CREDITS FOR JUGOSLAVIA

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28669, 20 August 1958, Page 13

CREDITS FOR JUGOSLAVIA

Requests To West For Aid WASHINGTON, Aug. 18. Jugoslavia has appealed to the United States for 250 million dollars in economic aid to help offset Russia’s mounting economic squeeze against Marshal Tito’s Government. Officials said tonight the State Department was sympathetically considering the Jugoslav request with signs that some loans would be granted shortly. The Jugoslav Embassy submitted a comprehensive list three weeks ago, they said, outlining specific projects on which the Jugoslavs want help. These were reported to include c struction of new power stations, fertiliser plants, modernisation of railway rolling stock, and other highway equipment An American Associated Press report said that indue’ I in this list, but not specifically mentioned, were projects the Jugoslavs had been counting on Russia to help finance.

Top United States officials considering Jugoslavia’s financial requests. were understood to be assessing the need to bolster Jugoslav independence in the face of the Kremlin drive to force President Tito to become a faithful satellite.

The State Department, officials said, had quietly given Jugoslavia permission to buy spare parts and replacements for American weapons shipped to President Tito under a military programme, which ended last autumn.

A Belgrade message* said that Jugoslavia had also asked Britain for similar aid. and had made approaches to Italy, France, and West Germany for various forms of financial aid. But Britain is unlikely to go further than her promised credit cover for trade between Britain and Jugoslavia. The Soviet Union has suspended credits totalling £101,000.000. “Strydom Weak, Exhausted” CAPE TOWN, August 18. The South African Prime Minister (Mr Strydom) was “weak and exhausted” and having difficulty in breathing, but was in no pain, the Minister of Justice (Mr Charles Swart) said today. Mr Strydom. who entered hospital on July 26, had not improved since August 8. when his condition took a “serious turn for the worse,” Mr Swart added. Tourists Killed in Alps.— Two German tourists fell to their death on the 13.026 ft Mount Eiger, in the Swiss Alps, yesterday, the local rescue service announced today. the British United Press reported. This brought the number of fatal accidents in the Swiss Alps in the last 24 hours to six. —Zurich, August 18.