Evening star., 1954-08-08
Middle Eost
This Summer Seen as One for Resolved Crises.
But Things Are Far From Settled in Region
By John c. Henry


CAIRO.-The summer OF 1854 may
be remembered as the time when
two major crises were resolved in
the Middle East.
In their most critical stages, each
Of them was q crisis of approxi-
mately three years duration-al-
though their roots go back through
much longer periods. Each led to
violence and revolution; each threat
ened the tenuous foothold which the
West has held in a strategic land
mass that ties together the con-
tinents Of Europe, Asia and Africa.
Their resolution, as it appears to-
day. favors the West and must surely
be bringing no comfort to the con-
spiratorial men in the Kremlin--
I whose designs upon this crossroads
OF the globe were inherited from
the Czarist rulers Of an expansion
iSt Russia
One Of these crises has centered
in Egypt, where 70 years Of British
occupation has now been given a
mutually acceptable terminal date.
The other has centered in iran.
where oil and politics became mixed
in brew that led perilously close
to bankruptcy and anarchy.
First Steps Only
But the agreements that are being
reached-and there are details yet
to be worked out on each of them
still are only first steps In solving
problems important to the countries
directly involved. and to the area
as . whole Time moves slowly in
. region where history Ii recorded
for thousands Of years and there
win be no miracles in terms Of speed
In this year Of 1854.
Beyond q reasonable doubt, the
Anglo-Egyptian agreement by which
British military forces are to evacu-
ate the Suez Canal Zone is having
It's nrst and greatest impact upon
Egypts internal political situation.
The country is being ruled today
by q military dictatorship, function
ing through Revolutionary Coun-
cil' OF young. professional soldiers.
American observers here are unani-
nous In appraising them as honest,
sincere and dedicated. In the two
years since they came to power
they appear to have settled any diff
ferences among themselves. 1t. Col.
Canal Abdel Nasser, as Premier, is
the boss" The older Mai. Gen.
Mohammed Naguib has settled into
his presidential role in a status
comparable to that of a President
OF France. Settlement of the dis
pute with Britain was essential If
the council was to stay in power.
improvement Of the country's econ
omy-tax and budget reforms, and
particularly an increase in the culti-
vable land to produce food for an
ever-expanding population - are
comparably essential from a long
term standpoint. Time has been won
by the agreement on Suez and pro-
grams are in being for the other
objectives.
Y. S. Prestige Up ass
The Wafd Party and the Moslem
Brotherhood each has the potential
to create new trouble, but neither
has outstanding leadership today.
The Communists made their strong
est bid when they attempted to capi-
talize on the Nasser-Naguib rivalry
and failed. American prestige has
been helped greatly by Ambassador
Jefferson Caffery. who several times
kept the Anglo-Egyptian negotia-
tions from breaking down COM
pletely. Britains position is likely
to improve. If no snags develop over
implementing the Suez agreement.
What further step Egypt may take
toward participating in a regional
defense arrangement tied to the
Western nations is uncertain-but
prospects are better now than at
any time since 1948. Economically
and militarily, West German in
huerice is increasing. Despite oc-
casional angry words, there are no
signs Egypt has any actively hostile
designs toward Israel.
Iran, a Moslem but not an Arab
state, should benefit politically and