A bright idea

Why do Americans call their foreign minister "secretary of state"? An enterprising scribe once wrote: "Judging by their meddling, it's possible that they consider all countries in the world to be their own states!"

It is nice to know that Madeleine Albright, the current U.S. ambassador to the UN, will be the new secretary of state. Poor Albright! Until recently, she was called "Half Bright"!

Having been appointed as America's first woman secretary of state, she proved to the world she was "All Bright" to get an "All Right" signal from President Clinton.

So the day may not be far off when we will witness a woman president in the White House. Not much hope, though.

The catch is this. U.S. laws unfortunately stipulate that a candidate must be over 35 to be eligible for the presidential nomination.

Now, where can we find a woman who will openly declare she is over 35? Forget it!

Yet, the status of a secretary of state is quite senior enough to merit attention. Women occupying such powerful positions can look fashionable, but will their performances be necessarily any better (or worse) than those of men?

Women do have immense tenacity and tremendous perseverance. They don't quit easily. They are tough-minded. They radiate subtle power, though outwardly showing softness. Sharing similar attributes with men, women in public life also play politics and maneuver their moves tactfully, whenever occasion demands.

In the ultimate analysis, I believe gender differences simply seem to evaporate in high places. One might still hope that women like Albright would bring in that little extra grace and gentle "human" touch to solving the world's problems.

D. CHANDRAMOULI

Jakarta