Report Rogers Tells Tito U.S. Will Welcome Yugoslav Efforts in Mideast Settlement

Secretary of State William P. Rogers and President Tito of Yugoslavia discussed the Middle East crisis at a meeting in the palace of Emperor Haile Selassie in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia yesterday. Mr. Rogers later described the talk as “very useful.” U.S. officials had no other comment but it was reliably reported that Secretary Rogers indicated to Marshal Tito that the United States would welcome any efforts Yugoslavia could make toward a Mideast settlement. They also reportedly agreed on the desirability of a curb on arms shipments to that region. Their meeting was reportedly approved by President Richard M. Nixon when it was learned that their itineraries would coincide in Addis Ababa.

Marshal Tito will be in Cairo Feb. 23-25 to visit President Gamal Abdel Nasser, of Egypt. When asked if Mr. Rogers had requested Tito use his good offices with Col. Nasser on the Mideast crisis, American officials declined comment. It was reported however that the Secretary of State devoted much of his 75 minute meeting with the Yugoslav President explaining in detail U.S. policy in the Mideast. It is believed that he intended Marshal Tito to relay the American position to Nasser. There have been no diplomatic relations between the U.S. and Egypt since the June, 1967 Arab-Israeli war. Yugoslavia regards itself as unaligned with any global power bloc. But it has consistently favored the Arab cause over Israel while professing neutrality. At a state dinner for Tito in Addis Ababa, the Yugoslavian leader blamed Israel for the continuing crisis in the Mideast. He said the situation was deteriorating day by day because of the “stubborn refusal of Israel” to make peace.