Evening star., 1953-05-17
The British Side

The basis for the treaty of occu-
patton, signed by Egypt in 1885, may
have changed, but the need for
strength in the Middle East hasn't.
At that time, the threat from Ger
many and Italy required the pres
ence of strong British forces near
Suez. Today, Russian military power
to the north demands at least an
equal state Of readiness.
Britain Is entirely sympathetic to
the aspirations Of Egypt for inde-
pendence. From her own point of
view, she would be more than happy
to clear her forces out of Egypt and
save the very large amount of
money that it costs to maintain
them there. Britain Is hopeful that
q satisfactory agreement can be
worked out that would permit this.
West Needs Bose
At the same time, it is absolutely
essential to the security of the
Western world and to Egypt herself
that the strength which the Suez
base represents be maintained and
continue to be available to the West
in case Of trouble. The base serves
as the nerve center of the entire
Middle East air forces-the largest
single geographical command Of the
Raj. It is their biggest overseas
center for air force communications.
In allied hands, the base represents
a Springboard from which powerful
fighting forces can be launched
hundreds of miles in any direction
to meet an enemy.
A precipitous withdrawal of Brit
ish troops from the Middle East and
surrender Of the SueZ base to abso-
lutte Egyptian control involve risks
which Britain cannot accept. The
power vacuum which such a move
would create would amount to an
open invitation to Russian aggres-
sion in the Middle East. Once the
areas unlimited oil reserves were
under their control; once Russian
forces occupied the shores of the
Mediterranean and the Persian gulf;
once communications with the Far
East through the Suez Canal we're
severed, the strategic position Of the
West would almost be beyond re-
covery.
Conditions for Removal
The British, therefore, can agree
to withdrawing from the Suez base
only under certain conditions. These
include:
/. That force of British techni-
clans, under control Of the British
War Office, be permitted to remain
in the zone to supervise maintenance
Of British equipment. The minimum
number to do the job Is estimated
at 5000.
2. That the Egyptians give firm
and formal assurances that the base
will be Immediately available to the
west in case Of trouble. The best
assurance would be pact commit
ting Egypt to the Western camp, in
cluding provisions for the station
ing of allied-though not necessarily
British-forces on Egyptian soil.
Britain's faith in Gen. Naguib, as
Q potential ally, has been strained
by recent events. The highest off,
cials in England have lost no op-
portunity to point out that Gen.
Naguib is, in fact, a dictator.
In the present situation, the Brit
ish are determined to stand their
ground. Their present treaty with
Egypt covered a period of 20 years
and will not expire until 1856. They
will not be intimidated by threats
and will resist any attempt to use
force. They are not too impressed
by the dire predictions of the Egyp-
tian government. Most of their pre-
vious agreements with the country,
such as the recently concluded
Sudan agreement, have been reached
only after similar shows of hostile
determination.
There are other complications i
not brought out in the official argu
the question of pride, and the poll
for Prime Minister Churchill'S conser
had been forced into withdrawal.
been used as means of inf1aming
rules out the possibility of a comr
and an almost complete lack Of ia
striking impression made on observe
cent incidents have not improved tht
Inevitably, in a dispute of this
United States must play an import
have been looking hopefully for a S
come up with answers that would S
Egypt of Secretary of State Dulles "
ism as possible means of breaking
Both Sides Hit Dulles in Egypt
So far, there has been little indi
stand. Although the Egyptian paper
for the British; and although the B
Gen. Naguib gift pistol from Gen.
ton is still in doubt.
There is every reason why it She
between the two arguments outlined
United States can strengthen its ov
gerously riSking them on the other.
Given the present state Of open
the chance for reasonable mediation
however, American representatives il
and Egyptians around to talking sen
One thing is reasonably certain
the question may be, it is extremely
further try its already strained relati
Of Western security rests on this fiji
At the same time, there are Wit;
East and throughout the entire Mo
clear choice between the military va
ship of more than 800 million people
Unfortunately. however, the ans
It grows harder with each new turn
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