MEDIATION OFFER

Evening Star, Issue 26038, 28 February 1947, Page 7

MEDIATION OFFER

ANGLO-EGYPTInN DISPUTE

ARAB GOVERNMENTS UNEASY

LONDON, February 27. The diplomatic correspondent of ‘ The Times ’ points out that an offer which has just been made by the Syrian and Lebanese Governments to mediate between Egypt and Britain comes at a time when several Arab Governments have shown themselves uneasy at the thought that'the British and Egyptian dispute; was to be made an international affair.

The Arab League countries have strongly supported Egypt’s demands, but they see a danger that a breach between Britain and Egypt might affect British and Arab relations as a whole. Many of them also doubt whether Egypt is really furthering her interests by asking the United Nations to pass judgment on her claim to bring e Sudan into permanent union with the Egyptian Crown. They say that the United Nations, quick to support any movement of national independence, is hardly likely to deprive the- Sudanese of the right, o choose their own future.

The correspondent adds that the British Government is fully ready to let, the matter be discussed by the United Nations, but it welcomes the .Syrian and Lebanese offer, and is in--quiring what exactly the two Arab Governments have in mind.