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MV Ellsworth Bunker out of car and into airport building
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GV & SV Bunker speaking to diplomats' wives
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LV & SV EXT Bunker, wife and officials shake hands and walk across tarmac
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SV Officials on tarmac
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SV Bunker shakes more hands and prepares to board aircraft
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SV People waving
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SV Bunker and wife boarding aircraft
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Initials BB/2258 GD/AH/BB/0056



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: Mr. Ellsworth Bunker, for six years the United States Ambassador to South Vietnam, left Saigon on Friday (11 May) at the end of his tour of duty. His personal staff waved and cheered as he boarded a U.S. Air Force 'plane at Tan Son Nhut Airport.

Mr. Bunker flew to Katmandu with his wife Carol, who is the U.S. Ambassador to Nepal. They were expected to spend at least two weeks there before returning home. After leaving the terminal building at the airport, Mr. Bunker shook hands with newsmen and thanked them for the way they had carried out their jobs during his term of office.

The former ambassador's departure came on his 79th birthday. For the previous six years he had been the symbol of American power and policy in South Vietnam. President Lyndon Johnson sent him to Saigon in April 167, at a time when the U.S. was committed to supporting Saigon both politically and militarily. Despite the enormous influenced and power that were his in Saigon, he was always careful to remain as far in the background as possible.

His successor has been named...Mr. Graham Martin, who is yet to be confirmed in the post by the United States Senate. At present, the Saigon Embassy staff is headed by acting Ambassador, Mr. Charles Whitehorse.