This Blog strongly recommend Ms Lung Ying-tai's (龍應台) latest book "大江大海1949" (Big River, Big Sea — Untold Stories of 1949). She wrote a famous letter to Hu Jintao, not too long ago, urging him to "please pursuade me with civility" (请您以文明说服我)
This book is a story of the "losers" of the Civil War. It is a personal story of the writer and the generation who experienced it.
It is a collection of stories from those who made it to Taiwan following the defeat of the Natonalist. They were those who were forcefully enscripted. They were those whose spouse, chidlren and parents who were left behind and never got to see other again. There were places that disappeared from the map. All these were the story, a personal story of a generation of Chinese, many of whom are still alive, that required to be written and understood.
Ms Long wrote a very moving book judging by the first chapter I have just completed reading. Her prose is beautiful and her thoughts is always humane.
Her intention of writing the book is simple. Without understanding, there is no empathy across the Strait and there is no reconciliation and the peace, if any, will be fragile, and surely, I must add, there is no basis for reunification.
It is unsual for me to write a book recommendation before I finish reading it. It is just so good that I must make it known here to share with you.
By the way, this book is apparently banned in the mainland. I am hoping that the mainland censor can see the big picture.
It is time for INCLUSIVENESS especially after 60 years.
Please see www.cw.com/tw/book/1949 or http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5DqjiDdEic&feature=channel for more information.
Monday, October 5, 2009
Thursday, October 1, 2009
60 Years of the People's Republic
As I woke up to October 1st, 2009 this morning, I did so deeply conscious of the anniversary that is being celebrated in China, where huge celebrations are no doubt underway to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.
Bro, you made an astute point. If China points to 5000 years of splendid and uninterrupted history, why bother with 60 years? But then again, it is hard to escape historical programming of the Chinese logic - where anniversaries are always political rather than national. Successive emperors refer to the years of their reign as a way of marking time. Successive regimes use different symbolic characters "hau" (standards or "call-sign"?) as the manifestation of personal power over the state (later they come to symbolize the respective dynasties). In fact, in the ancient time, thats the first thing rebels change to signify taking charge. So the logic of celebrating the anniversary of the new government on 1 October 1949 is that of a political celebration rather than a national celebration. But in China, this logic is accepted. Likewise, it will also be a political celebration when Taiwan ROC (which sometimes still uses the anarchronistic min guo calendar) celebrates the Centennary of the 1911 revolution in 2 years time.
But I have no doubt in my mind that the real celebration is China's breathtaking renaissance as a nation. That is a celebration that takes place each and every day by hundreds of millions of ordinary Chinese as they head for university, change a job, expecting to live to old age, make a phone call, experiencing a nation at peace, take a train, get on the internet, go shopping, go out when they feel like it, learn about the world, understanding the world of science not super-natural, think about a foreign holiday, having choices in life or simply fall in love or getting divorced; seemingly simple acts that represent social progress, economic prosperity and personal liberty that is unprecedented to the lao bai xing, the ordinary Chinese people.
Bro, you made an astute point. If China points to 5000 years of splendid and uninterrupted history, why bother with 60 years? But then again, it is hard to escape historical programming of the Chinese logic - where anniversaries are always political rather than national. Successive emperors refer to the years of their reign as a way of marking time. Successive regimes use different symbolic characters "hau" (standards or "call-sign"?) as the manifestation of personal power over the state (later they come to symbolize the respective dynasties). In fact, in the ancient time, thats the first thing rebels change to signify taking charge. So the logic of celebrating the anniversary of the new government on 1 October 1949 is that of a political celebration rather than a national celebration. But in China, this logic is accepted. Likewise, it will also be a political celebration when Taiwan ROC (which sometimes still uses the anarchronistic min guo calendar) celebrates the Centennary of the 1911 revolution in 2 years time.
But I have no doubt in my mind that the real celebration is China's breathtaking renaissance as a nation. That is a celebration that takes place each and every day by hundreds of millions of ordinary Chinese as they head for university, change a job, expecting to live to old age, make a phone call, experiencing a nation at peace, take a train, get on the internet, go shopping, go out when they feel like it, learn about the world, understanding the world of science not super-natural, think about a foreign holiday, having choices in life or simply fall in love or getting divorced; seemingly simple acts that represent social progress, economic prosperity and personal liberty that is unprecedented to the lao bai xing, the ordinary Chinese people.
In my view, its is not usual for China to be a world power or to be wealthy and held in awe by the world. In fact, that has been the case throughout history for most of its existance. What is unusual is the level of progress that actually uplifted the lives of the Chinese people as individuals. So a bigger and more important celebration this year, in my view, is the 30th anniversary of the reform and opening up era.
While much of China's progress is new, and the uplifting of the common people is new but China's many demons are old and there are many. Life in China today is sometimes still fraught with injustice, corruption, ignorance, poverty and hardship, capricious officialdom and authoritarianism in its many guises. Everyday perils that bedevil the Chinese people like its many natural disasters since the dawn of history.
Yes, it is impressive for China to go through 200 years of industrial revolution within less than 50 years (1o years between 1870-1930, 5 years in the 1930s, 5 years in the 1950s and 30 years since 1979). But it would be far more impressive if it manages to compress the transformation from a medieval society to a modern society - what took Europe 400 years - within that same time. Well, the jury is still out. In many ways, China may need some time yet to be a modern nation. The process is still ongoing and, judging by the changes in the past 15 years, accelerating and mostly in a positive direction.
While much of China's progress is new, and the uplifting of the common people is new but China's many demons are old and there are many. Life in China today is sometimes still fraught with injustice, corruption, ignorance, poverty and hardship, capricious officialdom and authoritarianism in its many guises. Everyday perils that bedevil the Chinese people like its many natural disasters since the dawn of history.
Yes, it is impressive for China to go through 200 years of industrial revolution within less than 50 years (1o years between 1870-1930, 5 years in the 1930s, 5 years in the 1950s and 30 years since 1979). But it would be far more impressive if it manages to compress the transformation from a medieval society to a modern society - what took Europe 400 years - within that same time. Well, the jury is still out. In many ways, China may need some time yet to be a modern nation. The process is still ongoing and, judging by the changes in the past 15 years, accelerating and mostly in a positive direction.
Of course, much of the credit for the transformation goes to the ordinary Chinese people, whose resilience, tolerance for suffering and deprivation, resourcefulness, industry and intellect ... that are anything but ordinary.
However, the CCP can also claim a lot of credit for this because of - or in spite of - the changes it made to China in the first 30 years of its rule. One can never begrudge history. Without its yesterdays China may never have its today and what it can become tomorrow.
Perhaps it could be said that China would have succeeded anyhow, as unlikely as it may seem, under an Imperial Manchu government or as part of Imperial Japan or under any number of wanna-be overlords; or more likely - under KMT's Republic of China. It could even happen earlier or better or with less suffering and bloodshed. Equally, things could actually be even worse. China might not have risen by 2009 under any of those scenarios. Nothing come from nothing - so just may be - none of these will happen without the sufferings that the people have gone through. The real legacies even of mistakes may never be understood until many more years has passed. One will never know.
It is hard to imagine what it was like for the Chinese people in 1949. But I imagine that in people's hearts are wishes for "simple" things like: food, peace, functioning society, order, education and that their loved ones will be safe. One should not forget the fundamentals.
I imagine a set of parents and children being given a choice on September 30, 1949 that their grand-children and great-grand children will have a future like today - but the price is that everyone in that every one of them will have to go through the tragedies of the first 30 years. I suspect, exhausted by a fate their have no control over and out of self-sacrificing long term thinking they will probably grit their teeth and take it. But as practical minded Chinese, they would laugh at what people say about 2009 as fairy tales that could never happen.
There lies the irony of today's celebration. China has achieved the unimaginable but it still saddens me to think of how China had to sink even lower due to its own mistakes just to rise again.
The Man in the Glass – anonymous
When you get what you want in your struggles for self
And the world makes you king for a day,
Just go to a mirror and look at yourself
And see what that man has to say.
For it isn't your father or mother or wife
Whose judgment upon you must pass,
The fellow whose verdict counts most in your life
Is the one staring back from the glass.
Some people might think you're a straight-shooting chum
And call you a wonderful guy.
But the man in the glass says you're only a bum
If you can't look him straight in the eye.
He's the fellow to please, never mind all the rest
For he's with you clear to the end
And you've passed your most dangerous test
If the guy in the glass is your friend.
You may fool the whole world down the pathway of years
And get pats on the back as you pass
But your final reward will be heartache and tears
If you've cheated the man in the glass.
And the world makes you king for a day,
Just go to a mirror and look at yourself
And see what that man has to say.
For it isn't your father or mother or wife
Whose judgment upon you must pass,
The fellow whose verdict counts most in your life
Is the one staring back from the glass.
Some people might think you're a straight-shooting chum
And call you a wonderful guy.
But the man in the glass says you're only a bum
If you can't look him straight in the eye.
He's the fellow to please, never mind all the rest
For he's with you clear to the end
And you've passed your most dangerous test
If the guy in the glass is your friend.
You may fool the whole world down the pathway of years
And get pats on the back as you pass
But your final reward will be heartache and tears
If you've cheated the man in the glass.
[Note: I just wanted to find somewhere to keep this poem handy !!]
Happy Birthday PRC
Today marked the 60th anniversary of the founding of PRC! Happy Birthday!
It is debatable whether it is a birthday as such. It may be regarded as more of a winning party (in this case CCP) claiming power of a nation and not founding of a state. It is a day marking the official change of the government of the day.
Admittedly this was accomplished by a civil war and thus PRC could be seen as the second republic. With that we have Oct 1 for the 2nd republic and Oct 10 for the first republic.
Most Chinese may not be concerned with this but fellow Chinese living to the east of the Taiwan Strait and not at ease with the CCP may be.
I won't be too critical today because I am proud and have reasons to be happy of what had been achieved in the last 30 years following Deng's reform despite misgiving I have in many respects of CCP's governance.
Having said that, credit must be given to the Dengist CCP for having managed a 30 years of largely peaceful and increasing more developed China. Broadly between 1840s to 1970s, a period of 140 years, China was in a constant state of chaos (乱世) whether the cause was foreign or domestic. Only in the last 30 years that the real and meaningful changes are brought to the peoples.
Listening to the latest speech of the Premier on the eve of national day reception, I am optimistic that China by 2049 will be a different China. Wen spoke about the vision of a civilised, prosperous, harmonious, democratic, just China. A China that respects ethnic minority and religious practice. A China that is ruled by law.
China being a very large country, there are always signs pointing to different direction. Overall, I am pursuaded that CCP is on the right track. I say this with myself always warned of the fact that there was a generation of Chinese both overseas and mainland who were fooled by the words of Mao, and indeed of any politicians. This generation, if they still live, surely live with regret and anger on one side or they had already vanished.
I have chosen to tender the positive evidence. The recently concluded party meeting sees that the party leadership agreed on tougher party rules on party members requiring the officers to declare assets as well as disclosure of spouse and children's profession and etc. This is intended to
increase the CCP's transparency. Additionally and equally important is that the meeting has agreed to implement ways to increase intra-party democracy.
I was reading a piece of futurist predictionof what China will be in 2049, on the 100 anniversary.
Taiwan will be a federated state of China and the party in power is a splinter group from CCP.
These I regard as secondary. More importantly, by 2049 (I will be 76), what matter will be whether Chinese can live peacefully, comfortably, and with dignity.
By peacefully, I mean peace and safe from internal and external threats to life, liberty and property; comfortably, at the simplest level, I mean creature comfort in harmony with nature and keeping pace with technology; by dignity, I mean conducting oneself responsibly to and gaining not just acceptance but also respect and admiration from others.
Let's China not defined by history but by opportunity!
Happy National Day!
It is debatable whether it is a birthday as such. It may be regarded as more of a winning party (in this case CCP) claiming power of a nation and not founding of a state. It is a day marking the official change of the government of the day.
Admittedly this was accomplished by a civil war and thus PRC could be seen as the second republic. With that we have Oct 1 for the 2nd republic and Oct 10 for the first republic.
Most Chinese may not be concerned with this but fellow Chinese living to the east of the Taiwan Strait and not at ease with the CCP may be.
I won't be too critical today because I am proud and have reasons to be happy of what had been achieved in the last 30 years following Deng's reform despite misgiving I have in many respects of CCP's governance.
Having said that, credit must be given to the Dengist CCP for having managed a 30 years of largely peaceful and increasing more developed China. Broadly between 1840s to 1970s, a period of 140 years, China was in a constant state of chaos (乱世) whether the cause was foreign or domestic. Only in the last 30 years that the real and meaningful changes are brought to the peoples.
Listening to the latest speech of the Premier on the eve of national day reception, I am optimistic that China by 2049 will be a different China. Wen spoke about the vision of a civilised, prosperous, harmonious, democratic, just China. A China that respects ethnic minority and religious practice. A China that is ruled by law.
China being a very large country, there are always signs pointing to different direction. Overall, I am pursuaded that CCP is on the right track. I say this with myself always warned of the fact that there was a generation of Chinese both overseas and mainland who were fooled by the words of Mao, and indeed of any politicians. This generation, if they still live, surely live with regret and anger on one side or they had already vanished.
I have chosen to tender the positive evidence. The recently concluded party meeting sees that the party leadership agreed on tougher party rules on party members requiring the officers to declare assets as well as disclosure of spouse and children's profession and etc. This is intended to
increase the CCP's transparency. Additionally and equally important is that the meeting has agreed to implement ways to increase intra-party democracy.
I was reading a piece of futurist predictionof what China will be in 2049, on the 100 anniversary.
Taiwan will be a federated state of China and the party in power is a splinter group from CCP.
These I regard as secondary. More importantly, by 2049 (I will be 76), what matter will be whether Chinese can live peacefully, comfortably, and with dignity.
By peacefully, I mean peace and safe from internal and external threats to life, liberty and property; comfortably, at the simplest level, I mean creature comfort in harmony with nature and keeping pace with technology; by dignity, I mean conducting oneself responsibly to and gaining not just acceptance but also respect and admiration from others.
Let's China not defined by history but by opportunity!
Happy National Day!
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Zardari's Photographs
I thought the aide was walking on to the podium with a folder containing his speech, but in fact it was a prop. As Pakistan's President Zardari spoke, right next to him was a photograph of his late wife former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto who, in that photograph, was herself posing with a portrait of her late father Zulfikar Ali Bhutto the late-former Prime Minister of Pakistan. I felt that was a political stunt destined for his domestic audience - that he was heir to the Bhutto dynasty - and an honest admission that his position was by the reflected glory and popularity of the other two. Zardari was a suave and personable man, but in my observation, not much in terms of levity or seriousness of purpose. For some reason, he just seemed a little desperate to be relevant. For a leader of nearly 190 million souls with some the trickiest and most dangerous political and economic challenges in the world (not to mention nuclear triggers on his fingers) I did not feel that he is anything close to a good hand for Pakistan. His aides were serious and smart looking but I had a feeling tha the real power - if ever there is one - in Pakistan lies elsewhere.
The Chairman of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas, was a warm and affable looking man. He was quite humble and generous with his time. But he came across as rather tired and forlorn. He was greeted more as a symbol rather than who he is or what he said and there was a lot of symphathy for what he stands for. But I wonder how much of those expressions of symphathy extend beyond who he was "fighting" rather than for the betterment of the daily lives of the Palestinian people.
Talking about lip service, I began to notice that among many smaller countries, the statements made by their Presidents often - in almost identical wordings - expressed support for ROC-Taiwan's entrance to the WHO and urging for its greater participation in international bodies. No doubt the Taiwanese authorities have been hard at work with the few countries who it still maintain diplomatic relations with. Although I wonder if, in terms of strategy, it would be better not to celebrate those memberships a if there is some kind of point-scoring if the argument is that those are non-political bodies.
I listened to two leaders of Caribbean countries and heard two different messages. I was very impressed with the Dominican Republic not only from learning that they intend to rely 100% on renewable energy by 2015 but also for the positive tone of its message that focused on what the country was able to do. Antigua and Barbuda on the otherhand raised much the same issues but concluded by blaming others and urging mainly others to take responsibility. I have much more faith in Dominican Republic succeeding in whatever they want to achieve.
In between I took a break and paid a visit to the peoples in the room most relevant to me: the Brunei delegation. For a few days I have been dropping my and chatted. This time I noticed HRH Princess Masna was there in attendance. She had her handbag on the table and another briefcase next to her. And she has got her highlighters and pens out and were busy making notes. She was working hard and really paid attention to the speakers. I went up, greeted her and paid my respects. She was warm and friendly; and also amused and perhaps impressed to learn that I am (i) Bruneian (ii) the only Bruneian in the UN system and (iii) I had done this myself on my own accord. She told me I was setting a good example.
The Chairman of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas, was a warm and affable looking man. He was quite humble and generous with his time. But he came across as rather tired and forlorn. He was greeted more as a symbol rather than who he is or what he said and there was a lot of symphathy for what he stands for. But I wonder how much of those expressions of symphathy extend beyond who he was "fighting" rather than for the betterment of the daily lives of the Palestinian people.
Talking about lip service, I began to notice that among many smaller countries, the statements made by their Presidents often - in almost identical wordings - expressed support for ROC-Taiwan's entrance to the WHO and urging for its greater participation in international bodies. No doubt the Taiwanese authorities have been hard at work with the few countries who it still maintain diplomatic relations with. Although I wonder if, in terms of strategy, it would be better not to celebrate those memberships a if there is some kind of point-scoring if the argument is that those are non-political bodies.
I listened to two leaders of Caribbean countries and heard two different messages. I was very impressed with the Dominican Republic not only from learning that they intend to rely 100% on renewable energy by 2015 but also for the positive tone of its message that focused on what the country was able to do. Antigua and Barbuda on the otherhand raised much the same issues but concluded by blaming others and urging mainly others to take responsibility. I have much more faith in Dominican Republic succeeding in whatever they want to achieve.
In between I took a break and paid a visit to the peoples in the room most relevant to me: the Brunei delegation. For a few days I have been dropping my and chatted. This time I noticed HRH Princess Masna was there in attendance. She had her handbag on the table and another briefcase next to her. And she has got her highlighters and pens out and were busy making notes. She was working hard and really paid attention to the speakers. I went up, greeted her and paid my respects. She was warm and friendly; and also amused and perhaps impressed to learn that I am (i) Bruneian (ii) the only Bruneian in the UN system and (iii) I had done this myself on my own accord. She told me I was setting a good example.
Friday, September 25, 2009
Netanyahu and Other Observations
Today was more of a parade of speeches by lesser known leaders. But it was fascinating all the same but in a less predictable way. I noticed a few things. Right after speaking, Latin American leaders were almost always greeted by huge groups of fawning fellow country-men and women and from their neighbouring countries too. Even as they spoke to one other in Spanish, a language I admit I do not speak, the generous overflow of compliments, back-slapping and flattery was obvious. The crowds were almost always dressed like socialites. They were the elites of their societies - rich and well-connected hanger-ons to power and political celebrity with whom there appear to be a truly symbiotic relationship. I saw one head of government literally looking punch drunk amidst the adulation, getting more and more enthusiastic at granting requests for photographs and the crowd was more than happy to keep heap on the attention.
The same was true for many African leaders. The President of Sierra Leone was greeted by a whole line of African dignitaries and their elaborately dressed (and head-dressed) wives. Although one of the poorest and most war-ravaged countries in the world, the line of dignitaries that greeted the President of Sierra Leone all had a pampered and well-"shopped" look about them: soft smooth skin, fine clothes and jewellery. My thoughts wondered around to blood diamonds and how much suffering lay behind those wealth.
There were a few higher points in the day. Prime Minister Zapatero of Spain came across as a fine looking, intelligent but serious figure in his very well-cut suits. After he soke, he too was mobbed by fans and supporters from Spain and the Hispanic world. I come to realise that Spain still has immense cultural and political influence as the leader of the Hispanic world. When his path crossed with the President of Mexico, they put their arms around one another like pals for a photoshot.
All delegations were quite modest and not difficult to deal with. The President of Lithuania looked like a no-nonsense librarian. He overheard me asking her aide how long her speech were going to be and piped up, “only 15 minutes, not to worry, I will keep it short!”
I spent sometime in the same room as the Prime Minister of Japan. I have a good feeling about him - he came across as distinguished, intense and has an air of nobility about him. He appears to be anything but a career political hack. He speaks English reasonably well.
Prime Minister Erdogan of Turkey was a stately gentleman; austere-looking, reserved but oozing with charisma. He has a gentle but alert demeanor behind his stately reserve. He seemed like someone who - when he chooses to - can disarm someone with the smallest gesture or a single word or may be even a joke. Turkey is a major power in its own right and the delegation conducted itself with great confidence and purpose.
I saw Ahmadenejad again. Ever keeping an open mind, I could not help noticing again that both he and the delegation came across as thugs. They were scruffy, impatient, vacuous and fearful in their eyes. They were also poorly dressed and did not smell too good (unfortunately that was the biggest impression I had.)
Which brings me to the 30 mins I stood in a corner, observing the Isreali PM Netanyahu as he sat across the waiting room. My conclusion is that he is a brilliant speaker and advocate for his position but I did not sense someone who can see beyond his position or winning his corner. He was animate with his staff, more speaking than listening, fidgety and restless but very clearly the top dog. In fact, he got his aide to bring him a taller chair to sit on. Vanity perhaps. In short, he can be a formidable competitor but not, I feel, a true leader who is willing to risk his power for a larger purpose. From his demeanor, he seem to be someone who will try to win by convincing others of his strength or bullying. I just sensed he was not someone I would count on to protect or look after the interest of others.
The same was true for many African leaders. The President of Sierra Leone was greeted by a whole line of African dignitaries and their elaborately dressed (and head-dressed) wives. Although one of the poorest and most war-ravaged countries in the world, the line of dignitaries that greeted the President of Sierra Leone all had a pampered and well-"shopped" look about them: soft smooth skin, fine clothes and jewellery. My thoughts wondered around to blood diamonds and how much suffering lay behind those wealth.
There were a few higher points in the day. Prime Minister Zapatero of Spain came across as a fine looking, intelligent but serious figure in his very well-cut suits. After he soke, he too was mobbed by fans and supporters from Spain and the Hispanic world. I come to realise that Spain still has immense cultural and political influence as the leader of the Hispanic world. When his path crossed with the President of Mexico, they put their arms around one another like pals for a photoshot.
All delegations were quite modest and not difficult to deal with. The President of Lithuania looked like a no-nonsense librarian. He overheard me asking her aide how long her speech were going to be and piped up, “only 15 minutes, not to worry, I will keep it short!”
I spent sometime in the same room as the Prime Minister of Japan. I have a good feeling about him - he came across as distinguished, intense and has an air of nobility about him. He appears to be anything but a career political hack. He speaks English reasonably well.
Prime Minister Erdogan of Turkey was a stately gentleman; austere-looking, reserved but oozing with charisma. He has a gentle but alert demeanor behind his stately reserve. He seemed like someone who - when he chooses to - can disarm someone with the smallest gesture or a single word or may be even a joke. Turkey is a major power in its own right and the delegation conducted itself with great confidence and purpose.
I saw Ahmadenejad again. Ever keeping an open mind, I could not help noticing again that both he and the delegation came across as thugs. They were scruffy, impatient, vacuous and fearful in their eyes. They were also poorly dressed and did not smell too good (unfortunately that was the biggest impression I had.)
Which brings me to the 30 mins I stood in a corner, observing the Isreali PM Netanyahu as he sat across the waiting room. My conclusion is that he is a brilliant speaker and advocate for his position but I did not sense someone who can see beyond his position or winning his corner. He was animate with his staff, more speaking than listening, fidgety and restless but very clearly the top dog. In fact, he got his aide to bring him a taller chair to sit on. Vanity perhaps. In short, he can be a formidable competitor but not, I feel, a true leader who is willing to risk his power for a larger purpose. From his demeanor, he seem to be someone who will try to win by convincing others of his strength or bullying. I just sensed he was not someone I would count on to protect or look after the interest of others.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
The Day I Shook Hands with President Obama
There was a slight commotion as the President swept into the delegates lounge. As he got in he rested his palm gently on Hillary Clinton's shoulders and waited a split second to make sure that she got in with him. He shook one hand and then another and he was heading down my line. In that familiar sonorous voice he said "hello" and "thank you". Sometimes he has a modest little nod with a swallowed smile - a little gesture that reminded me of the Hong Kong actor Tony Leung. He was tall but not overpoweringly so. He moved - no, glide - gracefully like a dancer, appearing confident but not cocky. He was trying to hear Hillary telling him something. And that's when I shook hands with President Barack Obama. And my hairs stood on end.
Earlier in the morning, I brought Hugo Chavez to the reception area. There was a crowd at the security point, he smiled and motioned "relax, just your time" and he asked me in English, "where are you from?" I said, "Brunei" and he shook my hands quickly and I left him at the lounge. He seemed like a pro at this and enjoying the attention no doubt.
The Emir of Qatar came by in a large and well-perfumed delagation. Later on, he greeted one of the protocol officers very warmly. He too has done this many times before. The Bahrainians and Jordanians too were well perfumed. You can always tell if an Arab delegation has just gone past. Surprising numbers of them also came with several sophisticated-and-good-looking women delegtes in tow. Minor members of royalty may be?
I just recognised that a dapper and professorial-looking gentleman whom I kept seeing the day before as the Prime Minister of Turkey. There was always attention when he moved around.
There were so many world leaders that I was getting jaded. In the past two days, I must have walked 2 dozens of them to where they needed to go. Not many people could produe any ounce of excitement anymore - until that is, when the US First Lady Michelle Obama came up the stairs. She was phenomenal. A rush of electricity went about the whole room. Looking splendid in a bright red dress, she greeted the protocol officers so warmly and graciously. She is definately a star. I reckon she is an even more powerful presence in person than her husband. More powerful than any world leader I met in the past two days in terms of charisma.
Colonel Gaddafi came in with a different kind of excitement in tow - one of notoriety and the age-old fascination people always had for the bad boys. I was amazed at the sight of his female body guards - big brawny girls with long curly hair in military fatigues. One of my colleagues, Lynn, was keen to get herself in the photo with all the bad boys. Earlier she got to walk Mugabe and Ahmadenejad to the reception room - but as I had gotten Chavez earlier, she wanted Gaddafi bad. So when Gaddafi came up the stairs, I shoved her forward.
Admadenejad was surrounded by a large security detail and being quite short he looked swamped by them. He smiled the smile of a con-man. Even I meet him on the streets, I won't buy anything from him.
Prime Minister Belusconi came up with a bevy of aides. None of them I noticed looked like teenage girls. He seemed busy talking to a military aide but I led them to the reception room anyway. He looked ghastly. His face was grey, powdery and inanimate. He looked like wearing a wax mask. The only sign of life on his face was in his eyes. Later, as I was walking him to his table for lunch he wanted to stop at the bathroom. I duly waited outside. He did not walk very well. He came across as neither very energetic nor charismtic.
Mugabe on the otherhand seemed quite fit. Although when he walked by closely, I could hear his breathing was wispy almost seething. He has the look of a despot, one used to sowing fear with one look of disapproval. Not someone one would want to invite around for a drink.
Many leaders were extremely normal looking. The Prime Minister of Hungary looked like a youthful CEO. The President of Finland is her red/orange hair doing her own stuff. President Christina Fernandez of Argentina looking statuesque and pretty, looking slightly hapless at times when she was without her interpreter. She gestured like a school girl when the Prime Minister of Austria came by to tell him that he was to sit next to her.
President Medvedev of Russia also looked very clean cut and normal. He was slight in built and appeared intelligent but a little shy. I stuck out my hands and we shook hands as he came by. He was accompanied by a pretty young interpreter who look like Anna Sharapova the tennis player. She was a nervous wreck, first demanding to have a chair set up for her behind her president; and then when she was blocked from entering the lunch area with her president, she broke into argument in the sharp melodramatic Slavic-style with the UN security guards who really wouldn't say no anyway.
I felt embarassed though when the same thing happenned to President Hu Jin Tao's interpreter. Instead of using his words, he simply shouted "interpreter! interpreter!" and got into a shoving match with UN security and literally pushed and elbowed his way through. It was an embarassing display of unrefined and thuggist instincts. After he got through, he grumbled "jen shi de! (really unbelievable!)" to President Hu who appear to nod in agreement. I believe his actions arose from overwhelming fear. But on the whole, I think it reflects a lack of professionalism of the Chinese advance party who should have briefed and double-briefed the security. My feeling is that China definately still has some way to go in terms of graciousness on the world stage.
Numbed as I was by the comings and goings of the day, my most emotional moment was right outside the holding room when President Obma first arrived. I was standing there as his entourage all filed in: Rahm Emmanuel the White House Chief of Staff, David Axelrod the President's top political adviser, Jim Jones the National Security Adviser, etc. and beside me was a well-decorated young USAF officer with a briefcase. "Is that bag what I think it is?" I asked. He was very friendly, and he said "yep" In that bag was the launch codes for the US nuclear arsenal. We talked a bit, he asked me where I was from and he joked that he bought the medals on hi uniform from the shop. But I was just feeling overwhelmed thinking that in that black leather bag is everything that is needed to kill and destroy everything I know and everyone that I care about.
Earlier in the morning, I brought Hugo Chavez to the reception area. There was a crowd at the security point, he smiled and motioned "relax, just your time" and he asked me in English, "where are you from?" I said, "Brunei" and he shook my hands quickly and I left him at the lounge. He seemed like a pro at this and enjoying the attention no doubt.
The Emir of Qatar came by in a large and well-perfumed delagation. Later on, he greeted one of the protocol officers very warmly. He too has done this many times before. The Bahrainians and Jordanians too were well perfumed. You can always tell if an Arab delegation has just gone past. Surprising numbers of them also came with several sophisticated-and-good-looking women delegtes in tow. Minor members of royalty may be?
I just recognised that a dapper and professorial-looking gentleman whom I kept seeing the day before as the Prime Minister of Turkey. There was always attention when he moved around.
There were so many world leaders that I was getting jaded. In the past two days, I must have walked 2 dozens of them to where they needed to go. Not many people could produe any ounce of excitement anymore - until that is, when the US First Lady Michelle Obama came up the stairs. She was phenomenal. A rush of electricity went about the whole room. Looking splendid in a bright red dress, she greeted the protocol officers so warmly and graciously. She is definately a star. I reckon she is an even more powerful presence in person than her husband. More powerful than any world leader I met in the past two days in terms of charisma.
Colonel Gaddafi came in with a different kind of excitement in tow - one of notoriety and the age-old fascination people always had for the bad boys. I was amazed at the sight of his female body guards - big brawny girls with long curly hair in military fatigues. One of my colleagues, Lynn, was keen to get herself in the photo with all the bad boys. Earlier she got to walk Mugabe and Ahmadenejad to the reception room - but as I had gotten Chavez earlier, she wanted Gaddafi bad. So when Gaddafi came up the stairs, I shoved her forward.
Admadenejad was surrounded by a large security detail and being quite short he looked swamped by them. He smiled the smile of a con-man. Even I meet him on the streets, I won't buy anything from him.
Prime Minister Belusconi came up with a bevy of aides. None of them I noticed looked like teenage girls. He seemed busy talking to a military aide but I led them to the reception room anyway. He looked ghastly. His face was grey, powdery and inanimate. He looked like wearing a wax mask. The only sign of life on his face was in his eyes. Later, as I was walking him to his table for lunch he wanted to stop at the bathroom. I duly waited outside. He did not walk very well. He came across as neither very energetic nor charismtic.
Mugabe on the otherhand seemed quite fit. Although when he walked by closely, I could hear his breathing was wispy almost seething. He has the look of a despot, one used to sowing fear with one look of disapproval. Not someone one would want to invite around for a drink.
Many leaders were extremely normal looking. The Prime Minister of Hungary looked like a youthful CEO. The President of Finland is her red/orange hair doing her own stuff. President Christina Fernandez of Argentina looking statuesque and pretty, looking slightly hapless at times when she was without her interpreter. She gestured like a school girl when the Prime Minister of Austria came by to tell him that he was to sit next to her.
President Medvedev of Russia also looked very clean cut and normal. He was slight in built and appeared intelligent but a little shy. I stuck out my hands and we shook hands as he came by. He was accompanied by a pretty young interpreter who look like Anna Sharapova the tennis player. She was a nervous wreck, first demanding to have a chair set up for her behind her president; and then when she was blocked from entering the lunch area with her president, she broke into argument in the sharp melodramatic Slavic-style with the UN security guards who really wouldn't say no anyway.
I felt embarassed though when the same thing happenned to President Hu Jin Tao's interpreter. Instead of using his words, he simply shouted "interpreter! interpreter!" and got into a shoving match with UN security and literally pushed and elbowed his way through. It was an embarassing display of unrefined and thuggist instincts. After he got through, he grumbled "jen shi de! (really unbelievable!)" to President Hu who appear to nod in agreement. I believe his actions arose from overwhelming fear. But on the whole, I think it reflects a lack of professionalism of the Chinese advance party who should have briefed and double-briefed the security. My feeling is that China definately still has some way to go in terms of graciousness on the world stage.
Numbed as I was by the comings and goings of the day, my most emotional moment was right outside the holding room when President Obma first arrived. I was standing there as his entourage all filed in: Rahm Emmanuel the White House Chief of Staff, David Axelrod the President's top political adviser, Jim Jones the National Security Adviser, etc. and beside me was a well-decorated young USAF officer with a briefcase. "Is that bag what I think it is?" I asked. He was very friendly, and he said "yep" In that bag was the launch codes for the US nuclear arsenal. We talked a bit, he asked me where I was from and he joked that he bought the medals on hi uniform from the shop. But I was just feeling overwhelmed thinking that in that black leather bag is everything that is needed to kill and destroy everything I know and everyone that I care about.
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