The Disarmament and International Security Committee (DISEC) recently convened their council meeting on the question of cyber warfare. During the discussions, The delegate of Cambodia proposed merging blocs with the delegate of the US, due to their similar stance and ideals on the matter at hand. The delegate of the US proceeded to call the suggestion “wholesome”, in his own words, but expressed certain reservations regarding the effectiveness of the merger. The delegate of the US was concerned that the merged bloc would become a “deliberative body”, and he was afraid that the bloc would become “incompetent”, citing ASEAN and the US Senate as an example.
The comments made by the delegate of the US were extremely insensitive and offensive, not only to the ASEAN community, but also to the American people. ASEAN is the fifth-largest economy in the world, representing over 655 million inhabitants in ten countries. To discredit the entire body of ASEAN jeopardizes the US’s relationship with ASEAN countries. I recognise that the US has always pursued good politics alongside good economies. ASEAN has always been of considerable importance to the US. By helping to counterbalance China’s growing influence on the world, ASEAN helps to safeguard US’s interests in the region. Furthermore, ASEAN is a major trading partner of the US, with both countries having extremely close economic and military ties. As the delegate representing the US, such remarks are extremely careless and could serve to sour relationships, which is the opposite of what a delegate is meant to do.
The delegate of the US needs to be careful when talking about other countries, especially since the US holds such a prominent role on the international stage. The delegate should uphold his duties as a diplomat when representing his country, so as to prevent misunderstandings from occurring. Sensitive issues should be treated with respect and thought, so as to ensure that offhand statements are not made.
Regarding the comments made towards our senate, I believe that the delegate should have refrained from degrading it by calling it “incompetent”. This comment deeply discredits the authority of the US Senate. Furthermore, undermining our country’s own legislative body in the presence of other countries only serves to weaken the image of the US in front of the international community. If the delegate of the US has certain qualms or disputes with certain members of the Senate, the delegate should have brought it up in private. Internal disputes should not and must not be discussed in a place such as DISEC. Doing so only serves to disrepute the US and waste council time on such matters.
It is indeed strange that the delegate of the US insinuated that his own Senate and Asean incompetent. I am inclined to believe that the delegate made an honest and careless mistake rather than intentionally trying to harm US’s interests. Let this be a reminder that delegates should be respectful at all times so that their country can be represented accurately to others.
Johnny Applesmith
Political Commentator for Al-Jazeera English