Remarks at Confirmation Hearing at Liberian Senate 7 March 2012

Introductory Remarks by Thomas Kaydor, Jr.

Assistant Minister for Afro-Asian Affairs Designate

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

At the Senate Confirmation Hearing

Wednesday, 7 March 2012

1. I.                   Introduction:

Hon. Chairman and Members on the Senate Statutory Committee on Foreign Affairs; Members of the Liberian Senate; distinguished ladies and gentlemen:

I am honored today to appear in front of this illustrious committee in the Upper House of the Liberian Legislature to present my perspective on why I should be confirmed as an Assistant Minister for Afro-Asian Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.  I am deeply grateful to God first for this opportunity; and to the President of the Republic of Liberia, Her Excellency Madam Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf for nominating me to this post. I am equally thankful to my wife Madam Helen Garbo Kaydor, our children, and my entire family for allowing me to accept this national duty. This allows me come back home from my most recent UN assignment in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia where I served as UN Common Services Coordination Advisor.

1. II.                My Understanding of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs:

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is that arm of government charged with the task of formulating and implementing the foreign policy and diplomatic relations of Liberia under the guidance and with the consent of the President of the Republic of Liberia. The Ministry retains a foreign policy coordinating position to foster the national interest of the Republic of Liberia.

The Ministry is headed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs who is also known as the Dean of the Cabinet, and is appointed by the President, with the advice and consent of the Senate. The Ministry has Deputy Ministers and several Assistant Ministers (one of which I have been nominated to and for which I have come to get your blessing and confirmation to begin work for our dear country). This Ministry came into existence along with the first Government in 1848. It was created by constitutional provisions as first cabinet position in the Executive Branch of Government. In its formative days, the Ministry was referred to as the Department of State, and the Minister was called Secretary of State.

1. III.             Overview of Liberia’s Foreign Policy:

Since the Ministry of Foreign Affairs deals with Liberia’s diplomatic relation and Foreign Policy matters, one has to provide an overview of Liberia’s Foreign Policy at this national forum. Liberia’s Foreign Policy is firmly rooted in its political ideology of liberalism and democracy. Generally speaking, the guiding principles of Liberia’s foreign policy has been the maintenance of national security and the preservation of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the State, the promotion of peace and harmony based on the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of other states, and unity in the international community.

Historically, the fundamental thrust of Liberia’s foreign policy objective before the mid 1960s was predominantly the maintenance of national independence, due to threats posed by colonial powers to the Lone Star. The foreign policy objective, with successes of the independence and anti-apartheid struggle was devoted to economic, social and political development.

Due to the 14 years civil conflict between 1990 and 2003, the foreign policy was focused on securing national and regional peace, stability and promoting reconciliation. With the end of the war, the Foreign Policy objective is being refocused on national reconciliation, socio-economic and political development and the consolidation of peace and security in the sub-region. In short, the vision of the Foreign Ministry will center on the contemporary foreign policy goal of the Government of Her Excellency President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf; and that goal is to engender development diplomacy. In practice, development diplomacy uses Liberia’s diplomatic relations and foreign policy to foster socio-economic development in country based on our national interest-the security of the state and the wellbeing of its people.  This means, if confirmed, we must assist and support the Minister, Deputy Ministers and coordinate with other Assistant Ministers to achieve those objectives that will enhance the socio-political and economic wellbeing of all Liberian citizens. This task requires the requisite technocrats at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. These technocrats will engage in diplomacy-the art or practice of conducting international relations, as in negotiating alliances, treaties, and agreements; and peacefully using tact and skills in dealing with people representing other countries.

1. IV.              Key Responsibilities of the Assistant Minister for Afro Asian Affairs:
2. a.      Support to the Minister, Deputies and other Assistant Ministers:

The Office of the Assistant Minister for Afro-Asian Affairs will provide strategic support to the Minister, the Foreign Ministry and the Office of the President to ensure that Liberia’s diplomatic relations are skillfully articulated and fulfilled in Africa and Asia including the Middle East.  This Office liaises with and coordinates Liberia’s diplomatic missions in Africa and Asia to obtain first hand information on the functioning of those missions and debrief the Minister. Through coordination with those missions, the Assistant Minister for Afro Asian Affairs obtains contemporary information on diplomatic, political and security issues as well as development opportunities that Liberia could benefit from Africa and Asia. With such information, the government of Liberia makes informed decision and enters into agreement with other states on issues of mutual benefits. 

This office falls broadly under the direction of the President of Liberia, but particularly under the Minister of Foreign Affairs. The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs oversees the regional Bureaus including: a) Bureau of American affairs, b) Bureau of Africa-Asia Affairs, c) Bureau of European Affairs, and d) Bureau of foreign Affairs. Other Deputy Ministers at the Ministry also have direct and indirect supervisory role over the Assistant Ministers.  We will therefore seek to build the required relationship and coordination mechanism at home and with Liberia’s foreign missions in the Afro Asian region to ensure that the roles and responsibilities of the Office are efficaciously fulfilled.

Hon. Chairman and Members of the Committee, if confirmed as the Assistant Minister for Afro-Asian Affairs we would coordinate Foreign and diplomatic relations in the regions of Africa and Asia, being fully responsible to brief the Minister periodically on socio-political, economic and developmental issues in countries that fall within the Afro-Asian Region. We would also be in the position to provide essential documentations, briefing/background notes, etc. to the Office of the President, the Minister, deputy Ministers, Liberia’s ambassadors accredited to countries in Asia and Africa as would be required and once the need arises. We will support and work with the Minister to achieve the first 100 days deliverables he enunciated here during his confirmation hearing. One of this is the formulation of a Strategic Plan for the Ministry to, in the words of the Minister, “delineate the big targets and outcomes we intend to achieve over the next few years”. Specifically at the Afro Asian Bureau, we will deliberate on and carve the Bureau’s Strategic Plan to serve as navigating compass for the six years constituting our tenure.

As foreign policy is an extension of domestic policies, we will also support and assist the Minister to coordinate with other line ministries, autonomous agencies and public corporations of the government to ensure that the ingredients to serve the domestic interest of the state are guaranteed through our attraction of the necessary international support from African and Asian countries directly in our domain of duty.

1. b.      Supervision and Coordination of Embassies:

The Afro Asian Bureau has the responsibility to oversee, supervise and or coordinate the affairs and well being of the various Liberian embassies and missions in Africa and Asia.  This role entails accessing basic information on the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats facing our foreign missions.  We will therefore, if confirmed, endeavor to scan and take stock of all foreign missions within our area of jurisdiction to inform the Ministry/Government about the number of staff members abroad and their wellbeing. The issues affecting the smooth operations of the foreign missions will be catalogued and availed to the Minister and Deputy Ministers for appropriate action where necessary. As our foreign missions directly represent Liberia in the international system, we will spare no efforts in putting their interest at the core of our work upon taking office. We will also work with the Inspector General to assess capacity gaps in our foreign missions and make recommendations to the relevant authorities to bridge those capacity gaps that may exist.

In this same vein, we will do cost benefits analysis of establishing consulates or embassies in countries that Liberia needs for mutual economic, technological, and security benefits. Such countries include, but not limited to, India, Kenya, Israel, etc.

1. c.       Employment Opportunities:

The Office of the Assistant Minister for Afro Asian Affairs has a pivotal role in engendering employment opportunities in and outside of Liberia.  Near Monrovia, there are embassies, consulates, etc. operated by various countries with which Liberia has diplomatic ties. Those diplomatic missions contract and or employ Liberians to work in their chanceries, consulates, etc.  We will, if confirmed, negotiate with those missions to provide us updates on job openings so that Liberians from all walks of life would have access to vacancies and employment opportunities that exist. We would strive to create a one stop shop (either web based or through alternative accessible information mechanism) through which such employment opportunities at those African and Asian diplomatic missions could be made accessible.

Out of Liberia, the Afro Asian Bureau has strategic coordination role with the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), the African Union (AU), the Economic Community for West African States (ECOWAS), the Mano River Union (MRU) and other inter-governmental organizations in Africa and Asia. We would, if confirmed by you Honorable Senators, liaise with those IGOs and provide information on employment opportunities to the public. This will allow Liberians take advantage of such job openings. The minister of Foreign Affairs, the deputies and other Assistant Ministers would be fully debriefed on job opportunities for Liberians so that they could provide relevant recommendations where needed.

1. d.      Educational Opportunities:

If confirmed, we will also lobby African and Asian countries for academic, tertiary, and vocational scholarships for Liberian students. Scholarship negotiations with states in our domain would be done in a two pronged approach.  The first leg will focus on negotiating local scholarships that will benefit majority of Liberian youths in need at various institutions of learning in the country. The second will seek to attract foreign scholarship opportunities for Liberians to study in African and Asian states. Such diplomatic negotiation will have to meet the consensus of the Minister of Foreign Affairs as the Team Leader, and the deputies at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

1. V.                 Internal Office Strategic Leadership:

The Office of the Assistant Minister for Afro Asian Affairs is supported by technicians including Desk Officers, Analysts, and other relevant support staff that provide timely and strategic analysis on diplomatic issues that required the reaction or action of the President of the Republic of Liberia, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.  From our initial review of the Afro Asian Bureau, there is a lack of substantive logistics and an absence of the most attractive work environment befitting such auspicious Bureau. To make the Bureau more proactive, robust, effective, and efficient, we would coordinate with the Minister Proper, the Deputy Minister for Administration and the Afro Asian diplomatic missions near Monrovia as well as other interested parties to ensure that the offices in the Bureau are fully renovated, furnished with computers, printers, scanners, air conditioners, etc. This would increase the morale of staff members and capacitate them to undertake their duties and responsibilities in a more responsible manner. In this regard, we would count on your strong budgetary support to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to make our vision come to pass. We will adopt a transformative and participatory leadership posture in leading the Bureau.

1. VI.              Qualification and Experience that I bring to the Post:

It would be a disservice to this honorable body if I were to conclude without outlining my competence, experience and qualification for this post. I am a 19 March 1973 born Liberian.  I graduated from the St. Francis High School in the beautiful City of Pleebo, Maryland County-the County that the Chair of this Honorable Committee represents.  I hold Master of Arts degree (Summa Cum Laude) in Political Science-International Relations to be specific from the Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida Graduate School of International Studies, University of Liberia; a Bachelor of Arts degree (Magna Cum Laude) in Comparative Government and Politics and History from Liberia College, University of Liberia; Diploma in Development and Management of Inter-governmental and Non-governmental Organizations from the Galilee International Management Institute (formerly Galilee College) in Israel; and Certificate in Human Rights Based Approach and Results Based Management from the United Nations Staff College in Turin, Italy. I also hold several professional certificates and awards as indicated in my CV presented to all 30 Members of the Honorable Liberian Senate through the Office of the Secretary of the Senate.

In terms of my job experience, I served as Common Services/Coordination Advisor to the UN System in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; and UN Coordination Analyst and National Coordination Officer respectively in the Office of the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary General for Recovery and Governance, Resident Coordinator, Humanitarian Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in Liberia. I also served as Chief of Office Staff in the Office of the Chairman on Executive, House of Representatives; Field Supervisor of the USAID sponsored Social Reintegration Programme, and Psychosocial Officer for World Vision Liberia. I have taught several schools and did serve as Teaching Assistant at several colleges and universities.

1. VII.           Conclusion:

Honorable Chair and Members of the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, I am a competent international Civil Servant; a team builder; political activist; an aid coordinator; a Programme Manager & Coordinator providing leadership and organizational awareness; a strategic planner and strategic decision maker; an evidence based socio-political and economic analyst and researcher; a trainer/builder and results based manager of  effective relationships, including the ability to navigate complex political environments; an advocate, a human rights practitioner, a Pan Africanist, and a creative and innovative administrator  working to overcome barriers and lead change management in organizations, communities, and systems. In summary, I am a diplomat and a contemporary scholar.

Mr. Chairman and Honorable Members of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Honorable Members of the Senate, based on my qualification and national/international experience, I am of the strongest conviction that the President, Her Excellency Madam Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has made no mistake to nominate me to serve in this post. If I am confirmed by you, I commit to ensuring that the strategic national interest of Liberia would be served using the necessary diplomatic instruments to negotiate and attract the most needed international support from Africa and Asia. We promise to serve with the highest moral standards including, but not limited to, dignity, sincerity, integrity, honesty, transparency and commitment.   We thank you for the opportunity to appear here today to be cross-examined by the illustrious and Honorable Members of this Committee in order to determine our fitness to serve this strategic position at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. With your blessing, we will always depend on your oversight, guidance and submit where and when necessary.

Thank you and God bless Liberia. Liberia First!