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The statesmanship of Sweden’s Jan Eliasson

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The statesmanship of Sweden’s Jan Eliasson
United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson shakes hands with Somali Prime Minister Abdi Farah Shirdon at Villa Somalia in 2013. (AMISOM Public Information / Flickr)

Sweden’s Jan Eliasson is one of the most skilled and respected diplomats of his generation. He soared through the ranks of Swedish diplomacy, from advising prime ministers and foreign ministers, to becoming Sweden’s ambassador to the United Nations, ambassador to the United States and serving as his country’s minister of foreign affairs. 

His ascension up the ranks of the UN is historic. He served as a special advisor to the secretary-general, under secretary-general of humanitarian affairs, president of the U.N. General Assembly, special U.N. envoy to Darfur and deputy secretary-general of the UN.

Eliasson is a rare triple diplomatic threat. Skilled at both bilateral and multilateral diplomacy, he is also one of the world’s most experienced mediators a specialized niche of diplomacy which seeks first to prevent, and if necessary, resolve disputes through impartial negotiation. 

Over the decades Eliasson has grown into an international statesman, displaying vision, compassion, courage, effectiveness and inspiration. He has mastered statecraft, stagecraft and soulcraft — the substance, theater and spirit of diplomacy. 

He is superb at statecraft — the traditional work of diplomats — which calls for explaining, advocating, negotiating, clashing and conciliating. He prefers concord to contention but knows there are times for each. 

“Diplomacy is not always about agreeing. Sometimes it’s about being able to express disagreements in a clear and constructive way,” Eliasson said.

He knows when to press hard and when to ease up. 

“In diplomacy, it’s important to have a light touch. When you’re always delivering a heavy message, people get tired of you.”

Eliasson is excellent at diplomatic theater — stagecraft — where presentation and dramatic effect are paramount. He understands the importance of stories, gestures and symbols. 

“You have to have stories, vivid examples. That’s what people remember and that’s what inspires them: stories.”

He is convinced that diplomacy needs soulcraft — a spiritual dimension to open minds, move people and lift spirits. 

“As diplomats we need to dig deeper, to touch people’s hearts. We need to inspire and give hope. There is too much fear in the world,” he added.

Eliasson is able to maneuver and negotiate behind the scenes, skilled at public presentation and explanation. He understands how governments and international organizations work and the best way to exert influence. 

“He has a finger-tip feeling for timing,” a former aide said. “He never forces things.”

Eliasson speaks during the opening session of the High-Level Partnership Forum in 2013. (AMISOM Public Information / Flickr)

Charming and charismatic, the Swedish diplomat is also substantive and detail-oriented. Now in his 80s, he is more idealistic than many people in their 20s, but it is an idealism that has been tested and tempered by war zones, refugee camps, brass-knuckled negotiations, grueling international travel and bureaucratic obstinacy.  

Extroverted and affable, both his champions and his critics have likened him to an American politician. He is a shrewd judge of character and has a keen eye for idiosyncrasies, absurdities and peccadilloes. He notices everything and forgets nothing. 

It may not be a coincidence that he collects magnifying glasses. He reads people like an experienced intelligence officer and finds the best way to engage them. He can discuss American and global politics, world history, international relations, sports, travel, literature, music, film and TV. 

When he was Sweden’s ambassador in Washington, he charmed Condoleezza Rice with discussions about classical music and piano recitals. He bantered with Colin Powell about Volvos and ABBA. 

Eliasson controls and channels his intensity. He is resilient, undaunted and relishes his profession. 

“Being a diplomat is my first identity,” he said. “I have great respect for the art of diplomacy. I love the work. I love the trade. It’s the most civilized way to solve conflicts.” 

He believes diplomats, through a skillful use of language, can fix problems, ease suffering and provide hope.  

“Words — the right words — can save lives. Language is the principal working tool for the diplomat,” he said. “It can be used to reassure, convince or coerce. Words may be powerful, ambiguous or pregnant with violence. There is a saying, ‘Without language there would be no poetry or war.’”

Eliasson is a polished performer, able to read and capture a room. In his speeches, he has a ready supply of formulations that are delivered with the freshness of a first-time telling. 

“You must have both roots and wings,” he tells students. “You must know where you came from but also be adventurous and see the world. Learn from the past, live intensely in the present and have dreams and aspirations for the future.” 

He also urges them to combine passion and compassion, “Without passion, nothing happens. Without compassion, the wrong things happen.”. 

When speaking about climate and the environment he said, “In life, we all must have a Plan B. But in our world, there is no Planet B.” 

Eliasson knows everyone in global diplomacy and American politics. He worked with more than half of the UN secretary-generals: Kurt Waldheim, Javier Pérez de Cuéllar, Boutros Boutros-Ghali, Kofi Annan, Ban Ki-moon and António Guterres. 

He has interacted with American presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Barack Obama, Donald Trump and Joe Biden, and has known almost every consequential American diplomat over the last half century  During his ambassadorship in Washington, Eliasson was on a first name basis with the presidents, all the major think tanks and most of the Supreme Court justices, many of whom often attended his embassy parties. 

Even though he is now officially retired, he remains plugged into important issues and retains high-level contacts across the world. An esteemed elder in global affairs, Eliasson keeps in touch with diplomats he mentored who are now rising through the ranks. They always return his phone calls. 

Eliasson has a remarkable ability to see around corners, to understand how issues connect and can predict what policies will work and which will fail. He is not omniscient, but he is savvy and experienced. Very little surprises him and he has considerable wisdom to impart. 

Eliasson greets Nicholas Kay, head of the United Nations mission in Somalia in 2013. (AMISOM Public Information / Flickr)

Eliasson has learned critical truths that he is skillful in describing to those who should hear them. 

He has learned that the international system is complex and essential, but also fragile, especially now as it is being assailed by restless progressives, fiery populists and impatient publics. 

“The liberal international order has worked effectively for 75 years but is now under serious strain. It must deliver results,” he said. 

Eliasson has learned that UN successes are largely overlooked and its failures are magnified, but realizes that lamenting this unfairness is pointless and self-indulgent. The UN must show it can improve lives and offer a compelling narrative that explains its accomplishments. While flawed, it must be reformed rather than started anew. 

“If we closed the UN today, we would have to start all over and we would probably not do as good the second time,” he said. He believes the UN Charter — the global body’s constitution — is a document of extraordinary vision, power and practicality. It can, if adhered to, help build a better world. 

He has learned that it is easier to destroy than to create. It took years and thousands of hours of intricate diplomacy to fashion the Iranian nuclear agreement and only several reckless minutes by an American president to damage it, probably beyond repair. 

Eliasson has learned that a broad and comprehensive definition of security is necessary. It must embrace the military and politics, but also economics, human rights, climate, education and sustainable development. He has learned that diplomacy is becoming more difficult because of social media, cable TV, instant communication, proxy wars and ethnic tensions. Yet it is more important now than ever before.

He has learned that crisis prevention is far preferable to crisis response — even though it is rarely rewarded in the political world. 

“We need to be there when the arsonist reaches for the match, not when the building has been burned down,” he said.

He has learned that to successfully battle nationalists and populists, it is essential to out-prepare them, hold your ground, keep your cool and tell a compelling story. He learned that diplomacy is best conducted with clear purpose, steel nerves and a soft touch. 

“You can be serious and still have a light side.” 

He has learned that different diplomatic contexts require different approaches, but it is almost always best to begin with persuasion. He has learned that conciliation is essential but that sometimes threats — which he calls “drums in the distance”— can be useful.   

He has learned that there is an urgent need to narrow the gap between the world that is and the world that should be. He has learned that timing is everything and that the right proposals offered at the wrong time don’t work. He has learned that in diplomacy, as in life, persistence, even relentless persistence, is essential. 

“There is always a way. There is always hope. Giving up is unacceptable. It’s undignified to give up,” he said. 

John Shaw is a contributing writer to the Washington Diplomat and the author of The Education of a Statesman: How Global Leaders Can Repair a Fractured World.