BRITAIN AND EGYPT

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27011, 10 April 1953, Page 11

BRITAIN AND EGYPT

Negotiations On Canal Zone (NJZ. Press Association-Copyright) (Rec. 10.30 p.m.) LONDON, April 9. Correspondents In Cairo suggest that in spite of General Naguib’s recent provocative statements on the British evacuation of the Suez Canal Zone, he still regards settlement by negotiation as a distinct possibility. It is stated that there is a strong belief that a joint British and Egyptian examination of the technical and military situation in the zone will be made by military experts to obtain further data for further polieital negotiations. Previously, political aspects had been the first consideration but the position is now likely to be reversed. The Cairo correspondent of “The Times” says: “General Naguib’s declarations can be regarded as an attitude rather than a policy. It is still true that Egypt is ready to discuss, as well as evacuation, the question of maintenance oi the base by technicians with a view to its reactivation in the event of aggression against the Middle East. “Regional defence in the sense of any formal pact with the Western Powers is something public opinion, not only in Egypt but in all the Arab States is not ready to accept, or even discuss, until outstanding grievances against the Western Powers have been remedied.

“It is clear, however, that discussion of the evacuation on a technical and realistic basis is likely to lead into Wider questions and it is not excluded that Egypt, in the desire to avoid a vacuum will be ready to join with the Arab States in making military dispositions that harmonise with the Western Powers’ strategic plans. It remains to be seen whether Egyptian ideas on what are sensible arrangements for the maintenance of the Canal Zone base will be the same as those of Britain and the United States.

“In any event there does not seem to be any choice between settlement .and eventual conflict—unless the Canal Zone base is abandoned—and the possibility of a settlement that will give the substance of Middle East defence can be explored only by starting discussions.” The correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph” says that should the efforts to bring about technical discussions bear fruit it is likely that the specialists of the Middle East Joint Services’ Staff in the Canal Zone will examine practical problems on the spot with Egyptian officers.