Lahore: "Nixon Espouses Pakistan's Cause"

Pro-Government newspapers in Pakistan headlined: "Nixon Espouses Pakistan's
Cause, Tribute to Bhutto" (Pakistan Times, Lahore); "Nixon for Return of
Pakistan POWs" (Morning News, Karachi).

Independent Dawn of Karachi bannered, "Nixon Favors Normalization in Sub-
continent."

Tel Aviv Notes Attention to Energy

Israeli media gave prominent play today to reports of the message. Media singled out Mr. Nixon's "firm position" that Arab-Israeli negotiations are the "only means" to achieve a solution to the Middle East problems. They also noted the attention paid in the message to the energy crisis.

A commentator in Tel Aviv's *Yediot Aharonot* said that "more than in previous years, the present report stressed the need for taking the first step toward settlement of the Israeli-Arab dispute.

"Nixon's message reflects a desire to improve U.S.-Arab relations as soon as possible. This is attributable to the growing importance of countries which are energy sources of the Western world as well as to their growing importance in the international monetary system."

"New Formulas Lacking for Middle East"

Independent *Maariv* judged that the President's report and Mr. Kissinger's briefing indicated that "new formulas are lacking" on the Middle East crisis. It noted that the report indicated continued U.S. interest in the quest for a Middle East solution, support for the Jarring mission, and rejection of sub-mission to terrorist blackmail efforts. It concluded:

"A novelty in the report is the strong emphasis on the energy crisis... The report examined this from the monetary angle as well.... This is a hint that Libyan money and probably that of other Arab countries had a role in the recent devaluation of the dollar."

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Semi-official Davar said the report was "a complete confirmation of the con-
tinuation of American policy which conforms to Israel's views and Israel's
need for the coming period."

Prestigious Haaretz declared that the "key words are negotiations, coordina-
tion and agreements.... The White House does not see any need for new and
daring initiatives or for dramatic change."

Nairobi Notes References to Africa


Media in Kenya gave good play to the foreign policy report. Nairobi's *Daily Nation*, largest-circulation paper in Kenya, reported that it contained comment on aid to developing nations, "praise" for some African nations' progress and "disappointment" over Burundi and Uganda.

Moscow: Account Stresses Soviet-U.S. Prospects

Moscow TASS English service, in a dispatch datelined Washington, today
carried an upbeat news account of Mr. Nixon's message to Congress, leading
with a positive assessment of prospects for Soviet-U.S. relations. The story
quoted the President as saying that patience, hard work and perseverance
would be needed in the current second stage of SALT negotiations, but "as a
result of this process the U.S. and the Soviet Union can move from coexistence
to broad cooperation and make an unparalleled contribution to world peace."

Other points covered by the TASS report:

--Trade: "Mr. Nixon emphasizes that extension of most-favored-nation treatment to the USSR...is 'a logical and natural step in the emerging relationship.'"

--CSCE: "The President pointed out that conditions have now appeared for convening an all-European conference on security and cooperation'' and ''expressed the view that... such a conference will promote detente and 'can set a new tone for European relations.'''

--World economy: "Nixon declared for developing 'a new and more equitable international economic system' which will provide 'equitable terms' for the U.S. to compete in world markets."

--NATO: "The message points out that the U.S. maintains its armed forces on the European continent and that West European countries should take on a bigger share of NATO defense spending."

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--China: "The message notes that the U.S. Administration has 'begun a new chapter in American-Chinese relations.'"

--Indochina: "The President noted that the attainment of the Agreement on Ending the War and Restoring Peace in Vietnam 'completed one of the most difficult chapters in our history.' At the same time, the President stated that 'peace in Indochina is net yet solid or comprehensive.' Nixon pointed out that since the cease-fire in Laos, 'limited U.S. military activities have been conducted there.' He stated that the U.S. does not rule out the possibility of continued military activities and a continuation of military aid to Cambodia."

--Middle East: In its only polemical passage, the TASS report said "the President did not set forth any specific proposals aimed at an easing of tensions in the Middle East, one of the prime causes of which is the unceasing support given by the U.S. to Israel's aggressive policy."

## Vietnamese Communists Attack "U.S. Threats"

Liberation Radio and daily Nhan Dan (Hanoi) attacked "threats" in the President's message of renewed U.S. military action against North Vietnam. The Party paper today said: "President Nixon calumniously charged North Vietnam with 'violating the agreement' and threatened that 'it would risk revived confrontation with the U.S.' and 'destroy the chances for a new and constructive bilateral relationship with the U.S., including economic assistance.'"

The paper said: "These statements...are clear proof that the U.S. is following its old policy of opposing the Vietnamese people" and show "the arrogance of the U.S., which is systematically and seriously violating the Paris Agreement on Vietnam while putting the blame on the Vietnamese people."

## Peking: No Mention

Communist Chinese media have not mentioned the President's message.

## PRESIDENT'S WATERGATE SPEECH

Media observers in many countries have reported President Nixon's Monday night broadcast statement to the nation and variously judged its effectiveness in restoring confidence in the Administration following the Watergate resignations.
(See WTCI No. 51 of May 2.)

Much general comment emphasizes the ability of a free society to right its wrongs.

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## London: "Nixon May Be Somewhat Stronger"

BBC television yesterday carried the assertion of correspondent Charles Wheeler that "it is a mistake to imagine" that Mr. Nixon "has been weakened by troubles in the Watergate affair. He may be somewhat stronger...helped by the U.S. tendency to rally round its leaders."

Today, however, Wheeler said on BBC radio that it was "now clear that the Nixon speech did not stifle talk in Washington about his own possible involvement.... It is what Nixon left unsaid that sticks in people's minds."

On a lunchtime BBC radio show on Wednesday, Andrew Schomfeld, director of the Royal Institute of International Relations, declared that "Watergate could have some effect on international relations, but my feeling is that in Japan and Europe our efforts will be turned to minimizing this effect. This is the best President we have. It is our turn and it will take a lot to stop Europe from wanting to negotiate with Nixon."

Schomfeld also said: "The real tragedy of this affair is that last week Kissinger produced the beginning of a new and possibly fruitful policy towards Europe.... This is the initiative we've been waiting for... but if he has a President behind him who cannot deliver, then it is not much good."

The independent weekly London Economist, out today, remarked that "the difficulty is going to be that in a period when further revelations of past odious behavior seem quite likely to come flooding, Congress is not going to be satisfied with more put-offs."

## "We Should Not Be Too Sniffy"

Political editor David Watt of the independent Financial Times wrote today, "The moral... is that we should not be too sniffy about the Watergate disaster--nasty and sinister though it is. In a small country like ours, the chances of corruption are bound to be smaller than in a large one."

## Paris: "Lessons for Other Democracies"

Catholic La Croix of Paris today ran a by-liner's assertion that "some of the lessons President Nixon will have to draw from the affair are not without interest for other countries," including the danger that "the boss has a tendency to trust excessively an inner circle which, because it owes everything to him, eventually confuses the requirements of its own survival with the interests of the state. This danger, made more acute by the spoils system in the U.S., now imperils many parliamentary democracies..."

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Washington correspondent Jacques Amalric reported yesterday in independent-
left Le Monde that "despite the purge in the White House, Nixon's speech on
the Watergate scandal has not convinced American public opinion.... Perhaps
America is 'the hope of the entire world,' as Mr. Nixon said. But the political
mores of Mr. Nixon's friends...are America's shame."

TV: "Nixon Courageous, Americans Skeptical"

U.S. correspondent Emmanuel de la Taille said on state-run French television, "People found Nixon courageous but many Americans remain skeptical about his credibility. Watergate is above all the trial of a certain style of government, an arrogant style. People expect not only complete illumination but a change of style."

Rome: "An Earthquake"

Leading middle-of-the-road Il Messaggero of Rome asserted that the "dramatic
TV appeal in which Nixon claimed personal honesty and sincerity...has not
stopped the political earthquake...

"After using the ax on his closest collaborators, Nixon is now
trying to find some remedies... He will probably rely on John
Connally.... The Watergate case is the scandal of the century.
The parties have never before been involved in practices of this
kind on a national level...."

Brussels: "Democracies Not Invulnerable"

Independent Le Soir of Brussels observed that "while our countries run less
risk of similar affairs coming to light because of the virtual absence of
American-type Presidential regimes, there are many examples to show that
the democratic establishments are not invulnerable."

Lisbon: "Could Compromise Foreign Discussions"

Conservative O Seculo of Lisbon said in a front-page commentary that the
affair could compromise discussion with Chancellor Brandt or other foreign
statesmen because they might be "reluctant to make commitments with Presi-
dent Nixon so long as there is no certainty that he will manage to survive the
scandal politically and regain the confidence of the country."

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## Seoul: "Somewhat Restored U.S. Prestige"

Leading _Donga Ilbo_ of Seoul declared editorially:

> "There is no way of saying that the bugging scandal will not affect the performance of U.S. foreign policy considering how important the American public's support and foreign countries' trust are to its performance. This is why we earnestly hope that the Watergate case is settled as early as possible for the sake of peace in American politics and for the rest of the world as well."

Independent _Joongang Ilbo_ of Seoul said it thought the President's statements "to some extent restored U.S. prestige damaged by the bugging case." Conservative _Chosun Ilbo_ judged:

> "The fact that a political scandal such as bugging can become a serious issue is proof that the U.S. is a society that has much hope..."

## Taipei: "Courage and Responsibility"

Taiwan's largest circulation paper, the _United Daily News_ of Taipei, said that the speech showed "courage and sense of responsibility," but it expressed the fear that "the incident has discounted the 'American-politics-is-superior' image built up over many years of hard work by American external propaganda organizations."

## Hong Kong: "Free Democratic System"

Independent _Sing Pao_ of Hong Kong said the Watergate story "is still developing and no one can predict its outcome at the moment." It added, "But that is why we find the democratic free political system desirable."

The pro-Western _Hong Kong Standard_ declared:

> "The challenge facing President Nixon is... how to restore the faith of millions of educated Americans--and their friends abroad--in the political institutions of the U.S."

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Kuala Lumpur: "Damage to World's Safety"

Nationalistic Malay-language *Utusan Malaysia* of Kuala Lumpur declared that the incident, "even though it is America's domestic affair," has a "very damaging effect on the world's democracy and safety." It said friendly countries will be "suspicious" of Americans, adding, "If they are willing to practice bugging among themselves, then what will prevent them from doing the same to another country?"

"The Task Is Not Beyond Him"

The influential *Straits Times* of Kuala Lumpur today full-paged part one of a
New York Times Service feature under the title, "The Big Cover-Up."

In an editorial the paper said that if the "housecleaning" at the White House "is
followed by a return to the traditional method of executive responsibilities in
the hands of the ministers...the President will extricate himself, his Govern-
ment and his Party from the unholy mess for which he bears, as at last he has
admitted, much of the blame. The task is not beyond him."

Singapore: "Met Crisis Head-on"

The editorially separate *Straits Times* of Singapore noted that "Mr. Nixon has taken responsibility for his supporters' skullduggery" and declared:

"He has finally met this crisis in the usual Nixon style--head on. The success with which he retrieves the credibility of his Presidency will affect more than American politics alone."

Auckland: "Foreign Confidence Probably Unshaken"

The leading *New Zealand Herald* of Auckland declared:

"The one bright spot is that the scandal may have left foreign
confidence relatively unshaken. No hint of it has touched the
President's chief foreign affairs adviser, Dr. Kissinger, and
Mr. Nixon, in trying to damp the flames, says he must devote
more attention to the larger duties of his office."

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Jakarta: "Set an Example"

The English-language *Jakarta Times* said in a brief editorial that "the way President Nixon showed his responsibility is worthy of following as an example for other leaders in the world's democracies."

Protestant independent *Sinar Harapan* of Jakarta judged:

"The Watergate scandal will probably help Americans view situations in developing countries with an attitude not too influenced by the arrogant notion that corruption and abuse of power are a monopoly of developing countries."

A Bangkok View

The pro-U.S. *Bangkok World* declared:

"Although Mr. Nixon may not have been wilfully or knowingly involved, he automatically stands convicted on the lesser, but still serious, charge of incompetence, of failing to know what was happening close around him..."

"Thailand's Own Watergate?"

Thai newspapers have taken advantage of the Watergate case to attack their own Government over attempts to cover up a recent scandal involving illegal use of helicopters. A commentator in the *Nation* declared, "We don't want this to become Thailand's Watergate."

New Delhi: "Left Questions Unanswered"

Washington correspondent M. V. Kamath of the independent *Times of India* of Bombay, New Delhi and Ahmedabad wrote that President Nixon "seemed to make a distinction between accepting the responsibility and sharing the blame," and that he "left many pertinent questions unanswered." Kamath reported that "rumors were circulating" that the President might "call on Moynihan to return and take up an assignment here."

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The paper ran an editorial entitled, "The Stench Persists," in which it main-
tained that the President "acted too late" to convince the American public
that "he has not been evading his responsibility.... Not one individual but
almost the entire establishment is involved... except Kissinger."

Kabul: "The Fruits of Democracy"

The independent Caravan of Kabul declared:

"Democracy is virtuous because the power in three branches
of the Government has been separated. In countries where
democracy prevails, events such as the Watergate shock the
public but a just decision of the court on these events keeps
the country contented and satisfied. This is what may be
termed the fruits of democracy."

Tehran Headlines

Headlines in English-language Keyhan International of Tehran proclaimed, "Victory for Watergate Journalists" and "A Victory for Democracy." Ettelaat bannered, "Nixon Cries While Talking to Press." The Tehran Journal wrote, "Nixon on the Brink."

Accra: "A Tribute to Democracy"

The Government-owned Graphic of Accra said that it is "a tribute to Western
democracy that when such a scandal occurs there is the comfort that it cannot
be suppressed once it is discovered."

Moscow and Peking: No Mention

Monitoring indicates that neither Soviet nor Communist Chinese media have
reported the resignations of last Monday or President Nixon's speech that
night.

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... Europe, p. 2 Asia, Africa, p. 13 L. A., p. 16 Communist, p. 18

# PRESIDENT'S REPORT ON FOREIGN POLICY - III

## Summary

Foreign media, in unabated comment since last Thursday's Presidential foreign policy report, sought further indications of U. S. international action in Henry Kissinger's travels to Moscow and London and in other developments.

West European observers continued to predict difficulties ahead in transatlantic relations.

-- The *Times* of London cautioned that it would be a mistake for Europeans "to be too sensitive, or to behave as if Europe were already a single state."

--*Corriere della Sera* of Milan, calling the Nixon message "a disquieting and unique report," suggested, "Let us see how the British and French react. Both seem to be cautious..."

The Watergate affair loomed behind much speculation about current events. Financial *Les Echos* of Paris said, "The presence of Kissinger in Moscow and the impending arrival of David Bruce in Peking...are evidence that diplomacy is being pursued as if nothing had happened..."

Reports of U. S. development of "mini-nuclear weapons" occasioned some disquiet. *Muenchner Merkur* said such weapons would "increase the danger of the Old Continent's becoming a nuclear war theater..."

Latin American newspaper reaction ranged from the observation of liberal *El Tiempo* of Bogota that "President Nixon has evidently made a serious effort to understand Latin American problems" to the assertion by *O Estado de Sao Paulo* that "a nation having the global responsibilities of the U. S. cannot subordinate the socio-economic equilibrium of this part of the world to balancing its own internal budget."

Aside from initial accounts stressing positive prospects for U. S. -Soviet relations, Moscow media have not given substantial attention to the President's report. Peking media have not mentioned it.

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