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Jan Eliasson: A new mission possible

TEXT: CHRISTINE DEMSTEADER
PHOTO: : CLAES THORSON

With a decorated political career at home
and an impressive diplomatic career
abroad, Jan Eliasson has been Sweden’s
ambassador in Washington for the last fi ve
years. The Bulletin has previously published
an interview with him in 2004. From
September 1, he will be in New York
as president of the United Nations
General Assembly.

     I thought I was getting too old to go back to New York,” he says. “But I noticed that I had a special bounce in my walk the last time I was there. And I saw the deli where I used to buy my sandwiches in a hurry and said hello to the couriers at the dry cleaners around the corner from where I lived.”

     An energised Eliasson returns to New York for the third assignment at United Nations headquarters, having previously served as both Permanent Representative to the UN and Under-Secretary General, and also as a UN mediator in the war between Iran and Iraq. His debonair diplomatic image earned him the nickname of “James Bond”.
      “I like New York but I’ve also become very attached to Washington,” he says. “You really feel that you are in the capital of the superpower of the world. It’s modern day’s Rome and it almost vibrates power.” His time in the US capital was marked by world-changing events which unfolded before his eyes, the most dramatic of which he says was the 9/11 tragedy. “We practically saw the smoke from the Pentagon, the streets were clogged up by traffi c and people couldn’t get out of the garage, wanting to get home to their children from our embassy,” he recalls.
      “I asked myself that day how deep this would go in the American society and I made the prediction that this was going to change the course of modern American history. And of course that if it changed America, it would change the world. And I think it has.”
      During the Swedish presidency of the European Union in the fi rst half of 2001 Eliasson made high level contacts, representing Europe on all foreign policy issues, which became a personally meaningful role. “I really felt like a true European,” he says. “That was really the fi rst time it deeply dawned on me that Sweden had another dimension and the next generation of Swedes have to be as strong in their European identity as they are in their Swedish identity if we are to meet the modern challenges.”
      Another proud highlight of his term has been working towards the opening of a new embassy building in Washington. More than simply offi ce space, The House of Sweden will be a dazzling cultural centre, showcasing the country in a prime location on the Potomac.
      Due to be inaugurated in the autumn of 2006, the new embassy won’t have Eliasson around to oversee the fi nishing touches. For the next year he will be chairing the work for the United Nations’ central legislative body with the particular task of negotiating and dealing with the UN reform package.
      It is a crucial time for the organisation which celebrates its 60th session this year. “We have problems with the UN and we need to deal with them,” Eliasson says. “And this is the pulpit, the arena I have. I have practically a democratic mandate to speak on behalf of the member states to whom I owe this honour. So within the limits of what is realistic I will do what I can to stand by the principles and beliefs that I have.”
      For Sweden, Eliasson hopes his assignment is seen in the context of continuing support for the UN. “We are not uncritical supporters,” he adds. “Swedes have reacted very strongly to the genocides taking place around the world without action from the UN and legitimate questions are raised about the organisation. But Swedes are basically very strong supporters of the United Nations.”
      “I will in my Presidency also be guided by values and principles which are pillars of Sweden foreign policy: belief in multilateral cooperation, the imperative of prevention, respect for the rule of law and human rights, solidarity with the poor and persecuted, concern for the rights of women, for the children of the world and their future, and indeed for the health of the Planet Earth. These aspirations, I know, are shared by the people and nations in all regions of the world.”
      On a personal note, the posting means another twelve months in the US time zone, adding to the 15 years he has already spent in the country. And more long distance commuting for him and his wife Kerstin, Sweden’s State Secretary for education and science. Then, he says, he will return home. “I was visiting professor in Uppsala so every time I’m there I check whether my pigeon hole still exists so I know I’m welcome back.
      “The task in New York has an absolute, clear ending in September 2006 so then I will go back to Sweden. I will be pleased and I hope my wife will be pleased.”
      Conversation flows with ease and enjoyment in Eliasson’s presence. And while his humble eloquence is charming his fervent passion for his work is unquestionable. Such qualities have undoubtedly contributed to his successful career, and continue to serve him well in the world of diplomacy.

"I will in my Presidency also be guided by values and principles which are pillars of Sweden foreign policy: belief in multilateral co-operation, the imperative of prevention, respect for the rule of law and human rights, solidarity with the poor and persecuted, concern for the rights of women, for the children of the world and their future, and indeed for the health of the Planet Earth. These aspirations, I know, are shared by the people and nations in all regions of the world."