CAB129-36 — Page 522

Page 522

ANNEX

SOME OF THE SPECIFIC TASKS OF BRITISH POLICY IN INDIVIDUAL MIDDLE EAST

Egypt

COUNTRIES

(1) The establishment of a stable Government which, while friendly to this country, is more representative of Egyptian opinion than any of the previous Palace Cabinets. Only such a Government will be in a position to tackle the vast social and economic problems facing Egypt and to reach a settlement on out- standing political issues with His Majesty's Government.

(2) Progressive social reform and economic development. The principal economic project is the development of the Nile Waters, without which Egypt will be unable to support her growing population. Without her co-operation, moreover, economic and social development would be retarded in the Sudan and Uganda.

(3) The settlement of the Treaty issue and the question of the status of the Sudan. The first problem is much the most important and it is possible that the question of the Sudan can be left dormant for the time being.

Some progress towards the achievement of all these three aims has been made. A Government of national union, at any rate for the duration of the elections, has been created. The Egyptian Government have in principle agreed to co-operate in both the Equatorial and the Blue Nile schemes. Technical military talks have progressed extremely well so far and offer at any rate a chance of a more permanent modus vivendi giving us the facilities we need to meet the threat of war in the Middle East.

Iraq

Establishment of financial stability. Reform of the Administration.

Broader political basis for the régime.

Active progress with economic development through an Economic Develop- ment Board, accompanied by the necessary social reform under the guidance of a British labour expert.

Resumption of full supply of war material.

When some progress has been made with the above, the question of a new Defence Agreement can be reviewed.

Discouragement of provocative measures against other Arab States. Re-opening of Haifa pipeline.

Saudi Arabia

Settlement of eastern and southern frontiers.

Continuance of efforts to improve relations with Jordan and Iraq. Continued evidence of British interest through, e.g., Military Mission, Civil Air Training Mission, Reconnaissance Mission and the supply of arms.

Financial guidance should be given where possible but there is not much hope of early social progress. Commercial opportunities should be developed.

Jordan

Maintain the viability of Jordan, with particular reference to refugees. Extension of Arab Legion to fulfil the tasks laid down for it by the Chiefs of Staff.

Early absorption of Arab Palestine with extension of Anglo-Jordanian Treaty.

Maintenance of existing relatively satisfactory social conditions.

Lebanon

Intensification of anti-Communist measures with the help of British security Pagedit2 eftishment of social insurancPagehome of62other social

expert.

measures.