Evening star., 1955-02-06

nority group-believe that other
league members, including Egypt
herself may eventually join the
Iraqi-Turkish defense pact as sig
natories. IF you can't beat 'em,
join EN-" is an old American politi-
cal admonition which can be applied
even in the Middle East, they believe
Tiny Lebanon could be the first
break in the dixie. For some time
she has indicated a desire to
strengthen ties with the new, pro-
gressive Turkey and the West. Leb-
anon's population is fairly evenly
divided between Moslems and Chris
tians. Her president is a Christian.
Meanwhile, the State Department
is watching developments with opti-
mism. There is no attempt to con-
ceal the cheer occaSioned by the
announcement of the intended
treaty. 1t is what the United States
and the West have been seeking for
years.
In 1851. for example, there was
an effort on the part of France.
Britain. Turkey and the United
States to form a Middle East COM
mand to include the Arab nations.
But the latter. preoccupied with dis
putes with Israel and the West,
were unreceptive.
Again, in 1852, there was talk of
a Middle East defense organization,
a looser grouping designed to bring
about cooperative defense plan
ming And again the Arabs threw
cold water on it.
Secretary of State Dulles, after
his flying trip to the area in 1853
became convinced that any Middle
East defense Setup would have to
be generated from within. Now,
under the leadership of the busy,
realistic Turks. this move from
within has developed.
Should Iraq come actively into
the defense setup, it would be the
third link in the chain across the
underbelly of the USSR, with one
anchor in Turkey and the other in
Pakistan. To make the chain COM
plete, the inclusion of Iran, anti
Communist and friendly to the West
is necessary. But Iran is not yet
ready to throw its lot in formally.
No Buffer Stotes
This part Of the world-sometimes
referred to as the northern tier of
the Middle East-is the only main
area where the Soviet Union does
not have buffer satellites separating
it from what it calls capitalist ag-
gressor" nations.
German Foreign Office documents
captured by the Allies in World
War II make Russian intentions
clear. The following statement was
found in Nazi-Soviet draft agree
ment Of November 26, 1910:
THE Soviet Union declares that
its territorial aspirations center
south Of the national territory of the
Soviet Union in the direction OF
the Indian Ocean"
A Russian attempt to sieze control
of Azerbaijan in Iran in 1856 is
a case in point.
United States officials are cheered.
too. by the move toward political
maturity demonstrated by Iraq. The
Iraqis have recognized the Com
munist threat as real one, not to
be ignored. because Of preoccupa-.
tion with the intentions of its more
powerful neighbor, Israel, or ancient
enmities rooted by centuries Of dom
ination by the Turks.
The oil-rich nation Of S million
population no longer cares to remain
blind to the tremendous strides made
by Turkey in the postwar years.
Its leaders foresee somewhat SINH
lar development for their country.
Already 70 per cent Of its oil royal
ties are going to a vast program
for roads. power stations, improved
farming, communications. health
and schools. z