From 8b5f93b2a867a2dc576de10abf3231e5a4870b07 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Nathan Schneider Date: Sun, 24 Aug 2025 21:10:12 +0000 Subject: [PATCH] Corrected an extra space in Mannan interview --- content/interviews/mannan-diplomatic_protocols.md | 2 +- 1 file changed, 1 insertion(+), 1 deletion(-) diff --git a/content/interviews/mannan-diplomatic_protocols.md b/content/interviews/mannan-diplomatic_protocols.md index ec6ce62..2e4e485 100644 --- a/content/interviews/mannan-diplomatic_protocols.md +++ b/content/interviews/mannan-diplomatic_protocols.md @@ -60,7 +60,7 @@ In protocol one has to work out all the details when you are organizing an event Once in an embassy National Day event---I will not say which embassy---this was when I was in Tashkent, the CD player suddenly stopped, guests waited for the national anthem to resume, the ambassador turned red in the face. You understand, all the dignitaries were present and the national anthem had halted because of a technical glitch. I'm sure next day the person in charge, whether it was staff or junior officer, was packing his baggage and was headed back to his capital. In Bangladesh too, once when the Prime Minister came to attend a formal program, there was a technical problem that prevented the national anthem from being played, and the next day the chief of protocol was fired. These things happen. With protocol, you have to be extraordinarily careful, you have to be calm and collected under pressure, and you have to be well-trained on how to swiftly handle a *faux pas* or unmeditated disruptions. One has to understand the enormity of any failings and one has to always be on alert. -*How did you learn to develop that sense of detail? * +*How did you learn to develop that sense of detail?* I took interest, that's the main thing. From the very beginning I knew this is one of the most interesting jobs because you will be meeting the heads of state and government, and at least the foreign ministers. My opportunity came as a junior officer to be a guide to a visiting minister---showing him around, taking him to the market, taking him to another ministry, just accompanying him---I was very alert from the onset. And I received very glowing commendations after the visit. No matter how difficult the task was, I never said ‘no’ to anybody---I tried to manage. That is another hallmark of a diplomat, protocol instills this quality because we are entrusted to create positivity and an atmosphere of confidence. The objective has to be achieved, no matter how difficult. At the same time the process has to go smoothly, almost seem effortless.