FUTURE STATUS OF SUDAN

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 25020, 31 October 1946, Page 7

FUTURE STATUS OF SUDAN

EGYPTIAN CLAIM ON LONDON TALKS

TEXT OF PQLICY STATEMENT (Rec. 8 p.m.) LONDON. October 29. Official aourgps in Egypt disclosed what, they claim is the text of a statement initialled by Mr Earnest Bevin, the British Foreign Secretary, on the future states of the Sudan, which the Egyptian Prime Minister, Sidky Pasha, brought bach * from London, says the Cairo correspondent of the Associated press. The statement says: “The policy which is to be followed on the Sudan should be within the framework of the unity of Egypt with the Sudan under one king, and Britain and Egypt should work for the welfare of the Sudanese. The Sudanese might have a right for ultimate self-determination. In the meantime, the present administration of the Sudan must remain as it is according to the treaty until the Sudanese are ready for self-government-** The same sources said Mr Bevin proposed that British troops should evacuate Cairo. Alexandria, and other cities by March, 1947, as • previously agreed, and that the evacuation should be completed by September, 1949They also claimed that Mr Bevin had withdrawn his demand for consultations between the two Governments, when “threat of war” exists, proposing instead that the two Governments should consult only when war in the Middle East actually exists. A full meeting of the Egyptian Treaty delegation has been summoned for Thursday to consider the latest British proposals which Sidky Pasha is reported to haye brought back. The British Charge d’Affaires in Cairo discussed with Sidky Pasha reports that he had expressed satisfaction over the progress of the talks with the British Foreign Secretary, Mr Bevin, and that ,he said that the negotiations would include placing the Sudan under Egyptian sovereignty ~ repprt agency correspondents. The Charge d*Affaires reported that Sidky Pasha seemed “somewhat mystified as to how the reports came to be published gnd gave the impression that he had not supported them.” The Egyptian Opposition newspapers expect Sidky Pasha to resign within the next lew days, says Reuter’s correspondent in Cairo. Sidky Pasha has been confined to his bed since his return from Britain, ano his doctors have ordered him several days of complete rest.

British newspapers have withheld judgment upon the Egyptian controversy until there is some clarification of the position. The Post” says: “Whatever hostages Mr Bevin may have given toward fortune he cannot have intended Sidky Pasha to tell the Egyptians without any reservations that they are to have the Sudan. Even the most ambiguous formula could not imply an alteration in the right of the Sudanese to selfdetermination. It appears regrettable that the Prime Minister has raised the mirage.”