EGYPTIAN DEMAND

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25958, 26 September 1945, Page 5

EGYPTIAN DEMAND

BRITISH EVACUATION

PRESENCE NOT NECESSARY ALEXANDRIA, Sept. 24. The international situation in no way justified the presence of foreign troops, said Nokrashy Pasha, Minister of Foreign Affairs, referring to the demand for the evacuation of British troops from Egypt. He added that the final British evacuation would benefit both Britain and Egypt, and would enable the development of long-standing friendship based on an alliance between two sovereign States. Nokrashy Pasha added that he was willing to negotiate immediately for the transformation of the Anglo-Egypt-ian treaty into an alliance, but evacuation must be the basis for negotiations. He expressed the opinion that all the Arab States were imbued with a feeling of friendship for Britain. On the basis, however, of the safeguarding of individual independence and complete territorial integrity, they would welcome the revival of French cultural and economic influence in the Mediterranean, but France should give up the idea of reviving her pre-war imperialistic policy. Italy must never again bo given the opportunity of attacking Egypt from African bases. Nokrashy Pasha said the Government was anxious to develop purely Egyptian industries, but would welcome foreign industries and capital from Britain. America, the dominions, or countries like Scandinavia and Switzerland.