13th Feburary 2010
Opposition Politics And Taiwan...

I have followed with more than passing interest the attitude of various political parties in the Organization of East Caribbean States (O. E. C. S.) - Saint Lucia included - in their relations with second countries particularly China and Taiwan. Last week the sale of ‘defensive’ weapons to Taiwan by the USA - a move which greatly angered mainland China - must have forced many to review the Taiwan/China issue. Some in the region have long suggested common and joint diplomatic representation by govern-ments (and political parties) in the move toward greater economic union and integration within the region. No one in these islands any longer denies the connection between diplomatic relations, investments and economic progress.
It is from such a political/economic perspective one wishes to examine the role of Saint Lucia’s opposition as it charts a way forward.
A brief history of the island’s external relations since independence in 1979 may therefore be noteworthy, at this time. At independence, (Feb. 1979) Saint Lucia established diplomatic relations with Taiwan. When the opposition St. Lucia Labour party took office in June of that year, it continued friendly relations with Taiwan. There was never any initiative as far as one recalls for the Labour government at the time, to recognize communist China over Taiwan. After the short-lived Labour government, the new Compton government continued where it left off and further consolidated this island’s friendly relations with Taiwan.
However, when the former Minister of Foreign Affairs in the Labour government of 1979-1982 was appointed Ambassador to the United Nations in New York by Prime Minister Compton in the mid-eighties, that particular Diplomat and former Foreign Minister did all in his power to woo and befriend countries such as Lybia, China, Iran, the USSR. The Compton regime had earlier established diplomatic relations with Cuba - a Caribbean country and friendly neighbour.
Fifteen years later, (1997), when the St. Lucia Labour party regained office, Compton’s former UN diplomat had by then returned to labour and used his tremendous influence (and China’s growing clout) to get the new Labour Cabinet to sever diplomatic relations with Taiwan and to side with communist China. Reports suggest that many in cabinet then were angered and displeased by the underhand manner the change took place. Some there even recalled that at public political meetings leading to the 1997 general elections that, the man disclosed how much Taiwan had offered to invest on the island if Labour got into office. But he was careful never to divulge how much communist China offered to spend and whether anyone got any personal handshakes for facilitating the transfer of relations from Taiwan to China. Following the elections of 1997, the trusted, steady, reliable and democratic Taiwan was unceremoniously shown the exit door by new Labour. Unfortunately, it was an old labour that had done the dirty work.
This little history lesson aside, perhaps it is now opportune to remind those who need reminding that ‘Diplomacy is about a country’s self-interest’. It’s certainly not about well placed individuals pocketing huge personal gifts to facilitate recognition of any particular country, at the expense of the broader masses. Therefore, before any review and debate of this island’s foreign policy, people must be invited to recognize the difference between civil behaviour toward a foreign government and its representatives on one hand and out-and-out hostility and ill manners towards bona fide diplomats on the other. In the practice of its International Relations, this country should always emphasize civility and internationally acceptable conduct from its politicians and citizens towards representatives of countries living and working on the island. When serious disagreements arise between countries, there are international rules for dealing with such problems.
We must now zoom-in more closely and specifically examine the unilaterally directed ‘war of words’ from the opposition towards Taiwan and its representative here.