FUTURE STATUS OF CYRENAICA

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25243, 23 July 1947, Page 7

FUTURE STATUS OF CYRENAICA

NATIVE DESIRE FOR AUTONOMY

ECONOMIC BURDEN LEFT BY WAR <■ (Special Correspondent N.ZJPA.) (Rec. 8 p.m.) LONDON. July 22. Discussing the future of Cyrenaica. a Daily Telegraph’’ correspondent who recently toured the country says: “The people cannot understand why their country should be subject to international negotiation. It will not take the United Nations Commission (which is to make a report) more than a few days to discover what the overwhelming majority of Cyrenaicans want.

“Since Britain’s policy is still that of the National Government, namely, that the Senussi are assured that the Italians will not be permitted to return, the spokesmen of the voiceless nomadic majority wish to see the establishment of an autonomous Senussi state which would enter into a treaty relationship with Britain similar to that in Transjordan. Britain would control defence, furnish expert advisers, and finance rehabilitation. and would be granted naval and air bases in return. “This is assumed to be the plan favoured by the Emir himself. He, however, remains remote in Cairo, declining to come to Cyrenaica until he can do so as ruler. “Independence is desired, but though it is generally recognised that foreign help and guidance are needed, only Britain is proposed for this role. While- the people are yet totally unprepared for democratic government, the Emir has shown himself ready to contemplate an eventual move in that direction. “He has acknowledged the national front formed last year by tribal leaders. This body proposes, when independence is achieved, to act as a constituent assembly and draft a constitution, and thereafter to give place to an elected chamber.” Recalling that Cyrenaica was a battlefield of three British advances and two retreats, the correspondent says that it suffered greater material damage than any other Italian colony. “Mile after mile of the desert is littered with the rusting debris of war.” he adds. “Tobruk is almost uninhabitable, and Benghazi is shattered. “By comparison with the other Italian colonies. Cyrenaica's political problems are simple and straightforward, and there is no racial or religious minority. The present difficulties and future problems are not political but economic. Human material capable of making the best use of the country’s limited resources is required above all.”