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Flag causes a flutter

AJMAN - With 33 international, high profile speakers attending the International Cardiology Congress in Ajman, it is understandable that organisers are stressed.

But was it pressure that led to the flag of Switzerland being mistaken for that of Swaziland - especially since Swaziland was not represented at the Congress?

While the names of both countries could mislead someone completely ignorant of geography, the flag of Swaziland, complete with Zulu shield and spears should have been enough to alert anyone that something was amiss.

The flag of Swaziland consists of three horizontal bands of blue (top), red (triple width), and blue; the red band is edged in yellow; centered in the red band is a large black and white shield covering two spears and a staff decorated with feather tassels, all placed horizontally.

Swizerland's flag on the other hand consists simply of a white cross in a red background, how hard is that to remember! Sixteen flags fluttered at the main conference hall of the Kempinski Hotel, representing all the speakers' countries. However, while there are three speakers from the UK, only the England flag was visible, the Union Jack being conspicuously absent. There were no speakers from Swaziland.