Johnson Briefs Nixon, Agnew on Current U.S. Mideast Policies, State Dept. Action

President-elect Richard M. Nixon and Vice President-elect Spiro T. Agnew have been briefed by President Johnson on current United States policies in the Middle East and State Department moves in the Arab-Israel conflict, it was learned here today. Gov. Agnew met with the President yesterday.

The State Department is known to be seeking a more flexible Israeli response in peace moves in line with U.S. efforts to avoid a Middle East confrontation with the Soviet Union. State Department officials have also made it clear that they are determined to avoid an identification of American policy with Israel to such an extent that U.S. influence may not be regained in Egypt and other Arab states.