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South Pacific Independent News Network · 06-12-2021, 02:03 PM

Year 18 | 12 June 2021

JUNE 2021 CABINET ELECTION
MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS INTERVIEW
Moderator: James D. Halpert | Participant: Qaweritoyu

Welcome to the June 2021 Minister of Foreign Affairs Interview!

I am James Halpert and I will be the moderator of this interview with Qaweritoyu, candidate for Minister of Foreign Affairs. This interview is sponsored by the South Pacific Independent News Network.

The format of this interview will consist of a single section:

• The only section will feature questions on the candidate’s qualifications, intended policies and their vision for the coming term.

The candidate is asked to clearly mark the end of their answers so that I may know when to move on to the next question and to answer no later than 3 minutes after a question has been asked.
Opening Remarks

[Qaweritoyu] I didn't have one prepared in particular but I'm Qaz, most of you probably know me. I am the current Secretary of State of the TSP MoFA. I have been involved in the MoFA on and off since 2018, continuously since November 2019 and thank you for having me here today.

Your campaign has a heavy focus on administration, rather than foreign policy positions. Does that reveal anything about the way you perceive the responsibilities of the Minister of Foreign Affairs? What role does policy definition and implementation play to you, vis-à-vis administration?

[Qaweritoyu] Well, I think, first and foremost, the MoFA is not a purely administrative position and that it will require you to be, maybe not an expert in terms of foreign policy exactly but very close but I focused more on administration in my campaign based on the work I have been doing as Secretary of State this term and what I have seen unfold.

In terms of having an approach to TSP, my approach very much remains to represent the qualities of the region to our neighbours so not having an emphasis on it in the campaign doesn't mean it won't happen, it means it didn't strike me as something, in the past term, which needed fixing.

Earlier this year there was tension with the North Pacific over the practice of quorum raiding. This incident went largely unresolved. Could you expand on how you plan to address this, if at all, and what options remain on the table regarding the future relations with the North Pacific?

[Qaweritoyu] Due to ongoing activity in the current MoFA, of which I am an involved member, I don't see it fit to comment on this at this time. I am bound by my involvement to confidentiality surrounding the matter at this time.

How do you envision relations with regions, such as the East Pacific, that are not part of the defender world? Is there a particular role that you would like to see them play in the region's foreign policy?

[Qaweritoyu] Well, I think it's fair to say we'd all love to see them become a defender region but it'd be a miracle is that happened, the chances are quite slim. I get on well with TEP's inhabitants but this does not change anything from a military point of view, we're going to remain defenders and they won't and I don't think, friends or not, we can be expected to be inconsistent in our ideals, if they act in such a way as to make us question their actions and so act, I think that's only natural and to be expected. My opening sentence to this response was only partially a joke as that is all we can hope, we can't force them to become defender and I don't think encouragement is right either, for them to become so of their own accord is possibly wishful thinking but it is our best hope for now.

Desserts are a contentious issue in the region. Do you prefer cake or pie?

[Qaweritoyu] Ooh, yes please, as if I haven't put on enough weight in the past year but yes to all of the above and more!

Cross Questioning

[Jay Coop] Hi, Qaz! First of all, I'd like to apologize that we couldn't debate face-to-face. Unfortunately, I had some RL commitments that couldn't let me debate with you. Our campaigns are like yin and yang. Your campaign seems more administration-focused, while mine is arguably more policy-focused. So fair warning, my questions will be policy-heavy.

I was surprised to find no mention of the Partnership for Sovereignty in your campaign thread. If elected, how will you interact with your counterparts in the PfS and work on developing and maintaining the bloc?

[Qaweritoyu] Well, as I already said, my campaign is based on what I have experienced and, I suppose, my worries for the future of the Ministry, I didn't say that before but it can't be denied that did play a role. I'm not ignoring a foreign policy but that I am very much pleased with the current Minister's approach to this and inspired to continue it. I will work with my counterparts, I will continue to uphold it and work with OWL in doing so. OWL will know WA isn't a huge area for me but I am aware of it, its necessity and committed to facilitating PfS and the work they do. Part of my hope is to point Advisors and I would hope at least one of those will be more expert in that area than me. Sorry if this response doesn't really know its right hand from its left.

[Jay Coop] Are you willing to terminate the Aurora Alliance treaty with The North Pacific if efforts to come to a resolution fail?

[Qaweritoyu] I am neither for or against any particular result to discussions, I am open to anything, however, if it comes to that, yes, I am.

[Jay Coop] Do you believe that the League has done enough to earn a spot in the PfS?

[Qaweritoyu] I believe it has done good work to this point but I don't think they're quite ready yet, I think a few more months could tell. I get the impression they're trying to move too quickly and I think they need to slow a bit and take their time rather than rush and good things come to those who wait.

[Jay Coop] The South Pacific has a treaty with all PfS members except the Philippines. What steps would you take to develop a bilateral relationship with the Philippines, if any?

[Qaweritoyu] I've not really given it thought, I have to be honest, I am not comfortable trying to form a response on the matter before I have given it proper thought.

[Jay Coop] With the ongoing delegate election in The East Pacific, the candidates have been upfront that the Consortium has been a failed project. On another front, the WALL has suffered from stagnation, something admitted by leadership candidates in member regions. Do you believe that this is a learning opportunity for the PfS to avoid the same mistakes? If so, what would you do to avert these potential issues?

[Qaweritoyu] I hate to speak as if they were our example, however, I do think they were a perfect learning opportunity for the PfS. Again, I do have to think, though, it should be noted these are more personal thoughts than objective, that they also tried to rush into having an alliance that all thought about the long-term existence of the alliance was not thought through. Whilst I do think the PfS was thought through, I think it's a reminder that there is no deadline for this work and that we should do it with our regions' collective interests in mind rather than to say, "Hey, look at what we did!"

Closing Remarks

[Qaweritoyu] TSP is at its best when it works together. Working together, our MoFA will achieve great things and I look forward to the term ahead with great anticipation and thank you for having me.

The South Pacific Independent News Network (SPINN) is an independent news organisation established in 2003 with the goal of providing good, insightful and timely commentary on regional events for the citizens of the South Pacific. Opinions expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of the Editorial Board. Content is published via pseudonyms. The SPINN is not associated with the Government of the South Pacific.