BRITISH FORCES IN EGYPT

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24869, 8 May 1946, Page 7

BRITISH FORCES IN EGYPT

WITHDRAWAL PLAN ANNOUNCED EMBASSY STATEMENT RELEASED (NJS. Preu fla.oei.tion—Copyright) (Roe. 1 a.m.) CAIRO, May 7. ‘A British Embassy statement fays: “The British Government has proposed to withdraw all British naval, military, and sir forces from Egyptian territory.” • The British Embassy statement was issued on behalf of the British delegation negotiating the revision of the British and Egyptian treaty. After announcing the proposal to withdraw the forces, the statement adds: “It is further proposed to settle by stages the date of the completion of the withdrawal, and arrangements are to be made by the Egyptian Government to make possible mutual assistance in time of war or imminent threat of war in accordance with the alliance. "It is the British Government's settled policy to consolidate the alliance with Egypt as one between equal nations with common interests. Negotiations have begun in an atmosphere of cordiality and goodwill.” The Cairo correspondent of Reuter's says that observers dose to the Egyptian delegation expressed the view that the treaty negotiations to settle the stages Of the date Of completion of the- British evacuation would be completed in under a fortnight. The Egyptians were very satisfied with the British statement, which left no doubt about British Intentions. “Egypt will not be tied to any economic restrictions with Great Britain after the revision of the 1938 treaty of alliance,” said the Prime Minister of Egypt (Sidky Pasha). Sidky Pasha said that no agreement had so far been reached between Britain and Egypt regarding the evacuation of British troops from Egypt, but negotiations were progressing well. The formal talks on the revision of the treaty are expected to begin in Cairo this week. : *. Ten British soldiers were seriously injured and one’s life is in danger from a bomb outrage, which Injured 19. including two servicewomen and two Egyptian civilians, states the Cairo correspondent of Reuters. British military police cordoned off the area.