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