The July 23 Revolution and pacts (20), ‘Building castles in the air'. Machiavelli's precept that ‘the end justifies the means' is a common practice in politics, especially when heated controversies arise, such as the one regarding the Turco-Iraqi pact. The parties in a conflict may thus resort to any and every means to enhance their respective positions. These means may include the launching of rumours and lies of all kinds. It is not at all surprising if one party launches a lie (usually through an unidentified source) that defames itself in order that it may eventually issue a strong-worded statement categorically denying the lie and dismissing it as ‘utterly unfounded' or ‘absolutely groundless' or ‘mere fabrication'. Except for refraining from mentioning the source by name, the author of this series of article cannot tell whether the following example (from the Baghdad Pact debacle) was ‘genuine' or ‘fabricated'. The Egyptian Gazette of February 27, 1955 published a strong statement by Major Salem, Minister of National Guidance in which he categorically denied what he described as ‘a foreign news agency's report claiming there would soon be a major shift in Egypt's Arab policy. Headlined: Egypt does not agree to link with the Turco-Iraqi pact Salem denies news agency report The Gazette report said: “Major Salah Salem, Minister of National Guidance and Minister of State for Foreign Affair, last night made the following important announcement: “A foreign news agency published yesterday certain declarations attributed to me, and these were published in many Arab papers. That foreign news agency dwelt at length on what it termed ‘an important press conference given by the Egyptian Minister of National Guidance' and a ‘vital change in Egypt's Arab policy'. “In order to clarify these serious matters, I declare that I have not held a press conference since the day upon which I returned from my recent visit to the Arab countries. I reiterate in the name of my government that Egypt has not thought — and will not think — of changing its policy towards the Arab region; the policy which Egypt announced some months ago, or rather two years ago. That policy is based upon candid Arab solidarity and rejection of foreign pacts of any kind. “The foreign news agency's allegations that Egypt has agreed to join the Turco-Iraqi pact is, therefore, utter nonsense. Egypt's stand in opposing this pact was not a mere caprice, but Egypt has opposed it because it destroys Arab solidarity, disintegrates the united ranks of the Arab governments and drives Arab efforts from their true objectives and interests, especially so since the Arab area has not yet achieved its goals and aspirations in securing complete freedom and true liberation. “The Minister went on to say: ‘Egypt adheres to every letter in the declaration issued by the Syrian and the Egyptian Government which has been approved, as it stands, by the Saudi Arabian government. Egypt looks forward to the meeting of the Heads of Arab Governments to be held before the end of this month in accordance with the agreement reached by the three governments to implement complete military, political and economic solidarity of purely Arab character for the realisation of the aspirations of the Arab nation, and to announce this to the Arabs.' “This great hope is nursed by every person having faith in Arabism, because with the realisation of this hope, complete Arab unity can be achieved. I wish to assure those who imagine that Egypt agrees to this purely Arab alliance being linked with the Turco-Iraqi pact or any other pact that they are ‘building castles in the air'. They had better face the fact that Egypt in her struggle to free itself from any foreign domination has been in earnest. It should also be clearly understood that Egypt's struggle has not been, and will not be affected by any pressure, coercion, threat or enticement of any kind……” [email protected]
