Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1958-05-04
PRO SOVIET NEUTRALITY
An Arab Appraisal
Of the Middle East.

Dr.. HusseiR Kennel Selim.
professor and former Uice presi-
dent OF Cairo University. has
lone been an intellectual leader
In the PaH-Ardb movement. noiD
so important IN Middle East
politics and IN the East West
cold par. While not an Official
spokesman for EOvpts President
Canal Abdel Nasser or for the
United Arab Republic Uhich.
Col. Nnsser heads. he Is consid-
cred an authoritative inter
prefer OF the Ndsser point OF
UieiD. Or. Seltm, now lecturino
In the United States under the
sponsorship OF the Arab League,
icas asked 10 reply TO tho KEY
questions bv American Journal
tst Priscilla Endreson.
q. Dr. Selim, could changes In
United States policy prevent the
Arab world from linking itself eco
nomically with the Communist
East?
Al can't say. There are some
signs now Of q possible change.
But it's up TO you. It depends on
whether you think maintaining
your present policy is worth the
price-the loss Of the Middle East.
In the Middle East today you
find the people anti-West in their
sentiments and some governments
pro-West-an unnatural situation
and one that's likely to cause
some unpleasant surprises one Of
these days.
People seem to be leaning
toward the Soviets. Why? For one
thing. we never get a kind word
from the West-and we get a few
kicks besides. We've been sighted
too often. And we're very proud,
though poor.
So neutralism is now the aim Of
all Arabs.
AS a result of large-scale Arab
military aid to the allies in World
War /. we got the arbitrary split
ting UP Of our Arab territory. So
Iraq was in revolt against the Brit
ish until 1880; Syria and Lebanon
against the French from 1925 to
1915; Palestine in continuous fer
ment from 1920 to the present;
Egypt against the British from
1919 to 1856.
Then in World War II the Arabs
helped the West again. Not in
such large numbers. but they kept
the area quiet and gave the help
they could during the advance Of
Nszi Gen. Rommel. As re-
suit Of this help. what did we get?
Israel. Only someone ready to be
mentally examined would try it
on the Vests side a third time.
Soviet Bios Results
A peculiar brand Of neutrality,
with a pro-Soviet bias, has re-
suited. Now Arabs lean for help
and understanding on the Rus
slams Though ! think if we get
1t, it will turn out to be q bear
hug. This they do partly because
they don't know anything ct all
about them-from past personal
observation-disclosures their past
contacts with the West have been
mainly the struggle against CO.
lonialist masters.
This struggle (the Arab world
hasn't enjoyed a moments peace
since 1910 has created the set
ting for the Arabs' present think
ing: Dissatisfaction with almost
everything they have; desire to
break up the status quo; and acute
unfriendliness toward the West.
Why are the Arabs still worry
ing about imperialism. when apart
from North Africa and a few
places on the fringes of Arabia,
they are free from it? Are we
Arabs fighting a shadow?
don't think so. We are fight
ing something very potent-some-
thing that is just a little way
down under the surface-some-
thing that might come up again
without warning. The spirit of
colonialism is very much alive
In the world today. This is the
only explanation of the Suez
tragedy-which was an attempt
by colonialism to re-impose it.
self in the heart Of the Arab
world.
@. How strong is communism
in the Arab world today?
A. In all Arab states, commun-
ism, and the Communist Party,
is still illegal. But some people
Communist sympathizers-have