Reaching out beyond the barriers
Reaching out beyond the barriers
Duncan Graham, Contributor, Surabaya
It is probably one of the most difficult jobs on the diplomatic
circuit in Indonesia: To get United States policies, values and
lifestyles understood by people who have never been to America.
For some, it is the great democracy; for others it is the
great Satan. Demolishing myths and substituting facts is no task
for the weak-willed.
The latest recruit to this "challenging task" -- as she
prefers to label the assignment - is the energetic Claire
Pierangelo; marathon runner, linguist, economist and now U.S.
consul general in Surabaya.
"There's a lot of interest but not a whole lot of knowledge
about the U.S. in Indonesia," she said. "Its important for people
to meet face to face in order to form their own opinions on
issues beyond the simple headlines of the day.
"Nor was there much depth of knowledge of Indonesia in America
until the terrible tragedy of the tsunami. That's now changing.
One in five Americans donated to the tsunami victims.
"A priority in my job is community outreach. By that I mean
getting to know Indonesian people and help them develop their own
ideas of what America is and what it means. Of course, it was
easier to do that in the old days."
Indeed. Now there are real obstacles to add to the cultural,
historical and language differences. Since Ms Pierangelo took up
her post in July the consulate's high steel fences have been
shielded so the lovely old Dutch house can no longer be seen by
passersby or the queues of visa applicants.
There is always a heavy police presence outside waiting for
the next demo, and the roadside barriers in Jl Dr Sutomo have
been strengthened.
It is an annoying impediment to the free flow of traffic and
Pierangelo will not comment on when or if it will be removed. By
comparison, within a couple of kilometers the French consulate
runs an open-door policy with free access to a substantial
library, exhibitions and regular film nights.
If the average Indonesian cannot saunter into the U.S.
consulate, then the staff have to get out to meet the people.
Ms Pierangelo has already visited a pesantren in Malang and has
been confronted with questions about her country's attitude
toward independence in Papua.
The issue has been made more sensitive by reports that some
members of the U.S. Congress have proposed a bill questioning the
validity of Papua's inclusion in the Republic in the 1969 so-
called Act of Free Choice.
"I said we continue to support the territorial integrity of
Indonesia but we are concerned about some human rights issues,"
Ms Pierangelo said. "Members of Congress are free to discuss
international issues and propose legislation, but that doesn't
mean they become law."
Her colleagues visit schools and other education institutions
to explain how the U.S. works, and distribute information on
exchange programs and fellowships. More than 11,000 Indonesians
have utilized these in the past 50 years. (The figure for
Australian government scholarships over the same period is
8,000.)
The Pesantren Leaders Program gives educators the chance to
study in public and private schools in the U.S. and meet
religious leaders of all faiths. This is part of a US$ 157
million four-year educational aid package for Indonesia.
The U.S. has had a consulate in Surabaya since 1896. With a
staff of about 50 locals and 10 expatriates it is the largest
foreign mission in Indonesia's second-largest city. This is
despite the fact that probably fewer than 2,000 Americans live in
the consulate's coverage area. This extends east from central
Java across to Papua.
Australia, the country next door, has no office in Surabaya
even though Western Australia has a "Sister-State" relationship
with East Java.
Pierangelo said her country recognized the importance of the
East Java capital and its significance to Indonesian business,
industry and politics. "I want as many people as possible to get
to know America," she said.
"It's not my role to dictate. I want Indonesians to know and
understand us. I'll have succeeded if they've met a variety of
people and been exposed to a variety of opinions -- and they
remember the effort we've put into that ambition."
Her previous overseas posting was in Vietnam where she worked
on trade issues. She joined the U.S. State Department in 1985
after studying international relations at Johns Hopkins
University where she graduated with a master's degree.
She has also studied at the National Defense University and
has served in Britain, Haiti, Malta and Italy -- the birthplace
of her grandparents. Her linguistic abilities include Italian,
French, Spanish, Haitian Creole and Vietnamese.
With this background, it is not surprising that she has yet to
encounter any great culture shock.
After being offered the Surabaya job she studied Indonesian
intensively in Washington, but finds limited opportunities to
practice her skills now she is in Indonesia, such are the
security concerns. It also hampers chances of running marathons,
which she did in Washington.
Operating under tight security is not the best way to meet the
people but so far Ms Pierangelo seems to have done a reasonable
job if comments in the small foreign community are any guide.
Her predecessor Philip Antweiller had a low-profile reputation
-- his successor is said to be more direct and outspoken -- an
analysis she found amusing.
While sipping tea served by men, she rejected local gossip
that she had been chosen for the job to show a predominantly
Muslim nation that in the West women can rise to high
administrative positions. She also dismissed the idea that she
might give the job a soft touch.
"Gender is not a criterion for selection," she said. I was
offered the position. Who wouldn't want to come to Indonesia?"