Second Thoughts on Egypt
Although the Egyptians pretend that there can be no difference between Conservative and Labour foreign policies, the change of Government in Britain obviously provides an opportunity for reviewing the present stage of Anglo-Egyptian relations. If such a thing as a new approach to the Egyptian problem is possible, now is the time to make it. But is it possible ? Both officially and unofficially the Egyptians claim that they will only under- take negotiations on their own terms. But there are several other considerations which suggest that the outlook may not be quite so unpromising. In the first place the last week has seen no serious deterioration in the Canal Zone. It is still possible that an unhappy accident may. embroil the British forces, but it will be difficult for passions to remain indefinitely at their present heat, and whatever Fuad Serag al Din Pasha, the Minister of the Interior, may say, his Government cannot relish the prospect of the Delta being filled with armed bands of self- appointed crusaders. Secondly there is the somewhat reserved support which is all that has so far been given to Egypt by some of her colleagues in the Arab League. There is always a good deal of resentment at Egypt's habit of making herself the pace- maker for Arab policies, and of exacting allegiance from her colleagues as a right. But some elements in the League might be prepared to use their good offices to heal the breach between Britain and Egypt if they were given any encouragement from either side. Finally there is knowledge in Egypt that bringing their case before the United Nations is -not likely to bring them much satisfaction. They tried it once before, and their case in 1951 is a great deal worse than it was in 1947.
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