EGYPT’S POLICY

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28179, 18 January 1957, Page 11

EGYPT’S POLICY

Interview By Nasser (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 11.10 p.m.) CAIRO, January 17. If Israeli troops did not leave Egyptian territory there would be fresh troubles, the Egyptian President, Colonel Nasser, said today. He also said that the Egyptian people felt a warm gratitude to Russia, who had helped her when the West refused. Asked his views on the prospects for Egyptian relations with Britain and France, President Nasser said:—“lt all depends on solving the problems outstanding among Egypt, Britain and France. “The Israelis are still in our country. How can one think of relations?” On his thirty-ninth birthday President Nasser was giving an interview with the editor of the Athens evening newspaper “Ethnos.” “The Israelis must leave Egyptian soil and go behind the demarcation line, as we agreed to allow the clearance of the Suez Canal.” he said.

“If they do not leave there will be fresh trouble.” Future of Canal Egypt was against internationalisation of the Suez Canal, he said. “The canal is our territory,” he said. “We nationalised the Suez Canal Company, not the Suez Canal.” Of Russia he said—“the Russians really helped us when the West refused. When the West wanted to internationalise the canal. Russia supported our views. “When we were attacked Russia threatened the West. “When we asked for wheat and others refused. Russia gave it to us. “These are the reasons for the Egyptian people’s warm gratitude. “While Russia helped us. America froze 50 million dollars and England £l5O million. “We asked the West for wheat 20 days ago, but they refused. They wanted to be paid in dollars.

“This does not mean I am either pro-East or pro-West. I am pro-Egypt and we want complete independence.” On the United Nations, he said: “I appreciate the United Nations position. I am not trusting in their power, but after the aggression (against Egypt) I believe in their strength. They worked well and insisted upon a cease fire.” On President Eisenhower’s Middle East doctrine Colonel Nasser said: “We have studied Eisenhower’s doctrine and asked the American Government for an explanation of the vague parts.” On home affairs he said: “Our main effort now is to reorganise the country and carry out the social policy of the new constitution.” Elections were planned after the solution of the present difficulties, he said. No government changes were contemplated for the time being. Asked whether Israeli ships would be allowed to pass through the canal, he said: “We consider the problem part of the Palestinian one. The 1888 Treaty (the International Convention covering freedom of traffic through the canal) allows Egypt to take all steps to defend the security of the country.”

Performance Of Snark

(Rec. 9; p.m.) WASHINGTON. Jan. 16 It was announced today that the Snark guided missile, although it travels at speeds slower than that of sound, will deliver a nuclear warhead at supersonic speeds. The Air Force approved - for nublication a statement prepared by the Snark manufacturer. Northrop Aircraft, Incorporated, which said: “The Snark cruises at high altitudes at fighter speed and delivers its priority warhead at supersonic velocities.” “Fighter speed” is a term for speeds approaching the speed of sound, 760 miles an jiour at sea level. The Snark is reported to cruise at speeds up to ninetenths that of sound.

How the warhead achieves supersonic speed was not disclosed. Engineers say that it would not do so in a mere dive over the target. Some guessed that the Snark’s nose might detach itself from the missile near the target and use a booster charge to accelerate it through the sound barrier.

The Air Force also gave its sanction to Northrop’s claims that the Snark has a range “in the 5000-mile class.” and that it has “the longest range and is the most accurate intercontinental missile in the free world today.”