Caribbean News Now!

By Ian Francis

With fairness to the government of St Lucia, it has the prerogative right to establish and maintain diplomatic relations with nations that are in its national interest. From a vantage point, I am inclined to understand and accept St Lucia’s logic in the case of Venezuela, Bolivia or Brazil.

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 ianf505@gmail.com

However, it becomes very illogical and confusing to many regional political observers and commentators on St Lucia’s recent foreign policy decision to maintain diplomatic relations with Taiwan which is a breakaway province of the People’s Republic of China. By St Lucia making such an ill-conceived foreign policy decision, it is letting the global community know that the nation of St Lucia, and in particular the St Lucia Labour Party administration, fully recognizes Taiwan as a nation and totally ignores the legitimacy of Beijing.

The St Lucia government see-saw and misguided policy on Taiwan started in 1984 when the then John Compton United Workers Party (UWP) established diplomatic relations with the renegade province. The diplomatic love-in between St Lucia and Taiwan came to a halt in 1997 when the Kenny Anthony-led administration switched diplomatic allegiance and recognized Beijing.

To many, the move was seen as very consistent with the CARICOM policy of one China and St Lucia forward looking foreign policy approach of not harnessing a breakaway China province. In addition, Anthony and his inner circle were following a long and historical Labour Party position of recognizing Beijing. If my assumption is correct, former St Lucia Foreign Minister, George Odlum is probably in the process of trying to resurrect himself to ensure that Anthony upholds the principle of One China, which is Beijing. May George continue to rest in peace.

In 2006, Compton’s UWP regained governance and immediately drifted back to establishing diplomatic relations with Taiwan. Beijing diplomatic representatives were booted out and relations were either suspended or severed. Beijing did not take kindly to Compton’s diplomatic hooliganism. As a result of the UWP’s diplomatic hooliganism, Beijing’s Xinhua News Agency quoted a foreign policy spokesman which described St Lucia’s resumption of diplomatic ties with Taiwan as “a flagrant violation” of its foreign policy.

St Lucia’s announcement last week indicating its decision to continue harbouring the breakaway China province in Castries caught many by surprise. Taiwan has only been able to maintain diplomatic relations with many global renegade and pariah states by spending millions to buy diplomatic allegiance. With St Lucia’s unfortunate decision, it can only be lamented that they opportunistically sold their political principles and previous allegiance to a high financial bidder. It is very sad.

In 1997, when diplomatic relations were re-established with Beijing, Anthony’s rationale was very clear and cited the decision as one based on principle and pragmatism, taking into consideration the global geo-political situation. Therefore, in 2012, it is reasonable to ask Anthony what has changed and why have St Lucia’s principles been so severely compromised?

Many regional observers are familiar with the aggressive tactics of Taiwan in the region, where earlier this year it forced Grenada to repay its debt by pursuing insurmountable legal challenges. Taiwan’s action was initiated as a result of the former Mitchell administration’s switch to Beijing and the failure of the Thomas administration to reverse the decision.

While the whole episode of St Lucia’s decision is deeply troubling and embarrassing to many in the global community, former OECS director general and prime minister of St Lucia also expressed wishful thoughts but in my view they are extremely dumb. Lewis’s comments have left many baffled and might very well be an indicator(s) as to why the OECS under his leadership declined and he was not able to sustain a well-greased UWP political machinery handed to him by Compton.

Dr Lewis, Castries has decided that it is staying with Taiwan. Therefore, it is very unlikely that the thoughts being harboured about maintaining diplomatic relations with both Chinas are not possible. St Lucia’s option is very clear. You either stay with Taipei, as it is not Beijing’s policy to share diplomatic relations. It is deeply surprising and embarrassing that a well learned foreign policy expert will harbour such thoughts.

Finally, St Lucia has made a grave mistake, forensic investigations and other horn-tooting about the alleged conduct of Taiwan’s former Ambassador Chou in St Lucia is only seen as a smokescreen to rationalize the illogical foreign policy decision.

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Learie Carasco:

Ian Francis,

Your comments about Dr. Lewis, a noted expert in his field, are unfortunate and even disrespectufl. Whatever advice that Dr. Lewis might have renedered to the government, the ultimate decision remained with the Cabinet lead by Dr. Kenny Anthony. I do not know what advice Dr. Lewis rendered because that advice was contained in a report on foreign policy options drafted by a committee appointed by Cabinet, and lead by Dr. Lewis. That report is currently before Cabinet and has not been released to the public. Thus, I am not sure which "comments" of Dr. Lewis you are alluding to. It would have been fair of you to have shared with your audience the specific comments you were referring to, before you embarked on a scathing criticim of the learned Professor.

I find your about turn amusing. I must remind you of your ramblings after the Saint Lucia Labour Party won the last elections. In a commentary entitled "Dr. Anthony: you have a strong mandate, govern accordingly" published on this site on 1 December 2011, I pointed out in a comment on your piece that Saint Lucia siding with China was not a foregone conclusion, and that the Government would be taking a studied and reasoned approach to the question of whether diplomatic ties would be forged with Taiwan or China. In a reply to me, you stated, as if you had a crystal ball, that "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." Now, I can say that, I TOLD YOU SO.

Saint Lucia is not the only Caribbean Country maintaining ties with Taiwan. Saint Vincent and St. Kitts also have diplomatic relations with Taiwan. You are in the habit of kissing the behind of Ralph Gonsalves in the commentaries that you publish on this site. I wonder why you would not call Gonsalves dumb for maintaing diplomatic ties with Taiwan, yet you would disrespect Dr. Lewis, on the assumption that he advised the cabinet of Saint Lucia that diplomatic ties should remain with Taiwan.

At the end of the day, I have no problem with Saint Lucia maintaining diplomatic ties with Taiwan. One must not forget that Kenny Anthony has NEVER criticized Taiwan per se. What he criticized was the behaviour of former Ambassador Chou and the manner in which Taiwanese funds were being distributed in contravention of our Finance Act. As most Saint Lucians would know, under the UWP, Taiwanese funds were not being administered through the country's consolidated fund, as required by our Finance Act. Insofar as Taiwan now understands that funds must be administered in accordance with our domestic laws, and that their ambassadorial representative must conduct himself in accordance with established diplomatic custom and protocol, the Kenny Anthony led government has indictated that it is willing to work with Taiwan. I rather suspect that Taiwan was able to put a better package on the table than was China. Afterall, Taiwan needs Saint Lucia's support more than China does. Indeed, China does not need us at all. One problem with Chinese support which Saint Lucia experienced is that while they gave aid in the form of gifts of infrastructure, that was always tied to the condition that Chinese labour would be used in the development of the infrastructure. Over the last five years, Taiwan has given Saint Lucia aid in the amount of AT LEAST 85 million dollars - my estimate here is very conservative and it is perhaps more. None of that money was tied to Taiwanese labour and most of it, if it didn't enter the pockets of corrupt UWP officials, benefitted the averaged Saint Lucian who was employed on Taiwanese funded projects. Now that Taiwan will be made to operate in accordance with our laws, I see absolutely no problem with maintaing relations with Taiwan. Our foreign policy must not be underpinned by unbending ideological notions. Our foreign policy must be pragmatic and respond to our needs. And I believe that is what underpins Dr. Anthony's decision.

Ian Francis:

As a student of regional political affairs and like you, I have followed your nation’s foreign policy initiatives quite closely. My comments and observation about Dr. Lewis has not changed. I am also very admirable of his academic achievements, his tenure at the OECS and later as Prime Minister of St. Lucia. However, irrespective of what he wrote, presented and implemented by the Government St. Lucia’s foreign policy issues pertaining to relations with Taiwan will always remain a topical and Thorny issue. It is unfortunate that Castries became consumed and attracted in dollar politics which are strongly evident in certain pariah and undemocratic nations. It is also very unfortunate that at least three other Caricom nations have seen it fit to engage in dollar diplomacy with Taiwan.

Common sense clearly dictates that Anthony’s recent foreign policy announcement pertaining to its relation with Taiwan would have been influenced by what Lewis wrote and the options he provided. One unbelievable and impractical suggestion was the belief that Castries can maintain diplomatic relations with Beijing and Taipei. This recommendation is plain dumb and clearly shows that Lewis might not be fully tuned in on Taipei and Beijing’s role in the Caribbean.

So the government of Dr. Anthony has agreed to continue relations with Taipei. It has exercised its prerogative rights. However, your government must understand that it will continue to be the topic of criticisms and condemnation. In my personal view, it is an illogical decision that will have repercussions for the SLP administration. Taiwan should have been given their walking papers.

I think you have totally misunderstood my article and may be you revisit it. With your narrow and apparent shallow perspective on regional public policy issues, you seem to imply that as a supporter of the SLP, you have a much better understanding of government’s likely action. I remain very consistent on what wrote. I alluded that SLP had received a strong electoral mandate. Secondly, there was a responsibility by the administration to address the foreign policy issue pertaining to China. Certainly, I suggested that St. Lucia should re-establish ties with Beijing. My suggestions were influenced by the following. 1) SLP’s long and historical position of supporting Beijing. 2) The Caricom countries position of supporting one China and 3) the Anthony administration in its pursuit of foreign policy pragmatism, its national interest and understanding the sphere of geo-political issues, it would be in the interest of St. Lucia to stay with Beijing.

As I read your commentary, a very sad spectre confronted me as you based your reply solely on dollar diplomacy. Dollar diplomacy is a modus operandi for Taipei. As a breakaway Province of the Peoples’ Republic of China seeking global diplomatic recognition, my last count showed that Taiwan is only recognized by about thirty nations including St. Lucia. In the sphere of geo-politics, it is my understanding that Beijing is recognized by over 150 nations.
Indeed, dollar diplomacy creates many little projects all over the place. Certainly, it has had its impact in St. Lucia and without dollar diplomacy things would been worse. Therefore, you seem entrenched in the philosophy and belief of dollar diplomacy. Certainly, I do not expect you to have a problem with St. Lucia’s decision because Taipei has given 85 million and more are promised.

Ambassador Chou has left and has now assumed a top job in Taipei’s foreign ministry. All the grunts about his disrespect for the Laws of St. Lucia must be taken with a grain of salt. Whether it is Chou or someone else, they represent Taipei; their interest and commitment is to practice dollar diplomacy, bribe corrupt official and politicians; influence the local media and other institutions with goodwill tours. At the end of the day, the administration hands are tied because of Taipei’s influence in the population.

Beijing is seen in bad light. Look at what the Taiwanese is doing for us. If the government go with Beijing, we vote them out.

This is the situation in St. Lucia. The Taiwanese will always find subtle ways in influencing the process. Therefore Mr. Carasco, congrats. You support DOLLAR DIPLOMACY and this is TAIWAN’S strategy in the region.

Why has the United States and Canada avoided them? Why are they not recognized by many more nations? Why are they so active in poor and struggling nations? Why are they so generous?
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Ian Francis:

Mr Carasco:
I want to increase your awareness and understanding about the Taiwan-St. Lucia Dollar Diplomacy.

1. Taiwan's presence in the United States represents a Commercial Office. It is not a diplomatic mission, Taiwan does not have a seat in the UN General Council. However, in their greed and thirst for diplomatic recognition, they have forced and coerced their weak diplomatic friends to raise issue for their recognition at the UN and other world bodies. If my memory serves me right St. Kitts and St.Vincent had no alternative some time ago when they foolishly stood up at the UN or somewhere to urge TAIWAN'S acceptance. It was soundly defeated and laughed at.

St. Lucia will find itself in a similat situation in the future. If one is engaged in dollar diplomacy, they have to give something in return. What does St.Lucia have to give TAIWN in return? A vote or proposal of a resolution that will end up in the dump bin.

The pretence and tomfoolery that although dollar diplomatic relations exist with Taiwan,we can vote with China at the UN. Well, St.Lucia has no alternative because TAIWAN is not in the UN.

Sir,this whole thing is about power, influence and humiliation. Taiwan has humiliated Beijing because they get to stay in St.Lucia.

St. Lucia is caught in a diplomatic roro with Beijing that is embarassing and filled with DUMB promises.

This is what you get from DOLLAR DIPLOMACY. I am surprised at this decision