Evening star., 1951-10-15
Egypt Rejects
West's Proposal
In InSuezDispute
Refuses Keystone Role
In Mid-Eost Defense,
Revokes Sudan Pact
BY the ksseeioied Press

CAIRO, Oct. Is. - Egypt re-
jected tonight Western proposal
that she become keystone in the
Middle East defense bloc against
Communism. She also took formal
action revoking the 1886 Anglo
Egyptian treaty and proclaiming
King Farouk ruler over the Anglo
Egyptian Sudan.
Egypt turned down fiat the
Western proposal that an interna-
tional force Supplant British
troops now guarding the Suez
Canal area-vital point in the
defense plans for the Middle East.
Britain has said-and repeated
today - that she will resist by
force any attempt by Egypt to
drive the British out of the canal
area.
Fouad Serrag Eddin Pasha,
Minister of the Interior and
Finance, announced the govern
ment's decision to a wildly cheer
ing session of parliament. He is
strong man in the governing
Wafdist Party.
Crowds Mill Outside.
Thousands of excited Egyptians
milled around outside of parlia-
lament as the announcement was
made.
(The Egyptian answer has
already been delivered to the
ambassadors of the United
States, France and Turkey,
Paris dispatch said. A French
Foreign Office spokesman de-
clared the four would go ahead
with plans to form the defense
command without Egypt)
Following the dramatic an
nouncement by the Wafdist min
lister, Parliament unanimously ap-I
proved legislation cancelling the
laws under which Egypt's 1886
treaty with Britain and the agree
ment for joint British-EgyptianI
government of the Sudan were
ratified.
Parliament also approved de-
cree providing that King Farouk
shall be called henceforth King
Of Egypt and the Sudan"
DEGREES Quickly Approved.
Two other DEGREES won quick
approval. These provided for Par
Lament to amend the Egyptian
constitution to set up a constitu-
ton for the rich cotton-growing
Sudan. and to provide partial
autonomy for that territory of
5000, 900 people.
The Chamber of Deputies acted
first and the Senate quickly fol-
lowed suit. All of the legislation
was speeded to King Farouk for
his signature later tonight. The
DEGREES will be published in the
official gazette tomorrow morning
thus making them Egyptian
law.
The government was reported
as feeling that creation of the
flve-power Middle East command
even though it offered Egypt
full membership-would be tanta-
mount to continuing the present
British occupation under a new
LABEL"
The influential independent
newspaper AL Ahram said the
cabinet had decided not to discuss
defense proposals from other ma
tionS until Egypt's demands on
the Suez and the Sudan-that
Britain get out-are met.
No Starting Point for Talks.
The Egyptian press today pub
lished details of the four-power
proposal, along with the fiat state
ment that Egypt was rejecting
them. AL Ahram said the govern
ment felt the Western note could
not even be used as a starting
point for discussion"
Britain's defiance was echoed by
Sir Richard Howe, British COVER
nor general of the Sudan. He said
he would resist any Egyptian at
tempt to drive Britain out of that
cotton-growing area, with it's pop
ulation of 8 million.
Sir Richard has about $500
British troops and several units
of native Sudanese to back up
his words. There are also about
1900 Egyptian troops in the
Sudan commanded by British
officers.