Johan B. P. Maramis:
14. A RICH AND VARIED EXPERIENCE
When
I assumed office as the fourth Executive Secretary of ECAFE, the world was
still dominated with superpower rivalry.
On
the international economic scene the developing
countries spearheaded by the Group of 77, were struggling to achieve a just and
equitable international economic order. In the ECAFE region the dominance of
Asia in ECAFE’s work program was reflected in the prominence of Asian projects.
The
Peoples Republic of China had just reoccupied its lawful seat; the Southeast
Asia nations were busy consolidating their ASEAN sub regional grouping.
Indochina was still involved in the Vietnam War while the Pacific island
countries were hardly in the picture.
With
the re-emergence of China and Vietnam at a later stage, ASEAN and Pacific, a
new power equation slowly started to take shape.
Against
this backdrop.
I was
determined that the ECAFE region should more accurately reflect the new power
equation and geographical boundaries. The change of the name from ECAFE
to ESCAP was accomplished in my first year. It took me several visit to China
to convince it to play a more active role. After I persuaded Vietnam to
re-activate the Mekong river basin project, Vietnam decided also to play its
part constructively. The opening of ESCAP Liaison office in Nauru brought the
Pacific into the fold of regional development.
The
acceptance of “Asian Strategy for development”
concept was also ESCAP contribution to the global efforts of a new international
economic order. The adoption of the Colombo and New Delhi Declarations
reflected ESCAP’s new concept, philosophies and approaches.
Eight
years later, on the eve of my retirement from ESCAP, I could note with
satisfaction that the years of my tenure had seen a much deeper and systematic
awareness of the social dimensions of development, with the overriding emphasis
on the human element as the primary reason for and beneficiary of development.
In actual practice, the changed orientation that I had consistently encouraged
now pervaded the entire program of the Secretariat. Inter-agency co-operation
and co-ordination by now had been improved considerably and was characterized
by a greater degree of mutual trust. Furthermore, it
had been the constant endeavour of the Secretariat to
secure the fullest involvement of all parts of the vast in the Asian and
Pacific region in the programs of ESCAP.
There
had also been a marked advance in the evolution of Asian and Pacific identity.
Continued increases in extra-budgetary funding had played a crucial role in
responding to the felt needs and priorities of the developing member countries.
ESCAP
had acted as an umbrella regional body in promoting international co-operation
and in facilitating the formation of appropriate sub-regional groups and in
encouraging understanding and co-operative action between the sub-regional
groups as well as with the other regions.
No
regional organization with a similar size and scope could possibly escape the ramifications
of a changing world order. ESCAP was certainly no exception in that ESCAP
forums at times mirrored the growing division between the economically
developed North and the less developed South. On the political front this
North-South polarization was manifested in various forums. The most obvious
being the Non-Aligned Movement and the Group of 77. At many ESCAP forums the
developing countries were consistently supportive of the Group of 77’s call for
a new international economic order. No doubt the political, social and economic
realities weight heavily on our shoulders and found a great deal of expressions
within ESCAP. But for all its shortcomings, ESCAP provided a forum where
nations could address issues of mutual concern and attempt to embark, however,
haltingly and tentative on path towards regional cooperation and accommodation.
My hope that in a some small way, I was able to foster
a truly “internationalist’ spirit and vision for the organization.
The
relevance of the United Nations.
For
more than a quarter of a century of my public career I was involved with the
work of the United Nations, in one aspect or another. Starting with my first
assignment with Ministry of Foreign Affairs, when as Chief of the Foreign aid
and Commodities section, I had attended my first ECAFE meeting, to my promotion
as Head of the Directorate of International organization where I co-ordinated policies on our relations with the United
Nations, specialized agencies and bodies, to my two assignments with the
Permanent Mission of Indonesia to the United Nations in new York and
subsequently to my appointment as Executive Secretary/Under-Secretary
General of ESCAP, I had become very familiar with the work of the United
Nations.
First
and foremost it is important to understand that the
United Nations is not a world government. No member states gives
up its sovereignty by joining the Organization. The United Nations can act only
when the member states decide that it should. Achievements and failures reflect
the collective will of the members.
Public
perceptions of the United Nations have sometimes been clouded by a variety of
criticism, some made in good faith, others made of ignorance or for public
gains. Healthy and constructive criticism is essential for the vitality and
efficacy of any organization. But ill-informed criticism serves neither the
United Nations nor the world community well.
The
United Nations as an international organization is no longer a gleam in the eye
of an idealistic world. It is a fact of modern life, in one level taken for
granted in daily life, on the other level forming the cornerstone of the
foreign policies of many government around the world.
Since
the world organization was founded in 1951, the United Nations had played a
crucial role by encouraging the aspirations of dependent peoples and by setting
goals and standards to accelerate their attainment of independence.
Despite
frustrations and setback, the organization had steadily developed its capacity
as a peacemaking and peacekeeping organization. United Nations mediation
efforts and peacekeeping forces had been instrumental in checking of the
resolving conflicts between member states in many parts of the world.
The
United Nations formulated its first Universal Declaration of Human rights in
1948 and two covenants came into force in 1976 which provide measures to check
on complaints of human rights violation.
But
in the economic, social and humanitarian where the achievements of the
operation units of the United Nations family constitute perhaps the most
visible and recognizable symbols of United Nations success.
A
time for reflection.
Looking
back at a career in public service that has spent over three decades, I
consider myself fortunate that by the grace of The Almighty I had encountered
so many rich and rewarding experiences throughout those years.
Perhaps
the most fortuitous decision I had ever made was to select a career in the
Indonesian Foreign Service. For it was the start of a most remarkable journey
which helped to shape my attitude and outlook on life. When I first joined the
Foreign Ministry we hardly knew the meaning of world diplomacy. We had to learn
the hard way, based on our limited knowledge and understanding of the art of
diplomacy. Fortunately I was entrusted with wide
-ranging responsibility that honed my skills as a diplomat. When I attended the
first international conference the only advice I was given was to, listen and
learn about international conferences. I happened to be a keen observer and
managed to learn a great deal about international conferences from the ones I
attended in my early years at the Foreign Ministry. As I build upon my
experiences, I was assigned for my first posing in New York where I have been
able to master the inner workings and intricacies of the United Nations. This
experience was very useful when I was later promoted to head of the directorate
of International Organizations that monitored our relations with the United
Nations and other such multilateral forum.
I
believe that my career, particularly at the United Nations benefited greatly
from the fact that the Foreign Ministry had allowed a great deal of latitude in
determining Indonesia’s position in a number of
important economic issues. And my experience in multilateral diplomacy played
an important part in launching some worthwhile United Nations activities.
For example I had no instruction to vote for the
consolidation of United Nations technical assistance programs. I had to rely on
my personal skills as a consensus-builder to forge a workable solution among
the divergent views. The same holds true when I initiated an amendment to hold an United Nations Conference on Trade and development
(UNCTAD) of the developing countries. We were given the freedom to develop our
own initiative and to use our common sense. The only instruction we were given
was to uphold our independent and active foreign policy.
Aside
from the successes, I also experienced some setbacks and fears in my early
career. I consider Indonesia’s withdrawal from the United Nations as one of the
most noticeable setbacks in our foreign policy. We were fortunate that it
proved to be only temporary. Yet the image of our flag lowered down and our nameplate being removed from United Nations
headquarters left a very deep and lasting impression on me. I also experienced
great fear in the months preceding the abortive communist coup d’etat, when the working environment at the Foreign
Ministry was fraught with tension and suspicion.
My hopes
were raised with the new order under President Suharto. Because the new
government appeared determined to set Indonesia on the road to recovery in all
aspect of political, social and economic development. Part of this strategy
involved a higher profile for the Foreign Ministry to improve Indonesia’s
standing in the world community. As a result the
Indonesian Mission to the United Nations was further strengthened and I was
given a second assignment to the United Nations. This would enable me to undertake
two important tasks: first to assume the presidency of ECOSOC, one of the most
important highlights of my career, and second to initiate and support Adam Malik‘s presidency of the General Assembly. Along with these reorientation of our foreign policy came increased
opportunities for promotion. Every diplomats dream is to attain an
ambassadorship. I was very honoured when I received
my appointment as Ambassador to Belgium, Luxembourg and the European Community
midway through my Foreign Service career. A significant highlight of this
posting was president Suharto’s state visit to Belgium that I helped to coordinate and which eventually went off without a hitch.
I
have no doubt that I would have continued into more challenging assignments in
the foreign service, had it not been for my appointment as the Executive
Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Asia and the Far East.
Whereas an ambassadorship represents one of the highest pinnacles of success for
a career foreign service officer, a posting in the United nations Organization
with the rank of Under- Secretary General is of similar accomplishment for an
international civil servant.
As
the fourth Executive Secretary of ESCAP, my scope of responsibility was widened
immensely as I now I had to look after the interest of just one, but 43
countries in the region so vast and diverse that defies description. Yet I
approach the task with the same perseverance, determination and enthusiasm with
which I tackled other assignments in u career. Perhaps which I consider ESCAP
two most noticeable achievements under my leadership reflected in large measure
my genuine commitment for the under privileged.
The
first achievement was the program on rural development that was undertaken
jointly with several United Nations agencies. Throughout my tenure I had
stressed the importance of an integrated approach to identifying and solving
the multitudinous problems of the region, particularly in the rural sector
where much of the population is based. Development had to embrace social
dimensions, in addition to economic indicators. The change of name from ECAFE
to ESCAP symbolized this new direction while the initiation and implementation
of integrated development programs formed the cornerstone of this new approach.
The
second accomplishment was the fulfilment of my personal commitment to foster a
greater role for ESCAP in the Pacific Islands and in countries
bordering the Pacific. The active participation of China and Vietnam and the
opening of the ESCAP Liaison Office base in Nauru were the culmination of my
efforts. Once a remote sub region, the Pacific island countries had become an
active partner in development.
Gradually
a greater sense of Asia Pacific identity had emerged.
I had no
difficulties working with the hundreds of professional and General service
staff comprising over 40 different nationalities. I remember that during my
first senior staff meeting with the heads of division and special units, I had
given them a greater insight into my working style. Essentially
I impressed upon them that I was a firm believer in team work and open
management and that my door would always be open without distinction to rank. I
also reminded them that they were the selected people in the service of the
United Nations and expected them to be worthy of the ideals enshrined in the
United Nations Charter.
My achievements at
ESCAP were no doubt the result of close and harmonious working relationships
imbued with a spirit of loyalty to the United Nations. And I hope throughout my
8 years of service I had come to exemplify a true “internationalist” spirit
that helped ESCAP forge a common identity and seek common objectives in spite of the region’s diversity.
My
friends have always asked me what had been my recipe for my
success. My answer is that there is no magic formula except hard work
and perseverance. Cultivation of personal relations is also an important
factor.
I am proud to have
served the United Nations as one whose guiding force has been the ideals
embodied in the Preamble to the United Nations Charter.
In my
years in the service of my country, I can only
be grateful that it has been a rich, varied and intensely satisfying
experience.
Posted April 28, 2002
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