The protocol which always accompanies Arab summits is not necessarily a part of the conference itself. Nevertheless over the past few years, the intricacies of etiquette on these occasions have attracted excessive media attention — to the extent of seeming more important than the meeting itself. This is applicable to all summits, including the one just concluded at Sharm El-Sheikh in Egypt.
Leaving security arrangements and such matters aside, let us focus on how a summit can be judged by a quick look at its protocol. Things begin with the host head of state receiving the guests at the airport, while ensuring that every other guest without exception, is accorded exactly identical treatment.
After the ritual hugs, kisses and handshakes with every member of the accompanying delegations and after the national anthem has been played, the guests are taken in official motorcades to their residence.
Naturally, exactly the same protocol is followed in reverse upon each delegation’s departure. A written statement in the name of the guest is read out; the statement expresses thanks and gratitude to the host leader and his country for the warm reception and generous hospitality extended to the delegation. The statement stresses the need for solidarity, unity and joint efforts to face the challenges threatening them all at so critical a juncture.
At the summit itself, only the opening and closing sessions are carried live on television and these are marred by photographers, running here and there taking pictures of the leaders. At the closing session, the final communique is read out. In the meantime, the state television in the host country has no doubt broadcast special programs on the history and geography of each participating country.
If this is how we plan to continue holding summit conferences, it is time we looked at the Europeans and took a leaf from their book. Their summits normally contain very little of these empty and time-consuming polite formulas. Their leaders go directly to the conference room and immediately began serious discussions; after all, that is why the summit was called. The leaders begin at once because they know they are under scrutiny at home; the people who elected them to office want to know what their leaders are doing and saying.
There is naturally some concern with protocol but it does not dominate the meetings and discussions. The European leaders ask about everything, no matter how small and insignificant — and they do so without any sense of shame or regret. The Arabs, who are of course mostly Muslim, seem to have settled for the rewards awaiting them in the afterlife which will compensate for the humiliations they experience in this life.
Arab News From the Local Press 3 March 2003
