Canada’s new Ambassador to Thailand, Ron Hoffmann, seems to have distinguished himself in previous postings. He was deputy head of mission for Canada’s efforts in Afghanistan. Then in mid-2008 he was named Ambassador. Probably the toughest assignment in Canada’s Foreign Affairs portfolio.
According to media reports and the Foreign Affairs ministry website, Hoffmann helped carry out a new program in Afghanistan to turn the tide away from a military focus toward a significant civilian one in which schools, bridges and dams, plus many other things, were improved to make the daily lives of Afghans liveable and survivable, and not insignificantly, put the citizens on the coalition’s side. Well, maybe the Canadians’ side anyway.
However, nine months later, June 2009, he was replaced in war-torn Afghanistan and named Canada’s chief representative to Thailand, with responsibility for Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar (Burma). Although you wouldn’t know it from the Government of Canada Foreign Affairs web site. I couldn’t find his name anywhere on the Canadian Embassy in Thailand site or in any recent press releases. No biography, no open letter to Canadian expats and tourists. Canada has been quite active in several projects in Thailand, from helping to fund the rebuilding of a temple on Phuket, at Kamala Beach, to a portable school setup to help migrants on the Thai-Burmese border and the protesting of new Myanmar military regime charges against Nobel Laureate Aung San Su Kyi.
There must be something more to the move to appoint Hoffmann than merely bureaucratic or political intrigue. A new long, frank interview with Hoffmann on the Irrawaddy online news site provided some hint as to the direction Canada is taking, namely renewing an interest in the affairs of Southeast Asia. Seems to be a popular interest. The Barack Obama administration has recently focused its attentions in the area, with the U.S. president saying he wants to meet ASEAN politicians this month in Singapore. Apparently a U.S. president directly meeting the 10 ASEAN first ministers will be a first -- although Myanmar will not be participating at the moment. The pursuit is a free trade agreement with Southeast Asian nations, which makes North America rather late to the start line as many other Asian and Pacific powerhouses have already signed, sealed and delivered FTA deals.
The Irrawaddy asked some good questions, revealing a rather knowledgeable point of view of Canada’s positions. And Hoffmann replied in kind. He said:
"I also think that the new US administration has come to a reluctant but important conclusion that the tough line [imposing sanctions] taken by principled countries has ultimately made little real difference. Canada will be examining closely the US decision to apply a more multi-faceted approach."
It’s refreshing that Canada is taking a more active role in Southeast Asia, amplified by the fact that is has appointed an Ambassador seasoned by the severe challenge of Afghanistan. Of course, every country gets involved in a particular issue partly because of its own self-interest, usually propelled by the desire to increase bilateral trade. It’s been ever thus.
Another issue is the challenge of Chinese influence. It’s not hard to miss the Chinese who are trying to lock up resources and transportation channels for its goods all over SEA, in direct competition to the West. The threat of greater Chinese influence is one thing that’ll always get presidents and prime ministers out of bed early in the morning.
Caveat: Best you read other sources for the real story of diplomacy and trade in today’s world. I hardly qualify as an expert. Here are some references for the things I wrote about:
LINKS:
- Irrawaddy online news site interviews Canada’s Ambassador to Thailand
- Former Canadian Ambassador to Afghanistan Ron Hoffmann’s thoughts at the end of 2008 on Afghanistan
- Ron Hoffmann’s appointment to Afghanistan (Only stayed from Sept. 2008 to June 2009)
- Ron Hoffmann’s appointment as Canadian Ambassador to Thailand
- Canada’s embassy to Thailand web site
- Story in Canwest News Service (which has wrong start date for Hoffmann appointment in Afghanistan)
- Canada appoints first ambassador to ASEAN
- Canadians help temple rebuilding on Phuket
- Portable school site in Tambon Prakasa Mai to help Isaan, Khmer, Burmese and Mon migrant construction workers get some education
