U.S. Policy in the Near East, The year 1955 witnessed no lessening of American interest in the countries and peoples of the Near East, South Asia, and Africa, and it brought no end to the difficult and complicated problems which have come to the United States from this vital part of the world.' On the contrary, the old, basic issues, involving the resurgent and often strident nationalism of the peoples of the area, the problem of self-determination or "colonialism," and questions of the economic development of underdeveloped countries still persisted 10 years after the end of the Second World War. In addition, important individual problems such as the Arab-Israel controversy, Cyprus, and French North Africa have also remained as a matter of American concern, whether directly or otherwise, because of the position of the United States as one of the leaders of the free world. Toward the end of the year, the United States, together with other nations, was faced with a renewed and dynamic manifestation of Soviet interest in the general area of the Near East, South Asia, and Africa. In line with an old imperial Russian tradition and in accord with Leninist-Stalinist Communist doctrine, the Soviet Union sought to take advantage of the "relaxation of tensions" in Europe and pressed toward the achievement of its secular interests. The Soviets exploited every weakness and every problem and employed every art, artifice, and instrument at their disposal, including their satellites and the international Communist apparatus. There seemed little doubt that they were seeking a dominant influence in the so-called uncommitted areas of South Asia and the Middle East. Because of the seriousness of the situation, the members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, meeting at Paris on December 15-16, 1955, reviewed the "provocative moves and declarations by the Soviet Union regarding the See footnotes on pp. 56-63. 2 Middle East and Asia” and recognized that Soviet tactics, “coupled with a continued increase in Soviet military capability, created new problems and a new challenge to the Free World." 3 As in years past, in his report on the work of the United Nations for 1954-1955* Secretary-General Dag Hammarskjold touched on a number of basic problems involving the Near East, South Asia, and Africa. Among other things, he referred to the Bandung conference (April 18–24, 1955), in which the nations of this area played a prominent part, and noted the great upheaval in the relations of nations and peoples which was under way, the direction of which, at least in some respects, seemed "clear enough.” He noted that: The peoples of Asia today, of Africa tomorrow, are moving towards a new relationship with what history calls the West. The world organization is the place where this emerging new relationship in world affairs can most creatively be forged. The Secretary-General also dealt at some length with the troublesome issue of Palestine. He thought that too little attention had been given to meet "the emerging problems of the continent of Africa in a spirit consonant with the aims of the Charter," although the United Nations had been concerned with these problems “on a piece-meal basis." The issues, he said, were partly social and economic, partly political, and partly they belonged to the realm of trusteeship arrangements. In the Secretary-General's considered view: The great changes that are under way in Africa present a challenge to the rest of the world-a challenge to give aid in guiding the course of events in orderly and constructive channels. It is apparent that in the next ten years the peace and stability of the world will be strongly affected by the evolution in Africa, by the national awakening of its people, by the course of race relations and by the manner in which the economic and social advancement of the African peoples is assisted by the rest of the world. The Tenth Session of the U.N. General Assembly devoted considerable attention to problems of the Near East, South Asia, and Africa and especially to the type of problems outlined above. Representatives of the nations of this area particularly emphasized the political, social, and economic problems confronting their peoples, but they were not alone in discussing them. Secretary Dulles laid special stress on the Arab-Israel conflict in his address of September 22,5 and both British Foreign Secretary Harold Mac millan and French Foreign Minister Antoine Pinay pointed toward the Middle East as an area of tension and controversy. In line with recent Soviet policy, in his address of September 23 Foreign Minister Vyacheslav Molotov gave the distinct impression that the Soviet Union, now more than ever, was engaged in an attempt to win over the states of Asia and Africa to the side of the Soviet Union. Molotov reiterated Soviet opposition to "aggressive military blocs and coalitions" in general, and to such arrangements in the Middle East in particular. 6 Significant Political Issues As already noted, the United States was confronted during 1955 with a number of difficult political issues, some of which came to it through the United Nations and some more directly. Of special, although by no means exclusive, interest were those of French North Africa, Cyprus, and Palestine. Some of these problems became even more intense during the course of the year, although others appeared to be on the road toward possible solution as the year drew to a close. FRENCH NORTH AFRICA The United States had an interest in the issues involving Morocco, Tunisia, and Algeria not merely because of certain bases in Morocco or because of its politico-strategic interest in the entire Mediterranean region but also because it was interested in the stability of France as a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and in the development and welfare of the peoples of this area. The problems of French North Africa had been discussed, it may be noted, at the Bandung conference in April 1955, and the 29 Asian-African nations represented there adopted a resolution supporting the "rights of the people of Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia to self-determination and independence" and urged the French Government "to bring about a peaceful solution without delay."" Morocco-The problem of Morocco, which proved very troublesome during the first part of 1955, appeared on the road to solution |