"I am formally accountable to the steering board of the PIC, and I meet with nine ambassadors from the PIC every week. I have to have the capitals' broad agreement with what I do"
About this Quote
The quote by Paddy Ashdown refers to his role in an intricate global governance structure, specifically in relation to the Peace Implementation Council (PIC). This council was developed in the wake of the Dayton Agreement, which ended the Bosnian War in 1995. In this context, Ashdown is highlighting the complex nature of worldwide oversight and the dispersed accountability in post-conflict governance.
First of all, Ashdown notes that he is "formally responsible to the guiding board of the PIC". This implies that his actions and choices undergo examination and must line up with the expectations and objectives set by the guiding board, which represents the interests and arrangements of several international stakeholders concentrated on Bosnia and Herzegovina's post-war reconstruction and stabilization.
When he points out meeting with "9 ambassadors from the PIC each week", Ashdown highlights the regular and ongoing diplomatic engagement needed in his function. These ambassadors might represent different leading countries and entities within the PIC, tasked with guaranteeing that policies and efforts are progressing as intended under the shared goals of peace and development. This frequent interaction recommends a dynamic environment where real-time interaction and consensus-building are crucial.
Last but not least, the declaration "I need to have the capitals' broad contract with what I do" highlights the need of securing approval from the capitals of the nations associated with the PIC. This stresses the decentralized nature of decision-making in international relations, where individual countries kept a say in substantial actions and techniques. Ashdown's approach needed balancing various national interests and viewpoints to achieve an unified and efficient implementation of the mandate set for the region's recovery.
In general, the quote encapsulates the crucial aspects of diplomacy, accountability, and international cooperation in handling and dealing with intricate post-conflict environments, underscoring the intricate systems of worldwide governance and the role of essential figures like Paddy Ashdown in browsing them.