Heated debate over Egyptian airports getting foreign inspect

Reporting and discussing local, national and international news items.

Moderators: DJKeefy, 4u Network

Post Reply
User avatar
DJKeefy
Site Administrator
Site Administrator
Posts: 11025
Joined: Thu Jan 13, 2005 4:08 pm
Location: UK
Has thanked: 652 times
Been thanked: 1222 times
Gender:
Contact:
Egypt

Heated debate over Egyptian airports getting foreign inspect

Post by DJKeefy »

Heated debate over Egyptian airports getting foreign inspections.


Earlier this month, a Swiss delegation completed its security inspection of Egypt’s Hurghada Airport, which covered baggage zones, arrival and departure halls, metal detectors, and x-ray machines.

The delegation included airport security experts and representatives of the Swiss Ministry of Transportation.

Less than a week before, a similar German delegation carried out the same procedures at the same airport. The two visits were preceded by a deal that allows the British Control Risks Group to inspect, provide consultancy and train staff at the Cairo, Sharm al-Sheikh, and Marsa Alam airports.

Though known to be an attempt to minimize the damage to tourism incurred by the Russian plane crash in Sinai in October, the inspections were seen by many as a violation of Egypt’s sovereignty, hence an unwelcome intervention.

Security expert General Fouad Allam argued that these inspections are based on assertion by Russian authorities that the plane was down in a terrorist attack, and a later statement by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, in which he admitted terrorism was the cause.

“I believe that Western countries want to interfere in Egypt’s affairs and only use the war on terror and the protection of their citizens as a pretext,” he said, adding that those inspections constitute a violation of Egypt’s sovereignty.

Security expert Khaled Okasha said that even if the plane crash proved beyond doubt to be a terrorist attack, it still does not justify the inspections.

“Other countries like France and the United States were also the target of terrorist attacks, but they did not seek the help of foreign companies,” he said.

“Egypt is only trying to curry favor with Western countries so that they would resume sending tourists.”

Okasha described the inspections as “a disgrace” since they question the ability of the Egyptian police and army to protect the country.


*** ‘Lack of integrity’ ***

For security analyst Nader Nour al-Din, allowing foreign inspection constitutes an “acknowledgment of lack of integrity” on the part of airport staff. “The inspections mean that we admit that airport staff are corrupt and that there is no hope in reform from within,” he said.

Security expert General Gamal Abu Zikri argued that the inspection should have made sense had the plane crash proven through investigations to be a result of lax security measures at the Egyptian airport.

“There were speculations that had there been a bomb, it could have been planted in Turkey and not Egypt,” he said. “Allowing foreign countries to inspect delivers a message about the state’s inability to protect its airports, which is not true.”

Abu Zikri admitted that some development in airport security systems might need to be done, but not through foreign companies; “It has to be 100% Egyptian.”

Board member of the Egyptian Travel Agencies Association refuted claims that inspections would revive tourism.

“Is there any written agreements that tourists will return after the inspections are completed? This is just talk,” he said, adding that inspections by foreign entities would not encourage tourists to go to Egypt if they don’t want to or if they don’t trust its security apparatus.

Following the plane crash in Sinai, Western media gushed with anger, with several outlets reporting on the lack of security and loop-holes inside Egyptian airports.

According to one report, a holidaymaker was spotted bypassing a security queue – unfathomable in other major airports – at a price tag of $30 at Sharm el-Sheikh airport.

The picture of the incident was initially tweeted by a BBC Arabic reporter, which was carried by Western press, but he later downplayed it as an defective “paid service” made available by the airport, rather than a bribe.

Al Arabiya English spoke to our own witnesses who recounted what they believed to be recent security breaches at Egyptian airports. These can be read here.


*** ‘Goodwill gesture’ ***

In a recent interview with Egyptian media, former Deputy Interior Minister Mohamed Nour al-Din said Egypt was subjected to excessive international pressure following the Russian plane crash.

“Egypt had to allow those inspections as a gesture of goodwill and in the hope that tourists will start feeling safe once more,” he said, adding that this does mean that the inspections violate Egypt’s sovereignty.

“Inspectors do not interfere in Egypt’s affairs, but only supervise the technology required to make airports safer such as detectors, x-rays, staff armament and so on, but the implementation is by Egypt’s police and armed forces in coordination with the ministries of tourism and civil aviation.”

Former Civil Aviation Minister Wael al-Maadawi has said that the inspections are carried out in a way that ensures no violation of Egypt’s national security.

“The Egyptian state makes sure that none of the deals or inspections involving foreign entities would in one way or another compromise Egypt’s national security,” he said, adding that none of the parties involved in the inspections has the right to impose something on the state.


*** It’s not unusual ***

General Chief of Staff Hisham al-Halabi, advisor to the National Defense College at the Higher Nasser Military Academy, said that foreign inspection at airports is not unusual.

“For example, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has the right to inspect airports and ensure that safety measures are followed.” Halabi added that Egypt does not really need such inspections, but they were necessary at this moment.

“Egypt’s security apparatus is capable of safeguarding airports, but Egypt was under the microscope following the Russian plane crash and had to prove its willingness to cooperate.”

Former Deputy Interior Minister General Magdi al-Bassiouni agreed that Egypt was in the position where it had to allow those inspections.

“The Egyptian state had to refute all claims about security loopholes in Egyptian airports,” he said. “The presence of those companies will reassure the world that Egypt is adopting the latest technologies in securing its airports.”

Civil Aviation Minister Hossam Kamal said that a report to be issued by global consultancy Control Risks is not binding and the same applies to other inspections.

“The Egyptian government will do its best to implement the recommendations that would be included in the report in order to get a certificate from the company that airports in Egypt are safe, which in turn would reassure tourists,” he said.

General Gad al-Karim Nasr, former director of the Egyptian Airports Company, did not see the point of signing such a costly deal with Control Risks only for consultancy.

“The cost of the deal amounts to six million Egyptian pounds ($700,000) for six months. Why sign this deal if the company’s report is not binding?”

Nasr added that the recommendations in the company’s report might not be feasible.

“Most likely, the company would recommend purchasing new equipment and training the staff to use them, which would require hefty amounts of money at a time when several sectors in the country are undergoing a financial crisis.”


Source: http://english.alarabiya.net/en/perspec ... tions.html


Image
User avatar
Who2
Egyptian God
Egyptian God
Posts: 7911
Joined: Fri Jul 16, 2010 12:04 pm
Location: Laandaan
Has thanked: 1113 times
Been thanked: 3214 times
Gender:
United Kingdom

Re: Heated debate over Egyptian airports getting foreign ins

Post by Who2 »

An aside from the airports it's interesting to see the SAS involved as in Control Risks and NCP car parks.
I notice that car parks are on the market here which I find interesting, it leads me to assume someone somewhere is trying to limit private car use in this capital.
The first NCP was an old bomb-site in Holborn that very site is soon to become a hotel.... :cool:
"non multum sciunt."..
"The Salvation of Mankind lies in making everything the responsibility of All"
Sophocles.
User avatar
Glyphdoctor
Egyptian God
Egyptian God
Posts: 7525
Joined: Mon Aug 08, 2005 2:48 pm
Has thanked: 332 times
Been thanked: 1015 times
Gender:
Egypt

Re: Heated debate over Egyptian airports getting foreign ins

Post by Glyphdoctor »

All flights flying into US airports must follow US mandated security checks at the airport of origin, and have done so for nearly 15 years, including flights from CAI-JFK. Frankfurt has a whole concourse dedicated for US flights only so that the specific security checks can be performed in one place for all the flights. I'm not sure Egypt has much of a choice about this matter if the authorities want the flights to resume.
User avatar
Dusak
Egyptian Pharaoh
Egyptian Pharaoh
Posts: 6190
Joined: Sun May 11, 2008 2:29 pm
Location: LUXOR
Has thanked: 3241 times
Been thanked: 3812 times
Gender:
Thailand

Re: Heated debate over Egyptian airports getting foreign ins

Post by Dusak »

Can't understand what all the fuss is about. If good quality free help is offered to benefit a countries customers and citizens, why object. It can only do good and benefit millions, even the folk that are objecting.
Life is your's to do with as you wish- do not let other's try to control it for you. Count Dusak- 1345.
A-Four
Egyptian Pharaoh
Egyptian Pharaoh
Posts: 4154
Joined: Wed Jul 29, 2009 10:04 pm
Location: London
Has thanked: 905 times
Been thanked: 1111 times
Gender:
United Kingdom

Re: Heated debate over Egyptian airports getting foreign ins

Post by A-Four »

Dusak wrote:Can't understand what all the fuss is about.
.

EXACTLY.

Yes, it is the Egyptian government who will pay for this assessment for Egypt's three major airports, but $700,000 is a spit in the ocean when it comes to these sort of things.

As to the cost of purchasing and installation of the new high powered security equipment, it is not the government that is paying. All is being paid by a loan from an international bank, that, as I have already written in the past, will not be repaid, and eventually be written off.

What is the problem ?
newcastle
Egyptian God
Egyptian God
Posts: 8695
Joined: Thu Oct 17, 2013 11:49 am
Has thanked: 1548 times
Been thanked: 5127 times
Contact:
Egypt

Re: Heated debate over Egyptian airports getting foreign ins

Post by newcastle »

A-Four wrote:
Dusak wrote:Can't understand what all the fuss is about.
.


What is the problem ?
Probably, the obvious one.......pride.

It wouldn't be the first time that Egypt has taken umbrage at the suggestion/inference that their security arrangements are not up to scratch and, without substantial outside involvement and supervision, never will be.
A-Four
Egyptian Pharaoh
Egyptian Pharaoh
Posts: 4154
Joined: Wed Jul 29, 2009 10:04 pm
Location: London
Has thanked: 905 times
Been thanked: 1111 times
Gender:
United Kingdom

Re: Heated debate over Egyptian airports getting foreign ins

Post by A-Four »

newcastle wrote:
A-Four wrote:
Dusak wrote:Can't understand what all the fuss is about.
.


What is the problem ?
Probably, the obvious one.......pride.
Not too sure about that one Newcastle. Ever since the last few days of Mubarak, every six months Egypt has applied for a $3.5 Billion loan from the World Bank, with simple conditions that Egypt will not agree, while the country bleeds. No, I think we can keep to my original choice of word,.............

Dithering.
User avatar
Major Thom
Royal V.I.P
Royal V.I.P
Posts: 2885
Joined: Mon Mar 30, 2015 5:45 am
Has thanked: 187 times
Been thanked: 375 times
Gender:
Contact:
Cyprus

Re: Heated debate over Egyptian airports getting foreign ins

Post by Major Thom »

i don't even think it's pride, Egypt has a Country is not an open Country, like most Countries. I would have thought they would welcome inspections with open arms especially from Western Countries That are in a similar position to Egypt and are also fighting terrorism and learning everyday new procedures on how to keep on fighting it. Now there is more openness between Countries in the West to work together and combat terrorism, and every day new information is being gathered. I don't think one Country alone can combat terrorism by itself even though they try. Probably a new initiative between Egypt and the West in combating terrorism, the sharing of information etc may help, I am sure Egypt has information on terrorism that can make the world safer, and visa-versa the West can help Egypt with its everyday battle with terrorism. It would certainly improve relations, and may bring extra cash into the Country. The sharing of information between Countries does not put a Country at risk, it only makes it safer.
User avatar
Dusak
Egyptian Pharaoh
Egyptian Pharaoh
Posts: 6190
Joined: Sun May 11, 2008 2:29 pm
Location: LUXOR
Has thanked: 3241 times
Been thanked: 3812 times
Gender:
Thailand

Re: Heated debate over Egyptian airports getting foreign ins

Post by Dusak »

Wow, you certainly mentioned a lot of countries in that post MT. Didn't realize that you were so well traveled. :D
Life is your's to do with as you wish- do not let other's try to control it for you. Count Dusak- 1345.
User avatar
Brian Yare
Royal V.I.P
Royal V.I.P
Posts: 2566
Joined: Mon Dec 01, 2008 4:11 pm
Location: Worcester, UK
Has thanked: 720 times
Been thanked: 647 times
Gender:
Contact:
United Kingdom

Re: Heated debate over Egyptian airports getting foreign ins

Post by Brian Yare »

Luxor airport has not been included in these discussions. Is it because it is a military airport that allow a few civil flights in and out each day?
Post Reply
  • Similar Topics
    Replies
    Views
    Last post
  • Airports
    by Major Thom » » in General Discussions and Rants
    19 Replies
    796 Views
    Last post by Major Thom
  • Egypt announces new travel restrictions at airports, entry points amid pandemic
    by DJKeefy » » in Know Egypt
    13 Replies
    1387 Views
    Last post by A-Four