By Sue-Ann Wayow
POLITICAL Leader of the National Transformation Alliance (NTA) Gary Griffith is urging all national leaders to exercise caution and wisdom when addressing foreign affairs.
“Diplomacy is not about scoring political points but about securing the prosperity and well-being of our people. Trinidad and Tobago’s best interests are served by fostering relationships based on respect, cooperation, and understanding with all nations, regardless of their political affiliations,” he stated in a release on Tuesday.
He referred to Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s congratulatory note to US President Donald Trump upon his inauguration on Monday.
Griffith said while it was customary and appropriate to extend congratulations to a newly inaugurated US president, the tone and content of Persad-Bissessar’s statement, which harshly criticised the outgoing Biden administration, represented a failure of sound diplomatic judgment.
He added that she or the writer of the release did not take into consideration the outcomes should that administration go back into power or even if Persad-Bissessar becomes Prime Minister again and has to work with the persons involved.
In her statement, Persad-Bissessar mentioned that the former administration led by Joe Biden was a disaster for the American people and the world.
Griffith said her statements demonstrated a fundamental lack of understanding of international relations and even basic communication.
He said, “Of particular note was the mention of the ‘Woke Agenda’ in the release. While a more modern interpretation of the term includes divisive elements such as biological men competing in women’s sports, the term originally emerged from African American Vernacular English (AAVE) to describe heightened awareness of social and racial injustices. Given the realities of Trinidad and Tobago’s racial, ethnic, and tribal divisions, anything that could further fuel this divide must be avoided.”
Griffith also said, “Proper statesmanlike conduct and diplomatic discipline dictate that those who represent our country or aspire to do so, must never be seen to favour one administration over the other.”
While he served as Minister of National Security and Commissioner of Police, he worked effectively with both the Democrats and the Republicans, he added.
Trinidad and Tobago has long benefited from strong and amicable relations with successive US administrations, regardless of their political affiliation and remains the most significant trading partner.
Hence the need to maintain good relations with all administrations past and present, Griffith said.
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