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Abd Al-Halim Abu-Ghazala

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Field Marshal Mohammad Abd al-Halim Abu Ghazala
File:AbuGhazala.jpg
BornFeb 1930
Beheira Governorate, Egypt
DiedSep 2008
El-Galla Military Hospital, Egypt
NationalityEgyptian
OccupationDefense Minister of Egypt & vice Prime Minister from 1981 to 1989

Field Marshal Mohamed Abd al-Halim Abu Ghazala (ar:محمد عبد الحليم أبو غزاله) (1930 - 2008) was defense minister of Egypt from 1981 to 1989, when he was removed from office due to claims that he was involved in a missile-parts illegal import scandal from the US, by violating the US export laws.[1]

Early life

He was born in Zuhur Al Omara Village, Dilingat, Behera governorate. His family descended from "Awlad Aly" tribe. After completing his secondary education, he joined the military academy, then he received the battalion command diploma from Stalin Academy USSR in 1949. Also graduated from Naser Academy for higher military education (Cairo 1961). On the civilian studies side, he received a bachelor's degree from the faculty of commerce, Cairo University. Abu Ghazala received the diploma of honor from the war college in the US, thus being the first non-American to receive such an award.[2]

Career

Field Marshal Abd al-Halim Abu Ghazala was the artillery commander in chief during 1973 war. Then he was appointed by president Sadat as the Minister of Defense and military production, as well as the General commander for the armed forces.[3]

Abu Ghazala participated in the following wars :
1- 1948 war (whilst being cadet)
2- 1956 war against Israel, Great Britain and France
3- 1973 war against Israel

He did not participate in 1967 war as he was serving in the western front.

Ghazala also participated in the 1952 coup and was one of the "Free Officers"

Project T and Removal

The project T is part of the tri-national program with Argentina and Iraq to develop a two-stage solid and liquid propellant missile with a range of 900km. This program was referred to in Argentina as the Condor 2, and in Iraq as the Badr 2000. The Project T missile is a Scud-B variant, whose payload was probably reduced in order to extend its range.[4] . On the 15th of April 1989, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak removed and replaced Ghazala amid allegations that he was involved in an alleged scheme to transfer restricted missile technology from the United States[5] to assist the R&D for Project T.Although the United States Justice Department has said it was investigating whether General Abu Ghazala was involved, he has not been charged with any wrongdoing.[6] Ghazala was appointed as a consultant for the President. Egypt is believed to have terminated the program. [7]

Throughout his tenure as Minister of Defense, Ghazala was widely perceived as the second-most powerful man in Egypt, and a potential rival for power to Hosni Mubarak. His removal from office, and subsequent disappearance from public life, were seen as politically motivated.

2005 Elections

In 2005, he was briefly rumored to be a presidential candidate for the powerful but illegal Muslim Brotherhood.[8] He finally did not run, and the Muslim Brothers did not field a candidate in the first contested Egyptian presidential election 2005.

Death

Abu Ghazala died on Saturday evening, Sept. 6, 2008 at El-Galla Military Hospital in Cairo at the age of 78 after a battle with throat cancer.

References

  1. ^ Stevenson, R., Egyptian Minister Named in Missile Parts Scandal, New York Times, Oct. 25, 1988. URL: http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=940DE2D8113AF936A15753C1A96E948260
  2. ^ http://www.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/0186B7F8-FA1D-4F79-8D86-EEC2D489E2ED.htm
  3. ^ http://www.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/0186B7F8-FA1D-4F79-8D86-EEC2D489E2ED.htm
  4. ^ Jane's Defence Weekly, and AMI International's "Missile System of the World"
  5. ^ http://www.nti.org/e_research/profiles/Egypt/Missile/chronology_1989-1990.html
  6. ^ Stevenson, R., Egyptian Minister Named in Missile Parts Scandal, New York Times, Oct. 25, 1988. URL: http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=940DE2D8113AF936A15753C1A96E948260
  7. ^ Patrick E. Tyler, "Mubarak reassigns key depute; move said face-off with defense chief," Washington Post, 16 April 1989; in Lexis-Nexis, <http://www.lexis-nexis.com>
  8. ^ Namatalla, A., Newsreel, Egypt Today, August, 2005. URL:http://www.egypttoday.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=5610
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