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On the second weekend of
April 2013, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono gave a treat to all the
foreign ambassadors in Jakarta, to “hang out” at the Cipanas Presidential
Palace for the day. Cabinet ministers and 103 of the 134 ambassadors and
charge d’affairs, heads of ASEAN missions and international organizations
and their spouses filled up the palace’s garden.
The round tables that saw ministers and ambassadors mixed together
permitted them to not just rub shoulders but also receive updates on
domestic policies as well as regional and global perspectives, while also
touching base on bilateral cooperation on economic, cultural and
political security. Indeed, it was another way to harness the policy of
“1 million friends, zero enemies” as stated by Foreign Minister Marty
Natalegawa in his opening address.
The diplomatic gathering provided an atmosphere of close interactions
among the envoys. We could see the Russian, Indian and Emirate
ambassadors closely studying the endemic Damar, Saninten, Rasamala and
Jamuju trees; the Korean ambassador and his wife counting the horses in
the stables, the Chilean ambassador observing the distant and cloudy
Mount Pangrango; the US ambassador with his wife tip-toeing on soggy wet
grass; the Korean ambassador’s daughters photographing various herbaria;
and the Syrian charge d’affaire and his family taking pictures with SBY
and First Lady Ani Yudhoyono.
Afterward during a diplomatic quiz, envoys demonstrated their aptitude on
Indonesian icons, such as the location of Prambanan Temple, recognizing
Luwak coffee, types of batik and knowing the name of the man who designed
the Senayan stadium. Some of the Spanish-speaking envoys, with their
quick fingers on the buzzer and intuitive guesses, triumphed in the quiz.
Last were some singing performances. One could only have imagined the
Brunei ambassador’s melodious voice in reviving Broery Marantika songs.
And also, one wonders, whether every Swedish ambassador is skilled in
delivering ABBA songs? Other touching moments included seeing diplomats’
children approach and carefully observe SBY’s secret recipe for nasi
goreng (fried rice).
To ensure the success of the meeting, SBY confessed to having made a
diplomatic pact with his foreign minister: “either you sing or you give a
speech”; to which Marty diplomatically replied, “Yes, Mr. President, I’m
very ready to deliver my speech. I am a born speaker”. The diplomats
roared with laughter as they listened to the description of events. All
in all, it was a memorable interaction among diplomats and officials.
The diplomatic gathering was good momentum to strengthen Indonesian
interest in bilateral cooperation and international relations. Although
it was enjoyable, we must remember that for the participating diplomats,
the event could still be considered an intelligence-gathering opportunity
and a chance to meet key figures in government. Try to recall the days of
the Cold War when spies roamed discreetly, especially among diplomats.
Back then, just being seen with a diplomat (not even the ambassador) of a
particular country could be interpreted in various ways by the
intelligence community.
Today, the world is more transparent and full of information.
Information-gathering straight from the source is all the more critical,
accompanied by human relations and personal perseverance. No wonder Marty
said that the role of individual diplomats was invaluable.
“In the diplomatic profession, the role of an individual diplomat can
make a huge difference in being able to impart and add value to relations
between the countries concerned,” Marty stated. After such interactions,
try imagining the cable report sent the following Monday. It might even
read like this: “Attended SBY/Marty diplomatic gathering. Discussed
pending issues with relevant ministers. New cooperation opportunities in
energy sector, economic, culture, military and business. Suggest further
government, business, people interaction. Await further instructions”.
Now imagine those cables dispatched simultaneously to 103 capitals worldwide.
In receiving the cable, perhaps the initial reaction of a foreign
minister or organization chief is to trust Indonesia. “Establish new
bilateral opportunities. Explore potential for Indonesia to engage
further on regional and global challenges (UN, G20, APEC, East Asia
Summit, Syria, Korean Peninsula, Eurozone and Africa)”. Of course, that
could be an oversimplification. But by possessing such a favorable
environment for diplomatic relations, it does spur new opportunities for
individual innovation, as indicated by Marty.
It is this kind of diplomatic dynamic that Indonesia analysts need to
appreciate and exploit. They need to not merely overanalyze the past
activities of SBY and Marty, but to explore new ways that Indonesia, with
its endowments of natural and human resources and political capital,
could project itself further in international affairs as it approaches
2030.
Hence, this gathering not only becomes a memorable visit for diplomats
but, more importantly, a chance for observers to explore Indonesia’s full
potential. ●
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