ORAC
28th Aug 2002, 14:27
Just as a counterpoint to all the comments about gate guards:
The Times - August 28, 2002:
Empire honours its Kabul guards
From Dumeetha Luthra in Kabul
TO THE music of a lone bagpiper two Afghan retainers were honoured yesterday after being appointed MBEs for guarding the British Embassy in Afghanistan through decades of war and strife.
At a ceremony in the British compound in Kabul, Zahoor Shah and Sayed Afzal received their awards.
Over the years the guards have seen off the upheavals of the Soviet invasion, Mujahidin fighting and the Taleban regime. The embassy was often empty and it was left to the two to protect what was left.
Ron Nash, the British Ambassador, paid tribute to their courage. “There has been physical danger and war around you . . . and you have taken care of our possessions for so many years, where there was no British Ambassador and no British officials.” Even with the fall of the Taleban last year the two were still wary of letting people in. When British troops arrived in Kabul late last year they were not allowed through the gates. They were forced to call the High Commission in Pakistan to verify their credentials.
For their devotion they were paid regularly, even when the embassy was closed.
Mr Shah has worked for the embassy for 30 years as head of the household, and has all three of his sons working there. Despite the tumultuous times that the embassy has seen, the 57-year-old guard has fond memories of working there. “The British have been good to me. I have served them very faithfully and will continue to do so.”
Mr Afzal guarded the gates with equal fervour for 40 years. He said that he was honoured to be appointed MBE, and added: “I will work here until I am fired.”
The Times - August 28, 2002:
Empire honours its Kabul guards
From Dumeetha Luthra in Kabul
TO THE music of a lone bagpiper two Afghan retainers were honoured yesterday after being appointed MBEs for guarding the British Embassy in Afghanistan through decades of war and strife.
At a ceremony in the British compound in Kabul, Zahoor Shah and Sayed Afzal received their awards.
Over the years the guards have seen off the upheavals of the Soviet invasion, Mujahidin fighting and the Taleban regime. The embassy was often empty and it was left to the two to protect what was left.
Ron Nash, the British Ambassador, paid tribute to their courage. “There has been physical danger and war around you . . . and you have taken care of our possessions for so many years, where there was no British Ambassador and no British officials.” Even with the fall of the Taleban last year the two were still wary of letting people in. When British troops arrived in Kabul late last year they were not allowed through the gates. They were forced to call the High Commission in Pakistan to verify their credentials.
For their devotion they were paid regularly, even when the embassy was closed.
Mr Shah has worked for the embassy for 30 years as head of the household, and has all three of his sons working there. Despite the tumultuous times that the embassy has seen, the 57-year-old guard has fond memories of working there. “The British have been good to me. I have served them very faithfully and will continue to do so.”
Mr Afzal guarded the gates with equal fervour for 40 years. He said that he was honoured to be appointed MBE, and added: “I will work here until I am fired.”