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CHAIRMAN'S MESSAGE  I was watching Arabic news programme recently when an item appeared reporting on a cabinet meeting of an Arab regional
leader and his ministers discussing matters of state. There they all sat the President, Prime Minister, Ministers and generals, dressed in their best with chestfulls of colourful
medals and ribbons. It seemed that this ostentatious display of awards and honours was meant to show just how dignified and serious the matters for discussion where on the agenda.
Watching them sitting proudly around the U-shaped ministerial table smiling for the cameras I caught myself thinking: "Why do all political leaders, generals of authoritarian regimes have
so many medals and decoration"? Who awards them, and for what achievements? All political leaders who obtain power illegally or have, once legally elected, subverted
the constitutions of their countries to hold on to power, seem to need to bestow on themselves or ensure their supporters do medals and honours to try to add legitimacy
to their actions. They crave the respect and prestige of their people and the world at large; it seems to me, by awarding themselves rank, honours and decorations. The
lose sight of an undisputed reality; that respect and admiration come naturally to those who, by their actions, demonstrate whether they have the qualities to be
worthy leaders who deserve to hold on to power. This is notoriously the case in the smallest of countries particularly in Africa and South America, where governments
and leaders seem to change as regularly as the seasons and every new leader steps on to the world stage weighed down by his medals, rank and honours.
"Why do all political leaders, generals of authoritarian regimes have so many medals and decorations? "
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The awarding of bogus medals and awards is like a plague that spreads far and wide,
crossing national and geographic barriers. No region is immune to infection and like other plagues it has been with us from the moment humankind organised itself into
communities and appointed leaders to guide and protect them. We are certainly prone to this insidious infection here too, in the Arab world. It seems that some of
our more notorious military and political leaders have been smitten by it.Throughout the region honours and medals abound. Everyone has seen in their
newspapers, magazines or on television, images of regional military commanders who seem almost weighed down by the medals pinned to their chests. I can understand
ordinary soldiers being awarded medals for individual acts of bravery in battle; I can also understand the striking of commemorative campaign medals for soldiers who
fought in particular campaigns. But I fail to understand why generals and war leaders award themselves medals for losing battles, for leading their men into disastrous wars
or for oppressing their people. It is, as if losing a futile war with the consequent loss life, damage to their country and people is something they see as commendable and worthy of celebration. Let us be honest with ourselves; Arab generals and Arab leaders have been persistently unsuccessful in all the military actions that have taken place since 1948.
It has been a history of one defeat following on the heels of another. Our military record is no cause for celebration and certainly not one that justifies the need to
award medals to our political and military leaders. Such awards tarnish the honours awarded to individuals for exemplary bravery and courage displayed on the battlefield during these disastrous wars. Continued >>> |
