Evening star., 1951-10-28
The West Logs

The West Logs
To the West the critical nature OF
this developing situation has been
recognized rather slowly. In an
effort to repurchase good will the
American formula was wrapped in
cornucopia Of economic generosity
and plans for technical assistance.
The British wavered between an in
clination to get tough in their best
18th century style and to negotiate
all grievances interminably. Both
joined with the French In May.
1850, to issue three-power decla-
ration purporting to guarantee
stability of frontiers in the area.
The American planners expanded
their dollar-thinking this year to
include provision for both economic
and arms assistance in the mutual
security program. None of these
variations has had great appeal to
the Middle East nations, including
Egypt.
Nohos Returned in 1850
A general election in January.
1850, brought Nahas back to power
and conversations were resumed
with the British in Cairo. Later in
the year Nahas made trip to Lon
don for direct talks with Foreign
Minister Ernest Bevin, resulting
last April in British proposals for
withdrawal of troops within five
years, civilianization of the Suez
installations and a Joint Anglo
Egyptian air defense plan. The
Egyptian government rejected these
proposals, demanded evacuation Of
British troops within one year and
Insisted further that the Sudan
question had to be resolved at the
same time.
Meanwhile, the cold war was
blowing warmer. At American in
sistence, Greece and Turkey were
being drawn into the framework of
the North Atlantic Treaty Organ
lzation and the military strategists
OF the West were beginning to work
over a pattern of regional defense
for the Mediterranean and Middle
East.
Morrison Makes Promise
Although the Egyptian Foreign
Minister had Informed the Cham
Der OF Deputies in August that the
British attitude, as expressed by
Foreign Minister Herbert Morrison.
mad shut the door to further nego-
tlations between the two principals.
Morrison sent personal message to
Nanas In September to the effect
that proposals on Middle East
security and on Anglo-Egyptian
relations were being drafted and
would be submitted to Cairo early
this month. A later message speci-
ned that the plan would be for
Warded during the week of October
8. 1t was too little and too late.
On that day Nahas jumped the
gun by introducing legislation abro-
eating the 1886 treaty and providing
Tor annexation of the Sudan.
Farouk was proclaimed King of
Egypt and of the Sudan. Mr.. Nor
rlson denounced the unilateral
aorogation as invalid and Secretary
Acheson supported his position.
Under date of October 13, the
Egyptians received from United
States, Britain, France and Turkey
an invitation to join as "a founder
member" in Middle East COM
mand. Under terms of the proposal
Egypt would participate as an equal
partner in an Allied command
organization with headquarters in
Egypt, defense forces would be
internationalized and Britain would
"agree to supersession of the 1886
treaty" Egypt rejected the invi-
tation, disorders swept the country
and for the past two weeks British
troops, reinforced on the ground
and supported by naval units, have
been under state of semi-siege.
Planning Will Continue
Despite the Egyptian rejection
the four NATO powers, joined by
Australia, New Zealand and the
Union of South Africa, have an
nounced their determination to
continue the planning of a Middle
East command structure and to
invite other Middle East powers to
participate. The military vitality
OF the Suez area has been reafirmed
and the powers have made clear
that they will not now intrust it's
security to Egypt alone.
Soviet Russia, with everything to
gain by perpetuating the breach,
has supported the Egyptian posi-
ton and it's Minister in Cairo has
initiated c0ruarcof f;n,,c -,,;4L 49,