1The Krieger case in Kuwait, the Panero case in Lebanon, and a multitude of other cases where international charlatans pose as Bona fide international contractors and consultants, only to turn out to be dime-store men in mind, money, and material, should stir both Arabs and foreign governments to wake up to the scandals which internationals and locals pull, only to cost the Arabs money and time and to give unnecessary "black eyes" and embarrassment to their own governments and people.

2No doubt, the Kriegeries case in Kuwait, where a German "contractor" slipped out of the country leaving behind a seven-million-dinar sewage contract, and the Panero case in Lebanon, where an Italian consultant skipped out of the country leaving behind a seven-million dinar highway study contract, cause damage and waste to the Arabs, as well as causing defamation to honest and innocent foreign people known for integrity, high standards of work, and efficiency.

3I have been engaged in engineering, architectural, and town planning work in the Arab World for nearly eight years. What I have witnessed and experienced in these fields is enough to make most people give up these sciences and arts with disgust. It is high time for the Arabs to "get the fingers" of their own charlatans who bring in "sponsors" or act as “agents” of their counterparts abroad to pull a fast one on the Arab people, make a fast buck, and make a fast exit—all arts and antics that do no good to Arabs and foreigners alike.

4The problem is a serious one, needing the reciprocal action of the Arabs and the diplomatic corps in Arab countries. Contractors and consultants must be Bona fide institutions, and the embassies must vouch for that. Top consultants and contractors must be registered in the embassies in the Arab countries, so that no grocer, no adventurer, and no Arab of "un-engineering" character can help defraud his country and, by doing so, help to besmirch the country from where charlatan may have emanated.

5Arab governments and embassies must be more careful in the choice and approval of "experts," "consultants," and "contractors." It must be realized that, whereas there is not the necessary quantity and quality of professional caliber in certain places, this does not preclude the possibility of such existence in the Arab World and that no exigency should justify the retention of rather mediocre men in fields ranging from sewage to town planning. The Arab World has been unlucky to be the recipient of not only some mediocre talent but also some of dubious character, who neither care about Arab interests nor about the interests of their own people and governments.

6The "game," or "sport," of selecting contractors and consultants is not a frivolous one, but one of utmost seriousness. Good consultants of note, especially, will not want to be subjected to the old, but cheap, "barter-and-bargain" procedures of a marketplace. Reputable firms are repelled from situations where professional fees, assigned by professional organizations, are subject to bargaining, and where the "agents" or "sponsors" may not be exactly the type a reputable consultant would wish to be associated with or do business with.

7The results of some myopic and short-sighted procedures and practices in the realm of "selection" and retention of consultants and contractors have resulted in bequeathing to some parts of the Arab World some dandy "white elephants" in a strange type of "hit-and-miss," trial-and-error engineering, construction, and contracting. In many cases, Arabs have been penny wise and pound foolish and the results have, quite often, not only shown but verged on the tragic-comic.

8To be parsimonious is good in an economics-conscious world. But, to be foolishly niggardly on the design, conceptual, and engineering aspects of a project, and to get, as a result, unsound and uneconomic results, is neither parsimony, economy, wisdom, nor even good business practice.

9The Kriegeris case in Kuwait, the Panero and Fresco cases in Lebanon, as well as a plethora of other “big” and “small” cases, called "scandals" by some, must provide food for thought for both Arabs and responsible foreigners alike, as well as prodding them into corrective action. The Arabs must be more scientific in their outlook about their basic engineering investments, and the diplomatic corps must be on guard against citizens of theirs in search of quick profit irrespective of means, results, and repercussions. This is good "diplomatic" investing.

10Every advanced foreign country has first-class consultants and engineering firms. From these, the Arabs must select their would-be firms and consultants. They must also be willing to pay the "price" of sound engineering, for "a stitch in time saves nine," and the important "stitch" is that no hitches should be allowed to stand between Arab governments and top-notch, impeccable foreign firms. This will save money in the net result, as well as saving the time, energy, and nerves of those who have to correct the blunders and make interminable investigating sessions, AD INFINITUM AND AD NAUSEAM.