Churchill Claims Time Has Come To Quit Suez Canal

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27402, 15 July 1954, Page 11

Churchill Claims Time Has Come To Quit Suez Canal

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 10.30 p.m.) LONDON, July 14. Sir Winston Churchill told Conservatives last night that the time has come for Britain to quit the Suez Canal Zone. He showed deep emotion when he spoke at a- meeting of the Army sub-committee of the Conservative Party Defence Committee. He said he disliked the idea of giving up a valuable position as much as anyone, but he was convinced that the only, realistic thing now was to seek agreement with the Egyptians on terms which would enable Britain to reoccupy the l?:ise in the event of another world war. To stay would simply be to try to “maintain prestige with folly,” the Prime Minister said.

Mr Anthony Head, the War Minister, told a meeting that British forcesin the Canal Zone would be moved to Cyprus and Libya, the “News Chronicle’’ said. A force might also be stationed in Jordan. The task of maintaining installations in the Suez Zone would be left to a corps of civilian technicians, under the proposals put to Egypt. The sub-committee meeting is usually only attended by half a dozen members, but last night it jvas packed to hear Sir Winston Churchill and Mr Head speak. The Conservative Party rebel group, which opposed the Suez agreement, met after the meeting and decided to inform the Government they would vote against any treaty made with Egypt which involved the removal of all fighting troops from the Suez Canal area. There are about 40 Conservatives in this group. Attitude of Egypt A Cairo message says that Egypt has rejected certain points in the latest British proposals for a settlement of the dispute. Colonel Gamel Abdel Nasser, the Prime Minister, summoned a special Cabinet meeting to hear the new proposals. It was said that the differences oetwecn Britain and Egypt now were.: Britain proposed the “reactivation” of the Suez Canal base in the event of a threat to Turkey, or Persia, or any Arab State. Egypt agreed to this, but with the exception of Persia. Britain proposed that the evacuation of the 80.000-British troops from the base should be completed in two years. Egypt proposed that the evacuation should be carried out in 18 months. Britain suggested a 10-year agreement to replace the 1936 AngloEgyptian Agreement. Egypt suggested the new pact should be for seven years. Egypt’s counter-proposals have been sent to London by the British Ambassador, Sir Ralph Stevenson, for consideration. As soon as London’s comment is received, the next meeting o* negotiators will be arranged.