Reaching out beyond the barriers<\/p>\n
Duncan Graham, Contributor, Surabaya<\/p>\n
It is probably one of the most difficult jobs on the diplomatic
\ncircuit in Indonesia: To get United States policies, values and
\nlifestyles understood by people who have never been to America.<\/p>\n
For some, it is the great democracy; for others it is the
\ngreat Satan. Demolishing myths and substituting facts is no task
\nfor the weak-willed.<\/p>\n
The latest recruit to this \"challenging task\" -- as she
\nprefers to label the assignment - is the energetic Claire
\nPierangelo; marathon runner, linguist, economist and now U.S.
\nconsul general in Surabaya.<\/p>\n
\"There's a lot of interest but not a whole lot of knowledge
\nabout the U.S. in Indonesia,\" she said. \"Its important for people
\nto meet face to face in order to form their own opinions on
\nissues beyond the simple headlines of the day.<\/p>\n
\"Nor was there much depth of knowledge of Indonesia in America
\nuntil the terrible tragedy of the tsunami. That's now changing.
\nOne in five Americans donated to the tsunami victims.<\/p>\n
\"A priority in my job is community outreach. By that I mean
\ngetting to know Indonesian people and help them develop their own
\nideas of what America is and what it means. Of course, it was
\neasier to do that in the old days.\"<\/p>\n
Indeed. Now there are real obstacles to add to the cultural,
\nhistorical and language differences. Since Ms Pierangelo took up
\nher post in July the consulate's high steel fences have been
\nshielded so the lovely old Dutch house can no longer be seen by
\npassersby or the queues of visa applicants.<\/p>\n
There is always a heavy police presence outside waiting for
\nthe next demo, and the roadside barriers in Jl Dr Sutomo have
\nbeen strengthened.<\/p>\n
It is an annoying impediment to the free flow of traffic and
\nPierangelo will not comment on when or if it will be removed. By
\ncomparison, within a couple of kilometers the French consulate
\nruns an open-door policy with free access to a substantial
\nlibrary, exhibitions and regular film nights.<\/p>\n
If the average Indonesian cannot saunter into the U.S.
\nconsulate, then the staff have to get out to meet the people.
\nMs Pierangelo has already visited a pesantren in Malang and has
\nbeen confronted with questions about her country's attitude
\ntoward independence in Papua.<\/p>\n
The issue has been made more sensitive by reports that some
\nmembers of the U.S. Congress have proposed a bill questioning the
\nvalidity of Papua's inclusion in the Republic in the 1969 so-
\ncalled Act of Free Choice.<\/p>\n
\"I said we continue to support the territorial integrity of
\nIndonesia but we are concerned about some human rights issues,\"
\nMs Pierangelo said. \"Members of Congress are free to discuss
\ninternational issues and propose legislation, but that doesn't
\nmean they become law.\"<\/p>\n
Her colleagues visit schools and other education institutions
\nto explain how the U.S. works, and distribute information on
\nexchange programs and fellowships. More than 11,000 Indonesians
\nhave utilized these in the past 50 years. (The figure for
\nAustralian government scholarships over the same period is
\n8,000.)<\/p>\n
The Pesantren Leaders Program gives educators the chance to
\nstudy in public and private schools in the U.S. and meet
\nreligious leaders of all faiths. This is part of a US$ 157
\nmillion four-year educational aid package for Indonesia.<\/p>\n
The U.S. has had a consulate in Surabaya since 1896. With a
\nstaff of about 50 locals and 10 expatriates it is the largest
\nforeign mission in Indonesia's second-largest city. This is
\ndespite the fact that probably fewer than 2,000 Americans live in
\nthe consulate's coverage area. This extends east from central
\nJava across to Papua.<\/p>\n
Australia, the country next door, has no office in Surabaya
\neven though Western Australia has a \"Sister-State\" relationship
\nwith East Java.<\/p>\n
Pierangelo said her country recognized the importance of the
\nEast Java capital and its significance to Indonesian business,
\nindustry and politics. \"I want as many people as possible to get
\nto know America,\" she said.<\/p>\n
\"It's not my role to dictate. I want Indonesians to know and
\nunderstand us. I'll have succeeded if they've met a variety of
\npeople and been exposed to a variety of opinions -- and they
\nremember the effort we've put into that ambition.\"<\/p>\n
Her previous overseas posting was in Vietnam where she worked
\non trade issues. She joined the U.S. State Department in 1985
\nafter studying international relations at Johns Hopkins
\nUniversity where she graduated with a master's degree.<\/p>\n
She has also studied at the National Defense University and
\nhas served in Britain, Haiti, Malta and Italy -- the birthplace
\nof her grandparents. Her linguistic abilities include Italian,
\nFrench, Spanish, Haitian Creole and Vietnamese.<\/p>\n
With this background, it is not surprising that she has yet to
\nencounter any great culture shock.<\/p>\n
After being offered the Surabaya job she studied Indonesian
\nintensively in Washington, but finds limited opportunities to
\npractice her skills now she is in Indonesia, such are the
\nsecurity concerns. It also hampers chances of running marathons,
\nwhich she did in Washington.<\/p>\n
Operating under tight security is not the best way to meet the
\npeople but so far Ms Pierangelo seems to have done a reasonable
\njob if comments in the small foreign community are any guide.<\/p>\n
Her predecessor Philip Antweiller had a low-profile reputation
\n-- his successor is said to be more direct and outspoken -- an
\nanalysis she found amusing.<\/p>\n
While sipping tea served by men, she rejected local gossip
\nthat she had been chosen for the job to show a predominantly
\nMuslim nation that in the West women can rise to high
\nadministrative positions. She also dismissed the idea that she
\nmight give the job a soft touch.<\/p>\n
\"Gender is not a criterion for selection,\" she said. I was
\noffered the position. Who wouldn't want to come to Indonesia?\"<\/p>",
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