New Chapter in Middle last History

Manawatu Times, Volume 70, Issue 45, 22 February 1945, Page 5

New Chapter in Middle last History

Significance of Allied Leaders’ Talks (By Telegraph—Pro- Assn. — Copyright.) Received Wednesday, 9.50 p.m. LONDON, Feb. 21. The Times’ Cairo correspondent says official circles believe President Roosevelt’s and Mr. Churchill’s meetings with the rulers of the Arab world Will hare farreaching results. The meetings are described ar> the most significant since the opening of the Suez Canal. It is quite certain that Ibn Saud, who has only once previously left his realm and Haile Selassie have not made this sudden journey without extremely important reasons. “Mr. Churchill’s discussions in Egypt may mark a new chapter in the history of the Middle East,” says the Times in a leader. “If friendly cooperation by the Middle East countries with the United Nations is to end lire, it is essential that the traditional rivalries between the Powers should be subordinated to *a realisation of their common interests. There must be a frank recognition that only through the political and economic rehabilitation of the countries of the Middle East can the needs of the world order be fulfilled. “The Middle East is now recognised as the area of greatest possible concern to the United Nations as a whole. Britain and France, the original trustees of the world’s larger interests in this area, have been joined by Russia and America. There is thus good reason for hoping that the policies of the United Nations affecting tho Middle East will be framed in relation to the general world organisation even though the execution of these plans may remain in entrusted hands which have already acquired the necessary experience. “There will doubtless be a tendency on the part of individual countries in the Middle East to express a preference for dealing with the United Nations as a whole rather than individual western Powers. This is all to the good if it is matched by an increasing tendency to deal with particular difficulties in accordance with the general interest of a group rather than an individual nation. Such outstanding issues as Palestine and the Levant States will unquestionably advance more rapidly towards a solution if placed in proper perspective and treated as a matter which is jointly the concern on one side of the United Nations and on the other of the Middle East as a whole.” The Daily Mail describes the official statement on the Cairo discussions as disappointing because it contains no real information on political and economic developments in the Middle East which is badly needed. The Egyptian Prime Minister, Ahmed Pasha Maher, received a number of prominent Egyptians including the former Prime Minister, Sirry Pasha. "Well-informed circles believe that a big decision on the part of Egypt is imminent and may be announced within a few days.