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.