This year marks the 40th year since the Germans opened an embassy in Kingston. Dr. Christian Hausmann, German Ambassador, looks into the files of German missions in Jamaica and into the history of German-Jamaican relations.
"GERMAN CONSUL due next week" The Gleaner informed the Jamaican public on January 7, 1958, explaining that Mr. Freiherr (i.e. Baron) von Mullenheim-Rechberg is en route to Jamaica and that there is already a vice-consul on the spot "to make arrangements for the establishment of the German Consulate" in Kingston.
And one week later, a photo in The Gleaner shows the Baron and his wife aboard the liner "Oranje Nassau", just before setting foot on Jamaican soil: Mullenheim, as he shortly names himself, a Baron, tall, slim and, on all photos that show him, with a straight, military posture, even when he shows his engaging smile, or, less often, a wide grin.
No wonder. He received a military education at the German Navy, was fighting aboard German warships in World War II and, as one of only 150 men survived the sinking of the ill-fated battleship "Bismarck", which in 1943 took more than 2,000 sailors to the bottom of the Irish Sea, after a British naval formation had hunted it all the way from Norway and a torpedo had disabled its rudder.
Some considerations about diplomatic presence in the Caribbean had proceeded von Mllenheim's arrival. Germany (or, to be more precise, the Federal Republic of Germany) at that time, was represented by an Honorary Consul in Port of Spain, Trinidad. "On the other hand, the appointment of an Honorary Consul in Kingston has been deferred in light of the expected opening of a General Consulate", an internal paper of the Foreign Office writes in 1958, and it goes on to say, with respect to the Caribbean Federation: "Maybe that, for political reasons, it is not appropriate at this time, that the Federal Republic attaches too much importance to the Federation which is coming into being, but whose eventual fate can by no means be predicted as yet. "As we know, history has soon confirmed those doubts and the Foreign Office was certainly right in stating, ".... that irrespective of the formation of the Caribbean Federation and its future capital Port-of-Spain, the establishment of a Consulate in Kingston should be accelerated."
"FUNCTIONAL TO A LIMITED EXTENT"
So von Mllenberg arrived on Jan 13, 1958, and confirmed in a cable: "Arrived in Kingston January 13. Postal address temporarily, Kingston PO general delivery, cable address Consugerma.", and few days later, wired "The Consulate has now established a temporary office at Port Royal Street 19, Kingston. The telephone number is 2218. However, it has to be mentioned, that until a move to larger premises and the arrival of the main initial equipment, the Consulate will only be functional to a limited extent."
Press photos taken during the same year show the Baron as part of the regular diplomatic life, giving receptions or concerts and saluting personalities like the Governor or Mrs. Edna Manley, wife of Prime Minister Norman Manley.
ESTABLISHING DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS
Jamaican Independence, though, was imminent, and in February 1962, von Mllenheim suggests in a report that on August 6, 1962 the consulate "be converted to a Diplomatic Mission".
Germany had indeed decided to recognise Jamaican independence on the very day
of its declaration. The German Foreign Minister sent a telegram of recognition
and congratulations to the Prime Minister of Jamaica, Sir Alexander Bustamante,
declaring "...that the Federal Republic of Germany recognises Jamaica as an
independent and sovereign State." And he went on to announce "That the Federal
Republic of Germany intends to take up diplomatic relations with Jamaica", in
other words: to convert the consulate into an Embassy.
Prime Minister Bustamante replied with a very friendly telegram, which reads: "I thank you most warmly for your kind telegram on Jamaica's attainment of independence STOP I shall look forward to the maintenance of friendly and cordial relations between our two countries STOP As I have already informed you by letter the government of Jamaica will welcome the establishment of diplomatic relations between our two countries. Bustamante, Prime Minister Jamaica."
Meanwhile, preparations continue to turn the Consulate into an Embassy and the Consul into an Ambassador. Among other, General Instructions are drafted, which summarise on three pages the principles of German politics towards Jamaica and the main tasks of its future Ambassador. Some of these principles are, of course, due to the constellation of foreign politics at that time, and it is with the serenity and indulgence of a later generation, that we read, e.g., that Jamaica does not maintain relations to the countries of the Eastern Bloc, but that the Ambassador should devote his attention "to the already discernible endeavours of the Eastern bloc, to ... gain sympathy and get a foothold in the country". Other statements may still be valid today: "(Jamaica) does not only enjoy a special position in the Caribbean region because of its size, the size of its population and its riches but also because of its relatively stable democratic system of government which existed before independence, its friendship with the USA and Canada, countries to which we are aligned, as well as its continuation in the British Commonwealth."
And looking to domestic politics "the inner political development is characterised through the rivalry of the country's two major parties, the "People's National Party" and the "Jamaica Labour Party" of the present Prime Minister whose party took away the power from its rival in the election in 1961.
Just because in this turbulent country almost all problems of the Caribbean Islands nationalism, anticolonialism, racial tensions, overpopulation, unemployment, poverty, strikes are present, it is of special interest to us ..." The paper, by the way is signed by the Secretary of State (vice-minister) in the Foreign Office, Karl Carstens.
Almost 20 years later, we will meet him on a state visit to Jamaica, having been elected President of the Federal Republic. "The Nation of Jamaica enjoys our Sympathies" With respect to German objectives, the instruction says "Our politics in the Caribbean region, including Jamaica, are guided by the wish, to live in friendship and peace with all nations which have gained independence as well as with those who still want to become independent. We foster especially good co-operation with those states which, like Jamaica, lean favourably towards us and which show an interest and openness for our national interests. The nation of Jamaica enjoys, therefore, our sympathy and your work should aim to develop this mutual friendship and to strengthen it."
The European aspect, is present as well: "It is of great importance to the Federal Government that the Government of Jamaica and her other partners are informed of the aims of the European Community and that a possible fear of discrimination of Jamaica through the Common Market is dispelled."
Von Mllenheim, himself, is also trying to press his case to become Ambassador: "It may be recommended to accelerate the establishment of a diplomatic mission in Jamaica" he writes in a cable dated November 8, 1962 after reporting, that at "a social gathering the Minister of State in the Jamaican Ministry of Foreign Affairs asked me when the opening of a diplomatic mission of the Federal Republic of Germany in Jamaica can be expected."
Eventually February 6, 1963 was decided to be the day for the presentation of credentials. The files do not tell us, why two more months had to pass. May be the always busy Christmas season was not deemed suitable?
But our Baron, too, in turn, seems to have enjoyed extended partying after the big event. Because only, one week later, on February 13, we find his report: "On the 6th of this month I presented to H.E. Sir Clifford Campbell, G.C.M.G. the Letters of Credence. ..."
In the subsequent conversation the two gentlemen are talking business, too: "Sir Clifford shared the hope expressed by me, that now, after the establishment of diplomatic relations, an increase in the direct exports from Jamaica to the Federal Republic, as hoped for by many German and Jamaican business circles, will come about."
And with respect to the development of the European Community, Sir Clifford displays prophetic skills: "Sir Clifford does not regard the situation which has arisen after the failed negotiations in Brussels in respect of Great Britain entering the European Common Market, as a final one. He expressed the hope that there may be a possibility of Great Britain joining at a later date..." The now Ambassador adds a few confidential remarks about the character and personality of the Governor General, which now, 40 years later, may not seem to be inappropriate to be published: "Sir Clifford proved to be a pleasant conversation partner, to whom one can find contact quickly. He exudes a calm dignity. I gained the impression, that Sir Clifford, who was not well known by the public prior to his call to office and who the local press labelled as merely having an "undistinguished record" as a parliamentarian (he last was President of the Senate), will master the task of the high office better than still expected by many..."
POLITICAL MEETINGS AT HIGH LEVEL
Relation between Germany and Jamaica developed well. In 1967, Prime Minister Hugh Shearer travelled to Germany and met with the Chancellor, Kurt Georg Kiesinger.
Kiesinger's Foreign Minister, at that time, was Willy Brandt, also leader of the Social Democratic Party, Germany being ruled by a "grand coalition" at that time. Brandt became Chancellor in 1969, and two years later came to Jamaica in June 1961 to meet Hugh Shearer, who had continued in office as Prime Minister.
Manley, in turn, is Prime Minister when he travels to Germany in February 1978. The Chancellor he met, though, was Helmut Schmidt, Willy Brandt's successor in office. And we see Schmidt, only one month later (March 1978), shaking hands with the Jamaican Foreign Minister, by the name of P.J. Patterson. And as change is the constant factor in democracy, the Prime Minister who welcomes German Federal President Karl Carstens in 1982, is Edward Seaga.
Carstens obviously enjoyed his stay in Jamaica, for which a visit of the Federal
Navy training vessel "Deutschland" was part of a suitable social framework.
Political substance was in an agreement on development cooperation, which the
two leaders, Seaga and Carstens signed on April 13, 1982.
Carstens also went to see the Jamaican German Automotive school, the core piece
of the developing cooperation on vocational training between Heart/NTA and the
German GTZ.All in all, about 500 Million Deutschmarks of German assistance has
flown to Jamaica, not included the German share (over 25 per cent) of the European
Union assistance.
Bilateral assistance is now in the process of being phased out, Jamaica being considered as a (lower) middle income country. Trade, though, is flourishing, and in 2001, we witnessed an increase of almost 80 percent, while Jamaica was still able to hold its edge of a small surplus in the bilateral trade balance.
