Adios, Rodolfo

The recent spell of heavy rains considerably slowed down life in Islamabad, except for one particular social activity that has dominated the capital since mid-December: the cycle of daily farewell parties for Rodolfo.

For those not familiar with the name, let me explain that Rodolfo Martin Saravia has been Argentina’s ambassador to Pakistan since August 2004 and the head (or dean) of the Diplomatic Corps in Pakistan for over three years. The inevitable is happening; Rodolfo will be leaving Islamabad later this month, to the chagrin of his innumerable friends and admirers.

The list of hosts of the departing Argentine envoy ranges from members of government, political leaders and legislators to businessmen, personal friends and fellow ambassadors. Rodolfo realised that the only way to accommodate his hosts was to practically shut down his own kitchen and attend farewell dinners, lunches and, increasingly, breakfasts. Rodolfo’s elegant wife Susana has missed some of the over 200 farewells because of sheer exhaustion.

Hundreds of diplomatic envoys have come, served and gone while the smiling face of Rodolfo has welcomed them, made friends with them and then bid farewell to them. At one of the farewell parties, former foreign secretary Riaz Khokhar described Rodolfo as the most popular ambassador to ever have served in Pakistan. Only two other ambassadors, Nicholas Barrington of the United Kingdom and Ali Al-Assiri of Saudi Arabia can be compared to the range of contacts that Rodolfo developed. He amazed the diplomatic circles by being awarded Hilal-e-Pakistan, one of the most prestigious national awards, well before his departure.

This award was in recognition of his services to strengthen relations between Argentina and Pakistan. Though they are far apart geographically, the two countries have a natural empathy for each other, as they are both neighbours of much larger countries. Their solidarity in the face of four aspirants – Germany, Japan, Brazil, India – for new permanent seats on the UN Security Council, was a corollary to that empathy. Argentina and Pakistan have also extended support to each other on the issues of Jammu & Kashmir and the Malvinas (Falklands). The Argentine envoy reached out to the media and civil society, explaining how Kashmir and the Malvinas remain under occupation by sheer force.

Argentina is famous for the legendary Eva Peron, her husband Juan and their lasting political legacy. Andrew Lloyd Weber’s opera and Madonna’s film ‘Evita’,on’t cry for me Argentina”, have made them household names across the world.

Argentina is one of the most enchanting lands in the world. The name has its origin in the Latin word for silver. Indeed, considerable reserves of silver were exploited in the early days of the Spanish colonisation. However, the greatest and most enduring riches come from its vast lands stretching from Brazil to the Antarctic Ocean.

It was the farming sector that made Argentina one of the richest countries in the world at the turn of the 20th Century. It enabled the country to get the best architects and artisans from Europe to build marvels of urban planning. Buenos Aires, the capital, is one of the most striking cities in the world. Its wide boulevards, parks, public edifices, diplomatic missions, classic hotels, townhouses and shopping centres offer endless treats to residents and visitors alike.

Buenos Aires also offers a rich cultural life. The theatre and opera are up to world standards. The rustic Boca district is reputed to be the birthplace of the tango, a sensuous dance appreciated all over the globe. San Telmo is known for its old buildings and a thriving antiques market. The city hardly sleeps, as the late party and club goers have barely come home when the morning rush to reach workplaces starts.

It is natural that with their great outdoors, the Argentines should excel in field sports like football, hockey, polo and tennis. Football is their national sport and they are passionate as well as emotional supporters of the national team, which has brought many laurels including the World Cup. The emotions reach the climax at the Brazil-Argentina match, beating the emotions witnessed during Pakistan-India cricket matches.

No wonder, Argentina has produced legendary footballers like Maradona and Messi and a great women’s tennis star, Gabriela Sabatini. The Argentine women’s hockey eleven is among the top teams of the world. It was a great pleasure for me to watch a hockey match in Buenos Aires and to be informed by the girls that they always play with hockey sticks from Pakistan, which are best in the world!

Having served as Pakistan’s ambassador to Argentina, I share a personal bond with Rodolfo. I can recall Rodolfo’s presence at my presentation of credentials to President Carlos Menem in the Casa Rosada – the pink palace immortalised by Juan Peron and his wife Eva, who often appeared on the balcony to address delirious crowds. Though Eva died at a relatively young age, the Peron legend lives on, like the Bhutto myth in Pakistan, and has given Argentina a long line of Peronist presidents. Later, Rodolfo headed the South Asia section, and our professional association turned into a family friendship, which has endured till today.

I have admired Rodolfo’s extraordinary contribution to cementing ties with Pakistan in political, economic and cultural spheres. Rodolfo and his wife are well known in Pakistan’s social milieu as patrons of Pakistani arts and literature. Rodolfo has helped Pakistani and Argentine artists and photographers by displaying their works at his embassy in Islamabad.

The Argentine ambassador’s long stay in Pakistan reached its climax when he assumed the responsibilities of the dean of the Diplomatic Corps in 2012. He will be remembered as the most popular and caring dean of the diplomatic family in Islamabad. As he prepares to leave Pakistan at the culmination of a long and successful stay, it is heartening to say that he will be fondly remembered by a large circle of friends and admirers in Pakistan.

Email: saeed.saeedk@gmail.com