Timothy Groser -- a diplomat by accident

By Meidyatama Suryodiningrat

JAKARTA (JP): While in pursuit of scholarly excellence, university students, especially pupils of international politics, at one time or another daydream of being part of international diplomacy or negotiations of global proportions.

But imagine someone entering the field by accident, compelled to practice a vocation not by his own desire but by monetary demands. Then imagine that person not only quickly excelling, but also rising high in his profession. Then once again, picture that reluctant young student guiding his country through one of the most important international negotiations of the decade.

No, this is not a script for a TV miniseries.

It is a synopsis of the career of New Zealand's new ambassador here, Timothy Groser, who officially assumed his position in Jakarta two weeks ago. He replaced Neil D. Walter.

Speaking at his office on Jl. Diponegoro, the 54-year old ambassador gave The Jakarta Post a brief insight into his personal life, career and the sensations of his appointment to Indonesia.

Timothy Groser, or `Tim' as inscribed on his name card, was born in Perth, Scotland, before emigrating with his parents to New Zealand at the tender age of eight.

Even though he is not a first generation New Zealander, Groser strongly expresses his devotion to his country. "In every sense, I regard myself as a New Zealander ... Scotland is just a vague, vague memory to me."

With his parents, his father working as a professional actor, and older sister, Groser moved to Wellington which he now identifies as his hometown.

After completing high school he went to university and began studying law and economics, quickly dropping the former saying "law didn't hold my interest."

Diligent

The young Groser was evidently diligent in his studies, quickly rising from undergraduate to graduate studies, allowing him to earn a first-class honors Master of Arts degree from Victoria University in Wellington.

It was not long after this that Groser, who was by now married and working on his Ph.d, found himself in a predicament which prompted him to enter the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1973.

"To be honest, the reason I joined foreign affairs was I was doing my doctorate and my wife became pregnant ... So I needed a job," he confessed.

"Looking back, I'm very pleased that's what happened."

In terms of diplomatic appointments abroad, Groser has only had two. A three-year post in Canberra, Australia, in 1976, and as deputy permanent representative to the United Nations mission in Geneva between 1986-1990.

His career for the most part has in fact been spent outside foreign affairs, assuming mostly economic oriented positions in other departments. They include as advisor at the Prime Minister's Department and director of multilateral trade at the Ministry of External Relations and Trade.

An important move came in 1991 when Groser was promoted as New Zealand's chief GATT negotiator for the Uruguay Round.

By his unprompted narration, it was easy to tell how passionate and involved the GATT talks were to him.

Groser seemed truly at his prime when he effortlessly describes the trials and tribulations of those negotiations.

"On a personal level, it became almost an obsession," he said, adding that because of the intense negotiations he had spent much of the past three years in jets. "Though I was technically living in Wellington, I was really living Geneva."

It was during these negotiations that he made acquaintances and became friends with many Indonesians, prompting him to apply for a posting here at the end of the negotiations. "I wanted to take a head of mission office in Asia and this was the one I was most interested in," he revealed.

When asked about his true motivation, Groser declared his commitment to the concept of New Zealand's repositioning towards Asia and away from Europe. "It's not just propaganda, many of us believe in it."

New and unfamiliar

Economic relations between Indonesia and New Zealand, though not very large, have steadily been increasing.

"It will never be a key market for Indonesia," he said of his country's potential, but quickly added that it was still worth thinking about, especially in certain areas of special expertise.

Asked about his impressions of Indonesia, the ambassador said that everything was new and unfamiliar to him. "Everything is new, you don't know even know where your cups and saucers are,"

He pointed out that even being an ambassador was new to him. "I haven't had drivers before, so that's interesting."

Groser admits that as yet he still has a lot to learn about Indonesia. He expressed the wish to travel and see more of the country in the near future.

In the past 10 years he has spent business trips here and taken a holiday in Bali, but other than that, Groser pleads his ignorance on many facets of Indonesian life.

"I'm not saying this to be polite but I was always impressed by the friendliness of Indonesians," he said.

Groser says that thus far he has been pleased with his stay in the country. "Everything I've experienced confirms I've made a good decision."

Probably the only drawback he has experienced since his arrival here has been the inability to tee-off in Jakarta.

Groser enthusiastically admits he is "a keen golfer." Unfortunately, his clubs were lost in Singapore on the way here.

One thing that would immediately strike one's notice during a long conversation with the ambassador is his composed persona and modest approach towards his new position.

Despite having a wealth of experience from his past positions, Groser unpretentiously said he would take to fulfilling his position in stride, without harboring rigid preconceived visions of the difficult circumstances ahead.

"You don't arrive at that until you're deeply involved, it's arrogant to think you can have some particular vision when you know nothing really."

Groser is living alone at the official residence in Kebayoran Baru. He is no longer married but has two children, a boy who is studying law, "unlike me he finds the subject interesting," and a girl in her last year of high school.