E.O. 11652 N/A
  TAGS: PFOR, XC, US
  SUBJECT: AUGUST 8 EA PRESS SUMMARY

  INDOCHINA

  1. CASUALTY FIGURES FOR WORST BOMBING ACCIDENT OF INDOCHINA WAR AT NEAK LUONG GIVEN BY AMEMBASSY PP AS 137 (INCLUDING 56 FANK) KILLED AND 268 (INCLUDING 137 FANK) WOUNDED, BUT KHMER OFFICIALS SAY 189 KILLED AND 315 WOUNDED. SOURCE OF BOMBING ERROR NOT YET PINPOINTED, BUT DOD BELIEVES DUE MECHANICAL OR HUMAN TECHNICAL ERROR (AP CHITRIB, NYDN, WP; BINDER, NYT; SEIDEN, SUN; CSM; MARKS, UPI, PHINQ). KIRK (CHITRIB) FINDS REACTION AT PP ONE OF RESIGNATION. CHARGE ENDERS APOLOGIZES TO GKR AND EXPRESSES PROFOUND CONDOLENCES FOR NEAK LUONG ERROR (MARKS). SUN (AP) BELIEVES DANGER OF MISTAKEN BOMBING OF FRIENDLY AREAS DUE TO US PILOTS' DEPENDENCE ON CAMBODIAN OBSERVERS FOR TARGET INFORMATION AND DANGER IS HEIGHTENING AS INSURGENTS TIGHTEN NOOSE. PHOTOGRAPHER WHO VISITED NEAK LUONG (AP WP, NYT) SAYS HALF OF TOWN DESTROYED OR HEAVILY DAMAGED AND MAIN STREET LINED WITH RUBBLE; CONTRADICTS US AIR ATTACHE WHO STATED DAMAGE NOT EXTENSIVE