05640. THE PARDON OF PRESIDENT RICHARD NIXON. A narrative resume of events leading to the resignation of President Richard M. Nixon after the Watergate affair and Ford's role in that crisis, concluding with a defense of the pardon which he granted on political and humanitarian grounds. Contemporary criticism of that decision is also examined. KEYWORDS: president jerry ford pardon richard nixon. 6 pages, 10 footnotes, 3 bibliographic sources.