SHORT TAKES : Brinkley Silent on Going to NBC

ABC’s David Brinkley refused comment Thursday on a report in the New York Daily News that he has turned down an offer from NBC News to anchor “Meet the Press” and intends to remain as anchor of “This Week With David Brinkley” when contract renewal time comes up at the end of this summer.

Sources at ABC in Washington Thursday confirmed that Brinkley, who worked at NBC News from 1946 until 1981, met with NBC News President Michael Gartner here on Tuesday when the latter was in town for the network affiliates meeting.

“David’s not going anywhere,” an ABC News source said Thursday. “Part of it is, (General Electric Chairman) Jack Welch is a real admirer of David and would love to have him back at NBC”.