Evening star., 1953-01-19
Crockdown in Egypt

Premier NaguibS dissolution of all Egyptian
political partiess for three-year transition
period" appears to be final step toward plac-
ing the country firmly under a military dicta-
torship. It is not surprising development,
nor is it one that should necessarily be looked
looked upon with apprehension On the con-
trary, the current crackdown-directed particu-
larly against what the government described as
a conspiracy between the Communists and the
powerful Wafdists to seize power-may do much
to stabilize the country's internal situation.
The closest approach to stability and order
In the Middle East countries in the postwar
period has been found in this type of rule.
1t was so in Iran during the brief regime of
General Razmara, later assassinated It has
been so in Syria since Colonel Shishekly and
General Selo took control in December, 1851
1t has been so in Iraq since General Mahmoud
suppressed the civil disorders and headed a
new cabinet last November. And it has been
SO in Egypt itself where General Naguib has
been seeking for the past seven months to set
tie upon permanent pattern of government
for. that country.
Actually, none of these countries has
reached a stage in its political development
where it is ready for democratic government
In the Western sense of the term. The con-
centrations of economic power have too often
and too easily been accompanied by concen-
trationS of political power, with neither of them
applied in the public interest. But the effort to
spread these economic and political privileges
among all the people is such an extreme alter
native that more than a brief transitional
period is necessary. Obviously, such a transit
ton could not be accomplished. and would not
happen by itself. in vacuum. The emergence
Of the military leaders-most of whom have
hod ~ nff f1oip in Eoeto
Europe and who have perhaps a better con-
ception of the democratic processes than the
professional politicians of their countries-has
prevented this vacuum
The custer of Farouk was the easiest part
of the task undertaken last summer by General
Naguib and his associates Facing them and
determined to maintain the status quo of their
own privileged positions were the political
leaders who had capitalized on Farouk's fall
ings 1t has been evident that the more power
full of these individuals were simply biding
their time. evading the new governments de-
signs for political and economic reform, and
either passivey or actively obstructing progress
in that direction.
It has been unfortunate in the circum-
stances that Naguib could not have recorded
some dramatic achievement such as a quick
settlement of the Anglo-Egyptian dispute on
LeELnS Wnlcn Wouto nave Deen publicly popular
in both countries. There have been recent
signs that the premier and his military asso-
ciates are becoming impatient themselves with
the pace of the informal exchanges on this
problem but there are substantial reasons to
believe that both sides genuinely wish a rap
prochment and that it will be attained
eventually. In his status of being further freed
from the organized political party pressures
General Naguib may be in an improved posi-
tion to push for a settlement on the Suez-
Sudan issues Many of the domestic problems
would be easier to deal with as a result.