Subsidised bread price hike: impact, implications    US, Egypt, Qatar call on Hamas and Israel to finalize agreement    Egypt includes refugees and immigrants in the health care system    South Africa's ANC loses majority for first time since apartheid    Al-Sisi renews warning about Israeli operations in Palestinian city of Rafah    Al-Nas Hospital , Estadat Partner to Revolutionize Sports Investment and Healthcare Accessibility    Israel's c.bank chief: IDF shouldn't get 'blank check'    Egypt's gold prices fall on May 30th    MSMEDA encourages enterprise owners to shift to formal sector: Rahmi    Ancient Egyptians may have attempted early cancer treatment surgery    Indian rupee to slip on rising US yields, dollar    Egypt reaffirms commitment to African cooperation at AfDB Meetings    Germany approves carbon transport, storage proposals    Thailand seeks entry into BRICS    Abdel Ghaffar discuss cooperation in health sector with General Electric Company    Grand Egyptian Museum opening: Madbouly reviews final preparations    Madinaty's inaugural Skydiving event boosts sports tourism appeal    Tunisia's President Saied reshuffles cabinet amidst political tension    US Embassy in Cairo brings world-famous Harlem Globetrotters to Egypt    Instagram Celebrates African Women in 'Made by Africa, Loved by the World' 2024 Campaign    US Biogen agrees to acquire HI-Bio for $1.8b    Egypt to build 58 hospitals by '25    Giza Pyramids host Egypt's leg of global 'One Run' half-marathon    Madinaty to host "Fly Over Madinaty" skydiving event    World Bank assesses Cairo's major waste management project    Egyptian consortium nears completion of Tanzania's Julius Nyerere hydropower project    Sweilam highlights Egypt's water needs, cooperation efforts during Baghdad Conference    Swiss freeze on Russian assets dwindles to $6.36b in '23    Egyptian public, private sectors off on Apr 25 marking Sinai Liberation    Debt swaps could unlock $100b for climate action    Amal Al Ghad Magazine congratulates President Sisi on new office term    Financial literacy becomes extremely important – EGX official    Euro area annual inflation up to 2.9% – Eurostat    BYD، Brazil's Sigma Lithium JV likely    UNESCO celebrates World Arabic Language Day    Motaz Azaiza mural in Manchester tribute to Palestinian journalists    Russia says it's in sync with US, China, Pakistan on Taliban    It's a bit frustrating to draw at home: Real Madrid keeper after Villarreal game    Shoukry reviews with Guterres Egypt's efforts to achieve SDGs, promote human rights    Sudan says countries must cooperate on vaccines    Johnson & Johnson: Second shot boosts antibodies and protection against COVID-19    Egypt to tax bloggers, YouTubers    Egypt's FM asserts importance of stability in Libya, holding elections as scheduled    We mustn't lose touch: Muller after Bayern win in Bundesliga    Egypt records 36 new deaths from Covid-19, highest since mid June    Egypt sells $3 bln US-dollar dominated eurobonds    Gamal Hanafy's ceramic exhibition at Gezira Arts Centre is a must go    Italian Institute Director Davide Scalmani presents activities of the Cairo Institute for ITALIANA.IT platform    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



Opinion: The Gazette and the 1952 revolution (208)
Published in The Egyptian Gazette on 23 - 07 - 2011

The revolution and pacts (39). Ring of bilateral pacts (ii). Egypto-Syrian pact considered. There is ample evidence for several forms of contact between Egypt and Belad el-Sham (Syria: the geopolitical name of what is today Syria, Lebanon and Palestine). These go as far back as the Middle Kingdom (about 2025-1700 BC).
From ancient times, geopolitics have inevitably shaped Egypt's foreign policy due to the fact that Egypt occupies a strategic position as a land bridge between principal waterways, the Mediterranean Sea and the Indian Ocean. It had always been a must for Egypt to be strong enough top dominate its environment or risk becoming the victim of outside powers.
The land bridge to Asia (via Sinai), route of potential conquerors had also to be secured. Egyptian rulers traditionally sought to project their power into Syria and Arabia. Often in contest with other powers in Anatolia (present-day Turkey), or the Euphrates River valley (present-day Iraq).
This had occurred several times across the successive ages, such as in the times of the Pharoes, later during the Cruases, on to the French Expedition on Egypt and more recently during the Mohamed Ali era.
In contemporary times, Israel, generally backed by Western, particularly American, powers had been located partly on Egypt's eastern borders thus blocking its access to the East. This has always been perceived as the greatest threat to Egyptian security and hence prosperity and progress.
31/3/1955
Banner headline:
Vital Syro-Egyptian Talks begin in Cairo
El-Azm's visit to Baghdad reviewed at first meeting
Egypt and Syria Approve Final Draft of Military Pact
Aid to be exchanged in event of aggression
The Gazette report said: “The final draft of the provisions of the proposed military pact between Syria and Egypt was agreed upon at a meeting last night between the two sies.
The Syrian side consisted of Sayed Said el-Ghazzy, Prime Minister Sayyed Rasheed Bremoda, Minister of Defence, and Brigadier Shawkat Shukeir, Chief of Staff of the Syrian Army. Brigadier Mahmoud Riad, Egyptian Ambassador to Syria, represented his country.
“Following the meeting, a republican decree was issued instructing Sayed Bremoda to sign the agreement on behalf of the Syrian government. Brigadier Riad will sign on behalf of Egypt.
“Sayed el-Ghazzy said here today that the agreement would be signed at the earliest possible moment. The Parliamentary Foreign Affairs Committee has been called for an emergency meeting to hear a statem,ent from Premier el-Ghazzy concerning the discussions which took place recently in Cairo between himself and Premier Gamal Abdul Nasser, matters considered by the Arab Foreign Ministers Conference and full details about the proposed military agreement between Syria and Egypt.
“The Arab News Agency (ANA) learned today from well-informed sources that the agreement would be in the shape of a treaty under which the two sides pledge to exchange military aid as quickly as possible in the event of any aggression against either country.
“The proposed treaty provides for a joint command between the two countries in time of war or peace for the organisation of their military power and for the establishment of a joint fund to finance military plans. Egypt will contribute 65 per cent and Syria 35 per cent of the fund.
“Under the agreement, a supreme Defence Ministry will be formed. According to information received by ANA from well-informed sources here, all parties and parliamentary blocs in Syria have supported the conclusion of the agreement. Damascus newspapers today welcomed the agreement as ‘a great victory for Egypt and Syria' and a ‘turning point in the development of the security of the Arab world.'”
“Premier el-Ghazzy today visited the Republican Palace and informed President Shukry el-Kuwatly of the details of the final draft agreement. Brigadier Riad stated today that the agreement would be signed soon. Its main object was to concentrate the defences of the two countries against any possible aggression, he added.
“President Shukry el-Kuwatly told Tom Little, General Manager of ANA, in a special interview tonight there was nothing in the proposed military pact between Egypt and Syria which would perturb relations between Arab League member-states. Expressing the hope that the improvement in Arab relations, as reflected during the recent Arab League meetings in Cairo, would increase, the president said that Syria's policy was aimed at achieving the highest possible degree of cooperation and unity between the Arab League member-states, ‘for unity is the only safeguard of peace and safety'.
“…… Premier Abdul Nasser is not a man who works in secret; his policy is clear and he takes pains to expound it, the Syrian president said.
[email protected]


Clic here to read the story from its source.