A view on the diplomatic/foreign service
It
has been talked about so many times of how diplomats who represent the finest
of a country go abroad to serve their governments. The sad part is that some of
these individuals happen to show the worst of their countries. I say so because
people who have never had any contact with the countries the diplomats
represent, could easily take it to be the way majority of the people from that
country would behave.
I did
a course on Diplomatic Law - Privileges and Immunities, I enjoyed it immensely.
One of the many reasons was that all my classmates and our tutor spoke
candidly. We dissected diplomats (permit me to put it that way), including the
ones I was studying with. We all agreed at the end of the course that the ones
who see the worst of diplomats are the national staff with whom they work.
Ironically, these are the people they are meant to treat as well as possible,
as the national staff do a great deal of the work that keeps diplomatic
missions running in the host countries but some 'stuck up' diplomats fail to
notice.
On that same trip, another diplomat’s wife with young children had to change nappies. The couple kept insisting that the convoy stopped outside towns, she changed the babies on the car seat by the side of the road. Once we were in a restaurant in a town, but the madam said she needed to change nappies but would wait until she was out of town. I asked why at that point…the reply from a third party was unbelievable. They certainly had discussed. He said "because she wants privacy and does not want people to gather and stare while she is changing the baby. She does not want to be a monkey in a cage". Too stunned to say anything, I walked away.
Think
about it, these ones had their logic the other way round. In a city, nobody
would have the time to stand around staring at a baby being changed. Women in
the entire country have babies who wear nappies too. That is nothing out of the
ordinary to make people gather round. Privacy I would agree with as the side of
the road could provide that. Well, depending on where! But monkey in a cage? I
could not believe it. I bit my tongue not to reply.
A certain diplomat always had nothing good to
say about anybody in her host country. She complained every single day about
the people (whom she hardly mingled with) and the country. One day she
walked into the office agitated (as always...too much nicotine+caffeine) and
shouting about her maid and how she slapped her in anger. My jaw dropped! Would
she attempt to do that in her 'civilised/western' country (as she liked to put
it)? She would instantly be sued for assault. And that is the best, the crème
de la crème, representing her country. Suddenly, tragedy befell her family and
she had to rush home to her country. While she was away, she wrote to me saying
you may not believe it but I miss Nigeria and cannot wait to come back. Well, I
believed it because she lives a life of luxury in Nigeria, most of the things
she has and does, she may not be able to do or afford in her country. Nigeria
may have many problems, but the people I find are hospitable. Nigeria grows on
people who give it a chance.
This last diplomat went overboard with
everything. He came to Nigeria with the colonial master mentality, I have no
idea why anyone would think that way in this day and age. He yelled at people
he worked with, cursed in official environments, had absolutely no regard for
Nigerians or local laws. He was quite young, and maybe foolish. Maybe he had a
complex or issues he buried by acting the way he did.Who knows?
He
upset a lot of people from his work space, to social circles. The town was
quite small so stories went around. I heard of an altercation he had at a night
club which earned him a smashed windscreen. He chose the wrong person and the
guy he went at, wanted to give him a good beating but for his friends. So he
went straight to the diplomat’s car and smashed the windscreen then asked him
to call the police. He knew that the diplomat would not do that as his Embassy
would get involved and it would be all too complicated for him. The non diplomat
was ready to follow the case up if the police got involved as the diplomat was
wrong from what I heard.
This
diplomat continued to go downhill, until he stepped on all his colleagues’
toes. He didn’t stop there, he went on to step on another Ambassador’s toes. At
this point, his boss was ready to throw him out of the country. And throw him
out they did, he lost his job!
What
is my point you may ask?
Diplomats
live the finest lives in countries where they are posted. Their countries
ensure that they are safe, they get them the best houses in the city centre,
they have maximum security, they throw lavish parties all the time. In summary,
they live in what I like to call the 'diplomatic bubble'. But this is fair,
considering the work they do and that they are away from home right?
Some
of these diplomats (in the consular department) may not need to have steady
contact with the nationals of their host country. Some need to, but maybe
don't. I always wonder how a diplomat could work on subjects like politics/conflict/economy/culture/development/aid
in a country and not have the local perspective or proper contact with the
people of the country where he/she works? Some ideas could be imposed from what
the diplomats think should be. It is impossible to go to a country and dictate
to the people how their country should be run or how they should live.
Colonialism ended long ago…although that can be disputed!
“You
cannot make real impact by trying to impose your ideas on a set of people” – a
diplomat I respect very much said this and I agree. The need to understand how
the host country operates and the values of the people helps to make informed
decisions and report better to home countries.
Diplomats
are equally human beings who have flaws and are not above mistakes, but the
cause they sign up for is “a higher cause”. They are called to be
representatives of their country and are meant to comport themselves in the
best manner always. As a diplomat, you cannot engage in certain acts. Nobody
says they should not live their lives but they have to be more cautious than
others. Thanks to diplomatic immunity, diplomats can travel to any country.
The
job of a diplomat does not come without its own disadvantages. The pay and
travel opportunities may be great but moving every few months/years is a big
deal. Some families or relationships suffer because of this. A spouse may need
to quit a job, children may have to change schools every few years.
I
respect the role of diplomats and diplomacy in the world. There are certainly
good diplomats but...
Let's
hear your thoughts on this subject, thanks for reading.
First published in October 2014
First published in October 2014
Photo credit: Google images
I have seen horrible behaviour from people known as diplomats. I am in constant shock at how these people manage to get out of their countries and whats worse, be representatives of their countries. I think these diplomatic missions need to do a 180 or 360 like yesterday.
ReplyDeleteThey need to seriously assess these people they choose to represent them. Give assessments that will test their character and their reception of different races and individuals. I have been around diplomats a lot and I cannot believe how much they get away with.
I have a few friends who are totally and pleasantly different but I could say this just makes up about 2% of diplomats and unfortunately they are drowned out by the nonsense their fellow diplomats do.
I could go on but I think it isn't worth my while to waste my time on such excuses for human beings. I would only say, an evaluation needs to be done by whoever because when the right people start to get into power al around the world (and that time will come), diplomatic missions just might seize to exist because no one did anything to stop this sort of atrocious and savage behaviour of supremacy in the 21st century!!!
I agree Scarlet that assessment of character is needed before representatives are sent out for countries. These diplomats are people, we must not forget, and everyone has flaws.
DeleteMy expectation however is that they try to be better versions of themselves for those whose flaws will obviously stand in the way of their work. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
Interesting review and anecdotes, Ene. Few people get to be up close with diplomats and to witness their behaviour, good and bad. So you have picked a fascinating subject and have shed light on an often aloof and mysterious brigade. A great read, thanks.
ReplyDeleteThanks for reading Eddie and I am glad that this post shed some light on the subject for you :-)
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