Indonesia confers stars on two Egyptian leaders<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian government has posthumously
\nconferred meritorious service awards on two Egyptian leaders who
\nwere crucial in helping Indonesia gain recognition for its
\nsovereignty after it declared independence 50 years ago.<\/p>\n
Former Egypt Prime Minister Mahmoud Fahmi El-Nokrashi was
\npresented the Bintang Republik Adipurna, and Abdel Rahman Azzam
\nPashsa, who was Secretary-General of the Arab League, was given
\nthe Bintang Jasa Utama, Antara reported from Cairo.<\/p>\n
The award was presented on behalf of President Soeharto by
\nIndonesia's ambassador to Egypt Boer Maouna to the descendants of
\nthe two respected leaders. The ceremony was held at the
\nIndonesian embassy in Cairo on Dec. 27.<\/p>\n
The medals were presented to Hani El-Nokrashi, El-Nokrashi's
\nson, and Omar Azzam, Azzam Pasha's son. Current Arab League
\nSecretary-General Esmat Abdel Meguid witnessed the presentation.<\/p>\n
Mauna underscored in his speech the role the two men had
\nplayed in helping the international community recognize
\nIndonesia's sovereignty as it fought off Dutch attempts to
\nreimpose colonial rule.<\/p>\n
Egypt was the first country to recognize Indonesia's
\nindependence. It was Azzam Pasha who persuaded the Egyptian
\ngovernment, to first give de facto recognition of Indonesia's
\nindependence in March 1946, and later de jure recognition in
\nNovember of the same year, according to Antara.<\/p>\n
The Indonesian government and people are highly indebted to
\nthe two Egyptian leaders for their tireless diplomatic support
\nfor the recognition of Indonesia's independence, Mauna said.<\/p>\n
He also recalled that El-Nokrashi decided to recognize
\nIndonesia despite opposition within Egypt.<\/p>\n
Azzam Pasha, he continued, had the difficult task of
\nconvincing other Arab League countries to recognize Indonesia's
\nindependence and then urge them to help foster international
\nsympathy for Indonesia.<\/p>\n
Azzam Pasha also assisted Indonesian students in Egypt at the
\ntime to help with their diplomatic campaign, the ambassador said.<\/p>\n
Asked by Antara about the delay in giving the award,
\nAmbassador Mauna said the award was timed to coincide with the
\n50th anniversary of Indonesia's independence this year.<\/p>\n
\"It's not late. It's timely with the Golden Anniversary,\" he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Indonesia presented similar awards to Indian and American
\nleaders who also helped lighten Indonesia's diplomatic struggle
\nin the early years of its independence. (01)<\/p>",
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