Nasser Sets Terms For Canal Use

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28169, 7 January 1957, Page 7

Nasser Sets Terms For Canal Use

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 11 p.m.) LONDON, January 5. President Nasser will allow ships through the reopened Suez Canal only if they pay canal dues direct to Egypt, the “News Chronicle” reported today. British and French ships would be barred from the canal unless Israel handed Gaza back to Egypt. The Egyptian President made these points at a meeting in Cairo with the influential Lebanese millionaire industrialist, Mr Emile Bustani, the Beirut correspondent of the “News Chronicle” reported. The correspondent said that Mr Bustani told him in an exclusive interview that President Nasser believed that Britain was carrying out a war against Egypt on two fronts—an economic war and a radio war.

The Egyptian President said that he was not concerned over the economic war.

Egypt’s economy was mainly agricultural, and Egypt could tighten her belt, he said. Britain, President Nasser said, was attacking him with three secret radio stations, but he was confident he would win radio battle.

He would shortly put six more Arabic stations on the air. The President said he could find an excuse for Israel making war against Egypt since a state of war existed between the two countries He could excuse France since Egypt was helping North Africa.

But he could not understand Britain—who was allied to Egypt with a treaty—fighting alongside Egypt’s enemies. He bore no grudge against the British people, Mr Bustani s.aid, only against Sir Anthony Eden.

Mr Bustani said that President Nasser felt that he could deal with the Communist danger in Egypt. He was still anti-Communist but not anti-Russian.

Mr Bustani said the object of his talks with President Nasser was to mediate between Egypt and the West. He believed h*» made some progress toward this.

Two British dailies, the “Yorkshire Post” and the “Daily Telegraph.” today called for a firm attitude to the policy of President Nasser on the Suez Canal crisis. “How much longer is Colonel Nasser to be permitted to have everything his own way?” the “Yorkshire Post’* asked. "Although he suffered a humiliating defeat at Israeli hands he has dictated his terms on every issue like a conqueror.” The “Daily Telegraph” commented: “The point of danger will be reached if and when the Americans come to think that unless they buy Nasser, the Russians will, without realising that so slippery a customer is unlikely to stay bought. “It is not too early to make clear that we do not propose in any way to comply with Nasser's exactions or to condor <_ his; actions, and that our share of the cost of clearance of the canal shall not be increased by United Nations trucklings to him.

In Cairo today, the Egyptian newspaper, “Al Ahram,” called for the resignation of the' British and French Cabinets as a condition for Egypt to enter into direct talks with the two countries to settle outstanding problems.

“The new governments, which, may replace them, should then apologise to Egypt, in which case Egypt will forgive but not forget,” the newspaper said.