20110630 EDITORIAL: Diplomats have that much free time?

EDITORIAL: Diplomats have that much free time?

The recent sexual misconduct allegation involving an aide to Taiwan’s representative to Fiji no doubt came as a scandalous shock to many, rocking diplomatic circles and casting a negative light on his diplomatic duty, which is supposed to be to uphold and promote a positive image of Taiwan. The subsequent so-called punitive action meted out by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs comes across as equally shocking, to say the least. Handing First Secretary Leon Liu (劉壽軒) two mere demerits for “improper physical actions” seems to indicate a lack of seriousness at the ministry concerning a matter that has severely damaged the nation’s name and image.

While groping a female employee without her consent already constitutes severe misconduct, Liu offered the ridiculous excuse that he wanted to “investigate the breast shape of women from the South Pacific islands.”

Minister of Foreign Affairs Timothy Yang (楊進添) said on Tuesday that he was truly saddened by the incident, pointing out that diplomatic officials are different from ordinary people in that they represent the country and that any misconduct would hurt the nation’s image and dignity.

Yang said he had decided to hand out “more severe” disciplinary measures for Liu over the matter. However, if giving Liu two demerits constitutes “more severe” disciplinary action in dealing with the matter, it would raise serious doubts over the standards the ministry has adopted in handing out disciplinary action.

As documents the Trade Mission of the Republic of China sent to the Republic of the Fiji Islands suggest the incident has been settled out of court with 5,000 Fijian dollars (US$2,840) paid to the local employee, this raises the question whether it was the result of Liu’s superior, Taiwan’s Representative to Fiji Victor Chin (秦日新), working to cover up Liu’s alleged escapades.

Adding more damage to Taiwan’s international reputation is the allegation against Chin himself, who, in addition to having been accused of misusing public funds, is alleged to have been having an affair with a Japanese woman who worked at the Japanese embassy in Fiji.

While Chin has flatly denied having an extramarital affair — the issue remains under investigation — the slew of alleged scandalous irregularities begs the question: What has gone wrong with the nation’s diplomatic workers?

Given Taiwan’s dire diplomatic situation as a result of China’s persisting obstruction, Taiwanese diplomats have their work cut out for them abroad and the hard work of many should not be overshadowed by the incidents that allegedly took place at the Fiji mission.

However, under President Ma Ying-jeou’s (馬英九) “diplomatic truce,” in which Taipei no longer competes with Beijing for diplomatic allies, the allegations about what has been happening in Fiji seem to indicate that the nation’s public servants stationed abroad are being left with too much time on their hands with nothing better to do but fill their time with personal social affairs while on the taxpayers’ payroll. This could result in incompetent and despicable public servants — rather than those working toward improving bilateral relations — creating the lasting impression of Taiwan in the countries in which they are posted.