[RAN HOSTAGES, 15 YEARS LATER _ FSOs IN FILM GROCERY SHOPPING IN RUSSIA

$3.50/NOVEMBER 1994 OREIGN [VICE JOURNAL THE MAGAZINE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS PROFESSIONALS

HAWKING U.S. EXPORTS ABROAD State Recognizes Political Clout of Business When you're overseas, the goods and services you want aren't always available.

Or they're too expensive. Or they take too long to get. When you need a better purchasing solution, call Greenline Forwarding. Together with our affiliates, we've been supplying the Department of State and its personnel for over thirty years, so we know how to handle all the details, from procurement and packaging to documentation and shipping. All you do is pick up the phone. Worried about support? As regular dealers of General Electric®, General Motors®, Eureka®, Whirlpool®, Kenmore® and other major brands, your purchase is backed by the best reputations in industry as well as Greenline Forwarding's commitment to customer satisfaction. That means competitive pricing, replacement parts, repairs and returns on products ranging from office supplies to auto parts and appliances. And since there's no minimum purchase, no order is too small. If you need it quoted today, call us at (305) 593-6862 or fax (305) 593-6865, (305) 593-0739. And let Greenline Forwarding find it for you.

0 Free catalogs available for all overseas personnel and agencies. Visa, MasterCard, and purchase orders welcome.

Greenline Forwarding 9495 N.W. 12 Street • Miami, Florida 33172 • USA What Worldwide Coverage Really Looks Like.

Five programs. One company. Clements & Company. Insurers of the Foreign Service at Home and Abroad.

Auto. “All-Risks” Physical Damage, Marine and Liability Programs. Low premiums and personalized claims service. Household Effects. Full “Replacement Cost” package programs covering property in transit, at-post, in storage and when traveling. Stateside. We’ll insure you at home, too! Auto, Homeowners, Rental Properties. Convenient policy transition. Medical/Life. International medical coverage designed for e contract employees. A portfolio of medical and life plans meeting all your needs. ft Commercial. Embassy Association and International U . v ^ School specialists. Comprehensive programs created to CLEMENTS & COMPANY

PHONE (202) 872-0060 or (800) 872-0067 FAX (202) 466-9064 TELEX 64514 CABLE Clements/Washington Global Travel Emergency Assistance Services

The Protective Association, in conjunction with Worldwide Assistance Services, Inc., offers a valuable product called Travel Assistance International (TAI).

With over 30 years in the travel industry, Worldwide Assistance Services' TAI has local representatives in practically every country in the world and can provide you with:

Unlimited emergency medical evacuation benefit to the nearest medical facility where you can receive treatment.

On the spot medical payments. If you are injured or sick overseas, payment can be made instantly to the medical provider. Your only out- of-pocket expense is a standard $75.00 deductible.

Worldwide medical referrals and medical monitoring.

Prescription replacement assistance.

Repatriation of remains benefit.

Optional trip cancellation/disruption, baggage and accidental death and dismemberment coverage.

Domestic coverage available.

The best part is, you pay only for the length of time you would like to be covered. And, as a member of the Protective Association, you automatically receive a special rate.

For more information and an application, please call 1 (800) 821-2828 and identify yourself as a member of the American Foreign Service Protective Association.

.AMERICAN

FOREIGN

PROTECTIVE W worldwide assistance ASSOCIATION services, inc. 1716 N Street, NW a member of the europ assistance group Washington, DC 20036-2907 CONTENTS

November 1994 ■ Vol. 71, No. 11

C OVER FEATURES Focus ON US TRADE RECALLING THE TERROR OF TEHRAN / 22 32 / STATE OPENS FOR BUSINESS On 15th Anniversary, After 2 Years, US Trade A Former Hostage Finally Becomes a Priority Reflects on the Revolution By Jim Anderson By L. Bruce Laingen

35 / UP CLOSE WITH JOAN SPERO STUFFY, SERIOUS AND SUPERCILIOUS / 26 By Jim Anderson The Foreign Service Officer Goes to the Movies 38 / COURTING THE BIG 10 By Michael Canning Globe’s Emerging Markets Seen Key for US Exports FINALLY, ONE-STOP SHOPPING/ 48 By John Sweeney Russia Project to Aid Grocers, Entrepreneurs, Consumers 41 / How NAFTA CHANGED AN EMBASSY By John Norris By Ted Wilkinson

44 / WHY MFN WON IN CHINA Business Bloc’s Power Felt in Washington Policy-Making By Anne Stevenson-Yang

COLUMNS

5 / PRESIDENT’S VIEWS Page 32 Feedback from tbe Field: Hands Off Hardship Pay By FA. “Tex” Harris D E P ARTM E N T S 17/ SPEAKING OUT LETTERS/7 At AID South Africa, Does CLIPPINGS / 12 American-Style Apartheid Beign? AFSA NEWS / Center Pullout Section By Paul Neifert BOOKS / 51 60 / POSTCARD FROM ABROAD IN MEMORY / 55 Through Letters, A Mother Rediscovers a Daughter — and Herself INDEX TO ADVERTISERS / 59 By Louise Belanger Cover illustration by Michael David Brown

FOREIGNQERVICE TIIE MAGAZINE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS PROFESSIONALS I 0 l; II N A I. Foreign Service Journal (ISSN 0015-7279), 2101 E Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20037-2990 is published monthly by the American Foreign Service Association, a private, non-profit organization. Material appearing Chairman Editor herein represents the opinions of the writers and does not necessarily represent the views of AFSA or the KAREN KREBSBACH SHELDON J. KRYS Journal. Writer queries are invited. Journal subscription: AFSA Members - $9.50 included in annual dues; Managing Editor PHYLLIS DICHTER-FORBES others - $40. For foreign surface mail, add $18 per year; foreign airmail, $36 per year. Second-class postage NANCY A. JOHNSON JOHN ERIKSSON paid at Merrifield, Va., and at additional mailing offices. Postmaster: Send address changes to Foreign Service Journal, 2101 E Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20037-2990. Indexed by Public Affairs Information Service DAVID I. HITCHCOCK Assistant Editor (PAIS). The Journal is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts, photos or illustrations. Advertising Liz ALLAN DOYLE MCMANUS inquiries invited. The appearance of advertisements herein does not imply the endorsement of the services or DANIEL O. NEWBERRY goods offered. FAX: 202/338-8244 or 202/338-6820. TELEPHONE: 202/338-4045. © American Foreign Advertising 6- Circulation Manager DONALD R. NORLAND Service Association 1994. Printed in the U.S.A. Send address changes for the Foreign Service Journal to JANET G. EMERY ANNE SIGMUND AFSA, 2101 E Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20037-2990.

NOVEMBER 1994/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 3 For Those Of \bu In Washington Who Want Shorter Terms Fully Furnished Apartments 1 Bedroom or Large Executive Suites Starting from $1050 Available for 30 days or more/Pro-rates available • Security Underground Parking • Roof Top Pool • 25” Color T.V. • Fitness Room • Aerobics Classes Barton • Daily Newspaper Delivery U/\|1CA • 2 Telephones and Answering Machine 2525 N. loth street • Welcome Gifts North Art metomVA (703)525-2600

EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY PRESIDENT’S VIEWS Feedback from the Field: Hands Off Hardship Pay

BY F. A. “TEX” HARRIS

AFSAs recent cable to overseas not willing to bear. How about a 5 per¬ posts on the State Departments cent pay cut for assistant secretaries? intention to reduce pay differentials at Flow about a 5 How about a cut for members of the most hardship posts by 5 percent Senior Foreign Service?’ released an avalanche of outrage and percent pay cutfor — U.S. Embassy Kuwait a flood of proposals for dealing more “Employees at posts that presently equitably and more realistically with assistant secretaries?’ have no differential should be the foreign affairs agencies’ budget required to reimburse 5 percent of crisis. The estimated 50 responses their salaries to die department as a were submitted to management to voluntary contribution toward meet¬ support AFSAs strong opposition to ing the budget deficit. ... Otherwise, the re-grading proposal, which man¬ “It is incredible that our superiors can the burden falls on those privileged to agement says will “save” $5 million to recognize that Washington and other serve in the Monrovias of tliis world $8 million a year. Following are some major U.S. cities need ‘locality pay to — a duty that employees in Paris of the choicest raspberries: attract and retain the best people and at would surely wish to share.” “The primary feeling at this post is the same time tiiink die best way to save — U.S. Embassy Mogadishu one of betrayal. It is not often that we a small amount of money is to make serv¬ “It is not fair that overseas people observe an institution in the very act ing in our most difficult posts even less in the least desirable places are target¬ of breaking die bonds of trust with its attractive.” ed. The U.S. Agency for International employees. ... If die proposed reduc¬ — U.S. AID Kathmandu Development is being hit hardest, as tions are implemented, tiieir impact “The conditions tiiat created dif¬ most of its posts are hardship posts.... will ripple through die ranks of all ferentials — critical crime and securi¬ To panic, to cut witii little compre¬ government employees eligible for ty problems, isolation, unhealthy con¬ hensive tiiought and witiiout consul¬ overseas service for years to come.” ditions and difficult family environ¬ tation, and to single out categories of — U.S. Embassy Abidjan ments — still exist. The following are personnel to target demonstrates bad “What the department Inis done is a few of the illnesses that our employ¬ management and bad faith.” nothing short of a breach of contract. ees have had in the last year: typhus, — U.S Embassy Dhaka Foreign Service employees bid on diis typhoid, malaria, lead in our childrens “We have been heartened over the assignment widi die enticement of a 20 blood, dengue fever, hepatitis A&B, past several years to see AFSA take a percent hardship allowance. Now that we meningococcal septicemia, giardia, harder line against management. are here and cannot do anything about it, amoebic dysentery, parasites, asthma AFSA needs to get angry. Take the the department has cut diat allowance in and pollution-induced allergies. side of the workers against insane half. Such actions have tremendous per¬ Washingtons budget crisis has not management proposals like this one.” sona] consequences when families were eased these problems.” — U.S. Embassy Doha counting on that extra money to send — U.S. Embassy Jakarta “A highly motivated work force dieir children to college or make a down “It does not take a physicist to realize cannot be sustained by a department payment on a house.” that any savings from cutting post differ¬ that cannot or will not deal construc¬ — U.S. Embassy Doha entials may be more than offset by more tively or honesdy with its employees.” frequent employee moves. ... Good — U.S. Embassy Manila E A. “Tex” Harris is president of the managers do not ask their subordinates I couldn’t have said it better American Foreign Service Association, to make sacrifices they themselves are myself. ■

5 FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL/NOVEMBER 1994 In 100 years, we've protected a lot of FSO valuables.

Since 1890, our famous firsts include insurance for goods shipped abroad,

and temperature-controlled storage for valuables left at home.

Security gtsrag tf

Today, were the world's most experienced moving & storage company. Security's Govern¬ For insurance or storage, call ment Service Policy Corliss Battle or Steve Everett. insures furnishings and When you're posted abroad, you personal effects at can protect your valuables with a century special low rates, while in-transit or at your |^#Since residence anywhere outside the U.S. Security’s temperature-controlled storage protects rugs, furs and clothing left ^MOVING & STORAGE ^4 in Washington-at government expense. Our 2nd Century of Quality Service. 1701 Florida Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20009(202)234-5600 To the Editor: Ms. Lewis should be brought to the America might fare in the future. As die medical director of the embassy for evaluation, the on-call By drawing the reader’s attention in State Department’s Office of Medical nurse arranged to meet her when she new ways to what is to be learned from Services, I feel obliged to respond to arrived. Within 20 minutes, the nurse relations among European statesmen attorney Ralph Martin’s comments had evaluated Ms. Lewis, consulted in the 18th and 19th centuries, (“Letters,” September Journal) the dut)' doctor, and asked the doctor Kissinger arrives at his central proposi¬ regarding the deadi of Nancy to come in. tion that there is an inner tension in Ferebee Lewis in Cairo. Mr. Martin Regarding the autopsy, it is policy American foreign policy between suggests that die department failed to to provide pathologists with as much Wilson’s moral idealism and the lega¬ respond properly to her medical information as possible. This was cies of Cardinal Richelieu’s raison emergency and has since treated her done in the Lewis case. Again, the d’etat, Bismarck’s Realpolitik and family badly by refusing to provide results of the autopsy were promptly Theodore Roosevelt’s and Richard information on die incident. provided to the family. Nixon’s visions of national interest. It is important that your readers There has been no attempt to This enduring tension, so evident have an accurate picture of the withhold tire results of investigations in the Clinton administration’s poli¬ department’s response in the Lewis or any other material. The depart¬ cies toward Haiti, becomes in the case. Immediately upon learning of ment is subject to the procedures dic¬ telling a sort of ijang and yin, a tug¬ Ms. Lewis’s death, the Office of tated by the Freedom of Information ging and pulling of opposing forces Medical Services began a review of Act and must comply with those for which Henry Adams, in a different the actions of the medical team. requirements and the Privacy Act. American context, provided us the When a family member informed die Fortunately this has not caused metaphor of the virgin and the post two days later that a highly toxic exceptional delay in providing infor¬ dynamo. “I tried to describe fumigant had been applied in Ms. mation to the Lewis family. America’s unique blend of hope and Lewis’s apartment by a local firm, a Elmore F. Rigamer necessity,” Kissinger wrote to The Mishap Analysis Board was convened Medical Director New York Times about his book. under the direction of the Office of Office of Medical Services Interestingly, Kissinger finds much Safety, Health and Environmental Washington, D.C. of indispensability in Wilson’s ideal¬ Management. The board members ism. “For America, any association traveled to Cairo in the second week with Realpolitik must take into of January to investigate. The MAB account the core values of tire first study was followed by an in-depth society in history to have been explic¬ investigation, recently concluded, To the Editor: itly created in the name of liberty,” he conducted by the Office of the Charles Maechling’s review of wrote in die end. Inspector General. Extensive reports Henry Kissinger’s Diplomacy Kissinger develops a theory of on both investigations have been (September Journal) does not do jus¬ “America’s exceptionalism” (there are shared with the Lewis family. tice to a work of striking insight, origi¬ 21 references to it in the index) drat is Investigations of Ms. Lewis’s death nality and force. Offered here is a brief a stroke of insight. Defined as a sense detailed attempts by a nurse, a physi¬ but contrasting assessment of this in this country of “moral superiority ... cian and others in the health unit to absorbing analysis of how American backed by die nation’s material abun¬ aid Ms. Lewis and to resuscitate her foreign policy since Woodrow Wilson dance,” America’s exceptionalism also after her collapse. After advising that assumed its contours and of how finds expression in “unrivaled power.”

7 FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL/NOVEMBER 1994 LETTERS

This concept, an invaluable analytical To the Editor: tool, has an anchor in Wilsonianism as Thank you for your excellent arti¬ well. Perhaps only someone bom and cle, “The Men Behind the Legends,” raised in formative years outside the (September Journal). As a first tour United States could arrive at this pen¬ junior officer, I found die examples etration with such a sure and elegant set by Ambassadors Herman Cohen, touch. Deane Hinton and Terence Todman In creating a new world order, the daunting and inspirational at the same subject of tire last chapter, Kissinger time. argues that “America’s dominant task Your readers might be interested is to strike a balance between the twin to know that Ambassador Cohen con¬ temptations inherent in its exception- tinues to play a role in die evolution of alism: die notion diat America must the Foreign Service: He was die men¬ Come to American Service remedy eveiy wrong and stabilize tor of my A-100 class (die 70th). Center for diplomatic immunity every dislocation, and the latent Further, Ambassador Cohen contin¬ from high prices. If you are on instinct to withdraw into itself.” That ues to demonstrate die diplomatic vir¬ an overseas assignment, and chapter alone is worth the price of his tuosity and deftness diat your article carry a diplomatic or official hefty book. credits him with. An example is an passport, you can save on the This is a grand and indispensable anecdote from our class. purchase of a new Mercedes work that fills a gap in diplomatic lit¬ The object of the “off-site” exer¬ Benz with U.S. equipment, erature so great that one appreciates cise was to simulate the workings of shipped directly to the United its magnitude only at the end. As an embassy just prior to and during a States. secretary of state, Kissinger forced vice presidential visit. Ambassador Contact Erik Granholm, our badly needed discipline upon the Cohen played die role of die visiting Diplomatic and Tourist Sales intellectual processes shaping our vice president. The host country, Manager, a native of Munich foreign policies, to the annoyance of Andiuria, had a series of bizarre ritu¬ Germany who has been with many who had their memos als, which visiting dignitaries were American Service Center for 27 returned to them for further work. expected to endure so as not to offend years. Suspicious of the Foreign Service their Anthurian hosts. When he throughout his tenure, Kissinger stepped off an imaginary Air Force came at the end to admire its best Two, Ambassador Cohen was and bravest. wrapped in a feadier boa, presented I, too, stood among the many State with orange slices and crowned with a Department employees gathered in large sun. Despite his ridiculous attire the C Street lobby on the afternoon of and the strange greetings diat cour¬ his formal departure 17 years ago, tesy dictated he exchange with his when he paused on the landing of the counterparts, Ambassador Cohen lerican stairs to say a few words of farewell. His delivered a flawless speech on the voice cracked noticeably, and emotion importance of the trade, defense and Service Cent! embarrassed him. Mr. Maechling cultural ties between Andiuria and 585 North Glebe Road should have noted that the author of die United States. And he maintained Arlington, Virginia 22203 703/525-2100 Diplomacy dedicated his best and most a serious and respectful calm FAX: 703/525-1430 important book “to the men and diroughout. women of tire Foreign Service of the Should any members of the 70tii United States of America, whose pro¬ attain ambassadorial rank, I hope that fessionalism and dedication sustain they can perform with as much grace ® Mercedes-Benz-Registerd Trademarks of Daimler-Benz AG, Stuttgart, Federal Republic of Germany American diplomacy.” under fire as Ambassador Cohen. Brandon Grove jr. Jeff Hawkins Retired FSO Political Officer Washington, D C. U.S. Embassy Abidjan

8 FOREIGN SERVICE ] O U RN A L/N OV E M B E R 1994 To the Editor: I hope that the record is better For many years the Foreign elsewhere. I would, in any event, urge Service has rightly stressed the impor¬ that the department and the White tance of area experience and expertise House take regional expertise into • Furnished studios to as a major tool in the formulation and greater account in the future. Among 3 bedroom residences carrying out of foreign policy. The rel¬ odier benefits, it will also encourage evance of such expertise is even more junior officers to seek to develop area • Minimum 30 days telhng now in the post-Cold War competence in the reasonable hope • Rates within per diem world, where so much U.S. attention that attractive rewards await the more • Fully equipped kitchens has come to be focused on die often outstanding of them as they reach crucial problems we face in individual senior levels. • Individual washers/dryers countries rather than on global efforts Howard B. Schaffer • Cable TV. & local phone to diwart Communist direats. The Retired U.S. Ambassador included expansion and refocusing of U.S. for¬ Colombo eign policy to give fresh starts to such • Utilities included matters as the environment, popula¬ • Optional Maid service tion control, trade promotion and nuclear issues also make area exper¬ • On site fitness center & tise more critical. The availability of To the Editor: memberships to local health area expertise is a unique advantage From my own experience in die clubs die Foreign Service enjoys as it deals CIA, I know that your quotation from • Pet friendly locations with odier U.S. government agencies the July 4 U.S. News and World in diese fields. Report article in the “Clippings” sec¬ • Major credit cards accepted With this in mind, I was disap¬ tion (September journal) on the • One statement billing pointed to note how little attention unnecessary duplication of State and die Service seems to have given to CIA reporting (the former which is • Locations in Virginia, Maryland and D.C. close to area expertise in its staffing of senior free, and the latter which is paid for) new NFATC field positions in South Asia, where I will undoubtedly resonate with the spent much of my professional life attitudes of many of your readership. Virginia Locations before retiring. By my calculation, at Such views on the redundancy of the Annandale, Arlington, Ballston, the beginning of August this year only CIA are predicated on the erroneous Courthouse, Crystal City, six of the 15 senior positions were assumption that the primary responsi¬ Fairfax City, Falls Church staffed by officers who had served a bility of die CIA officer overseas is Maryland Locations full tour or more in any South Asian simply to gadier information of intel¬ Bethesda, Gaithersburg, Rockville, country, although one officer had ligence interest, as do die depart¬ Silver Spring served on a relevant desk. The pat¬ ment’s political and economic offi¬ District Locations tern in the department is better: of cers. But their unique and primary Dupont Circle, Foggy Bottom, Upper the four top jobs in die Bureau of task is to spot, recruit and handle con¬ Northwest, Waterfront Soudi Asian affairs, three were held trolled human sources willing to by officers who had served in die sub¬ report such information systematical¬ Inquiries (703) 506-3993 continent, some for many years. ly on a professional and business-like (800) 776-5057 I don’t mean to denigrate die non¬ basis. Traditionally die CIA officer is FAX (703) 506-3997 specialist senior officers serving in as much a fisher of men as a gatherer South Asia. Some of diem are, by all of information. LET US SHOW YOU HOW accounts, providing highly effective Although the CIA intelligence col¬ WE OPEN DOORS TO HOMES leadership to their posts. But their tal¬ lection through controlled sources is AWAY FROM HOMES! ents need to be supplemented in designed to complement straight these and other South Asian posts by political and economic reporting by 8230 Old Courthouse Road officers who return to the region with other agencies, there will always be Suite 450, Vienna, VA 22182 previous experience there. some overlap. Surely, experienced

NOVEMBER 1994/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 9 -s LETTERS ExecuStay, Inc. Foreign Service officers will under¬ tude of universities in all conceiv¬ 1-800-735-7829 stand drat precisely sourced infor¬ able specialties. Although the 301-212-9660 mation from controlled, disciplined Foreign Service community does sources is much more valuable to not contain racial minorities in the Fax: 301-212-9665 our policymakers than the same same proportion as does the Member of the information gleaned from a friendly American population as a whole, by Washington contact, elicited at a social event or any other measure the Foreign presented officially by a foreign gov¬ Service has achieved a diversity Reservation Centre ernment. To make the case that the unapproached by the diplomatic offering over 1,000 fully furnished locations throughout CIA is not cost effective because of corps of any other country. the Washington Metropolitan area such occasional duplication shows a As an important part of its for 30 days or longer. deliberate naivete that can only recruitment the department has tar¬ stem from institutional insecurity, geted schools such as Georgetown, bureaucratic self-interest or Harvard and Yale and Princeton for careerist posturings. Irritating as the intense minority recruitment CIA’s overseas presence may be to efforts. The choice of these colleges other agencies, it would be petty to seems ironic — recruitment will persist in seeing such a presence as likely be slow at these schools where unjustified competition, just as it is good minority graduates receive job H=i unworthy of some anonymous disaf¬ offers far more generous than the fected CIA personnel to pander to department can offer. The Experts In Furnished such prejudices. If the department wishes to Short & Long-Term Housing Christopher D. Costanzo increase minority hiring, more effort ■ Fully furnished apartments Retired CIA Officer should be directed to making con¬ and private homes. Randolph, Vt. tact with slightly older minority pro¬ ■ Customized to meet your fessionals who, like their non-minor¬ lifestyle. ity colleagues, have a better chance ■ Quality housewares including of success in the competition for linens, fully outfitted kitchens Foreign Service positions than do and decorative accessories. To the Editor: undergraduates. The current ■ All expenses including phone Our post recently received the emphasis on college recruiting is service, utilities and cable television on one bill. strategic recruitment plan for 1993- unlikely to be productive in increas¬ 97. The department’s strategy for ing the minority ratio and may turn ■ Maid service upon request. ■ Pets accepted at many achieving greater diversity in the die clock back widi its emphasis on locations. Foreign Service deserves some recruiting at elite East Coast private ■ Washers and dryers. comment. colleges. ■ Close to shopping and Only rarely do recent college Theodore Lienhart entertainment. graduates succeed in the fierce com¬ Administrative Officer ■ Many locations on public petition for Foreign Service posi¬ U.S. Embassy Banjul transportation routes. tions. But it appears that a very large ■ Major credit cards accepted. share of the recruitment effort is still aimed at undergraduates. The Most Importantly... average new Foreign Service officer ■ You make the decisions, we is more than 30 years old and has an To the Editor: provide the service. advanced degree and close to 10 In the August “Letters” column, ■ We meet your budget. years’ working experience. New Paul Good writes about effectiveness entrants come from a wide variety of and diversity. He rightly identified 7595 Rickenbacker Drive professional fields, originate from all prejudices that must be endured by Gaithersburg, Maryland 20879 parts of the United States and Foreign Service personnel in some receive their education at a multi¬ societies but wrongly suggested that

10 FOREIGN SERVICE J O U RN AL / N OV E M B E R 1994 mm m ™ ™"T| LETTERS Clip This Ad and Send for Free Catalog General Electronics, we comply with them in our assign¬ Agriculture Service Boards, I could ments policy. Equal opportunity is not say no. Inc. the core of American values. I was assigned to the board AUTHORIZED EXPORTER Qualification should be the pri¬ reviewing die files of all Foreign mordial consideration in making an Agricultural Service (FAS) seniors GENERAL ELECTRIC assignment. Historically, some black for promotion, selection out and -USA- officers have sought assignment to awards. There were 22 files, running apartheid South Africa and women up to 10 pages each, and only two All GE Products are Available to Arab countries. They knew what days allotted for the review. We were for All Electric Currents/Cycles they were asking for and, based on told to concentrate on the last five my experience, have proved to be years ... and spend only about 20 Immediate Shipping/Mailing exceptional performers. Many other minutes on each file. Identifying the From Our Local Warehouse able officers have recognized that small group who were least competi¬ We Can Also Furnish they might be disadvantaged by ser¬ tive was relatively easy, and there was vice in environments hostile to their little disagreement. Problems came Replacement Parts for race or gender and opted for sendee in distinguishing between those at Most Manufacturers elsewhere. What is important is that die top and in the middle. Most of all have the opportunity to demon¬ the panel put great store on the “out¬ Showroom strate their talents. standing” ratings, which were fewer General Electronics, Inc. A number of years ago a valued in number. When I pointed out tiiat 4513 Wisconsin Avenue, N.W. colleague died of malaria contracted in several cases these were not Washington, DC 20016 at a hardship post. Only after her backed up by narrative, I was voted Tel. (202) 362-8300 Fax (202) 363-6538 death did I learn that she was a down. Others seemed to feel check¬ TWX (710) 822-9450 Christian Scientist, who in accor¬ ing the top box did not require exten¬ GENELECINC WSH dance with her faith did not take the sive documentation. prescribed prophylaxis. My first I was shocked to learn we were (Please check box) grieved reaction was why would the not permitted to consider time-in¬ □ Refrigerators, □ Small Appliances Personnel Bureau make such a dan¬ class as a criterion for rank ordering Freezers □ Audio Equipment gerous assignment. I later concluded officers for promotion recommenda¬ □ Rangers □ Television □ Microwave Ovens □ Dishwashers that it was not Personnel’s business tions, and was told that it would be □ Air Conditioners □ Transformers to question a person’s faith. Nor taken into consideration at the □ Dryers, Washers □ Complete Catalog should race or gender be consid¬ review stage. ered. Foreign Service officers are I left feeling guilty that we had fully capable of evaluating the haz¬ not given the files of FAS seniors the ards in certain assignments. Let us amount of time this highly compe¬ preserve the openness of our assign¬ tent and motivated group deserved. ment system and the ability of our I also left feeling a little smug. Based officers to choose their challenges. on my friend’s comments, I believe Robert G. Houdek we are more conscientious at State. Ambassador If we think we can ever devise a U. S. Embassy Asmara system completely fair to everyone for implementing “up or out,” we =T<^= are kidding ourselves. Nevertheless, I recommend exposure to another foreign affairs agency’s methods to To the Editor: develop appreciation for the State I could have retired without ever Department’s efforts. having served on the selection Walt Lundy boards, but when a friend asked me Retired FSO to fill in on the 1994 Foreign Washington, D.C. ■

NOVEMBER 1994/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 11 CLIPPINGS

COWAL BLASTS STATE Schnabel followed long-time curator Clement Conger, who conceived of the FOR 'DISCRIMINATION’ Diplomatic Reception Rooms in 1961 Sally Cowal, one of the few female ca¬ after Mary Herter, wife of then-Secretary reer ministers in the Foreign Service and of State Christian Herter, dissolved in tears the fonner ambassador to Trinidad and at die unattractive settings in which she Tobago, is leaving with a blast at what she would have to entertain dignitaries. For called a “quota system which discriminates the next 31 years, Conger used equal against” women. In the Sept. 26 amounts of diplomacy and chutspah to Washington Post, A1 Kamen reports that amass a $75 million collection of American Cowal wrote a letter to Secretaiy of State fine and decorative arts, reported Berry. “When Warren Christopher complaining that in More than 65,000 guests are entertained spite of her “outstanding” record, she was each year in the Diplomatic Reception Washington is not given another embassy and thus was Rooms, which also are toured by another forced to retire at age 50. 45,000 people annually. Conger estimates awake, I am Cowal, a former deputy assistant secre¬ that another $2.5 million will need to be tary for Latin America, said that she was raised each year for an endowment for the asleep. And promised her pick of Latin American em¬ rooms, to upgrade its collection, and for bassies, and in November agreed to go to conservation and restoration. even better,, Panama. However, unknown to the State Berry reports that one of the things that Department, the White House had already cost Schnabel his job was his difficulty with when I am selected Robert Pastor for the Panama fund raising. Gail Serfaty, associate curator, is post. Cowal pointed out that she then was reported to be the front-runner for the job. awake, offered no suitable jobs and diat all but one Latin America job have gone to white Washington males, Kamen reported. PANEL PROTESTS Under Secretary for Management DOCUMENT BLOCK is sleeping. ” Richard Moose said there was “no basis” for her charge of discrimination. He claims A panel of independent historians has that she was a star and State backed her protested that the Clinton administration very strongly for an ambassadorship. withheld on specious national security “People can’t always get what they want” in grounds important documents from the — WALTER MONDALE, assignments, Moose was quoted as saying. book series, Foreign Relations of the 0 \ THE ADVANTAGES United States. According to Al Kamen’s column, “In the Loop,” in the Sept. 19 OE BEING CURATOR SCHNABEL Washington Post, Historical Advisory AMBASSADOR TO Committee Chairman Warren Kimball Now OUT OF A JOB wrote a letter to Secretary of State Warren JAPAN, Harry Schnabel Jr., curator of the Christopher complaining that the refusal NEWSWEEK, Diplomatic Reception Rooms, has been of the State Department and the CIA to told that his contract would not be re¬ declassify 30-year-old documents would SEPT. 19 newed, “due to streamlining and down¬ “seriously distort the record of American structuring,” according to reporter Heidi foreign policy with at least two nations dur¬ Berry in the Sept. 22 Washington Post. ing the Kennedy presidency.” The two na-

12. FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL/NOVEMBER 1994 CLIPPINGS

tions? Japan and Guyana. Kimball’s letter 70 percent of all U.S. ambassadors come said that the refusal to declassify the mate¬ from career ranks, writing that “the ca¬ rial “derives from fear of embarrassment reer Foreign Service is falling on hard rather than national security.” Under times.” Secretaiy for Management Richard Moose is expected to make the final judgement on release of the documents. CURBING CAVIAR CRISES YEARS AGO AT BRITISH EMBASSIES STATE ABOLISHES British-style diplomacy is not cheap. Running an English embassy in a 'EASTERN EUROPE’ European capital can cost more than 10 “The kaleidoscope of Assistant Secretary of State Richard million pounds [$10.7 million] a year, changing governments, Holbrooke has banished the words writes Michael Binyon in the Aug. 17 shifting political and eco¬ “Eastern Europe” from the lexicon of all London Times. Binyon wrote, nomic concepts in the embassies, according to Al Kamen in the “Suggestions that diplomats wallow in a world today make it es¬ Sept. 21 Washington Post. Holbrooke, champagne and caviar lifestyle arose bit¬ sential that the young the former ambassador to Germany, told ter objections, not only from harassed American diplomat have a House committee that the people of the first secretaries who have just come back a wide variety of back¬ region “do not consider themselves from their 90th national day reception, Eastern Europeans. ... Prague lies west of but also from businessmen who rely on grounds — personally as Vienna. Budapest has a long cultural tra¬ British embassies to fix their connec¬ well as geographically,” dition as rich as that of Paris, or Vienna or tions.” wrote Florence J. Berlin.” The region will henceforth be Britain’s embassy in Paris costs 16.7 Harriman, former U.S. called Central Europe — the name it was million pounds [$28.4 million] a year to minister to Norway in known by in the old days. run and has an annual entertainment bill the November 1944 of 359,000 pounds [$610,300]. In con¬ Journal. In a theme trast, U.S. Embassy Paris has an annual echoed in several articles operating budget of $26.1 million and a Ar STATE DEPARTMENT, in this war-time issue, representational allowance of $149,200, Harriman wrote, “Today, I T S MORE OUT THAN UP according to State Department figures. and tomorrow more than Under Secretary for Management U.S. Embassy London costs $17.4 mil¬ ever, the ideal diplomat Richard Moose also ends up defending lion a year and $151,000 for representa¬ State’s policies in a Washington Post tional costs. must be first a citizen Sept. 28 column by Al Kamen. In mid- But the Paris embassy is Britain’s who knows and respects September, 105 Foreign Service officers most expensive mission overseas and, ar¬ America. He should be (seniors and FS-Ols)— higher than the guably, one of its most influential, ac¬ in the broadest sense of average number — were told they cording to Binyon. “But even in Paris the phrase, a man of the would be “out” under State’s “up or out” they count the pennies,” he writes. “The world and a man of the policy, although Kamen had reported embassy has to account for every item of people. ... For it is our the figure at 107. Responding to those expenditure — even down to the last mission everywhere to who claimed that there were too many mint. Every diplomat has to get clear¬ live up to our own tradi¬ political types in top jobs, Moose said ance before every dinner party to show tions of democracy, mak¬ that the number of political appointees that the lamb cutlets are really necessary ing our connections had a “minimal impact” on the promo¬ and the embassy cooks, among the 17 tion process and that it was the budget domestic staff, are instructed to shop at when abroad not merely squeeze and the ceiling on senior posi¬ the cheaper outlets.” with the privileged soci¬ tions that were the real culprits. The Times points out that London’s ety, but with all democ¬ Kamen points out that the adminis¬ Foreign Office faces deep cuts in the ratic elements.” ■ tration is falling short on its pledge that next three years and that entertainment

NOVEMBER 1994/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 13 CLIPPINGS

is the first target, even though these tried to work out arrangements with “Th is is power in costs account for less than 1 percent of Carter that would permit him to partici¬ the budget. “Entertaining is a terrible pate in additional talks in North Korea as the service of imposition on your private life,” notes well. one anonymous British diplomat. Secretary of State Warren diplomacy in one “These things are done for duty. ... I can Christopher reportedly said he believes imagine better ways of spending an he and Carter have ironed out their dif¬ of the most evening than entertaining a junior ferences over the proper diplomatic role chamber of commerce official.” for the former president. “One thing for convincing ways." certain, there’ll be better coordination in the future,” said Christopher after a late September meeting with the former SECRETARY OF STATE CARTER, CHRISTOPHER president at his Plains, Ga. home. “It was WARREX CHRISTOPHER OX JOUST OVER DIPLOMACY a friendly, instructive session. We went “Carter is a two-edged sword for the through the background of various THE HAITI OCCUPATION, administration,” said a senior State events, and he recognizes the responsi¬ Department official about former bility that I have as secretary of state.” ('HRisiuxSaEM E Mo\rmn. President Jimmy Carter’s role in the Christopher said Carter “has three Haiti diplomatic crisis. In the Oct. 3 Los roles: as world citizen, as possible medi¬ SEPT. 20 Angeles Times, Jack Nelson reported ator ... and as a representative of the that State Department officials have president.” ■

CONVENIENCE LOCATION 1 ♦ 2 Swimming Pools ’*•*#*' l. w ♦ 25 Steps to Metro ♦ 2 Lighted Tennis Courts " nr ♦ Just Minutes to NIH, Navy ♦ Workout facility Hospital, Pentagon, World ♦ Aerobic Classes Bank and Embassy Row. ♦ Fully Furnished EfF., 1, 2 and 3 ♦ Steps Away to 2 Grocery Stores, Bedroom Apartments over 135 Restaurants, Banks ♦ Cable TV and Shopping. ♦ Phone OTHER ITEMS ♦ Valet Diy Cleaning ♦ Crib, Desk and Chair ♦ Garage Parking ♦ Housekeeping ♦ Washer/Diyer in each Apartment ♦ Roll-a-way bed ♦ Vacuum Cleaner

Affordable Hotel Living with the Advantages of a Home It you are looking for comfort and convenience, the choice is easy. The Chase at Bethesda oilers two twin towers in the heart of Bethesda and only 25 steps to the Metro. THE CHASE AT BETHESDA 7500 WOODMONT AVE. • BETHESDA, MD. 208M • (301) 654-0694 • FAX (301) 654-0697 Daily renD starting from $61.63 Minimum )0-Jay occupancy

AVALON PROPERTIES — A COMPANY THAT CARES ABOUT OUR RESIDENTS

14 FOREIGN SERVICE J OU RN AL/N OV EM B ER 1994 Factory Direct Automobiles For Diplomats & International Executives

As a member of the Diplomatic and Interna¬ Phone Or Fax For Personalized Service tional Executive Community, you are eligible A personal representative will order the model and color for special FACTORY-DIRECT PRIVILEGES you want, with the equipment you want, and quote the when you order any General Motors, Chrysler "official diplomatic price" including all applicable rebates. or Jeep/Eagle while you're overseas. We will arrange delivery of your vehicle anywhere in the United States or overseas .

Your Factory Direct Privileees Contact Our Headquarters ♦ Factory Direct prices. Phone or fax us for pricing and model availability. Special ♦ Fast, personalized ordering assistance. factory orders require 90 day advance notice. Inventory is ♦ Custom factory ordering or stock selection. available for immediate delivery. Convenient U.S. or overseas delivery. ♦ r ♦ Worldwide factory warranty protection. Call (516) 496-1806 or Fax (516) 677-3701 Name: ,

Embassy:,

Choose From A Full Line of Products City: Jeep/Eagle, Dodge, Plymouth, Chrysler, Country:, Chevrolet, Pontiac, Buick, Oldsmobile, Geo, Tel: Fax:,

Cadillac. Other manufacturer's program models Vehicle: are also available for delivery in Washington, D.C. Diplomatic Automobile Sales and Virginia. USA Information Office, 100 Crossways Park West, Woodbury, N.Y. 11797-9982 Germany Tel: (0228) 376 550 France Tel: (1) 44 71 36 78 Belgium Tel: (02) 716 4860 Does Y)ur Health Plan Provide High Benefits at Home and Overseas?

foreign Service Benefit Plan

fYes

Does ^tour Health Plan Give "You the Same HigkQ ua lity S ervice at Home and Overseas?

Foreign Service Benefit Plan S'Yes

Does Ifour Health Plan Cover Ylour Family Anywhere m the World?

Foreign Service Benefit Plan

/Yese

It does not matter wkere in the world you are — you are covered with the Foreign Service Benefit plan. We will translate foreign claims, contact providers, and help you navigate the complex insurance reimbursement process. Our highly trained staff is available to answer questions and help ensure swift and accurate processing of your claims.

Whether you are posted in Washington or overseas, traveling in the United States or overseas, have separate maintenance in the United States or overseas, or have dependents in school while you are overseas or in the United States, you and your famdy are covered with the Foreign Service Benefit Pi an.

No other health plan has our 65 years of experience in dealing with the many circumstances faced by Foreign Service people.

One Plan to Fit all Tour Needs. The Foreign Service Benefit Plan.

American Foreign Service Protective Association 1716 N Street, NW Washington, DC 20036-2907 (202) 833-4910

AMERICAN pO REIGN SERVICE PROTECTIVE Since 1942 MuTUi]i"/OmiiHii >|sSOCIATION Companies

Working Together Worldwide for Over 50 Years SPEAKING OUT At AID South Africa, Does American-Style Apartheid Reign?

BY PAUL NEIFERT

A visiting South African col¬ affinity with our South African league to Washington recent¬ friends, and proudly joined the ly characterized American Trading an straggle as allies by their side. foreign policy as “degenerate.” Such The U.S. elected political leader¬ notions strike proud citizens as apartheid gatekeeper ship also provided officers an effec¬ offensive, and when so challenged, I tive legislative framework. The 1986 reacted with a certain degree of for an American one, Comprehensive Anti-Apartheid Act defensiveness. But after a three-year (CAAA) called for providing assis¬ assignment as a Foreign Service offi¬ however politically tance to South Africa “without dis¬ cer in Pretoria for the Agency for crimination by race, color, sex, belief International Development (AID), correct, was or political organization.” In provid¬ and after considering the project ing assistance, priority was given to implementation methods of AID unacceptable to working with South African organi¬ management in South Africa, I zations where “leadership and staff found myself concurring with my South Africans. are selected on a non-racial basis.” colleague’s harsh assessment. The CAAA was quite clear that the Such a revelation was not surpris¬ act’s goal was to help all disadvan¬ ing to me. It was, after all, my taged groups in South Africa. assertive disagreement with AID’S South Africa policy disputes — poli¬ This non-racial and inclusive conduct in South Africa that earned cies that underline serious manage¬ nature of the governing legislation me an early transfer from that beau¬ ment flaws as the agency attempts to was no accident, since the apartheid tiful country. “rightsize” and “diversify” its work¬ system was designed to strictly seg¬ At issue is what I believe to be the force. regate South Africa’s population racially motivated nature of U.S. pol¬ Prior to mid-1992, AID’s position along ethnic lines. This was a diffi¬ icy towards South Africa, the willing¬ in the fight against South African cult task in a country with a dozen ness of AID leadership to disregard apartheid took the moral high major African cultures, and with rales in persuing this policy, and the ground. AID’s vision was grand, substantial mixed-race, Asian, mismanaged use of taxpayer money almost a mantra among its staff in Indian and white minorities. Indeed, in the process. Indeed, I believe it Pretoria: “To hasten the end of South Africa’s successful emergence was AID’s inability to resist political apartheid and to prepare disadvan¬ from the apartheid nightmare pressure from the Congressional taged South Africans for their right¬ required all its diverse stakeholders Black Caucus that resulted in these ful place in a non-racial society.” to invest in its outcome. One group Employees in Pretoria took pride in could no longer benefit at the Paul Neifert is a Foreign Service offi¬ the direct, focused and compelling expense of another. U.S. legislation cer with the U.S. Agency for objectives of their work. As recognized this truth. International Development assigned Americans, the familiar morality and The subsequent Transition to to the Europe and Newly appealing simplicity of this approach Democracy Act (TDA) of 1993 had Independent States Bureau. He was a energized us. It attracted committed similar goals to its predecessor, private sector officer in AID South officers unafraid of confrontation CAAA. It called for “rapid progress Africa from November 1991 until posed by an unjust and unnatural towards the establishment of a non- June 1994, when he was transferred. segregation of people. We found an racial democratic government in

NOVEMBER 1994/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 17 If SPEAKING OUT If you need to South Africa.” It, too, mandated travel this summer, assistance for organizations which had “the support of the disadvan¬ taged communities.” stay at home with us! Additional arrows in the AID quiver were provided by the Small “ ... One of the most charming hotels Business Administration and other in one of the best locations in the city.” Washington Post federal procurement rules. Using familiar “8(A)” and “set-aside” enti¬ $86 per room night including continental breakfast for two. Rate available through September 17, 1994. tlement programs, which aim to Long term rates available. assist American “socially and eco¬ • Only 5 blocks from State Department nomically disadvantaged” firms, • Overlooking historic Pennsylvania Ave. AID could not only help contribute • Close to White House, Georgetown, monuments, museums and shops. to apartheid’s demise, but also fur¬ • Charming European-style hotel rooms and ther U.S. social agendas at the same suites, most with fully equipped kitchens time. • Special short and long term stay amenities • Cafe Lombardy, serving Italian specialties Its moral high ground secure Hotel Lombardy with committed staff, its foundation 20191 Street, NW. FOR RESERVATIONS: 8D0/424-5486 or 202/820-2000 Washington, DC anchored with solid legislation, and FAX 202/072 0503 20006 its grand vision relatively unclut¬ A tered by its usual bureaucratic bag¬ gage, AID prepared for the inevitable anti-apartheid victory. Tragically, just as South Africans f How to Buy Auto Insurance Overseas^ of all colors were courageously suc¬ ceeding in their long struggle and here’s really only one way. Select the agent who offers broad experience T negotiating an unprecedented, and a high level of repeat business. Experience that helps you avoid the peaceful transfer of power, it pitfalls of a highly complex business. Repeat business that results from pro¬ became clear to me that AID lead¬ viding what’s best for the customer - not the agent. ership chose to surrender its moral For 34 years Harry M. Jannette, Jr. & Company has provided dependable capital to a narrow, racially-motivat¬ coverage with U.S. carriers to thousands of Foreign Service personnel world¬ ed, domestic-interest faction. I wide. Thus, you gain the broadest U.S. terms and conditions and flexible maintain that elements within the value limits often not available from other insurance carriers. Congressional Black Caucus, with • WORLDWIDE COVERAGE Fire, theft, comprehensive and collision protec¬ the eager assistance of race-con¬ tion are available at foreign posts. scious AID bureaucrats, engineered an unofficial reversal of the long¬ • U.S. AUTO LIABILITY Available for short term on home leave, change of standing — and multi-racial charac¬ assignment, and new auto purchase prior to foreign departure. ter — of U.S. policy towards South • FOREIGN LIABILITY We suggest contacting your post on arrival. Local Africa. Prior to this capitulation, laws require specific limits and coverage. Pricing is normally best on site. beginning in mid-1992, the entire • CONTACT US TODAY Let us send you “the Embassy Plan” brochure. It AID Washington management hier¬ contains all the answers about dependable coverage and low cost premi¬ archy related to all things South ums. African changed in short order, which I believe began a domino Harry M. Jannette, Jr. & Company effect felt most strongly in the South 3530 FOREST LANE #305 • DALLAS, TEXAS 75234-7955, African AID mission. AID’S director TELEPHONE: 214-350-5141 • FAX: 214-352-7022 of the Office of Southern Africa Or Call 1-800-256-5141 Affairs in Washington, a white male, was replaced by his deputy, a black

18 FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL/NOVEMBER 1994 SPEAKING OUT

male. The deputy director of the process, a group of South African approval process. One employee Pretoria office, a white female, was business consultants met with the memorandum to the AID director in removed before the completion of mission director to plead for “full January 1993 questioned the “audac¬ her term to make way for a black and open competition” of a contract ity of (management) asking in an male. And, around the same time, they helped design. After ignoring open meeting ... what it would take the AID assistant administrator for this advice and the recommenda¬ to get (a white South African male) Africa, a white male, was replaced by tions of his technical officers, the to resign” from an AID-funded orga¬ his deputy, a black male. After director subsequently questioned his nization. This same officer feared arrival of the new management team staff on the ways AID could ensure “that probing groups about racial in late 1992, a two-week mission the award of the contract to a black breakdowns can put (AID) on a col¬ retreat was held with the Africa American company under the guise lision course,” according to the Bureau staff in Pretoria. During of an “8(A)” or “set-aside” procure¬ memo. these two weeks, management made ment. Whde the AID mission would clear its opinion that too much AID once cloak its racially-motivated money was going for white-led Consistent with the new, intentions under the veil of normally groups and not enough for “black- ethno-centric approach was inclusive 8(A) and set-aside rules, it led” groups. Those unaccustomed to unrelenting pressure for uti¬ soon dropped this pretense when it this terminology must note that — lization of black American firms and met with regulatory resistance and it up until this moment — the terms grantees. One program, the Tertiary became inconvenient. In one surreal “black” and “disadvantaged” tradi¬ Education Linkages Project, public meeting, the mission’s deputy tionally included not just Africans required several years to perfect director emotionally accused his pri¬ but also Asians, “coloreds,” Indians what I submit is an inappropriate vate sector division of “actively cir¬ and any other of the “non-white” and gerrymandered racial design. In cumventing the hiring of (black) individuals who suffered under another instance, described in a American firms by using an 8(A) apartheid. Yet, during and immedi¬ recent Wall Street Journal article, Chinese (American) woman-owned ately after this retreat, management the AID mission in South Africa mis- company.” In instances where set- made clear that the South Africa characterized U.S. minority set- aside rules and emotional bluster program was now to become more aside rules as black-American enti¬ could not further the mission’s Afro¬ “Afro-centric” in its implementation. tlements, and sought policy guid¬ centric intentions, major procure¬ This was to be accomplished, ance on ensuring further Afro-cen¬ ments would simply be canceled — according to management’s new tric restrictions on AID contracting. after their advertisement — wasting restrictive “black-led” definition, by Project reviews had to run a racial enormously expensive design work aggressively increasing AID con¬ litmus test and pass through a gaunt¬ and further damaging AID'S credi- tracts and grants to groups in South let of bureaucratic clearances. Even bdity in South Africa. Africa and black-led U.S. groups and support to multi-racial groups was by decreasing assistance to all other viewed as contrary to the new AID Mission management also racial groups. policy. When challenged by the mis¬ made apparent use of Professional staff appeals for sion’s legal adviser, a black American racial criteria in its own adherence to the mandated, bal¬ male, in early 1994 to name black- hiring and personnel decisions. anced and multi-racial character of led groups in the mission’s private Several complaints were circulated the program were ignored by mis¬ sector portfolio, one choice was dis¬ among American officers in 1993 sion leadership. In at least three missed as irrelevant, since, accord¬ concerning AID’s apparent Afro¬ public meetings, management ing to the adviser, “multi-racial centric hiring policy of summer informed staff that those uncomfort¬ groups don’t count.” interns. And, towards mid-1994, the able with the new Afro-centric Over time, pressure increased to mission’s “colored,” Indian, Asian direction should leave. Even appeals follow the new guidance. Mission and white Foreign Service nationals from black South African business management required officers to were quietly complaining of a per¬ and academic consultants for an identify the racial composition of ceived “African” bias in hiring deci¬ open, non-racial approach were dis¬ South African grantee organizations sions. And to prove just how effec¬ regarded. During one project design as part of the mission’s project tively the new AID homeland was

NOVEMBER 1994/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 19 MARTENS VOLVO SPEAKING OUT Dedicated to Diplomacy

Worldwide Delivery to Diplomats running, management directed the and Members of International Organizations collection of spending statistics along ethnic lines for an inquiring congressman. Like South Africa’s apartheid, the American version of apartheid could succeed only if its opponents were silenced. And, indeed, oppo¬ nents of AID South Africa’s policies were forced into an exile of sorts; over an 18-month period between January 1993 and June 1994, some 11 American and South African pro¬ fessionals — all white, including me — left the mission before their con¬ Contact: Dana Martens, Diplomatic Sales Director tracts or four-year assignments ended. Those who didn’t leave vol¬ votvo MARTENS 202-537-3000 untarily were pushed out. CARS OF WASHINGTON, INC. Fax 202-537-1826 As inordinate numbers of 4800 WISCONSIN AVE. WASH.. OC 20016 employees departed, a formerly cre¬ U.S.A.’s Largest Diplomatic Dealer ative, decentralized and client- based organization was over¬ whelmed. Suspicion and mistrust were rife in the mission, polarizing remaining staff along a racial and bureaucratic divide. Encouraged by AID’s aggressive Afro-centric thrust, one black American employ¬ A Classic All-Suite Property ee suggested in a mission-wide Ideally Located in Historic Foggy Bottom. meeting that officers should be seen lending their moral and professional support for the cause by having Our 255 spacious suites offer full kitchens, mini-bars, lunch with their South African black and comfortable living areas. The highly acclaimed Garden Cafe grantees, but not their white ones. features contemporary American regional cuisine and Such remarks went unchallenged by seasonal outdoor dining. AID management. Convenient to the Slate Department, the Kennedy Center, Many of the professional staff, like Georgetown, Metro, and the free MUSEUMS AND MONUMENTS. me, felt this was not the new South Africa that America was here to help build. Special AFSA rates available. Indeed, American-style apartheid offered no vision at all. It was easily achievable by administrators using Jib dre same divide-and-conquer tech¬ niques so shamelessly used by South Africa’s apartheid bureaucrats. Ironically, the mission’s policy 2117 E Street, NW, Washington, DC 20037 was conceived at the very time (202)861-8200 ♦ (800)424-2859 South Africa was winning its fight to secure the promise of a trans¬ parent and non-racial system of

20 FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL/NOVEMBER 1994 SPEAKING Our North Country School Camp Treetops We are a year-round community for children between ages 8 and 14. From governance. As South Africa September to June we are a school; for opened its borders to all ideas, seven weeks each summer we are a products and people so long camp. Our campus, on a lake in the denied it by sanctions and censure, high peaks near the Olympic Village of its citizens — of all colors —• were Lake Placid, includes a working farm telling AID that they saw no value with domestic animals, a teaching and in the introduction of methods that adventure staff who also house-parent I found manipulative, condescend¬ our small, family-like living units, and ing and yes, even racist. Many a rich program of academics, arts, remarks were overheard, such as, mountaineering, outdoor sports and community living. “Americans have underestimated For over 50 years the children of Foreign Service families have found and misjudged us. Who the bloody here a nurturing, wholesome and comprehensible place to grow. It is hell do they think they are?” our primary aim to help children find their strengths and then to Trading an apartheid gatekeeper build competence and confidence upon those strengths. Our setting, for an American one, however our student to staff ratio of 3:1 and our emphasis on experiential, politically correct, was unaccept¬ hands-on learning are our means of achieving those goals. able to South Africans. North Country School*Camp Treetops, founded 1921, is a non-profit Despite a senior-level manage¬ organization dedicated to the well-being of children and the preserva¬ ment assessment in April 1994, at tion of childhood. We are accredited by the New York Association of least four Inspector General (IG) Independent Schools and the American Camping Association. investigations between April and September 1994, die arrival of five administrative experts during the same period, and reports in the South African Sunday Times and SMITH BARNEYSHEARSQN other publications, nothing appears A I’KIMERICA Company to have changed at the South We make money the old-fashioned way. We earn it.SM African AID mission. The manage¬ ment assessment report, character¬ ized by one senior AID Washington manager as a “stinging indictment,” Professional Investment Services remains tightly held. IG investiga¬ tions reportedly found no lapses worthy of referral to the Department of Justice, but one Christina Parra investigator characterized what was Financial Consultant, President’s Council found as “a number of management issues,” requiring “management Christina is a Financial Consultant with 10 years experience at Smith Barney attention.” Shearson in Washington D.C. The moral, legal and policy Christina focuses on providing individuals in the U.S. and abroad with com¬ prehensive investment, retirement and educational planning using: implications of the AID mission’s conduct in South Africa are dis¬ • Stocks & Bonds • Government securities • Municipal Bonds honorable. Certain of its political • Mutual Funds • Professional portfolio • Annuities cover, the AID mission has tragi¬ management • Asset Allocation cally abandoned its ethic, and is To discuss your investment needs call: sending an unwitting message that certain American values, laws and 202-861-5080 or 1-800-522-3546 national interests can be disre¬ Christina D. Parra, Financial Consultant 1050 Connecticut Avenue, N.W.—Suite 225 garded in the pursuit of U.S. Washington, D.C. 20036 racial politics. I 1993 Smith Barnev Shearson Inc. Member SI PC

NOVEMBER 1994/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 21 RECALLING THE TERROR OF TEHRAN

ON 15TH ANNIVERSARY, A FORMER HOSTAGE REFLECTS ON THE REVOLUTION

BY L. BRUCE LAINGEN

ov. 4, 1979. Ask your aver¬ period. Even today, thousands of captives from N age American to recall the Iran and Iraq languish in POW camps in both significance of that date countries. and you will probably get In these and other respects, this was an event a blank stare. But 72 of no small historic consequence. This year, on Americans and their fami¬ its 15th anniversary, there will be the usual edi¬ lies need little reminding torials and commemorative TV programs that of the event that would totally disrupt the lives accompany anniversaries when the years reach of the 53 long-term hostages for the next 444 10, 15 and beyond. And thus reminded, many days. Nov. 4, 1979 is a day they will forever Americans will recall how much they identified remember. emotionally and politically with 53 of their coun¬ Nov. 4 is the 15th anniversary of that morning trymen held hostage in a place and by a regime in Tehran when militant Iranian “students” they regarded as beyond reason and humanity. It breached the walls and gates of the American was, as the press labeled it, “America Held Embassy. Whatever the alleged purposes of Hostage.” But it was, as well, an event that their action may have been at the outset, today brought Americans together in a remarkable dis¬ we know the larger consequences: A provisional play of community, symbolized by those yellow government quickly toppled; a revolution turned ribbons that are the symbol we now use, what¬ in the radical direction in which it remains ever the politics of the issue, to reach out to fel¬ today; and in Washington, a crisis so burden¬ low Americans at risk. Witness the Gulf War. some for President Jimmy Carter that it became But 15 years later, most Americans — albeit a major factor in his election defeat. And in the thus capable of remembering this painful time view of some, it was an action whose impact on — will shrug their shoulders, as if to say the Iran would encourage Saddam Hussein to world has long since moved beyond all that. And launch the full-scale military assault that ended of course it has. For most Americans what hap¬ only after eight long years of war and bloodshed, pens in or to Iran is of little or no consequence unequalled anywhere in the post-World War II and of less interest. Most accept the characteri¬ zation by Secretary of State Warren Christopher L. Bruce Laingen, a retired Foreign Service offi¬ of “a rogue and outlaw state,” one that needs to cer, was chief of mission in Tehran in 1979. He is be “contained” and that richly deserves the iso¬ now president of the American Academy of lation its regime seems to have chosen for itself, Diplomacy in Washington, D. C. at least as far as the United States is concerned.

22 FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL/NOVEMBER 1994 Today, President Hasemi Rafsanjani and his use of an embassy and its personnel by militants associates seem determined to see that supported by their government will remain one of Ayatollah Khomeini’s legacy is still felt in Iran the most egregious violations of their trade in the enough to ensure that western, or at least history of diplomacy. Even the most convinced of American, influences are held at bay. If press Iran’s revolutionary leadership reports are to be believed, revolutionary watch¬ today must have difficulty striking This 15th anniver¬ dogs still roam the streets of Tehran and even the a positive balance in weighing the hiking trails above Shimran to keep “social long-term results of that act. sary of a major deviants” under wraps. More substantively, the But it is a trauma that both Great Satan — the United States — is still por¬ sides need to put behind them. turning point in trayed as the villain determined to undermine the For all concerned, and particular¬ revolution and with whom there can be no dia¬ ly for policy-makers in both Iran Iran’s history will logue, without the return of allegedly massive and the United States, this frozen assets and acceptance of other precondi¬ anniversary should be a time for recall the trauma of tions. This position serves as a smoke screen to serious stocktaking and reflec¬ cover the political reality of a regime still only par¬ tion. Above all, it should be a that troubled time. time for a renewed search for a tially in control of its more radical elements. That will assuredly As many have commented, the revolution is dialogue that could begin to today a tired one, seemingly talking to itself, its lead¬ remove some of the emotional be so for American ers the emotional captives of their traumatic past — baggage that makes for rigidity on a regime out of step with larger post-Cold War both sides. diplomats, for whom trends, not least the Israeli/Palestinian/Arab peace Today, regrettably, there is no process. But from all accounts, it is a regime in con¬ dialogue of any kind: The United the seizure and use trol — challenged only, if at all, by its own aware¬ States and Iran have not talked ness that 15 years into its revolution, it has yet to directly for these 15 years, a state of an embassy and produce any meaningful material benefits for tire of affairs I could not have imag¬ Iranian masses. To most outside observers, Iran and ined when the hostage crisis its personnel by its people — including the many who live abroad — ended in 1981. militants supported have themselves become hostage to tire turmoil and Only at The Hague’s International Claims Tribunal, uncertainty of not just 15, but nearly 50 troubled by their government years of their national history. within the strict confines of the To quote Shaul Bakash of George Mason Algiers Accord, have American will remain one of University, writing in a recent New York Review and Iranian representatives had of Books, “When an ossified state sits atop an contact — a tribunal process that the most egregious energetic society, it can seldom maintain stability is one of the few positive results for very long.” And as in all societies, much of that of the crisis. Save for Quadafi, violations of their energy lies with Iran’s future, the youth of Iran, Iran and Iraq, the United States the depth of whose commitment to the revolution today has dialogue with all the trade in the history is far from clear. What is clear is that their con¬ world’s governments, including sciousness and natural restiveness are surely not some with whom it is in sharp dis¬ of diplomacy. impervious to events and cultural changes beyond agreement on a range of issues. their borders, communicated so powerfully in However difficult, there is no reason why dia¬ today’s world by CNN, MTV, video cassettes and logue should not be possible with Tehran. The the satellite dishes that dot Tehran’s skyline. United States can and should talk, not because of any regard for the policies of that regime. The For those Americans who knew an earlier Iran United States does and will disagree fundamen¬ and thus know the potential of its more than tally in many respects, not least in areas of human 50 million people, this 15th anniversary of a major rights, nuclear proliferation concerns, and in the turning point in its history will recall the trauma of importance this country attaches to the Middle that troubled time. This will assuredly be so for East peace process. The United States should American diplomats, for whom the seizure and seek dialogue because it is inherently unnatural,

NOVEMBER 1994/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 23 and risks being counterproductive, A celebrated Israeli diplomat, not to have contact with a govern¬ Abba Eban, wrote recendy in The ment that claims to speak for a coun¬ Washington Post on die impressive VOLVO try and people as large and conse¬ array of former adversaries now Factory-Set Discounts quential as Iran, in a region where engaged in diplomatic discourse, To Diplomats Posted larger U.S. interests are involved. Israelis and Palestinians foremost Stateside and Abroad Nor is it natural, or wise, for an among them. He put it this way, U.S., U.K., European, or Iranian government to continue “The common feature is the Overseas Specs under the illusion that American acknowledgment of negotiation as Overseas and Domestic interests and culture can be kept an unconditional duty, not as an Deliveries indefinitely at arm’s length. arbitrary option. Public opinion has Today, however, it is Tehran, not no patience with the rejection of JERRY GRIFFIN Washington, that refuses dialogue. encounter. ... Mankind has never DIPLOMATIC SALES SPECIAUST Behind Secretary of State Warren had a single vision of virtue, justice, 12 YEARS EXPERIENCE Christopher’s tough language, obvi¬ truth or legitimate pride, but nations ously reflecting in part his own per¬ have often been able to unite around 1231 W. Broad Street sonal experience in die hostage cri¬ themes of converging interest. ... Falls Church, VA 22046 Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Area sis, is official policy sustained now Much of it (diplomacy) is a holding (703) 237-5020 through three U.S. administrations: action, designed to avoid explosion a declared readiness to talk with any until the unifying forces of history Fax: (703) 237-5028 authorized Iranian representative, take humanity into tiieir embrace.” without preconditions. It is time for That strikes me as counsel worthy Tehran to respond; it is time for the of regard by both Tehran and dbDon Beyer Volvo United States to quiedy encourage a Washington after these 15 long response. years. ■

For full service hotel accommodations Welcome to Washington D.C. The Rosslyn Westpark Hotel 1900 N. Ft. Myer Dr., Arlington, VA 22209 Where quality and luxury Our premier fully furnished 703-527-4814 • 800-368-3408 are standard features, residences include • Free garage parking with only minutes from NFATC, controlled access State Department, • Private balcony Pentagon, downtown D.C., • Washer/dryer in each unit and National Airport • Fitness center, indoor pool, sauna, and jacuzzi. Racquet- ball at Courdand Towers. • Free cable t.v. and local telephone calls • Weekly maid service • 24-hour attended front desk

Courtland Towers Randolph Towers 1200 N. Veitch Street 4001 N. Ninth Street Arlington, Virginia 22201 Arlington, Virginia 22203

703-528-2700 703-525-9000 One block from Courthouse Metro One block from Ballston Metro

24 NOVEMBER 1994/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL WHEN YOU NEED IT, WHERE YOU NEED IT, HOW YOU NEED IT.

Furnished one, two and three bedroom apartments

Fine furnishings complete with linens, housewares, cable TV, utilities and phone service FRH SHUTTLE TO NFUC THOM AAicrowave ovens, decorator items, OAKWOOO FALLS CHURCH VCR' s, answering machines and maid service available

Fools, spas, tennis & fitness centers Ootwlood Free shuttle to AAetrorail from most locations Corporate Housing A nationwide temporary housing service Locations throughout metro D.C, M aryland, Virginia and over 400 800-832-8329 cities nationwide! fax: 703-751-5679 STUFFY, SERIOUS AND SUPERCILIOUS

THE FOREIGN SERVICE OFFICER GOES TO THE MOVIES

BY MICHAEL CANNING

or some 90 years, Hollywood Sylvania. This movie not only crudely satirizes the F movies have covered every proverbial political appointee, but mocks the world aspect of American life — at outside. Even more telling is how U.S. movies, even least superficially. And superfi¬ in this Neanderthal phase, viewed the professional cial is dre word for its depiction Foreign Service. The embassy regulars, die secre¬ of most American institutions. tary and his assistant, are prissy snobs who plot Hollywood’s and America’s pri¬ decent Bill’s removal by trying to enlist the support mordial need for individual heroes and villains is of a sympathetic U.S. senator. found in symbols of good and evil, be they John Ambassador Bill’s country of Sylvania is in die Wayne or Boris Karloff. Large institutions, especial¬ spirit of — if hardly as funny as — the Marx ly government bureaucracies like the State Brodiers’ loopy land of Freedonia hi die classic Department, hardly supply such figures, and the “Duck Soup” (1933). The diplomats of both films very nature of their work rarely offers die starker are the vaguely continental, inconsequential, over¬ drama movieland requires. Unable to plumb the dressed stereotypes tiiat were a staple of Hollywood arcana of an outfit housed in Foggy Bottom, films for decades. Real Americans could hardly be American moviemakers do what comes naturally: professional diplomats: They just weren’t stuffy They display stereotypes. enough. In the isolationist environment of die early film Most 1930s movies were too frodiy or too gritty days, most Americans had litde sense of what diplo¬ to deal seriously widi the complications or intrigues macy was about. Moreover, diey didn’t quite trust of foreign affairs. The war years certainly concen¬ foreigners, and those who consorted with diem — trated filmgoers’ minds on events overseas, but such as diplomats — were also not quite trusted. these were manifest principally dirough die der¬ Diplomats, if they had any public personae at all, ring-do of the lone GI. In a multitude of war flicks, were likely seen as over-educated, elitist prigs witii drama was again individualized, while the U.S. no connection to die hoi polloi. diplomatic service was simply not heroic enough for Take a primitive example called “Ambassador American filmmakers’ tastes. Besides military men, Bill,” (1931) staining Will Rogers as an Oklahoma tiiose deemed truly intrepid were spies like Cary hick named ambassador to the principality of Grant in “Notorious” (1946) or journalists like Joel McCrea in “Foreign Correspondent” (1940). Michael Canning is a retired Foreign Service officer In die post-World War II period, motion pic¬ with the U. S. Information Agency. His last post was tures that deigned to touch die diplomatic fife grav¬ as deputy public affairs officer in Brasilia. itated to facile stereotypes of die popular culture.

26 FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL/NOVEMBER 1994 Typical was “Call Me Madam” (1953). Here we find harried president fends off a coup by a right-wing another cute principality, Lichtenberg, standing in general, actually has an embassy officer who is a for Luxembourg, where the real “hostess with the hero of sorts. In a tiny bit part, die U.S. consul in mostes’,” Perle Mesta, served as President Harry Madrid provides a crucial plot element when he Truman’s representative. Perky Ambassador Sally discovers among the effects at a Spanish crash site a Adams from Oklahoma was incarnated by leather- White House aide’s cigarette case lunged Ethel Merman, who falls for a containing a vital message. In an The diplomats of Lichtenbergian general. True to how the film even smaller bit in one of die industry saw career Foreign Service personnel, decade’s many spy spoofs, “Our early films are comedian Billy DeWolfe — all striped-pants up¬ Man Flint,” (1966) an American tightness — had the very Waspish, diplomatic name diplomat in Rome is chewed out vaguely continental, of Pemberton Maxwell. by the head of U.S. intelligence Easy stereotypes of glamorous diplomatic life who, when the enemy’s lair disap¬ inconsequential, abound in “The Ambassador’s Daughter,” (1956) pears, utters a threat to curdle the wherein heroine Olivia de Havilland becomes blood of any Foreign Service offi¬ overdressed stereo¬ enamored of a wholesome GI after the two go out cer: “Great intelligence work! Your on the town. The town is at least Paris, rather than next post will be Peyton Place!” types. Real One film built around an some imaginary kingdom, but the usual canards are Americans could present. The sweet young thing’s father is another American ambassador, “The Ugly common ambassadorial stereotype to go along with American,” (1962) was wholly a hardly'- be profes¬ the hayseed: die pompous stuffed shirt, played by Marlon Brando project, a vessel veteran stuffed shirt Edward Arnold. into which he could pour his liber¬ sional diplomats: The films of the 1960s were hardly rife with the al musings. Brando plays die very real business of foreign affairs, although there was ambassadorially named Harrison They weren ’t an explosion of espionage and secret agent films. Carter MacWhite, not a career Typical of these was “Charade,” (1964) a caper with man, but an intellectually arrogant stuffy- enough. Cary Grant and Audrey Hepbiun. Here the publisher made envoy to the fic¬ embassy security officer, played by Walter Matthau, tional Sarkham in Southeast Asia. is die villain. The one look we get at embassy A well-meaning do-gooder, he hopes to revive a staffers is Stereotype City: two bespectacled, friendship witii an old Sarkhamese comrade repre¬ uptight white breads talking catrily in the elevator senting progressive forces in the troubled state. about “the boss,” the ambassador. Critically, Brando’s performance has not worn well. His biographer Richard Schickel felt he por¬ Even in the 1960s, though, die dippiness of trayed MacWhite “as an Ivy League twit — all diplomacy stayed in vogue, as in “Romanoff drawling nasality and condescension in his hearing and Juliet,” (1961) in which Peter Ustinov wrote, room appearance, all false self-confidence when he directed and starred. Ustinov heads Concordia, yet arrives in Sarkham and attempts to shore up his another Hny state tucked in Europe, which is being weary and cynical diplomatic staff, all false bon¬ wooed by die United States and the Soviet Union. homie when he tries to reestablish his friendship.” The cutesy plot, a variation on the Shakespearean Such a catalog summarized how most moviegoers play, has the daughter of the American ambassador probably still viewed their representatives overseas. and the son of the Soviet ambassador falling in love, “The Ugly American” did try, however labori¬ dius producing their own version of the thaw. The ously, to deal witii real issues of international poli¬ U.S. ambassador sports the usual ostentatious, tics and to feature American diplomats who were super-Wasp name — Hooper Moulsworth: His other than caricatures from some Ruritanian character was described by The New York Times romance. With growing U.S. involvement in critic as “the British farce-writer’s idea of the back- Southeast Asia came at least a modicum of slapping, Bourbon-drinking, tooth-picking American awareness of the wider world, and some American.” In other words, a return to Ambassador cognizance of the true complexity of foreign affairs. Bill. With crises and wars in Asia and Vietnam, Latin A 1964 film, “Seven Days in May,” in which a America and the Middle East, American’s percep-

NOVEMBER 1994/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 27 tion of a world-wide diplomacy began In recent years, U.S. moviemakers the bad news that he has been sen¬ to develop, even if the understanding have pictured die American diplo¬ tenced to life for drug smuggling. of its practice could hardly be called matic service more often and more What happens? Billy tries to strangle sophisticated. realistically because tiieir audience’s the dweeb! Isn’t that the way all knowledge of that service has American citizens treat dieir hapless It took some years and a British pro¬ changed. Many more Americans now bureaucrats? duction to come up with a movie in have traveled or lived overseas, eitiier A consular officer who gets no which Foreign Service personnel as Peace Coips volunteers or stu¬ more respect has a bit part in die hor¬ were at least competent if not well- dents, as businesspeople or tourists, ror-comedy, “American Werewolf’ rounded. In the obscure “Embassy,” and have a sense of how actual (1981). Called into a British hospital (1972) the Americans very much in embassies function and how they are to see a young American mysteriously charge of the troubled U.S. mission in staffed — often widi people like mauled in die North England moors, Beirut were led by Richard tiiemselves. die officer — skinny, balding and Roundtree of “Shaft” fame. This was, U.S. movies have also adapted to bespectacled — irritates the attend¬ given the times, hardly a tale of visas how die U.S. media treated diploma¬ ing physician and is asked to leave. He and GSO work orders. It is standard cy and its practitioners. Starting witii at least gets a good parting shot in a spy stuff, and the Foreign Service former Secretary of State Henry line diat legions of consular officers types are hardly authentic, but diey Kissinger as a viable — if not exacdy might think, if not actually utter: dress better than most, especially photogenic — national celebrity, die “These dumb-ass kids ... they never Roundtree, who represents die first mass media, especially television appreciate anything you do for 'em!” black diplomat in the movies. news, began depicting a version of die The Foreign Service is no more Still, it wasn’t too long before car¬ State Department that filmmakers effective in an espionage piece called toons came back. In “The Wind and had to match or at least approximate “The Amateur” (1982). Terrorists take the Lion,” (1975) the filmmakers for verisimilitude’s sake. over the U.S. consulate in Munich, resorted to proven types in telling Yet even as the U.S. diplomatic seize the consul general’s office and the true story of a kidnapping of an service acquired a more human face, murder a female hostage on televi¬ American family by an Arab bandit Hollywood held its stance of die hero¬ sion. The brooding U.S. ambassador in Morocco in 1904. The movie ic individual, typically confronting the in Bonn can only intone: “I cannot offered plenty of gun and sword system, Big Government or bureau¬ bargain with terrorists.” The U.S. play, some windy cross-cultural crats of every (pin) stripe. Members ambassador to Algeria is no more speculation, and lots of vulgar of the Foreign Service, even if more effective in the Chuck Norris macho flaunting of America’s “Big Stick” realistically portrayed after the 1980s, vehicle, “Delta Force” (1986). Every policy. The Foreign Service officers are rarely central to the action. More time he appears, he is asked to leave are a bald reversion to diplomatic significant, tiiey are not only peripher¬ so real work can be done by type, made up of equal parts ambas¬ al, they remain profoundly ineffectu¬ Commander Lee Marvin. sadors Bill and Moulsworth. The al. A Foreign Service type has a key role consul general in Tangiers is seen Take the poor sap in “Midnight in a bonbon called “Protocol” (1984). In overdressed in a morning coat, Express,” (1978) a consular official fact — gadzooks! —he’s the love inter¬ speaking in a yokel’s gravelly voice, who can do nodiing to affect the dras¬ est. Ransome (Chris Sarandon, former and appearing to be vaguely drunk. tic sentence passed on the hashish- spouse of Susan) is State’s “Middle East Even worse as an American repre¬ carrying American Billy Hayes by a Desk Chief’ assigned as minder to sentative is his vice consul, who, with Turkish court. The film sets up the dippy Sunny Davis (Goldie Hawn), who pith helmet and Southern-fried audience for a spineless State saves an Arab dignitary from assassina¬ accent, incarnates the bombastic Department by showing Billy’s father tion and is rewarded with a job in State “Big Stick” policy. The movie’s as a dutiful believer in die U.S. gov¬ Protocol. When Davis is duped by tire credo is delivered by Keith’s Teddy ernment. But die very presence of the administration, she resigns, and Roosevelt: “The world will never consul — a skinny, balding, bespecta¬ Ransome, acting on principle, follows love us, but it will respect us — may cled weenie — gives the game away. her lead. The smart ones know when to even grow to fear us. We have too Final evidence of die consul’s — and get out, you see. One earnest line from much audacity.” So do the dips in symbolically the State Department’s Davis sums up what honest American this movie. — impotence is when he tells Billy folk can expect from tire regulars in the

28 NOVEMBER 1994/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL bureaucracy: “Professionals, well, they don’t always care, you know.” Perhaps the one major flollywood film that represents regular State Department personnel most realisti¬ cally was the one that also seemed to offer the greatest calumny: the con¬ troversial “Missing” (1982). Based on the case of young Charles Horman, who was kidnapped and killed by ENJOY AN EXTENDED STAY AT Chilean authorities during the 1973 THE EXECUTIVE CLUB SUITES coup, it featured performances by Jack Lemmon as Horman’s father, and Sissy Spacek as Horman’s wife. Its key message was to show just how dissembling U.S. officialdom can be, a message delivered through the growing disillusionment of Lemmon’s character. “Missing” proved a cause celebre, and was strongly objected to by the State Department, which said it grossly distorted the facts of the case. Two Foreign Service officers, the ambassador and the consul at the time, along with the elrief of the U.S. Naval Mission in Chile, filed suit for libel in U.S. District Court against the The Executive Club Suite is your With Convenient locations in the film and the book upon which it was convenient home away from home heart of Rosslyn, Arlington and without that familiar sniffy hotel feel¬ Alexandria, Virginia, we are within based, charging that their roles were ing. The Executive Club Suites pro¬ minutes of the most important gov¬ “false, unfair, inaccurate and defama¬ vide personalized service in spacious ernment and business centers in the tory.” The case was finally settled in apartment style suites Washington metropoli¬ with more amenities tan area. There is easy 1991 by a negotiated agreement that than most hotels. Each access to Georgetown, included a statement by the filmmak¬ suite has a fully equip¬ Foggy Bottom, State ers that it was not their intention to ped modern kitchen, Department, Capitol Hill, National Airport, suggest complicity by the plaintiffs in dining area, spacious living room and mas¬ the Pentagon, Crystal the death of Charles Horman. ter bedroom with a City, the Beltway and The surprise is that the State offi¬ queen size bed. The all superhighways. cers depicted are quite believable suites are 600-700 Whether you are square feet of personal living space. an executive on short-term business, on screen. The consul, an angular, Other amenities include health- or a diplomat on temporary transfer, studious sort, seems to really want to club, sauna, FREE parking and com¬ or Uncling a relocation headquarters, help the Hormans even though he plimentary shuttle service to The Executive Club Suites provides N.F.A.T.C., the Pentagon and Metro. the verv comforts of home. appears to be in on an embassy cover-up. The vice consul is a young, THE EXECUTIVE CLUB SUITES nice fellow who accompanies the Till REAL SIJTTE HOTEL Hormans on their grimmest quests IN .ALEXANDRIA IN ROSSLYN IN ARLINGTON to find the young man. These are 610 Rashford Lane 1730 Arlington Roulevard 108 South Courthouse Road sincere officials doing the dirtiest (off Geoi'ge W ashington Parkway) (Off Route 50) (Off Washington Boulevard) Old Town Alexandria, Virginia 22204 Rosslyn, Virginia 22209 Arlington, Virginia 22204 kind of “American interests” jobs. (703)739-2582 (703)525-2582 (703) 522-2582 But at the bottom, of course, no RESERVATIONS: 800-535-2582 matter how personable or commit- FAX (703) 548-0266

NOVEMBER 1994/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 29 Experience the ted these officers are, they remain on die cinematic U.S. diplomat. fundamentally ineffectual. hi the spirit of diis review, mention comforts of home The improbable plot of the Israeli- should be made of network television’s produced “The Ambassador,” (1984) one attempt to portray an embassy: the starring Robert Mitchum as the U.S. TV movie pilot “Embassy,” produced envoy to Israel, has the ambassador for ABC-TV in 1985 in Rome. trying to serve as go-between in die Conceived as a drama with varied Israeli-Palestinian conflict while his episodes occurring within an ongoing boozing wife is having an affair with a institutional context, “Embassy” was to PLO activist. While “The be a diplomatic “Hill Street Blues.” It Ambassador” doesn’t exaedy fit into was to feature, among die running this survey of Hollywood movies, it characters, an ambassador, a press offi¬ still tends to confirm filmdom’s over¬ cer, a consular official and — of all all view of U.S. diplomats as funda¬ filings — a deputy chief of mission — a mentally inept in resolving conflicts. Frank FuriUo-type around whom die THE WINSTON HOUSE In “The Shelteiing Sky” (1990) a stories and characters revolved. The Luxury living consular officer journeys to an obscure producers, sure diat the innards of a at its finest Saharan outpost to retrieve die lost mission housed any number of great Catherine (Debra Winger) and shep¬ stories, went out of tiieir way to consult -SHORT OR LONG TERM STAY- herd her back to Tangiers. For a with embassy officers, aiming to get die Furnished one and two bed¬ change, die officer is a woman (Carolyn details right. Success would mean an room apartment homes de Fonseca), but parallels die look of exciting window on die yet-to-be-dis- Fully equipped with washer and her male counterparts in other movies: covered world of international affairs dryer in each apartment She is tall, matronly and wears a hat a — and a long-running money maker. Garage parking available couple of sizes too small, in odier words, So what happened? “Embassy” aired 24-hour front desk she’s a fuddy duddy. She also proves no on ABC in late 1985, disappearing Fully equipped exercise center more capable with her charge and loses without a trace. with dressing rooms and saunas Catherine in a local cafe. Which doesn’t mean, of course, diat Richly decorated library Which brings us to a final example of a there is no excitement in die life of an and entertainment suite Foreign Service type who, for once, is not embassy; it just has to be marketed the On-site deli, dry cleaners and beauty salon ineffectual, hi “White Nights” (1985) die right way. Think of the possibilities: an Attractive rooftop stmdeck intricate plot concerns a defected Russian under-the-gun mission in a cool with lounges ballet star Nikolai (Mikhail Baiyshnikoff) Mediterranean locale led by grizzled Short walk to Farragut West, being held against his will by Soviet veteran ambassador Clint Eastwood, Foggy Bottom Metro, audiorides. The dancer’s agent goes for backed by die stolid, smootii careerist Dupont Circle help to the U.S. ambassador, but die real DCM Kevin Costner, who resents the Nearby shopping, grocery, bureaucratic heroics are provided by a hyper, plugged-in political officer restaurants, and theaters prototype embassy staffer—lanky, nerdy Michael Keaton, stuck in a dying affair Attentive, service-oriented staff to pamper you and with horn-rimmed glasses — who with the lovely personnel officer Julia Under per diem rate proves to be a key insider in springing Roberts, who has eyes for the new, 90-day minimum stay Nikolai. extremely green consular officer Tom The good guy is saved by die con¬ Cruise, who’s worried about an AIDS sul, who helps the ballet dancer escape THE WINSTON HOUSE infection after a one-nighter widi a lus¬ 2140 L Street, N.W. to the consulate in Leningrad, where cious immigrant visa applicant, Washington, DC 20037 U.S. diplomats are able to slip Nikolai Michelle Pfeiffer, who is carrying the Tel. (202) 785-2200 past surly KGB officials to safety. For baby of the phlegmatic, henpecked Fax. (202) 785-5185 once, die Foreign Service acts boldly security officer Sly Stallone — all set and creatively to safeguard an individ¬ against a ripe local government scandal ual American citizen. ‘White Nights” is which involves die sleazy local Mafia-

JBG PROPERTIES hardly a great film, but it does put a type cabal who are running drugs and reasonably competent, human visage arms to... Now all we need is a script. ■

30 NOVEMBER 1994/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL GERGEN ADDRESSES COLEAD ON WORLD AFFAIRS

Oavid Gergen, special adviser to the than 20 organizations, including AFSA, the president and the secretary of state, Foreign Policy Association, IREX, the National Governing Board spoke to a dozen representatives from foreign Peace Corps Association, Delphi International, President: F.A. "Tex" Harris State Vice President:!066 Stewart affairs non-profit groups of the Coalition for the Overseas Development Council, Partners AID Vice President: Garber Davidson Jr. American Leadership Abroad (COLEAD) at of the Americas, Union of Concerned Scientists USIA Vice President: Razvigor Bazala Retiree Vice President: Donald R. Norland the Foreign Service Club on Oct. 4. Gergen, and Physicians for Social Responsibility. Secretary: Catherine Barry in off-the-cuff remarks on American public sup¬ The coalition, formed in June to counter the Treasurer: Gail Lecce State Representatives: Sue Saarnio, Janet port for U.S. foreign policy, noted that only 20 growing criticism against American engage¬ Shafer, David H. Shinn, Lannon Walker, percent of the U.S. public consistently cares ment abroad, conducts local and regional Meg Hawley Young/Andrew Young AID Representatives: Lee Ann Ross, James about foreign affairs and that his job was to educational campaigns to promote under¬ R. Washington maintain the interest of that segment of the standing and discussion of America's role in USIA Representative: Capie Polk Retired Representatives: Kathryn Clark- population. world affairs. Bourne, Joseph M. Kemper, M. Bruce "You're never going to get the rest of the Key areas requiring American leadership Hirshorn, Edward L. Peck FAS Representative: Weyland Beeghly public, whose interest goes in and out on vari¬ include funding for foreign affairs agencies, FCS Representative: Patrick Santillo ous foreign policy crises," said Gergen. "A environmental protection, sustainable develop¬ Staff Executive Director: Susan Reardon Rwanda just doesn't have the kind of grip that ment, human rights, non-proliferation and arms Business Department a Gulf War has." control issues, and international violence and Controller: Kara Harmon General Ledger Accountant: Sheree L. Beane COLEAD includes representatives of more security issues. Office Manager: Judy Shinn Executive Assistant: Elena Sonnino Executive Assistant: Leslie Lehman Administrative Manager: Dianna Dunbrack Administrative Assistant: Eunice Blau Labor Management General Counsel: Sharon Papp Director: James Yorke • Five AID grievances alleging the agency • The AFSA USIA Standing Committee has Representative: Peter Gaaserud violated regulations concerning Limited appointed Bruce Byers to replace Capie Polk Staff Attorney: Colleen Fallon Assistant Staff Attorney: Matt Kline Career Extentions (LCEs) have been consol¬ as acting USIA vice president while Razvigor Law Clerk: Megan Chung idated by the Foreign Service Grievance Bazala is temporarily in Macedonia. Polk has Grievance Counselors: Joan Kelso Smedley, Derek Terrell Board (FSGB) to decide the threshold issue been detailed to the White House to work on Member Services of whether the agency erred in failing to the Summit of the Americas in December. Director: Janet Hedrick Representative: Norajane McIntyre present the grievants' performance records Labor Relations Specialist: Carol Lutz for LCE consideration by the 1 992 Retiree Liaison: Ward Thompson • AFSA welcomes expansion of the Federal Professional Programs C/Board. If the FSGB finds there was a Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP) Professional Issues: Richard S. Thompson violation, it must then decide whether griev¬ Director of Development: Lori Dec coverage in two areas of treatment. Starting Legislative Affairs Coordinator Robert Chalten ants would have been recommended for immediately, all FEHBP plans are required to Congressional Liaison: Rick Weiss and granted an LCE or LCE renewal. Scholarship Administrator and Information cover high dose chemotherapy with autolo¬ Systems Manager: Theresa Auricchio Speakers Bureau and International gous bone marrow transplants (HDC) for Associates: Gil Kulick • USIA Director Joseph Duffey has deter¬ treatment of breast and ovarian cancer and Conferences: John J. Harter Internet Address: AFSATEX@AOLCOM mined that Worldnet television should be in the multiple myeloma. Also, beginning in J 995, Bureau of Broadcasting under a Broadcasting lifetime limits on mental health benefits will be INSIDE Board of Governors, in spite of the views of eliminated. AFSA President F.A. "Tex "Harris VP Views AFSA and many other individuals and groups, had written the Office of Personnel State Department 2 who lobbied for Worldnet to be under the Management and Blue Cross to protest the AID 3 director's authority. lack of coverage of HDC by Blue Cross. Retiree 4 USIA 5 Continued on page 3

AFSA NEWS • NOVEMBER 1994 1 STATE DEPARTMENT — NOMINEES SOUGHT FOR AFSA AWARDS OFSA is calling for nominations for • BY TODD STEWART • the annual Herter, Rivkin and Harriman Awards, which recognize "extra¬ ordinary accomplishment involving initiative, integrity, intellectual courage and construc¬ Preparing for the Year 2001 tive dissent" with $2,500 awards. The awards are not for exceptional ex Harris and I were invited to T appointees must base their work largely performance of assigned responsibilities but observe the inauguration of a on State's current responsibilities. This for courageous wave-makers willing to con¬ process intended to "position the neutral assumption is probably the front the system intelligently and tenaciously, department for its leadership role in the safest available, but it may well provide without regard to potential adverse career 21 st century." The occasion was a full- an incorrect basis on which to redesign impact. All Foreign Service officers in State, day meeting of virtually all the under the department and the Foreign Service USAID, USIA, FCS and FAS are eligible. and assistant secretaries held on Sept. for the next century. The Christian A. Herter Award is for 24 at the training center, NFATC. By Second, State's leaders cannot members of the Senior Foreign Service; the the time you read this column, the insure that future presidential appointees William R. Rivkin Award is for mid-career department should have provided a will accept their answers to the "strate¬ officers (FO 1-3); the W. Averell Harriman summary of the discussions and an out¬ gic questions" the current process will Award is for junior officers (FO 4-6). line of future steps in the process, which address. Following a change of admin¬ Also, the $2,500 Delavan Award is supposed to supply answers to the fol¬ istration in 1997 or 2001, if is doubtful goes to a Foreign Service secretary "who lowing strategic questions: that a gathering of presidential has made a significant contribution to effec¬ appointees would include more than tiveness or morale beyond regular job • How do we address emerging for¬ two or three of the Sept. 24 partici¬ responsibilities, which might include unusual eign policy priorities and redirect our pants. A new team might well cease to initiative, leadership, intellectual courage or current activities in a declining resource implement - or even reverse - the integrity, outstanding contributions to climate? reforms adopted at the end of the cur¬ improving the morale and professionalism • What is the right structure for our rent process. of the Foreign Service secretarial corps, or overseas presence? These considerations suggest that ... involvement in community activities." more stakeholders must be directly The $2,500 Avis Bohlen Award is given • What kind of domestic restructuring involved in the development of a strate¬ to a Foreign Service family member "whose is desirable and possible? gy designed to carry the department to relations with the American and foreign com¬ • What are our investment needs? 2001 and beyond. AFSA has already munities at a post abroad have done the How do we fund them? hosted meetings of foreign affairs practi¬ most to advance the interests of the United tioners, retirees and academics to dis¬ States" in the tradition of the late Foreign These are good questions, but I doubt cuss the establishment of a blue ribbon Service spouse Avis Bohlen. that the department's presidential commission on the conduct of U.S. for¬ The $ 1,000 Matilda W. Sinclaire appointees will be able to provide defini¬ eign relations in the post-Cold War era. Awards recognize achievement in the study tive answers. There are two reasons for Reporting to the president and of hard languages. Nominations are submit¬ my doubts. First, the answers will rest on Congress, a properly constituted com¬ ted by the Foreign Service Institute (FSI), assumptions concerning the department's mission could produce recommenda¬ and are also welcome from the field. mission beyond the year 2000. That tions on the roles of State and other Nomination forms are available from the mission will be determined by the priori¬ agencies that would command the School of Language Study or AFSA. ties of the American people as interpret¬ respect of Democrats and Republicans. Nominations for all awards may be sub¬ ed by their elected representatives - what A bipartisan consensus would allow the mitted using the following format: overall role Americans want their country department to implement the structural Part I: Biographic data: Name, grade, to play in the world, how much they changes necessary to carry out an agency and position (or family relationship) want to spend on foreign relations, and agreed mission with the expectation that of nominee. how they want to divide this sum among they would be respected by future Part II: Nominator information: Name, specific objectives. It will also depend, administrations into the 21 st Century. grade, agency and position of nominator, however, on the division of responsibili¬ The process launched on Sept. 24 and description of association with the nom¬ ties for those objectives among the many is an important and overdue effort to inee (250 words). agencies involved. fund the State Department's priorities. Part III: Justification for nomination We have no way of foretelling how AFSA looks forward to participating as (500-700 words): The narrative should the White House, Congress and other the representative of Foreign Service discuss the actions and qualities that quali¬ agencies will decide these questions. employees. To have a lasting impact, fy the nominee for the award, with specific Faced with such externally determined however, other major stakeholders imponderables, the presidential must be included in the process. Continued on page 4

2 AFSA NEWS -NOVEMEBER 1994 AFSA DATELINE Continued from page 1 = A I D ==

• AID has agreed to suspend rules cur¬ rently used to limit the participation of AID employees in the Career Transition Course • BY GARBER DAVIDSON JR. • while negotiations with AFSA are held. Planning for the Future • AFSA has sent a letter to National Performance Review Project Director Robert Stone expressing dismay that USIA » A Workforce planning is an required to satisfy the needs of the did not participate fully in preparing the essential component of reconfigured Washington headquarters, NPR Report on the State Department and y y "reinvented government" as not to mention the continuing need for USIA. envisaged by the National other contract personnel. Performance Review (NPR), the body It is essential that there be a defini¬ reshaping the public sector these tive roadmap for AID's workforce which • AFSA will be sponsoring a lunch or din¬ days, to be one that is customer would define personnel and organiza¬ ner in late December for those who have friendly and efficient. AID, signing on tional needs based on the agency's mis¬ served in Tunisia. Interested members are as an original laboratory for the NPR, sion. Such a plan should address the urged to call Joseph Kemper at AFSA is in the forefront of the reinvention programmatic and strategic goals of the (202)338-4045. scheme. In its reinventing role, AID is agency. So far we have seen several implementing many actions which workforce initiatives, but without a unify¬ • AFSA President F.A. "Tex" Harris and affect its personnel, and most particu¬ ing vision. the AFSA vice presidents were briefed larly its Foreign Service personnel. Essential to future workforce needs is by Bruce Sasser from the Office of The agency has launched new initia¬ the obtaining of the appropriate "mix" Management and Budget Sept. 30 on tives and policies for recruitment, post of officers, and then training them to the FY95 and FY96 budgets for State, differentials, training, career extensions, carry out AID's mandates. The agen¬ AID and USIA and government-wide senior management appointments, and cy's recent recruitment efforts have been streamlining cuts. post closings. While AID has a work¬ highly successful in terms of diversity. force planning office which has devel¬ The agency needs to prepare these offi¬ oped excellent tools to carry out plan¬ cers for the program and policy chal¬ • Negotiations began Oct. 3 over the ning, e.g., an advanced model for lenges ahead. Personnel requirements AFSA/FAS framework agreement that gov¬ "replacement planning," the agency must be looked at in the context of cur¬ erns the labor-management relationship. A lacks a genuine vision for the future of rent workforce resources. The skills of key issue for negotiation is the amount of its workforce. Perhaps the demands the large number of personal service official time available to the AFSA represen¬ which constantly throw the agency into contractors, persons on detail from other tative for FAS. perpetual crisis management make it dif¬ agencies and family dependents ficult to carry out long-term planning. should be calculated in determining • AFSA and FCS management are tak¬ Long-term plans to match human recruitment needs. New personnel ing steps towards establishing a framework resources with program goals is not rec¬ should be in a position to assume agreement, including provisions for AFSA's oncilable with current responses to responsible positions in a short time communication with its members, almost all crises. In addition, AID struggles with given the rapid reduction of the most of whom are posted overseas. The parties traditional baggage which inhibits long¬ senior ranks of the agency and the are also attempting to resolve differences term planning - a one- or two-year con¬ dearth of officers in the middle ranks. regarding the composition of the bargain¬ gressional appropriation, continuing Retraining of officers to meet the agen¬ ing unit. "directives," reduced budgets and a cy's goals should also be a priority. mandate to institute internal reforms. The administrator has clearly The agency's internal rhetoric does achieved success in transforming AID's • In letters to AFSA, USIA Director not match reality on workforce plan¬ image in much of the press and on the Joseph Duffey and USFCS Director ning. The stated goals of empowerment, Hill. His interventions to reestablish General Lauri Fitz-Pegado agreed that the decentralization and delegation of AID's credibility on the outside have Foreign Service Act of 1980 should not be authority do not comport with the facts been significant indeed. It is now time reopened to facilitate the integration of the on the ground. Notwithstanding the talk to look inside to AID's most valuable Civil Service and Foreign Service person¬ about the unique value of AID's field resource, its human resource, to nel systems. missions and its competitive edge, the strengthen the agency for the long term total direct-hire balance has shifted to and to prepare it for its post-Cold War • AFSA is assisting some 40 specialists Washington as a result of the much - role. The best way to start is for senior and untenured officers of all agencies to vaunted reorganization. Sources tell us management to get serious about long¬ recover unpaid Sunday premium pay dat¬ that more than 200 new positions are term workforce planning. ing back to 1 987.

AFSA NEWS • NOVEMBER 1994 3 RETIREE

BY RICK WEISS • BY DON NORLAND • Congressional Liaison

The November congressional elections will determine if the Democrats will lose Using All Our Diplomatic Tools control of the House and Senate, but many members of the legislative branch believe it is time to change the foreign policy teams in the White House, State or more than a year a without a single casualty F and the Central Intelligence Agency. recurring theme in this gave the nation reason to The incalculable CIA has replaced State as the most criti¬ column has been the heave a collective sigh of cized agency on the national security adverse impact of the benefits of diplo¬ relief. This critical point team, as perceived by Congress. Yet the tidal wave of budget cuts should not be obscured or macy in minimiz¬ CIA received almost all its requested FY eroding the power and minimized in discussions 95 funding and State lost $61 million. influence of the United ing human and about the overall wisdom State, AID and USIA face budget States abroad. AFSA of our involvement in that resource losses shortages for the new fiscal year, with feared the net effect deeply divided country. even dimmer prospects in FY 96 and 97. would be to sap the have now been These recent events Senior staff members on both House and strength of the Foreign should inspire a height¬ reaffirmed by the Senate sides with whom AFSA consulted Service and weaken its ened sense of pride in our see dim budget prospects for foreign ability to employ the full experience of profession — and (we affairs agencies over the next few years. power of diplomatic tools hope) enhanced participa¬ Haiti. "It will probably alternate between cuts in all their forms — public, tion by retirees in the ongo¬ and hard freezes," said one. coercive, economic, pri¬ ing dialogue about the Budget requests for FY 96 are due in vate — to protect and proper allocation of the Office of Management and Budget advance U.S. vital inter¬ resources among compet¬ as part of the negotiating process lead¬ ests in the world. ing priorities, interests and departments. ing to the president's annual budget mes¬ Colleagues returning from abroad I would like to thank those retiree sage to Congress. The Department of are confirming these fears and give a organizations who have organized State is behind all other cabinet agencies clear indication of the price we are groups and engaged in local commu¬ in submitting its requests. A major hangup paying. On the one hand, foreign nity outreach. There are now over a is the question of how to cover State's governments still look to the United dozen very active groups, reflecting costs to support other agencies overseas. States for leadership. And without retirees' interest in staying in touch How will all this affect the individual? exception, our Foreign Service col¬ with each other and following key for¬ Foreign Service officers stationed in leagues provide persuasive examples eign affairs issues. An enthusiastic Washington will receive a 3.3 percent of how U.S. involvement has made the group turned out for Ambassador Bill increase (including a 1.3 percent boost difference between violence and Edmondson's talk on South African in locality pay) while FSOs serving over¬ peaceful resolution of disputes, developments at the September meet¬ seas will receive only a 2 percent hike. between hope and despair. ing of the Foreign Affairs Retirees of And finally, DS agents will not receive On the other hand, these same col¬ New England, and an all-day meet¬ the "availability pay" available to other leagues describe the effects of the ing, featuring AFSA President F.A. federal law enforcement officials. decrease in resources available to our "Tex" Harris' luncheon talk on Foreign diplomatic "front line" troops, entailing Service issues, is planned in an inevitable and (in the final analysis) November for the Foreign Service costly decline in their capacity to seize Retirees Association of Florida. AWARD KOMINEES Continued from page 2 opportunities and influence events. Thanks also to those individual The net result is inaction in those very retirees who have expressed their will¬ examples of accomplishments that fulfill areas where U.S. vital interests can ingness to serve as local representa¬ the criteria. (and should) be advanced in this new tives in AFSA's "Legislative Action Return nominations by pouch or inter¬ turbulent, interdependent world. Network." As such, they receive mail¬ office mail before Jan. 3 1 to Awards Meanwhile, the incalculable benefits ings describing AFSA's positions on Committee, AFSA, Room 3644 , New of diplomacy in minimizing human and major issues. We also have them in State, or mailed to AFSA, 2101 E St. resource losses have now been reaf¬ mind as AFSA's point persons in local NW, Washington, D.C., 20037. For firmed by the experience of Haiti. COLEAD (Coalition for American information call Richard Thompson, Whatever the final outcome, the Leadership Abroad) groups as its ini¬ coordinator for professional issues, at entrance of U.S. forces on the scene tiatives evolve. (202) 338-4045.

4 AFSA NEWS • NOVEMBER 1994 Mail- Order V.R VOICE • CAPIE POLK • Beads! State's Budget Impacts USIA Express Your Creativity! ♦ "When ihe elephant stum¬ and overseas local guard Beadazzle Your Friends! bles, all the animals in the jun¬ You can bet services. The department is gle feel the earth tremble." also working on proposed ♦ At USIA we are in the that whatever reduction-inforce regulations Make Unique Gifts! enviable position of money- saving for Foreign Service officers. ♦ having dealt with You can bet that whatever We have everything you need, budget cuts for fiscal year changes State money- saving changes whether you’re a beginner or an 1994 well before its Oct. I implements, State implements, USIA advanced beadstringer... beginning. The process was management will soon fol¬ USIA management Beads from not an easy one for USIA low suit, willingly or by and the results were not will soon follow force. Around the World always welcome, but at The key in all this is that least we can go on with the suit, willingly budget cutting must be Jewelry Findings business of public diploma¬ or by force. done in an environment and Components cy without last minute scram where priorities have been bling to make ends meet. clearly set and overall Stringing Materials And, we can never start too goals for the future specifi¬ soon to identify where best cally defined through a Tools, Books, Tips, to take future cuts and how to do our work process in which employers and employ¬ and More... better with the resources we have. ees have fully participated. Piecemeal Our colleagues at State are not so cuts in programs or services that don't fit ♦ Fast Service ♦ fortunate. They are facing the immediate into such an overall plan can only weak¬ ♦ No Minimum Order ♦ task of identifying where the savings will en our abilities to fulfill our mandates. ♦ Satisfaction Guaranteed ♦ come from to make up the $61 million We have repeated this theme to man¬ shortfall from State's funding request for agement at USIA many times. Our State Retail Catalog $S fiscal year 1995. Whether this is a bud¬ AFSA colleagues are doing their best to (redeemable with any order) get crisis or an opportunity for reinven¬ resist desperate "quick fixes" to meet their tion , or a little of both, the Department budget shortfall. Time is not on their side. 2316-E Sarah Ln of State's predicament will affect the In the next few weeks, you will be Falls Church asked for your opinions on some of Virginia 22043 entire Foreign Service. BE A DZlP The department is considering reduc¬ these proposals which are sure to affect (703) 849-8463 ♦ Fax: 573-9032 ing or eliminating many services which all of the Foreign Service. Please Visa ♦ MasterCard USIA Foreign Service officers rely on or respond quickly and specifically. Your which set Ihe standard for USIA and other input allows AFSA to express USIA pri¬ And... whenever you are in the foreign affairs agencies. These include orities and encourage sound financial Washington area, be sure to visit medical services overseas, hardship differ¬ planning at USIA and at all Foreign BEADAZZLED™ entials, COLAs, educational allowances Service agencies. - the world’s most exciting & complete bead store! Open seven days a week at: Quote/ Unquote ♦ 1522 Connecticut Ave, NW 66 Should the CIA's resources be channeled into open Washington, DC (202) 265-2323 source collection and analysis when other expert and less expen¬ ♦ 421 North Charles Steet sive means are available?^ ^ Baltimore, MD (410) 837-2323

♦ Tysons Corner Center - AFSA President FA. Tex’ Harris, in a letter to Les Aspin, chairman McLean, VA (703) 848-2323 of the President's Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board.

AFSA NEWS • NOVEMBER 1994 5 Statement of. and Gnculation (requii &

1) PublicaHon Title: Foreign Service Journal 2) Publication No: 00157279. 3) Filing ^' Diplomat Date: September 22, 1994. 4) Issue Frequency: monthly 5) No. of Issues Published Annually: 12.6) Annual subscription price: $40.00. 7) Complete Mailing Address of Known Office of Publication: 2101 E St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20037-2990. 8) Complete Mailing Address of Headquarters or General Business Office of Publisher: 2101 E St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20037-2990. 9) Full Names and Complete •ct€ Mailing Addresses of Publisher, Editor, and Managing Editor; Publisher: American > Retiurni in£ Foreign Service Association, 2101 E St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20037. Editor Karen Krebsbach, 2101 E St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20037. Managing Editor Nancy Johnson: 2101 E Street, NW, Washington, DC 20037 10) Owner: American to Washington? Properties Foreign Service Association, 2101 E St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20037. 11) Known Anne Gomez Bondholders, Mortgagees, and Other Security Holders Owning or Holding 1 Percent House Hunting doesn't have to be a Hassle! Work with or More of Total Amount of Bonds, Mortgages or Other Securities: None. 12) For m 15 YEARS EXPERIENCE completion by non-profit organizations authorized to mail at special rates; the purpose, function, and nonprofit status of this organization and the exempt status for Federal ■ KNOWLEDGE OF THE REAL ESTATE MARKET income tax purposes: (1) has not changed during preceding 12 months. 13) ■ KNOWLEDGE OF YOUR SPECIAL NEEDS Publication's Name: Foreign Service Journal. 14) Issue Date for Circulation Data Below: September 1994 15) Extent and Nature of Circulation: average no. copies ■ MULTIPLE LISTING each issue during preceding 12 months: A. Total No. of Copies: 12,000. B. Paid/and ■ BUYER BROKER OPTION or Requested Circulation: (1) Sales Through Dealers and Carriers, Street Vendors and Counter Sales: 20. (2) Mail Subscription: 10,550. C. Total Paid and/or Requested Write or FAX Anne Gomez for a Free Welcome Kit. Circulation: 10,570. D. Free Distribution by Mail (Samples, Complimentary, and Diplomat Properties also Specializes in Personalized Other Free); 500. E. Free Distribution Outside the Mail: 30. F. Total Free Distribution: Property Management. 530. G. total Distribution: 11,100. H. Copies Not Distributed (1) Office Use, Leftovers, Spoiled: 890. (2) Return from News Agents: 10.1. Total: 12,000. Percent Paid and/or Owned and Operated by a Former Requested Circulation: 95.23%. Actual No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest Foreign Service Family to Filing Date A. Total No. of Copies: 12,350. B. Paid/and or Requested Circulation (1) Sales Through Dealers and Carriers, Street Vendors and Counter Sales: 20. DIPLOMAT PROPERTIES, INC. (2) Mail Subscription: 10,800. C. Total Paid and/or Requested Circulation: 10,820. D. Free Distribution by Mail (Samples, Complimentary, and Other Free); 500. E. Free 3900 N. Fairfax Drive, #204 Distribution Outside the Mail: 30. F. Total Free Distribution: 530. G. Total Distribution: 11,350. H. Copies Not Distributed (1) Office Use, Leftovers, Spoiled: 990.(2) Return Arlington, VA 22203 from News Agents: 10.1. Total: 12,000. Percent Paid and/or Requested Circulation: (Near Virginia Square Metro) 95.34%. Anne Gomez, Broker I certify that the statements made by me above are correct and complete. (signed) Karen Krebsbach, Editor. (703) 522-5900 FAX (703) 525-4713

WORLDWIDE INSURANCE FOR FOREIGN SERVICE PERSONNEL

PERSONAL PROPERTY AUTO MARINE MARINE

Administered by UNIRISC 1120 20th Street, N.W. Suite 720 Washington, D.C. 20036 Telephone (202) 728-4100 Toll Free 1 (800) 424-9500 Facsimile (202) 479-4471

% ft ft ft ft ft ft: :ft ft ft ft ft ft ft ft ft

COMPETITIVE RATES if Broad BLANKET coverage now available Worldwide Personal Effects Automatic replacement cost Automatic coverage up to 10% of total insured value for new acquisitions Underwritten by London Insurers Foreign comprehensive personal liability Join the ranks of our satisfied customers. On-the-spot claims service by representatives Call toll free from anywhere in the United in every major city of the world States or write for more information. Foreign Comprehensive Auto Insurance

AS PREVIOUSLY INSURED THROUGH HTB INSURANCE

6 AFSA NEWS • NOVEMBER 1994 PROPERTY 1411 RR 620 South, Austin, TX Join FS, military retirees in seas living experience. JOANN 78734 (512) 263-2181. Inland Northwest: Urban cul¬ MANAGEMENT PlEKNEY, 301 Maple Ave. W, 4- NFATC Bound? D.C. TOUR? ture, outdoor sports, four sea¬ G, Vienna, VA 22180. Tel (703) Call the Washington metro sons, low crime. 5700sf octago¬ ABLE REALTY offers complete 938-0909 FAX (703) 281 - area's short-term specialists. nal plan surrounds big low- professional management of 9782. Metro locations. Wide price maintenance covered INDOOR residential rental properties in MANOR SERVICES: Former ranges. In VIRGINIA: "The Best POOL in stunning wood-paneled Northern Virginia. Allow our federal law enforcement agent of River Place" — walk to metro 2-story space. Large rooms. dedicated professionals to per¬ letting his 10-year residential and Georgetown; 15 min. on 4BR, 3+BA, A/C, 3-car garage, sonalize service for your needs management company expand mertobus or State shuttle to much more. View decks, pon- including detailed tenant screen¬ upon retirement. Best tenant NFATC. In D.C. and derosa woods, nature area on ing, thorough inspection of your screening. Freauent inspection. MARYLAND: Selection of fur¬ 2.5 acres. Prime neighborhood. property, mortgage payments, Mortgages paid. Repairs. Close nished apartments, townhouses $345,000. By FS retiree owner. HOA/condo fee payments, ersonal attention. We're small and some furnished houses. Hugh Burleson. (509) 922- repairs coordination all under ut very effective. FS and mili¬ Some welcome pets. For further 2498. the careful close personal atten¬ tary references. Lowest rates. information: FAX (301) 907- WASHINGTON D.C., ARL¬ tion of our experienced property Best service. TERSH NORTON, BOX 7329; PHONE (301) 951 - INGTON: Personalized reloca¬ managers. Over 17 years of 42429, Washington, D.C. 4111 or write 7315 Wisconsin tion, short, or long term. We real estate experience. 20015, (202) 363-2990, FAX Ave., Suite 603 East, Bethesda, specialize in walk-to-Metro sales Specializing in residential prop¬ (202)363-4736. Md. 20814. and furnished rentals. Arlington erty management since 1981. WASHINGTON MANAGE¬ ELEGANT APARTMENTS AT Villas, 1-1/2 blocks from Metro, ALAN BEALL OR STUART SHATZ. MENT SERVICES: Residential RIVER PLACE. Arlington, VA; luxurious studio, one, two, three 207 E. Holly Ave., Suite 208, property management is our Efficiencies one-, two- bed¬ bedroom. Fully furnished, wash¬ Sterling, VA 20164, Tel (703) only business. Call, write, or fax rooms, two blocks from metro, er/ dryer, microwave, cable, 444-9201, Fax (703) 444-0576 MARY BETH OTTO, 2015 Q St. FSI. Bike or Metro to Pentagon. linens. AMERICAN REALTY GROUP, FAHEY & ASSOCIATES: Prof¬ NW, Washington, D.C. 20009. Superior furnishings, immediate 915 N. Stafford St., Arlington, essional, residential, property Tel. (202) 462-7212, Fax (202) phone and CATV, microwave, VA 22203. (703) 524-0482 or management service for 332-0798. linens and many amenities. Site (703) 276-1200. Children wel¬ Northern Virginia properties. has spa, rates within your per comed. Pets on approval. Expertise and personal attention REAL ESTATE diem. Call (301) 279-0392 or to detail are the hallmarks of our fax SOJOURNER HOUSING at (301) VACATIONS & established firm. References pro¬ ASSIGNMENT: MAIN STATE? 762-7692 for brochure or reser¬ RESORTS vided. JIM FAHEY, 9520 B Lee You need housing that provides vations. Highway, Fairfax, VA 22031 for your family's comfort and FLORIDA INVESTMENT/RE¬ (703) 691-2006, Fax (703) security. You need counseling TIREMENT PROPERTY: Be a KIAWAH ISLANDS, S.C.: 691-2009. on housing options and the local client and not just a customer by Inlet Cove, Cottage #70 2BR, GOING OVERSEAS? We'll market. You need the house contacting retired FSO Stan 2BA - LOVELY FURNISHED - rent and manage your home for hunting process done auickly Valerga, Buyers' Agent, 400 Yds from Ocean; Golf, you. Our staff of experienced and efficiently. You need your VALERGA ASSOCIATES, 2100 Tennis; Rent by Week; ideal for professionals specialize property managed when you Constitution Blvd., Suite 339 a Great Home Leave Vacation. EXCLUSIVELY in property manage¬ are overseas. I know your real Sarasota, FL 34231 or tel. (81 3) For Res. call RAVNEL RESORT ment. Since we don't do sales, estate concerns because as a 923-5700 and FAX (813) 921 - RENTALS (800) 845-3911 x70. managing your home always buyer agent I have provided 7105. WESTERN MONTANA comes first. With computerized exclusive representation to SHORT-TERM RENTALS: For¬ RANCH: Log home sleeps 8, accounting, thorough inspec¬ Foreign Service personnel for eign Service Associates can pro¬ $500 week. KATHY STEPHENS tions and careful tenant screen¬ seven years. For a package: vide fully furnished apartments (703) 536-9762. ing, nobody provides more per¬ MARILYN CANTRELL, CRS, GRI, just 5 minutes from the new FSI WEST VIRGINIA GETAWAY sonal care and attention to you Associate Broker at Mary Price- facility and one block from SA- near Washington. Vacation and your Arlington or Fairfax Howell Properties, 6402 15. We have efficiencies, 1 bed¬ home of former Foreign Service County home than PEAKE Arlington Boulevard, Falls rooms, and some 2 bedrooms, Officer available by MANAGEMENT, INC. Call, write or Church, VA 22042, tel (703) usually well within your per week/weekend. Large fully fur¬ FAX LINDSEY PEAKE 6842 Elm 533-3333, fax (703) 538- diem. They are fully furnished nished 4 bedroom redwood Street, Suite 303, McLean, VA 6092. with kitchens, cable TV, tele¬ house on 180 acres of meadow 22101. Tel (703) 448-0212, FLORIDA: Enjoy the best of phone, linens, and all utilities and woodland. Huge deck over¬ FAX (703) 448-9652. living all year. Former FSO Paul included. Write FOREIGN SERVICE looks pond, barn and beautiful¬ J.P. PROPERTIES, LTD.: Com¬ Byrnes, PRUDENTIAL FLORIDA ASSOCIATES, P.O. BOX 12855, ly landscaped yard. Spectacular plete professional dedication to REALITY, 100 N. Tamiami Tr., Arlington, VA 22209 or call or view of mountains. Canoeing the management of residential Sarasota, FL 34236, can help FAX 1 -703-636-7606. Children and horseback riding nearby. property in Northern Virginia. with property anywhere in are always welcome. Send us Call (304) 822-7171. Allow our multi-faceted profes¬ Florida. CALL PAUL toll free, 1- your dates. sionals to offer personal atten¬ 800-766-1610. FOR INFORMATION ON TAX & FINANCIAL tion to your home, careful tenant AUSTIN, TX: Lakeway homes RESTORED OR NEWLY CON¬ SERVICES screening, and video inspections and homesites outside of Austin STRUCTED IRISH COTTAGES: of your properly. We are on 65-mile-long Lake Travis. please contact THOMAS FORKAN AFSA TAX COUNSEL: Pro¬ equipped to handle all of your Three 18-hole golf courses, BUILDING CONTRACTOR, Treenkeel, blems of tax and finance: Never property management needs. World of Tennis Center, 400- Kiltimagh, Co. Mayo, Ireland; a charge to AFSA members for Over 15 years real estate expe¬ slip marina, 4000 ft. airstrip. Tel: (353) (094) 81886. telephone guidance. R.N. Bob rience and Foreign Service over¬ Contact ROY & ASSOCIATES, SPOKANE DREAM HOME! Dussell (ex-A.I.D.) at tax work

NOVEMBER 1 994 • AFSA NEWS 7 both within and without I.R.S. puterized tax services, financial R. MUGANE (202) 387-4383 personal growth problems; since 1937. Now solely in prac¬ planning, member AICPA, Tax (DuPont Circle) or (301) 596- CHILDREN and ADOLESCENTS tice to assist Foreign Service Division and Personal Financial 0175. who are not performing at their employees and their families. Mgmt. Division. 30 minute FREE WILLS/ESTATE PLANNING: potential, or are not in harmony Also lectures on TAX LAW at FSI consultation. Phone/FAX: (703) by attorney who is a former with family or peers; COUPLES every month since 1970 at 242-8559. P.O. Box 1144 Foreign Service officer. Have who are seeking more intimacy Rosslyn, VA. BOB DUSSELL (703) Vienna, VA 22183. your will reviewed and updated, or resolutions of conflicts; INDI¬ 841-0158, FAX (703) 522- or a new one prepared. No VIDUALS who are struggling 5726. Office is 100 feet from SERVICES charge for initial consultation. with chronic mental problems. Virginia Sq. Metro station at M. BRUCE HIRSHORN, BORING, CAPITAL HILL CENTER FOR 3601 Fairfax Drive, Arlington, WORLD'S FINEST ORANGE PARROTT & PILGER, Suite D, 307 INDIVIDUAL AND FAMILY VA 22201. GIFT PACK: For all your gift giv¬ Maple Ave., W., Vienna, VA THERAPY, 530 7th Street, S.E. ATTORNEY, FORMER FOR¬ ing needs. Any time - year 22180. Tel. (703) 281-2161, Eastern Market Metrostop, (202) EIGN SERVICE OFFICER: Exten¬ round. 10-14 lbs. $19.95 deliv¬ FAX (703) 281-9464. 543-4645. Other locations in sive experience with tax prob¬ ered TREE FRESH in the continen¬ WILL KIT! Make your own NW Washington, Virginia and lems peculiar to the Foreign tal USA. For more information will, valid all states. $14.95 Maryland. Service. Available for consulta¬ or to place an order call 1 -800- postpaid. Order from: EARS ADVERTISING tion, tax planning, and prepara¬ 695-3852 or fax (209) 539- #111, 5429 Mapledale Plaza, tion of returns. M. BRUCE 2089. Dale City, VA 22193-4526. WOULD YOU LIKE TO HIRSHORN, BORING, PARROTT & LENORE SILL: PERSONAL ADVERTISE IN THE FOREIGN PlLGER, Suite D, 307 Maple SHOPPER Access to contour and MISCELLANEOUS SERVICE JOURNAL? Avenue, West, Vienna, VA designer showroom. Wholesale Classified and display advertising 22180. Tel. (703) 281-2161, prices plus 25% commission. COUNSELING AND are available. Contact the Fax: (703) 281-9464. Wedding/deb. coordination. PSYCHOTHERAPY: A private Advertising Department before COMPLETE TAX & (212) 838-7253, 420 64th practice of experienced, November 30 and receive 10% ACCOUNTING SERVICES: Street, NY, NY 10021. licensed therapists serving INDI¬ off the 1995 advertising rates. For Specialize in Foreign Service VIDUALS or FAMILIES in dis¬ more information, please call and overseas contractor situa¬ BOOKS tress: ADULTS who are experi¬ Janet Emery at (202) 338-4045 tions, VIRGINIA M. TEST, CPA encing relationship, work or or FAX (202) 338-8244. 2595 Chandler Ave., #18, Las BOOKS, BOOKS, BOOKS: Vegas, NV 89120, (702) 795- We have thousands in stock, do 3648, FAX (702) 433-9191. special-orders daily, search for CPA-SPECIALIST in offshore out-of-print books, large selec¬ U.S. taxpayer issues. 35 years tion of CDs AND CASSETTES; Jazz, experience. Tax and estate plan¬ a specialty. Visa or Mastercard. MCG ning and RETURN PREPARA¬ THE VERMONT BOOK SHOP, TION; all federal and all states. 38 Main Street, Middlebury, VT Initial contact - no charge or 05753. FINANCIAL obligation. Absolutely confiden¬ ANY U.S. BOOK in print plus tial. Special care for delinquent selected CD-ROMs. Store credit PLANNING filers and IRS and state contro¬ available. SALMAGUNDI BOOKS versies. JOHN D. NEBEKER, CPA Ltd. 66 Main St, Cold Spring, P.O. Box 32228, Tucson, AZ NY 10516. Former State Department Employee 85751. Phone or FAX (602) Stationed Overseas Understands Unique 721-7718. Buenos Aires office ATTORNEYS Financial Situation of Foreign Service (541) 256-2158. FREE TAX CONSULTATION: FORMER FOREIGN SERVICE For overseas personnel. We OFFICER NOW PRACTICING Services Include: process returns as received, LAW IN D.C./MD general prac¬ without delay. Preparation and tice, wills, trusts, living wills, Retirement Planning representation by enrolled power of attorney, domestic The Preparation and Strategies agents, avg. fee $195 includes relations Foreign Service griev¬ Analysis: Insurance and Investments return ana TAX Trax, unique, ances; Greg¬ Lump Sum Retirement Options mini-financial planning review ory V. Powell, FUREY, DOOLAN & with recommendations. Full ABELL, 8401 Connecticut Ave., planning available. MlLTON E. Suite 1100, Chevy Chase, MD MARY CORNELLA GINN CARB, EA, and BARRY B. DE 20815. (301) 652-6880. MARR, EA, CFP, FINANCIAL GRIEVANCES: MANDATORY 4550 Montgomery Avenue, Suite 442N FORECASTS metro location 933 RETIREMENT? DEFECTIVE EER?: Bethesda, Maryland 20814 N. Kenmore St. #217 Arlington, ATTORNEY with 15 years suc¬ VA 22201 (703) 841-1040, cessful experience specializing Phone: (301) 961-8500 FAX (703) 522-3815. in FS grievances can represent Fax: (703) 938-2278 ROLAND S. HEARD, CPA: you to protect vital interests in

Has worked overseas, is familiar these or other career matters SECURITIES OFFERED THROUGH NATHAN & LEWIS SECURITIES, INC., with Foreign Service and con¬ including non-promotion, selec¬ MEMBER NASD & SIPC tract employee situations, has tion out, non-tenuring, discipli¬ practiced before the IRS, com¬ nary actions, etc. CALL BRIDGET

8 AFSA NEWS • NOVEMBER 1994 The Remington Fits Your Washington Schedule.

7:30 A.M. Woke up in a luxurious 5:00 P.M. Picked up dessert 1 Bedroom Apartment, at Watergate Pastry turned on Cable TV for Shop and walked the weather. home. 7:45 A.M. Nice day. Took breakfast 5:45 P.M. Buzzed in guests at and the Washington Post front door. onto the balcony. 7:30 P.M. Decided to stay 8:20 A.M. Tossed linens in another month! washer and dryer. Left note for maid to set dinner table. HIE REMINGTON Petted the cat. Fully Furnished Luxury Rental Condos 24th & G Streets, N.W. 8:30 A.M. Walked 2 1/2 blocks Walk to State Department and to meeting at Foggy Bottom Metrorail State Department. Affordable short term rentals

^or Information/Reservations, Call 202-466-7367 or 1-800-933-8367 Fax 202-659-8520 Where in the world will your paycheck be on payday? Managing your family’s finances, at home or while living abroad, depends on getting your paycheck into the right accounts quickly and efficiently. Arrange to have your entire paycheck, or a portion, deposited to your State Department Federal Credit Union checking account or other account automatically. Either way, you’ll have the security of knowing your paycheck is deposited to your account the morning of payday—every pay¬ day—like clockwork. Sign up for direct deposit by visiting your payroll office today. Contact us for your free “Overseas Service Guide” or “Member Service Guide” today. If you’re calling from overseas, please let our staff know and you’ll receive priority service. If you’re an embassy or consulate employee, cable the credit union or see your SDFCU liaison. Our financial services will make a world of difference to you and your family.

State Department 1630 King Street Alexandria, VA 22314 Federal Credit Union 703-706-5000 800-296-8882 A tradition of service for over 55 years. 703-684-1613 (fax) NCUA

NOVEMBER 1994/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 31 Focus

STATE OPENS FOR BUSINESS

AFTER 2 YEARS, U.S. TRADE FINALLY BECOMES A PRIORITY

BY JIM ANDERSON

kind of a revolution is under way at tire State Department, a seri¬ ous, determined effort to aggressively enter tire gritty world of commerce. Foreign Service officers, for the first time as part of their normal diplomatic duties, are pushing American products to foreign customers. It’s somehow jarring to think of the pin-striped cream of tire American educational and public service system assigned to pound sidewalks in Malaysia and Uganda — or at least making appointments for tire sidewalk-pounders — pushing American products day after day with a smile and a shoe shine. But that is how a program, begun somewhat tentatively under the Reagan administration, and pushed exuberantly by tire Clinton administration, has developed. The

32 FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL/NOVEMBER 1994 Focus

The Queen of England and Prince Charles are really part of

the UK’s export-promotion team, showing up at trade shows

arou nd the world, gathering publicity for British products.

Christopher State Department has channeled into the After aU, U.S. officials point out, the Queen of export program some of the energy — although not the England and Prince Charles are actually part of die UK’s personnel yet — that used to be reserved for Cold War export-promotion team. They manage to show up at diplomacy and “serious” projects like arms control. major trade shows around the world, gathering huge Where once diplomats pondered how to activate NSD amounts of publicity for themselves and British products. 68 — thwarting the Soviets — the Countiy Teams now According to one measure — die sum spent on promo¬ gadier in their embassies to consider dre Strategic tion in proportion to export earnings — die British are Commercial Plan: how to outsell die Japanese or the the biggest export boosters of all. Europeans. The American export promotion operation can also be The key word is “jobs,” as in 13 million American to be seen as a delayed reaction to the war in Southeast Asia when created by $1 trillion in U.S. merchandise exports, with American corporations and politicians learned diat die colos¬ service industries like tourism and insurance bringing in sal U.S. investment in lives and dollars had die incidental more. In die Clinton administration dogma, politics and effect of making Southeast Asia safe for die sale of Japanese philosophy are linked in die belief diat economic well¬ cars, mopeds and rice tractors. In an economic sense, die real being and national security are inextricably joined; you victor hi the Vietnam War was Honda, not Ho Chi Minh. can’t have one without the other. But some of die American Foreign Service officers — Furthermore, if economic stability" is good for the called widi some exasperation by the Christopher team’s United States, it’s also good for the countries with which political appointees as “The Building” — have not gotten it does business. Lauri Fitz-Pegado, assistant secretary with the program. These establishmentarian dissidents of commerce and director-general of the U.S. and question the emphasis and the wisdom — not to mention Foreign Commercial Service, says: “It’s job creation. We the seemliness — of diplomats who represent the Sole are there to talk about economic stability for the United Kemaining Super Power spending much of their time ped¬ States, but also for other countries’ economic stability, dling chicken wings and soft drinks. More importantiy, which is the best kind of market for the United States. some of diem see a major inconsistency in pushing prod¬ We’re talking about global economic stability.” ucts such as lethal arms, which may conflict with U.S. Secretary of State Warren Christopher, the self- national security goals like regional arms control. appointed American desk officer, proudly admits to Although military sales to such customers as Saudi pushing U.S. products when he meets with other coun¬ Arabia, Israel and Kuwait are part of the delicate balance tries’ officials. So does President Clinton, who calls hi diat keeps die American economy ticking, diey sometimes the television cameras and the Saudi ambassador to upset the equally complex equilibrium in the peace-mak¬ announce the sale of $6 billion worth of Boeing and ing role the United States plays in die volatile parts of die McDonnell-Douglas civilian airliners to Saudi Arabia, a world. Last year, total U.S. military sales were in excess of deal aided by timely telephone calls from the White $30 billion, greater dian die combined arms sales of House telephone calls and door-to-door salesmanship France, Russia, China, North Korea and Germany. by Christopher himself. The United States may be the worlds only political and military superpower, but when it comes to economic and Jim Anderson, a correspondent for DPA, the German business matters, it has a lot of competition. Chiefly diat Press Agency, is a frequent contributor to the Foreign means Germany and Japan, who have been pounding side¬ Service Journal. walks in remote capitals — not to mention greasing palms

NOVEMBER 1994/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 33 Focus

— for a long time. The Japanese and die Germans and, to Eagleburgers involvement was described by Paul a more focused extent in francophone Africa, die French, Cleveland, former ambassador to New Zealand and have similar programs in which economic assistance is Malaysia. “It began with [then Secretary of State] Shultz, linked to specified purchases of their national products. who was very business oriented, but Larry gave it a lot more body and substance. He was personally very Americas belated energized effort can be traced involved. Every time a businessman called, he would call back to Lawrence Eagleburger, deputy secretary somebody and tell them to do something.” of state under James Baker in the Bush adminis¬ Cleveland, who later became coordinator of the export tration and a former ambassador to Yugoslavia. In 1989, support program in the State Department, recently retired he handed down the “Seven Commandments,” which, from the Foreign Service in that post. The State like the original 10, are not universally observed but may Departments hope is to make the program defunct, mak¬ percolate into die culture of the intended audience. ing business such an integral part of diplomacy diat a spe¬ Those commandments, also known as the Bill of Rights cial bureau wouldn’t be required. for American Business, basically state that business has a As one who was out there pushing business deals, Paul right to have its views heard on foreign policy issues and Cleveland understands both the businessperson and the diplo¬ that die government has an obligation to give profession¬ mat. He thinks more missionaiy work has to be done among al assistance in selling U.S. products overseas. his former colleagues. ‘Tm not criticizing but not everybody is Eagleburger invited corporate leaders to call him if they jumping up and down for joy about the program.” felt they were not being helped in dieir selling efforts Fitz-Pegado believes educating U.S. diplomats to engage in abroad. They did. a new kind of competition is a matter of consciousness raising. To this end, the doctrine of promoting exports has become an 2 Block Walk to State integral part of die Foreign Sendee Institutes curriculum. Another problem in translating die program into action is Short-term Condo Rentals die eternal federal question: Who is in charge? Sometiiing called the Trade Promotion Coordinating Committee sent a Remington Condo report to Congress one year ago called, ‘Toward a National Comer 24th & G Streets Export Strategy.” The congressionaDy mandated chairman of the committee is the Secretary of Commerce Ron Brown. Included Reading the document, it is clear diat Commerce is in charge, • One Bedroom Condominiums except overseas. There, the ambassador, who works for the • Fully Furnished w/Balconies State Department, takes over as head of die Country Team. • In-Unit Washer/Dryer The Commerce Department, meanwhile, has set up • Weekly Housekeeping Services a series of “one-stop” regional centers in the United • On-Site Manager for Check-In States, where local businesspeople, especially those rep¬ • Complete Kitchen; All Linens resenting smaller firms, can tap in to the designated • Telephone Service; Cable TV helpers for sales abroad. Those smaller businesses are expected to provide 40 percent of the American eco¬ $80.00 per night, tax included No deposit: Small pets accepted nomic expansion. At the regional centers, they can get the information needed to branch out overseas, includ¬ Remington Short-Term Housing ing details about financing and insurance. This includes B.J. Knight, Coordinator the “Golden Key” program, which enables them to ask 601 24th Street, NW, #801 the embassy in the host country to set up their appoint¬ Washington, D.C. 20037 ments widi local government and business figures. (800)225-3847 • (202)223-4512 Before going off to new posts abroad, ambassadors pay FAX: (202)452-9541 dieir calls at Commerce, where diey receive a pep talk about Continued on page 36

34 FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL/NOVEMBER 1994 Focus

UP CLOSE WITH JOAN SPERO Joan Spero is the under secretary for economics dre policy process: “What is the business perspective on and agricultural affairs at the State Department. this issue and as we formulate this policy how can we take that into account?” QHOW IS THIS EXPORT PROMOTION PROGRAM DIF¬ FERENT FROM PAST ONES? QHOW DOES STATE MESH WITH THE COMMERCE’S REGIONAL ONE-STOP CENTERS? A The secretary said that this department has been known for having a Russian desk and a French desk A We are working extremely closely widi the and now we’re going to have an American desk. He has Commerce Department on its strategy of business clearly sent drat message of supporting U.S. business, promotion and tire Foreign Commercial promotion being an advocate for business, being a problem solver department. We’re trying to have it very much a part¬ and reflecting business issues throughout die depart¬ nership. I drink there was a litde nervousness that the ment. I like to think I sit right behind him at drat State Department wanted to take back die commercial American desk. That is something new and different. service. That is not at all what we wanted to do. We want¬ ed to complement and strengthen what we’re doing. QWlLL GOVERNMENT INVOLVEMENT IN TRADE LEAD TO POLITICAL QUID PRO QUO EXPECTA¬ QHAS THERE REEN RESISTANCE WITHIN THE FOREIGN TIONS RETWEEN FOREIGN AND U.S. GOVERNMENTS? SERVICE ABOUT PROMOTLNG U.S. BUSINESS?

A I drink it’s a question of a competitive position. I A I wouldn’t call it non-cooperation. I would say this build¬ think also drere are many situations where our ing has a very deep, a very long and strong long-stand¬ exporters really need guidance. Let me give you an ing culture and that culture has not for the most part been example. The person who won die Cobb award, which oriented toward economic issues generally or business inter¬ is the outstanding supporter for U.S. sales and exporters, ests particularly. I think tiiat culture is changing. Tire Foreign was [U.S.] Ambassador [to Malaysia John] Wolf, and he Service Institute training is changing because the message is was able to advise die supplier, in diis case, McDonnell- getting out. It’s rather, "Why is this important? Is tiris the core Douglas, about what it took to sell in Malaysia. It’s what of what we do?’ or, ‘Tm a political officer and I don’t do eco¬ a lot of governments do. nomics or windows, thank you.” I think the Foreign Service is composed of a lot of very smart people and I drink they

WASN’T THIS DONE IN THE PAST BY U.S. COMMER¬ understand signals and policy and I’m personally thrilled to

CIAL ATTACHES? see what is going on in the embassies. That’s where die action Q is. That’s where the rubber meets the road, that’s where the A I think commercial attaches have been doing a lot of customer is. those tilings, but we have a lot of odier skills and expertise we can bring to bear on the issue. I think in par¬ CAN YOU QUANTIFY THE SUCCESS? ticular where there is government procurement, where it’s Q going to be a high-level decision, very often the role of the ambassador is absolutely critical. We also have some A Coming from business, as I do... I have been push¬ places where we don’t have commercial attaches. We can ing very hard. The best test is what I hear from the bring otiier resources to bear, like OPIC and Ex-Irn. business community and we’re getting raves for being One dimension is advocacy, the second is problem “open for business.” The biggest test is: Is the customer solving. The third area is bringing the business views into satisfied? — J-A.

NOVEMBER 1994/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 35 Focus

Continued from page 34 ing countries. Its projects have ranged from air Indonesian the export program. Fitz-Pegado, one of those who briefs the airport to a Tatar Republic of Russia health care system, all departing envoys, says, “I am thrilled at the enthusiasm I find.” of which have some interest for U.S. businesses. The energetic Brown keeps turning up all around the The organization at the State Department is lean, with world, including in China, sometimes with platoons of few people specifically assigned to the new task. One area American CEOs, to push for new operating arrangements. where U.S. business advocates are not permitted to step or Since financing is an important part of such deals, the to push is the frequent practice of foreign competitors, administration is beginning to tailor its deals to match the mainly Europeans, of offering incentives otherwise known terms of its national rivals. That brings the Export-Import as bribes, which are sometimes actually tax-deductible Bank into the equation, as well as other agencies. One is under other countries’ laws. In the wide-open market the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC), places of Eastern Europe, the former Soviet Union or East which deals with the crucial problems of financing or Asia, Americans have been repeatedly hammered because insuring an American deal in the face of sometimes preda¬ of their failure to come up with the kinds of fancy deals tory foreign competition. that Europeans offered. The Christopher tactic is to pre¬ As an example of the coordinated nature of the opera¬ vail on other exporting nations to change their laws to tion, included among tire 19 federal agencies in the export match American regulations on illicit payments. effort is a small agency tucked away in a State Department annex in Northern Virginia. Known as the U.S. Trade and What is new and potentially revolutionary at Development Agency (USTDA), it funds feasibility studies the State Department is that businesspeo¬ to push American products in middle-income and develop¬ ple, with direct contact through the diplo- Our Suites Feel Like Home.

Spacious and fully appointed Suites at a Great American Value. Dine, entertain or just relax. Just one block to the Metro, two blocks to the State Department. Our very accommodating packages include:

- Apartment style suites with fully - Complimentary Continental Breakfast furnished kitchens. - Daily laundry and valet service - Complimentary Newspapers - Room service/The Intrigue Cafe - Complimentary shoeshine - On-premise coin laundry facilities Government Per Diem Available. Long-Term Rates Available. For Information and Reservations: (202) 337-6620 or toll-free (800) 426-4455. The Inn at Foggy Bottom, 824 New Hampshire Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20037

36 FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL/NOVEMBER 1994 Focus

matic/commercial system, can have an impact on U.S. Affairs Lynne Davis, is trying to lower the barriers on tech¬ foreign policy. Though business has had a voice nology exports; in the meantime, some super-computers are through White House and congressional contacts, they not being sold in the former Soviet Union because of strin¬ have been individual or focused on special interests. gent government review and approvals. Another area for Diverse business interests could supply a point of view at business-government cooperation is intellectual property the highest level that is different from the usual lobbying by protection, where U.S. software companies are being under¬ individual business groups. They also give a countervailing cut by pirate outfits, mainly in Asia. Little by little, that prob¬ impact than other interest groups, such as environmental¬ lem also is being addressed, with countries like Thailand and ists, arms controllers or trade unions. As Paul Cleveland says, Taiwan beginning to crack down on the theft of copyright- “If you make a decision on sanctions or embargoes on polit¬ protected works. ical and military grounds, it seems to me that there ought to So, how is the program doing overall? At a recent business be a commercial impact statement. Business doesn’t have a luncheon sponsored by the U.S. government’s team, some real sense of being included.” One example of how this Washington-based foreign embassy economic ministers might work would be eliminating some of the Cold War showed signs of nervousness about the U.S. effort. The restrictions on U.S. technology exports regulated by the Europeans showed a special irritation about losing out on the allied organization formerly known as COCOM. The Saudi air-liner deal where their Airbus proposal was blown Coalition for Export Control Reform, made up of 160 com¬ out of die sl

An independently owned and operated member of the Prudential Real Estate Affiliates. Inc.

1211 North Glebe Road 2550 M Street, NW Arlington, VA 22201 Washington, DC 20037 Hotline: (202) 544-5046 Direct Fax: (202) 546-6538

i 1 i □ I would like to know how much home I can afford to buy. | □ FREE MARKET ANALYSIS of how much my home is worth. Property address: ] I am interested in the following information: l Area? —I District of Columbia -J Maryland —I Virginia l Type of home? Q Detached house Q Townhouse Q Condo l Bedrooms? Neighborhoods? Price Range?$ | i Name I

] Address l City State Zip I ZORITA & RICHARD SIMUNEK i i

NOVEMBER 1994/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 37 Focus

COURTING THE BIG 10

GLOBE’S EMERGING MARKETS SEEN KEY FOR US EXPORTS

BY JOHN SWEENEY

ithin a decade, 10 developing countries together will be absorb¬ ing as many U.S. exports as either Japan or Europe. And by 2010, these countries are likely to exceed the total value of U.S. exports to both Japan and Europe combined. Dubbed by die U.S. Commerce Department as the Big Emerging Markets (BEMs), these countries are the worlds most rapidly growing market, offering the great¬ est potential for U.S. exporters and investors in the near future. BEMs include 10 nations on four continents: in Asia, die Chinese Economic Area — China, Taiwan and Hong Kong — as a single group, plus India, Indonesia, South Korea; in Africa, South Africa; in Central Europe, Poland

38 FOREIGN SERVICE ] O V RN A L/N OV E M B E R 1994 Focus

This “is the best strategy Fve worked on in the more than 20 years I’ve been with the Foreign Commercial Service said one senior executive.

and Turkey; and in Latin America, Mexico, Brazil and China Business Council estimates that China will need Argentina. up to $100 billion of power generation equipment over Identified out of 130 developing nations worldwide, the next 25 years, $440 billion of aerospace equipment the BEMS are the focus of a sustained push by the in the next 20 years, $29.7 billion of telecommunica¬ U.S. government to increase American exports and tions equipment in the next five years, and $18.2 bil¬ investment in the next two decades. As a group, the lion of oil field and gas machinery over the next three BEMs make up 49 percent of the worlds population years. and 27 percent of the worlds land mass. While nearly Jeffrey Garten, mider secretary for international trade three quarters of all world trade growth in the next 20 at the Commerce Department, told business leaders at years is expected to come from the developing coun¬ die recent Chicago World Trade Conference that, “while tries, the BEMs are likely to account for more than the ratio of Big Emerging Markets’ GDP to die industri¬ half of that growth. alized worlds GDP is 1 to 4 today, it will be 1 to 2 in less In 1992, U.S. exports to the BEMs totaled $106 bil¬ dian 20 years. We expect that BEMs will more than dou¬ lion, accounting for about one quarter of all U.S. ble their share of world imports as well, rising to nearly exports that year. However, during the period from 27 percent by 2010. No other category of market shows 1990-2010, Commerce Department analysts estimate such dramatic growth potential.” that the BEMs could account for $1 trillion in incre¬ mental U.S. exports. Overall, the Commerce As a group, the BEMs share a number of impor¬ Department estimates that the drive to expand U.S. tant characteristics, as well as potential obsta¬ exports to the BEMs and other markets will increase cles and pitfalls for U.S. exporters. total U.S. exports to over $1 trillion a year by the year They have large territories. They have big and fast¬ 2000, adding 6 million new jobs in the United States growing populations that are expected to generate alone. massive demand for consumer goods such as comput¬ The State Departments staffing strategy to pro¬ ers, refrigerators and washing machines; infrastructure mote U.S. exports in these regions is still in the plan¬ such as automobiles and telecommunications; and for ning stages, according to States Office of Commercial all types of commercial, financial and professional ser¬ and Business Affairs. “There is no overall plan yet with vices. The BEMs have undertaken free market eco¬ regard to increasing staffing at die embassies in the nomic policies that already have promoted faster eco¬ BEMs,” according to a spokesman for the offices nomic growth and expanding international trade and Coordinator George Griffin. “However, I understand investment. All the BEMs aspire to be technological, that Commerce is discussing the shift of some economic and political leaders in their respective resources from other countries into the BEMs for the regions. purpose of upgrading their facilities.” The potential obstacles are those found in any devel¬ The leading BEM, of course, is China. The U.S.- oping country: intellectual property rights violations, Jack Sweeney, publisher of Andes/Mexico Insight, a inadequate labor and environmental standards, human biweekly trade newsletter focusing on Mexico and the rights problems, military sales (in the case of China), Andean region of South America, is also a Latin nuclear non-proliferation treaties, limited access to key American affairs policy analyst at The Heritage sectors such as energy and government, and the need to Foundation. harmonize U.S. commercial strategies.

NOVEMBER 1994/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 39 Focus

Other problems include currency inconvertibility Besides the economic gains for U.S. business, and financial illiquidity, high inflation and tariffs, lack Brown said, “America’s active involvement in emerg¬ of market information and inadequate infrastructure. ing markets will help bring political and economic sta¬ Many developing countries also lack a functional busi¬ bility to these nations (and) such stability will make ness legal system, while commercial and ethical codes the United States more secure and prosperous.” may be nonexistent. However, the potential payoffs are huge. The Establishing a dominant U.S. presence in tire Commerce Departments in-depth studies on BEMs won’t be an easy task. Commerce Indonesia, China, Brazil and Argentina enabled trade Department experts say these markets will be analysts to identify a half-dozen clusters of industries the competitive battlefields of the future, where U.S. where U.S. products are expected to dominate in goods and services will be locked in fierce rivalry with competition with other industrialized countries. These Japan, Europe and several developing countries. In clusters include: Asia, particularly, Japanese companies are already ■ Information technology, including telecommuni¬ ahead of the United States in some industrial products cations, computers and software; like automobiles. ■ Environmental technology, including pollution Moreover, the BEMs are large and developed control equipment and consulting services; enough, and have sufficient political influence and ■ Transportation technology, including aviation, ambition to challenge U.S. policies in multilateral automotive trade, and the services and equipment forums such as the GATT, International Monetary needed to build modern rail systems and airports; Fund, World Bank and the United Nations. ■ Energy technology, particularly to supply rapidly U.S. exporters and investors are not alone in striv¬ growing demand for electric power; ing to penetrate the BEMs, however. The current ■ Health care technology, including advanced administration, said a senior Commerce Department medical equipment, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology official, has done “more than any other government in and hospital management services; the past 20 years in terms of working closely with U.S. ■ Financial services, including banking, insurance business to promote U.S. exports and foreign invest¬ and securities services. ment.” In addition, the Commerce Department has identi¬ Brown’s repeated high-profile trips abroad are the fied advanced materials, chemicals and industrial most visible feature of what constitutes a new partner¬ machinery as sectors where U.S. exports and invest¬ ship between the U.S. government and the private sec¬ ments can be expected to attain a commanding lead in tor to promote U.S. business interests abroad. Many of the BEMs. these trips, the most recent one being to China, have Most importantly, U.S. Commerce Secretary Ron resulted in billions of dollars in contracts for U.S. Brown and other U.S. trade officials note that manu¬ goods and services. Frequently, say Commerce facturers and consumers in these markets show a clear Department insiders, Brown’s personal involvement in preference for U.S. equipment and machinery, con¬ high-level meetings with foreign government officials sumer goods and technology. has been instrumental in the outcome of fiercely con- “(The BEMs) are eager to be our partners, requir¬ tested international bidding wars in the BEMs. ing only a commitment of resources and a sensitivity As Garten remarked in his Sept. 20 speech in to cultural differences,” Brown wrote in a recent New Chicago, the United States is “turning up the heat as York Times op-ed piece. “Many emerging markets never before” as America belatedly learns the intrica¬ have significant resources — natural, human, entre¬ cies of commercial trade policy as practiced by other preneurial and technological — which make them industrialized countries. For decades, competing excellent business partners. And they have many industrialized governments have worked closely with needs which American business is pre-eminently suit¬ their private sectors to advance global trading inter- ed to fill.” Continued on page 43

40 FOREIGN SERVICE j O U RN Ah! N OV EM B E R 1994 Focus

How NAFTA CHANGED AN EMBASSY

BY TED WILKINSON

EXICO CITY — The had a daily list of fact-finding impact of the North The embassy found tasks to set die record straight. American Free Trade Legislators flocked to Mexico Agreement (NAFTA) on one of many of its City, first in smaller groups, later America’s largest embassies in delegations of 15 to 20 mem¬ abroad has been profound and relationships with bers. By the end of 1993, up to positive. one-fourth of both houses had Historical irritants between visited. A number of undecided the neighbors paled beside the Mexicans transformed representatives came in several conclusion of an historical trade large bipartisan groups organized agreement that seemed to bring because of NAFTA. principally by congressman Bill Mexico into the club of devel¬ Richardson (D-N.M.) and con¬ oped nations. The Mexican lead¬ Embassy workers gressman Jim Kolbe (R-Ariz.). ership appeared proud of the ties Nearly all of some 350 American it had developed with President received unprec¬ personnel at the embassy had George Bush. After some fancy repeated opportunities to lobby footwork in October 1992, how¬ legislators directly. Nearly all ever, Mexican President Carlos edented access. undecided visitors left support¬ Salinas de Gortari’s team man¬ ing NAFTA. A coalition of aged to position itself for an Mexican business leaders also equally cordial relationship with courted the wavering congress¬ the Clinton administration, for men and their staffs, inviting negotiation of side agreements on labor and the them to Mexico for intensive two- or three-day environment, and for an eventual push to gain U.S. briefing sessions. congressional approval in November 1993. One of die first effects of NAFTA was to help In die preceding summer and fall, U.S. Embassy forge a team among the large array of Foreign Mexico had become more active. With little con¬ Service officers and employees of odier government cern for facts, opponents of NAFTA in Congress agencies, who normally function in parallel but seized on anything derogatory about Mexico, often with little familiarity with each others’ whether or not it was affiliated with trade. Human detailed agendas. Instilling a sense of common pur¬ rights shortcomings, narcotics trafficking, official pose into this unwieldy apparatus did not happen by corrupdon and the ruling Partido Revolucionario itself; U.S. ambassador John Negroponte and his Institucionals (PRI) history of manipulating elec¬ successor Jim Jones were critical in mobilizing and tions were thoroughly aired. Embassy personnel directing the joint effort that brought the legislative victory. Ted Wilkinson, a Foreign Service officer most The embassy found many of its relationships with recently political counselor at U. S. Embassy Mexico Mexicans transformed because of NAFTA. PRI’s City, has been reassigned to the same position in system of government resembles the steep pyramids U.S. Embassy Brasilia. Continued on page 42

NOVEMBER 1994/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 41 Focus

Continued from page 41 Initial trade figures for the first of Mexicans’ Aztec and Mayan U. S. companies are now six months of 1994 show that forbears. Few are allowed to see U.S. exports to Mexico reached a the rites in the temples at the top selling more high-value record $24.5 billion, and imports of the pyramids, but NAFTA from Mexico to the U.S. are also gave embassy workers unprece¬ products such as up 21 percent to $23.4 billion. dented access. No Mexican min¬ The embassy is poised to help ister wanted to be the one whose autos and computers with other expected changes for issue soured the NAFTA atmos¬ than at any time in Mexico in NAFTA’s wake. In the phere in W ashington, even if it newly opened financial sector, 17 was as remote as sea turtle pro¬ U.S.-Mexican history, U.S.-based banks, including tection, Tijuana sewage or nar¬ three subsidiaries of European cotics interdiction flights. up 17 percent from or Japanese banks, and a number Similarly, the upper echelons of of other financial institutions are Mexican business — normally a 1993 during NAFTA’s ready to enter Mexico and com¬ pretty rarified group with few first six months. pete in what has been a highly embassy relationships — worked protected and inefficient market. closely to marshal forces for But if Mexico can stand the NAFTA’s ratification. growing pains, Salinas’ states¬ And American businesspeo¬ manlike calculation that NAFTA ple flocked to the ample interior court of the will complete the economic modernization of his embassy’s Reforma office building, eager to take country should stand the test of time. advantage of new trade opportunities, straining the One tiling is certain: U.S. Embassy Mexico’s growing Foreign Commercial Service office and NAFTA work isn’t over. Although the agreement by overflowing into the offices of the economics sec¬ common consent doesn’t deal with immigration, the tion and others. number of business visitors in both directions con¬ tinues to climb. Two new visa types are now avail¬ NAFTA has been law for less than a year, and able to Mexicans — the E Visa for treaty-country it’s still far too early to draw reliable con¬ investors and traders and the TN Visa, which will clusions about its impact, but the trend is allow some professionals to work in the United becoming clear. U.S. Commerce Department fig¬ States. The numbers of Mexicans applying for visas ures show that U.S. companies are selling more for business/tourist reasons also continues to rise. high-value products — such as automobiles and Between October 1993 to March 1994, the embassy computers — than anytime in U.S.-Mexican rela¬ issued 217,604 B visas, compared to 211,205 busi¬ tions, up 17 percent from 1993 during the treaty’s ness/tourist visas for the same period in 1992-93. first six months. The United States is exporting The 2,000-page NAFTA agreement is subject to more consumer goods, such as cosmetics and toi¬ many administrative interpretations by both the letries, household furnishings, semiconductors, tele¬ Mexican and U.S. governments. Just knowing what vision tubes and agricultural machinery. U.S. NAFTA means and doesn’t mean is one of the chal¬ exports of apples have particularly benefitted. In the lenges for all involved. One tiling that it clearly first five months of 1994 U.S. apple exports means is that the U.S. Foreign Service at U.S. increased almost 90 percent over the previous year Embassy Mexico is working harder than ever to to $58 million. Exports of fresh and frozen beef help U.S. business become more competitive in were also up 51 percent during that same period. Mexico. ■

42 FOREIGN SERVICE ] O U RN AL / N OV E M B E R 1994 Focus

Continued from page 40 Commercial Guide, a comprehensive new document ests. More than a subsidized or paternalist relation¬ that includes everything a potential U.S. exporter ship, these governments have long recognized that the might want to know about every country in the world. world’s largest infrastructure projects, involving untold More than a year of sustained effort went into compil¬ billions in potential sales of equipment and technolo¬ ing the data for the guide, which some Commerce gy, are awarded or are heavily influenced in most insiders have described as the long-overdue commer¬ instances by governments. In practice, this meant that cial bible for U.S. exporters and international U.S. companies were frequently at a disadvantage, investors. despite the proven superiority of U.S. products and The BEM strategy is not homogeneous. Indeed, technologies, because contract awards were frequent¬ Commerce is working closely with other government ly decided in government-to-govemment interaction agencies and U.S. business to formulate specific trade from which U.S. companies were excluded. promotion strategies for each individual BEM. These As a result, the U.S. government’s support for strategies redect both the unique characteristics of American business interests abroad was infrequent each BEM, as well as the accumulated knowledge of before 1993. Export-Import Bank Chairman Ken many U.S. companies that were already competing in Brody calls the government’s new policy “aggressive those markets long before the current administration defense.” A senior executive of the Foreign formulated its National Export Strategy', which is Commercial Sendee, who asked to remain anonymous, based on the proven premise that exports will be the says the new policy “is the best strategy I’ve worked on No. 1 source of U.S. economic expansion and jobs cre¬ in the more than 20 years I’ve been with the Foreign ation during the next 20 years. Commercial Service. This administration is finally An effective, comprehensive National Export Strategy doing what field officers like myself have been urging is in place and is already producing measurable results in continually for many years.” terms of growing U.S. exports, international U.S. invest¬ ment and many thousands of new jobs in die United The nerve center of this new policy is the advocacy States which owe dieir existence to the new emphasis on “war room” which the Commerce Department exports as the engine of U.S. economic growth. has created to track the largest projects around However, the BEM strategy is not an isolated one, the world, and to work closely with other agencies such as but rather part of a broader and more comprehensive State, Treasury, Ex-Im Bank, OPIC and the Trade and policy tiiat includes the GATT treaty, the eventual Development Agency. The objective is to consolidate all expansion of the North American Free Trade the U.S. governments considerable commercial muscle Agreement (NAFTA) throughout the Americas, the to win large contracts for U.S. business. consolidation of a Pacific Rim free trade agreement “We will never be the first to provide below-market under the auspices of Asian-Pacific Economic finance in violation of the OECD rules,” Garten said, Cooperation (APEC), and also the eventual linkage of “but if we find other governments breaking those NAFTA with the European Union in a Trans-Atlantic rules, we are willing to match the financing.” Free Trade Agreement. In addition to die “war room’s” permanent project¬ The challenge in years to come will be to build on tracking activities, the Commerce Department is also the foundations laid in the past two years by the mobilizing high-level administration support for individ¬ Commerce Department and other U.S. government ual projects, including special trips abroad for the specif¬ agencies that have worked long and hard to position ic purpose of lobbying on behalf of U.S. interests, tele¬ the United States to succeed in the fiercely competi¬ phone calls and frequent personal contacts between tive battlefields of world trade. However, the task will administration officials and then counterparts in the for¬ not be an easy one. The forces of protectionism and eign governments awarding die contracts. managed trade are powerful and well organized. Moreover, these activities are supported by the Moreover, too many members of Congress are indif¬ Commerce Department’s just-published Country ferent to the importance of free trade. ■

NOVEMBER 1994/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 43 Focus

WHY MFN WON IN CHINA

BUSINESS BLOC’S POWER FELT IN WASHINGTON POLICY-MAKING

BY ANNE STEVENSON-YANG

EIJING — In the six-month aftermath of President Clintons deci¬ sion not to link human rights with Most Favored Nation status for China, the two most important lessons learned were about politics: the enormous influence wielded by the U.S. business bloc in Washington and the subtle influ¬ ence of U.S. companies in China in moving forward Clintons agenda there. In considering the wisdom of linking trade policy with foreign policy, it was important for U.S. policy-makers concerned about human rights and for U.S. businesspeople concerned about lost revenue to determine what could — and what could not — be achieved in China.

44 FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL/NOVEMBER 1994 Focus

The United States wields tremendous influence in China

— most notably through resident U. S. companies. Those who work here feel it every day.

The United States discovered it could not bring As the MFN decision came around each year, all democracy to China; it could not prompt a compre¬ else being equal, Chinese buyers would have favored hensive strengthening of individual rights in China; it European equipment over U.S. equipment, fearing could not prevent the arbitraiy arrest, imprisonment, that an unfavorable decision on MFN would have torture and scapegoating of individuals. made the U.S. vendor unable to service the equipment. It was clear that by the time Clinton decided on May China may have retaliated against an estimated $10 29 to delink MFN and human rights, he had figured billion in U.S. investment projects. Perhaps more impor¬ out all of this, largely due to heavy lobbying in tant than tiie immediate effect would be the loss to U.S. Washington by pro-business factions anxious to keep competitiveness in the Chinese market, where U.S. com¬ open economic channels between the two countries. panies have spent millions to position themselves. Lobbyists and administration officials had convinced The U.S.-China Business Council estimates that Clinton that the human-rights-for-trade policy was not China will need up to $100 billion of power generation only unworkable, but it was bad business. equipment over the next 25 years, $440 billion of aero¬ If MFN had been withdrawn, U.S.-China trade space equipment in the next 20 years, $29.7 billion of would have ended, since tariffs would have risen 10 to telecommunications equipment in the next five years, 70 percent over current levels. and $18.2 billion of oil field and gas machinery in the next When it comes to U.S.-China trade, we’re not talking three years. U.S. companies are well equipped to supply small numbers. Although tire U.S. so far is running a $29 these needs, but not if they are not in China. AT&T, for billion deficit with China this year, U.S. exports to China example, has repeatedly said that its overall livelihood is totaled $8.8 billion in 1993 and $5.65 billion in the first dependent upon whether it succeeds in China. half of 1994, heavily concentrated in high-tech areas that create jobs in the United States, such as aircraft. U.S. However, the United States wields tremendous exports to China support roughly 180,000 American jobs, influence in China — most notably through thousands in the high-tech field alone. Aerospace tech¬ resident U.S. companies. Those who work nology is die single largest category of U.S. exports to here feel it every day. Americans are consulted by gov¬ China, comprising 25 percent and forming die third- ernment ministries on the wording of laws; American largest export market for U.S. aircraft and parts. businesses’ complaints receive hearings at the highest Each U.S. family would have had to spend $190 levels of government; American executives visit towns more per year in increased costs for goods, as the esti¬ and cities in China’s hinterlands as celebrities, repre¬ mated $32 billion in China goods would have had to be sentatives of the all-powerful Western capital. Any sourced elsewhere, such as the Philippines, Mexico, third-string manager from an American company can India and other somewhat pricier markets, according to get a meeting with a city mayor in China, and the hint the Business Coalition for U.S.-China Trade and the that a company may be considering an investment is International Business and Economic Research Corp. considered a red alert that will draw officials away from other duties to listen to whatever criticisms the for¬ Anne Stevenson-Yang heads the Beijing office of the eigner might have of the local investment environment. U.S.-China Business Council, headquartered in Americans are strong partly for cultural reasons, but Washington, D.C., an association of U.S. companies mostly because of their happy and well-paid look. with interests in China. Americans carry the promise of prosperity.

NOVEMBER 1994/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 45 Focus

The end to the annual MFN battle does not mean that the dialogue on human rights has been silenced between China and the United States.

Therefore, the human rights community here and in of domestic firms. This is partly because U.S. companies the United States reasonably asked why Americans have an interest in promoting sophisticated environmen¬ couldn’t use their wealth to transfer their values along tal technologies, but also because they are bound by an with their capital to China. ethic that requires maintaining their domestic standards In the last 10 years, the influence of U.S. investment abroad. Xerox, Dupont, Phillips Petroleum and Northern and trade has been overwhelmingly positive. Before Telecom are a few of the firms whose China-based facil¬ 1979, when the policy of opening to the West began, ities far exceed local requirements for environmental and urban laborers graduating from high school formed a worker safety standards. sort of proletarian serf class, bound for life in the Trade and investment do not always and everywhere bureaucratic organization to which they were assigned. promote pluralism, but right now, in China, they cer¬ The “work unit” provided housing, medical care, food tainly do. Free association promotes independence. rations and schooling for workers’ children and deter¬ For decades, the Chinese were deprived of almost any mined whether they could marry, travel or divorce. form of lateral association, political or not. There were Work units kept extensive and secret files on each no non-official soccer clubs or stamp societies, let alone employee, chronicling their political records; these files church groups or political parties. Economic develop¬ determined everything from raises to housing to ment has enriched social structures, from trade associ¬ whether die employee could remain unjailed. ations, alternative financial institutions, chambers of The entry of Sino-foreign joint ventures pressured commerce, to dating societies and adult education these Chinese organizations to improve treatment of classes. Increased income, too, helps to empower; employees. Foreign-managed ventures also declined to People are more likely to assert their rights when new control the details of their employees’ personal lives, income is taxed away than when they never see the and this changed expectations in China. The require¬ fruits of their labor. ments of foreign firms — which China wanted to accommodate for their capital and technology — sped The loud and vigorous public fight to link MFN up die creation of a real labor market, which has great¬ with human rights had more to do with ly expanded opportunities for Chinese to choose jobs, American values than American pocketbooks. change jobs and weigh compensation against other Americans often confuse national interests with benefits. national values. Naturally, the two overlap, and inter¬ While urban housing was provided formerly by the ests should not be pursued if they trample on nation¬ work unit, foreign companies have been the most al values, but not all values are interests as well — important instigators of a commercial housing market, and not all values are exportable. If the guiding prin¬ allowing Chinese more personal choices of where and ciple for business, then, is first, do not harm, business how to live. In 1992 IBM, for example, initiated a home would have to subvert or harm U.S. values to justify ownership program for its Chinese employees, paying government-imposed impediments. Instead, the con¬ an extra 25 percent of employees’ salaries into a fund trary is true. The United States does have a differ¬ workers can dip into to buy their own apartments. A ence in values with eight countries, to whom it does decade ago, this was undreamed of in China. not give MFN status: Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, In environmental protection and worker safety, U.S. Cambodia, Cuba, Laos, North Korea, Tajikistan and companies bring standards to China far superior to those Uzbekistan.

46 FOREIGN SERVICE j OU RN AL/N OV E M B ER 1994 Focus

The end to the annual MFN battle does not mean able hardships rather than surrender its ethic of that the dialogue on human rights is silenced. The independence. United States continues to negotiate with China reg¬ China is a large and complicated country and its ularly on prison labor, political prisoners, Tibet and convulsive reform process has naturally led to mixed other sensitive political issues. Indeed, the MFN for feelings about the benefits of allowing some people human-rights policy did have limited benefits. to accumulate vast wealth and others to struggle on During discussions, China released a few key politi¬ fixed incomes, particularly as long-enjoyed social cal prisoners and felt pressured to enter into discus¬ benefits are being withdrawn. Chinas reforms have sions with the International Red Cross about prison led to conspicuous abuses of privilege. As a result, visits. Progress was made on labor and prisoners in China’s people and, as an extension of them, its lead¬ Tibet. ers, periodically assert their national prerogative to Furthermore, China has never hesitated when go slower, choose their own fate, and determine forced to choose between its political and economic exactly which aspects of China’s historical tradition interests. The Soviet withdrawal from China in late should be preserved. At these junctures, one of 1958, the mass famine that followed the Great Leap which came painfully during the visit of Secretary of Forward in 1960, and the devastation after the State Warren Christopher to Beijing last spring, the Tangshau earthquake of 1976 all provide examples of United States must decide whether it will oppose or the great economic need in China, which could have accept China’s political maturation. Accepting it been eased by readily offered foreign aid. China, means subverting some U.S. diplomatic goals. however, preferred to withstand almost unimagin¬ Opposing it may mean subverting all of them. ■

Affordable Luxury

If you are relocating, a business traveler or need temporary housing, we offer the comforts of home.

• Located minutes from Pentagon, • Controlled access entry throughout Washington, DC and National Airport. building. • Luxurious one and two bedroom • Complete Nautilus fitness center, apartments completely furnished and lighted tennis court, and a spacious accessorized with fully equipped outdoor swimming pool. gourmet kitchens and washers and dryers. • 4 blocks from Ballston Metro, courtesy Shuttle provided. • Weekly maid service, free cable TV. • Free underground parking. • Within walking distance of department stores, specialty shops and restaurants. • Cats welcome. • Adjacent to bike/jogging trail. • 5 p.m. check-in time.

30 day mil mi stay THE CHASE BALLSTON

The Service You Deserve 4650 N. Washington Boulevard, Arlington, Virginia 22201

NOVEMBER 1994/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 47 FINALLY, ONE-STOP SHOPPING

RUSSIA PROJECT TO AID GROCERS, ENTREPRENEURS, CONSUMERS

BY JOHN NORRIS

ussia has long been known the way many Russians do their food shopping in R for its rich tapestry of art, the next century. culture and peoples. It has Both facilities will create jobs. At the 91,000- not, however, been known square-foot Vladivostok facility, six newly hired as a great place to do your Russian directors — chosen from the 400 who grocery shopping. Long applied — and their staffs are now being trained lines, inefficient clerks and in business management and retail service. unpredictable supplies were virtual totems of the Another 140 employees are being trained in former Soviet grocery system. But with the his¬ equipment operation, and a computer training toric transformation currently sweeping through program will begin in December. New employ¬ Russia, grocery shopping, too, is changing. ment at the two complexes will eventually total The Seattle-based TPC Foods, working with more than 400 people. the aid of a $6 million U.S. Agency for Eventually, the Vladivostok store will offer International Development (AID) grant, will more than 1,500 products for sale, at least half of open the first “modem” grocery store in Russia Russian origin, including an array of Russian on Dec. 10 in Vladivostok. A second store is agricultural products such as potatoes, corn, scheduled to open in Nakhodka, in the Russian tomatoes, beans, sausage, poultry and fish. Far East, later next year. Getting this project off the ground has not TPC Foods, in a joint venture with Russian been without its trials. Dick Schindler, a retired partners in tire Giant Joint Venture Co., or U.S. grocery executive from New' York who is GIANT/TPC, has launched an ambitious plan to directing the Russian operation, became establish the first fully integrated food distribu¬ involved in the project after he grew restless with tion system in the region. The four-year plan the comforts of a Florida retirement. Schindler envisions 20 stores in Russia serving 3 million was handpicked by TPC for the job, which he people a week, with another 10 million being accepted because of its historic implications. served on a wholesale basis. For both producers Interviewed for a recent newspaper article, and consumers, the two large retail food com¬ Schindler was quoted as saying, “Probably long plexes in Vladivostok and Nakhodka will change after I’m dead, there will be 100 to 200 of these stores open across Russia, but the biggest chal¬ John Norris is a public affairs officer in the U.S. lenge has been getting the first two up and run¬ Agency for International Development’s Bureau ning. Believe me, it hasn’t been easy.” To get to for Legislative and Public Affairs. this point, the owners tackled the uncertainties

48 FOREIGN SERVICE ] O U RN A L/N OV E M B E R 1994 of rapidly changing municipal and national regu¬ and skills of U.S. technical experts, entrepre¬ lations, sporadic heat and hot water services and neurs, legal experts, financial specialists and pub¬ the problems of shipping construction supplies lic administrators will help ensure that the trans¬ from Siberia — 3,000 miles away. formation to open markets and democracy in Schindler will be assisted by a Cornell Russia and the New Independent States is a per¬ University graduate who speaks fluent Russian. manent one. President Bill Clinton recently Bringing a new management style to Russia noted that “private investment, not government also posed some unique challenges. Schindler assistance ... will provide the surest guarantee of was faced with Russian managers used to con¬ the long-term prosperity for Russia and its peo¬ sulting Soviet-style manuals to determine how ple. Government support can only prime the many staff positions were required — regardless pump, making it possible for of need. For example, the manuals suggested hir¬ companies like TPC foods to For both producers ing four times as many people as required to run establish partnerships and pro¬ a similar American store. Schindler has also vide the training and manage¬ and consumers, the worked hard to explain basic business concepts ment experiences that are so — like profit — to Russian employees long con¬ vital to Russia’s efforts to trans¬ two large retail ditioned to oppose the concept. GIANT/TPC is form its economy.” This is an training the Russian staff in demonstrating how approach well-grounded in tire food complexes in profit can drive growth and expansion. basic philosophy of sustainable Jarlath Hume, the vice president of TPC development, which claims that Vladivostok and Foods, notes that this innovative project involves development can only be Nakhodka will a lot more than just stores. “Stores alone do not achieved by building the local solve the problems of food supply and quality capacity of individuals and insti¬ change the way control. Our company will negotiate directly with tutions. farmers. ... We will impose quality standards and In addition to the $6 million many Hussions do provide technical assistance in developing more provided by AID through an efficient production methods, new equipment umbrella grant with the Citizens their food shopping and more productive seed strains and feeds.” Network for Foreign Affairs, With AID’s help, GIANT has modernized 18 TPC Foods is investing $11 mil¬ in the next century. greenhouses and is building more. Local farmers lion and the Russian partners are were given assistance with planting, irrigation providing $12.6 million in hard systems and pesticide use and with designing currency. The lead Russian partner is KRPS, a efficient systems to ensure year-round produc¬ Russian food distribution cooperative with 6,000 tion that will play an important role in reducing employees and 20 stores, warehouses, sausage the shortfalls that have long plagued Russian plants and bakeries in the Russian Far East. The consumers in non-harvest seasons. Sweet com, second Russian partner, Dalryba, is a service previously not grown in the region, has been in organization for the Russian fishing fleet, which high demand by Russian consumers since it employs more than 65,000 fishermen and 1,000 became available through new planting pro¬ ships. grams. “We are very excited about this program,” The joint venture has also helped in the claimed AID Administrator J. Brian Atwood. “It will revamping of a slaughterhouse and a dairy, using offer average Russians a very visible illustration, by modern equipment and technical advice to generating employment and getting better goods on increase the quality and quantity of both meat the shelves, that these programs work. It will and milk products. Dick Schindler notes, “We demonstrate how basic market principles can help had to enlarge our objectives. It starts at the the New Independent States in their long-term goal farms and ends with the consumers.” of economic stability. Furthermore, this project The can-do attitude of entrepreneurs like demonstrates how development funds can be lever¬ Dick Schindler plays an important role in AID’s aged, and how new jobs will be created in the assistance strategy for Russia and other New United States while providing more direct assis¬ Independent States. The transfer of knowledge tance overseas.” ■

NOVEMBER 1994/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 49 FURNISHED SUITES IN THE_ HEART OF GEORGETOWN WASHBIGTOf S fftnest LOCATION

from per day $68.00(30 day minimum)

• Fully Equipped Kitchens • Free Cable T.V. • Free Local Telephone Calls • Small Pets Welcome • Free Maid Service • Access to Public Transportation • Free Continental Breakfast • State-of-the-art Exercise Facility Night and Weekly rates available EORGETOWN G S * U • I • T • E • S 1111 30th Street, NW • Washington, DC 20007 202-298-7800 • 1-800-348-7203 • Fax: 202-333-5792 Lunch at the Club Catering to the Foreign Service Professional

b Relax in the elegant surroundings of the American Foreign Service Club and enjoy our fast, friendly service while lunching on our delicious, reasonably-priced meals. ... or ... Entertain business associates or colleagues in a Foreign Service ambiance.

Plan a function or party in one of the Club’s private dining rooms.

Conveniently located at 2101 E Street, the American Foreign Service Club is a three-minute walk from the State Department. Open Monday through Friday for lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 pan., the Club is also available for special functions such as retirement, birthday or holiday parties.

Stuff & Management by HMC Hospitality Service Tm. FOREIGN SERVICE CLUB IIAS BEEN OWNED BY TIIE MEMBERS or AFSA SINCE 1969.

50 NOVEMBER 1994/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL BOOKS

OUR NEIGHBORS’ York. Though obviously a hard work¬ the space as required. The er, he may have fleetingly under¬ Department of External Affairs and FOREIGN SERVICE mined his effort to strengthen the International Trade periodically pays Canadian public’s respect for the for a set of evening wear for both Foreign Service Foreign Service by such madness as employee and spouse. Three months John G. Kneale, Captus Press, 1993, recounting an effete dialogue with his before the move to a new country7 of $12, softcover, 223 pages. spouse on choosing a restaurant in assignment, the department funds a Mexico: “Suzanne and I would dither week-long house-hunting trip for BY JOHN EDDY a long time some evenings over sher¬ both spouses, who have sufficient ry and canapes before deciding ...‘I’m time to make school arrangements Someone said that tropical fruit sorry, darling, I just don’t feel like La for their children. Given the subse¬ tastes as though it has already been Fonda tonight. The decor is just a quent avoidance of temporary lodg¬ eaten once. Though latitudinally far shade too joyous after the day I’ve ing, the department has found the from the papaya tree, Canada evokes had.’” practice cost-effective. the same sensory response in some On the other hand, Kneale unin¬ The Canadian Sendee has yet to Americans. Author and Canadian tentionally reminds the reader of the solve the problem of spousal employ¬ Foreign Service officer John G. workmanlike way Canadian diplo¬ ment. One formula under periodic Kneale has proved as a byproduct of mats do their job. He himself was an consideration is to give the employee this readable book that Americans active conspirator at Tehran’s or the spouse a tax deduction or cred¬ who consider Canada merely bland Canadian embassy when it hid six it for the spouse’s diplomatic work. are as ignorant as Europeans who rel¬ Americans from Iranian hostage-tak¬ Kneale vigorously touts the egate till Americans to the likes of ers. One day Kneale went to the air¬ Service as the “scouts and sentries of Cousin Minnie Pearl. port with Deputy Chief of Mission Canada,” heaping scorn upon for¬ The book is part personal history, John Sheardown to receive a highly mer Canadian Prime Minister Pierre part critique of personnel practices, sensitive diplomatic pouch. As they Trudeau’s statement that the New and part an effective defense of the placed the pouch in the trunk of the York Times is an adequate substitute service to the Canadian public. car, an increasingly noisy Pasadaran for Canadian posts abroad. Kneale drops the names of famous guard armed with a submachine gun Canadian diplomats don’t seem to persons whose origin is Canadian: insisted on inspecting the pouch. require assurance that commercial Alexander Graham Bell, Louis B. When the Iranian put his hand on the work is vital to Canada’s national Mayer, Peter Jennings, Robert pouch, Sheardown slammed the lid interests. Kneale is anything but MacNeil, Morley Safer, Mort down on his arm and drove away defeatist about commercial competi¬ Zuckerman, Abe Rosenthal, Hume while the guard howled in pain. tion. He dismisses the fear that the Cronyn and Christopher Plummer. The Canadian Foreign Service dif¬ Canadian mouse can never cohabit He might have added many others, fers from its American counterpart. with the U.S. elephant: “My friends, including John Kenneth Galbraith. For example, it now provides in we are much, much larger than a The least interesting sections are newly built embassies a large, attrac¬ mouse.” Kneale’s reminiscences about his tively furnished entertainment area personal life during assignments as with a modem kitchen, built-in bar, John Eddy retired in September as a trade commissioner in Algiers, china, reception salon and sometimes senior inspector in the Office of the Mexico City, Tehran, Quito and New a film projection room. Staff reserve Inspector General.

NOVEMBER 1994/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 51 BOOKS

AN ISRAELI RECIPE /N^v^V^V. OF MIDEAST PEACE The Israel-Syria Armistice Regime, 1949-1955 Ary eh Shalev, The Jerusalem Post An International Education for the 21st Century and Westview Press, $16, softcover, ♦ Coeducational, boarding, grades 9 -12, PG 13th grade 1993, 255 pages. ♦ University-preparatory studies: International Baccalaureate, Advanced Placement, and US High School Diploma Israel and Syria: Peace and ♦ Excellent US and International university/college placement Security on the Golan ♦ Full US and European Accreditation Aryeh Shalev, The Jerusalem Post ♦ Caring family atmosphere in comfortable residences and Westview Press, $16, sojtcover, ♦ Recreation, Europe-wide educational cultural excursions ♦ Summer and winter sports; "Skiing at the LAS Doorsteps!" 1994, 228 pages. ♦ Located in beautiful, peaceful Alpine resort, above Lake Geneva, close to metropolitan Lausanne, Geneva, and Montreux BY KEITH MINES

Leysin American School in Switzerland A recent campaign in Israel has Thomas F. Rouillard, Admissions PO Box 4016, Portsmouth, NH 03802-4016 blanketed the country with bumper Tel: 603.431.7654 stickers and posters which read Fax: 603.431.1280 “Peace with the Golan.” But as one observer recently remarked, such a campaign could as easily be mount¬ We concentrate on ed from Damascus as from Jerusalem. Aryeh Shalev’s two only ONE thing ... recent books present a progressive Managing your property. Israeli view of how Israel and Syria PROFESSIONAL might come to terms on the disposi¬ PROPERTY tion of the Golan, advocating a complete but phased Israeli with¬ MANAGEMENT drawal from the Golan in return for OF NORTHERN a “tangible” peace involving normal VIRGINIA INC. relations between the countries and Join our growing number of a security regime which would owners from Athens to Zaire include an American presence on who trust the management of the Golan and a dramatic restruc¬ their properties to PPM. Pro¬ turing of the Syrian Armed Forces. fessional service with a per¬ Shalev is eminently qualified to sonal touch. treat these issues, having served on Discounts on appliances and then led the Israeli delegation and more! Monthly comput¬ to the Israel-Syria Mixed Armistice erized statements. Commission in the 1950s, and com¬ 5105K Backlick Rd bining a long career in military Annandale, VA 22003 intelligence with his current posi¬ 703/642-3010 tion on the staff of the influential Jaffee Center for Strategic Studies at Tel Aviv University. The two books are mutually sup¬ porting. In The Israel-Syrian

52 FOREIGN SERVICE J O V RN A L/N OV E M B E R 1994 BOOKS The Area’s Largest FREE SERVICE Diplomatic Dealer LOANER

Armistice Regime, 1949-55, Shalev BMW’s from $21,500 draws on his first-hand experience as a negotiator with Syria to review THE WASHINGTON AREA'S LARGEST BMW DEALER this early negotiation and derive Special Factory Leasing & 5.75 Financing Available Contact: , lessons for the current round. The Jay Klein Richard Burton book has an almost unbearable Sales Manager Assistant Manager amount of technical detail on the workings of the Israel-Syria Armistice Regime and how the two countries worked through the post- 1948 period when the status of the Golan was very much in question, and the demarcation of the border 325 is was hotly contested. Coupe But in the detail, Shalev finds a number of pertinent lessons for the PASSPORT BMW present. First, he proposes that a 5000 Auth Way • Marlow Heights, Maryland faulty or incomplete armistice increases rather than decreases the (301) 423-8400 risk of war. Shalev even goes a step Call Today For A Home or Office Appointment further, and believes that in the current context, any future armistice should be avoided and that the two sides must agree to a complete and permanent settle¬ ment, albeit one which will be car¬ Ev TAYLOR IS A ried out in phases. Second, there is RETIRED FSO & a fairly robust historical precedent GEORGE GRIEVE IS for face-to-face negotiations A RETIRED CIVIL between Israel and Syria. Much of SERVICE OFFICER the book is totally irrelevant to the current debate, dealing with a peri¬ MA od when Syrian sharpshooters Everard S. Taylor George A. Grieve could shoot at Israeli bulldozers is a full-service financial planning <3 working on the Hula Valley organization that is part of an international financial planning group. drainage project without initiating Products & services include: Among our specialties: a full-scale conflict. But of impor¬ Asset Allocation Financial Seminars For more information or an appointment: tance to Shalev is that Israeli and Mutual Funds* Pre-Retirement Planning Life Insurance Portfolio Diversification Write/Call/Fax: Syrian teams, under very loose Variable Annuities* Minimizing Tax Liabilities 405 Onondio Circle U.S. mediation, met together alter¬ Hard Assets Overseas Client Services Vienna, I/A 22180 Stocks and Bonds* Tel/Fax (703) 560-2230 nately at Rosh Pina in Israel, and Limited Partnerships* the customs house in Syria for con¬ sistent face-to-face talks, some¬ We will provide you with a personal, comprehensive financial plan that will match your investment objectives and risk thing which is almost completely tolerance levels with specific forgotten in today’s climate of hos¬ recommendations geared toward tility. Shalev attempts to show that MONEY CONCEPTS INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL PLANNING NETWORK reaching your individual goals. ultimately only such face-to-face ‘Securities products marketed through MONEY CONCEPTS CAPITAL CORP.. Member Firm negotiations will bear fruit in solv¬ NASD/S1PC 1208 U.S. Highway One North Palm Beach. FL 33408 (407) 327-0700 ing the question of the disposition of the Golan.

NOVEMBER 1994/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 53 Always More

Than You’d In Israel and Sijria: Security and final rehabilitation of Palestinian Expect For Peace on the Golan, Shalev focuses refugees in Arab states, the emer¬ Less Than on the central challenge to any land- gence of liberal democratic regimes for-peace proposal — how to equate among the Arab states and strategic M>u'd Think. territory, which is tangible, to peace, cooperation between Israel and Welcome to The Virginian. You'll which is not. Shalev’s resolution of Syria. Israel would then withdraw enjoy a spacious this dilemma is to search out com¬ fully to the new border, which would suite with a fully ponents of peace that are palpable, be adjusted three to four kilometers equipped kitchen then to structure a process whereby east of the currendy accepted inter¬ and amenities like Syria makes increasing concessions national border, so as to provide HBO, exercise on peace, while Israel, having recog¬ Israel a small toehold up to the crit¬ facilities, saunas, nized Syria’s sovereignty on the ical mounds in case the agreement free continental breakfast, same Golan in principle, gradually with- falls apart. It would include tire full day laundry and valet as well as draws from the Heights. redeployment of the Israeli Defense maid service. All this and more, for Shalev outlines four phases for Forces and the removal of Jewish less than this process. Each Israeli move is settlements. an ordinary predictably conditioned by a previ¬ Shalev offers a significant contri¬ hotel room. ous Syrian concession. The first bution to the Golan debate in out¬ It's a short phase would be largely symbolic: lining in some detail why Israel feels walk to the Syria agreeing to a cessation of the the Golan is essential to its security. Rosslyn state of war, an end to the economic His proposal is disappointing in Metro, or our free shuttle runs boycott, and termination of anti- other key respects, however. morning and evening. National Israel propaganda, while Israel with¬ Despite the road-map nature of his Airport, the draws a token several hundred proposal, Shalev does not address National meters in the insignificant soudrern the main sticking point in the Foreign Golan. Phase II proposes the estab¬ Israeli-Syrian “you first” impasse, Affairs lishment of diplomatic relations namely, who will be enticed to make Training (with embassies) and open borders, the initial concession. It would be Center, and most government and the withdrawal of Israeli forces useful to have a more realistic read¬ buildings are only minutes away. from the high mounds in the eastern ing of the Syrian position and to The Virginian. For over a decade, Golan to the second line of mounds, subjectively weave Syrian counter¬ the first choice of corporate and and the emplacement of a “division- moves into the proposal. Unless he federal size American force, or a multina¬ feels Syria is bluffing, Shalev Rates travelers. tional force with a dominant undoubtedly knows the Syrians have Especially Starting At American component.” already rejected any temporizing those who Phase III requires the Syrians to over the return of the Golan and know a $48 agree to trade relations, a joint would reject out of hand his pro¬ great value when they find one. regime on water, cooperation on posed token first phase. They would tourism, agriculture and medicine, be even quicker to dismiss die pro¬ and the halving of the Syrian Army posed restructuring of their armed — or a significant relocation of those forces. Rather than searching for a forces away from die border. Israel way to bridge this gap, such as the would then wididraw from the sec¬ stationing of an international ond fine of mounds and other por¬ observer force on the Golan earlier ROOKING tions of the southern Golan, again on, Shalev simply leaves the propos¬ 1500 Arlington Blvd., Arlington, VA 22209 being replaced by a U.S. or multina¬ al as is, and expects Syria to come (703) 522-9600/800-275-2866 tional force. The final phase has begging. ■ FAX: (703)525-4462 been described as “messianic.” It calls for Western European-style Keith Mines is a political/consular relations between Israel and Syria, officer at U.S. Embassy Tel Aviv.

54 FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL/NOVEMBER 1994 IN MEMORY

Marvin A. Derrick, 96, died of a from the University of Turin, and joined Md.; three sons from his first marriage, stroke on July 30 in Hurst, Tex. tire Foreign Service in 1934. He was Frederick Francis Farnsworth of Mr. Derrick retired from the assigned to the department in 1941 and Alameda, Calif., Charles Edward Foreign Sendee in 1960 as consul gen¬ to consular and supervisory consular Farnsworth of Berkeley, Calif., and eral in Istanbul. During 36 years in the positions in Guayaquil, Ecuador, from Robert Webb Farnsworth of Foreign Service he also served in tire 1943-47; in Milan from 1947-50; in Sacramento, Calif.; three daughters Caribbean, Central and South Belgrade from 1950-53; in Athens from from his second marriage, Susan Mary America, Scandinavia, the Baltics, 1953-56; in Rabat from 1956-1961; in Farnsworth of Dar es Salaam, Germany, England, Spain, Portugal, Palermo from 1961-65; and in tire Tanzania, Catherine Eloise Egypt, Mexico and Ecuador. department from 1965-68. Subsequent Farnsworth of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Mr. Derrick was bom in Greer to retirement in 1968, he lived in and Sarah Winslow Farnsworth of County', Oklahoma Territory, in 1897. Virginia, Florida and Minnesota. Washington; and six grandchildren. He received a CPA degree in 1924. Survivors include his son, George; Before joining the Foreign Service, he two grandsons, Philip and Colin, of worked in the correspondence division Annandale, Va., and three sisters, of tire Interstate Commerce Amelia and Aurelia Deyman and Gerard Bertrand Grunwald, 70, Commission, in Wichita Falls, Tex., Josephine Sartori, all of Breganze, Italy. a retired Foreign Service officer, died and for the Irrigation System of tire on Aug. 26. Imperial Valley, Va. He served in the A descendant of early California set¬ U.S. Embassy in Finland during tire tlers, Grunwald was bom in Alameda Finnish-Soviet war in 1939. Frederick Edward Farnsworth, and was a longtime resident of Oakland. Survivors indude Iris wife of 57 years, 88, a retired Foreign Service officer, He was a veteran of World War II and Mary Cuchet Derrick, of Hurst, Tex; died of a heart attack on Aug. 10 at was a Purple Heart recipient. three children, William Derrick of Sibley Memorial Hospital. He is survived by his wife of 43 Missoula, Mont., Nancy Denslow of For much of his 34-year career, years, Maud; a daughter, Anita-Louise; Gainesville, Fla., and Jane Samsel of Mr. Farnsworth served as vice consul a son, Paul; and two brothers, Hurst, Tex; a brother, Milton Derrick, of or first secretary in Mexico, Sicily, Thompson and William, of Santa Cruz Los Osos, Calif.; three sisters, Ethel Hobbs Indonesia, Singapore, Canada, Egypt County, Calif. of Arlington, Va, Joyce Bryson of Portia] id. and China. In Washington, he served Ore. and Ruby Peters, of Okanogan, on the Board of Examiners of the Wash.; and eight grandchildren. Foreign Service. He retired in 1966 as consul general at U.S. Embassy Hong Paul M. Popple, 74, a retired Kong. Foreign Service officer, died of can¬ Mr. Farnsworth was a native of cer on July 4 at his home in Philbert Deyman, 85, a retired Colorado Springs and a graduate of Montagnana, Italy. Foreign Service officer, died of cardio- Middlesex School and Harvard Mr. Popple was bom in Chicago, circulatory collapse in Breganze, Italy, University. He served in the 111., and graduated from Northwestern on June 8. Massachusetts National Guard and University. During World War II, he Mr. Deyman was bom in Goldfield, was a member of DACOR. served in die U.S. Army in Europe. Nev., in 1908. He received a doctorate He is survived by Iris wife, Ellen Before joining the Foreign Service in economics and commercial science Wilson Farnsworth, of Chevy Chase, in 1948, he served on President

NOVEMBER 1994/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 55 IN MEMORY

Lyndon Johnson’s Senate staff. His Service officer and resident of then a public affairs adviser in the Foreign Service assignments included Washington, Mres. Sherman was Bureau of Consular Affairs in the Vietnam, Norway, Taiwan, Hong bom in San Francisco. She graduated State Department. She remained in Kong, Laos and Washington. In 1964 from the University of California at that post until 1988, when she went and again in 1965, he was detailed to Berkeley, earned a master’s degree in to Jerusalem as consular chief. In tire White House. He was consul gen¬ education from Columbia University 1993, she went to U.S. Embassy eral in Milan, Italy, and retired in 1981 and attended law school at Fordham Cairo as consul general. Her hus¬ as consul general in Melbourne. University. band was the U.S. Information Survivors include liis wife, Maria In the late 1960s, she was a com¬ Agency cultural affairs officer at the Letizia Durante, of Montagnana; two munity service worker in Brooklyn, same embassy. children, Alessandra Popple of N.Y. In the 1970s, she lived in New Mrs. Sherman was a recipient of Florence and Paul Popple Jr., of York and commuted to Philadelphia the State Department’s Superior Montagnana; and three grandchildren. to work in job training programs for Honor Award and its Meritorious the U.S. Department of Labor. Honor Award. In 1977, Mrs. Sherman accompa¬ Survivors include her husband, nied her husband on a Foreign Gilbert K., and twin daughters, Donna Phelps Sherman. 51, Service assignment to New Delhi. In Alexandra and Jennifer Sherman, all the U.S. consul general in Cairo, 1980, she entered the Foreign of Cairo and Washington, D.C.; her died of an aneurysm on Aug. 27 in Service herself, beginning her career mother, Lena Phelps of Berkeley, Hurghada, a resort on the Egyptian as a consular officer in New Delhi. Calif.; and two brothers, Roy Phelps shore of the Red Sea. In 1984, she came to Washington of Albany, Calif., and Juan Phelps of A State Department Foreign as a desk officer for Saudi Arabia and San Pablo, Calif. ■

And get the luxury, mice, pampering and ambience absolutely free.

Starting For short-term or long-terr Some additional highlights: ♦ Spectravision in-room movies At Just visits, you'll enjoy the at- ♦ Two blocks from the Metro ♦ Nightly turndown with chocolates $ home feeling of The River ♦ Fully equipped kitchens Make your plans today for a Inn. Located in the lovely ♦ Complimentary grocery wonderful Washington visit. Call 79 residential setting of shopping service ♦ Gourmet room service The River Inn and then simply historic Foggy Bottom, our elegant relax. We'll take care of the rest. all-suite hotel is close to the White ♦ Foggy Bottom Cafe Flouse, State Department, ♦ Same-day valet service ♦ Daily copy of The Washington Post Georgetown, Kennedy Center, ♦ Concierge monuments, museums and a host o ♦ Complimentary shoe shines Sunday other capital attractions. through Thursday THE RIVER INN

924 twenty Fifth St., N.W. - Washington, DC 20037 • (202) 337-7600 • (800) 424-2741 - FAX (202) 337-6520

56 FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL/NOVEMBER 1994 REAL ESTATE

&xecutiue ON jSocfginj BALANCE WE ARE Cftfternaiiues THE RIGHT PROPERTY Interim Accommodations for MANAGEMENT Corporate and Government Markets TEAM TO WATCH CTlpartmenis, OVER UownJiouses £ Sinpfe Ramify Homes ‘FOR THE EXECUTIVE ON THE MOVE’ * Locations throughout Northern Virginia and D.C. Units fully furnished, equipped and accessorized Many “Walk to Metro” locations Dogwood Building Suite G Vienna, VA 22180 Pet Friendly (703)938-0909 • FAX (703) 281-9782

6082-C Franconia Road, Alexandria, VA 22310 Residential Real Estate Sales—Management (703) 719-0508 FAX: (703) 971 -7618

Sales, Leasing and Property Management PROPERTY Stuart and Maury Inc. MANAGEMENT PROFIT FROM OUR EXPERIENCE Realtors Single Family, Condominium or Home Owners Association. . . • Hands on management for over 35 years! • Personalized Attention • We’re not huge, we’re selective, we care! • Full-Service Management • Personalized guidance for all your • Financial Management • Worldwide Relocation Service real estate needs! • 1031 Tax deferred exchange specialists! Call today for the management support you deserve. • Monthly computerized statements! 703-893-7227 Call Susan Bader, property management FAX: 703-883-8029 specialist, for more information 1445 Dolley Madison Blvd. McLean, Virginia 22101 Office (301) 654-3200 (Serving VA, MD &DC) Fax (301) 656-6182

4833 Bethesda Ave. Suite 200 Bethesda, MD 20814

Excellent references upon request ROYAL PROPERTIES, INC REAL ESTATE

Diplomatic & International Organizations Personalized Touch in Real Estate Margin' Fauss REALTOR® • Foreign Service Career • Licensed Virginia Realtor since 1985 Property Specialists, Inc. • National Historic Trust A professional and personal service tailored Certification to meet your needs in: • Property Management • Property Management • Sales and Rentals • Multiple Listings Interest Rates are going up! • Real Estate Investment Counseling

But it is still a Our staff includes: GREAT TIME TO BUY! Gerry Addison Joann Howd Donna Linton Steve Carey Robert Howd Fran Palmeri McEnearney Associates, Inc. Donna Courtney Robert Thomas Sally Duerbeck 1320 Old Chain Bridge Rd. All presently or formerly associated McLean, Virginia with the Foreign Service. (703) 370-5571 or (703) 790-9090 4600-D Lee Highway Arlington, Virginia 22207 Fax:(703)734-9460 (703)525-7010 (703)247-3350 Toll Free: (800) 548-9080 Serving Virginia, Maryland and D.C.

r ‘ReCy on E?(perience... Sales, Rentals, Investments Linda Wilson Hurley has Property Management first-hand knowledge of D.C., Maryland, and Virginia Foreign Service reloca¬ tions having been a Among Our 36 Agents The Following Foreign Service spouse Are Foreign Service Affiliated for sixteen years. Known for her attention to detail, her experience, and commitment to service, “everything Christina Griffin Linda touches turns to Josephine W. Holliday SOLD.” Mariella Lehfeldt Lynn Moffly Magruder Whether you or someone you know are considering John Y. Millar a move, be sure to call “One of the Best Real Estate Janice J. Lyon Millar Agents in Washington, DC, Maryland and Virginia” Robert Skiff John Turner Linda Wilson Hurley, GRI 202-333-6100 or 202-363-9337 PARDOE MGMB Inc. Realtors REAL ESTATE, INC. Foxhall Square 202-362-4480 2828 PENNSYLVANIA AVE, NW 3301 New Mexico Ave., N.W. Fax: 202-363-8954 WASHINGTON, DC 20007 Washington, D.C. 20016 Write for free relocation kit! FAX 202-626-3422 SHOP IN AN AMERICAN Specializing in Montgomery County DRUG STORE BY MAIL! ♦Leasing Promote and market An ice cream soda is one of the your property; Call few items we cannot mail. Drugs, advertising; use of cosmetics, sundries MLS; qualify tenants... for any mailed to every coun¬ ♦Management Inspection; emergency try in the world. We and normal maintenance... maintain permanent a book ♦Accounting Collect rent; pay family prescription mortgage, fees, taxes... • Immediate shipment records. SEND NO worldwide • Credit cards or MONEY — pay only after satis¬ check • All books in print avail¬ factory receipt of order. able • Ask about our overnight gift delivery nationwide • Free monthly new title forecast • Mail orders welcome • Open 24 Professional Property hours every day Management, Inc. 1*800>255*2665 In CT or Worldwide 2416 Blueridge Ave„ #206, Silver Spring, M0 20902 (203) 966-5470 FAX (203) 9664329 301/946-4333 moRGai Fax: 301/946-4220 pharmacy 59 Elm Street Ask our owners, New Canaan, CT 06840 3001 P Street, N.W. they are our references. Washington, D.C. 20007 FAX: (202) 337-4102

ADVERTISING INDEX

Automobiles Housing Insurance Beal Estate is- Property American Service Center/8 Barton House/4 AFSPA/2 Management Chiysler/OBC Chase at Ballston/47 AFSPA/16 Century 21 Royal/57 D.B. Volvo/24 Chase at Bethesda/14 Clements & Co./l Diplomatic Martens/20 Exclusive Interim/9 Hirshom/IBC Properties/AFSA Passport BMW/53 Executive Club Suites/29 Jannette/18 News 6 Priority Assist/15 Executive Lodging/57 Unirisc/AFSA News 6 J.P. Properties/57 Execustay/10 McEnearney Assoc./58 Books Georgetown Suites/50 Miscellaneous MGMB/58 Book Call/59 Hotel Lombardy/18 Classifieds/AFSA News 7 Pardoe/58 Inn at Foggy Bottom/36 American Foreign Professional Property Exports Oakwood/25 Service Club/50 Mgt./52 Greenline/IFC Remington/31 Morgan Pharmacy/59 Professional Property General Electronics/11 Remington Condo/34 Mgt./59 River Inn/56 Schools Property Specialist/58 Finance State Plaza/20 Camp Treetops/21 Prudential/37 MCG Financial/AFSA Leysin/52 Virginian/54 Stuart & Maury/57J News 5 West Park Hotel/24 Money Concepts/53 Winston Ilouse/30 Storage Smith, Barney, Shearson/21 Security Storage/6 State Department Credit Union/31

NOVEMBER 1994/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 59 POSTCARD FROM ARROAD

Through Letters, A Mother Rediscovers a Daughter — and Herself

BY LOUISE BELANGER

My daughter turned 20 recently. lot. As a parent — and for many years She no longer lives with me in a single one at that — I was trying to Germany but attends a U.S. universi¬ We have become find the right balance of discipline and ty. Now that she lives across the affection, of allowing and restricting, of Atlantic, she actually writes — regu¬ more than a mother enabling and protecting. My struggle larly, no less. Through these letters we as a mother was always a question of have become more than a mother and and a daughter. We striking the right balance. There I was, a daughter. We have become friends. praise oozing out of my mouth one In her letters, Genevieve — Gen hare become friends. minute, demands for compliance to to her younger friends — writes about rules and regulations the next. I draft¬ her life at the university. She tells me ed contracts to cover housework, cur¬ about her boyfriends. She even writes fews, privileges and expectations for us about sex. Never would it have to negotiate and sign. I was short-fused occurred to me to talk openly to my pered by mail delivery time. Although and often lost my temper. In short, I mother about my fears, questions, a counselor by profession, I am get¬ was and am a vexy imperfect mother, attitudes regarding sex. 1 find Gens ting my own fair share of advice now. and I often was afraid that my old-fash¬ letters astounding— and rewarding. I Here in Germany, tire glamour of liv¬ ioned discipline might drive her away do realize that being so far apart helps ing abroad is at times overshadowed from me. I felt threatened by the pos¬ dre words and ideas to flow more by the difficulty of making friends, of sibility that she might leave me and freely. I learn drat she has even volun¬ starting over from scratch one more prefer to live with her father. I admit¬ teered to give information on safe sex time, of speaking a new language. She ted these fears to her. to younger students on campus. My empathizes, and her suggestions Granted, the geographical distance daughter, Dr. Ruth the Second. make a lot of sense. She is right; I do between us now acts as a buffer of She amazes me in many ways. For tend to keep all my friendship eggs in sorts. No more nights lying awake for example, she was tire teenager whose one basket, and I need to spread them the sound of the key in tile front door. room was almost always a mess. Her out a bit. I take heed: This is not just Gone is the compelling need to batirtub needed a scraping ratirer than my daughter talking, this is also a remind her that laundry goes in the a scrubbing. There was enough hair friend. She knows me very well, hamper and dishes in the dishwasher. on the bathroom floor to cover at least maybe too well. We have done away with reproachful half my husbands bald spot. But For all the waves of sadness that looks, heavy sighs and hands-on-hips nowadays she has her roommate still come over me when I drink of stances. I miss it all — I miss her. adhere to a cleaning and cooking how far away she is, there are also At the same time, the openness schedule, and she is tire chief batir- times when I can appreciate tire dis¬ and frankness of our letters is largely room-cleaning inspector. tance and the shift it has caused in our made possible through our separa¬ I write more freely to Gen also; relationship. Time and distance have tion. Something good had to come of being apart makes it “safer” in a sense. created a very comforting rapport being so far from our children. The reactions and responses are tem- between us. We actually really like During her teen years, I remember each other. We are lucky — and I am wanting at times to wring her neck — Louise Belanger is a Foreign Service still surprised. and now I just want to hug her. These spouse living in Bonn. Stamp cour¬ Why am I surprised? Well, I view are the wonders of growing up and tesy of AAFSW Bookfair. myself as a strict parent. I expected a growing older. ■

60 FOREIGN SERVICE J O V RNAL/N OVEM B ER 1994 WHAT IF YOU’RE HIT BYA TYPHOON IN RANGOON?

If you only had the coverage provided by the U.S. Government Claims Act, most of your possessions might be gone with the wind. And the rains. And the mudslides. Typically, under the Claims Act, you are only covered for a maximum of $1000 per furniture item, $50 a lamp, and $2500 in clothing per person. And in some situations, you may not be covered at all. To make matters worse, the Government will most likely only reimburse you for the depreciated value of your possessions. And they hardly pay you at all for items with “limitations,” such as jewelry, furs, cameras, fine arts, and antiques. On the other hand, if you had the AFSA Plan-sponsored by the American Foreign Service Association-your insured possessions would be covered, without depreciation, up to the limit of coverage you have chosen. Payment under the Plan would allow you to replace insured items lost or destroyed with similar, new items. And settlement of your claim would be swift and uncomplicated. The AFSA Plan has been specifically designed for members of the American Foreign Ser¬ vice Association on active service abroad. Through the ( "1 Plan, you can also get comprehensive moving insurance, i AFSA Desk’The HirshornCompany 14 East Highland Avenue personal lability insurance, complete theft Philadelphia, PA 19118 coverage, and itemized valuable articles protection. Telephone: 215-242-8200. In Wash. D.C. Area: 202-457-0250 So don’t wait until you’re far away and your posses Please send me your free brochure that sions have been swept away. Call or send for your free answers questions about overseas insurance. brochure today. Name Address THE AFSA INSURANCE PLAN Don’t go overseas undercovered. City. State. . Zip. The AFSA Plan is underwritten by Federal Insurance Company, one of the Chubb Group of Insurance Companies. L‘ -J EXERCISE YOUR DIPLOMATIC PRIVILEGE.

As a member of the Diplomatic Corps, you are eligible for special privileges when you order a vehicle through Chrysler's Diplomatic Purchase Program. They include preferred savings, fast personalized ordering assistance and uncompromising service with Chrysler's worry-free worldwide warranty. Perquisites appropriate to your office. Choose from the full line of 1994 Chrysler Motors products: Chrysler, Plymouth and Dodge cars and minivans, Eagle cars and )eep and Dodge trucks. Phone for personalized service Your Personal Advisor will order the model and color you want with the equipment you want, and quote the official Diplomatic price including all applicable rebates. Your Personal Advisor can also arrange delivery anywhere in the U.S. or to most overseas locations. In other words, we set you free of tedious details. If you'd rather, fill out and mail or telefax the card on Page 7. You'll quickly receive a catalogue for the vehide(s) of your choice. The Diplomatic Purchase Plan. It's the easy, money-saving way to start enjoying Chrysler's many Advantages.

A CHRYSLER W INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMATIC SALES IN THE U.S., PHONE YOUR PERSONAL ADVISOR AT 1-800-877-7083 or (516) 496-1806. TELEFAX: (516) 677-3701.