Rogers at Nato Meeting Hints Israel May Get More Planes; Request Being Reconsidered

Secretary of State William P. Rogers hinted today that Israel may get more Phantom jets from the United States. He told the NATO foreign ministers’ meeting here that Israel’s request to buy the warplanes was being reconsidered. Other U.S. sources said it was not likely that the U.S. would re-open a study of the matter only to veto it a second time. Israel’s request was “held in abeyance” by the Nixon administration last March. But President Nixon ordered full review of the matter when evidence appeared that Soviet pilots were flying Egyptian planes on missions over Egypt. Mr. Rogers, who is attending the two day session of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s Council, said the Nixon administration believes the introduction of Soviet pilots into Egypt has added a new “qualitative element” to the Arab-Israeli conflict but has not yet necessarily altered the Mideast balance of power.

Mr. Rogers met privately with several of the delegations. According to reports Cambodia, rather than the Middle East, was the main subject of his remarks. But Premier Mariano Rumor of Italy, opened the NATO session with a warning that the Middle East conflict could spread war throughout the entire Mediterranean region. “The continuing tension.” he said. “Increases the risk of war extending in the Mediterranean and prolongs the state of paralysis which prevents it from playing its traditional role as a major international seaway of vital interest to Italy.” Mr. Rumor was obviously referring to the continued shut-down of the Suez Canal, which has shifted much of the Mediterranean’s former shipping traffic around Africa. He told the NATO Council members that any settlement in the Mideast is “a long way off.” Italian Foreign Minister Aldo Moro, just returned from a visit to Cairo. reported that President Nasser of Egypt insists on the implementation of the Security Council’s Nov. 22, 1967 Mideast resolution and all UN resolutions since 1949 pertaining to Palestinian refugees before he would agree to peace talks.