The head of State Information Service (SIS), Ambassador Salaheddin Abdel Sadek, talks to Ahmed Safwat
The State Information Service (SIS) is a government body affiliated with the presidency under a republican decree issued on 6/9/2012. It plays a role as the official media body of the state, and the main means of expounding State policy regarding various political, economic, social and cultural issues on the domestic and foreign levels.
The SIS aims to develop the citizens’ awareness and their active participation in building up society and promoting friendship and close ties between Egypt and the rest of the world.
It is also a state public relations tool and a centre for political and media studies, as well as an information bank and a major publishing house for culture and intellectual pursuits.
What is your view of the international reaction as regards the New Suez Canal project?
The majority of international comments were welcoming and optimistic, which proves Egypt’s ability to implement such giant projects at a time when the region is witnessing great changes from the far west of the Arab world to Turkey.
However, amidst these domestic and foreign challenges Egypt is still able to carry out these projects despite some attempts from abroad to block its way towards progress. Egypt confronts such attempts with the help of its people.
There are states against Egypt all the time and at the same time there are sisterly nations that stand by it. We are dealing, however, with the largest bloc which wants facts, yet this is not enough, because the SIS is not able to reach the whole world with only 16 offices, including seven in neighboring African nations. There are many offices that have been closed down as part of measures to cut down the expenses of the state’s foreign representation in general, including tourism, culture and media.
However, such decrease in the number of missions does not affect the role played by the SIS as the cooperation of all the state’s concerned bodies, such as the media and the Foreign Ministry, which are facing the deficit.
Going back to the New Suez Canal project, does it affect Egypt’s regional role?
The New Suez Canal is Egypt’s gift to the world. After decades of opening the first Suez Canal, Egypt is inaugurating a double canal that would lead to a quick transit of ships and allow more navigation and less waiting time, which affects the movement of international trade. Therefore, such projects lead to enhancing Egypt’s regional role, given the fact that the project is magnificent, in terms of performance, timing and implementation.
What can you say to those in doubt?
Come and watch. Previously we faced claims and doubts as regards the majority of the state projects, yet the support of the Egyptian people faced such claims and supported the project wholeheartedly. They had strong belief in the success of the project.
What is SIS’ plan to face extremist terrorist groups, especially in countries considered strongholds of the Muslim Brotherhood group?
There are clear ongoing plans to respond to all false reports by bodies and countries that flagrantly interfere in Egypt’s domestic affairs. These bodies finance some articles and newspapers to destabilise Egypt through attrition. However, Egypt faces this only by stating facts and documented information.
How do you see comments by some countries and bodies on the latest court rulings?
These are being answered but there are things that should be clarified to the world. After Europe abolished capital punishment it is now criticizing some traditions and laws of countries that still carry out this punishment, without understanding Egyptian law, which issues a ruling with the maximum punishment in absentia until the defendant appears in court to provide evidence for his acquittal.
How do you view Turkey’s attacks on the judiciary?
“God Help Turkey!” particularly after the latest events, because after supporting Daesh [Islamic State], regardless of their terrorist operations, Turkey is facing raids which are, funnily enough, against the Kurds who are fighting Daesh. They have opened wide their military bases for the United States to strike against Daesh. Therefore, as a state, government and people, we sympathise with the friendly Turkish people and their losses against terrorism.
I expect more incidents in Turkey, particularly as we witnessed demonstrations against striking Daesh and other protests denouncing striking the Kurds. Turkey is now “on a hot tin roof”. There are other incidents witnessed due to Turkey’s foreign policy. As it is talking about protecting the Islamic world against Israel, strong relations are being established between Ankara and Tel Aviv, as confirmed by the military drills between the two sides.
How are those using Facebook to mar Egypt’s image being dealt with?
In cooperation with many bodies in the State, we respond to those marring the image of Egypt on social media websites in one way or another. There are bodies specialised in following up on local sites that operate against Egypt. According to the law, any site threatening Egypt’s national security is deactivated and the administrator is arrested. Websites abroad are being responded to and the countries harbouring them are being asked to close them down as the case with the satellite channels of the Muslim Brotherhood.
We are facing a problem as regards good communication with Africa. What has the SIS done in this regard?
Firstly, the SIS has kept all its offices in Africa intact. None of them were closed down. Secondly, chief editors of major African newspapers are being welcomed by the SIS and the Foreign Ministry to provide them with first-hand information. Any African activities are being covered, such as the medical campaigns in Africa launched under the auspices of the prime minister.
What are the main problems facing SIS?
Firstly, lack of human potential and cadres. The authority has professional benefits but does not have any material resources for its staff, who work almost for free amidst an open media market that offers a lot to its workers.
Secondly, appointments are suspended and we are not allowed to hire new staff except among the top university graduates and holders of Master’s and PhD degrees. [This presents a problem as many such graduates] do not wish to work for the SIS. We also lack proper capital, as the authority’s budget mostly covers salaries by 98 per cent, especially since there are no sources of income. The challenges, therefore, are big, especially financial ones, as well as the change in media methods, which should be coped with. We are trying to develop through our available potential.
