Swedish Prime Minister Olof Palme said he regards the Middle East conflict as “potentially dangerous” and that the Big Powers are the force to prevent it from spreading. Mr. Palme, who is in the United States for nine days ending June 11 for what the Royal Swedish Embassy here terms a “private visit,” stated Friday during a question and answer session at the National Press Club that it is “in the interests of the Great Powers to prevent this conflict from spreading. It is in their hands to do it.” Mr. Palme said he met Thursday for two hours with Secretary of State William P. Rogers and discussed, among other matters, the Middle East. Having Swedish Ambassador Gunnar Jarring as official United Nations mediator in the Middle East, Mr. Palme said, has “made us extremely careful not to make any pronouncements on the Middle East crisis.” He would not say what he and Mr. Rogers discussed in regard to the Middle East. Mr. Palme said his travels throughout the world have shown him that there is “deep pessimism on the possibility of solving” the Middle East crisis.” He said, however, that “most countries have great confidence in Gunnar Jarring and hope he will continue his work.
The Jewish Telegraphic Agency Daily News Bulletin will not be published on Wednesday, June 10 because of Shavuoth.
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