Diplomacy Links Nations [Archives:2002/02/Law & Diplomacy]

Ambassador Abdu Farea Numan
Each society has its own independent government and policies, which are based on the principles of the national policy of that society, as well as the bonds of its domestic affairs. This relationship will undoubtedly create new horizons for cooperation amongst the countries of the world in accordance with certain parameters for all kinds of cooperation. All countries of the world should work closely to strengthen this cooperation on the basis of mutual respect in its broadest humanitarian, political, economic and social sense which ultimately aims at serving the interests of nations on our planet. The policy of non-intervention in the internal affairs of other countries will also help further boost cooperation among countries irrespective of race, religion or color.
Indeed, the foreign policy is a reflection of the domestic policy of countries as it mirrors what is going on inside them. So, if the internal policies are based on national principles which are accepted by the public, taking into account some of the individual differences in opinion, they will certainly give a good image of that country and also improve its image overseas. However, this depends basically on the level of diplomatic representation of that country. Diplomatic representation includes the representation of the civil society organizations overseas with the view of exchanging and sharing expertise with the other societies of the world. This is very instrumental in boosting cooperation amongst nations, particularly if we take for granted that foreign policies are reflections of domestic policies. This will necessitate on governments to carefully select their diplomats so as to represent them in the most proper way. The selection of staff for the diplomatic missions abroad should be based in accordance with the democratic and political fabric of the society. Thus, diplomats should be well-qualified and have mastery over foreign languages for the most part English, beside possessing a good general knowledge of diplomatic expressions. These are essential requirements for a diplomat since he will represent his country in accordance with its internal and foreign policies.
Similarly, the selection of diplomats should be done without any prejudice or favoritism because this diplomat will represent a nation as a whole. Any country in the world draws up its general policies, especially if it is a superpower, on the basis that it is a part of this world. Otherwise, this country will fail to interact with the world community and it will be isolated from it. So if a country worked out its local and foreign policies disregarding the world community it will be an abnormal element of this world and its policies will be marked with arrogance and hastiness, as a direct consequence of this senseless policies. Undoubtedly, these kinds of policies will bread hatred and mistrust amongst nations and will make powerful countries impose their hegemony on the poor ones.
In practice, international relations should be well-balanced in ways that enable each country to best represent the interests of its people in the other countries under the principle of exchange of interests and far from hegemony, dominance and aggression. Indeed, this is the bright face of international relations and is also the easiest way to build-up a new world order based on mutual respect, equality, stability and observance of human rights.
As long as man is keen on building up civilizations on this earth, it would be necessary to maintain and safeguard that civilizations because these civilizations are the common denominator for harmony in this world. This in turn will necessitate on countries of the world to reconsider its stances and policies so as to serve international peace. And this will not happen unless all countries of the world adopt ideal international policies that promote cooperation among nations. After that it will be easier to herald a new world order free from troubles, fear, terrorism and also counter-terrorism.
 

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