Korean crisis is in cool hands.
Saturday's Washington Post ran a front-page article describing Secretary Rubin's cool handling of the Korean currency crisis. At least they think it is cool. The article quoted Robert Hormats, a former Carter administration official and a top executive at Rubin's old firm, Goldman Sachs & Co. "The fact that he has been so quite probably means he's working on something. We just have no way of knowing what that might be."
The article pointed out that, "Invisibility in times of crisis has become a hallmark of Rubin's management style. He has said almost nothing publicly about the turmoil raging through Asia. The few statements he has made have been worked carefully. And he has kept to his regular schedule, even when it took him far away from the Treasury Department, to avoid conveying the slightest hint of panic."
Is he or isn't he working on the problem? Well, my years in Washington tell me he is, and somehow he manages to squirrel away and spend precious time negotiating important agreements with involved governments, despite keeping to his regular schedule.
This belief was confirmed at the second showing of "House Arrest" at the Kreeger theater Thursday night. In midst of all Korean turmoil, Robert Rubin and his wife attended the theater obviously to relax and enjoy the play. Sitting a few seats away, I noticed how nonchalant they both seemed during a rather lengthy first act and during intermission. When the audience sat down to begin the second act, however, only Rubin's wife, looking every bit as "cool" as Robert, remained. Secretary Rubin's seat was empty, and stayed empty for the entire second act. Intrigued, I noticed that when the play was over, his wife merrily strolled out an exit, seeking a provided ride, or taxi.
I couldn't help but compare her actions with how my wife would respond if I dropped her after intermission, leaving her alone and virtually stranded at the theatre. She would not look very pleased exiting the theatre, trying to locate a driver. That is, she would not unless that was part of the deal, pre-planned.
Not only my Washington instincts, but my eyes, tell me Rubin is on the job - and Korea is getting all the attention from the US needed to contain the crisis. Robert Hormat's assumption was correct, but then again, he must have known that, too.
Allen |
