NUBAR PASHA

born January 1825, Smyrna, Ottoman Empire [now Izmir, Turkey] died Jan. 14, 1899, Paris, France also called Nubar Pasha Nubarian Egyptian statesman of Armenian descent who was instrumental in the negotiation of important treaties with the European powers and in the division of authority between Egyptian and British administrators. Nubar's first important work involved the Suez Canal. The Ottoman khedive (viceroy) of Egypt, Isma'il Pasha (ruled 186379), wanted to speed construction of the canal, which was impeded by disputes with the canal company. Nubar represented the Egyptian government in negotiations to annul the disputed provisions. He also helped to establish a system of mixed courts (begun in 1875) to try cases involving Egyptians and Europeans. He proposed that the courts be staffed with Egyptian and foreign judges, who would administer a body of law based on French law and compiled by an international commission. Nubar was caught up in the events that led to Isma'il's deposition in 1879: under pressure by Britain and France in 1878, Isma'il named Nubar prime minister in a government that was to institute financial and political reforms; these reforms, however, infringed upon Isma'il's authority, and he soon dismissed Nubar. After the British occupation of Egypt (1882), Nubar again became prime minister, in 1884. Under the British, khedival authority was considerably curtailed while that of the prime minister was increased. Nubar successfully asserted Egyptian control of the ministries of justice and interior, thus helping to establish a dividing line between British and Egyptian authority in Egypt. His administrative talents provided an element of stability that was important for the peaceful continuance of British rule, but when, in 1888, he became too independent and tried to assert his authority over the provincial police, Britain secured his dismissal. In 1894 Nubar again became prime minister, but ill health and impatience with British domination led to his resignation the following year.