BRITAIN AND EGYPT

Press, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 26397, 16 April 1951, Page 3

BRITAIN AND EGYPT

Proposals As Basis Of Talks (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 8 p.m.) CAIRO, April 15. The Egyptian Prime Minister (Nahas Pasha) announced to-day that he received from the British Ambassador (Sir Ralph Stevenson) proposals approved by the British Government as the basis of talks. Observers think the proposals consist principally of an effort to reconcile Egypt s demand for evacuation of British troops, with the realities of the present international situation. The Arab language newspaper, “Al Mokattam," to-day claimed to reveal secret proposals by Britain. It stated that these were joint defence in the Middle East in the event of war or the threat of war; the acceptance by Britain of the principle of the evacuation of British troops from the Suez Canal zone, the right of the Sudanese people to decide their own future, and the recognition by Britain of the importance of the Nile waters to Egypt. The newspaper stated that the governments of the Western democracies decided that the withdrawal of British troops from the Suez Canal zone would not only weaken the defence of the Middle East, but would invite aggression. Britain accepted the principle of evacuation conditional on the preparation of other bases in the Middle

Some air bases would be retained in the Suez Canal zone until the Royal Egyptian Air Force was able to ensure adequate air defence, Britain would hand over its bases in the Suez Canal zone to Egypt and place them under Egypt’s control, although they would remain British property. Britain considered it necessary that British technicians be kept in the Suez Canal zone to train Egyptians, the newspaper stated. “Britain asserts that in making these proposals she is not actuated by any imperialistic designs or desire to prolong her past basis of relationshin with Egypt or to prolong the presence of British troops in the Suez Canal zone one day longer than necessary to ensure in international interests, the security of the Middle East Britain accepts fully and unconditionally Egyptian sovereignty over all Egyptian territory and emphasises that if there were hot an obvious threat to peace in the Middle East it would not onlv have been possible, but necessary, to withdraw British troops from the canal zone,” says the newspaper. Foreign Minister's Statement

The Egyptian Foreign Minister (Mohammed Salah Ed Din Bey) said in Cairo that British statements about Egypt and the Sudan were “of no avail and can only induce us to hold fast to our national rights,” says Reuter’s correspondent. The Foreign Minister was referring particularly to a statement in the House of Commons by the Secretary of Stale for War (Mr J. Strachey) that there was no question of interrupting the building of quarters for married British soldiers in the Suez Canal zone.

Commenting on the assurance of the Fbreign Secretary (Mr Herbert Morrison) that the people of the Sudan would have to be consulted on their future status, Salah Ed Din Bey added: "Egypt can accept no other solution except that of the unity of Egypt and the Sudan under the Egyptian Crdwn.” He'also claimed that the evacuation of British trops from the Suez Canal zone “is a foregone conclusion so long as the Egyptian people in their entirety are resolved to accomplish it."

AMERICAN ARMY SERVICE

House Passes New Draft Bill

(Rec. 11 p.m.) WASHINGTON, Apl. 14. The United States House of Representatives to-day passed a bill to lower the military conscription age to 18J and increase the period of service to 26 months.

The bill extends the conscription law for three years, and also calls for a study of universal military training. The bill now goes back to the Senate, which last month passed a similar measure.

The present law will expire on July 9. Under it, the minimum conscription age is 19, and the maximum training period is 21 months. The bill passed by the Senate pro-' vides for the conscription of youths at the age of 18 to serve two years.

BRITISH STEEL SHORTAGE

CONTROL OF EXPORTS ANNOUNCED

LONDON, April 13.

Mr George Strauss, the British Minister of Supply, announced to-day that Britain would reduce her exports of steel. He told the House of Commons that supplies to the domestic market would also be restricted because of the defence programme. Exports of semi-finished steel, pigiron, and alloy steel would come under licence control next Monday, and all other types of steel to-morrow. Mr Strauss said that British steel production was likely to fall this year because of the raw materials shortage.

U.S. BOMBERS SHOT DOWN

WASHINGTON. April 13. Two United States Superfortresses were shot down by enemy jet fighters in a big air battle near the Yalu river yesterday, the Air Force announced to-day. Several other United States bombers were damaged but were able to land at Allied bases.

The Air Force spokesman said that none of the 100 United States jet fighters engaged in the largest air battle of the Korean war was either damaeed or destroyed. He said final renorts showed that eight enemy MIGIS jet fighters were definitely shot down, seven more probably destroyed, and 11 damaged by United State* fighters and bombers.