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By Ian Francis

Well, it is almost three months since Dame Louisy’s throne speech was given with the usual fanfare and promises expected from most heads of state. Prior to the head of state’s throne address, Saint Lucia’s prime minister, Dr Kenneth Anthony, made it very clear that his government will undertake an extensive review of its foreign policy and diplomatic relations.

Ian Francis resides in Toronto and is a frequent contributor on Caribbean affairs. He is a former Assistant Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Grenada and can be reached at info@visminconsultancy.ca

As an ardent Caribbean watcher, Dr Anthony’s announcement was welcome and great expected outcomes were registered in my mind. Unfortunately, as Dr Anthony and his cabinet entrenched themselves in the cycle of governance, the government’s promise of foreign policy review started a very slow melt. Very little was heard until Dame Louisy and certain self-interest seeking private sector organizations in Castries took the decision to revive Dr Anthony’s bold promise.

As press reports indicate, it would appear to me and many other regional observers that Anthony is backing off, which led the great Dame to announce that she was in the process of appointing a committee to address the government of St Lucia’s wishes on the foreign policy issue.

Like many, the Dame’s announcement took me by surprise, as I have always felt that a government’s foreign policy review should be a process embedded within the local foreign ministry and should comprise both former and current serving diplomatic officials. Based on the vibes emanating from Castries, one can only conclude that Prime Minister Anthony has experienced cold feet and the Dame’s limited perception of a foreign policy review should be embedded in the hands of the St Lucia Chamber of Commerce and other local private sector organs that seem to have the know it all about the nation’s foreign policy economic decision.

While I am very admirable of Dr Anthony and his commitment to progressive regionalism, I am a bit concerned that he is showing signs of vacillation and some level of reluctance to toe the CARICOM and other international agencies’ position on “recognizing one China”.

St Lucia has shown great inconsistencies on this issue, which allegedly resulted in Cabinet defiance and led to the death of former Prime Minister John Compton. The rest is history, as the then incoming UWP administration broke diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China and embraced the renegade province of China, which is often referred to as Taiwan in the region.

Unfortunately, the government of St Lucia has reached a juncture where it has now decided to allow economic and aid benefits to influence its foreign policy relations. Let’s hope this is not the case, the Kenny Anthony administration should show strength and courage by telling St Lucians that his government fully recognizes the People’s Republic of China. There should be no more hedging about economic benefits.

The government of St Lucia has the legitimate right to exercise its independent sovereignty in the conduct of its foreign policy relations. It should not vacillate and misinform the St Lucia electorate. There should be a firm commitment for diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China. St Kitts and St Vincent should not influence St Lucia’s decision.

It will indeed be a great and gross indictment of the Kenny Anthony administration if it continues to uphold Taiwan on a pedestal. Time for Taipei to leave St Lucia. Beijing is awaiting their return.

Finally, the signals coming out from St Lucia on foreign policy review are quite confusing. For example, the Dame has promised to appoint a committee shortly to undertake the review task. In an earlier speech, Dr Anthony made a promise to conduct an independent interview with both Taiwan and the People’s Republic of China before a decision was made about future diplomatic relations with the two vying competitors.

In reality, the St Lucia promise of foreign policy review is interesting. Will the government conduct an in depth overview that will address issues such as training, allowances, accommodation, foreign policy governance, etc. or will it only examine the economic benefits derived from Taiwan?

Time to stop such dithering and take the bold responsibility of breaking relations with Taipei and inviting Beijing to return to the fold. They have quite a bit of development projects to complete including the building of a new hospital and police headquarters.

Come on, Dr Anthony. Act quickly.

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Son of Helen:
Ian, as a descendant of slaves, you should understand that China is a modern slave-master and it's intention is world domination. Shame on you.

helen:

Ian, Unlike you I do not follow St Lucian politics very closely, but your sentiment is exactly what I fear has done much damage to St Lucia in the past. Government seem so impatient to say and announce initiatives etc, that they do not spend sufficient time to familiarise situations and make rational, well informed decisions. The SLP came into power just about 2 months ago, I would be very worried as a St Lucian if after a whole 5 years in opposition, the SLP just came into power changing things haphazardly because they pledged to do so during their campaign.

I cannot speak for the Prime Minister and cannot say what he will actually do regarding St Lucian foreign policy, but if he is reviewing it I am happy for him to take some time to weigh the situation and options then come to some conclusion that is in the interest of the country.

Again my ignorance may show here, but I believe the PM agrees the throne speech with the GG? I would hate to believe that the GG gave a throne speech which the PM was not privy to. Saying the GG brought it up and PM ignores it is misleading...

Learie Carasco:
Mr. Francis,

I anticipated that you would need to pen such an article.

On December 1, 2011, shortly after the Saint Lucia Labour party claimed victory in the last general election in Saint Lucia, you published an article on this news site entitled "Dr. Anthony: You Have a Strong Mandate, Govern Accordingly". In that piece, you said, among other things:

"However, reading the Barbados Nation of November 29, 2011, Prime Minister (Designate) Dr Anthony went at great lengths to define the Taiwan-St Lucian relationship. As one who has studied Taipei’s behaviour in the region, I found the comments and rationale of the SLP leader to the Nation newspaper to be a matter of concern. Frankly, as most regional political analysts have agreed, there is no need and time for interviews. There is no time for foreign policy dithering and the new St Lucian government must make a decision shortly as to when Taiwan’s presence will be ended. This is not the time for dithering.

It is a period of time to face realities that must be encumbered by practicality and ideology. Frankly, while I strongly support Dr Anthony and his newly elected entourage, the foreign policy issue regarding China was very well debated during the elections and it is my clear understanding that the electorate immediately expect to see the incoming SLP re-establish diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China. The suggested idea of dialogue with both Chinas is an exercise of futility and foreign policy dithering by Dr Anthony."

In response to your article, I posted a comment. On the issue of Dr. Anthony and our (I said our because I am a Saint Lucian with a right to comment on Saint Lucia's foreign policy stance) foreign policy, I opined:

"On the issue of foreign relations and, more particularly, the question of whether we sever bilateral relations with Taiwan and establish relations with the PRC, I believe that Dr. Anthony has made a wise, and politically correct decision. All Dr. Anthony is saying is that Taiwan will have an audience as will China. After an objective assessment is conducted, a choice will be made. It must be understood that the Labour Party has never had a problem with Taiwan per se - the problem has been with the Taiwanese Ambassador who, in the last 5 years has broken not only the laws of Saint Lucia but also, every diplomatic protocal in the universe. I, therefore, believe that Dr. Anthony will make it a pre-condition for any negotiation with Taiwan that Tom Chou, the present Ambassador, must be recalled. Dr. Anthony's position on this issue is very much in line with what people are asking for on the ground. Labour party supporters are asking Dr. Anthony to make an objective assessment re. our diplomatic relations with Taiwan or with the PRC. However, we are quite adamant that the Taiwanese ambassador must be recalled by Taiwan forthwith. I am glad to see that Dr. Anthony is listening to voices from the ground."

In response to my comment, you, rather boldly stated:

"My friend, this will be short lived as the SLP administration cannot vaccillate on this issue. At some critical point of time, Taiwan will be turfed out and diplomatic relations will be re-established with BEIJING.Remember, I told you so." You stated further: "Finally, there is no necessity for me to be on the ground. I understand the politics very well and have always maintained close ties with SLP operatives."

At the time when I made my comment, I knew very well what I was saying and, more importantly, why I was saying it. I am not certain which SLP operatives you are maintaining close ties with but they should have advised you that the issue was not cut and dry, and that Dr. Anthony, in typical form would be approaching this issue cautiously and in a principled fashion. As I had predicted, Dr. Anthony has made it a pre-condition for any negotiations with Taiwan that the current ambassador must be recalled. Dr. Anthony and his very competent cabinet of Ministers are still transitioning in government and I am certain that a decision is imminent. You state that Beijing has some projects to complete such as a new hospital and police headquarters. Again, I am not sure who you get your information from or whether information takes too long to get to Canada! The new hospital is nearing completion and it was funded by the EU. The new police headquarters has been completed - for quite some time now too! The Saint Jude's hospital which was destroyed by fire is being rebuilt with fund received from the Taiwanese as well as funds donated by private individuals and businesses. That project is almost complete as well. The committee which is reviewing Saint Lucia's foreign policy has been appointed and it will be chaired by Professor Vaughn Lewis, former Prime Minister of Saint Lucia, former Director General of the OECS and emeritus Professor of International Relations at UWI's Institute of International Relations. Professor Lewis has also, recently, been appointed as the Special Advisor attached to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. I am certain the Professor Lewis will not proceed in a haphazard manner and that he will "conduct an in depth overview that will address issues such as training, allowances, accommodation, foreign policy governance, etc." I rather doubt that he will focus solely on the economic benefits derived from Taiwan.

Mr. Francis, in this present article, you go on to state: "Time for Taipei to leave St Lucia. Beijing is awaiting their return." While we (Saint Lucians) appreciate your opinion - unsolicited as it was - please leave these decisions to be made by the persons that WE the people have entrusted to make these decisions. The majority in Saint Lucia have not complained about the issue because we understand that the government is not proceeding in a haphazard way. Thanks, but no thanks!