Debate over weak diplomacy remark

Manama : A legislator’s comments on Bahrain’s diplomacy in the global arena as “weak” and “helpless”, sparked a heated debate in the House of Representatives’ weekly meeting yesterday.

While discussing a proposal to establish more embassies in different countries, MP Ahmed Qarata said the current diplomatic representation of the Kingdom is “embarrassing”.

 “How is it possible to have embassies only in 28 countries out of the 193 registered states with the United Nations (UN),” he asked the Foreign Affairs Ministry. “Bahrain is only represented by 15 per cent in the entire world. It’s embarrassing to the Kingdom of Bahrain,” Qarata stated.

Protect the Kingdom

The upset MP said, “The ministry told us that two new embassies will be established in Brazil and Indonesia, while we don’t have any representation in the countries that are home of some organisations that target the Kingdom. Some human rights groups and other organisations working under the umbrella of the UN are repeatedly attacking Bahrain in its statements and we have no representation in their country to defend us.”

“We are suffering from severe shortage of diplomats. In each embassy we have two helpless employees, while other countries have sufficient number of diplomats representing them around the world. These employees also lack the authorisation to clarify the fallacies in reports and statements issued by these organisations against Bahrain. This defective and weak diplomacy of Bahrain must be looked into,” Qarata added.

Charges dismissed

In his reply, Shura Council and Representatives Council Affairs Minister Ghanem Al Buainain rejected Qarata’s statements saying, “It’s inappropriate to describe Bahraini diplomacy, which exists since the 1970s, as defective, weak and helpless. To make such statements against our brothers who are working abroad isn’t fair and I request the MP to withdraw his statements.” The minister affirmed that Foreign Affairs Ministry is one of the few ministries that are tasked with great responsibilities despite the lack of funding.

“Foreign Affairs Ministry is highly appreciated. It had successfully overcome the deficit in its budget in only two years. The ministry is paying great efforts that are unfortunately unappreciated and recognised by some,” Al Buainain told Qarata. He stressed that the lack of funds is the only obstacle stopping the ministry from expanding.

“The State Budget will be referred to the council and you could request to fund the ministry to open 80 to 100 new embassies. We don’t mind appointing ten employees at each embassy, but we are committed to the limited budget of the ministry. It would be appreciated if the MP (Qarata) could secure these amounts in the upcoming state budget. Your cooperation is required,” Al Buainain said.

The minister also clarified that millions are required to open new embassies and consulates in different parts of the world, mentioning that more than BD14 million is required to open the new offices in Brasilia and Jakarta.

However, Qarata insisted on his statements adding that there is no sufficient representation of the Kingdom abroad, be it in the military, cultural or health fields.

“Huge amounts are spent in many sectors, but when it comes to Bahraini diplomacy and national security we are told that there are no sufficient funds,” Qarata added.

One embassy for all

Foreign Affairs Ministry Assistant Undersecretary Khalil Al Khayat stressed that there was no shortage in the numbers of diplomatic representatives abroad, as many embassies and missions represent the Kingdom in more than one country.

“Our embassy in Washington DC represents us in Canada, Argentina, Mexico and Brazil. The Bahraini embassy in London also represents Bahrain in several nearby countries such as Ireland, Norway and Sweden. The ministry had presented a plan to open new embassies, but it wasn’t passed as economic circumstances ravaging the entire region don’t allow us to,” Al Khayat told the MP.