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Lunch with the AFR

John McCarthy, former ambassador, was our man in Indonesia at the time of the East Timor independence vote.

Colleen Ryan
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John McCarthy, one of the titans of Australian foreign affairs, was once described as The Quiet Australian. The glib description comes to mind as I watch him arrive at Zigolini’s Restaurant in Queen Street, Woollahra, in Sydney’s affluent eastern suburbs.

McCarthy wanders in right on time, relaxed and casually, but carefully dressed. Even in this environment, he has the polished demeanour of an old-style diplomat.

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    Original URL: https://www.afr.com/policy/foreign-affairs/lunch-with-the-afr-20100723-iv3aq