1960 Year In Review

Announcer: In Moscow a worldwide three months propaganda effort was climaxed in a public trial. Caught in the power play was Francis Gary Powers, pilot of the U-2 aircraft downed by Soviet rockets.

Powers who's confession came after an unprecedented admission by the American government of spy in the sky tactics, repeated the self-damning words in the Moscow courtroom jammed with spectators from all over the world including his wife and parents.

Unknown Speaker: "Leaving Moscow the flight trial in Moscow today the defendant Powers made his final fleet."

Francis Gary Powers: "I realize that I have committed a grave crime and I realize that I must be punished for it. I have oath to way all the evidence and take into consideration not only the facts that I committed at times but also the circumstances which led me to do so. And I would like to stretch the fact that I do not feel nor have I ever felt any enmity whatsoever for the Russian people."

Announcer: The pilot's father, Oliver Powers of Pound Ridge Virginia spoke with reporters upon arrival home from Moscow. After his son was sentenced to ten years in a Russian prison.

Unknown Speaker: "What did he want most from you and from his mother in terms of things from home or things you could do for him?"

Oliver Powers: "He didn't ask us for anything specific, he said he needed warm clothing for winter."