February 3, 1973

Pope Paul illus

Nixon, on Feb 2, sends to Cong 1st in series of State of Union Messages; says with so many program changes under consideration, 'single, all-embracing State of Union Message would not appear to be adequate'

Laotian official says US is strongly urging Premier Souvanna Phouma's Govt to conclude cease-fire with Pathet Lao and that he has accepted Amer view despite misgivings that no accord with adequate guarantees can be reached; US, through high-ranking officials including Deputy Asst Sec Sullivan and Gen A H Haig Jr, have reptdly assured Laotian leaders that N Vietnamese troops will withdraw and that US cannot continue bombing Laos much longer; Laotian official says H A Kissinger has obtained understanding from N Vietnamese that they will withdraw; Laotians are skeptical on N Vietnamese withdrawal or possibility of US resuming bombing if they fail to do so

Chief Judge J J Sirica charges on Feb 2 that recently concluded Watergate criminal proceeding failed to get to bottom of case and urges Govt to resume its investigation; says he has 'great doubt' about testimony of H W Sloan Jr, former treas of Pres Nixon's fund-raising com, and discloses that he had suggested names of 'several persons' who ought to be questioned; says he hopes projected Sen inquiry headed by Sen Ervin will be granted enough power to get to bottom of case; Sirica appears particularly displeased with testimony concerning cash payments of $199,000 by Com for Re-Election of Pres to defendant G G Liddy; says he also suspects that others at Re-Election Com might have known purpose of payments; Sirica cannot force Govt to resume grand jury inquiry, but panel that returned indictments in Sept is still sitting, and prosecutors have indicated that further testimony will be taken; tells Asst US Atty E J Silbert that he hopes any further witnesses will be 'put under oath' and not allowed to send in depositions as some have been allowed to do in past