News In Brief

Shultz seeks career diplomats to replace political choices

Secretary of State George P. Shultz plans to name Foreign Service officers to replace ranking officials and diplomats who were political appointees, angering conservatives in the White House, the New York Times said Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Mr. Shultz named Morton I. Abramowitz to head the department's intelligence division, replacing Hugh Montgomery, an official popular with conservatives.

A State Department spokesman denied Wednesday that a purge of conservatives was under way, saying Mr. Abramowitz ''is a career officer replacing a career officer.''