00:00Trinidad and Tobago's foreign policy is at crossroads.
00:03That's the assessment from former government minister Winston Ducaran,
00:07who says recent voting decisions at the United Nations
00:11reflect a significant shift in the country's international positioning.
00:15Speaking on MSJ Tuesday Talks, Ducaran addressed the government's decision
00:19to break with three decades of support for Cuba's annual resolution
00:23calling for an end to the United States' economic, commercial and financial embargo.
00:28He also raised the concerns about TNT's decision to abstain from a resolution
00:33supporting the work of the International Criminal Court.
00:36For Ducaran, the decisions come at a time when the country prepares
00:40to serve on the United Nations Security Council.
00:43I think essentially what is happening in foreign policy is that it is in a state of flux
00:48because the geopolitical situation is in a state of shifting power games.
00:56And as a result of that, we have not been able in the region to figure how to handle
01:04these shifting allegiances that are taking place.
01:08And each country is trying to identify what they believe is in their individual interests.
01:15Ducaran also expressed a disappointment over TNT's abstention on the International Criminal Court resolution,
01:21pointing to the country's historic role in bringing the institution into existence.
01:26He says TNT once demonstrated how a small nation could make a significant contribution
01:32to international law and global justice.
01:34Well, it was a sad moment for me to witness that, given the history and the sense of legacy
01:44which I attach to a small nation making an international impact in establishing an institution for global justice.
01:53The former foreign affairs minister warns that a country's recent voting positions
01:58could have consequences for its credibility and influence internationally.
02:03He believes the decision could limit TNT's ability to advocate effectively
02:08on matters of international security, conflict resolution, and justice
02:13when it takes up its security council responsibilities.
02:15Well, I think it boxes us into a corner.
02:20And therefore, if we were to take other decisions in the Security Council
02:25that appear to be outside that box, it will be viewed with great suspicion and concern
02:32as to whether or not the country has a coherent international posture
02:38on issues that relate to international governance.
02:43And the Security Council is fundamentally a place for the conduct of international governance.
02:50Dugaran says the challenge now is for TNT to reconsider how it approaches international relations
02:56and ensure that its foreign policy reflects a clear and consistent set of national values.
03:02He believes small states must use their international platforms to strengthen multilateral institutions
03:08rather than allow themselves to be sidelined by major geopolitical powers.
03:13The impact of the vote is more important than the motivation for it.
03:20The impact is that we are now going to be restricted in our options
03:25to promote international value systems of international justice and international order.
03:32We cannot talk, for instance, those things in the Security Council and be believed or be trusted to believe in
03:41it.
03:41And as TNT prepares for a prominent role in international decision-making,
03:46Dugaran's message is clear.
03:48The country's diplomatic decisions must be guided by principle, consistency,
03:52and a clear understanding of its national interests.
03:56Charlotte Histo, TV6 News.
