The danger that Domingo Lee poses to national interest

Sen. Serge Osmeña III was so embarrassed by Domingo Lee’s ignorance about diplomacy that he appealed to President Aquino to withdraw Lee’s nomination as ambassador to China.

Related post: http://www.ellentordesillas.com/2011/08/16/will-lee-defend-ph-sovereignty-over-recto-bank-in-beijing/

But no, presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda, as reported by Philippine Star, said President Aquino has no plans at the moment to replace Lee as his nominee for the post of Philippine ambassador to China.

The reason, Lacierda said, was, “The government had not received objections from China with regard to the appointment of Lee.”

I’m glad that Lacierda also added, “We will leave it with the secretary of Foreign Affairs to comment on the statement of Senator (Sergio) Osmeña” because his statement waiting for an objection from China on the President’s choice of ambassador is worrisome.

Worrisome because it reflects Malacañang’s low regard (I don’t want to use the word “ignorance”) of the role foreign relations in governance .

Lacierda should be told that aside from issuing an agreement — the approval of a diplomatic representative by the state to which he is to be accredited — the receiving country, in this case, China, has no say on our criteria in choosing our ambassadors.

China, needless to say, thinks of its own national interest.

The Philippines has a conflicting territorial claim with China. Of course, China will want an ambassador who would not push Philippine position on the West Philippine Sea. Would that be good for Philippine interests?

Based on the two interviews he had with Lee in the CA, Osmeña said sending the 77-year old Lee, who is a childhood friend of the President’s father, Sen. Benigno Aquino Jr., as ambassador to China would not work for the interest of the country.

“I can’t even quantify the danger to the Filipino people in case he gets confirmed. I think in the interest of the Filipino people, President Aquino has to withdraw (Lee’s appointment),” he said

“Please naman, send a real diplomat. Friendship is not enough when you are in the high level diplomacy. You follow the orders of your government and you should know how to carry it out properly,” said Osmeña, who is an ally of the Aquino administration.

An Inquirer report by Maila Ager gives a glimpse of that embarrassing session at the CA last Wednesday:

“During the hearing, Senator Sergio Osmeña peppered Lee with questions even asking him to define the terms “diplomacy,” “track one diplomacy,” and “hard power.

“You are in the field of diplomacy. Can you define what diplomacy is?” he asked during the hearing of the Commission’s committee on foreign affairs.

“Diplomacy is from time to time entails friendship…closer relationship with countries that you expect to be assigned,” said Lee.

“No sir, that’s not diplomacy? Would you like to try again?” said Osmeña.

And when Lee failed to answer his question, the senator answered his own question, saying that diplomacy is defined in Wikipedia as the art of practice of conducting negotiations between representatives of groups or estates.

“Yes, maybe the goal of diplomacy is always to maintain friendship but it’s the practice of negotiating,” said Osmeña.

The senator proceeded and asked Lee to define what hard power is.

Lee answered, “A strong…” followed by a strong pause that prompted Osmeña to say, “You’re guessing now. Are you familiar with the term hard power?”

Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago, who was presiding over the hearing, even spelled the word “hard” for the ambassador.

“If I’m right hard power is a strong expression…” said Lee.

But Osmeña corrected the ambassador when he pointed out that hard power is either the use of military force or economic sanctions in order to obtain one’s goals.

“So therefore, by that, you would now understand what is meant by the term soft power?” Osmeña asked again.

“Yes your honor, soft power is not going to war,” said Lee.

“But Osmeña was not satisfied again, saying the precise definition of soft power is the use of nice things like economic aid, cultural ties, among others.

“This did not stop the senator, however, and started asking the definitions of track one, track two and track three diplomacy.

“I have to admit I don’t know the term,” Lee said.”

Another Inquirer report by Cathy Yamsuan said Lee was asked if he had been part of any diplomatic mission to China and he replied he once acted as interpreter for former president Joseph Estrada. “I was beside (Estrada) doing interpretation. He needs me. I was telling him what to do.”

I share Sen. Osmeña’s fears.