ARF foreign ministers form a unique group<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Just as every ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) member
\ncountry has its own unique features, the 20 foreign ministers
\nparticipating in today's parley also bring together a unique
\nblend of personalities to the meeting.<\/p>\n
As if proving the adage that \"you don't have to be old to be
\nwise\" and \"you're only as young as you feel\", it is interesting
\nto note that the eldest and youngest foreign minister here today
\nwere also the ones most recently inducted to their posts.<\/p>\n
Born in 1919, Indian Foreign Minister I. Kumar Gujral is the
\neldest of those present, at 76. United States Secretary of State
\nWarren Christopher is the second eldest, at 70. Meanwhile,
\nChina's Qian Qichen comes in a close third, at 68.<\/p>\n
While Gujral is the eldest, Papua New Guinea's Kilroy Genia --
\nwho will be 35 in October -- is the youngest. Both, however, were
\nappointed to their posts just over a month ago, in June.<\/p>\n
The two make up the group of seven \"newcomers\" attending the
\nARF, taking up their foreign ministerial seats at the beginning
\nof the year.<\/p>\n
Japan's Yukihiko Ikeda, Canada's Lloyd Axworthy and Russia's
\nYevgeni Primakov were all appointed as foreign ministers in
\nJanuary. Alexander Downer became Australian foreign minister in
\nMarch, while Amnuay Viravan assumed his post in Thailand in May.<\/p>\n
Age again proves that it is not a gauge to one's ability when
\nwe look at the second-youngest Foreign Minister, Prince Mohamad
\nBolkiah of Brunei, who at the age 48 is the longest-serving
\nminister attending.<\/p>\n
The graduate of the Royal Military College in Sandringham,
\nEngland and father of 10 children now has 12 years of experience
\non the job behind him.<\/p>\n
Despite his age, the youthful prince -- whose hobbies include
\nBadminton and Polo -- can certainly lay claim to being the most
\nsenior foreign minister in the meetings after occupying his
\nposition since 1984.<\/p>\n
The second-longest serving foreign minister is Indonesia's Ali
\nAlatas, who has held his post for two five-year terms since 1988.<\/p>\n
Looking at the stately manner in which the foreign ministers
\ncarry themselves today, it is sometimes hard to imagine them in
\nanything but their current positions.<\/p>\n
Nevertheless, a quick peek into their pasts show they come
\nfrom a wide variety of backgrounds and career beginnings.<\/p>\n
Many are career diplomats who have ascended the ladder of the
\ndiplomatic corps, while others have gained notoriety in other
\nprofessions.<\/p>\n
Singapore's S. Jayakumar, as a professor, is well-known for
\nwriting several books and was formerly dean of the law faculty at
\nthe National University of Singapore. Warren Christopher,
\nmeanwhile, still lists his occupation as an attorney.<\/p>\n
Others have long pursued political careers and held several
\nministerial posts like Lloyd Axworthy, who has been in charge of
\nsuch posts as minister responsible for women in the early 1980s.<\/p>\n
Some even began their professional careers as humble
\njournalists, like Ali Alatas and Yevgeni Primakov.<\/p>\n
Alatas was economic news editor at the National News Agency
\nP.I.A. before starting a glittering career in the Indonesian
\nforeign service in the mid-1950s.<\/p>\n
Primakov started out in broadcasting before holding down
\neditorial positions at the Pravda newspaper between 1962 and
\n1970.<\/p>\n
And if things do break down inside the meetings today, the
\nministers can always call on the talents of Philippine Foreign
\nMinister Domingo L. Siazon, who boasts an impressive command of
\nFilipino, Ilocano, English, Japanese, Spanish, French and German
\nto resolve miscommunication. (mds)<\/p>",
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