1 2 cms PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE ins
Please note that this copy is supplied subject to the Public Record Office's terms and conditions and that your use of it may be subject to copyright restrictions. Further information is given in the enclosed Terms and Conditions of supply of Public Records' leaflet J AFRICAN DEPARTMENT
FROM
I\JL*> fr&iiJCJirt^ 1 No.
Dated V Received in Registry — M **i J /f 3 .•
REFERENCES MINUTES
(Print) 77-*-
(How disposed of)
-P>W#Jt.'
"
y
(Action (Index) completed) -7 <\
39984 1 2 cms PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE ins I 1 i 2
Ref.: /£0 3~7/j ' /0 SAVING TELEGRAM.. En Glair. By Bag*• PROM CAIRO T_0 H)REIGN OFFICE. Sir Ralph Skrine Stevenson. No.119 Saving. ,-— /o , May if, 1954. _ -•• "" ""--1"™"™ ADDRESSED to Foreign Office tele gram No.119 Saving of May k, 193ETHEPEATED for information Saving to:- B.M.E.O. Fayid No. 193(3) Paris No. 158(3 Washington No.lUO(S UNCLASSIFIED. My telegram No. 116 Savin Trial of Hussain and Mghmoud Abul J'ath. The Revolution Tribunal to-day sentenced Hussain Abul Path to 15 years imprisonment, with suspension of sentence, and Mahmoud Abul Fath (in absentia) to 10 years imprisonment and the confiscation for the benefit of the nation of £E.358,438. l8L|.m/ms. of his property, "that sum having been proved to have been expenditure from unknown sources, namely illicit profits as described in the report of the investigating committee.. 1 2 cms PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE ins I 1 i 2 Ret* /&=> 3~?'S S&fJ/y f*OSV 9 Plea se note that this copy is supplied subject to the Public Record Office's terms and conditions and that your use of it may be subject to copyright restrictions. Further information is given in the enclosed Terms and Conditions of supply of Public Records' leaflet SECRET FKEK : CAIRO TO FOREIGN OFFICE FOREIGN OFFICE SECRET AND Gvoher/OT„ u /r.rrmP ...... ••"* • ...... • • •• AM) WHITEHALL SECRET DISTRIBUTION Si«* r 1*. „*Stevenson - No., 602 D. 5,20 p.m. May 10, 1954.. May 10, 1954.. L.7JL5-p.a% May 10, 1954., / 0 I SERET Addressed to Foreign Offioe telegram No. 602 of May 10. Repeated for information to B.M.E.O. Governor-General Khartoum v and Saving to Bagdad \v\ ._. Beirut Tel Aviv \ . / i itoaaseus Paris /A'/' Amnan Washington u" v Jedda Ankara \ (\ Ir- Your telegram No. 720. j You may wish at this juncture to have my appreciation, of the regime's position internally, and of its intentions in so ;;far as they can be perceived. > 2, As foreseen in paragraph 3 of my telegram No. 518 the regime's position in internal affairs had gradually improved during the past few weeks. The only attempted action against the regime directed from within the aimed forces seems to have been efficiently disposed of. With General lesmib's eclipse and the elimination of Major Khaled Mohieddi»»the maia causes of significant disunity within the Council of the revolutionary command have "been removed. General Ncguib himself, though hardly reconciled to his role of figurehead, appears to be virtually isolated and powerless. Abdul Nasser felt confident enough to be able to tell the A. P. correspondent on May 2 that the General, who, he suggested had been responsible for recent difficulties, was now only concerned with his representational duties as head of the State and had no responsibilities of Government although he has presided at two recent C.R.C. meetings. As regards the other members there are indications that ?f/t3dr Gamal Sawa is disgruntled and favours a tougher line with General Neguib; Lt-Col. Sadat tends to regard himself as a law unto himself in the direction of "Al Guiahouriya" . But the C.R.C. as a whole appears nevertheless 1 1 2 cms PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE 1 IR*.: /&=> 3 -?/S / &f3/ > &-OSV 9 Please note that this copy is supplied subject to the Public Record Office's terms and conditions and that your use of it may be subject to copyright restrictions. Further information is given in the enclosed Terms and Conditions of supply of Public Records' leaflet SECRET Cairo telegram... No. 602 to Foreign Office - 2 - to be working fairly well together. There is no doubt that Nasser has increased his moral ascendancy over his colleagues and can probably carry the Council with him on all important issues. / * 3. The arrests reported in my telegram No. 382 may be considered rather as an indication of the regime's capacity to deal with its enemies in its own time than as a measure forced on it "by any serious attempt at a coop. The incident has been taken quietly and there are no signs at present of further trouble in the armed forces. The action taken against Abul Paths and "Al Misri" has further paralysed the opposition press and discouraged hostile elements. 4. The students, preoccupied with their examinations and cowed by the firmness of the Government, are in no position to cause trouble. Within a few weeks they will disperse for summer vacation and no further difficulties are anticipated in the universities, at least until the autumn. 5. The truce between the C.R.C. and the Moslem Brotherhood, though no doubt an nn«ftsy one, has been maintained, .organisatio*_ n as a whole appears to be quiescent. 6. In their efforts to establish a broader basis for their rule and to attract popular support, the Government have somewhat relaxed austerity measures, and reforms have much publicised the distribution of land. 7. Meanwhile, the behaviour and private statements of the regime make it clear that they are anxious to reach an early settlement of the Canal Zone problem. I have little doubt that they are doing their best to prepare the way for further talks by aroidiag clashes in the zone, and by maintaining on this issue a generally moderate tone both in their public utterances and the press, and it appears that they have largely succeeded. The exception has been MA1 Gumhouriya" under the control of Lt-Col. Sadat; even the E.S.B. has given little cause for complaint in this connexion. During the past week there have been no serious incidents in the zone, although propaganda efforts in the form of minatory pamphlets have been revived. Bomb outrages, which also appear to be largely for propaganda effects, /have been 1 1 2 cms PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE ins 1 2 | ME/ /^o 37'S /&f3/y 2-Ott 9 1 Pies se note that this copy is supplied subject to the Public Record Office's terms and conditions and that your use of it may be subject to copyright restrictions. Further information is given in the enclosed Terms and Conditions of supply of Public Records' leaflet SECRET Cairo telegram No« 602 to Foreign Office - 3 - have "been on a decreasing scale. A measure of cooperation "between the Egyptian police and the military authorities has "been a welcome development. As regards public utterances, members of the C.R.G. have "been studiously moderate. 8. The regime's handling of other issues, particularly the Sudan, has shown no improvement, Nasser himself also now appears to have "become more aware of the Sudanf s importance to Egypt and recently stated that it was more important than the Canal Zone issue. 9. To sum up, Col. lasser and the C.R.C. are likely, barring assassination, to maintain their hold on the country for some considerable time. They are also evidently making some effort to pr«pare the way for a resumption of Anglo-Egyptian talks and are awaiting some initiative on the part of Her Majesty's Government. Foreign Office please pass to Governor General Khartoum as my telegram No, 67 and Saving to Paris, Washington and Ankara as my Saving telegrams Nos. 161, UU. and 36 respectively, [Repeated to Governor General Khartoum and Saving to Paris, Washington and Ankara]. mmmnffii 1 2 cms PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE ins I 1 i 2 Ret„ /£o 3~7'J S&fJ/'y &OSV 9 Piea;>e note that this copy is supplied subject to the Public Record Office's terms and conditions and that your JSe of it may be subject to copyright restrictions. Further information is given in the enclosed Terms and Conditions of supply of Public Records' leaflet J SAVING TELEGRAM En Glair by bag PROM CAIRO TO FOREIGN OFFICE Sir Ralph Skrine Stevenson u No. 125 Saving May 10, 195U. Addressed to Foreign Office telegram No»125 Saving of May 10, 1954> Repeated for information Saving to:**' Paris No.160 Washington No. 114.3 B.M.E.O. (Fayid) No.198 UNCLASSIFIED Revolution Tribunal After a meeting of the C.R.C. on the night of May 9 Lt. Col* Zakaria Mohieddin, Minister, of the Interior, announced that Abul Kheir Nagib, proprietor of Al Gumhour Al Misri» would appear before the Revolution Tribunal on... May 12 on charges of (i) Communicating with foreign quarters. (ii) Violating the code of ethics of the Press to achieve personal ends. (iii) Contacting certain groups and organisations with the intention of spreading discord and rebellion. 2 cms PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE ins I 1 I 2 3 -? > 9 I Please note that this copy is supplied subject to the Public Record Office's terms and conditions and that your use of it may be subject to copyright restrictions. Further information is given in the enclosed Terms and Conditions of supply of Public Records' leaflet J AFRICAN DEPARTMENT CONFIDENTIAL FROM <* 2 r? 0 Dated Received in ' Registry- fa ^ References to former relevant papers MINUTES />^c^ (Print) (How disposed of) (Action (Index) comple •? v»^r>^f -j£L^^J> ^U^r/ References to later relevant papers PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE ins Please note that this copy is supplied subject to the Public Record Office's terms and conditions and that your use of it may be subject to copyright restrictions. Further information is given in the enclosed Terms and Conditions of supply of Public Records' leaflet t. few. t>,K,. fee 1 2 cms PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE ins 1 1 1 2 Rei* /^o 3~?'S ' /0 .Department, imriBg the e®iarse of the referred t© im ps:ragr©;|>,fe 3 ©f ©^ir telegraa Lieutenant Golenel -AM®! la&ser 'told the Oriental Counsellor that he wft® dissatisfied with the state ®.f affairs at the FiHI«id«ia<$y of the Council. When he had gene to his office he hail found that there was little for him t® do except to see people ant no work was being dome. The whole,system seeaed Es to him to be defective and he would very snieh like to have some information, aboiat the way the; British Cabinet and Cabinet Secretariat worked. What, for example, were the exaet duties and responsibilities of the Priiae Minister? i 2. We rather doubt whether any handy compendium exists on the stibject either of the working ©f the Cabinet or on that of the duties and responsibilities ©f the Prime Minister. We should however be most grateful f®r any information which we can pass on to Colonel Maaser. 3. , We are copyiaag this letter to the British Middle last Office Fayid. Yours ever. CHANOBEY. African Bepartaent, Foreign Offiee, LOHDOH, S.W.1 1 2 cms PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE ins I 1 i 2 | /70<.:I /^o 3~7^ /0 t irkLM , 195k* SRJT lnf^rmiti0ii to t&t on the workings of the 2* We now enclose e short piffl$iJl®t entitled *fte Gorernfnoat and Atolnis tret Ion of th« nnited Kingdom', Qt which fages 16-2Q ivt jwjlamnt. We hare also oMdi«Jd, wad vlll aend to you for Cfolonsl Nacaei- ma eoon as It is received, a copy of Sir A* Barriedale Keith's British Cabiiwst System*, Toura flie Briti Gelro. 1 2 cms PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE ins I 1 I 2 I tfei e* /^ 3-7^ /o EGYPT AND SUDAN FROM CSY\ as*, e*^ rTJ' ( AX-O-£>» jk^Jfc, &r*4 d^-C^^ L^ No. ^^4^C^U^ &****~6£^ , s> " ** Dated / X' Zrf^,j*£«-- >i A_ Received in References to former relevant papers MINUTES "fe* (Print) (How disposed of) / (Action (Index) completed) ufc •7 References to later relevant papers 45609 1| 2 cms PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE ins I •) I 2 Please note that this copy is supplied subject to the Public Record Office's terms and conditions and that your use of it may be subject to copyright restrictions. Further information is given in the enclosed Terms and Conditions of supply of Public Records' leaflet British Embassy, CAIfiO. (1019/2/54) f Bear Department, We enclose a copy of the draft Constitution for the Egyptian National Consultative Assembly as it appeared in the Journal d'Egypte of May 19. According to the press the text had been studied by the Council of the Bevolutionary Command on May 18 and Lieutenant-Colonel Saaal Abdel Maser directed that it should be published immediately in order to give the people an opportunity of earpressing their views on it, 2* The Assembly, if set up on the lines envisaged in the, draft, will be broadly representative both of geographical areas and of trades, professions and various corporate interests. Members representing provinces and govera«rates and also agricultural in- ( terests will be-jahojaMirJay, the local government authorities from a list drawn up by the Council of Ministers. Other members will be §elect«jM4ppnt,1fr.Jby J^jgoyneLll^Bf B3jga*g™» j in most cases from the administrative bodies of pr of essionaTass ooiati ons and trades unions, The Prime Minister will nominate the President of the Assembly from amongst its members. Tlie law setting up the Assembly will take effect on its publication in the Journal Of f ioiel and a decree nominating the President and members is to be promulgated within two months from that date. 3» The main qualifications for membership are Egyptian nat- ionality, literacy and solvency. Persons under 25 years of age are in- eligible as are persons convicted on a criminal charge or before the Revolution Tribunal or Corruption Court. An as yet unstated salary, will be paid to members who, if they should be in government employment, their posts on being nominated. 4* The Assembly's more important terms of reference are set out in Article 15, which the draft gives in alternative versions. The first states that the following Questions must be submitted to the Assembly: (i) The Budget, (ii) The imposition, modification or abolition of taxes. (iii) Treaties and international conventions fof special importance from the national viewpoint1. (iv) All legislation other than that which the Government considers urgent or of limited importance. The Assembly must give its opinion within two months or, in cases of urgency, within one week. Otherwise, the Government may make its own decision without further delay. The alternative version states more generally that the Assembly is competent to give its opinion on all proposed legislation and that this opinion must be delivered within three weeks. In urgent matters the Government may promulgate legis- lation without prior reference, though such laws may be reviewed by the Assembly at the request of five of its members. African Department, Foreign Office, LOSDON, S.W.I. 1 2 cms PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE ins I 1 i 2 Rei* /&=> 3~7^ /0 -2- _ Oth9r Artioles provide that members may jut forward 6< we are sending a copy of this letter, without enclosure, to the B.M.E.O. (Payid). lours ever, GHANOEBS. 1 2 cms PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE ins I 1 I 2 Ret„ /£o 3~7^ /O^J/y 2-Ott 9 I Plea se note that this copy is supplied subject to the Public Record Office's terms and conditions and that your use of it may be subject to copyright restrictions. Further information is given in the enclosed Terms and Conditions of supply of Public Records' leaflet la loi sur I1 Assemble Nalionale ' 4 — Les projets de lol, autres es questions relativerlatives aux AffaAffaii- 1 tres. Le president d« I'Assemblee que oeux que le gouvefnement es exterieure* et la defense ou Tjfl 1>*i«h:fc. Jfliftffy >' sera nomm* de la meme mantore estime qu'Hs ont un earactere es questions que I'Assemblee de- . mtoistre £e 1'Ap- parmi ses membres. I'urgenc* ou d'lmportano* limi- ilde d'examiner a huis-clos. t, ,a declare que Un proces-verbal de Ohaque , ' le Conseir\ « Ministrp' tiendrait TITRE II louioi tos precedent** ques- seance est dre**4, oompr*nant to. , mftrdl procftfin une flconde reu- Les membres tions serorrt deposees sur to Bu- notes, projets et proposition* dont , nion fXtraordipaire jsour poursui- Art. 4. — Sans prejudice des reau de 1'Assembrte. *l elle n ex- ecture a ete donnee. ainsi aue les , vre l'*tude du'^orojit. dispositions de I'artiole prem'er, prime pa, son avis a tour sujet discussions et les decisions pri- ( Mtre F»thi KMOuan, muiistre il est exige du membre de I'As- dans tos deux mois i partlr de ses. Les prooes-verbaux des sean- < d'Etftt, a declar/lte son c6te aue a date d. toUr depot, to gouver- ce* publiques sont publics en ; le Oonseil av*ti|'»-pp\ouy4 les prm- *em — D;8tre de nationalite igyp- nement pourra prendre tme d«cl- annexe du « Journal Offiolel ». < cipes generaux du p^ojet soumis. sion »ans attendr* I'avto de lAs- Art 23. - Les mlnistres et les mlntstres suppliants ?•"«"**»• Avant de Je soumettre au Con- 2. — De savoir blen lire et 6«ri- "Nlanmoins, si le gouvernement sister aux »*anoes de I'AssembMe. seil des Mintstres, 1« President d«mande a I'Assemble d'expri- Abdel Naffler a tenu, en -tout cas. "3 — D'etre age de vlngt-oinq II, ont to drolt d'Mre •ntendus a rendrf public, le pro jet de loi mer son avis par vow d'urgenoe ohaque fols qu'ils demandent la ans gregoriens au moins au mo- »ur une question, 1'A.sembl** de- parole. Us pourronl »e faire as- en question, en vue de pemettre vra exprimer son a«i« dutant la a touWe nionde d'en prendrJM;on- t- 'Devour de'Tout, ,. ca- slster ou se falre representer par naissince et de permettre k ft«wx semaine suivant la de haul, fonotionnaires. qui *uraient des observations >u "t'-Denepas.treprivedeses de la demande, Art M. — La reunion de I At- i«»iwn gouvernement po>.,-. *•• Jnble* n'est vaUble que si la drolts pollt|t(ues, „„,. .., . une decision *»n. attendre lajoriW de set membres est pre- 6, _ rJe h'avofr rfis «te I'objet de I'Assemblee. d'un Jugement rendu o^ntrt lui (Autre forme de Tarticle 15) MArt 25. Hors les cas oii une LE TEXIE'BU PROJEt oar le Tribunal de la Revolution Art. 18. — L'A«s«mt>Me est malor'ite speclale est requite, let SS to Tribunal de la Concufsion, competent* de donner son wrt» et de n'avoir pas tubi de oondam- Seotoion. «nt Drise. a la majo- DELOI »ur les questions qu$ lul soumet- te»soUe Voici le text* integral du pro- nation pour un crln.. i ou un , *«« tra le gouvernement et sur tous presents. En oas de WHomge, I* entaohant I'honneur. a moins qu H tos projets de lois qu'il a 1'inton- proposition mlse en deliberation Jet de loi : n'ait et6 rihabilit*. tlon de promulguer. Le gouver TITRE I 7. — De n'avoir pas et4 en fan nerrtent ctoposera toutes oe« quee- est rejetee. La composition tlon sur to Bureau de I'Aseem TITRE IV Wee. 81 I'As^mbWe n-exprimj de I'Assemblee pa, son avis dans to iMIalid Le regime de travail Art. 1. — L'Assembtoe Nationals . trois semalnes a« plus a date **t compose** de membres repre to. fonctlons de de tour depflt, to 80"v«Tnam*" de 1'Assemblee sentant les diverse* eommunautes pourra prendre un* deolslon a Art. 28. — L'Assembtoe a un institution* el regions de la Re leur sujet sans attendre i'avls d Bureau oomprenant un prtsldent, , publtque d'fgypte, de la manierr 1'Assemblee. . deux vice-president,, quatre se- i suivante : Dans tous tos cas d'urgenoe, I oretaires et trols questeur* chol- 1. — Soixante-douze membre gouvernement pourra Promulgue SOS sis par I'Assemblee, a sa premier! representant oevx qui s'occupen !«, lois sans prendre prealable reunion, par scrutin secret. de ('agriculture i proprietaires, lo Art e._ Tout fonctionnaire pu ment I'avls de I'AssembMe,. N*an cataires et ouvriers agrlootos blic et tout membre H« «'«".* moins, il faut tos deposer .ur I Le Reglement inUrleur diter- dont dix-huit membres represen conseHPs provlnciaux ou des eom- Bureau de l'As»embtoe dis leu minera les attributions du Bureau mKs munlclpatos ou villa et ('organisation de »«*«»*"•,,. tant les proprietaires possedan promulgation. Ces lois sont m Art. 27. — L'Assembtoe const!- dix feddans et plus, et les autre " ses en discussion *i cinq mem- representant lea propriet«u>es fon bres au moins to d»mand«nt •*"«• tuera des oommissions dont to ciers possidant moins de dix fed- les trerit* Jours* —*'• ' nombre et les Mtrlbutions sewnt dans ainsi P.ue les looataires et des * '• Mrment '*• date de tour depot. . determines par le Re«lement in- les ouvriers agriooles. Dans la dis- gal. peut reoommander au tfrtow Dw VommlsHons p*uvent tribution de* siege, drns les mou- . - LM membres de I' As- m*nt, a la majerlt* de* ---.- ,. riunir en dehors de. MM icni. dirlehs, il sera teriu oompte du tier., de modHler ou d annutor Elle peut aus.1 con.tituer des commissions ****** W' «• nembre de tour* habitants oontor- °*Art. ie. — Les membr*. de duree ou un but determine, ces mement au dernier reeensement s fonctlonneront et general. D A —--•"'MAii ont le droll de pre- %. .— Un membre de chaque :-i a *. semeTdeTpropeeltion* de loi et conformement au re- moudirieh chol.i par les commis- de" resections ayant un carac- sion* municipale* parmi leurs ^Si ffSseVnbtoe to. approuv., membres, el un membre pour cha- elle recommande de fromtrtguer que gouvernorai choisi par les to lol ou d'exlcuter la proposi- membres de la commission mu- statue j rSsoIution. n'importe 1 nicipale du siege du gouvernorat. tlon*. »o u 17a . -J Tout membre oe 3. — vingt-cinq membres re- son su- j presentant les ouvriers de I'indus- I'Assembtoe a to drolt •''^"'JJJ el presenter son trie, du commerce et du transport d«s^ sulels'dVtortnirrfs ayant un Jet. choi.i* parmi le. membres * us oafmt*VT e d'inttrit general, a TITRE V des institutions representart les o« r???' ,a 4UMtk»n **it ! ouvriers, en v.illant a ce que ,„ par 4crit au president Dispositions generates I leurs diverse, corporations »oieni transmet au minislre com- et finales autant que possible represent***- i Cinq membres representant mn repond en stance Art. 29. - Les . les'preprietalres de la proprtote '* Am-^membre d. .'As- a la que.tion par 4«rit ou verba- semblee sonl inscriles dans i etlw Lnenl II peut demander Taiour- budget de I'Etat. dan. une Motion chefs-lieu&*r»!f«n^x des mou St de ta repon« hull Jours lale. sous to tltr* de « As»«n- j. — Qutni* mem U Na'uo"... ». tant tos industries . * Art"il. - Vingt membre. au 6. — Quinz* membres reprt- mo»M peuvent demanrttr-la uiitanl tos coromeroants, tnotojs nn >v«o to* ministres presWent wr des «ue*tions W*Art 30. - L'Assembtoe est seu "arm" to* memftres '"^yjj; ayant «n oatimtere I, oomp*tent. pour malntenir I'or oemmerce. T. — Cinq membres represen- par *rtt «t en detail l!*- L'A«ombtoe .tab.. " Art. 12. - la discussion. tant to. banques et les societis Le"ministre rfcxmd k la.' de- - ^Msuranc*w . ehotols parmi to* mm mande d* disouswon, dan* I* oe- tan n^lnallon de. membr.. — de tours oonsells d adml- lai de troi* semalhw, l«r un ex- el du president de I Assembwe pos* eorlt depo*4 sur to B««»u sera promulgu* dans un d« ai . de I'Awembtoe. L'objet de la dis- d« i deux jnois au plus a dater cussion ne sera pas f"8*1'" * la mtt* en vigueur de la WA^S ft s»SHro £ des Minlstre-e s el les mlnistres charges, chaoun en oe oul le ssss^^ss^ * !« -" *- vant* seance. conoerne, u» i •»«««.«—• —„," ^1 SAVING TELEGRAM En Glair by bag. FROM CAIRO TO FOREIGN OFFICE Sir Ralph Skrine Stevenson. No.138 Saving May 31, 1954. UNCLASSIFIED ;' Addressed to Foreign Office telegram No.158 Saving of May 31, 1954, repeated for information Saving to. :- Paris No.167 Washington No. 150 B.ME.a'(Fayid) No. 210 The Chief State Security Prosecutor, Maltre Mustafa El.-Hilbawi released yesterday the indictment against 25 persons accused of conspiring to overthrow the present regime and to destroy the present economic and social set-up in the country by Communist methods. The case has been referred to the Supreme Military Court. The defendants are :. 1. Mustafa Kamal Sidky, 31, retired. Army Major. 2. Abdel Rehim Amin Sidky, 21, student. 3. Aly Youssef Bid, 21, Police College Cadet. 4. Youssef Hilmy, 42, lawyer. 5. Abu~Bakr Hamdy Seif El-Nasr, 54, farmer, 6. Sayed Ibrahim El-Bakkar, 30, official at the Ministry of Agriculture. 7. Sherif Fat'hallah Hatata, 30, doctor. 8. Mohamed Mohamed Shata, 36, mechanic. 9. Albert Arye, 24, Manager of New London House. 10. Halim Ahmed Tousson, 25, student. 11. Ibrahim Ibrahim Sidahmed Hussein, 31, official at the Ministry of War. 12. Zaki Mourad Ibrahim, 27, lawyer. 13. Ahmed Taha Ahmed, 26, employee at the Marconi Radio Telegraph Company. 14. Mohamed Khalll Kassem, 31, private teacher. 15. Naomi Canel, 35, housewife. 16. Ahmed Saad~El~Mn Kamel, 29, lawyer. 17. Mary Rosenthal, 22, divorced. 18. Mohamed Fouad Mounir, doctor. 19. Khaled Abdel Mohaymen Sallam, 26, lawyer. 20. Osman Ghaleb Tulba, 25, student. 21. Abdel Latif Mohamed Gamal, '27, company employee, 22. Mohsen Mohamed Plassan, 33, jobless. 23. Raymond Francois Habib, 25, company employee. ' ••1:24, Mohamed Mohamed El-Nishwy, Army private. fir ;•• 25. Abbas Tewfik Saleh, 33, Army Sergeant-Major. V •<«*26. Mohammed Ibrahim, lawyer. tes e last named was mentioned only by Al Ahram) 1 2 cms PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE ins I 1 i 2 Rot* ^o 3~?'J s&fj/y ^tfjT^ 9 Piea:>e note that this copy is supplied subject to the Public Record Office's terms and conditions and that your iJSe of it may be subject to copyright restrictions. Further information is given in the enclosed Terms and Conditions of supply of Public Records' leaflet - 2 - 2. The charges preferred against them were that during the year 1953 and up to November 3 of that year, ttiey : Firstly ; plotted to commit crimes aimed at achieving a certain end. They united to form a secret organisation named "National Democratic Society" seeking to overthrow the present regime by force by instigating the masses against the established government of Egypt and sowing hatred for it. The accused directed this criminal movement by preparing, printing and distributing leaflets in the name of the said organisation propagating its criminal objectives and methods. Secondly : They openly urged an overthrow of the established government in Egypt and hatred for it by public and indiscriminate distribution of leaflets calling for such an overthrow and describing government leaders as a military gang subservient to imperialism. The indictment further accused the last nineteen defendants of the following : Firstly : That they formed an organisation aimed at bringing about the domination of one social class over other classes, eradicating a certain social class, upsetting the country's economic and social set-up and destroying the basic institutions of the community. The use of force, violence and other illegal methods was noticeable in their activities. They organised a secret society under the, name of "Democratic Movement for National Liberation". Its object was to eliminate the propertied and capitalist class and to effect the domination of the working class. It also aimed at abolishing private ownership of the production machine and transferring it to the State. The idea was to create an Egyptian community along the lines of the present set-up in Russia and with the same revolutionary method adopted by Lenin and Stalin in the Russian Revolution; to incite workers to stage sit-down and total stoppages and to transgress on the rights of others; and to instigate them against members of the propertied class in a manner that would disrupt public order. Secondly ; That they propagated changes in constitutional principles and basic institutions of the community in order to upset the established social and economic systems. Force, terrorism and other illegal means were noticeable in the .activities which they conducted through participation in the said organisation. 3. Al~Gomhouria gave the following additional information : ( i) Eight of the accused have admitted the acts attributed to them. They are the defendants listed under Nos. 16 to 23. Fifteen of the accused are in custody. The other ten have been released temporarily. Eight prosecution witnesses - all officers - will testify in the case. (ii) Two of the defendants - Moharaed Fouad Mounir and Khaled Abdel Mohaymen Sallam, admitted that /the y 1 2 cms PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE ins I 1 I 2 | M /^b 3~?'J s&fJ/ > f-osv 9 Please note that this copy is supplied subject to the Public Record Office's terms and conditions and that your use of it may be subject to copyright restrictions. Further information is given in the enclosed Terms and Conditions of supply of Public Records' leaflet - 3 - they had communicated and collaborated with Wafdist youths in Cairo and Alexandria since February, 1952. They also stated that the secret organisation to which the defendants belonged had contacts with the leaders of the dissolved Wafd party particularly with Ibrahim Farag (former Wafdist Minister who was jailed by the Revolution Tribunal). (ill) The authorities discovered the conspiracy on November 4, 1953. On that date, 35 persons were arrested, but 10 were subsequently set free. The documents of the case were referred to the Revolution Tribunal last March, but they were returned later to the Prosecutor-General. 1 2 cms PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE ins I 1 i 2 Rettf /£& 3~7'/t /0 SUNDAY TIMES. 13 M .1354 NASSER "WOULD WELCOME APPROACH BY BRITAIN" Policy Explained in Interview with "The Sunday Times" From J. B. SLADE-BAKER, Special Correspondent of The Sunday Times CAIRO, Saturday. ONFIDENCE in the ability of the Revolutionary Command vi Council to continue as the Government of Egypt and a firm belief that a mutually satisfactory Anglo-Egyptian agreement is the indis- pensable foundation of all future political, economic and defensive developments In the Middle East— these were keynotes of an exclusive interview given me by the Prime Minister, Colonel Oamal Abdel Nasser, I sounded Col. Nasser on his reactions to Mr. Selwyn Lloyd's recent statement in the Commons that the restoration of law and order in the Canal Zone was an essential condition for the reopening of negotiations. The 'statement, he said, would not alter Egyptian plans in any way. " We were, and are, doing our best to stop incidents, and will continue to do so in future until there is an agreement. We have arrested eleven well known criminals during the past few days. Referring to the murder of two British soldiers, he said: "Nobody can entirely prevent these incidents. It is impossible to stop gangsterism completely." I asked the Prime Minister if he would welcome a fresh approach by Britain. <-Of course," he answered, explain- ing that a satisfactory agreement would end anti-British and anti-Government propaganda, and the campaign of rumours and accusations levelled against the Revolution Council, which were, he said, deliberately organised by Com- munists and the Opposition. The wearing of civilian clothes by British technical experts in the Canal Zone was, he continued, of the utmost importance. " We cannot sign an agree- ment- providing for .the British Army to evacuate the Canal Zone and at the same time entitle 4,000 officers and men to continue to wear British uniforms. It is a question of what we can persuade our people to accept. Restoring Good Will " The essential thing," Colonel Nasser explained, " is to create an atmosphere of confidence and trust, and restore the good will towards Britain which used to exist. "It is not too late," he declared in answer to my question, " but Egypt today is a different country from what it used to be, and the Pet»>le'are diflerent, too. We want your friendship," he added, but it must be on a new basis." •• HOW strong are the Communists? I asked. "There are several'groups and they are well organised," he replied -Ttae most dangerous is called the Egyptian Communist Party. It has secret printing presses, and publishes its own paper. The Flag of the People.' They are clever, too. They do not preach Com- munism. They talk of Egypt's nationa aspirations and the need to end al forms of imperialism and colonial penetrated the Moslem Brotherhood?" ««•.,«•• The Prime Minister nodded. "Yes, he replied, "they have been trying for a long time and have done so at last; but they do not control it and as yet it is not dangerous. They have tried to enter the Liberation Rally and our own paper,'', Al Goumhouria,1 too." Turko-Pakistan Pact Fear Discussing Egypt's hostility to the Turko-Pakistan Pact, the Prime Mini- ster said it was due to one cause alone the suspicion that the United States and ourselves have, as he put it, "evolved a new policy for cutting the Arab countries to pieces, and that this is the first phase." " And if Iraq joins the pact ?" I Arab League and our own policy for the 1 2 cms PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE ins I 1 1 2 I Ret„ /^o 3-7;; ' /ajj/y #-ott ? Piease note that this copy is supplied subject to the Public Record Office's terms and conditions and that your ijse of it may be subject to copyright restrictions. Further information is given in the enclosed Terms and Conditions of supply of Public Records' leaflet -norm TTvaigj lit! U-I11UHUBU,' Oil UH? UlilUUSl importance. "We cannot sign an agree- ment providing for the British Army to evacuate the Canal Zone and at the same time entitle 4,000 officers and men to continue to wear British uniforms. It is a question of what we can persuade our people to accept. Restoring Good Will " The essential thing," Colonel Nasser explained, " is to Create an atmosphere of confidence and trust, and restore the good will towards Britain which used to exist. " It is not too late," he -declared,.. In answer to my question, "but Egypt today is a different country from what it used to be, and the people are different, too. We want your friendship," he added, "but it must be on a new basis." " How strong are the Communists? " I asked. "There are several' groups and they are well organised," he replied. "The most dangerous is called the Egyptian Communist Party. It has secret printing presses, and publishes its own paper. The Flag of the People.' They are clever, too. They do not preach Com- munism. They talk of Egynt's national aspirations and the need to end all forms of imperialism and colonial exploitation." "Have they penetrated the Moslem Brotherhood?" The Prime Minister nodded. "Yes," he replied, "they have been trying for a long time and have done so at last; but they do not control it and as yet it is - not dangerous. They have tried to enter the Liberation Rally and our own paper, ' Al Goumhouria,' too." Turko-Pakistan Pact Fear Discussing Egypt's hostility to the Turko-Pakistan Pact, the Prime Mini- ster said it was due to one cause alone, the suspicion that the United States and ourselves have, as he put it, "evolved a new policy for cutting the Arab countries to pieces, and that this is the first phase." "And if Iraq joins the pact?" I inquired. " If Iraq joins it will affect both the Arab League and our own policy for the defence of the Middle East through the Arab League Security Papt." '• But," I argued, " cannot the Turko- Pakistan Pact be regarded as a founda- tion on which the future security of the whole Middle East can be built? Sup- pose Great Britain and Egypt signed an agreement satisfactory to us both, would that not make a difference ?" " If we sign an agreement we reach another phase, and we can then discuss the defence of the Middle East, pro- vided that it is based on the Arab League Security Pact." Turning to internal affairs, I re- minded the Prime Minister that one of the arguments frequently put forward against the signing of a new treaty with Egypt was that the recent series of crises pointed to a lack of stability in the regime, and that there was a'risk that it might not remain in existence long enough to implement the treaty. His answer was brief and to tlie point. "We can last ten years," he said and continued, " What is the alternative? A coalition of the Wafd the Moslem Brotlierhood, Ahmed Hus- sein's Socialists—the man who was responsible for burning Cairo—and the Communists? Is that what they want? " " You depend upon the Free Officers' movement for your control of the Army, do you not?" I asked. "Who are they, and when did the movement .start?" The Prime Minister explained that the members consist of officers who accepted his views and joined his secret organisation before the "Revolution. " They are serving in every unit and branch ot the service," he went on "They are in command of units and formations, and on April 28 we were able to move the air force, infantry and artillery against the cavalry within twenty minutes." Coup Impossible "Then you do not fear a counter- revolutionary coup?" " No. it is almost impossible." answered the Prime Minister. " But suppose it happened. Suppose they killed me, Gamal Abdel Nasser. Thev could not last a fortnight There would be too many against them." Discussing the formation of a National Assembly, he said he hoped it would be convened at the end of July, and it would be its duty to examine and approve a new constitution. It was intended, he I went on, to keep the Assembly in exist- I ence until January, 1956, when a second ; Assembly would be elected to arrange a i parliamentary election j " Does the Council of Revolution i intend to form its own party, based on the Liberation Rally?" I asked as I took my leave " Yes," Colonel Nasser answered, and to my final question—whether the old i political parties would be revived—came an uncompromising " Never." i [WORLD COPYRIGHT] 2 cms PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE insI 1 Please note that this copy is supplied subject to the Public Record Office's terms and conditions and that your use of it may be subject to copyright restrictions. Further information is given in the enclosed Terms and Conditions of supply of Public Records' leaflet J AFRICAN DEPARTMENT FROM No. 333. (I Dated 0 Receive Registry— U^JL f 1- REFERENCES MINUTES (Print) (How disposed of) itr^vi/ (Action (Index) completed) .V 38679 2*1 cms PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE ins Ref.: Please note that this copy is supplied subject to the Public Record Office's terms and conditions and that your use of it may be subject to copyright restrictions. Further information is given in the enclosed Terms and Conditions of supply of Public Records' leaflet 3RET PROM mim TO FOREIGN OFFICE Cypher/GTP DISTRIBUTION Mr. Buke No, 32.2 B.2.20 p.m. June 18, 1954.. June 18, 195k. R.3.47 p.m. June 18, 1934. PRIORITY 10 SECRET Addressed to Cairo telegram Ho,65 of June 18 Repeated for information to Foreign Office Jedda B.M.E.O. And Saving to Paris Washington General Glu¥b has received a report from a source which he considers reliable that General Feguib is about to be removed fro® office and relegated to Saudi .Arabia where King Saud has agreed to give him shelter. I have not been able to verify this report from any other source. Foreign Office pass Cairo, Jedda and B.M.E.O. as jay telegrajas Ios.65, 17 and 12 and to Washington and Paris as my Saving telegrams Uos.5i and 15 respectively. [Repeated to Cairo, Jedda, B.M.B.O. and Saving to Washington and Paris]. DISTRIBUTED TO African Department Eastern Department BBS 1 2 cms PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE 2. Ref.: /^o 3~7'S ' /O c.:;-Y~l F SAVING TELEGRAM. By Confidential Bag. FROM..OAIRO TO FOREIGN OFFICE. Ralph1 Skrine Stevenson. No. 161 Saving. July 26, 195**. CONFIDENTIAL. Addressed to Foreign office telegram NO.161 saving of July 26, repeated Saving for information to:- Vi/ashington No.176(8) Paris No.181(3) B. M. E. 0. Fayid No.267(3) Khartoum No. 52(8) The speeches of General Neguib and Colonel Nasser on the eve of July 23 (the second anniversary of the revolution) were both remarkable for the moderation with which the "national aspiration" were handled. 2. General Neguib, in a thirty-minute speech, stressed that "the main object of the Revolution was to rid the country of the imperialist" and pledged himself to work as long as he lived for the "evacuation of the occupants", colonel Nasser devoted the greater part of a speech lasting some two hours to an examination of the internal situation in Egypt, particularly to economic matters (see my immediately following telegram), only occasionally illustrating his points by the references to imperialism which have become articles of faith amongst Egyptian orators. 5- There were backward glances at the student martyrs of the revolutions of the 19th century, of 1919 and 1935, and a tribute to the Sudanese who died honourably in 1921).. The false assertion of the imperialist that Egypt was essentially an agricultural country unfitted for industry and lacking in raw materials was refuted. Foreign occupation was the source of the accumulated heritage of negligence in all fields of Egyptian life. It had reduced industry, weakened the army, destroyed the navy and denied Egypt the honour of existence as a free nation. The army was exalted as "the fist with which to beat the invaders and to shake in the face of plotters". The west was reproached for its part in the birth of Israel. k* That these references are all that can be culled from some three hours of oratory is indeed something new in Egypt. •j 2 cms PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE ins I Please note that this copy is supplied subject to the Public Record Office's terms and conditions and that your use of it may be subject to copyright restrictions. Further information is given in the enclosed Terms and Conditions of supply of Public Records' leaflet J AFRICAN DEPARTMENT Received in V Registry— 88068 1 2 cms PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE ins I 1 i 2 | Ref.: /£0 3-?'S/0 CAIRO.TO FOHEIGI OFFICE. Cypher/OTP, FOREIGN OFFICE AND Sir R. Stevenson B: 6.16 p.m. August 10* 1954, Ho: 962, R: 8.24 p.m. August 10, 1954. August 10, 1954. OCWIBJITIAL ^^ Foreign .Office telegram Ho: .962 of Repeated for information to: B.M.B.O.. Khartoum. Washington. and Saving to: Paris. Ankara. My Iraqi colleague informed me today that he had & conversation with General Heguib two days ago and had found him better both in health and spirits, The Sudanese Prime Minister, during his recent visit here, had tone his best to improve relations between General leguib and the Egyptian Prime Minister and the Iraqi Ambassador thought that he had had some success. General leguib had been at pains to emphasize that crowd demonstrations in his favour as opposed to Grataal Abdel lasser were being organized by enemies of the regime as a whole and not (repeat not) by friends or admirers of his. in general he seemed content with his position and determined to maintain it in the hope that he would eventually be able to soften the authoritarian nature of the regime. 2, General Neguib, according to the Iraqi Ambassador, hat not made any statement on the agreement reached in regard to the Suez Canal base on the ground that after Gamal Abdel Hasser* s statement any pronouncement by him would be m anti-climax. Heguib was generally in favour of the agreement and intended to make a statement on it on the occasion of its formal signature. This, he thought, would in any event be more suitable in view of his position as Heat '" of the State. Foreign Office please pass to G.&. Khartoum and Washington at my telegrams Hos: 79 and 156 and Saving to Paris and Ankara as my telegrams los: 190 and 38 respectively [Repeated to Khartoum, Washington and JJJJJ Saviag to Paris and Ankara] 1 2 cms PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE ins 1 1 I 2 1 x*" —> -— ) f> *•* v Please note that this copy is supplied subject to the Public Record Office's terms and conditions and that your use of it may be subject to copyright restrictions. Further information is given in the enclosed Terms and Conditions of supply of Public Records' leaflet J 10 AFRICAN DEPARTMENT (Print) n^t (How disposed of) ) * v?«. ksSa,j (Action completed) (Index) 'h A) 5,- 37799 2 cms PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE ins Please note that this copy is supplied subject to the Public Record Office's terms and conditions and that your use of it may be subject to copyright restrictions. Further information is given in the enclosed Terms and Conditions of supply of Public Records' leaflet FROM CAIRO .TO FOREIGN OFFICE IE clalr FGREICfll OFFICE AM) DISTRIBUTION Sir R. Stevenson 13. 11.00 a.m. September 1, 1954 September 1, 1954 R. 2.39 p*n. September 1, 1954 Mdresset te Foreign Office teleiram I©. 1153 ©f September 1. Repeated for information to B.M.S.O. and Saving to Paris Washington The resignations of Sir. ^bctel Ilajaid el Sharif t Minister of Finaooe^ and fir. Mohamet Awai M0haact§ Minister ait' Btucati©at were aocsptei fey the C.R.G. m the night of August 31. The f ©Hewing Cabinet eh&Eges have feeea anncmaoei. V//Cir. (ramal Sales (Minister ©f Cesffiitinications) becemes Deputy P.M. Itre Futhy Ratwan (Minister of State) lsec«es Hiaister ©f Lt. Col. Hussein el Shafei (Minister of v/ar and Marine) Minister of Social Affairs. «1 Bin feassein (Minister of Social .Affairs) becomes Minister of Education. llaj. Gen. Afe&el Hakim .teer becones Minister of T,;'ar ant J.Iarine aM remains C. in C, Araet Forces. Col. Awrxr S&fiat teecomes Minister of State. Dr. Abdel Honeim el Kaisuny "becomes Minister of Finance. All other Ministers retain their portfolios. 2, Hakia Mer, Sadat ani Kaisuny (personalities Bos. 11, 134 and 91) are newcomers to the Cabinet. Foreign Office please pass t© Paris ant Washington as my saving telegrams K©s. 200 ant 189 respectively. [Repeated Saving to Paris and iTashington] rp m n n •X Jk ..'.. JL 1 2 cms PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE ins 1 1 i 2 | Ateei * /^ 3 /V / &?3/ > 8* CSV 9 1 Piease note that this copy is supplied subject to the Public Record Office's terms and conditions and that your tjse of it may be subject to copyright restrictions. Further information is given in the enclosed Terms and Conditions of supply of Public Records' leaflet CONFIDENTIAL ^ V FROM CAIRO TO FOREIGN OFFICER Cypher/OTP . , < •* FOREIGN OFFICE AND £. IDI?,_ / _ £ 'WjEteteEfeii— L DISTRIBUTION Sir R» Stevenson D. 5.50 p, m September 1, 1954. Mo * f Septemer 1, 1954. ,v. "" . R. 7.44p.m. September 1, 1954. CONFIDENTIAL Addressed to Foreign Q£ficejelagrar.a No. 1187 of September 1 Repeated for Information to B'MEO and Saving to Paris Washington My telegram. No. 1153. X -J £ IC^j^ '* At first sight the Cabinet reslurffle does not appear to denote any significant change in policy. Two more members of the C.R. C. have been brought into the Cabinet, bat tltere fs no new blood. 2. Tke resignation of the Minister of Education tes been rumoured for some weetes, on the grounds that he would not aigree to lower the standards which had resulted in an except.! anally Mgli -proportion of failures in the recent examinations. The Government are perhaps more sensitive to the political dangers of & thoroughly dissatisfied student body returning to the universities in October. The -.solution to the nrobl^-.r of finding a civilian Minister capable of reconciling the inc«.mpatibtSI2as of :a sound •tfacational policy and a contented student body has been sought in the appointment of a military Minister. 3. The removal of the Finance iXiinister was probably occasioned by nothing more significant than his inadequacy. 4. The. promotion of Fath: Radteaa. ted Saving to Paris and Washington^/ . EEE 1 2 cms PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE ins I 1 I 2 R*f.: /^"o 3~?',J s&fj/y FOSV 9 Please note that this copy is supplied subject to the Public Record Office's terms and conditions and that your use of it may be subject to copyright restrictions. Further information is given in the enclosed Terms and Conditions of supply of Public Records' leaflet SAVING- TELEGRAM. N. -By Bag. i-' **•<•:•: FROM CAIRO TO FOREIGN OFFICE. Sir Ralph Skrine Stevenson. .» .,,„ No. 189 Saving. [ j g /&/S September 3, 195U- ? UNCLASSIFIED. T \ ADDRESSED to F. 0. Saving telegram No. 189 of September 3 repeated for information Saving to:- Paris No.202(S) Washington No.l91(S) B.M.E.O. NO.316(3) My telegram No. 138 Saving. Verdicts in the trial of 2k persons charged with Communist activities before the Supreme Military Court were announced on September 1 after being confirmed or,^in some cases, commuted by the Military Governor-General (Colonel Nasser). The verdicts are:- 1. Mustafa Karnal Sidky 5 years' imprisonment and £E.50 fine. 2. Abdel Rahman Amin Sidky 3 years' imprisonment and £E.50 fine. 3. Aly Youssef Eid Acquitted. t|. Abu Bakr Seif-ul-Nasr 2 years' imprisonment v/ith labour and £E-50 fine. 5« sayed Ibrahim El-Bakkar 2 years' imprisonment with labour and £E. 50 fine. 6. Dr. sherif Pathalla 10 years' imprisonment with Hatatah hard labour and £1.100 fine. 7* Mohamed Mohsmed shata 10 years' imprisonment with hard labour and £E-lOO fine. 8. Albert jack Arieh 8 years' imprisonment with hard labour and £E«100 fine. 9» Halim Ahmed Tosson 10 years' imprisonment with hard labour and £E.lOO fine. 10. Ibrahim Ibrahim Sayed Acquitted. Ahmed 11. Zaki Murad Mohamed 8 years' imprisonment with Ibrahim hard labour and £f. 100 fine. /12. ... 1 Please note that this copy is supplied subject to the Public Record Office's terms and conditions and that your use of it may be subject to copyright restrictions. Further information is given in the enclosed Terms and Conditions of supply of Public Records' leaflet 12. Ahmed Taha Ahmed 5 years' imprisonment with hard labour and ££.100 fine. 13* Mohamed Kbalil Kassem 8 years' imprisonment with hard labour and ££.100 fine. li).» Mme. Naomi Cannell 8 years' imprisonment with hard labour and £E.lOO fine. 1*3 f*£ 15- Ahmed Saadeddin Kamel 5 years' imprisonment and £5. 100 fine. 16. Mme. Mary Rosenthal 5 years' imprisonment with hard labour and £E. 100 fine. 17- Dr. Mohamed Pouad Mounir: 1 year's imprisonment with labour and ££.100 fine. (Sentence suspended by the Court and reprieve granted by the Military Governor). 18. Khaled Abdel Moheimen : 1 year's imprisonment with Sallam labour and ££. loo fine. (Sentence suspended by the Court and reprieved by the Military Governor). 19. Osman Ghaleb Tolba 8 years' imprisonment with hard labour and £f. 100 fine. (Commuted to 5 years' imprison- ment ). 20. Abdel Latif Mohamed : 5 years' imprisonment with hard Gamal labour and £E« 100 fine. 21. Mohsen Mohamed Hassan : 5 years' imprisonment with hard labour and £E-lOO fine. 22. Raymond Francois Habib 1 year's imprisonment with hard labour and £E.100 fine. (Sentence suspended by the Court and reprieved by the Military Governor). 23* Mohamed Mohamed El- 2 years' imprisonment with hard Nashawi labour and £E«50 fine. 21).. Abbas Tewfik saleh Acquitted. 2. A statement issued with the judgments said the evidence in this case revealed the following facts:- (i) In 1953 Communist elements exploited the dissolution of political parties to spread their influence by uniting their forces with extremists and opportunists. Their ultimate objective was to overthrow the regime and to spread anarchy in the country. (ii) The Sidky brothers - 1st and 2nd defendants - were in contact with the communists and members of the dissolved parties. They formed secret cells and printed and distributed subversive leaflets. /(iii)... 1 2 cms PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE ins I 1 I 2 Ref.: /^O J" 7V / dtf jy > ^ (iii) Some of the accused contacted certain leaders of the dissolved parties to consult with them on the formation of the so-called "National Front" and "United Revolutionary Front". Leaflets bearing these two names were printed and distributed indiscriminately among the public. They contained an open call for the overthrow of the system of government in Egypt. (iv) The 8th defendant - Albert jack Arieh, is a Zionist who was in close touch with communist-Zionist leader Henry Curiel who had been deported from Egypt. (v) The li+th defendant, Mme. Naomi cannell was once deported from Egypt as a dangerous Zionist but came back secretly to resume her Communist activities. She was the link between Israel and the Communists in Sgypt. (vi) The facts of the case proved that the leaders of the Communist Movement in Egypt are Zionists who received directives from Zionists abroad. 3« There is no mention of Yusuf Hilmy (No.U on the list in my telegram under reference). He was made Secretary of the Egyptian Peace Movement in January 1951 and became editor of its organ, Al Katib in June 1951. He attended the Peace Congresses in Vienna in 1951 and 1952, was arrested in January 1953 and has since spent most of his time in jail. 1 2 cms PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE ins I 1 I 2 Rei* /^ S-T'S/afJ/y #~0tt 9 Please note that this copy is supplied subject to the Public Record Office's terms and conditions and that your use of it may be subject to copyright restrictions. Further information is given in the enclosed Terms and Conditions of supply of Public Records' leaflet Minutes. o cc < 5 c/3 i H- tk^- ^ UJ 00 o o z . X H o I I 2 cms PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE ins I 1 Please note that this copy is supplied subject to the Public Record Office's terms and conditions and that your use of it may be subject to copyright restrictions. Further information is given in the enclosed Terms and Conditions of supply of Public Records' leaflet J AFRICAN DEPARTMENT Jt {CIS IS FROM <*/ l */ ^ -,, NO. f « 3 . Daren d Received in References to former relevant papers MINUTES (Print) (How disposed of) (Action (Index) completed) £? References to later relevant papers -k *• r 46515 1 2 cms PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE ins 1 1 i 2 Ret'..- /Zo 3~7^ /O^J/y 2-OSV 9 Piea:je note that this copy is supplied subject to the Public Record Office's terms and conditions and that your iJSe of it may be subject to copyright restrictions. Further information is given in the enclosed Terms and Conditions of supply of Public Records' leaflet ru. U Jfc / l /••• -f j "cms PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE ins I Please note that this copy is supplied subject to the Public Record Office's terms and conditions and that your use of it may be subject to copyright restrictions. Further information is given in the enclosed Terms and Conditions of supply of Public Records' leaflet No.183 . BRITISH EMBASSY, (1011/131/54) • ™^ . ,,,0 ^-_—-—'T'f' •;..;> C,- ?' ^ CONFIDENTIAL ' .—^-r- fc September 14, 1954. x Sir, x/ " In my despatch No.261 of the 2nd of December, 1952, I attempted an analysis of the political philosophy of the military committee which has ruled Egypt since the Revolution of July 1952. After a lapse of some eighteen months, Lieutenant-Colonel Gamal Abdel Nasser himself made the attempt, in a pamphlet entitled "The Philosophy of the Revolution" which is now being widely ' advertised and distributed in this country. I enclose a copy of the English version of the pamphlet, ,--' which has also been published in French, as well as " ' in the original Arabic, and I annex a summary of its argument for your convenience. It seems that the bpok was actually written - after detailed discussion with Colonel Nasser - very largely by Mohammed Hassanein Heikal, the journalist on the staff of Akhbar el Yom who has dpne a certain amount of ghost- writing for the Prime Minister. Nevertheless I think that the outcome fairly represents the Iatt6rfs views, and reflects, in a very considerable measure, his personality. 2. It will be seen that at the Very outset of the work, Colonel Nasser disclaims any intention to put forward a complete philosophical system or comprehensive explanation of the problems which he proposes to examine In the introduction he likens his work to a reconnaissanc0 e patrol in the field of Egypt's struggle for liberation. The metaphor is vjc by no means inapt. Colonel Nasser's mirpose is to discover and examine certain difficulties and problems rather than to propose fully worked out solutions to them But, while the book contains no blueprint, of the present0 , or of the future, it should not be overlooked as an indication of Egypt's future policy under Gamal Abdel Nasser's direction. 3. The Egyptian Prime Minister envisages a regenerate Egypt playing an important role as a member of an Arab-Islarnic-African bloc, and the recent initiatives of his Government in the Arab and Islamic world confirm that he intends to pursue this ideal. This conception contrasts with the claim so often advanced by Egyptians since the last century, that Egypt had "become a European state", or was a /Mediterranean The Right Honourable Anthony Eden, M.C., M.P., etc., etc., cms PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE ins Please note that this copy is supplied subject to the Public Record Office's terms and conditions and that your use of it may be subject to copyright restrictions. Further information is given in the enclosed Terms and Conditions of supply of Public Records' leaflet 2 "Mediterranean power", despite certain elements of truth in both propositions. Experience having shown the Egyptians that they were unlikely ever to be accepted seriously by the European Powers as equal partners, they have become more conscious of the attractions of a rival realm, in which they can aspire not merely to parity but even to leadership. . The omission may also be a reflection of Colonel Nasser's racial background and of his limited culture, which is that of a man who has never travelled outside the Middle East nor had the advantage of a European education., 4o It is significant also that the writer carefully avoids the whole question of Middle East Defence, of East and West, of Neutralism and the Third Force. He says nothing about Communism, although that is a very live issue in Egypt at present, and might be expected to warrant at least a mention in a work purporting to examine the philosophy of a modern revolution. Colonel Nasser's silence was no doubt occasioned by a determination to exclude from the study - written in 1953, v/hen future relations with the United Kingdom and the United States of America were in the melting-pot - the entire subject of East- West relations and Egypt's position in relation to it. 5 The absence of any evidence of religious convictio0 n is alsp noteworthy* His somewhat utilitarian approach to the pilgrimage is perhaps typical of the regime's attitude to most of the problems with which they are faced, but is unlikely to recommend itself to the orthodox0 60 It may be said in criticism of the book that in general, Colonel Nasser's handling of his theme is uneven. Particular disappointing aspects of it are, for instance: his unimpressive presentation of oil statistics culled from a Chicago University paper; the fleeting acquaintance he or his literary ghost displays with. Pirandello culled apparently from the pages of "Life" magazine or the "Reader's Digest"; his employment of "Imperialist", "feudalism", and "coloniser" as terms of abuse, with no particular regard for any finer shades of meaning they may contain; his references to "White man" and "white cplonisers" in Africa, which strike a note of racialism hitherto happily absent from the polemics of the Middle East. 7. It is plain, however, that Colonel Nasser belongs to the majority of men of action who are unable /to 1 2 cms PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE ins I 1 2 ' I*, /^o j> TV/ / of jy > ^- £> jT2 9 Piea:se note that this copy is supplied subject to the Public Record Office's terms and conditions and that your JSe of it may be subject to copyright restrictions. Further information is given in the enclosed Terms and Conditions of supply of Public Records' leaflet - 3 - to set down articulately the philosophical basis of their actions * Despite a certain awkwardness of style (aggravated by indifferent translation) and a tendency to lose himself in anecdote, the bopk throws a not unfavourable light upon its writer's own beTIeTs~H!T Annex to Cairo despatch No-183 of September 14, SUMMARY OP GAMAL ABDEL NASSER'S BOOK '"liilLPHILOSOPHY OF THE REVOLUTION^ PART I The origin of the Revolution, colonel Nasser maintains That^tbe seeds of the .Revolution were innate in the Egyptian people. It was not born of the crisis in the Egyptian Array officers club in 1951, nor of the Palestine war, nor on February U, 191|2 (when British tanks surrounded Abdin palace). He says that he was assailed by doubts whether the Army was right in intervening. Re concludes that what it did was its inescapable duty. There were two reasons why the Army alone could act;- (i) It was the weapon with which the King dominated the nation. (ii) it was the only homogeneous and politically independent force in the country. 2. The First Results. Colonel Nasser says that his hope had been that the first fruits of the Revolution would be national unity but experience had revealed only dissension. The Egyptians were hopelessly divided and he had been bitterly disappointed. 3» obstacles. Egypt's main difficulty was that it needed two Revolutions, first political, to expel both the corrupt King and foreign aggressor, and secondly social, to secure justice and prosperity for all. in other nations the second Revolution, bad followed the first after a long interval, in Egypt they /1 were simultaneous. They were also vir.tua.lly incompatible and it » was for this reason that the 1919 Revolution had failed. All Colonel Nasser and his friends could do was "to act as best they could and avoid being crushed between the two millstones". Replying to criticism that he had asked for unity to face the British and at the same time destroyed unity through the Graft Court, he says that that dilemma could not be avoided. PART II k- The -aims of the Revolution. Colonel Nasser asks the question: "What do we" want to do and which is the way to do it?". There wes complete agreement on the first point - "to create a free and strong Egypt", it was the answer to tha.second that caused the difficulty. He had always believed in "positive action". At first he thought that positive action meant personal enthusiasm. He later realised that enthusiasm had to be communicated to others and that missionary effs-rt was necessary.. At a later stage he thought that it was the unity of the nation's leaders that was necessary, but in the event all that they could agree on was the .1936 Treaty. He had then turned to violence and political assassination, but with grave misgiving, and in the end had been disgusted by it. This led him to the conclusion that positive action meant not the elimination of the individual but the emergence of a new leader. Even this was only half the answer. /Y/hat ... What v/ould the new leader do? It would be impossible for him to remove the "scum and debris of centuries" in the twinkling of an eye, nor would $ reign of terror avail him. The historical background could not be ignored. 5« The Historical Difficulties. Colonel Nasser reviews Egyptian history back to the time of the Pharaohs and refers to the reaction on Egypt of the Greek spirit, the Roman invasion, the Muslim Conquest, Arab migration, the crusades (which "if they were the dawn of the Renaissance in Europe were the commencement of the dark ages in Egypt"), the menace of the despots of Inner Asia, and finally the tyranny of the Mamelouks. The present apathy of the Egyptian people to tlr-e Revolution was a reflection of their apathy under successive conquerors, with .the French expedition during the Napoleonic wars, new ideas I poured in. Although Egypt was still in the 13th century symptoms I of the 19th and 2oth centuries infiltrated. Europe had crossed the bridge between the Renaissance and the 19th century step by step, in Egypt it was otherwise; the crossing was exhausting and the race terrible. Society had not crystallised and there (was no united public opinion, it was remarkable that £gypt 'survived, in a normal family the father might be a turbaned fellah, the mother of Turkish origin, the sons of an English school and the daughters at a French school. 6. The Way. The answer to the question: "which is the way?" was "the way that leads to economic and political freedom". The rale of the leaders of the Revolution was that of watchmen only. It had not occurred to colonel Nasser to try to solve all the problems of the country, for in that case he would be a mere dreamer. He would not, however, appeal to the people's emotions as the politicians had done in the past, with cries of "May a calamity take the English", nor satisfy the appetites of the old landlords, the politicians or even the government officials. It was necessary to appeal to the people's mind, and he had called on leaders to draw up a Constitution and to set up the council of National production. The task of the Revolution was merely to remove the obstacles from the road along which a free, strong and united Egypt could travel. PART III 7- The Role of a Regenerate Egypt^ Having dealt with the historical background in parts I "and II, "in part m colonel Nasser turns to Egypt's geographical setting and r61e in international affairs. The era of isolation, he says, has gone. Egypt should consider what is her vital sphere and her positive role. Egypt was situated in three circles, the Arab, the Moslem, and the African. 8- The Arab World«_ The key to the Arab situation was j Palestine.colonel Nasser quotes the late Dr- W^izmann to the I effect that the assistance of a big power was essential to * Zionism if it were to succeed in Palestine. Israel was one of the results of imperialism - but for the British Mandate it v/ould never have existed. The experience with Israel demonstra- ted to the Arabs that their problem was one problem, imperialism dominated the Arab world which was one region and had one enemy. /A ... 1 2 cms PUBLIC RECORD ^OFFICE ins I •] I 2 XV^ ~> ) *, ej •-> -^^. o. x^ *~~^** Q Please note that this copy is supplied subject to the Public Record Office's terms and conditions and that your use of it may be subject to copyright restrictions. Further information is given in the enclosed Terms and Conditions of supply of Public Records' leaflet A united struggle was necessary, speeches were not enough and all the elements of power had to be used. AS far as the Arabs were concerned these elements were first the bonds of unity between them, secondly a strategic position and thirdly vast petroleum resources. 9- Nascent Africa. in Africa, the principal factors were the struggle between the white colonisers and the black natives, the influence of the Nile, and Egypt's brotherly affinity to the Sudan, colonel Nasser looked forward to the establishment of on African institute in cairo. 10- The Moslem world* in the Moslem world, he believed that the pilgrimage should" not be a mere ritual but a universal Islamic parliament which would unite the hundreds of millions of Moslems into a great political power, 11- Egypt's Rdle. Egypt alone was a member of each of these three groupings, and could lead them and unite them in the struggle which was common to them all. "We, and only'we, are impelled by our environment and are capable of filling this r61e". 1 2 cms PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE ins I 1 I 2 I Kei<.: /&=> 3~7^ /o£3/y $- CSV 9 Pl6£ise note that this copy is supplied subject to the Public Record Office's terms and conditions and that your Use of it may be subject to copyright restrictions. Further information is given in the enclosed Terms and Conditions of supply of Public Records' leaflet -T-* c r Permanent Under Secretary's Department have asked for a brief for the Secretary of State on Sgypt for the Geneva Conference; and Western Organisations Department have suggested that we might like to propose something for the Secretary of State to say at the meeting of the F.A.T.O. Council on April 2$. The Secretary of State made a brief statement on Egypt at the last meeting of the N.A.T.O. Council in December and this is attached. 2. I doubt whether the Secretary of State would wish, in present circumstances, to say anything more on Sgypt at either of these meetings. The negotiations are still suspended at the point which had been reached last December, and the main difference between now and then is that the Egyptian regime has given proof of much greater instability. Lf^tvi-f PossiblyVother delegations will ask for our views on the Egyptian internal situation and they might perhaps be given something on the lines of the two Ambassadors' joint report. "5. I attach a brief in case it is required. It would I think do for both meetings. (G.E. Millard) April ll^ / Registry No. Secret. EGYPT A. Internal Situation Draft. Brief The events of March severely shook the C.R.C. for ecretary of but the regime, with the army behind it, appears State. to have the immediate situation under control. University students have yet to be brought to heel and there is clearly some danger arising from the release of members of the Moslem Brotherhood. The C.R.C. may however be able to reach some modus vivendi with the latter. 2. The internal unity of the C.R.C. and of the armed forces is likely to be maintained at least I for some time. The continuation of the C.R.C. in power will, however, depend very largely on Z in the prospects of an Anglo-Egyptian settlement. 5 3. In the long term there is a fair chance that the regime will survive in some form or another Ul CO f> until the end of the "transitional period" of O three years, annoxinced by General Neguib in O Z January, 1953. It is likely, however, to be beset I by recurrent crises and anti-British and anti- O Z Western agitation will inevitably continued £ U. The philosophy of the C.R.c7)(HaU£«d£-s 'not been altered by events. It is still anti-Communist and relatively pro-Western. There is no alternative government in sight which would be satisfactory from the point of view of the West. Colonel Nasser made use of the trade unions in his recent struggle for power with General Neguib. This weapon is double edged and there is an obvious danger that the trade unions might prove beyond the power of the regime to control. But for the present Nasser seems to have them well in 51—4800 /hand 1 2 cms PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE ins I 1 I 2 Kef.: /£0 £ ~7 // / OdrJ/ > f- Ott 9 Piea:se note that this copy is supplied subject to the Public Record Office's terms and conditions and that your JSe of it may be subject to copyright restrictions. Further information is given in the enclosed Terms and Conditions of supply of Public Records' leaflet hand. &. It is too early yet to say whether Nasser is firmly in the saddle and whether his conflict with General Neguib is finally resolved. B» , Anglo-Bffyptian Negotjlations These are still suspended at the point reached last December when, as the Secretary of State explained to the N.A.T.O. Council, the two main outstanding issues were those of availability and uniforms. We have been considering whether any means can be found to get round these difficulties. But the instability of the Egyptian regime, the (D tC constant attacks,on our troops and the failure of, < the Egyptian Government to observe the spirit of V) X the Anglo-Egyptian Agreement of February, 1953 on the Sudan, BttOee Tfcvery difficult to contemplate any resumption of negotiations, with the Bg&rptii ®ns. opt- preoent. There have been some indications that Iei Egypt would be willing to accept reactivation of th< ui a Base in the event of an attack on Turkey, but this O has not been put to us officially and it falls V short of the formula which we were discussing when Z X Mr. Eden last met the N.A.T.O. Council. O Z 1 2 cms PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE ins I 1 I 2 Ret*.: /^o ,?7///^'jy> &OSV 9 I Piea:se note that this copy is supplied subject to the Public Record Office's terms and conditions and that your JSe of it may be subject to copyright restrictions. Further information is given in the enclosed Terms and Conditions of supply of Public Records' leaflet • v Briefs, for tb® apei^tary of 8tatt jtor "The Departiaerit sutjmit a brief in case the Secretary of State irisbeo to have something on ftgypt #®** the meeting of the H»A«T,o. CounolJ. In Paris, ox* for private dlsotiaaion with the Heads of othei* deleft Ion© at osnsva* It 10 Intended to be auitable for either purixjs©* 2* The Seeretax"sr of ^tate nmde a brief 8tt%tetnsiit on S©ri?t ;-;t the laot ta&eting of the H»A«?*O» Council 1» 'December* !:le would probably not wieh to a4i:i aiQrthing to this at the raeeting which is to tak® pl«M»® next week, since there Is nothing to b« eaid about otw» tenos for an 6g3»e»nt os» the pi»o»p0ots of a reswaption -of tbe wgotiatiom* The sltxtatioa is still mti0h as it was lest Decefdber^ with the dlffemnoe that the Egyptian regime sine© then tea shown great instability* 3» The lleafii of other dtele@&tiont» rnigjit however ask the Secretary of Stat® for his view® GO the r'Jsyi?tlan internal situation and the brief therefore 0i»!arl8ea the rooent Joint report by the two Ambaeeadore in Cairo* 1.5..> 1.95k... (V»J 1072/110 CONFIDENTIAL Ministerial meeting of the North Atlantic Council A Ministerial meeting is due to toe held in Paris on April 23. It is expected to last one day and will protoatoly "be attended "by Foreign Ministers rmly. The general pattern of the meeting as far as can toe seen at present is likely to toe as follows: 1) A public opening ceremony with short speeches by the President (Monsieur Bidault) and the Secretary-General, to give emphasis to the fifth anniversary of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation. 2) A formal session of the Council, at which the main item on the agenda will toe "The International Political Situation". The toasis for discussion will toe a revised version of the N.A,T«0. paper on Trends of Soviet Policy. This session will protoatoly include a progress report toy Lord Ismay and pojsitoly a statement toy General Gruenther. The Secretary of State might virish to spealc on political developments since, and in the light of, the Berlin Conference. He may also wish to give some ideas atoout the forthcoming Geneva Conference, 3) A restricted session, i.e., without agenda or record, when any subject may toe raised for discussion. The Secretary of State recently agreed with the Dutch Foreign Minister Monsieur Beyun that it might toe suitatole at this point to consider the problem of United States retaliation against an aggressor with atomic and other weapons. k] Finally, a communique*. 2. Accordingly it looks as though "briefs on the following subjects will toe required:- Responsible Briefs Departments^ U.K. Delegation 1. Progress of N. A. T. Paris 3th Anniversary. Northern 2. Trends of Soviet policy Western Organisations 3. European Defence Community. Central U. Germany, including the new status of the Eastern Zone. Far Eastern 5. Prospects of the Geneva in consultation with Conference including the W. 0. question of keeping the North Atlantic Council informed. Permanent Under-Secretary's 6. Use of atomic weapons. Department, 1 2 cms PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE ins 1 1 I 2 RBI*-• /^o s~7^ /o^j/y &OSV 9 Piea:se note that this copy is supplied subject to the Public Record Office's terms and conditions and that your JSe of it may be subject to copyright restrictions. Further information is given in the enclosed Terms and Conditions of supply of Public Records' leaflet 3. I should be grateful if Heads of Departments concerned could note these requirements and if they agree, arrange for 20 copies of each brief to "be sent to Western .Organisationa Department "by Tuesday. April 20. I should also "be "grateful if all Heads of Departments to whom this minute is sent could consider whether additional briefs should "be prepared and whether they wish to propose any statement to "be made "by the Secretary of State at the restricted session, e.g., on Middle Eastern affairs. U. Problems raised "by the recent Soviet note to the 3 Powers, which directly affect N.A.T.O. (Moscow telegram 21k of March 31st) are being dealt with separately. Distribution Copies to; Sir Ivone Kirkpatrick Heads of following departments. Sir Prank Roberts Sir Harold Caccia ^African Mr. Mason American Mr. Dean Central Mr. W.D. Allen Eastern Mr. R.Allen Par Eastern Mr. Glutton General Mr. Shuckburgh Levant Mr. Duff Northern Mr. Rae P.U.S. Mr. Pigg . S.E. Asia News Department U.N. (Pol.) Her Majesty's Embassy Western and Southern. Washington U.K. Delegation, Paris W.0. Department (3) (Signed) Hood, April 5. 195U. 1 2 cms PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE ins I 1 I 2 l_£!* /^ g-?/; ' /ofj/y &-0SV 9 Piease note that this copy is supplied subject to the Public Record Office's terms and conditions and that your ijse of it may be subject to copyright restrictions. Further information is given in the enclosed 'Terms and Conditions of supply of Public Records' leaflet GENEVA GONgBaaJOE; EGYPT Ac Internal Situatiojn The ovr-nts of March severely shook the C0R.C. but the regime, with the array behind it, appears to have '^.e immediate situation under control. University students have yet to be brought to heel and there is clea: ly some danger arising from the release of members of the Moslem Brotherhood. The C.R.Co may however be. able to reach some modus Vivendi with the latter, 20 The internal unity of the C.R.C. and or the armed forces is likely to be maintained at least for some time. The continuation of the C0R.C. in powe-" will, how3ver, depend very largely on t..ie prospects of an Anglo-Egyptian settlement. 3, In the long term there is a fair chance that the regime will survive in seme form or another until the end of the "transitional period" of three years, announced by Goner-al Neguib in January, 1953- .It is likely, however, co be bsse-c by recurrent crises and anti-British and anti- Western agitation wii:. x.nvitably continue in Eg rpt. Li,0 The philosophy of the C.R*C. itself has not teen altered by events. Mt is still anti-Communist r.nd relatively pro-Western. '/lure is no alternative government in sight which would be more satisfactory from the point of vio,v of the --/est. 5, Colonel Nasser made use of tha t?ade unions in his recent struggle for power with General Neguib. This weapon is double edged and there is an obvious danger that the trade unions might prove beyond the power of the regime to control. But for the present Nasser oeetns to have them well in hand. 6, It is too early yet to say whether Nasser is firmly in •one saddle and whether his conflict with General Neguib is /finally 1 2 cms PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE ins I 1 I 2 Ret* /^o 3~7^ /CtfJ/"y frosv 9 Piea;se note that this copy is supplied subject to the Public Record Office's terms and conditions and that your JSe of it may be subject to copyright restrictions. Further information is given in the enclosed 'Terms and Conditions of supply of Public Records' leaflet finally resolved. B, Anglo-Egyptian Negotiations. 7. These are still suspended at the point reached last December when, as the Secretary of State explained, to the N.A.T.O. Council, the two main outstanding issues were those of availability ana uniforms. We havo been considering whether any means can be found to get round these difficulties. But the instability of the Egyptian regime, the constant attacks on our troops and the failure of the Egyptian Government to observe the spirit of the Anglo-Egyptian Agreement of February, 1953 OP the Sudan, have made it very difficult to contemplate any resumption of negotiations. There have been some indications that Egypt would be willing to accept reactivation of the Base in the event of an attack on Turkey, but this has not been put to us officially and it falls short of the formula which wo were discussing when Mr. Bden last met the N.A.T.O. Council-, 1 2 cms PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE ins I 1 i 2 L*«'., /^o 3-?/J /&f3/y 2-OS7) 9 Piease note that this copy is supplied subject to the Public Record Office's terms and conditions and that your ijse of it may be subject to copyright restrictions. Further information is given in the enclosed Terms and Conditions of supply of Public Records' leaflet FROM CA© TO FOHBIQN OFFTO Cypher/QTP ^^j^^ FOHEM OFFICE AMD f" I Ql j / j /:feffiHAL L DISTRBPTIOM Sir R. Stevenson Ho. 571 D. 3.32 p.m. April 28, 1954. April 28, 1954. R. 5*10 p.m. April 28, 1954. PRIORITY Additrsscd to Forti^a QffA0e teloeram No. 571 Qf Airil 28 Repeated far inforaation t»: Beirut (for ller&ir) B.HJ5.0. Governor General, Khartofum and Saving t®: Paris Ankara V/ashington Internal Situation. A nma¥er of arrests took place this morning. They included 12 Cavalry officers (2 majors and the rest captains ant lieutenants, all supporters of Major Khaled Mohieddin), and members of the Opposition "United Front" (leading Communists and second flight Wafdists). Ihsan AMel Kadous, the editor of Hose El Yonssef , and also 7 L«ft Wing unirersity professors (i from Cairo and 3 fron Alexandria) are among those arrested* No member of the Moslem Brotherhood is affected. 2. The C.R.C. had receired information that those elements were planning a demonstration and disturbances on May Day. 3. Colonel Hasser, who gave this information to ay Oriental Counsellor this Btorning, said that for some time he had feared that he would have t® tak« action against theso people, He had waited until the rlgime had fully recovered its strength. He was confident that there would fee no reaction against theso measures taken. i. At a Press conference this morning Major Amin Shakir, Colonel Nasser's Military Secretary, said that the arrests totalled atout 40. He added that the officers would >e summarily court martialled and sevwely punished. /Foreiga Office 1 1 2 cms PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE ins I 1 2 Rei'..- /^o 3~7'j '/Ofjy> 2-OSV 9 Piea:se note that this copy is supplied subject to the Public Record Office's terms and conditions and that your JSe of it may be subject to copyright restrictions. Further information is given in the enclosed Terms and Conditions of supply of Public Records' leaflet ©airo telegram M®. 571 t© Foreign Off let - 2 - Foreign Office please pass to Governor Oeneml Khartum, Beirut and SftYing to Paris, Washington and Ankara as my telegraas los. 65, 99, 156, 137 and 35 resptetitely. [Repeated to &ovem«r Sen«ral Khartoim, Beirat, and Saving to Paris, Washington ami Ankara]. cms PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE ins Ref.: Please note that this copy is supplied subject to the Public Record Office's terms and conditions and that your use of it may be subject to copyright restrictions. Further information is given in the enclosed 'Terms and Conditions of supply of Public Records' leaflet KiQM_CASO_TD_FORlIGH_5EPIC Glair "•-.. ,/ OFFICE AND f gTEHALL DISTRIBUTION Sir R. Stevenson Ho.582 I).11.10 a.m. April 30, 1954.. April 30, 1954-. R. 12.4.7 p.m. April 30, 1954.. PRIORITY Addressed to Foreign^ Off ice telegram No. 5.82 of April ?0 Repeated for information Saving to Washington Paris B.M.B.O. •••' B B B 1 2 cms PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE ins I 1 ' 2 I Rei'..- /£o 3~?'S' /e^J/y frosv 9 Please note that this copy is supplied subject to the Public Record Office's terms and conditions and that your use of it may be subject to copyright restrictions. Further information is given in the enclosed Terms and Conditions of supply of Public Records' leaflet J AFRICAN DEPARTMENT REFERENCES MINUTES (Print) (How disposed of) - (Action completed) (Index) 39984 cms PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE ins Please note that this copy is supplied subject to the Public Record Office's terms and conditions and that your use of it may be subject to copyright restrictions. Further information is given in the enclosed Terms and Conditions of supply of Public Records' leaflet SAVING TELEGRAM En Glair by bag ^•o.-'-y PROM CAIRO TO FOREIGN OFFICE Sir Ralph Skrine Stevenson „ ..• ^^^ i' \' No .116 Saving April 26, 1951*. Addressed to Foreign Office telegram No«tl6 Saying of April 26, Repeated for 'information Saving to:- B.M.E.G. (Fayid) No.190 Washington No. 136 Paris No.155 UNCLASSIFIED It was announced on April 2l± that Mahmoud Abul Fath and Hussein Abul Path, proprietors of Ajl Misri, would stand trial before the Revolutionary Tribunal on April 28. They are accused of acts against the security of the State. Detailed charges are: Mahmoud Abul Fath. (i) He carried out propaganda and made contacts abroad against the existing regime with the intention of destroying the country's national act ivity. (ii) He induced a civil servant through illegitimate means to participate in a commercial transaction to his own personal benefit. Hussein Abul Fath. He attempted through illegitimate means to complete an arms transaction with the Ministry of war, taking into account his own personal interests and not that of the State. 2, Mahmoud Abul Fath is abroad and the indictment has been served on him through the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Hussein Abul Fath has been put under house arrest in Cairo. 3. Seven witnesses for the prosecution have been cited. 15 1 2 en PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE ins I f*»/., /^o 3V//A%fjy> ^ ^ J>'^ 9 | Please note that this copy is supplied subject to the Public Record Office's terms and conditions and that your use of it may be subject to copyright restrictions. Further information is given in the enclosed Terms and Conditions of supply of Public Records' leaflet J AFRICAN DEPARTMENT FROM Dated Received in Registry— References to former relevant papers MINUTES (Print) (How disposed of) (Action (Index) completed) References to later relevant papers 44416 1 2 cms PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE ins I 1 I 2 Ret>..- /Zo 3~7^ '/&fJ/y frosv 9 I Pies se note that this copy is supplied subject to the Public Record Office's terms and conditions and that your use of it may be subject to copyright restrictions. Further information is given in the enclosed Terms and Conditions of supply of Public Records' leaflet X !tr* "IXliwt Clavfe of tb* abaowov oa31*A os tta* Hisiiites8 of italu on April 15tli to toll bin of Ma 3?eoe»t v ialt aolo* tbat te tea t»«t lunch and c«af*ff»*tio& witfe ItaaMV aad ha it would fee quite possible to arrange •igypt fo* cloifefiiwsst aad Opposition partiet to tb# slieltijr of ttie ajre^' i-e^iK^* lit ate tliit could probaoljr not toe doae In ^riod that ted teen eet, but tfjla enoaot tbat at tins OM of tha poviod to* Couwcii -«ould tew to cri'sug?s tteir teotlae, Qi tiling to*? «oui4 si«6j« ti^ to to, io otter to f»i? a fotvuna to »os«&l politioal ^ovonxaaot* wsald b© to keep & eertaita aiEiiter ol elvlllaa sua«Bt>os»£ of t&e Cabibet* / IP the PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE Please note that this copy is supplied subject to the Public Record Office's terms and conditions and that your use of it may be subject to copyright restrictions. Further information is given in the enclosed Terms and Conditions of supply of Public Records' leaflet In ite o* plan to eve* Al a&evl as a ®ev@raswiit the quostlo^ of tiic nutter nnat he mttl®& - tiie British co,a«- not to siiQ^ed to te^ on* As IB «l» Gaswl 2o0*» MuuNM1 isgr r-tird v t€<:4 Itetf 0 iiu-.ibev of theta wore by tMc ^igyntieij atsthoritleB a^a in pfirticul the loc?.:l hcfwi @f the ar^y Intellifceoce. Ite said tart* iawtAl«t«aL|r a*t«r ll» i3ai^®3? df tile 90U0* «tfto«r he hows, g i-vvo «M»ra ttet t:l» mm to M* parlittuiarlyt : eavefia to dftrap 4cnm b-it unioi^tu^teltely file oolicu thtmisoivee ^^ere vt-ry of tM murder* i»wof©r it ttet iivnglatpat«f; v/oaid tiot eojivicf t r,heit frietioo be a Mr t@ mmtMttom* ueuied tfte £iypti«tw I» to &n eji-7Vilr^'f ho naid thot tfce ajjt the ^'ItJsh g»de b but said tb^-t, of co;ire« had trouble tteia? F*E»a*a* Clari:*® thie ttint, -^Ith^agh to tte f^.gisey on ito whole fehe.y Hie wot tattle of iptt'ip rifl of aekad abowl tft« y«aatlvatia& of the ttrto^ <*»a f%i«ia* ft^n the i ©ubi$e-'.r^ej2t di®ca«®ioB vltrs mt t&& liap^ieejloa that £feaetr wa* not iav^ive^ in tie dtotelle. of the wgo- did tjot underetnot! them. m di<5 eaj «ll.l»4 fey nearly all .Sgyp^*133*1® a.o^. tiles' fc»d DO iot«reet Is Jr*i*ei« at all. Uo»isir«r tcNS i Hat, fa?cw a ntiitary ;p04a* of irt^w* fie ta ee«? tli« Iwaec react! va tad is the «^c»i of a® 1*13 *£wtfs»$ 4? any «>&lMt* tlireat to .isypt'a owe 21 ®t* of state -: w Mr, Allen