BEVIN SAID TO WANT EGYPT AND SUDAN TO BE ONE

Wanganui Chronicle, 31 October 1946, Page 5

BEVIN SAID TO WANT EGYPT AND SUDAN TO BE ONE

Recd. 10 p.m. London, Oct. 30. Official Egyptian sources have disclosed what they claim is the text of a statement ihitialled by Mr. Ernest Bevln on the future status of the Sudan, which the Prime Minister, Sidky Pasha, brought back from London, says the Associated Press Cairo correspondent. The statement says: 'The policy which is to be followed on the Sudan should be. within the framework of unity of Egypt with the Sudan under one King, and Britain and Egypt should work for the welfare of the Sudanese. The Sudanese might have a right for ultimate self determination. In the meantime the present administration of the Sudan must remain as it is, according to the treaty, until the "Sudanese are ready for self-government."

The same sources said Mr. Bevln proposed that British troops evacuate Cairo, Alexandria and other cities by March, 1947, as previously agreed, and that the evacuation be completed by September, 1949. It is also claimed that Mr. Bevin has withdrawn a demand for consultations between the two governments when a “threat of war” exists, proposing instead that the two Governments consult only when war in the Middle East actually exists.

“Egypt considers the presence of foreign troops on the soil of any member State a grave infringement of sovereignty,” said Mohammed Husien Helkal Pasha (Egypt) at the ’United Nations Assembly. He declared that no foreign troops should be permitted to remain on any territory without that country’s express approval. Ey pt therefore demanded the Big Powers to withdraw troops stationed in small countries and cease "related forms of external pressure” on the little nations. Such troops on more than one occasion, he said, had been used to exert pressure on a Government at a time when political and economic negotiations were proceeding. Heikal Pasha urged the assembly to give immediate attention to the principle that no negotiations should be undertaken and no concession gfanted between sovereign nations as long as one was exercising pressure on the other by open or latent menace of its forces. Heikal Pasha considered that the United Nations’ codification of this principle would be a step towards the idea of world government, replacing the Security Council, and of world parliament, replacing the General Assembly. Heikal Pasha, who is president of the Egyptian Senate, said that the United Nations must see that the Middle East was not interfered with by big Powers, declaring that sometimes treaties were signed by smaller countries under pressure. He instanced the Soviet-Persian agreement for the development of Peislan oil, signed in May, 1946. CHINA’S ATTITUDE. Dr. Wellington Koo (China) told the assembly that China insisted that a veto should be instituted to achieve unity which was still needed to promote the success of the United Nations. Dr. Koo urged that the military staff committee should make more rapid progress so that the Security Council could discharge its duties effectively as the guardian of peace. He also urged the early establishment of a trusteeship council to rule millions of non-self-governing peoples throughout the world and who looked to the United Nations for a realisation of their aspirations for independence. Czechoslovakia joined the growing list of nations demanding United Nations' action on Spain. M. Masaryk told the assembly: “We fought this war to abolish Fascism and we should continue to do so wherever it exists." Commenting on reports of the “iron curtain” around Czechoslovakia, M Masaryk invited those who believed in its existence to “come and see for themselves.” He added: “May I suggest that there is perhaps some kind of curtain or screen around Spain?” M. Masaryk appealed for unanimity among the great Powers. He considered that only thus would the little countries have a much better chance. He declared that Czeehosolvakla stands guard over the very heart of Europe and desires to live in friendship and co-operation among ' free democratic countries.