Chapter 472 Overseas Assets Committee
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After all, there are so many Arab countries and their population is dozens of times that of Israel. Even with its oil resources, Britain cannot stand against the Arab countries.
"Sultan of Egypt? That thief?" Sir Barron looked contemptuous and was not interested in Egypt's ruler Farouk I.
The most professional thing about this Egyptian ruler is his stealing skills. Farouk once learned from a thief. After he learned the lesson, he went to various dances and parties in the palace, stole among the distinguished guests, and used the obtained items as gifts. For personal collection.
His most famous deed was that he successfully stole the pocket watch of British Prime Minister Churchill. In the end, the pocket watch was returned to Churchill only after the British government severely protested against Farooq. Farouk also stole the funeral objects of the Shah of Iran, including swords, belts and medals, from the Shah's body when the funeral procession passed through Egypt in 1944.
"This has nothing to do with whether to be a ruler." Alan Wilson originally wanted to use the carpenter emperor of the Ming Dynasty as an example, but suddenly he thought of Norman Brooke, the cabinet secretary next to him. His hobby was being a carpenter, and the words came to his lips. He choked again and continued, "As long as we are willing to brag, Egypt is the natural Arab leader. Currently, Egypt has the largest population in the Arab world, and it has this qualification from history. Of course, Dear Sir Barron, we are not one-sided to support Egypt. In the final analysis, it is to keep the Suez Canal in a safe state, and I have prepared some materials for this."
Taking the initiative to stand up and distribute the preparation materials in Egypt, Alan Wilson pointed to the first line in the materials, "The first thing we have to do is to cut Sudan off from Egypt. Once Sudan is legally separated from Egypt is in control, and Egypt is a country with very serious shortcomings.”
"Ninety-seven percent of Egypt's territory is pure yellow sand. Only 3% of the land can produce crops and settle. Currently, 16 million people live on 30,000 square kilometers of land. This number is still growing. Egypt has no oil resources and so little livable land. It can be said that the most valuable thing in Egypt is the Suez Canal."
Alan Wilson said this in front of many colleagues, pointing to himself and saying, "From now on, I am an Egyptian. My country only has endless deserts, and the only places that can produce and live are the banks of the Nile River, just like Pakistan just now." Sir John said that the king is the lackey of the British. If I want to change this country, do I have to first overthrow the king, the British agent?"
"Listen to what Alan said, Egypt's congenital conditions are so poor, there is really nothing but sand." Gerald Edward frowned slightly and smiled bitterly, expressing his position at this time, indicating that he had partially agreed with Alan Wilson's statement .
Norman Brook took a sip of black tea, nodded gently and said, "Continue to imagine, colleagues are willing to listen."
"They are all Arab countries. I will take Iraq as an example. Since before the war, coups have occurred in the Kingdom of Iraq one after another. The important source of coups is the military. If the British army in the Persian Gulf had not been so careful, Iraq might have been revolutionized long ago. .This time the world war is over. Compared with before the war, we must consider the overt and covert infiltration of the Soviet Union and the United States. The military is the most deadly place. If the United States and the Soviet Union begin to infiltrate into Egypt, the military will definitely bear the brunt. .”
"The suggestion I made to Princess Badia in Iraq was to establish a royal guard with Christians. Judging from the Palestinian-Israeli war, the Kingdom of Iraq seems to have accepted my suggestion. We can also use it as a positive example to promote Iraq The kingdom is a secular kingdom, and all ethnic groups in the country are equal. Isn’t this great?”
"There are Copts in Egypt, and they live concentratedly in the Nile Delta." Sir Ismay whispered to Norman Brooke, mentioning this group of people who believe in God.
"The new Ottoman army? Louis XVI's Swiss Guards?" Norman Brook chuckled and motioned for Alan Wilson to continue.
"We just hope that this royal guard can protect the safety of the Egyptian king. If something happens, it can buy time for intervention. It is not to use the Copts to bully the Arabs. I think religious equality is something that no politician can Openly opposed!"
"For the current Britain, the biggest advantage is stability. Maintaining stability is the most important task of the current overseas troops. We must find a way to bring Egypt to the status of a leading Arab country, and at the same time protect the safety of the thief. Don't let anyone know about it. He was controlled when he couldn’t react.”
"The next step is the issue surrounding the Suez Canal. Even if the king of Egypt is in power, faced with only 3% of available land and a rising population, it is inevitable that he will not focus on the Suez Canal. In the final analysis, This is an existential issue for Egypt."
Everyone, including Norman Brooke, nodded. There was nothing in Egypt but sand. Even if the king had always maintained a pro-British attitude, he would inevitably be swayed by public opinion in the end.
"For Egypt's current conditions, the most important problems are two points, water resources and financial resources. The problem lies in the Nile River and Suez Canal, which means that no matter who is in power, they will face these two problems sooner or later." Sir John is worthy of being the head of the veteran overseas civil service. "The difference is that the king may take action later. Once there is a coup that we cannot respond to, the coup d'etat may take power and take action."
"So let's find a way from these two places. First, we need to separate Sudan from Egypt. In this way, Egypt will be a flawed country and it will be easier to deal with. On the premise of protecting the king, we must strangle Egypt upstream. The lifeblood of the Nile River, which can affect the safety of 16 million lives in Egypt, is Ethiopia and Sudan. Currently, we still have influence over these two places."
"Building a dam to control water sources? Support the Copts to establish the Sudanese Guard, increase the prestige of the Egyptian Sudan, and help Egypt become the leader of Arab countries. But these actions are all to maintain the special status of the Suez Canal to Britain."
Without Sudan, even if Nasser came to power, Egypt would not change. Alan Wilson's suggestion aroused the approval of the British Commissioner for Sudan, "Governor Robert has actually thought about this issue, and it seems that he and Alan thought about it together. .”
"Optimizing and integrating is just like how we let every colony have its flaws. Only when they work together to serve the British Empire can they exert their strength. This was also discovered in the work of British India. I believe that now the old industrial area of Calcutta has We can no longer live up to our former prosperity, who allowed India and Pakistan to be partitioned?"
Alan Wilson's smiling expression of apology elicited laughter in the conference room.
Naturally, even if Egypt is out of control, Sudan and Ethiopia upstream will try their best to maintain British influence.
Starting from improving the authority of the Sultan, to Coptic protection of the royal family, to the issue of the water source of the Nile. They all exist as insurance for the safety of the Suez Canal.
As for supporting the arms race between Arabs and Israel, naturally we cannot support a certain country to confront Israel. Rather, it involves the entire Arab monarchies.
It can also be seen from this war that a single Arab country would be beaten by Israel.
Then the version of the Cold War in the Middle East is simple. In terms of numbers, Israel has 100,000 troops, and each Arab monarchy has formed 100,000 troops to block Israel together.
As for weapons, Britain actually still has a lot of antiques from World War II. Alan Wilson remembers that until India hit the Himalayas, Britain still used armaments left over from World War II to assist India.
"Then I suggest that we convene a meeting of Arab countries in Cairo. Having such a meeting will also facilitate our manipulation of public opinion." Sir Barron said thoughtfully, "At that time, let Farouk I, according to our discussion today, , first initiated an arms race.”
"Why not attack Israel if questioned?" Norman Brooke asked.
"The United States and the Soviet Union are supporting Israel behind the scenes, and the United States also has peacekeeping troops." Sir Barron said without even thinking about it. "Arab monarchies have joined in, and it is easy to take advantage of the strength of many people."
Alan Wilson nodded in his mind. Unlike history, in this Palestinian-Israeli war, Israel is considered a victory. But in the end they had to ask for help from the United States.
Regardless of whether the United States is struggling during the election time, the United States has indeed sent peacekeeping troops anyway. This is tantamount to personally supporting Israel. Arab countries do not have the ability to confront the US military, and the US military cannot help Israel proactively attack Arab countries.
Isn't this very much like the Cold War environment? Then using the arms race to initiate confrontation is an option that can be provided.
"Okay, let's break up the meeting and go back to prepare a colonial mineral report. Sir Barron, I'll leave it to you to contact the Arab monarchies." Norman Brook stood up and said, "Alan, follow me!"
Alan Wilson followed Norman Brooke out and left the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building together. Following Norman Brooke, he also experienced the heartfelt reverence of others, but everyone was facing Norman in front of him. Just Brooke.
Arriving at the Cabinet Secretary's Office, Norman Brooke returned to his seat, sat down and said to himself, "I want to establish an overseas asset management committee. What does Allen think of this idea?"
"I very much agree. This is a very far-sighted idea." Alan Wilson's eyes lit up and he immediately agreed, "It's amazing to coordinate colonial resources and promote local development."