Title:
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The Egyptian question, 1942-1947 : the deterioration of Britain's position in Egypt, Al-Alamein to the U.N.debate of 1947
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Through two major crises ln 1943 and 1944, the British Ambassador,
Miles Lampson, backed by Churchill, maintained the practice of intervenlng
to keep the Wafd in power against King Faruq's wishes. But that
policy grew less and less popular in London, and the Wafd, sensing the
change, chose to provoke the crisis which wrecked that mode of British
control ln Egypt. One of the reasons for the change was British
reluctance to be drawn into Egyptian party politics; another was the
tactic of nationalist agitation, used by the parties in opposition to
challenge the British and the parties in power. The nationalist claims
and aspirations, thus formulated, came to constitute a challenge to
British plans for the future of the position in Egypt; particularly so
in the light of Egypt's post-war expectations and Egypt's new diplomatic
horizons - the Arab League, the recognition of the Soviet Union, and
expanding relations with the U.S. Following the assassination of Ahmad
Mahir (whom they had means of influencing) the British found their hold
on Egyptian affairs loosening, as his successor, Nuqrashi, adhered to a
cautious but dogmatic interpretation of Egypt's national aspirations.
The tensions which arose between the Ambassador and Nuqrashi came to a
head early in 1946; and following the crist, which led to Nuqrashi's
replacement by Sidqi and Lampson's replacement by Campbell, the British
hoped to establish cooperation with the Palace. That hope was short
lived; nor could the policy of seeking to encourage Egyptian goodwill -
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pursued by Britain's chief negotiator in 1946, Lord Stansgate - resolve
the difficulties created by the nature of Egyptian politics. Following
the failure of negotiations, Nuqrashi came back to power; since intervention
against him was ultimately rejected as impossible, the decisive
confrontation took place at the U.N., where American attitudes denied
the British government the victory it sought. The result was a stalemate.
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