WITHOUT fanfare — this is how Malaysian diplomat Tan Sri Razali Ismail has always done his work.He walks in quietly and, after negotiations are done, walks out just as quietly.
A smooth operator who downplays his role, Razali is known to always play his cards close to his chest. This, his contemporaries say, make him a sharp and shrewd negotiator.
His success in securing the release of Myanmar democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi is yet another feather in the cap for the former former president of the UN General Assembly who used his negotiating skills to ensure the voice of the underdeveloped and developed were heard loud and clear.
During his tenure in the UN, during countless times he received standing ovations for skillfully "orchestrating" the debates so that the "big boys" would not monopolise the sessions nor hijack the resolutions and decisions.
Even in triumph, he has shown his humble disposition by paying tribute to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad."Most certainly, Dr Mahathir has contributed to this happy event today and he continues to be very much involved," he said.
During a recent chat at a social function, Razali said Dr Mahathir was very interested and involved in the negotiation between the Nobel laureate and the Myanmar military government.
"PM kept abreast with the issues, the personalities and was always ready with advice," he said.
Dr Mahathir, commenting on the release of Suu Kyi yesterday, said it showed common sense on both the part of the Nobel laureate and the Myanmar military government."That is progress. Both should be commended," he said adding that the issue had taken a long time to be resolved and that everybody should be patient.
By bringing an end to the 19month house arrest of Suu Kyi, Razali has also given credibility to the word "constructive engagement".While the developed West insisted on imposing sanctions on Myanmar without even considering the untold sufferings that such actions would bring to the people, Asean stood firm with its policy of constant contact and engagement with the military junta.
Razali's appointment as special envoy to Myanmar by UN secretary-general Kofi Annan did not convince many leaders of the developed world that he could pull of a coup especially since they were suspicious of the strong bond linking Malaysia, Myanmar and other nations in the region.
The local and international media hounded Razali for the latest news when he returned from his trips to Yangon but the diplomat seldom gave away much. His only comment would be to say that he was home to report to his bosses.
Some wire services even drew a bleak picture of his exploits claiming "little progress" was being made and that his trips were helping to strengthen the military government's image since it was an indication of the UN recognition of the Yangon administration.
Largely unnoticed was the fact that at the end of every visit, Razali managed to secure the release of several political prisoners which helped to strengthen the democracy activists'perception that the Malaysian diplomat was the right man for the job.
Suu Kyi who heads the National League for Democracy said yesterday: "I'm very grateful for the role that the UN has played and what Mr. Razali has done. I am cautiously optimistic. Most of the changes over the past 18 months have benefitted the NLD but it is not for the NLD but for the people that we are struggling for freedom," she said.
While freedom for Suu Kyi is a major achievement for the people of Myanmar, democracy activists around the world recognise that it will be an uphill task before free elections are held in Myanmar.
Still, many are hoping that Razali will be the man to help bring about an amicable settlement for the people.