BAPTISM OF FIRE. Selwin Hart, Barbados’ top diplomat in Washington, used those few words to describe his assumption of responsibilities Barbados’ Permanent Representative to the Organisation of American States.
“On the day last month when I assumed duties, it was Barbados’ turn to begin a three-month term as the chairman of the OAS’ Permanent Council. It was like a baptism of fire.
“The Permanent Council of Ambassadors meets regularly to discuss crucial issues before the Western Hemisphere body and before I could settle in I had to preside over its meetings. The chairmanship rotates in alphabetical order.”
With Haiti, the state of the OAS’ finances and regional and Hemispheric security, along with sustainable development on the list of hot button issues being considered, Hart, a career diplomat who is highly regarded at the United Nations in New York and in diplomatic circles for his level-headedness, competence, ability to get on well with people is noted for his handling of complex issues with sensitivity and understanding. He took over the council’s chair immediately.
“It was an interesting experience,” he said afterwards.
The Bajan, who was born in St Philip and is a graduate of University of the West Indies at Cave Hill and New York’s Fordham University which awarded him a master’s degree in international political economy, was, until recently, director of the Climate Change Support team assembled by Ban Ki-moon, UN secretary general to advise him on the global pact. In that coveted position, the new ambassador played a key role in the negotiations leading up to the completion of the global climate change pact that was approved by world leaders, President Obama among them, in Paris last year and implemented with pomp and ceremony at UN headquarters in New York several months ago.
“Barbados believes the diversity of the organisation is its greatest strength and we have and will continue to make a strong case for addressing needs of the smallest members of our hemispheric family,” he said to Luis Almagro, the OAS secretary general, a former Foreign Minister of Uruguay, during the ceremony.
“Barbados sees the organisation’s work in the areas of scholarship and education, sustainable development and women’s empowerment, human development and capacity building, technical assistance, to name a few, as critical in the fight against poverty, social exclusion and inequality.
“Our people must see this organisation making a decisive difference and working to improve the daily lives, especially those most vulnerable and marginalised,” Hart said.
As for the Permanent Council and Barbados’ chairmanship of it, Hart, who succeeded John Beale, said he was “looking forward to participating fully in the important discussion in the Permanent Council especially on how we can make the OAS as effective as it should be with the resources it, and also in seeking to identify ways to increase funding for the organisation.”
What the Barbados envoy didn’t say was that the OAS was on the brink of going broke because some of its long-standing and key members, including Venezuela and Brazil, owe vast sums in unpaid dues. They simply haven’t paid in years. Barbados and most of its CARICOM neighbours are believed to be fully paid up.
“Barbados wishes to see a strong, financially secure OAS, working to uplift all peoples of the Americas,” Hart said. “Barbados will therefore live up to its obligations and continue to be a committed member of this hemispheric body.”
In an interview after the presentation of credentials, Hart described the OAS as being in a “dire financial position” but said Barbados was convinced it could “do more” to help advance “sustainable development’ in the Caribbean and Latin America”.
“It can certainly do more when it comes to the development pillar,” he said.
Initiatives on scholarships and fellowships were very important and that was an area ripe for improvement. “We also believe hemispheric security is a priority for the OAS especially curtailing the flow of drugs across the region and promoting safety on the streets and in the homes,” Hart said. “Haiti must also be a priority. Implementing development goals must be a priority.”
Tony Best is the NATION’s North American correspondent. Email: [email protected]
