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