Someone, whom I trust
his story, his sagginess, good intention and his jealousy over his country,
talked to me about the Egyptian foreign affairs’ work and how it is pointless
right now and that there are no clear targets with specific tasks within time
schedules.
This rule applies to
all diplomats and those working in embassies and delegations associated to
other ministries and authorities like intelligences, ministries of interior,
education, culture, commerce and even sermonizing and religious guidance…
however, that man noted that there have been an exception as they recently were
assigned a specific task; that is exerting endeavored efforts to regain Egypt’s
long-time role in the African continent and the African Union… and indeed, the
mission was well accomplished because the target was known and mission was
clear.
In the same session,
another man talked to me about some incidents that may seem to be individual
actions however he believes they represent an approach adopted by many whom
Egypt was cursed to have as its representatives abroad… he recounted a story of
an ambassador who used to serve his duty abroad in Western Europe and the
United States until he was transferred to Africa… that was when he got
furiously mad and interpreted his indignation into extremely inappropriate and
mean behavior… for example, he ordered the air-conditioning system be left
operating day and night during the weekends so they he can find his office cool
when he comes back…
Another one turned the
embassy’s swimming pool into a ducks’ breeding place… a third was trading in the
offspring of the dogs living in the embassy where people of that foreign
country and others come to buy the distinguished puppy bread… A forth was determined
not to spend a dollar of his salary and it happened once that he was invited to
dinner in another Arab embassy and after finishing eating he went to the
hosting ambassador’s wife to ask her for a collection of dishes for his son as
he didn’t attend the dinner… and so the lady scolded him severely…
In the same context, I
heard about the articles of the bylaw preventing acquisition lease… that is the
embassy may rent a building or a place for a certain sum of money… which is the
same money that can be paid on installments to buy the place… or that money
needed for renting a building for the embassy exceeds what can be paid to buy
another building more spacious, modern and comfortable because the former is
not for acquisition…
Another situation is
that the embassy may need to paint its building… meaning that they only need to
hire some house painters… but what really happens is that a committee associated
to the buildings’ authority in the ministry goes to examine and make a bid so
that some may “qualify” for the “house painting” task… in the end, the money
paid to paint the building exceeds what is needed to buy a completely new one!
Also, there are those administrative
employees; whether females or males, who has an educational degree not
exceeding the average diploma and who are assigned to deal with elite Egyptian
scientists of university professors and PhD and higher degrees awarded experts;
meaning they have submitted researches qualifying them for the professorship
level… then comes the employee with the average diploma to deal with them in a
very mean way…
Moreover, you find
teachers sent by al-Azhar for example to teach French-only -speaking students
while the teacher knows nothing about French language but it was only due to
nepotism or his turn to be sent abroad… to the extent that some of our
embassies in the African continent witnessed native students’ protests refusing
such teachers…
This conversation I had
with the two men, who were generous enough to talk openly, started by
discussing the national campaign to donate to Egypt known as “Sabah ala Masr be
Geneah” or “Donate a pound everyday to Egypt”… I said I am one of those
committed, most of the time and not always, to donate everyday… the swift reply
came exclaiming: “and why do not those officials working in the diplomatic
delegations donate some of the millions of dollars spent aimlessly without
planning?”
we also talked about
serious issues like the one regarding the mission target of those working in
all fields, especially those in the diplomatic circle representing Egypt abroad…
we also talked about the goals and plans outlining our foreign policy even on
the microscopic level… As it’s not logical or accepted that employees working
in a big or small embassy or even a limited representative delegation do not
know their mission exactly and the philosophy of the Egyptian foreign policy in
that place of the world… including the comprehensive general philosophy in this
phase of the international situation and politics.
Some may say that
goals are clear… atop of them is that we do not interfere in others’ affairs
and not seek leadership or a role exceeding our abilities… this is good,
however we cannot define things by negation… like we cannot say that water is
not fire and not mass…etc… it’s also known that philosophy and goals of the
foreign policy are defined by the presidency and not any other institution or party.
I know it’s difficult
to re-qualify those who reached the degree of ambassador to realize that they are
entitled to a role that should be reflected on their way of thinking, behavior and
job tasks… starting from realizing how big and important it is to represent a
country like Egypt along with its rich civilization, culture, history and role
in the world… and not ending by saving every penny and pound not to be wasted
aimlessly… however, it’s not difficult to put the right official in the right
place and time… also, it’s not difficult to hold everyone accountable for whether
they have fulfilled their job tasks or not.
In addition, it’s not
forbidden to discuss the issue of the number of our embassies, delegations and
representatives abroad… and decide whether we can decrease that number because many
countries, which do not suffer what we do of lack of resources especially in
foreign currency, have worked on decreasing their delegations’ number of
employees to save resources where a single embassy can do the job of
representing the state in many neighboring countries…
Such conduct does not
contradict with the necessity that Egypt should have an effective role in the
international arena so that others do not occupy our place… in my opinion, if
such spirit, philosophy and specific clear tasks are provided, then a single
official can do the job of hundred lacking such things…
We have already
witnessed before, and may until this moment, how our precious Egyptian history
in Africa for example was squandered… and how others were able to fill the space
we left behind when we used to have many embassies spreading all over the black
continent…
I don’t want to go on
narrating striking cases that are sorrowful and disgusting in the same time…
where officials in different agencies or ministries exchange mutual interests…
and so one prevents reports written about the performance or situation in a
certain place in exchange for his son or son-in-law be appointed in a
first-class embassy; meaning away from hot countries and kept in this place as
long as his powerful connected relative is in charge!
I wrote all the above
out of feeling jealous over my country while I still support and believe in the
June 30th revolution… and before this, I still believe in our
national standards that are not for bargain or change…
We will keep donating
everyday to our beloved country… not only donating money, but also spreading awareness,
working, exerting efforts, fighting for reform and standing strong in the war
against terrorism… we will not remain silent against corruption that may hide
but we know is eating away the nations’ main structure while we are busy going
through those fights.
Translated into English by: Dalia Elnaggar
Translated into English by: Dalia Elnaggar
This article was
published in Al Ahram newspaper on July 28, 2016.
To see the original
article, go to:
#alahram #ahmed_elgammal
#Egypt #corruption #foreign_ministry
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