The day Castro will never die

That day will be a day of shame for generations to come. Our third humiliation in modern time.

In Vietnam, international tourist and business travellers can visualize poster, monuments, and other reminiscences of the American defeat. It is limited to the Vietnam territory, but 85 million people, every day, remember.

In Iraq, the day we will be forced to leave (we were not invited in the first place), again, numerous monuments will remind the international visitors about the American fiasco. It will be limited to Iraq, but 300 million people in surrounding countries will remember, day after day.

The day Castro leaves Cuba, he will become an international symbol, and the greatest humiliation for the American people (worse than Vietnam and Iraq).

Our children, grand children, great grand children, and generations more to come, will be ashamed of us, and the whole world will remind them, and remember :

- the dances in the street of Miami

- the kidnapping of a child

- an embargo that became counterproductive

- our double standard

- our irresponsibility to 11 million real Cubans

- the seed that created animosity with 500 million Latino Americans

To our knowledge, there is presently no statue nor monument of Fidel Castro in Cuba. Will come a day when his stature will be exhibited in a great majority of countries, and cities. Three main reasons :

1) he represents eleven million people who, for fifty years, stand up against a foreign empire

2) he was not perfect but did some good for his people

3) he had the courage to fight, and risk his life for his country. He knew the profound meaning to be Commander in Chief.

That day, international tourist and business travellers, all over the world, will again remember Fidel Castro, but also, our disastrous and unwise Foreign Policy. That day will become our day of infamy.

We will never be able to erase the last fifty years. Now, the least we could do : ask our New Congress to change the course with Cuba, and free the real Cubans from the unfair barriers we have imposed to them. But time is running short.

Our future generations will surely appreciate a nota bene under Castro international recognition, with a mention that, finally, in 2007, the American people recognize the mistake of their leaders, and initiated a new rapprochement with Cuba, via a more mature, clairvoyant, and responsible New Congress.

We have a dream : let's present a birthday gift to Castro. Lift the embargo. For once, it will be possible to give a cake, and eat it too.

"Your candle's burned out long before. Your legend never will" - Candle in the Wind, Elton John.

N.B.

1) Members of the 110th Congress, just imagine the propaganda to come. It will spread around the world. Just think about Che Guevera. Castro will be greater. Songs, books, films, videos, t-shirts, internets, etc. Do you really want to torment your own children? Better late, than never for "faire amende honorable".

2) It is amazing and revolting to see a group of ex-Cubans asking NOW for the lifting of sanctions. And they dare to admit, after so many years, that : - we need a new opening with Cuba - very important to achieve a greater efficiency in the use of USAID - the travel restrictions did not work -lifting restrictions would help, rather than waste US taxpayer money.

This sudden (and hypocrite) change of mood....Is it related to the report asked by the New Congress ??????

The Facilitator

How to insult 85,000,000 people in one hour

Previously, in our three articles on Foreign Policy, we have enumerated a discouraging series of "faux pas", and recommended to recall our non-diplomat ambassadors to United Nations, Venezuela, Nicaragua, and Canada (eh!).

Following last week's Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meetings in Vietnam, perhaps, we should ask our President and Secretary of State to stay home.

Ms Rice, an expert on Russia, should know better about communist countries (if we exclude Cuba). It was not wise, appropriate and surely not diplomatic, to declare to the media, in front of the Vietnamese leaders, that Vietnam was isolated, 20 years ago, and made a strategic choice to begin some reforms. And she dared to add that the Vietnamese Authorities have turned to serious reforms, only in recent years.

Did she forget that she was in a host country, and that Vietnam is still a communist country. In other words, not only she was insulting her hosts, but, confirming the success of a communist regime. Why not congratulate the Cuban Authorities? Oops, forgot! The Miami votes sponsored by a $100 million budget for promoting democracy, US style.

Same day, same forum, our Dear President: "We will succeed in Iraq, unless we quit". So, we failed in Vietnam, because, we left too early. We should have stayed the course, against the will of the Vietnamese people.

Our president should have slowed-down his motorcade, and look at the hundreds of posters, sculptures and other reminiscences of the American humiliation in Vietnam. The embryonic goodwill created by President Clinton, and Hillary (meeting people in the street), has been washed away (how about the anti-abortion principle?), but the anti-American posters will remain.

Another barrier for our companies or institutions looking to do business and/or partnerships with Vietnam. How do we dare trading with a communist country, anyhow? "It's ok. Cuba is a different communism". China and Vietnam, that's good communism. Cuba is a bad communist. Eleven million people: that's dangerous.

The trip to Vietnam was another great success for our Foreign Policy, just a few more "faux pas":

i- our President, and Secretary of State have insulted 85 million people

ii- more than 2.3 billion people, from 20 participating countries, have read with astonishment, the low-class remarks by our dignitaries.

And we are surprised why so many people hate us. Is it too much to ask the members of our New Congress to become more mature, more responsible, more aware of the real world, for the benefits of our future generations?

Now that Ms Rice has used an international forum to recognize the merits of communism (or certain achievements) she should, in good governance of the funds raised from tax payers, cancel the present $10 million budget of the Commission for Assistance to a Free Cuba (tentative 2), as well as the $80 million more that she recommended as Head of the said Commission.

Producing deck of cards (with Fidel Castro as ace of spade), distributing Harry Potter books and Nintendo games, giving grants to students who do not show up, etc, etc. , are certainly not a sine qua non condition to succeed in promoting democracy in Cuba. We have better, and more productive ideas. See our previous articles: "How to promote democracy". We also can prepare specific projects for a mutually beneficial relationship, for generations to come.

Hoping that Congressmen Bill Delahunt (Massachusetts) and Jeffrey Flake (Arizona) take notice, action, and investigate the $100 million, of our tax money, already wasted in Miami. The next $100 million spent on Cuba, should be more productive. For doing so, it should exclude politicians, government agencies and ex-Cubans.

Cuba: time to change course

Our Best Wishes for 2007 : a New Congress with more maturity, responsibility, awareness about the real world, and the urgent need to be Smarter with Latin America, as advocated by The Liaison, for the last three months.

In a few years, a billion people will be living in the Americas, more than half in Latin American countries. We can not afford to ignore, and/or disregard the importance of establishing a smarter liaison with 700 million consumers, outside our borders.

For doing so, we must learn to be less ignorant, less arrogant, and more vigilant about our budget, more conscious about our spending. The members of the Congress should be aware of the consequences of their decisions, and become accountable for.

Because of our failed Foreign Policy, and poor selection of ambassadors, our children will pay a heavy price. We already have lost the trust and credibility from an alarming number of countries, including previous close friends. US companies will be affected by losing contracts and/or existing customers and/or not being able to compete for foreign projects.

We will become more isolated at the United Nations, and other International Forums. The New Congress should immediately realize our present alarming financial situation:

i- the value of our US dollar has sharply declined in the last five years

ii- for the first time, we are giving more money to foreigners than we receive from them (interest paid to them versus their investment)

iii- in the next budget, almost $300 billion will be paid in interest only (about 45% going abroad, mostly to China, South Korea and Japan)

iv- in the last few years, we have been giving more and more money abroad, and receiving less and less investment.

Both, our budget deficit, and our trade deficit, have reached disastrous levels. In addition, our healthcare service is deteriorating, and our education system not competing with Canada, Asia and Europe. Great heritage to our future generations !

A survey made by Commonwealth Fund (more than 6,000 doctors in seven countries), gave United States poor marks (the worst) on several aspects of patient care : wait times for test ; use of electronic medical records ; doctors available after hours ; multi-discipline teams to treat chronic illness ; financial incentives for improving quality of care.

The survey suggested that we have a long way to go, on many fronts, to catch up with the other countries, which included Canada, United Kingdom, Netherlands, New Zealand, Australia, Germany.

One instance :95% of doctors in the Netherlands have arrangements for after-hours care, so people can avoid going to an emergency room. The US is the lowest at 40%

We, naively and stubbornly, believe that we can force other nations to kneel to our desires, via embargo, trade blockade, pressure, etc.

We applause the initiative of two Congressmen, Bill Delahunt (D., Massachusetts) and Jeffrey Flake (R., Arizona), to launch an investigation of various US programs to promote democracy in Cuba.

In spite of severe, and unfair barriers imposed to Cuba, by outsiders (an alliance of United States with itself), Cuban Authorities have succeeded to establish a great education system, and healthcare service. Not everything is perfect in Cuba (are we?), but, as a Caribbean Island, Cuba did "a heck of job".

We must remember that Cuba is not an industrialized country. Instead of wasting a few hundreds $ million to create enemies in Cuba and Latin America, we should have taken care of Puerto Rico, in a distress situation, with 35% unemployment, and a per capita income, much, much lower than our poorest State, according to a Puerto Rican research group, Center for the the New Economy.

As we have suggested, in a previous article, with much less money, we would be more than pleased to elaborate a few serious projects in Cuba, and establish a willing long lasting relationship, in the mutual benefit of our both countries.

Cuba does not need us anymore. They are welcoming more than 2 million happy tourists per year who can walk anywhere, feel secure, and do not have to cross check points (contrary to a certain propaganda). This is a $1.8 billion industry.

In addition, with the assistance of China and Germany, the biotechnology will provide an interesting source of foreign capital ($300 million, last year).

As any reformers, Fidel Castro succeeded in certain areas, but failed in others, so, other leaders of democratic countries. His brother, Raul, is a more pragmatic stateman, and a better administrator.

Castro has not been worse than other leaders. He did eliminate enemies of his regime or those who were trying to kill him. Are we not putting in jail the authors of tentatives to assasinate our Presidents? Did we tolerate slavery in the past? Did we incarcerate Japanese residents? Did we consider black people as a second class? Did we (or do we still) treat women fairly?

The real assistance we can provide to real Cubans, will be to lift the embargo, and show the World that we are really a free country, with freedom of speech, travel and trade. May be, we could then regain some respect, and credibility.

Let's hope the New Congress see the light, on behalf of 99.5% of the real Americans, and change the course with Cuba and Latin America.

"We will bring some civility in Washington" dixit Nancy Pelosi. How about becoming civilized with real Cubans? Once more, our population as a whole is more mature, and more clairvoyant, than our elected representatives. Our children will be ashamed of us, and they will be reminded so, as soon as they travel abroad, if they feel secure to do so.

A great, great majority of Americans do not approve our behaviour with Cuba. We are missing the boat, by governing for the few, not for the many. It's more than time to change the course with Cuba. In our next article: more than 90% of Americans are against our policy with Cuba.

The Facilitator

Our Foreign Policy: "faux pas" after "faux pas" (3)

What Canadians think about our great diplomacy!

Nota Bene from The Facilitator:

1) On Sunday, November 12, US officials made public their conviction that Cuba's dictator is dying of cancer. According to White House representatives, Fidel Castro's health is deteriorating, and that the Cuban dictator is unlikely to live through 2007. What kind of message are we sending abroad? Are we doing on purpose to make the World disregard us and/or laugh at us?
2) Last August, the World has noticed the dances in the streets of Miami. Will we see now the White House Staff dancing on Pennsylvania Ave., celebrating a victory, at long last, after 47 years? An unquestionably strenuous mission accomplished!

3) The following comments are from readers of The Globe and Mail, the largest Canadian newspaper. We do not necessarily share all the comments, but we believe the said selection, represents the opinion held by a majority of Canadians.

4) We encourage our New Congress to take note of the thinking of our "cold" friends from the North, and read our two articles on the accumulation of "faux pas", as well as the two parts of "How to Promote Democracy".

Readers from The Globe and Mail:

Evelyn Robinson from Canada writes: What business is it of the USA officials to speculate on Casto's health. It is none of their business. It is only Castro's business and any successors/assistants he wishes to confide in. Worry about American business and keep your big noses out of other people and countries business. The world will be a more peaceful place.
Glenn Hawley from Calgary, Canada writes: evelyn robinson from Canada writes: 'What business is it of the USA officials to speculate on Castro's health. It is none of their business.' Actually it does involve american business. Once Castro is gone his successor is likely to turn away from the path of complete refusal to deal with the americans, and the result would be increased trade and prosperity for the unfortunate cubans.
Anthony B from Sydney, NS, Canada writes: The vultures are circling, getting ready to feast on the carcass. Oh, they will call it economic aid, investment, whatever. But, make no mistake, what they want is a country they can exploit with a government they can control. US government officials 'spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly about the politically sensitive topic.' Translation: the White House wants to get the word out in a way that can be denied if it backfires. Glenn Hawley (#9) writes: 'his successor is likely to turn away from the path of complete refusal to deal with the americans' In case you hadn't noticed, there has been a trade embargo against Cuba for almost 50 years and it is illegal for any US citizen to do business with them. Meanwhile they trade with China and offer no criticism of that regime. I guess it's easier to bully the little guy.
The Maestro from Canada writes: Glenn Hawley, you have it wrong. The US has nothing to do with Cuba, not the other way around. Americans are welcomed in Cuba. If the US did not have an embargo on Cuba, the Island would not be so isolated, and life would be better for everyone there.It's not Fidel's fault that prescrition meds are hard to find, so that canadian tourists have to bring them along in suitcases. While millions in the US languish with no health care, Cuba has some of the best-trained doctors in this hemisphere, and everyone gets treated, not just the wealthy.
R F from Canada writes: Everyone will eventually die including Castro, but unfortunate for the US, they will always be bitter that they could never defeat Castro and Castro dies from natural causes.
Paul who is from Vancouver, Canada writes: The American government has been dancing over his grave for months. Fidel Castro will be turning 81 on August 13, 2007. Is the CIA going to try another one of their exploding birthday cake stunts? Despite the American CIA's numerous, incompetent, and laughable attempts to assassinate him, he will still be in power long after George Bush is just an embarrassing memory. Does anyone remember those famous exploding cigars that were constructed by the CIA's technical services department in the early 60s. (At least Clinton knew how to handle his Cubans.) A former lover was recruited by the CIA and given poison pills. According to this woman, Castro had already guessed that she was aiming to kill him and he duly offered her his own pistol. 'I can't do it, Fidel,' she told him. The CIA must have longed for the days of corruption, crime, gambling and prostitution in Cuba. There's a joke in the New Yorker that tells of him being given a present of a Galapagos turtle. Castro declines it after he learns that it is likely to live only 100 years. 'That's the problem with pets,' he says. 'You get attached to them and then they die on you.' Enjoy the Impeachment hearings Fidel.
William Doyle from Prince George, Canada writes: I find it amazing to continue to watch the USA trying to take Castro out. Is this the same USA government that has favourite nation trading status with China where thousands of people are shot for body parts each year. The biggest crimes being committed in Cuba today are in Guantanamo Bay by Bush and his butchers.
S W from Canada writes: Why aren't we getting some equally intrusive updates about Cheney? Up until very recently these marvelous US officials were tootling that they were doing well in Iraq. Let's laugh if Castro is simply recuperating from a hernia operation. Why is not every iota of intelligence. being used on Osama round-up? Why is that? This is the constant nosey and self-righteous analysis and spin that the US is noted and hated for. So is Cuba next on the radar for invasion? Does Cuba have any oil????
Pierce Nettling from United States writes: How silly. Doesn't Washington have better things to do? Like hmmm, fixing the war in Iraq? The American people are tired of this constant bullying of our neighbours. Maybe Washington should look into the Mirror and see why Latin and South America hate us.
Karin Pasnak from North Vancouver, Canada writes: We all have to die sometime, but this is wishful thinking by the US.They can hardly wait to stick millions into Cuba and create havoc there. Being a neighbor of the USA is truly not an advantage.
Brad Simkulet from Canada writes: For all those who feel it is necessary to talk about Castro's criminality -- the people he 'murdered,' his supposed 'thug[gishness]' and taking over 'power the old fashioned way,' and other sweet nothings which will undoubtedly follow -- let's not forget that he ousted a fascist tyrant named Batista. Batista was a dictator who did the same things to the Communists in Cuba that Castro and Guevera were later charged with doing to the families of the oh-so-innocent ancestors of Cuba's Miami dissident community. Not saying two wrongs make something right, but let's not pretend that the 'victims' of whatever wrongs Castro committed were pure and righteous. It is also important to note that Batista was an ally of Spain's Generalisimo Franco and New York Mafioso Myer Lansky. And Batista did nothing for the people of Cuba unless they were his rich neighbours. Just thought a little context and perspective could add to the discussion.
I. Ignatius from Mt. Pleasant, Canada writes: ok, so Castro goes ... THEN WHAT? what is the official 'post Castro' plan here? do all the 'original' wealthy landowners from the pre-Castro days just rush back and yank all the land that now is used by the Cuban peasants? Is this a god given right of theirs to repatriate their 'losses'? will the US government allow or force the repatriation of all nationalized land, institutions, businesses, hotels, resorts, etc., for the original owners of that wealth? do Europeans and Canadians lose their cheap holiday getaways, or worse, will the tourists be stuck in the middle of some civil war if/when Castro goes? I'd like to hear from either the left/right side WHAT is the best post-Castro solution for this island nation, and what will TRULY raise the living standard of ALL Cubans, bar none. Will the opportunity for a Cuban to shop at WalMart be the pinnacle of a post-Castro Cuba? Remember, we have a 'free' (non-commie) nation next door to Cuba called Haiti, where the 'free' people live in utter destitution. I trust that the world has a better plan for post-Castro Cuba that this! So left, or right, Americans or Canadians, what's the plan? Let's make this discussion actually produce some intelligent commentary, as the question of what to do next is truly intriguing!!
Mark Orr from Canada writes: Sure Batista was a boy scout, killing and torturing his rivals and dissidents. Castro wanted a relationship with the US, but he was rejected by Kennedy and forced into the hands of the Russians. Then he became part of the cold war. To pay for Russian protection, Cubans had to fight in their proxy wars. Just like that other Banana Republic (Canada) is fighting in Afghanistan to appease it's US masters. I admire many things about Castro, but he has sadly failed to transition to an elected from of government.
Elmo Harris from Niagara, Canada writes: Actually Glenn Hawley from Calgary (#9), it is the other way around: the US has had an embargo on Cuba since 1964. The idea was that by starving out the Cubans they would eventually capitulate and surrender their country to the US. So far, Castro has been winning that war. So, evelyn robinson from Canada is correct in questioning 'What business is it of the USA officials to speculate on Castro's health. It is none of their business.'
Evelyn Robinson from Canada writes: Mr Hawley; It is the American who have put sanctions against Cuba. Cuba would like to trade with the USA if it would keeps it hands off their decision making; getting out of Cuba with its notorious prison camp would be a good first step for the USA>

Running the Gauntlet to Freedom

By Harry Emilio Gottlieb

Recently we once again witnessed the shameful way this country is dealing with illegal aliens trying to reach our shores. Ten poor souls risked life and limb by crossing hundreds of miles of open seas in a futile attempt to reach freedom in the U.S.A.
Millions of dollars are being spent on technology and personnel in an effort to protect our borders from terrorists and illegal entry. But we can't even detect a few desperate guys in a slow moving, ragtag boat from arriving within a several miles of Miami Beach. How is it possible that even local TV station helicopters spotted this boat before the Coast Guard and Homeland Security? That is not much security for all of the money we are paying!
I am half-Cuban. I fully understand and sympathize with the plight of Cuban exiles. I am aware of the pain that Cubans have experienced by loosing their country, their youth and splitting up families. I know that most Latinos in the U.S.A. vote Democratic, but most Cubans in Miami vote Republican out of hatred for the perceived betrayal of Kennedy and his party during the Bay of Pigs fiasco.
I am totally opposed to the so-called Wet Foot Dry Foot policy that the Clinton administration instituted and which is still in effect. What kind of message are we sending with this football scenario to win freedom by getting into the opponent's end zone through all of our tacklers? Or is this more reminiscent of the old western films were the soldier had to prove himself a courageous warrior by running the gauntlet and surviving the beatings of the Indian braves?
This country is made up of immigrants from all parts of the world. But entry to the country must not be allowed to revert to illegal entry and a free-for-all penetration of our boarders and coastlines. We must not tolerate illegal entry from any country, at any time. Immigration to this country must be earned and not stolen.
There are millions of illegal immigrants living in the U.S.A. and thousands more arriving every year. This must not be tolerated. Let's not attempt to rationalize the situation by using the term "undocumented aliens." This issue must not be politicized. This issue must not benefit any one party by recruiting future voters. We must not permit amnesty and reward citizenship for performing illegal acts of entry to our country.

P.S. Harry Emilio Gottlieb, author of this article, was born in Detroit, with a Cuban - American heritage. He now lives in Greater Miami, and is involved in real estate projects and various community services.

Our Foreign Policy: the latest, latest "faux pas" (2)

In the last decade, we have seen a left-leaning trend among an increasing number of Latin American countries (Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Venezuela). Peru and Mexico have slightly turn to center-right.

In spite of the colossal efforts from the White House, only five countries (Columbia, Costa Rica, Honduras, Nicaragua, Dominican Republic), have joined our free trade agreement, CAFTA, which represents 5 out of 34 countries or about 15% of the total population in Latin America. Another great coalition, and success for our Foreign Policy!

Because of our non-diplomat Ambassador to Nicaragua, we risk losing a member, and a friend. Once more, we have been backing the wrong people. We are presently spending millions to create more enemies in Venezuela with our backing to Manuel Rosales for the December 3 election.

We are still accumulating "faux pas" after "faux pas": the previous dictator Somoza in Nicaragua, Batista in Cuba, Sha of Iran, Duvalier in Haiti, previously Saddam Hussein and Ben Laden, at the wrong time, wrong place, etc. (see Part 2 of: How to promote Democracy).

Daniel Ortega has been democratically elected in Nicaragua. In spite of the comments from another non-diplomat member of our Foreign Policy, the political process in Nicaragua was almost flawless, and certainly much better than our own results in 2000 and 2004. Once more, we should avoid to lecture others.

Our dear Ambassador has insulted more than 40% of Nicaraguans by calling Mr. Ortega, "a tiger who has not changed his stripes".

First of all, why do we dare to get involved in other countries' affairs?

Secondly, do we really take pleasure in showing our ignorance and arrogance?

Thirdly, insults and superior attitude are not a prerequisite in building friendship, and a willing long lasting beneficial relationship.

A long time ago, a distinguished US Ambassador to Great Britain, Walter Hines Page, said: "The more I find out about diplomatic customs, and the more I hear of the little-big troubles of others, the more need I find to be careful about details of courtesy".

That was really the good old times, when we were respected in the world. (See our previous article: Respect must be Earned).

As explained by the philosopher, Henry James: "Nothing is more friction-making, than the complacency with which some people assume that what is good for them, must be good for, and should be imposed upon, everyone else". We have previously commented in the article "How to promote Democracy (1)", that democracy is not for everyone.

Every country has some good points to back up what their respective leader believes, so, the need to eliminate as many frictions as possible. Termites go unseen, and unnoticed, but they can destroy a foundation. A little friction, here and there, between two countries, and we wake up with anti-American feelings, and silent supporters of terrorist gangs.

The great orator Cicero was always analyzing his adversary's case, with as great, if not with still greater, intensity than his own. The credo of Cicero: "who knows only his own side of the case, knows little of that". Another confirmation of our ignorance.

For a communication to take place, we need two people. For a communication to be effective, we need two listeners. Monologue is the language of the primitive-brained man who thinks he is the centre of the universe.

Irritations between countries mostly occurred because one side does not recognize problems which others think are important, and often essential in their everyday life.

The art of diplomacy is being able to disagree, without being disagreeable, being able to express our position, but also, to understand the other's position, and, if possible, to reach a consensus on certain points, to the mutual benefits of both parties. But, whatever the difficulties and disagreements, always apply the Chinese doctrine of face-saving.

Calling names, insults, arrogance, ignorance, and superior attitude become the perfect recipe for failure, losing credibility, trust and friends.

The New Congress should recall our present ambassadors to United Nations, Venezuela, Nicaragua, Canada (believe it or not), and a few others. Our new Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, should make sure that future nominations are based, not on friendship, but on knowledge of the host country, on manners, education, and "savoir faire".

An Ambassador is a spokesperson for the Government, in place, but also, a representative of 300 million people. The behaviour of an Ambassador contributes to positive or negative feelings into the host country.

His or her functions are mostly:

i- to establish favourable relation and opinion abroad

ii- explain and protect our interests

iii- gather information

iv- understand the positions of various local groups

v- create contacts with strategic institutions, associations and Authorities

vi- not interfere in their own affairs

vii- create an image to encourage cultural and social exchanges

viii- stimulate our Foreign Trades

We have a market of 500 million people at our door, and we do not know how to benefit from it. Venezuela and China do.

The Facilitator.

P.S. This article contains a few excerpts from RBCRoyalBank Bulletin.

From New York Times, Readers' Opinions:

texancan - 8:38 AM ET November 10, 2006 (#29540 of 29543)Recall our Ambassador
The most important change in Nicaragua, for a mutually beneficial relationship, will be to recall our non-diplomat Ambassador, as explained in the weekly non-partisan website: THE-LIAISON.BLOGSPOT.COM

Our Foreign Policy: the latest "faux pas"

Guatemala, in spite of - or - because of, the United States backing, did not succeed to obtain a seat on the United Nations Security Council. Our non-diplomat Ambassador proclaimed a great US success for the fact that Venezuela was not able to replace Argentina, as representative for the Latin American countries.

We all know, or should know, that Hugo Chavez's comedy at his UN speech in September became a turning point against his own efforts for a seat on the Security Council. Such a mistake should have given Guatemala the required 128 votes. The question we should all ask: "Why Guatemala did not get enough votes?", after such a mistake by Chavez........"une erreur à la John Kerry".

Very simple. It is amazing, and discouraging, to realize the accumulation of failures and mistakes with our Foreign Policy. It is more than time to face the facts, and do something intelligent about it:

* we have lost the trust and support of a majority of the 192 UN members;

* we have developed negative feelings among a majority of Caribbean Islands;

* we have created a disturbing resentment in Latin America, including strategic countries, such as Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Peru, allowing Venezuela to develop various liaisons;

* we have succeeded in cloning enemies in areas where there were none before;

* we have alienated friends (Canada, Old Europe, Asia) where more than 80% of their population take pleasure in reading about our failures, and morally supporting groups who stand up to the future ex-empire.

We must admit that the above is definitely not a winning formula, and we must change the course....in our Foreign Policy. If we can trust foreign companies to manage our ports, may be we should rely upon foreigners to advise us on our Foreign Policy. It could be more secure.

The New Congress should also learn to be less ignorant about the Real World, more mature (french fries), and ask Mr. Gert Rosenthal, Foreign Minister of Guatemala, to give a few lessons in diplomacy to our own UN Ambassador (see nota bene). Arrogance and insults have never been a prerequisite to any beneficial, willing and lasting relationship.

The New Congress should also realize the importance in enhancing our relationship with Latin America, a market of 500 million people, "la raison d'être" of The Liaison. We have specific suggestions and projects for achieving that goal, in the interest of our children, and our future.

The Facilitator

N.B.

1) When asked if the US campaign for Guatemala did hurt or help, Mr. Rosenthal answered:

"Their support was a double-edged sword. In some areas, it probably damaged our campaign, in other areas, it helped, but it really was not the main theme. We believe that this was a contest between two Latin American states for one vacancy. We would like it to be perceived as such. This is not about United States. It's about Latin America's seat in the Security Council".

2) Well said Mr. Rosenthal. We hope someone in Washington will learn something. But, how can we learn, if we do not listen.