ROLE OF ARAB LEGION

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 27912, 8 March 1956, Page 13

ROLE OF ARAB LEGION

Secret Meetings In Cairo

(Rec. 9 p.m.) LONDON, March 7. “The Arab world is now planning in secret the final deathblow to Britain’s stake in Jordan—who shall control the Arah I egion. who shall train it. and who shall nay for its upkeen.” says th« correspondent in Cairo of the “Daily Mail.” “Talks have already started in Cairo.” the correspondent says, “between Colonel Nasser. Egypt's dictator and now the Middle East’s most dominant personality, Shukri el Kouatly. the President of Syria, his Prime Minister (El Ghazzi) and his Defence Minister. “King Saud of Saudi Arabia, who will arrive shortly, is reported to have promised Colonel Nasser £9 000.000 a yeai to keep the Arab Legion afloat. “All three ’ countries—Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Syria—are firmly agreed that the legion, the Middle East’s best-trained striking force, must be brought under control, and swiftly. “There seems a possibility that the ‘Big Three of the Middle East’ will ask the youthful King Hussein of Jordan to meet them to discuss the future of the Arab Legion and the amount of control over it which the seven - nation Arab League can exercise. “It is understood that these four points have been agreed on:— *(1) Control of the legion must be taken out of King Hussein's influence. *(2) The Arab States must tell Jordan bluntly to take steps as soon as possible to stop British subvention. “(3) Saudi Arabia, rich with American oil royalties, will pay all that is needed. •<4) Egypt will, if needed, furnish officers to help the legion in a similar way to those seconded to Jordan from the British Army. “In view of the dismissal of General Glubb it is ironic that there is a fear in Cairo that the inexperienced King Hussein, heady with his newfound popularity, may act against the best interests of the Arab States unless he is kept in check.”