Embarrassment For Johnson

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31381, 29 May 1967, Page 13

Embarrassment For Johnson

( N.Z.P.A. -Reuter—Copyrig ht) NEWPORT NEWS, May 28. President Johnson and the family of the former President Kennedy met briefly at Newport News at the launching of America’s newest aircraft carrier —and bystanders described the meeting as “awkward.”

President Johnson kissed Mrs Jacqueline Kennedy lightly on the cheek, blushed as he shook hands with Senator Robert Kennedy and appeared ill at ease during a photographic session.

He then moved to the official stand to watch nine-year-old Caroline Kennedy christen the ship after her assassinated father, John F. Kennedy. Mrs Kennedy, her son John aged 6, Caroline and three plane-loads of Kennedy relatives and friends from Washington, Boston and New York had assembled in a hangar before President Johnson arrived from a nearby heliport. They formed a ragged line to greet the President who moved along quickly, shak-

ing hands, until he reached Mrs Kennedy. They exchanged smiles and the President bent forward and confused Mrs Kennedy until she realised he wanted to kiss her on the left cheek. Mr Johnson then blushed as he reached round behind her to shake hands with Senator Kennedy, who had been watching stiffly. The Kennedys talked among themselves until the party began moving out of the official stand.

When Mrs Kennedy and her children were alone, Mr Johnson moved in closer to allow photographers to catch the group, but a gap remained between them until the mother of the former President Kennedy, Mrs Joseph P. Kennedy, moved in and brought the two groups together in animated conversation.

They had met only three times previously since the assassination in November, 1963.