 20, 1973

US Sec Laird urges pact between USSR, China and US to hold down future deliveries of weapons to Vietnam, impromptu farewell news conf, Jan 19; says this is one of the most important negotiating efforts that should follow a cease-fire; says USSR's wish for expanded trade with US is 'strongest weapon' US has for such negotiations; hopes for lasting peace from Paris talks, but is not willing to predict an end to fighting in Indochina one, five or even ten yrs from now; says Nixon Adm has provided Saigon Govt with all it needs for its defense; silent on whether US will be willing in the future to use air and sea power in Vietnam if Saigon should prove incapable of protecting itself; silent on whether US plans to cut back on its air and sea power in the Indochina area after a cease-fire; says USS Saratoga is returning to US, but adds that USS Constellation is headed out to replace her; cites his disappointment on assuming office 4 yrs ago to find there was no approved plan to provide Saigon with weapons and training to defend itself against Hanoi; says there was only a plan for defense against the Vietcong

Lt Gen W G DePuy testifies at Pentagon papers trial, Jan 18 and 19, that '68 Joint Cs/S memorandum on the effects of the Communist Tet offensive in Vietnam in the spring of '68 could have helped Hanoi plan it's 72 Tet offensive

Future of Vice Pres Agnew discussed in view of fact that he will take oath of office on Jan 20 as US Vice Pres for 2d time; Sen Humphrey suggests that Agnew's future is primarily dependent not on his own strength, ambition or charisma, but on Pres Nixon; Agnew's responsibilities as Vice Pres for next 4 yrs in doubt; J B Connally Jr seen as possible Pres rival in '76

says in int published on Jan 19 that her meeting with Pope Paul VI on Jan 15 was not entirely comfortable and was marked by moments of tension, Israeli newspaper Maariv; says Pope said that it is necessary to continue dialogue between church and Israel; Meir illus

Commerce Dept repts on Jan 19 that '72 'real' GNP rose 6.5% and that inflation was at lowest rate since '66; GNP, in preliminary rept, rose $101.7-billion to $1,152-billion; percentage increase of 9.7%, including effect of rising prices, is largest in 2 decades; annual rate of 'real' growth in 4th qr was 8.5%, faster than pace for yr as whole; inflation, as measured by GNP price index, was 3% for yr and 2.7% for 4th qr; figures indicate nation's best over-all econ performance since middle of last decade; also indicate pace of econ expansion was accelerating in final mos of yr; Acting Asst Sec Manus says most of Nixon's econ goals for '72 were achieved or exceeded

Pres Nixon will be sworn into office for 2d term on Jan 20; inauguration is most expensive in Amer history: cost is officially estimated at more than $4-million; Nixon will take oath on temporary stand outside east front of Capitol, then ride in parade; estimated 20,000 demonstrators are expected in Washington; People's Coalition for Peace and Justice deliver carton of peace-now petitions containing more than 50,000 signatures to White House guards on Jan 19; Nixon will take oath on same 2 family Bibles he used when he was sworn into office as Vice Pres in '53 and '57 and as Pres in '69; Vice Pres Agnew will also be sworn into office; illus of Pres Nixon and official inaugural seal

4 robbers trapped in John & Al's Sports Inc, Bklyn sporting goods store, with arsenal of weapons and 11 terrified hostages, shoot and kill NYC Ptl S Gilroy and wound Ptl J Adorno and F Carpentier in raging gunbattle on Jan 19 with hundreds of police; gunmen, identified as 4 blacks in their 20s, release 2 hostages, J Malavet, 20, and M Zayas, both unharmed; 9 other hostages remain inside store; Malavet repts to police that 1 of gunmen was injured during shootout with police and this rept is confirmed when gunmen call for police to send dr into store; police refuse request; police officials at scene, including Deputy Comr Kellerman, say that no further attempt to invade store will be made at present time; illus

 

S Vietnamese Min Tran Van Lam, Jan 19, indicates Vietnam peace accord may in the beginning apply only to Vietnam, and not cover Laos immediately; says negotiators are trying to solve Vietnamese problems first; there is little information on how accord will apply to Laos

Rhodesian Govt publishes on Jan 19 new state of emergency regulations that allow white provincial comrs to impose collective fines on African communities that aid guerrilla nationalists without ct hearings or listening to arguments from those affected; repts that Zambian troops fired at Rhodesian forces and South African police boat from across Zambezi River, statement; says fire was not returned on any occasion and that there were no casualties; Prime Min Smith's earlier warning of 'tough action' to deal with people involved in aiding guerrillas noted

NY liquor wholesalers are waiting for approval of Govt controllers before raising liquor prices by 1% on Feb 1; liquor wholesalers have not yet been advised whether they are to be considered under food category in Phase 3; Greater NY Wholesale Liquor Dealers Assn spokesman says that if controls are not removed by Jan 22, increase cannot take effect

Article on N Ireland notes that because of racial tension between Caths and Prots in Belfast 472 persons died and 2,390 were injured in '72; says both Caths and Prots resent Brit soldiers because they are directing their activity against IRA and by extension at Caths and because they symbolize GB's suspension of Prot-led provincial govt; illus