ARF foreign ministers form a unique group

ARF foreign ministers form a unique group

JAKARTA (JP): Just as every ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) member
country has its own unique features, the 20 foreign ministers
participating in today's parley also bring together a unique
blend of personalities to the meeting.

As if proving the adage that "you don't have to be old to be
wise" and "you're only as young as you feel", it is interesting
to note that the eldest and youngest foreign minister here today
were also the ones most recently inducted to their posts.

Born in 1919, Indian Foreign Minister I. Kumar Gujral is the
eldest of those present, at 76. United States Secretary of State
Warren Christopher is the second eldest, at 70. Meanwhile,
China's Qian Qichen comes in a close third, at 68.

While Gujral is the eldest, Papua New Guinea's Kilroy Genia --
who will be 35 in October -- is the youngest. Both, however, were
appointed to their posts just over a month ago, in June.

The two make up the group of seven "newcomers" attending the
ARF, taking up their foreign ministerial seats at the beginning
of the year.

Japan's Yukihiko Ikeda, Canada's Lloyd Axworthy and Russia's
Yevgeni Primakov were all appointed as foreign ministers in
January. Alexander Downer became Australian foreign minister in
March, while Amnuay Viravan assumed his post in Thailand in May.

Age again proves that it is not a gauge to one's ability when
we look at the second-youngest Foreign Minister, Prince Mohamad
Bolkiah of Brunei, who at the age 48 is the longest-serving
minister attending.

The graduate of the Royal Military College in Sandringham,
England and father of 10 children now has 12 years of experience
on the job behind him.

Despite his age, the youthful prince -- whose hobbies include
Badminton and Polo -- can certainly lay claim to being the most
senior foreign minister in the meetings after occupying his
position since 1984.

The second-longest serving foreign minister is Indonesia's Ali
Alatas, who has held his post for two five-year terms since 1988.

Looking at the stately manner in which the foreign ministers
carry themselves today, it is sometimes hard to imagine them in
anything but their current positions.

Nevertheless, a quick peek into their pasts show they come
from a wide variety of backgrounds and career beginnings.

Many are career diplomats who have ascended the ladder of the
diplomatic corps, while others have gained notoriety in other
professions.

Singapore's S. Jayakumar, as a professor, is well-known for
writing several books and was formerly dean of the law faculty at
the National University of Singapore. Warren Christopher,
meanwhile, still lists his occupation as an attorney.

Others have long pursued political careers and held several
ministerial posts like Lloyd Axworthy, who has been in charge of
such posts as minister responsible for women in the early 1980s.

Some even began their professional careers as humble
journalists, like Ali Alatas and Yevgeni Primakov.

Alatas was economic news editor at the National News Agency
P.I.A. before starting a glittering career in the Indonesian
foreign service in the mid-1950s.

Primakov started out in broadcasting before holding down
editorial positions at the Pravda newspaper between 1962 and
1970.

And if things do break down inside the meetings today, the
ministers can always call on the talents of Philippine Foreign
Minister Domingo L. Siazon, who boasts an impressive command of
Filipino, Ilocano, English, Japanese, Spanish, French and German
to resolve miscommunication. (mds)