CAB129-45 — Page 531

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ANNEX II

TEXT OF EGYPTIAN REPLY TO UNITED KINGDOM

PROPOSALS OF 11TH APRIL

The Egyptian Government wishes to express its deep regret and bitter disappointment at the contents of the British Government's reply after long discussions lasting over 10 months during which the Egyptian side has spared no effort to explain and support its rights and to meet all the considerations with which the British side was concerned in a manner which would not be inconsistent with Egypt's rights.

The Egyptian Government has no alternative but categorically to reject the British proposals in toto and in detail especially as regards the following points:

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

(5)

(6)

The date at which evacuation of British troops

is to begin and the time set down for completing that evacuation.

The rate of withdrawal of the combatant troops

and General Headquarters being made dependent on the rate at which accommodation can be provided for them elsewhere.

The time taken in handing over the base to

the Egyptian Armed Forces and the stipulation that the base be operated in accordance with British military policy under the overall administrative control of an Anglo-Egyptian

Control Board.

The creation of a long term Anglo-Egyptian co-ordinated air defence system in which there should be both Egyptian and British components.

The exceedingly slow rate suggested for the provision of necessary arms and equipment for the Egyptian Forces.

The return of British Forces to Egypt in the event of imminent menace of war or apprehended international emergency.

(7) Separating the question of evacuation from that of the Unity of Egypt and the Sudan under the Egyptian Crown.

(8)

Offering "the earliest practicable opportunity"

as a pretext for putting off the time at which the Sudanese may enjoy self-government.

The Egyptian Government desires also to affirm that, so far as it is concerned, it rejects the British Government's claim to share in the defence of the Middle East on the plea of their obligations towards their other allies in the North Atlantic and the Middle East.

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Palestin Government puts forward pin is turn the following counter proposals as a basis for resuming negotiations between the two Governments with a view to a settlement of the problems outstanding between them:

(1)

(2)

The evacuation of British troops from Egypt

to begin immediately upon concluding the agreement and the necessity of completing this evacuation by land, sea and air within a period not exceeding one year.

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The base to be handed over to the Egyptian

Armed Forces immediately upon the completion of evacuation in accordance with the preceding paragraph.

(3) Special priority for the provision of necessary

arms and equipment to be given to the Egyptian Army at the earliest opportunity considering that Egypt is situated in a sensitive strategic

(4)

area.

The unity of Egypt and the Sudan under the

Egyptian Crown and self-government for the Sudanese within two years in the framework of this unity.

(5) British Forces and British officials to be withdrawn from the Sudan and the present regime in the Sudan to be terminated immediately upon the expiry of those two years.

(6)

(7)

The conclusion of an agreement between the two parties whereby British forces may return to those places to which, in the agreed opinion of two Governments, it is necessary that they should return for the purpose, of assisting in the defence of Egypt in the event of an armed aggression upon her or in the event of the United Kingdom's being involved in war as the result of an armed aggression on the Arab countries adjacent to Egypt.

In the event of their returning to Egypt in

accordance with the preceding paragraph, British troops will begin to withdraw from Egyptian territory immediately upon the cessation of hostilities. This withdrawal to be completed by land, sea and air within a period not exceeding three months.

(8) The Treaty of Alliance signed in London on

26th August, 1936 together with the Agreed Minute, notes and Convention, also the two Agreements of 1899 regarding the Sudan to be abrogated immediately upon the entry into force of the new agreement.

These are the counter proposals of the Egyptian Government. They are, as the Egyptian side, in the course of talks with Field Marshal Slim, The British Ambassador and The Late Mr. Bevin, has fully and clearly explained, adequate to meet the international situation. Indeed they are the only means of clarifying the sombre atmosphere pervading Anglo-Egyptian relations for the common good of the two Reagent 1 of 5 in the interest of interhage58abfpoate

in the Middle East as a whole.

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