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