COMMENT ON EGYPTIAN SITUATION

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP91T01172R000200320012-3
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 15, 2016
• Document Release Date: April 9, 2003
• Sequence Number: 12
• Publication Date: July 13, 1953
• Content Type: REPORT

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OCI No. 4516
Copy No. 9
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
OFFICE OF CURRENT INTELLIGENCE
13 July 1953
COMMENT ON EGYPTIAN SITUATION
The disappearance of a British airman from the canal town
of Ismailia on 9 July and Egypt's flat rejection of a British
ultimatum demanding his return by 0900 hours, 13 July, have
created new tensions in the Anglo-Egyptian dispute. Upon the
expiration of the ultimatum, British troops moved into Ismailia
and established controls over all movements. Sproadic shooting
is being reported. This situation could set off widespread
guerrilla attacks against the British forces in the Suez canal
base.
It is not clear why the British have chosen the disap-
pearance of an airman to force the issue at this time. Minis-
ter of State Selwyn Lloyd declared in Commons that there are
"strong grounds" for suspecting that an Egyptian army officer
assisted in the abduction of the airrman. The British appear
to be prepared to risk the consequences to implement their
present firm policy toward Egypt. Their action will not bring
closer the resumption of the suspended Anglo-Egyptian talks,
and coming at the time of the Dulles-Salisbury-Bidault confer-
ence, it highlights again the seriousness of the situation.
The army regime, which flatly rejected the British "ulti-
matum," has declared that Egypt will "wait and see" what action
Britain takes following the expiration of the ultimatum. It is
unlikely that the regime wishes to engage in widespread guer-
rilla activities at this time and there is no indication that
it sought the present crisis.
The leaders, sensitive on the subject of sovereignty, can
be expected to remain obdurate in their refusal to accept the
British ultimatum. They will use this incident as added evi-
dence that the mere presence of British troops is a threat to
Egyptian independence.
Major Salam called on the people to prepare for battle but
to avoid anti-British action until ordered. He reaffirmed re-
cent statements that Egypt would decide the time and place for
the r"war of
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The military regime, which is probably able to keep the
situation under control, still hopes for a Washington-inspired
solution. Should the regime, however, become convinced that
this will not be forthcoming and should it decide that the
popular mood does not permit delay, the army group would prob-
ably encourage guerrilla and terroristic activity against Brit-
ish personnel and installations.
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