U.S. NOTE TO EGYPT

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27094, 18 July 1953, Page 7

U.S. NOTE TO EGYPT

Report Of “Full Support”

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 11.20 p.m.) CAIRO, July 17. The independent newspaper “Al Ahram” said today that a Note handed by the American Ambassador, Mr Jefferson Caffery, today to the Egyptian Foreign Minister, Dr. Mahmoud Fawzi, gave “full support for Egypt’s viewpoint regarding the British and Egyptian dispute over the Suez Canal Zone.”

The newspaper added: “The United States Government has communicated to the Egyptian Government its recommendations for a settlement of the dispute. “The American Note is considered to be a diplomatic victory for Egypt while placing before Britain a fait accompli concerning the just settlement of the Suez Canal dispute.” According to the Wafdist newspaper “Al Misri,” the United States recommendations are:

(1) Recognition by Britain of Egypt’s full sovereignty over all her territory. (2) All foreign experts, including British and American, should be under Egyptian control. (3) Modern arms and military equipment should be given to the Arab countries. (4) Egypt, occupying the leadership among the Middle East countries, should receive effective American economic aid, so that she may combat communism and raise the Egyptian standards of living.

“Al Misri” said that the British General, Sir Brian Robertson, former General Officer Commanding the Middle East Land Force, will shortly return to Egypt. The independent “Al Akhbar” said: “America has expressed her readiness to participate in training Egyptians who will replace experts in the canal base. The United States proposes that Egypt should cooperate with the Western bloc in ensuring the safety of the Middle East in the event of war.” “Al Akhbar” says that “Britain will give her final views on the United States proposals within one week,” and her decision will be of a favourable character. Egypt’s attitude to the proposals has not yet been made known.