Senin, 29 April 2013

SBY fried rice and ‘diplomatic’ walk to remember


SBY fried rice and ‘diplomatic’ walk to remember
Andre Omer Siregar ; Assistant Special Staff to the President for International Relations
JAKARTA POST, 26 April 2013
  

On the second weekend of April 2013, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono gave a treat to all the foreign ambassadors in Jakarta, to “hang out” at the Cipanas Presidential Palace for the day. Cabinet ministers and 103 of the 134 ambassadors and charge d’affairs, heads of ASEAN missions and international organizations and their spouses filled up the palace’s garden.

The round tables that saw ministers and ambassadors mixed together permitted them to not just rub shoulders but also receive updates on domestic policies as well as regional and global perspectives, while also touching base on bilateral cooperation on economic, cultural and political security. Indeed, it was another way to harness the policy of “1 million friends, zero enemies” as stated by Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa in his opening address.

The diplomatic gathering provided an atmosphere of close interactions among the envoys. We could see the Russian, Indian and Emirate ambassadors closely studying the endemic Damar, Saninten, Rasamala and Jamuju trees; the Korean ambassador and his wife counting the horses in the stables, the Chilean ambassador observing the distant and cloudy Mount Pangrango; the US ambassador with his wife tip-toeing on soggy wet grass; the Korean ambassador’s daughters photographing various herbaria; and the Syrian charge d’affaire and his family taking pictures with SBY and First Lady Ani Yudhoyono.

Afterward during a diplomatic quiz, envoys demonstrated their aptitude on Indonesian icons, such as the location of Prambanan Temple, recognizing Luwak coffee, types of batik and knowing the name of the man who designed the Senayan stadium. Some of the Spanish-speaking envoys, with their quick fingers on the buzzer and intuitive guesses, triumphed in the quiz. Last were some singing performances. One could only have imagined the Brunei ambassador’s melodious voice in reviving Broery Marantika songs. And also, one wonders, whether every Swedish ambassador is skilled in delivering ABBA songs? Other touching moments included seeing diplomats’ children approach and carefully observe SBY’s secret recipe for nasi goreng (fried rice).

To ensure the success of the meeting, SBY confessed to having made a diplomatic pact with his foreign minister: “either you sing or you give a speech”; to which Marty diplomatically replied, “Yes, Mr. President, I’m very ready to deliver my speech. I am a born speaker”. The diplomats roared with laughter as they listened to the description of events. All in all, it was a memorable interaction among diplomats and officials.

The diplomatic gathering was good momentum to strengthen Indonesian interest in bilateral cooperation and international relations. Although it was enjoyable, we must remember that for the participating diplomats, the event could still be considered an intelligence-gathering opportunity and a chance to meet key figures in government. Try to recall the days of the Cold War when spies roamed discreetly, especially among diplomats. Back then, just being seen with a diplomat (not even the ambassador) of a particular country could be interpreted in various ways by the intelligence community.

Today, the world is more transparent and full of information. Information-gathering straight from the source is all the more critical, accompanied by human relations and personal perseverance. No wonder Marty said that the role of individual diplomats was invaluable.

“In the diplomatic profession, the role of an individual diplomat can make a huge difference in being able to impart and add value to relations between the countries concerned,” Marty stated. After such interactions, try imagining the cable report sent the following Monday. It might even read like this: “Attended SBY/Marty diplomatic gathering. Discussed pending issues with relevant ministers. New cooperation opportunities in energy sector, economic, culture, military and business. Suggest further government, business, people interaction. Await further instructions”.

Now imagine those cables dispatched simultaneously to 103 capitals worldwide. In receiving the cable, perhaps the initial reaction of a foreign minister or organization chief is to trust Indonesia. “Establish new bilateral opportunities. Explore potential for Indonesia to engage further on regional and global challenges (UN, G20, APEC, East Asia Summit, Syria, Korean Peninsula, Eurozone and Africa)”. Of course, that could be an oversimplification. But by possessing such a favorable environment for diplomatic relations, it does spur new opportunities for individual innovation, as indicated by Marty.

It is this kind of diplomatic dynamic that Indonesia analysts need to appreciate and exploit. They need to not merely overanalyze the past activities of SBY and Marty, but to explore new ways that Indonesia, with its endowments of natural and human resources and political capital, could project itself further in international affairs as it approaches 2030.

Hence, this gathering not only becomes a memorable visit for diplomats but, more importantly, a chance for observers to explore Indonesia’s full potential. 

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