20 - 26 September 2001
Issue No.552
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Al-Ahram Weekly Online 20 - 26 September 2001 Issue No.552 |
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Sense and security
Though most American institutions and organisations in Egypt have resumed work this week, it's hardly business as usual, reports Mariz Tadros
More than a week has passed since last week's tragic attacks in the United States, but the dust has not yet settled in Egypt -- and many suspect it may not do so for a while to come. The American Embassy in Cairo was closed on the day following the tragedy, and so were most US-based institutions, including the American University in Cairo (AUC), the Cairo American College (CAC), American companies and USAID-funded projects and NGOs. Most of these organisations opened on Sunday, but not all of their activities were resumed. Many organisations, both American and foreign, have postponed or cancelled workshops and conferences, cultural events and extensive travel around the country.
US Ambassador to Egypt David Welch hosted several meetings this week in Cairo and Alexandria that were only open to American citizens in order to discuss the current situation. Further, the embassy has extended the period for accepting condolences in the light of the "formal and popular expressions of condolences extended to the American people," a press statement said.
During the past week, the American Embassy has released three warden messages -- statements issued by the embassy -- for American citizens in Cairo. Despite assurances of "excellent cooperation from the Egyptian government" and the fact that "there have been no credible or specific threats against US citizens or interests in Egypt," the embassy nevertheless warned US citizens in Egypt to "maintain a high level of vigilance and to take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness to reduce their vulnerability. Americans should maintain a low profile, vary routes and avoid large public gatherings".
A spokesman from the American Embassy said that the embassy only offers advice -- American companies, NGOs and schools all take their decisions independently. "All the advice we give is in the wardens, and they are advising Americans to take caution," he told the Weekly.
Nagwa Shoeb, director of public relations at the American University told the Weekly that the university's decision to close last Wednesday an Thursday was to give them time to decide what to do next, "because we did not know what the reaction would be. It was not really about security, but more about giving our students and staff a chance to absorb all that has happened, and make sure that their loved ones back home are well".
Shoeb said that since last Sunday, the university has resumed both its teaching and cultural activities as usual. "There is no cause for panic," Shoeb said. "The message is to stay calm and carry on, especially since we are at the beginning of the academic year."
Security, however, has been tightly stepped up. IDs are rigourously checked and outside visitors are denied entry unless they have set appointments at the university. Security has also been stepped up at the Cairo American College in Maadi, which re-opened its doors to students again last Sunday. Concern over students' safety has led the school's over-zealous security guards to expand their geographical boundaries to include the surrounding streets as well. Security men told the Weekly that to speak to students' parents on the street outside the school requires no less than an official permit from the American Embassy (this was also required to speak to any staff in the school, according to security officers).
Wills Stacey, CAC's superintendent responsible for the security men's behaviour, explained that while guards had been briefed to be particularly cautious, "this did not include taking people off the street or asking them for embassy permits." Since last week, he said, they have been more nervous and conscious of the security situation. He emphasised that there have been outpourings of support since last week, including several hundred condolence e-mails, and the Egyptian government "kindly sent police cars to be stationed outside the school, despite no specific request from the administration for them."
Given that Americans and other nationals have been urged to show extra caution, Stacey says he welcomed the police presence. He added that other security measures adopted by the school have included shortening the school days and cancelling evening classes and other events. He also said that he is not aware of any cases of Americans withdrawing their children from school due to a sudden departure from the country.
It seems that while most American establishments in Egypt have just stepped up security, some companies and NGOs have withdrawn their foreign staff from Egypt. Those that have sent their foreign staff back home and put Egyptians temporarily in charge are doing so with the utmost secrecy and releasing no information on the matter. Most of the American companies which the Weekly contacted refused to give any information on their policy vis-à-vis their foreign staff since last week's events.
A member of the international NGO community who spoke to the Weekly on condition of anonymity said that his organisation recalled all foreign staff working in Lebanon, Palestine and Egypt on the night of the terrorist attacks in the US. "They were concerned with the safety and security of staff and concerned with legal liability." The primary concern was for local reactions to any retaliation by the US in the Middle East, he said. "The idea is for them to get out while they can, because nobody knows the aviation situation afterwards." Unlike his foreign colleagues, the source refused to leave the country. "Egypt has been my home for a long time; my wife is Egyptian, my children are at school." He also said that he wanted to make a positive statement to his fellow Egyptian employees -- that there is nothing to fear.
Titiana Anderson, an employee at an American company who has been living in Cairo for the last two years, told the Weekly that the mood has certainly changed since last week. "I don't feel unsafe, but I do feel a little bit tense," she said. She has no intention of leaving, though, despite the fact that some of her friends working at American companies have voluntarily asked to be transferred out of the country. "My gut feeling tells me that some people may be underestimating the security scene. It seems there is more to this than we can make of," she hesitated.
Dave Petrescue, senior pastor at the Maadi Community Church, said there is no indication that Americans in his congregation have decided to leave the country, except for one case. But he added that "a lot of it will depend on the assurances that Egypt gives, privately and publicly, of their safety and whether there are any signs of increasing tension". Petrescue said he is aware of particular incidents which, while isolated, have made many Americans feel uncomfortable and scared. Examples he gave included jokes and jeers and laughter being made by Egyptians to a group of American youths at a restaurant and a couple of girls being stopped by a passing car, which made jokes about the events of last week. "In all honesty, some of the reports are somewhat disturbing, and they give the impression of rising anti-American sentiment," he sighed.
Petrescue was keen to emphasise however, that most Egyptians have been most gracious in sharing the grief and are more than ready to express their condolences. Memorial services will be held in his church this Friday morning.
Attempts to foretell what is going to happen next have been shrouded by conflicting messages and their interpretations on both sides. While many Americans interviewed wonder what to make of the cases of some Egyptians gloating over their country's disaster, Egyptians don't know what to make of Americans choosing to leave the country altogether, in anticipation of their country's retaliation in the region. What is certain is that the American community in Cairo seems to be cocooning itself away, leaving a sense of unease among both parties.
Memorial services will be held this Friday at 9.00am and 11.00am at the Maadi Community Church, Port Said Street, Road 17, Maadi. All are welcome to attend.
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