Watergate trials to begin

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33654, 2 October 1974, Page 17

Watergate trials to begin

, (N.Z.P. A.-Reuter —Copyright) WASHINGTON, October 1. The long-awaited Watergate conspiracy trial will open today with five former Nixon aides recently among the country’s most powerful men — in the dock because of a third-rate burglary attempt that misfired.

Heightening public interest is the possibility that the former President, Mr Nixon, will appear to give evidence, but his doctors say that although he is recovering from treatment for blood clots in his left leg and right lung, he could not testify for at least a month, if he agrees at all. Mr Nixon is expected to leave hospital in California this week. On the eve of the trial, the White House announced that President Ford has agreed to testify before the House of Representatives subcommittee on criminal justice on his controversial decisions to pardon Mr Nixon and turn over White House Watergate tapes to him. President Ford has repeatedly said that he granted the pardon to heal the nation’s wounds over the long-drawn-out Watergate scandals, in which Mr Nixon has always denied any criminal responsibility, and not for reasons connected with the former President’s health. The trial comes more than two years after the attempted break-in at the Democratic Party headquarters at Washington’s Watergate complex dismissed by the White House at the time as a "third-rate” burglary — and barely two months since the web of intrigue and obstruction which followed finally toppled the Nixon presidency. The pardon created a row at a time when former Nixon aides were beginning a court battle to stay out of gaol over actions done in his name while the former President remained immune from; prosecution. j The committee chairman.! Mr William Hungate. said; that he wanted details of the; agreement under which Mr, Nixon is being allowed to keep the secret tapes made during his White House years. There are already moves in Congress to ensure that the tapes are at least made available for Watergate trials. ~ Dr John Lungren, Mr Nixon’s personal physician, yesterday ruled out the former President travelling to Washington in the near future, saying: “It certainly is going to be, in my estimation. at least a month, maybe; longer, maybe three months."] But he' added that Mr| s Nixon — who was "mentally sharp” although fatigued — might enough to give

written evidence within three weeks. In the dock are a former Attorney-General. John Mitchell, a former White House Chief of SUIT. H. R. Haldeman, a former domestic affairs adviser, John Ehrlichman, Mitchell’s former deputy, Robert Mardian, and the Nixon re-election campaign counsel, Kenneth Parkinson.

Variously charged with conspiracy, obstruction of justice and perjury, they face gaol terms from 10 to 30 years if convicted. A sixth defendant, a former Haldeman aide, Gordon Strachan, was yesterday granted a postponement of his trial by Judge Sirica, who said that Strachan had raised significant questions over whether Government evidence against him was tainted.

The trial is expected to last three months.