THE UAR PRESIDENCY

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: Library of Congress
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): LOC-HAK-292-3-14-9
• Release Decision: RIPLIM
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: January 11, 2017
• Document Release Date: February 19, 2010
• Sequence Number: 14
• Publication Date: October 8, 1970
• Content Type: MEMO

No Objection to Declassification in Part 2010/02/19: LOC-HAK-292-3-14-9
INFORMATION
SECRET
MO .ANDUM OR DR. KISSING 1(
FROMe Harold H. Saunders
5-M EJECT: The U'AR Presidency
October 8, 1970
Y' ou asked for a run down on the people who are most likely to be the
meta powers In they UAR under the new president, Anwar Sadat.
The attached in done mainly for your information, but it is in the form
of a memo which you could Bond to the -t resident if you wish
SECRET
HHSaunde r s:mnb:14 /8 / 70
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RON4i Henry A. ltissinger
zUbJkC?ls The UAR l reiRdency
Jthwar Sadat's selection by the Arab Socialist Union (,A-SU) -- Egypt's
only legal political organization -- as the party's candidate for the
presidency virtually assures him of being Nasser's successor to the
title of President. This solves the immediate presidential succession
problem although there are likely to be further shifts in the Egyptian
top leadership, and it is still unclear who or what coalition of interests
will be wielding effective power in the T,,'fAR. Below are described the
main elements in this situation.
As a member of Nasser's original revolutionary group and because
Nasser named him Vice C.'resid.nt in December 1969, Sadat brings an
aura of legitimacy and continuity' to the succession and to the presidency.
He lacks, however, Nasser's charisma and as a perennial figurehead
in the government with a lackluster record of public service he also
lacks widespread respect and authority. Saidat's greatest claim to
leadership would seem to rest on his extreme nationalism, his long
record of loyal, if unspectacular service to Nasser and the apparent
fact that he is acceptable to both pro-Soviet and more moderate factions.
Given Sadist's character and background it is unlikely that he achieved
ASU endorsement on his own. He fits the general qualifications acceptable
to the s ex military officers -- that the n *w president be a member of
Nasser's original revolutionary group M- but there to no evidence that he
is the army's man. We do not yet know who specifically backed Sadat
but it seems likely that his selection rests upon the support of other
influential ,Egyptian political figures. There are indications that former
Vice ?resident and Soviet supporter Ali Sabri may have figured heavily
in Sadat's selection as well as the powerful Interior Minister Sharawi
Jurrtab.. They may have found Sadat' a selection the most convenient way
of blocking selection of a stronger rival like the more moderate ~"akaria
Muhb edin. Others among the top leadership who may have played important
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sECRL -2-
roles in the succession struggle include Nasser's shadowy intelligence
adviser ,Sarni Sharaf, propaganda chief Haykal, War Minister Fawzi and
Foreign Minister Riad.
Sadat's Supporters
It is, of course, impossible to determine at this point specifically who
will ultimately hold the reins of power in Egypt. So far the military
appears to have remained on the sidelines in terms of actually running
the government, but it will exert considerable influence, if not a de
facto veto, on decisions directly affecting ilia interests. Sadat may
turn out to be more than a front man and as a probable compromise
choice will still have some important influence, but the men around
him will undoubtedly be more influential than those Nasser kept around.
Below are short character sketches of these men. 25X1
Ali Sabri'st political fortunes have ebbed and flowed over the years. In
the months prior to Nasser's death he was in eclipse, but in the past has
served as Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister, has held several
other ministerial posts as well as being secretary general of the Arab
Socialist Union. He is presently a member of the ASU's Higher Executive
Committee ?- the group that chose ''adat as President,
It has been rumored that he will be appointed the
general secretary of the AU.
Sharawi Jumah is a member of Nasser' s original revolutionary group who
has risen rapidly since the founding of the republic. He has held. the very
important Interior Ministry portfolio since 1966 and before that, among
other things, worked in the presidential office as acting Chief of General
Intelligence. Jumah is unpopular with the student community because of his
role in repressing their opposition to the Nasser regime. It has been rumored
that he will be Sadat's Prime Minister.
Semi Semis a shadowy, behind-the-scenes figure. He is a senior intelligence
officer who as the director of the President's Office of Information (intelligence)
became one of Nasser's more influential advisers. Little is known about the
SECRET
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circumstances surrounding his entrance in the nAd-1950's into Nasser's
Although he defends the' R as ant -
stance, he has argued that it is eaecessary to maintain some
semblance of balance in relations with the U. S. and the USSR.
labam .e w i serves ondarrently as commander in chief of the
UAE armed forces and as Minister of `~, ar. Nasser appointed his friend
Faw.41 as commander in chief to shore up b:is own position site r Egypt' a
defeat in the 1967 war, when he needed a loyal man to prevent the military
from developing into an opposition force. Many observers saw General
Fawa,i as having little independence of action and as being completely
subordinate to Nasser and the Soviet military advisaaer, in the UR. He
'reportedly has not been a very popular figure a long military personnel
and is said to have little interest in direct political involvement for himself.
banxmed Na al is Egypt's leading political journalist whose considerable
influence has derived froma his articulate, emotional and widely read editorials
in al-Ahram and from Nasser's friendship and confidence. For years he
has been a trusted out-of -channels source of information for and an informed.
spokesman bf the government. Not long ago Haykal was finally brought into
the government an Minister of National Guidance and as the regiax e. propagan
car was thought to have moved even closer to Nasser. Haykal may have
damaged his political standing when in the early maneuvering for the presidency
he published an apparently untrue story in al-.tAhram that Sabri and 3,adat bad
both had heart attacks at the funera.
SL: C: .E T
S MH:HHHSaunde rs: rnnb: ld/g / 70
No Objection to Declassification in Part 2010/02/19: LOC-HAK-292-3-14-9