IT IS TIME to examine the work of our diplomatic missions and embassies abroad in order to reduce the drain on the Minister of Finance’s annual budget.
For a small nation, Barbados, at the last count, had 11 diplomatic missions and embassies in several well developed countries. Additionally, the Barbados Tourism Authority has offices in Britain, Brazil, Canada and United States.
Added to these offices, we have principal officers and diplomatic support staff posted to these embassies and missions as well as some staff at a number of multinational organisations such as the European Union in Brussels, the United Nations in New York, the United Nations in Geneva and the Organisation of American States in Washington, DC.
To a man, all of these officers and support staff live extremely well, some in opulent and lavishly appointed residences, and ably supported by their respective diplomatic statuses.
Each of these locations and salaries, plus living expenses, are sucking this country of ours of much needed dollars which could well be diverted elsewhere at home to support the health, education and welfare services of the country.
The time has come, more so now than ever, for the Minister of Foreign Affairs to undertake a radical review of the work and benefits of having these large missions abroad. The drain on our limited resources can no longer be justified.
Having lived in many different countries abroad and having run a very significant non-governmental organisation abroad, I am fully aware that in all of these countries in which we have a diplomatic presence, there are many Barbadian associations that do much more tangible and valuable work than can be obtained from any of the Barbados missions with whom I have been associated.
These Barbados associations, often more than one in any one state, are often able to guide Barbadians and other local folk on policies, procedures and protocols which exist on the island.
For example, information available at embassies abroad for returning nationals is often out of date or not forthcoming. Questions on citizenship, passports, health care facilities, real estate, education and so on are readily answered by local presidents or secretaries of the various Barbadian associations.
Clearly their modus operandi makes the redundancy of the embassies more pressing than ever, not only to save money, but to reduce the size of the missions abroad. Barbadian associations are all voluntary and are run by Barbadians who are keen to promote Barbados in all aspects. This shows that we can cull the number of embassies and bring these people home.
Many of these small Barbados associations have as little as one dozen people, who through the availability of the Internet and modern communications are competent enough to bypass embassies in order to gain relevant and up to date information about our country.
Modern communications are available 24/7. Many of our diplomatic missions provide little or no meaningful support.
Brexit is a key event right now in UK. How much do we hear from our UK mission staff on any aspects of this game-changing occurrence, which undoubtedly is affecting many Barbadians who have returned or are planning to return to the island and to inject their gratuities and lucrative pensions into the island?
The UK mission should be more than attending cricket matches and pre-Crop Over events.
We have an almost silent, absent and muted feedback, if any, from our European-based and other diplomats. During the early years of the Blair premiership, the UK undertook a radical review of the UK’s diplomatic missions.
A significant financial saving occurred when the UK embarked on mission- sharing of diplomatic offices, including transport and housekeeping of the diplomatic premises. Surely, a small island like ours can embark on a similar exercise and share premises and day-to-day running of embassies.
Let’s do whatever it takes to save our dear country an annual number of thousands of dollars. Forget political patronage and nepotism in the selection and appointment of our diplomats, especially non-career civil servants, who have no international or diplomatic training or the highest post-graduate international business degrees.
We need value for money and not draining for honey. Get it right before we all end up with a begging bowl at the Queen’s Park shed for E.D. Mottley’s “park food” again.
Oh no, we have come a long way – but too soon we came to a full stop. Poor leadership, blinkered thinking, if any thinking at all.
– RICHARD R. BLENMAN