Charles W. Yost, diplomat, scholar

Charles W. Yost, who passed on recently, had a long and distinguished career as a United States diplomat. He served as ambassador to Laos, Syria, and Morocco and, from 1969 to 1971, as US ambassador to the United Nations. A scholar and author of several books, Mr. Yost also participated in many international meetings, including the Dumbarton Oaks and Potsdam conferences. During the recent years of his retirement he contributed his time to several public-service organizations, including the Aspen Institute, and wrote a regular Opi nion and Commentary column for this newspaper.