Rogers reviews U.S. foreign policy

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32567, 29 March 1971, Page 15

Rogers reviews U.S. foreign policy

(N .Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright) WASHINGTON, March 28. The United States Secretary of State (Mr William Rogers) has given an optimistic report on Soviet Union-American talks on arms control, but a warning of serious problems ahead unless the Russians agree to improve the political climate in Berlin, and to work for a permanent peace settlement in the Middle East. Mr Rogers’s assessment of relations between Washington and Moscow was a recurring theme in the 637-page foreignpolicy review which he delivered to Congress yesterday.

In his report on America’s foreign policy during the first two years of President Nixon’s term in office he made no significant disclosures. He pledged the maintenance of the American commitment to N.A.T.O. and support for European integration, and emphasised the United States’ continuing disengagement from the Vietnam war. Mr Rogers expressed disappointment about the lack of progress in the Four Great Power negotiations on Berlin, and also on attempts to improve relations between East and West Germany. He emphasised the view of the N.A.T.O. allies that the Berlin problem must be solved before there could be a purposeful conference with the Russians and the Warsaw Pact nations on European security. Mr Rogers said that several times during 1969 and 1970, senior United States officials, including Mr Nixon, had reaffirmed the determination of the United States to honour her S.E.A.T.O. commitment “to meet the common danger in accordance with its constitutional processes in the event of Communist aggression.” Mr Rogers broke no new ground on the Indo-China war saying that Mr Nixon remained willing to negotiate on anything except the right of the South Vietnamese people to determine their future free from outside interference. He warned potential foes in Asia that the Nixon doctrine

of reducing America's military presence there did not mean a withdrawal on a scale which would tempt them to believe that they could act with impunity. “We will remain a Pacific Power,” Mr Rogers declared. He said that the most important single factor bearing on the success of United States policy in East Asia would be Washington’s relationship with Japan. Until recently Japan had been slow in taking steps to liberalise trade and investment, he noted, adding that the United States was pleased "that there is now movement in the right direction.”

Mr Rogers said that Washington had also urged Japan to extend a great deal more economic assistance to SouthEast Asia. The Secretary of State called on China to resume the ambassadorial meetings in Warsaw she broke off last May because-of the United States campaign against North Vietnamese bases in the Cambodian border area. Mr Rogers also pledged anew that the United States would not abandon her treaty commitments to Formosa.

African conflicts He reaffirmed Mr Nixon’s policy of supporting peaceful and evolutionary means to advance racial equality and self-determination in Africa, while rejecting violence as a solution.

“Progress in ending apartheid in South Africa,” he said “will be slow and difficult, and we believe this goal will best be served by continued communication.”

This position was strongly rejected by the 12 black members of the House of Representatives when they met President Nixon on Thursday. Mr Rogers said that Britain’s arm sales to South Africa would not be matched by a relaxation in the United States arms embargo imposed against that country.