By Markos Bolaris (*) – OrthodoxTypos –
Blackmail and threats behind the back of the American delegation in Sinai!
On August 28, according to the Julian calendar, we commemorate the Dormition of the Mother of God, with festive all-night vigils!
It was precisely this most venerable day that the United States Deputy Secretary of State, Mr. Rigas, a Greek-American by origin, chose to make a pilgrimage visit, together with his family, to the ancient Justinian Monastery of St. Catherine on Mount Sinai, the mountain trodden by God!
The symbolism of the visit was perfectly clear; its message was clearer than daylight, given the following decisive elements:
a. The U.S. Deputy Secretary of State;
b. A Greek-American by origin;
c. On the feast of the Dormition of the Virgin Mary;
d. Accompanied by his family;
e. At an exceptionally critical moment for the Monastery of Sinai!
Through the Deputy Secretary of State, the United States demonstrated its active interest in this ancient Monastery, this foundation stone of the Holy Places, by sending, within a period of two months, a second American government delegation to Egypt—and indeed upgrading its institutional level. The first had been the visit to Cairo by President Trump’s Presidential Adviser, Mr. Boulos.
In this way, the United States was emphasizing to every interested party, Egyptian and Greek alike, its strong interest and constant concern for the rescue and preservation of this living monument of human civilization!
It appears that some are politically and diplomatically looking the other way. They pretend not to understand the requirements of international law; they shamelessly disregard the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights, the international convention protecting this living monument under UNESCO, and the status quo ratified by international agreements.
They even set themselves against the Ahtiname of the Prophet of Islam, Muhammad, which placed the Sinaitic monks under his protection and recognized the Monastery’s waqf status; and they imagine that, without cost, they can behave insolently before world public opinion and before humanity’s institutions and laws!
Do not imagine that I am wasting your valuable time with unnecessary words!
What occurred during the recent visit of the American delegation, headed by Deputy Secretary of State Mr. Rigas and accompanied by the American Chargé d’Affaires at the Embassy in Cairo, was exceptionally revealing of the situation prevailing in Egypt—a diseased situation to which the ridiculous regime in Greece lends its assistance!
And because the press in Athens, acting as government mouthpieces, informed us natives that the American Deputy Secretary had enjoyed an excellent visit to the Monastery of Sinai, it must be said that what has been written for propaganda purposes in both the ecclesiastical and political press is very far removed from the truth of the events—from what actually took place during the two days of the American visit to the historic Monastery!
What really happened in Sinai?
The events, sordid though they were, are of critical importance. They demonstrate that the Egyptian regime and those who march alongside it have lost all sense of diplomatic propriety and abandoned the will to respect international law and their legal obligations.
Such events cannot characterize the conduct of a legitimate government of a state that is a member of the United Nations, UNESCO and the Pan-African institutions!
What happened on the day of the Dormition, with Ambassador Moussa, representative of the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, playing the leading role, was shameless.
Indeed, Ms. Moussa, who has been officially assigned responsibility within the Foreign Ministry for handling matters concerning the Monastery of Sinai, violated every rule of diplomatic propriety and every concept of the rule of law.
As soon as the delegation arrived at the ancient Monastery, behind the backs of American Deputy Secretary Rigas and the other officials, she began threatening the monks, taking them aside one by one, wagging her raised finger at them and intimidating them, saying:
“Do not dare speak to the Americans!
Do not dare!”
Even more remarkably—and this was something that had never before happened at the Monastery of Sinai—this Egyptian woman (who is Muslim) remained inside the church throughout the entire all-night vigil, standing in a stall beside the American Deputy Secretary.
Her purpose was to not let the U.S. Deputy Secretary of State out of her sight for even a second, thereby excluding any possibility that he might speak privately with the Sinaitic Fathers!
Such behavior sets civilized humanity back by centuries!
Behavior beyond description!
Behavior utterly contrary to international law and diplomacy!
Ultimately, these actions and practices—threats and blackmail, paid-for press reports, deception of allies, mockery behind their backs, insulting behavior toward the American Deputy Secretary and therefore toward the United States—demonstrate that they now understand that international public opinion has been informed, humanity is being informed, and international organizations know what is happening.
And so, in panic, the wretched ones are attempting by every possible means to cover it up!
Yet, in this disorderly attempt at concealment, they increasingly expose themselves internationally!
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Translated from:
(*) Former deputy foreign minister of Greece
