Diplomat who tames hostility<\/p>\n
Christina Schott, Contributor, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Respect, says Wiryono Sastrohandoyo, is the basis of
\neverything.<\/p>\n
\"If you want to be credible, you should behave credibly, if
\nyou want to be loved, you should behave lovably. And if you want
\nto be respected you should behave respectably.\"<\/p>\n
Profound words from a man who has repeatedly succeeded in
\nsustaining harmony between friends during periods of turbulence.<\/p>\n
The veteran diplomat should know all about it. It was he who
\nserved as Indonesian ambassador in Canberra when Indonesian and
\nAustralian ties were threatened by a flurry of tension over the
\nEast Timor affair.<\/p>\n
It is also heartwarming for peace-loving Indonesians to know
\nthat a nationalist who lauds respect for others be the person in
\ncharge of ongoing peace talks with the Free Aceh Movement (GAM).<\/p>\n
\"I love my country and I don't want to see it disintegrate,\"
\nhe said in an interview with The Jakarta Post.<\/p>\n
\"But I also understand the Acehnese people. On both sides
\nthere are not any angels: The first victim of any conflict is
\nalways human rights.\"<\/p>\n
For foreign policy watchers, Wiryono is the perfect choice for
\nthe delicate task of talking with GAM. Since he has also
\nofficially retired from the foreign service, Wiryono can
\napparently also be more flexible in his dealings.<\/p>\n
\"He has nothing to lose, because he has retired anyway,\" says
\nAcehnese Rizal Sukma of the Centre for Strategic and
\nInternational Studies (CSIS).<\/p>\n
\"He tries to get the opinion of every group in this country,
\nand I think therefore he is also respected by the opposite side,\"
\nRizal added.<\/p>\n
Wiryono, however, has no illusions about the long and
\ndifficult task ahead, including the very fact that he remains a
\nnegotiator for the Indonesian government.<\/p>\n
\"Every negotiation needs time, so please give us time and
\ndon't judge before the process has even really started,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Having to deal with harsh opposition and hostile attitudes is
\nnot alien to him.<\/p>\n
The experience of, possibly, being the focus of anger was
\nsomething Wiryono had to face head-on during his closing term as
\nambassador to Australia.<\/p>\n
Being the highest Indonesian representative in Australia in
\nthe days of chaos which swept East Timor following the historic
\nAug. 30, 1999 ballot, Wiryono must have felt like the prime
\ntarget in a shooting gallery as harsh and sometimes personal
\nattacks from media and activists were directed his way.<\/p>\n
This experience no doubt left its marks on the father of
\nthree.<\/p>\n
This \"scars\", however, have also brought about criticism of
\nhim, in spite of his endeavor to remain patient.<\/p>\n
Wiryono became very sensitive in his reactions to judgments by
\nthe press and activists.<\/p>\n
As soon as he starts to feel that an interviewer has a
\npreconceived opinion before he even gets an answer to a question,
\nhe will refuse to continue any further with the interview.<\/p>\n
Be damned with protocol.<\/p>\n
Nevertheless, no one can doubt that Wiryono is an
\nextraordinary diplomat.<\/p>\n
His hard work in helping to ensure Jakarta and Canberra
\nremained friends during that rocky period is in part testament to
\nhis diplomatic skill.<\/p>\n
\"Diplomacy is a job. It's better you do it in a pleasant way,
\nbut if this is not possible you still have to finish your job as
\nwell in an unpleasant way,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The 68-year-old Javanese is a diplomat of the old school who
\nknows only too well about discussing interesting details without
\nrevealing anything of importance.<\/p>\n
But neither is he a sly talker who will say anything to avoid
\nfriction. He is much too passionate about his profession to be
\nable to hide his emotions.<\/p>\n
The tale of Wiryono typifies his character as a worldly man
\nwith strong traditional roots.<\/p>\n
Born the son of a local policeman in Yogyakarta, the young
\nWiryono dreamed of traveling the globe and then went on to study
\ninternational affairs in Jakarta and Geneva.<\/p>\n
The dawn of his career began in 1962 when he joined the
\nMinistry of Foreign Affairs.<\/p>\n
Working his way up the career ladder, the missions he served
\nat included those in Argentina, France and the United States.<\/p>\n
The pinnacle of his career was serving as ambassador to
\nAustria, France and then in 1996 to Australia.<\/p>\n
Despite leaving the diplomatic service three years ago, he
\nremains in great demand. So much so that his family has begun
\nasking if he really has retired.<\/p>\n
Among his many responsibilities these days are as a senior
\nconsultant at CSIS, a commissioner at the Australian Hospital and
\nof course as chief negotiator for the Aceh peace talks.<\/p>\n
\"You can retire from your job, but you cannot retire from
\nlife,\" Wiryono remarked.<\/p>\n
His zest probably explains his young demeanor, belying his 68
\nyears.<\/p>\n
Admittedly, sitting alone at home with little to do is not his
\nfavorite pastime.<\/p>\n
When he does have the luxury to relax, reading is most likely
\nwhat he would choose to do. Last week he read a book by talk-show
\nhost Larry King.<\/p>\n
Looking back, Wiryono counts his stay in Vienna as one of his
\nfondest. As a fan of classic theater and opera he basked in the
\nrich cultural life of the Austrian capital.<\/p>\n
\"I know that God was generous to me,\" Wiryono says. \"The only
\nthing I still wish for myself is to hold my first grandchild with
\nwhom my daughter is now pregnant.\"<\/p>",
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