745W.00/12–1352: Telegram
No. 1049
The Ambassador in Egypt (Caffery) to the
Department of State1
1433. Wing Comdr Hussein Xulfiqar Sabri and Major Salah Salem called this morning to discuss Sudan question with EmbOff. Egyptian officers confirmed Brit Emb analysis that agreement now in sight on all points except Gov Gen’s responsibilities for southern Sudan. Officers pointed out Egyptians had already accepted formula giving Gov Gen broad powers to prevent discrimination against any area or segment of Sudanese people.
Sabri and Salem stated Egyptian refusal to accept public mention of “south” is based upon: (1) Egyptian belief that such mention wld only tend to perpetuate separationist thinking (2) that having abandoned traditional unity of Nile Valley slogan, present regime cld not publicly acknowledge split within Sudan itself without exposing itself to wrath of Egyptian public opinion.
Officers pointed out that if Brit mean what they say in stating they wish to assure protection of southerners, this is amply provided under formula which Egyptians accept. Mention of south is not necessary to attainment such protection and Egyptians feel Sudan admin, if it wishes make the effort, can persuade southerners their interests will be amply protected under proposed formula. Officers further pointed out Egypt’s major interests as regards Nile water lie in south Sudan and Egypt, therefore, is even more anxious than Brit to avoid alienation of southern Sudanese. They insist however, that Natl Unionist and Umma Parties will boycott elections if [Page 1913] south is mentioned. Sabri and Salem, in reply to direct question stated Egypt willing to go to breaking point over question of public mention of “south”. They pointed out that Naguib feels he has already gone too far towards mtg Brit views and made it clear he wld not be unhappy if Sudan negots shld break down over Brit obstinacy re south Sudan, as such a turn of events wld strengthen his popular position in Egypt.
Comment: This is not first indication that mil are tempted to chuck up the difficult path of negot and revert to “natl struggle” as the more popular and appealing “solution” to Egypt’s foreign affairs problems. The question of which way the tide will turn in Egypt, and consequently the whole Arab East, thus hinges in a very real sense on the use of a word.
- Repeated to London as telegram 477 and unnumbered to Khartoum, Paris, the Arab capitals, Rome, and Ankara.↩