In the previous article, we spoke about a man who life could not bend. Though his opponents wanted to marginalize him, he persevered. Whoever believes in himself and wants to resume his toil cannot be stopped by anybody. It is Dr. Boutros Ghali whom I talk about. He was a man whose will was unshaken by the difficulties of political life, for he was mature and flexible enough to shift from one role to another, and be influential in decision-making.
Dr. Ghali’s life started by academic work and acquiring culture which were the foundations of his political career. He said, “I gave attention to academia, because I knew that politics will follow. I needed to study more, and work more on academia.” This means that Ghali was fully aware of the fact that a successful politician starts his career by knowledge and openness to new ideas and civilizations. Thus, he took the correct steps toward political success. In fact, he had a great impact on decision-making. In an interview, he said, “Academia is an indirect authority. I can influence a decision maker through academia. Do not belittle the elites’ role. Do not underestimate their impact on the political authority.”
His cultural journey started at an early age. He used to suffer from bronchial asthma. Thus, he would stay awake for several hours. Yet, he would fill those hours with reading. He loved reading so much that he clung to books till the end of his life. Moreover, his uncle, who was Foreign Minister, used to encourage him to read by following up his recent readings. As such, books opened up a new horizon before him and prepared him for his great forthcoming role.
Boutros Ghali was also an outstanding writer. His articles were regularly published in “Misr” newspaper, while he was doing his Ph.D. in International Law in Paris. After his return, he started writing in “Al-Sho’la” magazine, which competed with “Rosalyousef” then. This took place during the period from 1949 to 1952. He wrote about the journey to Sudan. Likewise, he wrote about the agricultural reform and international politics and so on. He founded Al-Ahram al-Iktisadi, Al-Siyassa al-Dawliyah, and Safhat al-Ra’y, apart from his academic work and general lectures.
This is how culture and academia boost and lend profoundness to each other. Both ran deep through Boutros Ghali’s character, preparing him for great roles on both the Egyptian and international levels.
Boutros Ghali passed through a difficult stage that made everybody think it would make him decide to leave Egypt. This was when his family’s property was nationalized. Yet, he was not affected. Rather, he continued teaching at the university. He joined political bodies, and positively contributed to the Revolution. This could be ascribed to his academic, cultural and ideological background which made him insightful, and bestowed him with a positive outlook for the political changes that were taking place in the Egyptian society. Moreover, the experiences he gained while studying in Paris and dealing with people from a variety of nationalities made him understanding of the new era that Egypt was about to witness after the 1952 Revolution. He said, “I believed in the importance of reformation and agricultural reform. I tackled this subject in several articles which were published. Also, I had a passion for the new ideologies related to the Egyptian foreign policy. As a youth, I was pro-Revolution. Despite the fact that I belong to a feudal family (from the Revolution’s viewpoint), I strongly believed I could work. This is testified to by my first book which title was ‘Nationalizing Suez Canal’ in 1956.”
At that time, Ghali gave lectures about the political condition at the Journalist Club. As such, young Boutros Ghali positively contributed to political work, rejecting the idea of leaving Egypt, despite the fact that he had a chance to do so when he was offered to teach for one more year in America where he spent the academic year 1954-55 as a visiting professor.
Ghali was successful all through until he was chosen Minister of State for Presidential Affairs in 1977. At that time, he was member of the experts’ committee at the International Labor Organization. This committee used to monitor countries abiding by the agreements they signed. Likewise, he was member of the International Law Commission. According to late Sadat and Mamdouh Salem, he was chosen as Minister of State due to his immense activity and great efforts in the political realm. He was member of the political bureau of the Arab Socialist Union. He made several agreements with parties in India, Tunisia, and Senegal. He was able to establish a Socialist Union amongst African parties. In addition, he wrote several articles, held many studies as well as international meetings. This is a highly cultured persona that deserves any renowned position.
All successful personae are attacked and criticized. Dr. Ghali was criticized. Yet, this did not affect him. Nor did it weaken him or lessen his efforts and activities. Aware of the importance of perseverance, he said, “Being in charge of a political position makes it imperative that you endure criticism and continue working, if you are convinced that you should do so in spite of criticism.”
Ghali was criticized for marrying a young lady who was claimed to be a Jew. However, his wife, Leah Nadler was Catholic, in spite of belonging to a Jewish family. He was also accused of treason when he accompanied Sadat in his trip to Jerusalem. However, his belief in the importance of negotiations in order to retrieve Sinai made him ignore all sorts of criticism. Another instance when he was criticized internationally was when he was about to be re-elected UN Secretary General. Though he was supported by 14 countries, the U.S.A. used VETO against him!
Despite all pressures, Ghali would never disobey his conscience regarding the declaration of the report of Cana, the Lebanese city which witnessed a horrific massacre. He said, “I was contacted and told: it is good for you that Shimon Peres, that is, the Labor Party, succeed. It is not to your best interest to expose this report, for it will harm Peres’s result in the elections. Then another suggestion was made: the report can be verbal, not written.” Yet, Ghali decided to publish the report. In an interview, he said, “I do not regret it. It is enough to do what relieved my conscience.”
Likewise, he was strong enough to make decisions that America did not approve of, especially the one concerning not bombing Yugoslavia using aircrafts except with the consent of the UN Secretary General and NATO Secretary General.
There are more stories about Ghali’s life and responsibilities… Stories never end in Beautiful Egypt.
