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MARCH 1995 I Vol. 72, No. 3

COVER FEATURES

Focus ON INFO SUPERHIGHWAY IN THE EYE OF THE STORM / 22 32 / CHUGGING UP THE ONRAMP 8 Ex-Top Aides to Secretaries of State OF THE INFO INTERSTATE Remember Their Bosses’ Style's, Struggles Will 'Virtual' Embassies By Dennis Kux Replace Traditional Ones GREASING DIPLOMACY'S WHEELS / 26 On Road of Technology? Growing Democratization of World Customs By Jim Anderson Prompts Reemerging Demands for Protocol 40 / IN NAVIGATING THE INTERNET, By Francine Moddemo ALL ROADS LEAD TO D.C. DEATH COMES CALLING IN KENYA / 48 Worldwide Computer Web An African Myth Haunts a Family Brings Foreign Affairs Hours After All Soul’s Day Ends Directly to the Home PC By Bonnie Kathryn Schmiel By Dan Kubiske

43 / AN INTERNET CHAT ON THE MIDEAST 46 / HITCHING IN THE BREAKDOWN LANE I'm Not Cyberphobic, Just Really Terrified of Computer Crashes By Stephen B. Morisseau Page 32-4 7 CO L U MN S 5 / PRESIDENT’S VIEWS DEPARTMENTS Cut the Fat, Leave the Muscle LETTERS/7 By F.A. “Tex” Harris CLIPPINGS /14 17 / SPEAKING OUT AFSA NEWS / CENTER PULLOUT SECTION Is Diplomacy Really a Profession? CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING / AFSA NEWS 6-8 By Chas. W. Freeman Jr. AFSA ANNUAL REPORT 1994 / CENTER PULLOUT SECTION 60 / POSTCARD FROM ARROAD BOOKS / 51 Battling Frostbite and Fear In Hungary REAL ESTATE ADVERTISING / 56 By Anne-Marie Nicoara INDEX TO ADVERTISERS / 59 Cover computer-generated illustration by Robert Burger

THE MAGAZINE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS PROFESSIONALS FOREIGNQERVICE _1_J 0 U II N A L 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 Editor Editorial Board herein represents the opinions of the writers and does not necessarily represent the views of AFSA, the KAREN KREBSBACH Chairman Journal or the Editorial Board. Writer queries are invited. Journal subscription: AFSA Members - $9.50 SHELDON J. KRYS Managing Editor included in annual dues; others - $40. For foreign surface mail, add $18 per year; foreign airmail, $36 per year. PHYLLIS DICIITER-FORBES NANCY A. JOHNSON Second-class postage paid at Merrifield, Va., and at additional mailing offices. Postmaster: Send address JOHN ERIKSSON DAVID I. HITCHCOCK changes to Foreign Service Journal, 2101 E Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20037-2990. Indexed by Public Assistant Editor SUSAN KEOUCH-FISHER Affairs Information Service (PAIS). The Journal is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts, photos or illus¬ Liz ALLAN DOYLE MCMANUS trations. Advertising inquiries imited. The appearance of advertisements herein does not imply the endorse¬ DAN MOZENA ment of the sen-ices or goods offered. FAX: (202) 338-8244 or (202) 338-6820. TELEPHONE: (202) 338- Advertising i? Circulation DANIEL O. NEWBERRY Manager DONALD R. NORLAND 4045. © American Foreign Sen-ice Association, 1995. Printed in the U.S.A. Send address changes for the JANET G. EMERY ANNE SIGMUND Foreign Service Journal to AFSA, 2101 E Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20037-2990.

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As we used to say in the Africa indeed indispensable — we will abdi¬ Bureau, “No matter how bad We can no longer cate responsibility and Congress will things may be, they can always CJ force its decisions on us. get worse.” Well, they have. The GOP afford to give The “tooth-to-tail ratio” problem is leadership is pressing for major cuts in equally tough. States dual responsibil¬ the foreign affairs budget of $3.5 bil¬ eve/yone a seat at ities for conducting foreign relations lion in President Clintons $21.2 billion and establishing foreign policy conflict request. Earmarking major portions of the table. when setting priorities. AFSA’s tilt the foreign aid budget as untouchable toward the field makes sense, since renders the real impact far more widiout a strong overseas base neither severe. And although die idea of abol¬ U.S. policy nor operations can be ishing the U.S. Agency for effective. Seventh Floor appointees International Development and otiier cuts should be in die Washington have the principal role of maintaining agencies was buried by Vice President bureaucracy, not in die field. And that’s States foreign policy primacy in die Gore, its very much alive on the Hill. about as far as its gone. Consensus on Washington inter-agency arena, but The silence from the foreign affairs just what should be cut and by how drat depends equally on field and agencies about the role of diplomacy much seems as elusive as ever. headquarters programs and staffing. in die world is deafening. Rather than After years of Cold War largesse, We need competence in both. engaging in a policy dialogue in sup¬ redundancies have assumed large The Strategic Management port of strengthening the instruments proportions. Having dodged the Initiative introduced last summer has of diplomacy, we find ourselves dis¬ National Performance Review (NPR) moved carefully for months, as Sixth- cussing how much less we can do. We bullet that would have abolished it, and Seventh-floor principals have seem to have given up any attempt to the Anns Control and Disarmament jockeyed to preserve their own fief- guide Congress during this knife- Agency (ACDA) now reckons there doms. The stakes have now gotten so wielding phase. The result is pre¬ are 100 duplicative positions in State s high and the gridlock so obvious that dictable: major cuts in dollars and Political-Military Bureau. Overseas, Secretary of State Warren people, an ex post facto prioritization law enforcement agencies vie witii Christopher is trying to resolve it. He based on the severity of the cuts and one another to accomplish the same has just sent 19 questions to all assis¬ the percentage of the international tasks. The work of States communi¬ tant and under secretaries calling affairs budget that lawmakers want to cators is duplicated around the world urgendy for a “fundamental review of preserve. That is poor governance by die CIA. Who are die real players what we do and how we do it.” Left that will weaken U.S. posture and and who are the kibitzers? We can no unanswered is how the Foreign influence worldwide. longer afford to give everyone a seat Service will participate and contribute Everyone in die Foreign Service at the table. If the role of diplomacy is to this process, once its seriousness, agrees on two general principles: first, to be strengthened as a key part of our scope and direction have been set. duplication must be ended and func¬ nations security, we must speak out A vision of America’s role in the tions streamlined; second, die major for efficiency and effectiveness, not world is necessary to make die painful turf protection. Clearly, that is as diffi¬ long-term choices that can no longer F. A. “Tex” Harris is president of the cult for members of AFSA to do as it be avoided, if we wish to preserve and American Foreign Service Assoc¬ is for agency managers. But unless we strengdien our role in managing U.S. iation (AFSA). stand up for what is essential — foreign relations. ■

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To the Editor: State’s role is to tell other agencies Information Service (USIS) in man¬ I do not agree with the letter what their mandate and role must aging resources. Yes, there were from Charles Cecil (January be. Not only does that contradict differences, and at times, friction. Journal), in which he argues that the authority of other agencies, it But usually the latter arose from the the only way for the State flies in the face of the fact that lack of appropriate respect for each Department to regain leadership is other agencies often are increasing other’s legitimate role. through a unified Foreign Service their staffs as State’s decreases. Nor A unified Foreign Service will with a unified budget. Indeed, the will it come about, as Mr. Cecil sug¬ not address more than the person¬ difference I have with him goes to gests, from a unified Foreign nel aspects of our jobs. A unified the heart of what the department’s Service, unless he means by that service may well eliminate many role is and should be. that all agencies will have their leg¬ administrative headaches and over¬ First of all, I disagree that the islated mandates, budgets and per¬ lapping responsibilities. But the ambassador has no influence over sonnel put under one department. policy challenge for State wall not the resources, personnel, funding Not likely. Certainly not be met there. or efforts of various agencies. But in Agriculture, Defense, Commerce, Princeton Lyman exercising such influence, what an the Federal Aviation Agency and all Ambassador ambassador must recognize is that the others. U. S. Embassy Pretoria each of these agencies has a man¬ The real challenge for State is date from the president and thus to develop the capacity and the Congress. One must begin from ability to provide coordination, respect for those mandates. From cohesion and a focused practicality there, influence proceeds. to the totality of U.S. government To the Editor: The ambassador does not repre¬ objectives and mandates in any par¬ Sure, we all have selective mem¬ sent the State Department; he or ticular country. That is the leader¬ ories. Sure, we are all prone to view she is the president’s representa¬ ship challenge of the 21st centuiy. our own decisions as the “right” tive. The ambassador’s job is to pro¬ And it can be done. In both posts ones. But even in Washington, the vide leadership, coordination and where I have been ambassador, we national capital of rationalization, cohesion to enable those several addressed exactly the issues Mr. seldom are we treated to such a mandates to be achieved in the par¬ Cecil raises, through Country Team self-righteous, self-serving article as ticular country. The State officers committees (almost always chaired “When Personal Ethics Conflict are responsible, in addition to their by State officers) and, more impor¬ with U.S. Foreign Policy,” penned own mandated roles, in assisting the tantly, by real team efforts, whether by Roger Morris in the December ambassador in that task. Thus, State for democratization, narcotics or Journal. Mr. Morris’s own “person¬ provides the deputy chief of mis¬ commercial development. In all al ethics” do not inhibit him from sion and thereby, the charge, and such efforts, we respected each oth¬ taking gratuitous shots at former often State officers chair inter¬ er’s skills as well as respective man¬ colleagues with whom he disagreed agency committees. dates, and — not insignificantly — or from portraying the Foreign And that brings me to the heart the special responsibilities and Service as a morally bankrupt of my belief about the future of the restrictions that are demanded of bureaucracy. State Department. State wall not the Agency for International Good people can, and do, have regain “leadership” if we think that Development (AID) and the U.S. policy differences. Good people

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8 FOREIGN SERVICE J OU RN AL/MARC H 1995 LETTERS North Country School Camp Treetops

What that American does not say is 20% of all Foreign Service junior boarding children attend that his employment is conditioned North Country School. Their parents will be glad on the farmer driving him back to to tell you why. town at the end of each working day and then picking him up the next morning. An Enriched Education and a Country Childhood Who should do this work? Somebody has to go out and do a stint as midwife for cattle and sheep. Somebody needs to swab the raw navel of every single lamb so that this little creature can give me and others the woolen shirts I so love to wear in the winter. Someone needs to bring them water when the windmill breaks down. I know not the answer. The work I have outlined needs doing. It is hard to find very many Americans who will Tel: (518) 523-9329 Fax: (518) 523-4858 condescend to do it. Some have little P.O. Box 187 Lake Placid, NY 12946 choice but to hire illegal aliens. This is the other side of the immigration story. It needs to be heard and borne in mind by even the Foreign Service. Roy Harrell Jr. The Area’s Largest FREE SERVICE Retired FSO Diplomatic Dealer LOANER Falls Church, Va. BMW’s from $21,500

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MARCH 1995/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 9 LET TENS General Electronics, Inc. In a pilot project in French, one years and another 20 percent cut is thrust is to examine and evaluate on the way. In fact, the United

AUTHORIZED EXPORTER alternate forms of assessment, States has consistently reduced its including “portfolios” of perfor¬ foreign aid commitment for 30 GENERAL ELECTRIC mance collected by a learner over years. As a portion of GNP, we pro¬ time, efforts to evaluate on-the-job vided three times as much aid in effectiveness, and qualitative 1964 as we do today. To be sure, All GE Products are Available teacher evaluations. The SLS test, money spent on foreign aid has not for All Electric Currents/Cycles however, is likely to stay with us for eliminated poverty or liberated the the indefinite future; it is an infor¬ whole world from tyranny. Nor has Immediate Shipping/Mailing mation-rich form of assessment that our military might eliminated war. From Our Local Warehouse bureaucratic systems can process But, the world, including America, quickly. To be sure, as Mr. Jones We Can Also Furnish ■^ is far safer, more prosperous and suggests, we can try to reduce the more honorable because of our Replacement Parts for test’s impact on students’ motiva¬ modest investment in human Most Manufacturers *'■*' tion. Such reduction is both desir¬ progress as well as military defense. able and very difficult. Probation, As a Peace Corps volunteer in Showroom assignments, tenure and incentive Colombia 25 years ago, I saw gov¬ General Electronics, Inc. payments have a way of looming ernment-supported American food 4513 Wisconsin Avenue, N.W, very large in life. aid managed by CARE feed hungry Washington, DC 20016 We are also revising die test itself, people and serve as wages for work¬ Tel. (202) 362-8300 with the purpose of promoting more Fax (202) 363-6538 ers who built schools. ... U.S. food TWX (710) 822-9450 of die land of learning diat FSI facul¬ aid, technical assistance, health ser¬ GENELECINC WISH ty, most students — and Mr. Jones — vices and small business support have advocated for a long time. The have improved the standard of living (Please check box) new speaking test — still under for hundreds of millions, perhaps □ Refrigerators, □ Small Appliances development ■— represents nearly billions, of people. It has been a Freezers □ Audio Equipment two years of work by an interagency remarkably sound financial invest¬ □ Rangers □ Television □ Microwave Ovens □ Dishwashers group of test managers and experts. ment for America as well. Much of □ Air Conditioners □ Transformers We aimed at making the test more our aid is in the form of loans that □ Dryers, Washers □ Complete Catalog flexible and inclusive of a wide range are paid back with interest, and 70 of foreign affairs needs. percent of the the Agency for Madeline Ehrman International Development’s (AID) Director budget goes to American farmers Research Evaluation and contractors. Expanding Third and Development World economies have become SLS, FSI important markets for U.S. prod¬ ucts, and the net cash flow in 1994 between the developing countries is more than $60 billion into, not out of, the United States. To the Editor: Other prosperous nations now The new Senate Foreign give a much larger portion of their Relations Committee chairman wealth than do Americans. Japan wants to stop wasting hard-earned has become the world’s largest for¬ American tax dollars on the foreign eign aid donor. The average aid “rathole” (“Clippings,” February Norwegian contributes $7 for every Journal). He has lots of company. dollar we provide. The average President Clinton has already Canadian contributes $3 for each reduced foreign aid in his first two one of ours, and German citizens

10 FOREIGN SERVICE ]O URNAL/MARCH 1995 LETTERS -s ExecuStay, Inc. provide 2.5 times as much as achievement, not failure and Americans. On a recent trip to ratholes. We should be proud of it, 1-800-735-7829 Taiwan, I heard Republic of China and we should be determined to do 301-212-9660 leaders express great pride in their more and do it better — not cut Fax: 301-212-9665 grossing foreign aid program. back. AID administrator Brian I share the complaint that too Atwood has proposed changes that Member of the much of our aid has been misdirect¬ move in the right direction. They Washington ed. We have armed too many tyrants deserve serious attention. Reservation Centre and helped perpetuate too many Charles F. Dambach offering over 1,000 fully foiled systems. Too much has been President and CEO furnished locations throughout spent on massive projects that National Peace Corps the Washington Metropolitan area destroy the environment and enrich Association for 30 days or longer. only a few (mostly American) com¬ is® panies. Too little has been invested in the countries that need aid the most. With tire exception of Haiti this year, none of the world’s 50 To the Editor: poorest nations is among the 20 The Vice President for Retiree’s receiving the most U.S. aid. [Donald Norland’s] column in the However, the portion of the aid bud¬ January “AFSA News” focused on get used specifically to reduce threats to the integrity of the The Experts In Furnished hunger and poverty has been excep¬ Foreign Service as a separate insti¬ Short & Long-Term Housing tionally effective. With our help, tution with unique skills and experi¬ Third World food production has ences. It then cites Somalia and Fully furnished apartments exceeded population growth — a Rwanda as “interventions,” which and private homes. result of both reduced fertility rates contribute to some of the “anti-gov¬ Customized to meet your and increasing production. Life ernment, anti-spending sentiment.” lifestyle. expectancy in developing countries The column then states that, Quality housewares including has increased by 20 years since (presumably Foreign Service) linens, fully outfitted kitchens “voices can distinguish the preten¬ and decorative accessories. 1960, the child mortality rate has All expenses including phone been halved and the developing sions of non-governmental organi¬ service, utilities and cable world’s share of global production zations (NGOs) to succeed where television on one bill. has increased significantly. governments have failed” and if Maid service upon request. During my visit to Taiwan, offi¬ these voices had been consulted, Pets accepted at many cials expressed their view that the American actions would have been locations. Peace Corps is the best example of different. As the former assistant Washers and dryers. effective overseas development aid. director and director of the Agency Close to shopping and There are 6,500 Peace Corps volun¬ for International Development’s entertainment. teers serving today in over 90 coun¬ (AID) Office of Food for Peace Many locations on public tries to teach and promote better before my retirement in September transportation routes. health care, agricultural and small 1993, I take issue with these con¬ Major credit cards accepted. business development and environ¬ clusions. Most Importantly.^ mental management. Now, Peace First, Secretary of State Corps volunteers are in Russia and Lawrence Eagleburger personally You make the decisions, we the former Soviet Union teaching approved the increased U.S. mili¬ provide the service. English and helping small business tary protection for American and We meet your budget. entrepreneurs convert to a market foreign NGOs providing food relief economy. in Somalia. State and AID Foreign 7595 Rickenbacker Drive The Peace Corps and the Service officers supported this deci¬ Gaithersburg, Maryland 20879 American foreign aid story is one of sion, which was based on numerous

MARCH 1995/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 11 LETTERS

field assessments by AID and U.N. draught was largely ignored. ... The organizations. ... This effort U.S. taxpayer foots the bill for regu¬ responded to strong press reports lar feeding and emergency feeding and widely held revulsion by the programs for millions of poor infants American people, reflected in and adults worldwide. Many of Congress, of a need to prevent mass these programs are managed, with¬ starvation. The expansion of the role out popular support or acclaim, by of the U.S. military to try to bring those same NGOs whose “preten¬ about a conclusion to Somalia’s clan sions” are disparaged. I find it note¬ warfare does not relate to any “pre¬ worthy that in a climate that threat¬ tensions” of the NGO community. ens AID’s very survival, American The Rwandan tragedy, which has humanitarian relief programs con¬ occurred since I retired, was not tinue to receive distinct support Come to American Service predictable, preventing significant from the new Republican majority Center for diplomatic immunity food stocks from being mobilized in in Congress. from high prices. If you are on anticipation of mass migrations of Robert Hechtman an overseas assignment, and populations to Zaire and other bor¬ Retired FSO carry a diplomatic or official dering nations. Again, part of the McLean, Va. passport, you can save on the American effort was to prevent mass purchase of a new Mercedes starvation. Benz with U.S. equipment, In both cases, to imply after the shipped directly to the United fact that “voices of experience” States. somehow would have done things To the Editor: Contact Erik Granholm, our differently implies that these voices I was gratified to read [the were not involved in the original Diplomatic and Tourist Sales Agency for International decisions. Nothing is further from Manager, a native of Munich Development (AID) Assistant the truth. To imply that NGOs have Germany who has been with Administrator for Legislative and caused the United States to commit American Service Center for 27 Public Affairs’s] Jill Buckley’s letter resources unwisely or against our (January Journal) confirming it is years. own best interests is, at least in the not AID policy to exclude certain relief arena, unfounded and does a racial groups from participating in deep disservice to the leadership our South African assistance pro¬ and staff of such NGOs as CARE, gram. Those familiar with this mat¬ Catholic Relief Services, Doctors ter were wondering if management without Borders, Irish Concern, etc. would ever make this simple, yet This is not to say that AID and State seemingly difficult pronounce¬ necessarily agree with all the pro¬ ment. I wonder why it took them posals made by NGOs or the U.N. two years. relief organizations. But the “voices As a witness to AID/South of experience” are precisely those Africa’s “non-policy” of racial dis¬ 585 North Glebe Road involved in the decision-making crimination, I find Buckley’s denial Arlington, Virginia 22203 process concerning emergency and of wrongdoing as absurd as it is pre¬ 703/525-2100 FAX: 703/525-1430 humanitarian relief. dictable. But perhaps she has not In my view part of the problem is yet read the March 31, 1994 the failure of the American press to Inspector General’s report, the widely publicize the successes of the April 1994 management assess¬ ® Mercedes-Benz-Rcgiaerd Trademarks of Daimler-Benz AC, Stuttgart, Federal Republic of Germany relief programs. For example, the ment, the 15 (and counting) news hundreds of thousands of lives that articles on the matter, or spoken to were saved in the 10 southern the dozen or so officers who left African nations during the 1991-92 South Africa prior to completion of

12 FOREIGN SERVICE ] OU RN AL/M ARC H 199 5 LETTERS

their assignments. If she had, tionalist headlines. The FAA list maybe the spirit of “government re- refers not to specific airlines, but to invention” would have compelled countries whose civil aviation over¬ her to write a response that sight capabilities do not meet inter¬ • Furnished studios to employees find credible. Issuing national standards. For example, 3 bedroom residences unarguable moral pronouncements the report does not state that as a response to specific allegations Uruguayan airlines or safety priori¬ • Minimum 30 days doesn’t count for much when seri¬ ties are insufficient, but that the • Rates within per diem ous misconduct is put on such Uruguayan government lacks ade¬ crude display. And management’s quate oversight measures. In fact, • Fully equipped kitchens outraged denials of racially motivat¬ Pluna, Uruguay’s state-owned air¬ • Individual washers/dryers ed practices while it parrots sus¬ line has not had a fatal accident on pect, race-based statistics only a commercial flight in its 50-plus- • Cable T.V. & local phone included serves to highlight the folly of its year existence. illogical methods. It seems as if the Journal readers may be interest¬ • Utilities included irony of racial data collection in the ed to know that in the Uruguayan • Optional Maid service new, non-racial South Africa is an case, inclusion on the list and the irony too subtle for some. media’s misrepresentation of the • On site fitness center & But perhaps what is most shame¬ information contained therein, memberships to local health ful of the AID/South Africa “for¬ adversely affected the bilateral rela¬ clubs eign policy success story” is the tionship. In fact, publication of the • Pet friendly locations national disgrace such shabby list so infuriated the Uruguayan gov¬ American governance displays ernment that routine cooperation • Major credit cards accepted before our South African friends. between Uruguay and FAA was seri¬ • One statement billing There is much that binds our two ously jeopardized. In addition, the fine countries together. But when it dispute has spilled over into the pri¬ • Locations in Virginia, comes to America’s race-conscious vate sector. Uruguayan civil aviation Maryland and D.C. close to new NFATC bureaucrats and AID’s inept spoils authorities have not acted on a system, South Africans now realize major U.S. carrier’s request to serve Virginia Locations that no amount of American aid will Uruguay filed months ago and grant¬ Annandale, Arlington, Ballston, ever amount to very much. ed only a temporary extension to Courthouse, Crystal City, Paul Niefert another major U.S. carrier. Fairfax City, Falls Church Private Sector Officer Andrew I. Budman Pditical/Econormc Officer Maryland Locations Bureau for Europe and Bethesda, Gaithersburg, Rockville, New Independent States U.S. Embassy Montevideo V Silver Spring AID Attention Fiction Writers District Locations Dupont Circle, Foggy Bottom, Upper The Foreign Service Journal Northwest, Waterfront welcomes short pieces of fiction, from 2,000-4,000 words, for its Inquiries (703) 506-3993 To the Editor: annual fiction issue. Preference (800) 776-5057 “AFSA News” in the October given for Foreign Service settings, FAX (703) 506-3997 Journal touts the American Foreign situations and characters. Small Service Association’s (AFSA) suc¬ honorarium offered. Submissions, LET US SHOW YOU HOW cess in forcing the Federal Aviation WE OPEN DOORS TO HOMES on disk and on paper, may be Agency (FAA) to publish a list of AWAY FROM HOMES! “dangerous foreign airlines.” While made by June 1 to Karen Krebsbach, Editor, Foreign AFSA’s concern for public safety is 8230 Old Courthouse Road admirable, it is disturbing to see Service Journal, 2101 E St. NW, Suite 450, Vienna, VA 22182 AFSA resort to inaccurate, sensa¬ Washington, D.C. 20037.

MARCH 1995/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 13 CLIPPINGS

NEXT TIME, SIR, Indonesian embassies, who have diplo¬ mats in Pyongyang, because he feared PLEASE CALL COLLECT that Richardson had been abducted. The next time Rep. Bill Richardson (D-N.M.) conducts high-stakes diplo¬ macy, he should call Secretary of State BEING PREPARED Warren Christopher collect. According to investigative journalist Jack FOR QUAKES IN JAPAN Anderson’s column in the Jan. 19 When disaster strikes overseas, a top “IfAID, AC DA Washington Post, Richardson just hap¬ priority for U.S. diplomats is to check pened to be in North Korea discussing local hospitals and morgues for or USIA were the U.S. nuclear agreement with gov¬ American casualties. But when the Jan. ernment officials when a U.S. heli¬ 16 earthquake hit Kobe, Japan, the U.S. divisions of copter was shot down on Dec. 17. consul general and most of his staff in Richardson sprang into action as nearby Osaka were stranded in their General Motors Christopher’s official emissary and suburban homes. But, according to the helped secure the release of U.S. Chief Jan. 30 U.S. News World Report, John or Genera! Warrant Officer Bobby Hall, the surviv¬ Dinger, deputy director of State’s Japan ing pilot. desk, had arrived the night before in Since North Korea has no direct Electric, they Osaka. He rushed to staff the phones phone links to the United States, and report to the State Department. would be gone Richardson was able to reach Why was he in Osaka? To attend a con¬ Christopher only through Canada, ference on earthquake preparedness by the close of which patched him through to and emergency management. Washington. The North Koreans say the business bill reached $10,000 before the negotia¬ tions were finished. But the bill had to POLL SHOWS AMERICANS today " be paid in full — in cash -— before Richardson was allowed to cross the de¬ UNAWARE OF AID LEVEL militarized zone with the remains of Most Americans believe the United — JAMES BAKER III. Chief Warrant Officer David Hilemon, States spends too much on foreign aid. FORMER SECRETARY the second pilot of the helicopter. But how much is too much? The Anderson reported that the congress¬ Washington Post’s “For the Record” col¬ OF STA TE. man made more than 23 calls to the umn on Feb. 1 quotes a recent stud}' by TESTIE) I.XG BEFORE State Department, plus calls to the pi¬ the Program on International Policy lots’ families. The calls were made on Attitudes (PIPA) at the University of THE HOUSE unsecured phone lines. American offi¬ Maryland that found 75 percent of COMMI TTEE O \ cials, believing that every word was Americans said too much was being being recorded by the North Koreans, spent on foreign aid. IXTER.X ITIOXAL turned the phone calls into a negotiating Those polled estimated that 15 per¬ ItELATIOXS, ploy. As the negotiations progressed, cent of the federal budget — 15 times Christopher logged a hefty phone bill the actual amount of 1 percent — was ./IV. 12 himself, at one point locating spent on foreign aid. Other polls have

Richardson through the German and estimated even higherO sums and manyJ

14 FOREIGN SERVICE J OU RK AL/M ARC H 1995 CLIPPINGS

assumed that foreign aid was the month. Given budget cuts expected at largest item in the U.S. budget — State, having ambassadors pay for their larger than the defense budget or own cars may be the wave of the future, Social Security. Kamen writes. When respondents were asked in the PI PA poll what was an “appropriate amount” to spend on foreign aid, the PASTOR BERATES median response was 5 percent; YEARS AGO Republicans and Democrats did not HELMS’S TACTICS’ differ. When respondents were asked Sen. Jesse Helms (R-N.C.), blamed what amount was “too little” to give, Robert A. Pastor, former nominee to the the median response was 3 percent -— U.S. ambassadorship in Panama, for the A letter to the editor still three times the present spending Panama Canal treaties, blocking a vote in the March 1945 level. on the nomination, Pastor wrote in an Journal praises the move op-ed piece in the Feb. 1 Washington to offer entering Foreign Post. Service officers annual MISTER, WOULD YOU Pastor was advised by Adm. Bud Nance, Helms’s chief of staff, that even if salaries ranging from LIKE A LIFT HOME? his nomination were again put forward, it $2,500 to $3,400, de¬ Al Kamen reports in the Jan. 25 would not come to a vote. “The reason is pending on their age, ex¬ Washington Post that the last straw for simply that Helms knows he would lose perience and qualifica¬ Edward E. Elson, the ambassador to the vote overwhelmingly, as he did last Denmark, came one night this fall when October,” Pastor wrote. “While Jesse tions. But the writer he stood beside his armor-plated car Helms is still fighting die Panama Canal goes on to say, “an ad¬ after it broke down on a deserted road treaties, the United States and Panama justment on the basis in¬ and he and his agricultural attache had have only five years left to make sure tiiat dicated would be unfair the treaties work. Too much has been de¬ to thumb a ride to a nearby village to call and sterile if it left unaf¬ a cab back to Copenhagen. layed for too long.” fected those of superior The 8-year-old car was long past its Pastor complained that Helms’s “tac¬ prime, Elson concluded. The car was tics raise broader issues. Senators view age, experience and breaking down and spare parts from the their institution as a great deliberative (presumably) qualifica¬ United States were taking a great deal of body but it is one thing to filibuster in tions who have already time to get to Denmark. Ambassadors order to debate an issue fully. It is quite made the grade. The from Third World countries were being another for an individual to use ‘senator¬ Service will only be as at¬ driven around in expensive Mercedes ial holds’ arbitrarily to prevent debate or and the American ambassador was in an a vote without resorting to a filibuster. tractive to new men as it old jalopy, Ellson noted. Such ‘holds’ should be discarded. is to those who compose But the State Department’s routine “The Constitution grants the Senate it.” replacement schedule for cars overseas power to advise and consent on ambas¬ The writer, posted in is 10 years. Elson was told he was look¬ sadorial nominees, not to delay and ob¬ Monterrey, Mexico, ing at 10 months worth of paperwork, struct. That power must remain with the during which he would have to rent a Senate, not a single senator. Delays ends with the observa¬ car. Or he could get a Chrysler sedan should be aimed to permit debate and tion: “The foregoing (Chrysler is the only American maker in an informed vote, not prevent them. worm’s eye view is not Denmark), but the cost was $27,000 and Perhaps the most disturbing aspect of offered as unbiased, dis¬ that was $8,000 above what State would this case is the way people accept that interested or detached, allot him. one person should have the right to Elson decided to fork out the other block his colleagues, the president and as anyone can see, but it $8,000 from his own pocket. The car the nation. Some rules still need chang¬ may be constructive.” ■ should be in the embassy garage this ing.”

MARCH 1995/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 15 CLIP PI N G s

A LONG FRIENDSHIP upon shared assumptions and the bind¬ “Foreign ing effect of mundane events. He points O OF WISDOM AND WIT out that they also shared mutual inade¬ relations are like The correspondence between quacies. Neither man was very good at Thomas Jefferson and James Madison is managing a government during wartime; human relations. not the distilled musings of two philoso¬ each watched the capital bum to the phers and statesmen so much as day-by- ground; both lived by the contradiction They are endless. day battlefield reports from two com¬ of owning slaves while claiming to abhor manders in die field, writes reviewer slavery. The friendship worked because The solution of Joseph Ellis in his review of Republic of the mutual trust on which it was based Letters: The Correspondence Between was reinforced in countless ways, includ¬ one problem Thomas Jefferson and James Madison, ing humor. 1776-1826. Ellis wrote that even in “die dense usually leads to In die Jan. 30 New Republic, Ellis ob¬ diplomatic underbrush, there are occa¬ serves that meditative moments are sional flashes of wit, as when the another." crowded out by memo-like exchanges Tunisian ambassador demands concu¬ about tariff rates, the shifting fortunes of bines for his delegation in Washington — Joi UXAUSTJ II//> Napoleon, British diplomatic maneuver¬ and Madison tells Jefferson he is charg¬ HESTON, 195 7 ing and the insufferable arrogance of ing the expense to ‘appropriations to for¬ Barbary pirates. eign intercourse.’” Appropriations always Ellis says the friendship depended have been a problem in foreign affairs. ■

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16 FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL/MARCH 1995 SPEAKING OUT Is Diplomacy Really a Profession?

BY CHAS. W. FREEMAN JR.

Can diplomacy accurately be ship rather than graduation from a called a profession? Could it law school. Professional associations be defined in the same sense I would argue had been formed in the 19th centu¬ that law, medicine and the military ry, but were still not formalized as a are professions today? Professions that, in fact, there regulatory mechanism. Codes of have common characteristics: an ethics were available, but were far expertise in carrying out specialized is a professional less formal and elaborate than today. functions, a specialized vocabulary, a By the early 20th century, each of common ideology to analyze prob¬ set of ethics these professions had developed the lems, a common set of skills for solv¬ degree of formality with which we are ing those problems and a self-admin¬ inchoate, but very familiar today. It was at this point that istered system of ethics. the divinity schools, law schools, med¬ I believe that diplomacy has all much known to ical schools, military academies, staff these attributes, but that they remain colleges and war colleges reached in inchoate form. Diplomacy is a the practitioners of their current state of definition. transnational profession not unique Why didn’t this happen for diplo¬ to any country, and if it is to be pro¬ the profession. macy? There are probably many rea¬ fessionalized, there must be leader¬ sons for that, such as the transnation¬ ship from some quarter. The profes¬ al nature of the profession and its sionalization of the clergy, of the law, close connection to politics. In any of the medical profession and of the event, it didn’t happen. military first emerged in the United States. Why shouldn't that be the sional entry through apprenticeship There are competing images of case with diplomacy, too? and on-the-job training. There were the diplomatic profession These professions — the clergy, no set standards, and there was no held even to this day. In 1857, law, medicine and the military — professed system of professional the New York Herald Tribune began in the 18th century with profes- ethics. But over the succeeding two observed, “Diplomacy is the sewer centuries, all drese professions devel¬ through which flows the scum and Chas. W. Freeman Jr., a distin¬ oped professional schools and profes¬ refuse of the political puddle. A man guished fellow at the U. S. Institute of sional associations that would certify not fit to stay at home is just the man Peace in Washington, D C., was prin¬ the competence of their profession’s to send abroad.” And in 1959, the cipal deputy assistant secretary for members, and each developed a self- English diplomat Harold Nicholson Africa, ambassador to Saudi Arabia regulating system of ethics. observed, “There are those who and assistant secretary of defense for By the middle of the 19th century, regard the Foreign Service as a kind International Security Affairs before the systems were somewhat mixed. of bird sanctuary for elegant young retiring from the Foreign Service in That is, apprenticeship coexisted men with the milk of Groton still wet October 1994. He is the author of the with professional education as a upon their lips, arrayed in striped recently released The Diplomat’s means of entering the profession. pants, and spending most of their Dictionary. This piece is an edited Some states have only recently abol¬ time handing sugar cookies to ladies excerpt of a Jan. 11 lecture at the ished the privilege of entering the of high society in Europe and Latin Foreign Service Club. practice of law through apprentice¬ America. Conversely, there are those

MARCH 1995/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 17 Always More Than You'd who regard diplomatists as an inter¬ ■ Advocacy of their government’s Expect For national gang of intriguers intent policies and views; Less Than upon ensnaring the Great White ■ Negotiation on their govern¬ Soul of the United States.” ment’s behalf; You'dTliink. I believe that these disparaging ■ Commendation to their govern¬ Welcome to The Virginian. You'll views will continue as long as diplo¬ ment of ways to advance or defend enjoy a spacious macy does not follow the course that its interests; suite with a fully other learned professions have fol¬ ■ Promotion of trade and invest¬ equipped kitchen lowed. These professions have bene- ment; and amenities like fitted greatly in terms of both their ■ Protection of compatriots; HBO, exercise competence and standing from their ■ Management of programs of facilities, saunas, formal professionalization. So can cooperation between governments; free continental breakfast, same diplomacy. ■ Reporting and analysis of rele¬ day laundry and valet as well as In 1716, the French diplomat vant local developments and reali¬ maid service. All this and more, for Francois de Callieres noted, ties; less than “Diplomacy is a profession by itself, ■ Establishment of cooperative an ordinary which deserves the same preparation relationships with officials and mem¬ hotel room. and assiduity of attention that men bers of the elites who influence It's a short give to other recognized professions. them; walk to tire The qualities of the diplomatist and ■ Cultivation of an image for their Rosslyn the knowledge necessary to him can¬ nation that is favorable to its inter¬ Metro, or our free shuttle mns not indeed all be acquired. The ests. morning and evening. National diplomatic genius is born, not made. These 10 functions are insepara¬ Airport, the But there are many qualities which bly connected; I stress this because National may be developed with practice, and inseparable connection of functions Foreign the greater part of the necessary is at the heart of any profession. Affairs knowledge can only be acquired by When decision-makers have positive Training constant application to the subject.” feelings toward a foreign nation, Center, and most government they’re more receptive to approach¬ buildings are only minutes away. The first characteristic of a pro¬ es from both its officials and business The Virginian. For over a decade, fession is an expertise in car¬ owners. They’re also more inclined the first choice of corporate and rying out specialized func¬ to give weight to its interests and federal tions. There are, 1 believe, 10 views. travelers. Rates unchanging principal functions of When diplomats have access to a Especially Starting At the profession of diplomacy. The wide range of influential people, those who international situation gives these their understanding of local trends know a $48 content, but it doesn’t alter their and developments is enhanced; so, great value when they find one. contours. Diplomats discharge these then, through their reporting, is that duties on their own or in collabora¬ of their government. When pro¬ tion with members of the allied pro¬ grams of official cooperation are well fessions of arms and espionage. They conducted, they facilitate access to are agents, advocates, informants those in authority and predispose and counselors ot their government, them to cooperate. When diplomats’ which looks to them as the stewards relations with such men and women of their nation’s interests abroad. are easy and informed by good 1500 Arlington Blvd., Arlington, VA 22209 The major tasks of diplomats are understanding of local affairs and (703) 522-9600/800-275-2866 the following: mind-sets, they are better able to FAX: (703) 525-4462 ■ Linking of their government’s help their citizens to do business and decision-makers to foreign counter¬ to protect those who fall afoul of parts; local custom and law.

18 FOREIGN SERVICE J OU RN AL!M ARC H 1995 SPEAKING Our

CeaVe your

When these extraordinary most tasks are properly Do diplomats have ways, and we performed, diplo¬ speak in ways mats have the a specialized incomprehensible insight necessary to to those outside important draw plans of vocabulary? In the our calling, as well. action to further Do diplomats investment the interests of early 19th have a common their country. ideology of prob¬ Diplomats will centuiy, the lem solving? rtith the know how to pre¬ American diplo¬ sent their govern¬ German diplomat mat Arthur ment’s positions in Goldberg once management terms appealing to Ludwig Boerne observed, local interests and “Diplomats sensibilities. They said, “Diplomacy approach all prob¬ professionals will be more able lems with an open to persuade host is to speak French, mouth.” There government offi¬ certainly is a com¬ you trust cials to conclude to say nothing, mon ideology of agreements favor¬ diplomacy, which Rental and Management able to their coun¬ and to speak emphasizes the try’s interests. They adjustment of dif¬ of Tine “Properties in will be equipped to falsehoods. ” ferences between Northwest “DC, CheVy Chase, provide uniquely nations through Bethesda and Potomac valuable counsel negotiation and and support to peaceful, rather direct dialogue than violent, inter¬ between the gov¬ action. ernments’ officials. Do diplomats have a common set of skills? Basic diplomatic skills are Do diplomats have a special¬ the same in all times and places. ized vocabulary? Well, back Some derive, as Francois de Callieres in tire early 19th century, the said, from natural talent, but most, I German diplomat Ludwig Boenre believe, are acquired only through said, “Diplomacy is to speak French, professional training and experience. to say nothing, and to speak false¬ These skills are mutually supportive, hoods.” He is one of many who have falling into five categories: agency, Executive Housing observed that diplomats do use lan¬ advocacy, reporting, counseling and Consultants, Inc. guage in peculiar ways. Former U.S. stewardship. 7315 Wisconsin Avenue Ambassador to India John Kenneth As agents of their governments, Suite 603 East Galbraith commented in 1969, diplomats must cultivate a mastery of Bethesda, Maryland 20814 “There are few ironclad rules of diplo¬ the arts of negotiation; a demonstrat¬ 301/951-4111 macy, but to one there is no excep¬ ed capacity to elicit prompt, authori¬ tion: When an official reports that tative responses from their own gov¬ “We care for your home talks were useful, it can be safely con¬ ernment to the views of their host cluded that nothing was accom¬ nation; an ability to add at least the as if it Were our oWn. ” plished.” Clearly we have a special¬ appearance of conviction to the mes¬ ized vocabulary in the diplomatic pro¬ sages they communicate; a precision fession. We use ordinary words in of expression both in their own and

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MARCH 1995/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 21 IN THE EYE OF THE STORM

8 EX-TOP AIDES TO SECRETARIES OF STATE REMEMBER THEIR BOSSES' STYLES, STRUGGLES

BY DENNIS KUX

hen the State was often an excellent training ground for State’s Department’s more promising young officers, the talent of Secretariat was State’s many experienced employees was often formed in December ignored by the secretary of State. The former top 1944 at the height of aides at the Secretariat also agreed that the secre¬ World War II, State’s tary of state’s relationship with the president was top leadership con¬ key to determining the State Department’s role in sisted only of Secretary of State Edward Stettinius the foreign policy arena and that the department’s Jr., Under Secretary Joseph Grew and four assistant relative importance in foreign-policy making has secretaries — a far CTV from the 1995 galaxy of five declined in recent years. under secretaries, 21 assistant secretaries and one In 1947 the first executive secretary was deputy' secretary who support Secretary Warren appointed by Secretary of State George C. Christopher. At that time, the secretariat — basi¬ Marshall; by the mid-1950s, the Staff Secretariat cally a support staff for top management — was to had evolved into its current role of controlling the improve the flow of correspondence between the paper flow and preparation of briefing materials. secretary of state and the under secretary and to The Secretariat largely assumed its present shape refer policy questions to appropriate State in 1961, when the Operations Center was estab¬ Department offices. However, over the years its lished to provide an around-the-clock watch and a influence has waxed and waned, depending on the home for department task forces. personalities and styles of the players involved, and Luke Battle, who served as special assistant it has grown to include 145 people on staff. under two Deans — from 1961-63 under Dean During a recent reunion, under the auspices of Rusk and, from 1949-53, under Dean Acheson — the Oral History Program of the Association for recalled Acheson as a strong secretary of state and Diplomatic Studies and Training, eight former Strong leader at State. Acheson settled foreign pol¬ executive secretaries discussed the Secretariat’s icy issues in twice-weekly, one-on-one meetings past half century. They all agreed that, though it with President Truman and felt entirely secure in his relationship with the president. Acheson would Dennis Kux is a retired Foreign Service officer endure no interference in the foreign policy field whose last assignment teas as executive director of — even from the White House staff. Battle was the Association of Diplomatic Studies and told not to worry about phone calls from White Training. He is the author of a 1993 history of House aides. The secretary advised him, “Don’t U.S.-India relations, Estranged Democracies. answer the White House phone. If anybody calls,

22 FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAUMARC.H 1995 I will speak with the president.” Acheson, Battle straighten it out.” noted, also was thoroughly familiar with the insti¬ Just about diis time, the Bay of Pigs debacle tution and its personnel and made full use of overwhelmed the Kennedy administration. Inside Foreign Service officers. State, Battle recounted, the Fisher Howe, who served as executive secretary episode “pointed to the urgent Tom Pickering, for Secretaiy of State John Foster Dulles from need for ... something that was on 1956-58, noted that the work at the Secretariat was duty around the clock, because I executive secretary “an extraordinarily challenging and interesting didn’t want to be on duty around personal experience ... You were right in the cen¬ the clock.” The result was the cre¬ to Secretary of ter of the action.” Howe stressed that the useful¬ ation of the Operations Center for ness of the Secretariat hinged on the secretary of crisis management and a major State Henry State’s relationship with the president — in expansion of the Secretariat’s Dulles’s case very close — and the extent to which functions. Kissinger, the secretary was willing to use the State remembered that Department’s career staff — in Dulles’s case, only Theodore (Ted) Elliot, execu¬ intermittently. tive secretary from 1969-73 the Secretariat Talking of the policy process, Howe recalled when Henry Kissinger was when George Marshall became secretary of State Richard Nixon’s national security responded well to in 1947, he gathered the staff and said, “I want you adviser, recalled those years as to keep pushing up, recommending. I will make difficult for the State crises due to “a the decision, don’t worry about that, but keep Department. Kissinger and Nixon putting the pressure on me. I don’t want to lean conducted much foreign policy combination of good against a vacuum.” The Secretariat, Howe outside normal diplomatic chan¬ declared, played “a very keen role in getting the nels, ignoring or keeping the information, good department to come up with not only tire recom¬ department in the dark on key mendations to fill that vacuum, but to see that issues. For example, Secretary knowledge and good William Rogers was not informed these come up in an orderly way.” alerting in the field In 1961, when Luke Battle became executive of Kissinger’s secret China trip secretary for Dean Rusk, he confronted a dramat¬ until it was over. Elliot recalled and at home. ” ically different situation from his days with that Alexander Haig, Kissinger’s Acheson. Rusk was uncertain of his relationship deputy at die National Security with President Kennedy, saw his role more as a Council, would try to help, calling up to say that foreign policy adviser rather than a manager, and the secretaiy of state should know about some spent much of his time trying to keep up with event. “Sometimes, he (Haig) would be interrupt¬ high-flying White House aides who were free¬ ed by a guttural German accent, ‘Who are you wheeling on policy questions at all levels of the talking to? Why are you telling him this?”’ Elliot State Department. noted that when Kissinger became secretary of To compound the problem, Under Secretary state himself in 1973, he made sure he had total Chester Bowles, who was supposed to be in charge control of the policy process and brooked no out¬ of policy at the State Department, in Battle’s side interference. words was, “a marvelous man but not very well Tom Pickering, who followed Elliot as executive suited for the job. ... (Bowles) thought making pol¬ secretary to Kissinger, was asked about his toughest icy was something separate from sending out challenge as executive secretary. Pickering respond¬ telegrams.” Consequendy, Battle found a moun¬ ed, “Middle East War, 1973. Henry Kissinger’s first tain of unsent cables on his desk when he took three or four rnondis in the State Department. over the Executive Secretariat. Recalling guidance Equal crisis!” Pickering continued, “Ted (Elliot) from Acheson, “Sign off and deal with whatever had him (Kissinger) beautifully conditioned after you feel comfortable with,” Battle set about deal¬ three years of horn-locking battles. He had come to ing up the backlog. “If I understood the message, respect, I think, what was going on at State and off it went,” he said. “If not, or if it seemed unusu¬ found, I thought, tremendous interest in trying to ally sensitive, I called the assistant secretary to challenge the department. The Secretariat, as long

MARCH 1995/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 23 as I was there, was an attempt to try to tion to it, since Kissinger didn’t. control of the inter-agency mecha¬ respond creatively to that challenge. Tamoff commented, “It says a lot nisms. ... So we set up a series of what It didn’t always succeed, but it tried. about the way the secretary of state we called IGS (Interagency Groups) This building responds well in a crisis wants to manage the department. and the secretary’s instructions were, ... I think it is a combination of good There are good ways in either direc¬ ‘Get these things up and get them information, good knowledge and tion. But if the secretary is going to running fast before Dick Allen good alerting in the field and at manage in a way that opens up the [Reagan’s first national security' advis¬ home.” Pickering thought that the secretary and his top aides to employ¬ er] can get himself organized over at “power” of the executive secretary’s ees, there is no way to do that without the White House’. ... The problem, of job “is just knowing a lot more than the executive secretary. If he prefers course, was that while we had the anybody else.” not to manage his office and opera¬ NSC on its knees, we had not paid too In 1977, Peter Tamoff, currently tions that way, then he can do it very much attention to the domestic side under secretary for political affairs, effectively in another way.” Jerry of the White House. Tliis was where assisted incoming Secretary' Cyrus Bremer, Tamoffs successor under Haig’s problems really were.” Vance and later served as executive Secretary Haig and earlier a Kissinger secretary for him and, in 1980-81, for aide, picked up on this point: Charles Hill, who followed Bremer his successor, Edmund Muskie. “Aldiough we were able to run the when George Shultz became sec¬ Tamoff received rather jaundiced building under Henry rather effec¬ retary in 1983, commented, as did oth¬ counsel from Larry Eagleburger, out¬ tively, it wasn’t the right way to do it.” ers, on the diminished role of State. going under secretary for manage¬ Regarding Haig’s style, Bremer "When I went away in the late 1970s to ment and a Kissinger insider. When commented: “Al had the view that he Israel,” Hill said, “the State Tamoff asked about the Secretariat, was going to be ... the vicar of foreign Department really had a monopoly on Eagleburger in effect stated that he policy for the Reagan administration. instructions overseas. ... When I came really shouldn’t pay too much atten¬ ... His idea was that we had to seize back in the early 1980s, I suddenly

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24 MARCH 1995/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL realized that things were different. The about the Secretariat’s role as a trainer think about something that might hap¬ first inkling was when the Israelis were for younger officers and as a place pen six mondis from now.” The days invading Lebanon. ... “I got a phone where the most advanced information when the secretary and die president call about 4:00 in the morning from Lt. technology was introduced to the could calmly discuss things at twice- Col. Oliver North from die NSC. He State Department. “We have begun to weekly meetings were history. said, “We want you to send diis mes¬ take the technology that we are faced At the end of the discussion, Ted sage to the party.” The part}' was the with,” he noted, “and try to connect Elliot recalled an experience that president and the secretary of state this to some kind of an Executive happened when he was feeling espe¬ then at an Economic Summit overseas. Secretariat diat will make sense in the cially low about the State-White I knew ... diat diis was not right. So I year 2000. We have just now begun an House relationship in the Nixon said I couldn’t send that message and effort to try to take a look at what this years. “I went with one of my ‘Can I slammed the phone down.... The mes¬ operation does ... to make sure diat it cry on your shoulder?’ episodes to sage got to the party anyway.” is still relevant and that we are going in the then-under secretary for political In 1984, Hill handed over the die right direction.” affairs, who was Mr. Foreign Service Secretariat to his successor, Nicholas Grossman and others stressed how of that era, U. Alexis Johnson. I said, Platt, and felt he had to tell Platt, “I much the almost instant availability ‘Alex, what are we going to do about am handing over something that is and wide dispersion of information this latest situation that has come much more problematic, much less had radically altered the decision-milk¬ up?’ Plis answer was, ‘Ted, the pres¬ authoritative. You were going to have ing process. “The problem now, with ident of the United States establishes a lot of problems because that CNN and die vast input of informa¬ how he wants the foreign policy monopoly was gone. People are tion, is that we have moved to much mechanism to be organized. It is our doing things in their own way.” more reacting,” rather than planned job to make it work.’ I think that is Like several others, Marc action. There is very little time, something that stuck in my mind Grossman, who became Christopher’s Grossman commented, for the secre¬ from those years ... that it is our job executive secretaiy in 1993, spoke tary to go over “to see the president to to make this system work.” ■

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MARCH 1995/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 25 GREASING DIPLOMACY’S WHEELS

GROWING DEMOCRATIZATION OF WORLD

PROMPTS RENEWED DEMAND FOR PROTOCOL

BY FRANCINE MODDERNO

he increasing democratiza¬ courses at the State Department’s Overseas T tion of the world’s nations Briefing Center (OBC), and is on the list of books and offices is prompting new recommended by the department’s Office of ideas about the pecking order Protocol to foreign diplomats who call for advice. of people and countries. The English-born widow of a Navy admiral, Innis Some see protocol, which wrote the book with Mary Jane McCaffree, a for¬ establishes orders of prece¬ mer White House social secretaiy and specialist in dence for individuals and nations, as a decadent the office of the U.S. Chief of Protocol. vestige of earlier eras and monarchical societies. “Official protocol is the oil that greases the The diplomat’s concern with protocol may appear wheels of diplomacy,” Innis advises the unschooled. a snobbish and somewhat useless preoccupation Even before civilizations developed, tribal societies aimed at preserving his privileges and sense of communicated with each other via messengers who self-importance. usually carried some symbol of accreditation, such But, paradoxically, as the world becomes more as a special stick, and who were considered sacred democratic, the need for the hierarchies of protocol and inviolable. In recognition of their status as rep¬ is perhaps greater than ever. As diplomats and busi¬ resentatives of their societies, and to avoid hostili¬ nesspeople deal with an increasing number of ties that could lead to war, these early envoys were nations, cultures and special interest groups, they received with often elaborate ceremonies. need more than ever a reliable set of rules to facili¬ Archaeological remnants of the art and writings tate interaction. According to experts on diplomatic of the ancient civilizations of Egypt, China, Persia and business etiquette, protocol is back in style. and the Mayans depict strict rules governing the “While some suggest that a change affecting reception of foreign envoys and the orders of prece¬ Foreign Service officers in the future will be the dence in gatherings that included these officials. relaxation of protocol, others consider it will be the In the Middle Ages, when tribal societies on the opposite,” says Pauline Innis, co-author of the European continent were emerging to form our diplomat’s bible, Protocol: The Complete modem western civilization, die jockeying to carve Handbook of Diplomatic, Official and Social out positions of power in the new order was fierce. Usage. The book is used as a reference in protocol Wars and duels were fought among nations over who occupied the position of prestige at official Francine Modderno is a freelance writer who was a functions. In those days, the place of honor was Foreign Service spouse for more than 21 years, with grabbed by whichever diplomat arrived first. In postings in Belgrade, Taiwan and Hong Kong. 1661, France and Spain almost went to war over a

26 FOREIGN SERVICE ] O U RN A L! M ARC H 1995 fracas between their envoys in England about gotten that the American Revolution was fought whose coach should be first in an official proces¬ because of the strong belief tiiat all men are creat¬ sion. In the next century, French and Russian ed equal. This is why no American bends the knee diplomats would draw swords at a court ball in to anyone. — London when dieir ambassadors argued over who “Not only are Foreign Service Protocol is back in belonged where. officers expected to refrain from International protocol as we see it today was offending foreign countries, but style. As diplomats established at the Congress of Vienna in 1815, they are also subject to die strong when the powers of the time agreed to defuse opinions of this country concern¬ and businesspeople things in the world of diplomacy by ordering the ing certain aspects of protocol.” precedence among the diplomatic corps according Although die rules governing deal with an to seniority. Now, the ambassador who has been in protocol established at the a country the longest is the doyen of the diplomat¬ Congress of Vienna are recog¬ increasing number ic corps and is given the place of honor at all diplo¬ nized by all nations, refinements of nations, cultures matic functions. In Washington the Dean of the are determined by each country Diplomatic Corps is the Saudi Arabian ambas- individually, usually follow¬ and special interest sadar, Prince Bandar Bin Sultan, who presented ing national custom. While his credentials on Oct. 24, 1983. The one excep¬ Americans may curtsy to Prince groups, they need a tion to this rule is at the United Nations, where Charles when they’re in England, envoys draw lots each year for the place of honor. it is incorrect to curtsy to royalty reliable set of rules The losers in the draw follow the winner alphabet¬ visiting this country, according to ically in the order of precedence. Innis. for interaction. When the United States entered the world Protocol doesn’t exist only to stage as an independent nation, George clue diplomats, but also lets every¬ Washington tried to establish the importance of one else know who’s important. “One example the American presidency by creating distance occurred during the Clinton inauguration,” says between himself and ordinary American citizens. Peggy Ward, who teaches the OBC protocol course. He stayed in the finest quarters wherever he went, “In an automobile, the right rear seat closest to the refusing citizens’ invitations. curb is the seat of honor. At die inaugural parade, When Thomas Jefferson, the father of modem diis rule was not observed strictly, and when a democracy, was elected president, he scoffed at woman sitting in the seat of honor got out of a car in formalities as part and parcel of the monarchical the procession, reporters ... didn’t know who she practices of England, but his attempt to establish was. She wasn’t in die script.” his “democratic” rules of protocol did nothing to According to Ward, today’s junior U.S. diplo¬ grease the wheels of diplomacy. Instead, it elicited mats may not be as well versed in protocol as diey formal protests from the European powers. should be. “In Frankfurt I was widi [a cabinet offi¬ Jefferson’s successor, James Madison, decided cer’s wife on] a tour, and we were accompanied by that peace within die diplomatic corps was more a junior officer who didn’t realize the right rear seat important to the furtherance of democracy than the was the place of honor. The young officer sat in the self-righteousness of a fledgling nation. Madison seat, and throughout the excursion die chauffeur, abolished the diplomatic pell-mell created by who was trained to defer to the person in diat seat, Jefferson and restored order by recognizing die directed all his comments to [the officer].” European rules of diplomatic protocol formalized by the Congress of Vienna during his presidency. During die Cold War, the Soviet Bloc’s dis¬ The American aversion to hierarchy persists, how¬ dain of anything smacking of pre-commu¬ ever. When Prince Charles visited the United States nist hierarchy helped dedate die image of inter¬ in die early 1980s, quite a stir was caused when die national protocol. Today, however, schools of pro¬ State Department’s then chief of protocol, Leonore tocol are cropping up around the world — and Annenberg, curtsied to His Royal Highness. many are teaching American protocol. ‘There was considerable criticism,” says Innis. “It appears that die hope of increased trade widi “Many citizens of the United States have never for¬ the United States is the reason for die interest,”

MARCH 1995/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 27 COEDUCATIONAL notes Innis. “These countries intend space requirements among various to study the official protocol of this people. “The Japanese require more country in the hopes of creating a personal space than Americans comfortable atmosphere for their because they bow on greeting and negotiations and to find out what they departure,” says Ward. “The Latin might expect on arrival here.” Americans, who embrace on meet¬ Her observations are seconded by ing, require less personal space than John W. McDonald, a retired ambas¬ Americans. As for Americans, they’re sador who now heads the Institute for most comfortable widi a distance Multi-Track Diplomacy in between themselves and others that Washington, D.C. McDonald says equals die length of an arm stretched the plethora of nations and ethnic out to the ear of the other person.” groups now emerging as world play¬ “Americans are definitely more ers is responsible for the surging informal tiian people of most other demand for training in protocol. cultures,” says McDonald, who grew Countries and groups who previously up in Hamburg, Germany. “What weren’t allowed to participate on the they see as acting friendly may be world stage are hungry for knowledge seen by foreigners as poor or unpol¬ SUMMER CADET about how to operate in international ished manners, or indifference to PROGRAM relations. His institute has taught con¬ what the foreigners feel is important.” flict resolution to people of Cyprus, Food, drink, topics of conversa¬ Liberia, Israel, Palestine, the Tibetan tion, gestures, gift-giving and num¬ government in exile, and Ethiopia, bers are areas to pay special atten¬ OAK RIDGE among others. Most want training in tion to. Innis views American busi¬ MILITARY ACADEMY protocol, he says. nesses’ increasing interest in learn¬ JUNE 25—JULY 22, 1995 New schools of protocol also are ing about protocol and the etiquette cropping up in the United States, due of other nations as encouraging. “At LEADERSHIP TRAINING Classroom and leadership activi¬ to tlie increasingly global economy. long last, this country has realized ties teach organization values “Eighty percent of American business that diplomacy and trade go hand in and promote self-discipline, self¬ ventures overseas fail because hand. The European countries have esteem, respect and teamwork. Americans don’t know how to treat long been aware of this.” ACADEMIC ENRICHMENT people,” said Dorothea Johnson, Special enrichment classes are director of the Protocol Institute of From what anthropologists have exciting and fun. Courses feature hands-on activities that challenge Washington, in a recent interview gleaned about prehistoric soci¬ students and improve learning witii die Washington Times. eties, it seems that the world’s first skills. ‘That’s especially true in Japan,” diplomatic envoys were women. ATHLETIC COMPETITION says Christel McDonald, who is writ¬ Back when societies were first form¬ Full athletic program included ing a book, Protocol and Etiquette in ing, women were sent to deal with major team sports plus Citizen Diplomacy, in response to potential enemies because our boating/canoeing, swimming, tennis, marksmanship, rappelling requests for information from the ancestors realized that love conquers and skeet. clients of the Institute for Multi- all, so to speak. Track Diplomacy. “Many deals with In 1925, the first woman entered RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES It's summer vacation and time for the Japanese go down the drain at the U.S. Foreign Sendee, and in fun! Field trips, on-campus games die airport, when Americans try to 1930, the first woman passed and recreation are lively, well- grab the hands of dieir hosts to shake France’s Foreign Sendee exam. In planned and closely supervised. them. Ignorance about the Japanese 1933, the United States posted a Call 910-643-4131 style of greeting can min a deal right female political appointee as minister Oak Ridge, N.C. 27310 then and there.” The Japanese pre¬ to Denmark, and after World War II, fer a slight bow to body contact. women began to attain the rank of BOARDING AND DAY STUDENTS WHO Most people are unaware of cul¬ ambassador via career progression, as HAVE COMPLETED ANY GRADE 5 th - 11th tural differences such as personal well as by political appointment.

28 MARCH 1995/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL Since protocol is concerned pri¬ How to address a female ambas¬ marily with orders of precedence, sador also can cause some confusion, unlike social etiquette, it has nothing says Ward, because “Madame to do with gender, and the entry of Ambassador” is also the designation women into the profession of diplo¬ for the wife of an ambassador in macy has thus had little impact on it. some countries. To avoid this confu¬ “In American culture, women go sion, some female ambassadors pre¬ first, but not necessarily in diplomat¬ fer to be addressed by their last ic reception lines,” says Peggy Ward. name, with “ambassador” first, such ' It’s the one who has the reason to as “Ambassador Smith.” be invited, the most recognized per¬ The increasing independence of son, who goes first.” In most cases, spouses means they are no longer it’s still the man. required to participate in official One sexist practice that until functions. “An official invitation from recently was part of official entertain¬ the ambassador or DCM is a com¬ ing has pretty much disappeared, mand performance for an officer,” according to Ward. In most countries says Peggy Ward, “but spouses have women no longer are relegated to a the hrxury of choosing to go or not separate room for coffee after state go. If they do decide to attend, how¬ dinners. Former First Lady ever, they have to realize that they’re Jacqueline Kennedy led the way to buying into the whole ambiance of the demise of this practice when she protocol. Spouses who choose to introduced the mixing of male and attend diese functions must accept female guests after state dinners at the role of co-host and tend to guest the White House. Kennedy’s innova¬ needs, help with conversation, get tion has continued in the White chinks, etc.” House ever since, and now is fairly widespread in diplomatic circles. Although protocol is based upon Although increasing diversity in good manners, protocol and eti¬ domestic living arrangements is quette are not the same thing. becoming more acceptable in coun¬ However, attention to what is good tries of the West, partners who have etiquette, both in other cultures and no legal attachment to the officials our own, is becoming an increasingly with whom they live still are accord- important component of successful ed no official status. “Protocol recog¬ diplomacy. nizes only the marriage partner,” ‘While English is now the accept¬ says Innis. ed diplomatic language, to have a The presence of women in the good understanding of the spoken Foreign Service has changed some and body language of odrer countries, forms of address in official entertain¬ and their culture, gives a person an ing. “We’re seeing more and more edge in any negotiation,” says Innis. women keeping their own names,” Body language is particularly impor¬ says Ward, “and we’re seeing more tant. Americans don’t realize, for invitations addressed to ‘Ambassador instance, tiiat crossing their legs or and Ms. Jean Smith.’” In cases where putting their feet up on a table to a spouse does not go by his or her expose the sole of a shoe is considered partner’s name, says Ward, “It is the quite rude in many countries, espe¬ responsibility of the couple to ease cially those of Asia. conversations by making a point of A common error made by introducing the spouse by the name Americans is equating the word he or she uses.” “informal” on invitations with “casu-

MARCH 1995/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 29 al,” say both Ward and McDonald. of traditional American etiquette, for a book that covers protocol for the “In Europe and in diplomatic cir¬ according to McDonald. She says new European Union. cles, ‘informal’ means a dark suit or she has noticed that Americans’ Peggy Ward’s course in protocol dress,” says McDonald. manners “have gotten worse in the at OBC is open to all Foreign “The RSVP is absolutely, across last couple of decades. Most young Sendee officers and their spouses, the board, the No. 1 problem of eti¬ people in this country don’t get basic but the majority of participants are quette around the world,” says experience in manners at home.” spouses. Her students say that two Ward. “In our protocol classes at McDonald chalks up the decline in days of training aren’t enough. Ward OBC, we say RSVP means ‘Respond American manners to the emer¬ encourages officers and spouses or die.’” gence of fast food and homes where headed overseas to visit the OBC “One obvious difference between both parents now work, and to the library to peruse its many cultural Americans and people of most other social isolation enforced by the long guides and post reports. “And when nations is flag etiquette,” says hours children spend watching tele¬ you get to post, ask the Foreign McDonald. “People of other coun¬ vision. Senice Nationals and the Americans tries stand to attention when the As for who has the best manners in already there about any questions American flag is presented and then the international arena, McDonald you have. Only a fool doesn’t ask,” are amazed when they see the says, “I have always felt the French she says. absolute irreverence to their own are most sincere about protocol. They And what if you do make mis¬ flag shown by many Americans. have the best training in protocol and takes? “Everyone makes mistakes,” They just don’t understand it.” the best guide book, Le Manuel says Ward. “One of the most impor¬ Not only is the average American Pratique De Protocole.” For years, the tant things to learn is how to say ‘I'm ignorant of the etiquette observed in book has been die major reference on sorry.’ If you know nothing else, other countries, but younger protocol across Europe, and know the appropriate ways to apolo¬ Americans are surprisingly ignorant McDonald says it has been the basis gize in the culture you’re visiting.” ■

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30 MARCH 1995/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL AFSA RESPONDS TO DOWNSIZING, MERGER On late January, Vice President Gore's ject planning cycle from 27 to six months, elimi¬ National Performance Review (NPR) nate some areas of management activity, Governing Board President: F.A. "Tex" Harris staff seriously studied a proposal to merge AID, expand the use of technology, cut internal regu¬ State Vice President:Jodd Stewart USIA and the Arms Control and Disarmament lations and complete the reengineering of its AID Vice President: Garber Davidson Jr. USIA Vice President: Razvigor Bazala Agency (ACDA) with the Department of State. management systems. Retiree Vice President: Donald R. Norland But when the paperwork cleared, the vice presi¬ Calling for change, Secretary of State Secretary: Catherine Barry Treasurer: Gail Lecce dent announced the three agencies will remain Warren Christopher remarked, "In an era of State Representatives: Sue Saarnio, Janet independent. growing challenges but static or declining Shafer, David H. Shinn, Lannon Walker, Meg Hawley Young/Andrew Young At the same time, the four foreign affairs resources, all of the foreign affairs agencies AID Representatives: Lee Ann Ross, James agencies were instructed by the vice president must streamline operations and match our tal¬ R. Washington US/A Representative: Bruce K. Byers to establish common administrative services, ents and budget to the highest U.S. priorities." Retired Representatives: Kathryn Clark- eliminate unnecessary practices and use private Meanwhile, on the Hill former Secretary of Bourne, Joseph M. Kemper, M. Bruce Hirshorn, Edward L. Peck sector competition to cut costs. Such cutbacks State James Baker called for the elimination of FAS Representative: Weyland Beeghly should result in savings of at least $5 billion the three foreign affairs agencies. Testifying PCS Representative: Patrick Santillo Staff over five years, according to the NPR. before the House Committee on International Executive Director: Susan Reardon Specifically, the review announced the Relations, Baker declared that "the existence of Business Department Controller: Kara Harmon Ebert planned closing of an additional 26 missions [AID, USIA, ACDA] has nothing to do with General Ledger Accountant: Sheree L Beane and posts -15 from State, six from AID, and five national interest and a great deal to do with Executive Assistant: Leslie Lehman Administrative Manager: Dianna Dunbrack from USIA - and the elimination of one State bureaucratic inertia. AID, ACDA and USIA Administrative Assistant: Eunice Blau Department bureau, as well as duplicative should be abolished and their functions terminat¬ Labor Management General Counsel: Sharon Papp efforts in public affairs, congressional relations, ed or distributed to other agencies." Director: James Yorke political-military affairs and policy planning. Reacting to the administration's review, Representative: Peter Gaaserud Staff Attorney: Colleen Fallon USIA will end government funding for radio AFSA President F.A. 'Tex" Harris said, "We are USIA Labor Relations Specialist: Carol Lutz broadcasting in Western Europe, cut staff and pleased that the vice president's rush-to-judg- Law Cleric Monica Riva Grievance Attorney: Joan Kelso Smedley reduce costs in its overseas operations, eliminate ment review did not result in a hasty and ill-con¬ Grievance Counselor: Derek Terrell select publications and duplication of informa¬ ceived integration." However, he continued, Office Manager: Judy Shinn Executive Assistant: Erin Moriarity tion centers and libraries, and reduce staffing in "AFSA regrets that the no-merge decision Member Services its management bureau. AID will reduce its pro¬ Continued on page 5 Director: Janet Hedrick Representative: Norajane McIntyre Retiree Liaison: Ward Thompson Professional Programs Professional Issues: Richard S. Thompson Director of Development: Lori Dec Congressional Affairs Director: Ken Nakamura • Diplomatic Security agents in Islamabad proposed allowing new officers to be Congressional Liaison: Rick Weiss assigned to the United States on their first Scholarship Administrator and Information had the key role in the Feb. 7 capture of Systems Manager: Theresa Auricchio Ramzi Ahmed Yousef, the alleged mastermind tours. It has also proposed changing the Director of Outreach: Gil Kulick of the 1993 bombing of the World Trade maximum tour of duty in the States to eight Conferences: John J. Harter years from the current maximum of five Internet Addresses: Center. The DS agents worked with Pakistani [email protected] (Association) authorities and agents from the FBI and the years. [email protected] (President) Drug Enforcement Administration in appre¬ AFSA Headquarters: (202) 338-4045 hending and deporting Yousef to the United FAX: (202) 338-6820 • AFSA and FAS have signed a "Partnership" States. Labor Management: (202) 647-8160 agreement in the spirit of President Clinton's FAX: (202)647-0265 executive order. The agreement calls for the

USIA Headquarters: (202)401-6405 * AFSA and US&FCS are in the midst of Partnership Council to "create an atmosphere FAX: (202)401-6410 negotiating changes in regulations for assign¬ of mutual respect, open communication and ments and tours of duty. The agency has Continued on page 3

AFSA NEWS • MARCH 1995 1 -- STATE DEPARTMENT —■■ Congressional • Update •

BY RICK WEISS • BY TODD STEWART • Congressional Liaison Wh one-third of the 100 days of Employee Involvement Crucial the Gingrich revolution completed, the Republican legislators involved with for¬ eign affairs have focused on the United A watchword of the National study the issues and serve as con¬ Nations and U.N. peacekeeping, the Performance Review, and virtu¬ duits with employees in their Mexican financial crisis, and the possi¬ ally every strategy for reform of bureaus. Unfortunately, there has bility of restructuring the foreign affairs the federal government, is employee been considerable turnover in the agencies. The foreign affairs agencies involvement. But how can employees committee's membership over the have been told to expect cuts, both in become involved, and what role past 1 8 months, and some bureaus FY95 rescisions and FY96 reductions, should AFSA play in this process? lack representation. as Congress and the administration The State-AFSA relationship has The AFSA Governing Board agreed demand cuts in spending, personnel, had its ups and downs since 1973 to increase employee involvement by bureaucratic layering and programs. when it became a union as well as a consulting members abroad through Chairman Robert Livingston (R-La.) of professional association. The election cables before making major decisions the House Appropriations Committee has of F. A. "Tex" Harris as AFSA presi¬ affecting their interests. This technique stated, "I have looked at the numbers and dent in 1 993 was followed a few has worked well, I think, in the cases of they are austere." Chairman John Kasich months later by EO 1 2871, in which junior officer coning procedures and (R-Ohio) of the House Budget Committee President Clinton invited federal unions the secretarial career path. It has commented that without cuts in Medicare, to participate as partners in personnel- worked passably in defining employee the discretionary budget, including the for¬ related policy-making and instructed preferences for RIF regulations, even eign affairs agencies programs, must take agency managers to facilitate that par¬ though a significant minority position drastic reductions. Senator Ernest Hollings ticipation. The technique du jour is could not be represented. Its biggest (D-S.C.) summarized the problem: 'The "pre-decisional involvement," which test has come in defining an AFSA posi¬ reality is that you cannot save enough on incorporates union representatives in tion regarding personnel reform for entitlements.... With respect to domestic the analysis of a problem and devel¬ generalist officers, where there are discretionary spending reductions, they opment of a solution. But how do many issues with multiple options in an have to come from freezes and cuts. But union representatives know they are inherently complicated area. However, once you go over the list, you find out that representing employee interests under an even greater challenge may arise there are not enough savings to balance such circumstances, when the issues when severe budget cuts require choic¬ the budget." are complicated and quick decisions es among programs or posts staffed by The foreign affairs agencies and pro¬ are required? Foreign Service employees. grams are currently 1 percent of the fed¬ What interests and which Are the current mechanisms ade¬ eral budget and will drop to under 1 employees? If State proposes to cut quate to determine what employees percent in FY 96. How much theywill post differentials by 5 percent, prefer in such difficult circumstances? drop will depend on the budget, appro¬ AFSA's response is clear. On the Probably not, for I can't guarantee priations and authorizing committees other hand, if the question is whether that the decisions of the AFSA officers, that began hearings last month. to cut post differentials or, say, to fire Governing Board, and standing com¬ senior FSOs, the choice becomes mittees will always accurately reflect more difficult. Even trickier is a com¬ majority employee interests, even with FSN QUAKE FUND plicated systemic issue, like person¬ the aid of polls. Can our efforts be nel reform, where the identification of improved? Yes - but not by addition¬ Ohe recent earthquake in Kobe, positions may vary greatly among al or improved techniques, only by Japan has left several embassy equally experienced employees with encouraging more AFSA members to Foreign Service National employees identical interests. become actively involved, either by homeless. Members wishing to make a The association's bylaws provide running for AFSA office or by serving contribution to assist FSNs who suffered for decisions affecting all foreign as standing committee representatives losses may send checks to: affairs agencies to be made by the and post reps - and helping their FSN Emergency Relief Fund Governing Board and decisions constituents to understand the issues Department of State affecting one agency (e.g., State) to and express informed points of view. Attention: Donna Bordley be made by the standing committee This isn't an easy job. But it is an FMP Room 7427 for that agency. I have tried to build essential one if a professional Foreign Washington, DC 20520 a representative State Standing Service is to survive and prosper into Make checks payable to: U.S. Committee from AFSA members who the next century. Department of State.

2 AFSA NEWS -MARCH 1995 AFSA RESPONDS TO GORE —- A I D = Continued from page 1 trust to accomplish the agency's newly expanded mission in a spirit of excel¬ lence." Negotiations of the collective bar¬ • BY GARBER DAVIDSON JR. * gaining agreement continue. One final issue still unresolved is the amount of offi¬ cial time the AFSA representative will be Many Priorities Crowd Agenda allowed to work on union issues. Vice President recalled that economic • All Foreign Service members, both Gore's announce¬ assistance appropria¬ active and retired, who have ever served ment that AID will Additional tions have been in Germany are invited to a reunion din¬ retain its independence reduced consistently ner to be held at the AFSA Club in April. cuts will cause included the statement over the past years, Call Joseph Kemper at (202) 338-4045 that AID, USIA and the United States and now represent less for reservations. ACDA "are essential to retrench in parts than 1 percent of the vehicles for the accom¬ entire budget. • Maryland retired Foreign Service plishment of their mis¬ of the world, and Additional cuts will employees are invited to a lunch at sions under the overall could signal a cause the United AFSA on Mar. 8 to learn about congres¬ foreign policy guidance States to retrench in dangerous sional initiatives and to discuss forming of the Secretary of parts of the world, and an association of retirees. For informa¬ State." I applaud this neo-isolationism. could signal a danger¬ tion, call Joseph Kemper at (202) 338- decision of the adminis¬ ous neo-isolationism at 4045. tration, because the a time when the United United States has fun¬ States needs to be damental interests economically engaged DACOR OFFERS NEW abroad that can best and competitive. SCHOLARSHIPS FOR YALE be advanced by an independent Also of high priority are pro¬ agency whose primary purpose is posed internal reforms dealing with Ohe DACOR (Diplomatic and sustainable development. evaluations and reengineering Consular Officers, Retired) AID now must turn to the admo¬ assignments. The proposed evalua¬ Bacon House Foundation is offering new nitions of the National Performance tion was recently tested in awards for study at Yale University to chil¬ Review (NPR) to close an addition¬ Guatemala and holds great promise dren of Foreign Service officers. The Louis al six missions, reduce the project for constructive change, but it also Dreyfus Scholarships and Fellowships, to planning cycle, eliminate areas of needs further revision and articula¬ begin in academic year 1995-96, will management activity, expand the tion. The so-called "reengineering" honor the late Ambassador Louis Goethe use of paperless internal systems, of AID is said to create an entirely Dreyfus, who retired from the Foreign cut internal regulations by 50 per¬ new organizational paradigm and Service in 1950 and died in 1973. cent and complete its reeingineer- AFSA eagerly awaits an invitation Undergraduate awards are need- ing of management systems by Oct. from management to share in its based; all graduate students, regardless 1, 1995. In addition, AID must col¬ design. Assignment process reforms, of need, are eligible to apply for a fellow¬ laborate with the other foreign now under way, also demand much ship, although preference will be given to affairs agencies to establish com¬ monitoring and possible revision. those planning a career related to foreign mon administrative services and The legislative season will bring affairs. The size of the individual awards, eliminate unnecessary and duplica¬ additional pressures to the agency, applicable to university-billed expenses tive practices. and coupled with issues on diversi¬ only, will be determined when the num¬ While AID is far ahead of other ty, workforce planning, partnership ber of accepted applicants is known. agencies in some of these areas and dispute resolution, the next few Undergraduate Yale students should indi¬ (the agency is a "reinvention lab" months will be intense. The estab¬ cate their interest in a Dreyfus Scholarship for NPR), the above menu consti¬ lishing of priorities and the effective to the director of the Undergraduate tutes a tall order that will absorb articulation of such priorities to Financial Aid Office. Graduate students enormous energy and time. employees will prove a major test or applicants should write to: Director, Meanwhile, there are other major for the agency's senior managers. Yale Center for International and Area priorities that cannot be ignored. Equally as important will be the Studies, PO Box 208206, New Haven, The single most important one is the manner in which the agency's man¬ Conn. 06520-8206. Additional informa¬ budget. Nothing else will mean agers involve employees and their tion is available from DACOR at (202) much if the agency's budget is sig¬ unions in the decisions and reforms 682-0500 or (800) 344-9127. nificantly cut again. It should be that lie ahead.

AFSA NEWS • MARCH 1995 3 NEW SPEAKER PROGRAMS RETIREE Focus ON DIPLOMACY V.P. VOICE O lunchtime speaker series exploring the nature of diplo¬ • BY DON NORLAND • macy, past, present and future, was launched Jan. 1 1 by retired Ambassador Chas. W. Freeman, who Retirees Develop Action Agenda spoke on diplomacy as a profession. Professor Warren Cohen, Delavan Scholar at the Association for This column gives me of them live - and vote - Diplomatic Studies and Training, fol¬ an opportunity to well outside the Beltway. We will lowed up on Jan. 25 with a descrip¬ reflect on a couple The AFSA agenda is tion of the U.S. foreign policy struc¬ of current agenda items. intensify these increasingly dominated ture established to meet the demands First, a personal note. In by the imperative of efforts by of the Cold War. He posed the ques¬ March, the slates of can¬ developing a constituen¬ tion of whether those institutions didates for AFSA offi¬ encouraging cy. This means earning should now be refashioned. Panels of cers and the Governing broad public sympathy members to get experts are planned to look at the Board will be public, and support, cultivating diplomacy of the future. including the names of involved in radio Congress and gaining The new AFSA Friday Forum is candidates for retiree the confidence of budget- talk shows and addressing topics of urgent profes¬ vice president. My two- makers in Washington. sional interest. January and February year tenure as retiree other media As evidence that meetings have dealt with congression¬ vice president ends in retirees are beginning to outlets. al issues, proposals to amalgamate July and I will not be a respond, I note a letter the foreign affairs agencies, the 1 996 candidate for reelection. from Arizona retiree administration budget and running an Prior to my election as George A. Miller to the embassy on a tight budget. vice president in 1993, I Arizona Daily Star out¬ Anyone interested in more informa¬ was a member of the Governing lining in direct, simple terms the con¬ tion on these programs may phone Board for two years, making a total sequences of continuing budget cuts AFSA's automated information num¬ of almost four years of board duty. on U.S. influence abroad. Similarly, ber at (202) 944-5513 or Richard The many outstanding officers among retiree Robert K. Olson in northern Thompson at (202) 338-4045. the new retirees ensures a smooth Wisconsin is reaching out to a wide transition and strong retiree represen¬ range of civic and academic groups, tation on the next Governing Board. as well as his congressman, with the It should be noted that the board has message that U.S. engagement '95 FS EXAM CANCELED accepted a motion (not at my initia¬ abroad remains essential. tive) to earmark the sum of $ 10,000 Similar examples of activism have Ohe 1 995 entrance examina¬ in the 1995 budget as a taxable come from other AFSA members who tion for the Foreign Service stipend for my successor. The princi¬ form what we call our "Legislative Action has been canceled, the State pal justification is the increased role Network." Our objective is to keep Department recently announced. retirees play in expanding AFSA's members informed as to what we're According to a State spokesperson, outreach - especially at the grass¬ doing at AFSA, leaving each member to "The decision not to offer the exam in roots level - which is an AFSA priori¬ judge what would constitute appropriate 1 995 grew out of the diminished ty board objective. action. We intend to intensify these need for new Foreign Service offi¬ Specific duties of the retiree vice efforts by encouraging members to get cers." Some 400 successful candi¬ president are, in large measure, dic¬ involved in radio talk shows as well as dates have already passed the tated by circumstances. But there has more traditional media outlets. Foreign Service exam - more than been one constant underlying con¬ My hope is that these examples, as enough to fill the 110 expected open¬ cern, namely to draw on the great well as the threat of indiscriminate bud¬ ings each year for 1995 and 1996. reservoir represented by Foreign get cuts of important U.S. diplomatic Under Secretary of State Richard Service retirees to highlight the key roles and missions, may inspire retirees Moose testified before the House role and importance of diplomacy in to engage in the debate about International Operations promoting and protecting vital U.S. America's place in the world. I also Subcommittee that canceling the exam security, economic and strategic inter¬ trust you will be moved to practice with¬ would save $1 million. Lowered ests. Two characteristics of retirees in AFSA those principles of democracy intake also affects junior officers, who are paramount in any campaign to that we preach around the world by may be required to do more consular promote these views: One, retirees taking an interest in the AFSA election - work during their first tours. AFSA will are free to speak out, and two, most and candidates' positions on issues. raise this with State managers.

4 AFSA NEWS -MARCH 1995 AFSA DOWNSIZES Continued from page 1 included an announcement that 26 diplomatic posts, consulates, and USIS offices and AID missions will be closed, further reducing the U.S. overseas pres¬ ence in striking disproportion to the modest reductions in the supporting Washington bureaucracies. We need to cut Washington's 'tail' and preserve for¬ eign operations' 'teeth.'" AFSA noted In January, phase II of "Reinventing In response, on the Foreign that no consultations preceded the Government" raised the prospect of Service side of the house, agency announcement of the proposed the consolidation of four foreign management has initiated a review of changes, and called on agency man¬ affairs agencies. AFSA went on the JOT (Junior Officer Training) agers to schedule prompt discussions record early in opposing a mad rush process from recruitment to tenure. with AFSA under the partnership agree¬ to abolish three independent foreign AFSA has been invited to participate ment on achieving greater efficiency in affairs agencies and Vice President in the review, although numbers, implementing common objectives. Gore subsequently indicated that types, and grades of employees are ACDA, AID and USIA are essential not bargainable issues between labor to advancing foreign policy objec¬ and management. In addition, AFSA tives of the United States. The survival independently has also sought AFSA NEEDS 3 APPLICANTS of USIA, it appears for the moment, is employee input on performance eval¬ not threatened. uation and career advancement as FOR INSURANCE COMMITTEE Congress, however, has yet to the first step in determining whether Ohe Insurance Committee is seek¬ articulate views on the issue of we will propose reform of those ing applicants to fill three vacant USIA's continued existence. But processes to management. positions. The commitee establishes poli¬ early indications from AFSA's calls on We received responses from cies relating to specific programs of insur¬ congressional members and staffers more than 40 posts on these issues. ance for the beneficiaries and oversees are that USIA is not in Congress's Many do not believe that a major their operation. crosshairs. First, several influential overhaul of the evaluation process is AFSA offers seven different insurance senators have reservations about con¬ necessary, but perceive elements of programs: Personal Property, Dental, solidation under the Department of assignments procedures - particular¬ Collision, Long-Term Health Care, Accidental State. More importantly, several key ly the link between assignments and Death, In-Hospital Income and Disability. staffers have told AFSA that they career advancement - as requiring The role of committee members is to regard USIA programs highly, espe¬ review. determine the scope and nature of AFSA's cially those programs dealing with Finally, I would like to note USIA group insurance programs; negotiate and international exchanges, which they Director Joseph Duffey's strong leader¬ contract with insurance carriers or insur¬ consider a productive and effective ship in defending the agency and artic¬ ance agents; modify or terminate old con¬ use of the taxpayers' money. ulating how its unique capabilities con¬ tracts as necessary; and develop new ele¬ But there is much more at stake tinue to advance U.S. interests abroad. ments of the insurance program to attract than the survival of our bureaucracy He met with senior staff, the Joint beneficiaries. at USIA. Soon, the extent of the cuts Partnership Council and employee Appointment to the committee is for from rescision of the FY95 budget unions after each meeting in Gore's three-year terms (or length of service in and proposals for FY96 will be office to share his views of the deliber¬ Washington, with not less than one year known. It will not be a pretty picture. ations. He was receptive to employee remaining in tour). Reappointment is at the USIS post closings are inevitable, but input to help him develop the strongest discretion of the AFSA Governing Board. the number of Foreign Service posi¬ case possible for USIA. In short, his Insurance Committee members serve with¬ tions lost overseas will be largely openness and candor served us all out compensation but are entitled to reim¬ determined by how many consulates well by providing accurate information bursement of reasonable and necessary and embassies the State Department that went far beyond media reporting outof-pocket expenses for their services on is forced to close. and enabled everyone to understand the committee. At home, the number of Foreign the state of play and what was really The committee meets periodically Service positions is declining, and the at stake. throughout the year. For inquiries and down-sizing, streamlining, and flatten¬ And that - open communication additional information, contact Lori Dec ing reflected in the creation of the between management and employ¬ at (202) 338-4045, or write AFSA Information Bureau will be reiterated ees - is the essence of "Partnership" Insurance Programs, 2101 E Street as other agency elements are rein¬ in these turbulent times of rapid NW, Washington, D.C., 20037. vented this fiscal year and next. change.

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We are two bedroom, two bath condos Call the Washington metro including detailed tenant screen¬ equipped to handle all of your in the heart of downtown area's short-term specialists. ing, thorough inspection of your property management needs. Bethesda. Walk to Metro, shop¬ Metro locations. Wide price property, mortgage payments, Over 15 years real estate expe¬ ping and some of the finest ranges. In VIRGINIA: "The Best HOA/condo T ee payments, rience and Foreign Service over¬ restaurants. Building offers of River Place" — walk to metro repairs coordination all under seas living experience. JOANN secured underground parking, and Georgetown; 15 mins, on the careful close personal atten¬ PlEKNEY, 301 Maple Ave. W, 4- full fitness center, and 24-hour Metrobus or State shuttle to tion of our experienced property G, Vienna, VA 221 80. Tel (703) front desk. Condos are available NFATC. In D.C. and managers. Over 17 years of real 938-0909 FAX (703) 281- for thirty days or longer. 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8 AFSA NEWS • MARCH 1995 A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

This past year was one of momentous and AID development experts. This greater change in how the U.S. government conducts openness and candor towards our member¬ foreign relations. With the election of the ship frequently has put AFSA in the uncom¬ 104th Congress, the mandate of the foreign fortable position ol having to deliver bad affairs agencies changed from “doing more news, a task that agency managers seem with lessv to, in effect, “doing less with even reluctant to do, especially in hard times. less.” This trend toward disengagement With two-thirds of our active members from the world, as reflected in the new GOP- overseas, communicating with people and led Congress, presents AFSA with a tremen¬ bringing their views together is a major chal¬ dous challenge, not only to ensure that we lenge. The information superhighway is retain the resources and conditions we need helping us meet that challenge. This year we to continue to protect and advance our experimented with e-mail focus groups in nation’s interests worldwide, but more fun¬ AID and will soon be employing AFSA NET, damentally, to preserve the very integrity of as part of the Internet system. our profession and the primacy of diplomacy Defending diplomacy requires the building as this nation’s first line of defense. of new constituencies for the Foreign Service Your Governing Board’s efforts over the both inside and outside the Beltway. We have last year have been devoted to building long¬ devoted much energy to reaching out to term processes and structures within AFSA Congress, the news media, the business com¬ to strengthen our ability to meet these chal¬ munity, and directly to the American people lenges. Clearly, more activism, participation, through such programs as the International empowerment, unity and vision are needed, Associates (business affiliates), World Issues ana the strategic changes we have made have Forum (speakers bureau), Diplomats Online, strengthened us in all these respects. and the hiring of a full-time congressional liai¬ Underlying everything the board has done son staffer. We took the lead in creating the is the principle that AFSA’s primary job is to Coalition for American Leadership Abroad represent and speak (COLEAD), an for its members: the alliance of more Foreign Service. than 25 non-gov¬ Any earlier image ernmental organiza¬ of AFSA as an elit¬ tions (NGOs) com¬ ist clique has been mitted to American dispelled once and engagement in the for all and replaced worl,t by a vibrant, ener¬ Given the magni¬ getic — if, at times, tude of the forces messy — democra¬ arrayed against us, cy, with active our success is all too standing commit¬ often measured in tees, committed partial victories and bureau and post improvements at representatives the margin. One ambassador whose and direct polling AFSA President F. A. “Tex” Harris on key issues in the nomination AFSA field and in opposed was ulti¬ Washington. AFSA’s new commitment to mately confirmed, but only after a major con¬ speaking for all members of the Foreign gressional fight that focused attention in the Service meant not only winning representa¬ national and local press, from People maga¬ tion elections in FAS and US&FCS — which zine to the San Diego Union, on one of our key we did handily — but energizing and meet¬ issues — the need to appoint only the most ing with the many diverse groups that make qualified people to head America's missions up the service today — junior officers, senior abroad. We also lost our fight against Radio officers, diplomatic security agents, nurse Free Asia, but in the process succeeded in practitioners, information management spe¬ reducing the money wasted on it from $30 mil¬ cialists, secretaries, VO A relay technicians lion to $10 million. Likewise, thanks to our

AFSA ANNUAL REPORT 1994 • MARCH 1995 9 full-bore lobbying effort against proposed sions be made with all participating as part¬ across-the-board cuts in hardship allowances, ners. This year we have set out to make this we saved 30 percent of our posts from these major change in our corporate culture. Much unfair penalties. depends on the vision and the management Lastly, AFSA and agency managers talked style of the agencies’ leaders. a lot in 1994 about “partnership” to empow¬ In sum, 1994 was a year of reinventing er and engage the Foreign Service in meeting AFSA to make your association participatory the challenges ahead. Management now and representative of all the skills that make needs to walk the walk. up the Foreign Service: to be open and can¬ With the exception of 1,81 A. the foreign did; to be aggressive but not irresponsible in affairs agency managers still make almost all fighting for tne Service; to reach out to influ¬ key decisions unilaterally, consulting with ence Congress, the media, business, NGOs their employees on some. That process is not and the public; and to remain dedicated to sufficient for the major reengineering and securing authentic partnership with manage¬ downsizing decisions that face us now. We ment. Participate! It’s your Foreign Service. need jointly to set consistent priorities. Are we going to give resources to managing our Regards, foreign relations abroad or to our foreign policy apparatus in headquarters? Are mis¬ sions going to reduce employee-support functions to bolster operations, or vice versa? AFSA has joined President Clinton and Vice President Gore in demanding that these deci¬

AFSA’s Governing Board First Run' (l-r): Garber Davidson, AID VP; Janet Shafer, State rep: Patt y Ryan, AAFSW liaison rep: Susan Reardon, AFSA executive director. Second Ron• (l-r): Gail Lecce, treasurer: David Shinn, State rep: Meg Hawley-Young, State rep: Andrew Young, State rep; Lee Ann Ross, AID rep; Bruce Hirshorn, retiree rep; Sue Saarnio, State rep: Edward Peck, retiree rep: Catherine Barry, secretary. Third Row (l-r): Weytand Beeghly, FAS rep; Patrick Santillo, US&FCS rep; Raz Bcizala, USL\ VP; Don Norland, retiree VP; Bruce Byers, US1A rep; Tex Harris, president; Jim Washington, AID rep; Todd Stewart, State VP: Joe Kemper, retiree rep; Lannon Walker, State rep. Not pictured, Kay Clark-Bourne, retiree rep.

10 AFSA ANNUAL REPORT 1 994 • MARCH 1995 A N N U A L K E P O R T 1 9 9 I

the collective bargaining agreement are nearly MEMBERSHIP completed. However, agreement on the AFSA membership is at an all time high of remaining issue, which concerns the amount of 10,722. with 1994 bringing in 801 new mem¬ official time for the AFSA/FAS representative, bers. Two new associate (non-voting) member¬ has not been reached. ship categories were added this year: Retiree Associates for individuals who served overseas U.S. & Foreign Commercial Service: In in a diplomatic capacity and Foreign Service August, AFSA overwhelmingly won an election Spouses for the surviving spouses of retired at the Foreign Commercial Service (FCS) to members. represent those employees as their exclusive In order to better serve our members, bargaining representative. The vote was 120 AFSA purchased a fully integrated associa¬ to 8. A FCS Standing Committee has been tion management software system. This new formed, a Partnership Agreement has been program will allow AFSA to process informa¬ signed with management and negotiations tion, track financial history, and monitor have begun on a variety of employment issues. demographic trends more accurately than previously possible. Partnership: AFSA became an early par¬ ticipant in President Clinton’s “partnership’’ The following chart shows AFSA's current process, part of his proposal to “reinvent” gov¬ membership breakdown: ernment by bringing employees’ unions and management together to consider the impact of policy proposals before decisions are made. 4873 (45.4%) The new spirit of cooperation helped facilitate the creation of the Information Bureau at USIA, which was designated by the National Performance Review as a “reinvention labora¬ tory.” Partnership results in the other agencies have not, to date, been as positive. But the process has been launched. USIA’s I Bureau embodied die concept of 3769 (35.2%) team-based working groups, a gready reduced hierarchical structure allowing employees at all levels to voice their ideas, and a bottom-up reassessment of the bureau’s products and ser¬ la STATE oAlD

AFSA ANNUAL REPORT 1994 • MARCH 1 995 1 1 A F S A ANN U A L REPORT 1994

“JVe are going through a difficult period in AID. Recent reorgani¬ zation actions, “rightsizing, ” tenuring and selection-out prac¬ tices, diversification initiatives, LCE actions and failure to comply with agreed-upon grievance mechanisms are just a few of the numerous matters that are on our agenda. ”

— Garber Davidson, AID Vice President, August 1994

State had erroneously found that the position Grievances: The Foreign Service Grievance of special agent on the Secretary’s Detail was Board issued two important decisions holding that “exempt” from the Fair Labor Standards Act an agency may not select out an employee based (FLSA) — the law that requires oveilime at the upon a Selection Board’s belief that the emplov- rate of time-and-a-half. The grievant continues to ee s assignments have been subpar; an employee press for an additional year of back overtime pay may only be selected out if his or her performance as well as liquidated (double) damages. The has been subpar. These decisions were based upon Foreign Service Grievance Board (FSGB) is two grievances, one in AID and one at State. expected to decide these additional issues in the next few months. Post differentials: At AFSA’s urging and fol¬ As a result of this grievance, State must pav all lowing widespread input from the field, the DS agents who held special agent positions on the department set aside the October 1994 imple¬ Secretary’s Detail for back overtime wages during mentation of an across-the-board 5 percent cut in a period of time to be established by the FSGB. In post differentials in favor of a more comprehen¬ addition. State is reviewing the position descrip¬ sive study. However, despite AF'SA’s strongly tions and FLSA status of all DS jobs to insure that repeated protests in a process which barred nego¬ the department is in compliance with the law. tiating, 5 percent cuts were imposed at two-thirds AFSA anticipates that numerous other DS agents of the posts and took effect in February 1995. The will be paid back overtime wages once this most severe posts retained their 25 percent differ¬ process has been completed. If State refuses to pay ential and a new lower 5 percent category was all agents what they are owed, AFSA will assist established. AFSA does not have bargaining these individuals with their grievances. rights on this issue, but the department is required to “consult with us. AFSA’s proposals to grand¬ Equal Employment Opportunity: AFSA father and revise and then apply the new helped a disabled State employee file an EEO allowance structure were rejected in favor of a complaint after the department had confined quick fix. him to a basement office that was not w heel¬ chair accessible. The department settled the Transportation at post: At AFSA’s insistence, case for a significant but undisclosed sum. the department in July revised a recently estab¬ More importantly, as a result of this case, the lished one-way flat rate of $2.70 for payment of National Foreign Affair's Training Center held a post-provided office-to-residence transportation program to train managers on the requirements overseas. The $2.70 had been based on the aver¬ of die Americans with Disabilities Act and to age cost of a one-way commute in the Washington sensitize managers on how to interact with indi¬ area and was inappropriate for many lower-cost viduals with disabilities. posts where commutes are short and labor is cheap. Payment will now be based an actual costs, Agency for International Development:-The capped at $2.70 for the higher cost posts. Foreign Service Grievance Board (FSGB) issued a decision supporting AFSA’s position that AID had Diversity: In 1994, the AFSA Governing violated its regulations in denying a grievant an Board wrestled with the difficult and highly additional Consolidated Board (C/Board) review for divisive issue of implementing diversity mea¬ consideration of a Limited Career Extension (LCE). sures within the Foreign Service. AFSA has AFSA had Tiled a brief in support of this grievant insisted to management that all pro-diversity and is currently awaiting it decision on a group measures are important, but they must be legal, grievance now before the FSGB on this same issue. out in the open, negotiated with AF'SA, and con-

12 AFSA ANNUAL REPORT 1994 • MARCH 1995 “Retirees can play an important role in the effort to help Mr. and Mrs. Average American understand that their future is as deeply affected by foreign policy issues as by domestic issues. ... There are now over a dozen very active retiree groups who are engaged in local community outreach. " — Don Norland, Retiree Vice President, October 1994

sistent with the merit principles upon which the Janies Yorke, director; Peter Gaaserud, repre¬ Foreign Service was founded. It is hoped that sentative; Carol Lutz, USIA labor relations spe¬ AFSA's 37-page legal memorandum on affirma¬ cialist; Joan Smedley, grievance attorney; Derek tive action ana diversity will encourage the for¬ Terrell, grievance counselor. eign affairs agencies to work with AFSA to develop affirmative action plans that promote CONGRESSIONAL ACTION diversity with measures compatible with merit principles. In 1994, AFSA doubled the resources devoted to congressional relations, with Legislative Affairs Specialists: Last fall, AFSA’s actions helped Coordinator Bob Chatten joining Congressional push State’s Persomiel Bureau (PER) to reconsid¬ Liaison Rick Weiss in orchestrating AFSA’s deal¬ er the files of 36 specialists who were denied ings with the Hill. tenure bv the March 1994 Specialist Tenuring AFSA President Tex Harris twice testified Board (SPTB), since PER had determined that before Congress on ambassadorial nominations. the board’s precepts had not been followed cor¬ In opposing the nomination of Larry Lawrence as rectly. These employees were reviewed again by ambassador to Switzerland, he stressed that the December SPTB. AFSA supported qualified nominees, botii polit¬ ical and career. His testimony in behalf of retain¬ Medical issues: AFSA continues consulting ing a qualified career ambassador, Peter DeVos, in with State on regulations concerning the arrange¬ Tanzania rather than replacing him widt political ments for provision of, and payment for, medical appointee Brady Anderson, was based on the treatment overseas. AFSA objected to an earlier principle of keeping ambassadors in sensitive proposal to restrict the provision of free treatment posts for three-year tours. Although both nomina¬ overseas to job-related injuries or illnesses. The tions went forward, AFSA helped make reform of medical office now proposes a more vigorous pur¬ the ambassadorial process a national media issue. suit of repayment from employees’ insurance cov¬ Time, Newsweek, People, national wire services erage coupled with department absorption of the and editorial waiters from coast-to-coast echoed cost of all deductibles and co-insurance pay¬ AFSA’s views on die need for highly qualified ments. AFSA believes that this proposal is equi¬ ambassadors. Harris also supported the nomina¬ table. tion to Mauritania of Dorothy Sampas, a career Foreign Service officer. FAA list: Due to AFSA’s filing of a Freedom of In April, AFSA for the first time focused on the Information Act request willi the Federal Aviation appropriations side of congressional relations. Administration (FAA) in September, the FAA The AFSA president testified before a subcom¬ publicly released a list of countries whose civil mittee of the House Appropriations Committee on aviation oversight capabilities do not meet inter¬ the nature of the U.S. presence overseas. In his national standards. The FAA released the list, testimony Harris suggested diat a realignment of which includes Belize, Dominican Republic, fluids among diplomacy, the military and intelli¬ Gambia, Ghana, Honduras, Nicaragua, Paraguay, gence would “match resources to rhetoric” and Uruguay and Zaire, after AFSA argued that “we that duplication of information-gathering abroad believe the safety concerns of U.S. citizens out¬ contributed to budgetary pressures. weigh any setbacks the disclosure of the request¬ In other efforts, AFSA embarked on a policy of ed information may cause.” joining with odier federal employee groups to — Sharon Papp, general counsel; Colleen advocate for healdi benefits and retiree benefits Fallon, staff attorney; Megan Chung, law clerk; — such cooperation resulted in the defeat of a

AFSA ANNUAL REPORT 1994 • MARCH 1 995 13 F A N N l A L R E P O R T 1 9 9 4

“The Governing Board urges the department, in consultation with AFSA, to develop an affirmative action plan that pro¬ motes diversity with measures compatible with merit princi¬ ples. An explicit formal affirmative action plan is needed to provide a con text for specifw measures. ” — Todd Stewart, State Vice President, December 1994

proposal to postpone retiree COLAs an addi¬ tional three months and kept in the news feder¬ AFSA Speaker Series al employee concerns on health-care reform. The popular luncheon speaker series featured On USIA issues, AFSA vigorously opposed, presentations on how the foreign affairs agencies as wasteful and redundant of resources, the cre¬ are adapting to a changing world. Speakers ation of Radio Free Asia and the continuation of included Frank Wisner, former under secretaiv of Radio Marti. Funding for Radio Free Asia was Defense; Carol Bellamy, Peace Corps director; cut by two-thirds to $10 million. Carol Lancaster, AID deputy administrator; AFSA supported several AID initiatives, Charles W. Freeman, assistant secretary of including the rewrite of AID s basic authorizing Defense; and Donna Oglesby, USIA counselor. legislation. The bill passed the House, but not Julia V. Taft, president of Inter Action, spoke on the Senate. AFSA also articulated strong oppo¬ the growing role of nongovernmental organiza¬ sition to the creation of a unified personnel sy s¬ tions in foreign policy, and two Senate Budget tem within AID. Committee staffers outlined the effect of the Nov. The board laid plans to strengthen its leg¬ 8 election on die foreign affairs budget. islative affairs by approving the hiring of a full A number of open meeting discussion groups time director of congressional relations, to be were also organized in the Department of State, filled in 1995. sometimes in cooperation with the Secretary’s — Rick Weiss, congressional liaison; Bob Open Forum, on key issues such as budgets, per¬ Chatten, legislative affairs coordinator. sonnel and congressional developments. COLEAD PUBLIC PROGRAMS Fite Coalition for American Leadership Abroad (COI J.AD) was formed under AFSA Awards and Foreign Service Day leadership to support continued American AFSA, in order to emphasize the importance engagement in the world and counter perceived of the awards program, held its own awards isolationism. More than 20 non-governmental ceremony and eighth-floor luncheon on June organizations met several times throughout the 28, rather than conferring its awards on year for debate and to hear speakers, such as AID Foreign Service Day, as had been done since Administrator Brian Atwood. COLEAD’s influ¬ 1988. The highlight of the day was the presen¬ ence with the president was cited in The tation of the William R. Rivkin Award to 13 Washington Post as a factor in the defeat of the mid-level officers for their dissenting views on administrations proposal to merge the foreign U.S. policy toward Bosnia. The AFSA affairs agencies. Achievement Awards were accorded for the first time to John H. Bierke and Charles A. Schmitz, Conferences honoring the active duty member and the AFSA sponsored two conferences that contin¬ retired member who had made the most signif¬ ued die dialogue between government and busi¬ icant contributions to AF’SA during the preced¬ ness on key international economic issues. A fall ing year. conference, “Economic Cooperation in the AFSA maintained its traditional participa¬ Asia/Pacific Area,” included State Department tion in Foreign Service Day. including a moving speakers Joan Spero and Winston Lord, as well as plaque ceremony at which the Secretary' of State C. Fred Bcrgsten. director of the Institute for spoke as two names were added: Barbara L. International Economics, and others. Bill Reinseh, Schell and Freddie R. Woodruff. under secretary for export administration at

14 AFSA ANNUAL REPORT 1994 • MARCH 1995 Commerce, was the keynote speaker for the March brochure were revised, a new scholarship data¬ symposium, “Sanctions and Trade Controls. base installed and a new FUNDamentals newslet¬ AFSA held four professional seminars on ter produced to keep donors informed about “Organizing the Nation’s Foreign Operations scholarship developments. A thorough review of in the ‘21st Century.” Several meetings were AFSA’s investment policy relating to the schol- held on decision-making processes involved arliip endowment also was conducted by the with Bosnia policy. Financ and Education Committee. Diplomats Online World Issues Forum AFSA adopted DOL as an activity for promot¬ In its second full year, AFSA’s Speakers Bureau ing understanding of the complexities of interna¬ arranged for Foreign Service alumni to address tional relations through online dialogues among over 75 diverse groups around the country. Foreign Service people, teachers and students, and Audiences ranged from World Affairs Councils rank-and-file citizens. A part of the million-mem¬ and universities to local community service orga¬ ber America Online, DOL is the only online forum nizations and high schools. AFSA speakers for grassroots interaction with diplomats on foreign stressed the need for a strong Foreign Service to affairs. DOL was awarded a two-vear $200,000 maintain active U.S. international engagement challenge grant by the U.S.-Japan Foundation. and leadership. — Theresa Auricchio, scholarships; John International Associates Harter, conferences; Gil Kulick, outreach; Dick Our 45 corporate affiliates pursued an ongoing Thompson, professional issues. dialogue between the Foreign Service and the U.S. international-business community through off- FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL the-record lunches with State Department offi¬ cials Winston Lord, Alexander Watson and Paul In 1994, the Journal won a Gold Award for Cleveland, Ambassadors Thomas Pickering and “most improved” magazine from the Washington Princeton Lyman, and FCS Director Charles Edpress Association for editorial quality and Ford. Many International Associates provided design. The Journal's redesign, which premiered critical underwriting for the business conference with the June issue, included a new editorial program. focus, with enhanced columns, departments and more timely articles. At this time the editorial staff Minority Interns was reorganized and all computer layout func¬ AFSA in 1994 sponsored two summer tions were moved in-house. New advertising sup¬ interns in State and one fall-semester intern in plements to increase advertising revenue were AID as part of our effort to provide opportuni¬ planned by the advertising and circulation man¬ ties for minority students to become familiar ager, as well as circulation and newsstand drives. with the foreign affairs agencies. AFSA also — Karen Krebs bach, editor; Nancy Johnson, expanded its minority mentoring program, managing editor; Liz Allan, assistant editor; offering to arrange mentors, from among our Janet Emery, advertising & circulation manager. retired members, for several dozen additional minority students who have had internships in RETIREE PROGRAMS State, AID and USIA. The Thursday Luncheon Group and AFSA hosted a successful intern hi 1994, growing numbers of alumni partici¬ fund-raiser at the AFSA Club. pated in AFSA’s World Issues Forum, minority mentoring program and Diplomats Online. A Scholarships Legislative Alert Network for retirees was devel¬ The biggest scholarship news in 1994 was the oped with the help of AFSA’s new membership establishment of a new Art Merit Award and the database. AFSA retirees were instrumental in increase of the 1995 Merit Awards to $1,000 organizing an eight-session program on diplomacy from the long-established $750. The Scholarship for the Smithsonian “Campus on the Mall ’ series, Office worked on many other procedures to w hich drew7 some 260 participants — a full house. streamline the scholarship process and to make Retiree associations in Texas and Northern more financial information available to scholar¬ Virginia were established. AFSA arranged speak¬ ship applicants. The scholarship manual and ers for groups in dtese states and in Arizona,

AFSA ANNUAL REPORT 1994 • MARCH 1995 15 A N N U A L REP O R T 19 9 4

“AFSA, now 400 strong at 667/1, needs to stay on top of a deepening stream of issues that the agency will face over the next several years — a shrinking budget, continuing personnel cuts, the reinvention conundrum and call for increased diversity. ” — Raz Bazala, USIA Vice President. July 1994

Florida, New England and New York, and Mar Foundation, Development Alternatives, strengthened coordination with the National Inc. and Louis Berger International, Inc. Association of Retired Federal Employees — Lori Dec. director of development (NARFE) and with alumni associations of FAS, FCS and USIA. In a new program, retiring career ambassadors 1 lerman Cohen. Deane Minton, and ADMINISTRATION & FINANCE Terence Todman were each honored at "roast and AFSAs financial position remained healthy in boast" luncheons hosted by AFSA. 1994. The audited financial statements will be The Retiree Department continued to pub¬ completed and published in April 1995. AFSA paid lish the bi-monthly Retiree Newsletter and con¬ off the balance of a mortgage on the headquarters tributed to the “Retirees Corner" in State building. A $150,000. 48-month loan was taken Magazine. 1994 marked the first full year of the out for capital improvements to technically update retiree 1-800-704-2372 number, which has our work environment and to renovate headquar¬ permitted improved communications with and ters second- and third-floor office space to maxi¬ service to retired members around the country. mize space utilization. AFSA installed a computer — Ward Thompson, retiree liaison network, purchased several workstations, accounting software and a new membership data¬ DEVELOPMENT base system to meet the needs of AFSAs expanding membership. Equipment and software were also The year-end appeal in December 1993 and purchased to allow the design and layout of the January 1994 raised more than $23,000 for the Foreign Service Journal and other AFSA publica¬ Scholarship Endowment. The AFSA tions to be done in-house at substantial savings. Fund/Scholarship Fund appeal in March 1994 AFSA opened a fourth office in SA-1. Room 913, raised $24,211 for the Scholarship Fund and which houses AFSA grievance counselors. $11,491 for the AFSA Fund. The Legislative Action The Foreign Service Club saw' a slight finan¬ Fund Drive in September 1994 was the most suc¬ cial improvement in 1994 under the manage¬ cessful drive to date and raised over $60,000. ment of HMC. The Governing Board nearly In 1994 World Issues Forum grants were voted to close the club due to the continued loss¬ renewed by the Marpat and Delavan es. However, HMC Management Company came Foundations. Diplomats Online received a two- forward with a workable plan to reduce losses in vear $200,000 grant from the U.S. - Japan 1995. AFSA will monitor the club's progress Foundation, depending on matching funds from and is hopeful that the Foreign Service Club can other sources; additional proposals are pending continue to serve the membership. with the Guild Foundation and NYNEX. The In 1994 seven new staff joined AFSA: Kara Development Office also raised money to fund H. Ebert, controller, Leslie Lehman, executive the Foreign Service Journal's 75th anniversary assistant, Joany Smedley, grievance attorney, party' and worked to support COLEAD. For the Janet Emery, advertising & circulation manager, first time a biannual newsletter, Carol Lutz, labor management representative, FUNDamentals, was published to keep Eunice Blau, administrative assistant, and Legislative Action Fund, Scholarship and AFSA Monica Riva, law' clerk. Fund donors informed and to acknow ledge their — Susan Reardon, executive director; most important donations. Kara Harmon Ebert, controller; Sheree Three student internships, tw'O at the Beane, general ledger accountant; Dianna Department of State and one at AID. were sup¬ Dunbrack, administrative manager; Eunice ported by AFSA with funds from the Charles del Blau, administrative assistant. ■

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CHUGGING UP THE ONRAMP OF THE INFO

WILL ‘VIRTUAL’ EMBASSIES

REPLACE TRADITIONAL ONES

ON ROAD OF TECHNOLOGY?

BY JIM ANDERSON

ormer Israeli Foreign Minister Abba Eban hits found a letter in the U.S. Archives written by President Thomas Jefferson to bis secretary of state, James Madison, which reads: “We have not heard from our ambassador in Paris for two years. If we do not hear from him by the end of this year, let us write him a letter.” Since those innocent days of sailing ship communication, the business of diplomacy can be divided into several eras, all defined by technology: the advent of radio, telegraph and telephone, which linked overseas missions to Washington; the invention of the jet engine, which made it easier for leaders and diplomats to conduct face-to-face negotiations; and tlie simultaneous arrival of communications satellites and computers, binding the entire world-wide diplomatic appa-

32 FOREIGN SERVICE J OV RN AU M ARC H 1995 Focus

The consequences of information technology have led to a reth inking of what the State Department and the Foreign Service are and what their form and purpose should be.

ratus into a real-time web that is as accessible as the longer than many other organizations. ... We’re still in screen of the nearest personal computer. some ways trying to beat fast news (on television). We’re Of those changes, the last — now in its early bloom — going to have to give that up and focus on trying to get may have the most profound impact on tire management our analysis in a much faster time frame.” of foreign policy and the shape of the Foreign Service. As a byproduct of that change, the conventionally Some of those changes are already occurring, includ¬ trained manager — the ambassador or senior official in ing fewer layers of bureaucracy, but the pace will accel¬ charge — may find himself preempted by the broaden¬ erate as tire revolution spreads: ing of the decision-making pyramid. More lower-ranking ■ Decision-making and management will become officials will tend to establish de facto policy through con¬ more democratic, with teamwork and consensus increas¬ sensus via their interconnecting computers. ingly replacing the rigid hierarchy. Also, there will be fewer managers. The European ■ Although the personal contacts and nuances and Canadian Affairs Bureau (EUR) has already elimi¬ gleaned from face-to-face diplomacy will continue to be nated the layer of officers between die desk officers and critical to the diplomatic agenda, traditional reporting the assistant secretary1. Now the lowly desk officers deal will be less important than the ability' to analyze available direcdy with Assistant Secretary' Richard Holbrooke. information quickly. Specialized analysts — whether in economics or poli¬ ■ Secret, classified information will be less important tics — may be initially aided by machines efficient at since so much information will be available at tire touch gathering and analyzing certain kinds of data. But some of a few keys. diplomats fear the next step may be the replacing of these ■ Fewer people will be employed in the foreign affairs analysts by technology’s next generation of sophisticated community and they will have different skills, training machines and software. and abilities than those of todays Foreign Service. “Increasingly, we are into ranges of subject matter ■ As communications become mostly electronic and which are largely unclassified,” observed Moose. “The ephemeral, fewer supporting paper trails wall be available players are new and you’ve got more information avail¬ for future historians and policy-makers to learn from. able from open sources, so the question is: Can we more There are already signs that the classic management efficiently gather it through information technology? I system of the State Department and embassies has am not talking about abolishing reporting and replacing it begun to flatten and widen, bringing in more people ear¬ with computers. I am talking about where we put our lier in the policy-making process. This represents a seis¬ energy — into a higher level of analysis, a broadened mic change in the most tradition-bound of the govern¬ scope of coverage. We may need less primary reporting ment services. on the internal party politics of Country X. We need to Noted Under Secretary of State for Management know much more about the role of labor and trade in Richard Moose, “I don’t think we have begun to under¬ relationship to GATT or some international agreement.” stand and haven’t thought nearly enough about the impli¬ These consequences have led to a thorough rethink¬ cations of technology on our management style. The ing of what the State Department is and what its form State Department has clung to a rigid, hierarchical style and purpose should be. Secretary of State Warren Christopher is asking managers to develop a new premise Jim Anderson, formerly with UPI, is a correspondent for U.S. missions abroad that involves, among other for DP A, the German Press Agency. He has covered the tilings, abandoning the notion that an embassy is an State Department for 26 years. extension of the State Department.

MARCH 1995/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 33 Focus

Under the new thinking, the embassy’s primary pur¬ die work of his staff members. pose would be to create a platform, supporting the Not only will the new system become more democra¬ work of all the agencies involved in foreign affairs, tic, it will be more open. The “value added” by State pro¬ including Defense, Treasury, Commerce, the Drug fessionals will be in how they analyze available informa¬ Enforcement Agency, the CIA and the FBI. A chief of don, not in the secrets they’re privy to. For example, missions success would be judged on how well the diplomatic demarches could be informally bounced off interlocking team worked. “For too long we have clung everybody concerned, including the other government, to the notion that the embassy belonged to the State to gauge the response. The informal sounding would Department and we have concentrated on reinforcing shape the wording of the final diplomatic note actually the primacy of the ambassador in that situation,” sent. observed Moose. “The other agencies, if they were per¬ Some diplomats are already reaching out through mitted to be there, were meant to be satellites at the their computers. For example, the UK desk officer, plan¬ sufferance of the ambassador. ning a London trip, might ask his contact at the Foreign “We’ll also have to improve the connections between Office via e-mail if he would be available for dinner. The the agencies. Our e-mail system doesn’t connect with the dinner would be set up and the issue to be discussed NSC or the Pentagon. I want to predicate our investment mentioned, as well. over the next few years into a messaging system which “In other words, die informality of the exchanges will be used throughout the national security community makes possible a much larger community of people to so the links would be much easier than they are today. consult in ways that we never considered, in ways that “One of the things that this revolution means is that were technically impossible a few months ago,” Clark we’re going to have to improve our ability to work in says. teams and across organizational lines. In the old days, Clark described the technique used by John when I came to the department, problems could be han¬ Negroponte, U.S. ambassador to die Philippines, as one dled very well within the geographic bureau.” way of maintaining control during the technological shift. If there is a technical symbol of the coming events, it “John’s constantly involved in everything,” he said. His would be the eventual and inevitable abandonment of control device is a daily “marathon meeting,” in which the massive main-frame Wang computers, those every embassy officer describes his current projects. “If dinosaurs still humming away in the bowels of the State the ambassador hears something is going on, he savs to Department. They represent die supremacy of the pre¬ the guy — DEA or whatever — ‘I’ll call the minister and sent central hierarchy. help you solve the problem.’ Then John’s in on the pro¬ Replacing them will be a web of wires connecting ject. He doesn’t control in the [hierarchical] way ambas¬ hundreds of desktop or laptop computers in a series of sadors used to control everything. He controls it because local area networks (LANs). Communication within the of his prestige and know-how' with local government.” LAN is easy and instantaneous and soon the State “Rapid communication is a major new dimension to Department will become a global LAN. In the next step, the problem,” said Moose. “Time is so compressed, it a more universal communication system would allow makes things more complex. The way that the ambas¬ access to the outside world as well, mostly likely through sador deals with it has to be the w;ay good ambassadors die global Internet system. have always dealt with it, which is to build mutually rein¬ John Clark, a deputy assistant secretary in Informadon forcing relationships within the mission. If die ambas¬ Management (IM) at the State Department, foresees sador can’t establish his or her position based on mutual diat die traditional ambassador who signed cables at the respect and teamwork, then there are going to be all sorts end of the day will soon be an anachronism. The new- of things going wrong.” style ambassador will be faced with a series of' faits Modem ambassadors are faced with an embassy staff accomplis, policies or decisions hammered out by his that may involve, directly or indirectly, 55 government computer-connected staff. The only wny to temporarily agencies. They communicate with Washington, the host regain control would be governing by veto and nullifying government and other embassies, all of whom are also

34 FOREIGN SERVICE JO URNAL/MARCH 1995 Focus

communicating freely with one another. The neat little die odier members of the chattering class. And its former world of everybody communicating through die becoming even more complex. ambassador, or at least informing him of everything, is technologically inefficient — and thus doomed. What’s next for the practice of diplomacy in the The State Department s e-mail system, which now has technological age of the 21st century? Wired, about 13,000 users, virtually 100 percent of the depart¬ a magazine for the new information age, has ment, is expected to soon be accessible to the National coined a term — telediplomacy — for it. Security Council and the Pentagon, as well as the other The article written by Ross Stapleton-Gray, a former foreign affairs agencies. The Foreign Agricultural Service CIA employee, proposes an even more radical change, (FAS) and die U.S. & Foreign Commercial Service calling for the State Department to create a “virtual (US&FCS) both have e-mail communication with then- embassy” that would bring foreign policy into the overseas staffs. Information Age. If everybody were connected to die Moose said he believes the embassy of the future will same worldwide data base and communication system, “inevitably have fewer people. Budgetary pressures are there would be no technical need for a large embassy pushing that way and information technology will make it abroad. The work could be done, at lower cost and less possible to operate missions witii fewer people.” hazard, by people sitting at dieir desks in die State Nobody ever said democracy was neat; that holds true Department. Presumably an ambassador would still be for the technological version, as well. There is a lot of ran¬ needed overseas to attend National Day parades, but he dom activity but even trivial chatter on a screen can would require only a skeleton staff. The rest of the work develop into something, if only a better understanding of could be done by staffers on dieir computers at State. r ■\ Affordable Luxury

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To take it a step further, if effective communications Robert “Barry” Fulton, a Foreign Service officer who are unrelated to the location of the user, why have FSOs recognizes that asking fewer people to do more can be sitting in expensive, traffic-jammed Washington, D.C.? stressful. But he believes the product has improved, with Why not move the staff to South Dakota, as some credit a few glitches, now that more people are taking direct card companies have done with their employees? responsibility for their own work. In addition, everyone at In response to this scenario, many foreign affairs pro¬ USIA is connected via e-mail. fessionals argue that technology could never replace the He believes that there is so much reporting and inter¬ face-to-face contact critical to tire practice of diplomacy. pretation available in the mass media and accessible via The State Department is far from being on the cutting computer networks that USIA shouldn’t add to the clut¬ edge of the technology revolution, but the U.S. ter by doing its own reporting. So that function is expect¬ Information Agency (USIA) is a generation ahead of ed to disappear, although Voice of America’s reports will State in catching the technology wave. continue to be available via computer and short-wave Its Information Bureau, the I Bureau, can be consid¬ radio around the world. ered a futuristic laboratory. Here, teamwork rather than The information revolution has forced USIA into some¬ a rigid hierarcliical structure is the result of technological what of an identity crisis — to the distress of some profes¬ change and personnel cuts. There used to be four per¬ sionally trained journalists in the organization. "We aren't a sons for every supervisor; now there are 11 people per news medium,” said Fulton. ‘We don’t have the time or supenisor, meaning fewer layers of clearance and super¬ tlie money to do that.” He summarizes die computerized vision. "We’re saying, We trust you to make more deci¬ future of USIA in two words: context and connectivity. sions than we used to,’” says the head of the bureau, USIA must supply the background of events and policies 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 efficiendy. 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.

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36 FOREIGN SERVICE J O U RN AL / M ARC H 1995 Focus

and explain to the public how all die available bits of infor¬ wide via satellites in the burst of a few minutes, arriving mation can be brought together in a meaningful way. overseas in a form that can be produced almost instantly Russ Linden, a State management consultant diat is into a slick-looking desktop-published version. helping State usher in the new technology; calls it “mass In the dissemination of information, both USIA and the customization,” and compares it to die process of a State Depaitinent are now using CD-ROMs, compact disks Chevrolet plant responding to market demand by daily diat can be read by machines but not altered. In the simpler turning out thousands of cars, each slightly different in verbal version, now used by State s Bureau of Public Affairs terms of color, accessories and model. to provide information to die public, diree years of tran¬ “Narrowcasting” is how Fulton describes that process scripts, speeches and other documents fit onto a single 41/2- in terms of the future of USIA, aiming at a huge mass inch disk. The disks, when mass-produced, cost the U.S. audience but allowing diem to be more selective in government somewhere between 50 cents and $1 each. choosing only what they need or want. Some USIA posts overseas have moved 100 percent into USIA had a head start in technology by working with the Information Age, regularly using electronic bulletin television, a digital glutton that requires millions of bits of boards via Internet, e-mail and auto-dial faxes to deliver information to transmit the simplest images. The agency policy material to influential policy-makers. has cleverly shoehomed one of its basic products, the USIA is examining the next step — interactive CDs venerable Wireless File, onto the outer margins of die TV that can respond to questions or requests by the viewer, satellite transmission, a hitchhiker on the information just as the new computer games like “Myst.” In the USIA superhighway. The File, which used to take three to four CD, prospective foreign students thinking about attend¬ hours to transmit by shortwave teletype, now goes world¬ ing American universities would get a glimpse of U.S.

MARCH 1995/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 3 Focus

campuses and fashion styles and would be able to get Prompted by a National Performance Review recommen¬ responses to specific questions directly from CDs. This dation to open the contract process to a wider audience, the translates into a need for fewer US IA employees. electronic search saves the contractor time and AID the The Agency for International Development (AID), expense of mailing reams of paper to potential workers. according to Deputy Assistant Administrator for E-mail connects all AID employees in Washington Management Phyllis Dichter-Forbes, is “light years” with each other and all overseas missions. ahead of State in accessing new technology and changing Most people find it a huge time-saver. David the corporate culture to suit it. Johnson, a deputy spokesman for the State ‘The information revolution is an enabler, as we see it,” she Department, who says he can have up to 80 e-mail mes¬ said. ‘The goal is to take the start-up time for an AID project sages daily on his desk-top computer, says he can deal from tlie current 27 months to six months and to make the with three computer messages — occasionally with one agency more responsive to its customers’ needs. But, you can¬ word — in the time it normally takes him to make one not focus on your customer without empowering your staff .” telephone call. E-mail is not about to disappear because Empowerment, typically working within an egalitarian of the lack of literary qualities. As Moose noted, “It used team, has revolutionary implications for a hierarchical sys¬ to be that nothing was more appreciated in the Foreign tem. Managers will no longer Ire able to make arbitrary deci¬ Service than the finely turned phrase. Now its going to be sions about stopping or starting programs, because the basic increasingly how resourceful the officer is in knowing where information is available to all staff on their computer screens. to pull together tire information.” The information superhighway has allowed AID to David Oot, director of health and nutrition at AID, solicit contractors, via the Internet, for various projects. agrees e-mail has its uses. “If I go to a three-hour meet- The Remington Fits Your Washington Schedule.

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38 FOREIGN SERVICE J OU RN AL / M ARC H 1995 Focus

ing, I'll have 50 to 60 e-mails when I get back. It’s a mixed points out Patricia Fisher, president of Janus Associates, a bag. It’s an efficient way of communication, but there computer security firm in Stamford, Conn., which handles needs to be greater discipline on bow it’s used. The down many government contracts. “If a PC is used to connect to side is the loss of person-to-person contact.” the Internet which can be connected with another PC con¬ And, there’s anodier down side: security. When Jim taining confidential data, it’s possible for hackers to also be Casey, of State’s Information Management Bureau and a connected to the same confidential information — straight long-time communications specialist, first joined the through the computer via its network connection.” State Department in the 1960s, a secure telephone Baity Goldberg, director of AID’s Information involved a huge box the size of an average desk. Resources Management, said security is a big issue for the In his file drawer sets a normal-looking push-button tele¬ foreign affairs agencies. ‘We are very aware and concerned phone, which is secure. “Now were down to this.... We now with computer security issues,” he said. “All computers have have people travelling with the secretmy of state, carrying a virus protection software and we have firewalls between our little case with a little parabolic antenna and it’s secure. We e-mail system mid Internet. But we need to do more.” can do anything we put our minds to,” Casey says. Technically, more will be possible in the future. The While the traditional telegram system is still used to send unresolved issue is how the real world of managing classified data, much unclassified information is sent via the national security policy can be adapted to deal with the Internet, which officials agree poses security problems. cyber-revolution, and how to prevent the traditional “Being connected to everyone else via a modem inside hierarchy from being transformed into a computerized file computer also means that outsiders can be connected to kind of anarchy that would badly serve the nation and wherever and whatever else the computer is also linked,” its embassy personnel. ■

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MARCH 1995/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 39 Focus

IN NAVIGATING THE ALL ROADS LEAD

WORLDWIDE COMPUTER WEB BRINGS EOREIGN AFFAIRS

DIRECTLY TO THE HOME PC

BY DAN KUBISKE

ntemet has helped bring international affairs to Main Street. For the aver¬ age American with a home computer, foreign affairs is no longer only for academia and Washington bureaucrats. By using PCs to retrieve U.S. foreign policy documents from government agencies and to chat on the hundreds of inter¬ national affairs bulletin boards, Net surfers are making foreign policy more a part of daily life for the average American than ever before in U.S. history. The Internet, created in 1969 as an experimental network by the Department of Defense and the National Science Foundation to facilitate rapid data exchange between military and educational research sites, was originally called

40 FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL/MARCH 1995 Focus

By using PCs to retrieve U. S. foreign policy documents from agencies and to chat on international affairs bulletin boards, Net surfers are making foreign policy a part of daily life.

ARPANET (Advanced Research Projects Agency members. Other servers, such as Delphi, MCI Mail, Network). Some 50 universities and military sites were AT&T and AppleTalk, offer more direct Internet con¬ linked in 1972. Renamed the Internet in the 1980s, today nections. it has grown to a worldwide web of computer users of Service providers have a variety of plans that range more than 30 million. And their numbers are growing from a flat fee for unlimited access to monthly charges daily. that allow a certain number of hours of access. Most With a few keystrokes, computer users around the charge a per-hour fee for certain items, such as discussion world can retrieve a travel advisory on Morocco from the forums or government documents. Since calls are made State Department, debate President Clintons bailout of to local phone numbers, its possible for a CompuServe Mexico with Mexican university students, or fire off a let¬ member in Washington, D.C., to send a letter to a ter to Sen. Jesse Helms (R-N.C.) on foreign aid. friend in Hong Kong with the sender and receiver “The Internet is like talk radio,” says Louis spending no more than the monthly connection charge. Goodman, dean of the School of International Sen-ice Due to direct access hooked up years ago, most U.S. uni¬ at The American University in Washington, D.C. “It is versities and government agencies have free Internet challenging our democracy and making more people access. engaged with (foreign affairs) issues.” Participation in the Internet has grown most rapidly For researchers and news buffs, each server offers in the last year, as the price of home computers and literally thousands of read-only databases for modems has dropped and their power and speed have those interested in foreign affairs, ranging from increased. In addition, new communications software wire services with up-to-the-minute news (Reuters, packages have eliminated much of the hard work for¬ United Press International, the Associated Press) to the merly associated with going on-line. latest issue of Foreign Policy, The New Republic or U. S. There’s no doubt that the Internet allows Americans News 6- World Report or a recently released government greater access to their government. “We have to be con¬ document. Magazine databases carry an additional cerned about our relevance,” noted States Under charge from the server. Secretary of State for Management Richard Moose in a Colleen Elliott, office director for the State recent interview. “Are we seen as relevant by the tax¬ Departments Office of Public Communications in the payer and the public and the Congress, relevant to the Public Affairs Bureau, says her office has one mission, issues they are interested in?” and one mission only: to talk to the public. These days, Since Internet access can occur any number of ways, via a gopher, her office electronically mails transcripts of understanding the network of fee-based computer servers official U.S. foreign policy texts, daily press briefings, provides a certain sense of order in the cyberspace chaos. senior officials’ speeches and testimonies, and countiy To enter Internet, most people open a credit card background reports to those who request them. account with the provider; the largest and most user- The bureau uses the University of Illinois at Chicago friendly are CompuServe (2.5 million users), Prodigy (UIC) as the Internet entry point or “gopher.” UIC librar¬ (1.7 million users) and America Online (1.2 million ian John Shuler runs the Department of State Foreign users). These companies also offer thousands of data¬ Affairs Network (DOSFAN), an ambitious cooperative bases and discussion groups restricted to their own effort between State and UIC. He receives, collects, posts and electronically mails material from Chicago to Dan Kubiske is a freelance writer in Northern Virginia. anyone who asks for it — all for the price of a telephone

MARCH 1995/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 41 Focus

call. “Going on line is what reinventing government is all tise its wares inside the United States. The Voice of America about,” said Shuler. Also available from the State (VOA), like USIA, has a mandate to only disseminate mate¬ Department is “U.S. Foreign Affairs” on CD-Rom ria] overseas, but Internet users can pull down transcripts of (USFAC), a foreign policy lib rap,' at your fingertips for VOA broadcasts and its daily reports for the print media. only $80 annually ($100 for foreign orders) in quarterly The United Nations and the World Bank each run updates, which offers more than 4,000 documents from their own sites, as do the Food and Agricultural 1990 through September 1994. Organization of the United Nations, the North Atlantic Both the Agency for International Development (AID) Treaty Organization, the World Health Organization, and die U.S. Information Agency (USIA) run dieir own the International Telecommunications Union, Amnesty Internet connections. USIA provides lists of U.S. International, Human Rights Watch, the Global Information Sendee (USIS) activities planned in Zagreb, Democracy Network and many more. Buenos Aires or Singapore. The USIS Wireless File, a daily briefing of news events around die world, will now be avail¬ The U.S. government’s move into cyberspace, while able to more dian just diplomatic personnel. USIS also strongly promoted by the Clinton administration plans daily updates, rather than just one report at die end and the new GOP leadership in the House of of the day. Jim McGregor, chief of USIA’s Information Representatives, actually began more than a decade ago. Resource Center, says by having “99.9 percent” of USIS The Departments of Commerce and Agriculture made material on-line, officers in the field can provide details many regular- reports available on rudimentary electronic more quickly to overseas contacts. Although Americans can bulletin boards accessible through telephone tape reeord- log onto the daily file, USIS is not legally allowed to adver¬ Continued on page 44

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42 FOREIGN SERVICE J O U RN A L/M A RC H 1995 Focus

AN INTERNET CHAT ON THE MIDEAST

From: [email protected] represent the average Israeli sentiment.’ Newsgroups: talk. poli tics. mideast Subject: Yet ANOTHER Bomb! From: [email protected] Date: 22 Jan 1995 19:03:18 GMT Newsgroups: talk.politics.mideast Organization: University of Pennsylvania Subject: Re: Yet ANOTHER Bomb! Date: 24 Jan 1995 12:48:06 GMT Well, I was just reading “clans.world.briefs” to see Organization: Philosophers of the Dangerous Maybe what was going on in die world, and lo and behold, This is completely untrue. You will find that diere was another suicide bomb attack by Islamic while there are a few Jews/Zionists who seem to Jihad (or so they claim). Since diey are based in diink that all Arabs or Muslims should be con¬ Damascus, it seems tiiat all the negotiations with the demned, the majority recognize that it is the perpe¬ Syrians are based on falsehood and should therefore trators themselves who need to be brought to jus¬ be suspended until they give these people up to Israel tice, and that most Jews/Zionists believe die ulti¬ or at least to an international court of some kind. Syria mate goal still needs to be a just and lasting peace seems to have only one diing in mind, and it doesn’t between Israel and the Arab/Muslim world. look like peace, but a ‘piece’ of land, die Golan. It also “Life is a blur of Republicans and meat.” — Zippy sets back die Palestinian talks back a good bit, and From: [email protected]) certainly doesn’t improve their Jerusalem status. Newsgroups: talk.politics.mideast Subject: Re: Yet ANOTHER Bomb! Date: 24 Jan 1995 20:23:27 GMT From: [email protected] Organization: University of California, Berkeley Newsgroups: talk.politics.mideast Subject: Re: Yet ANOTHER Bomb! Date: 23 Jan 95 13:19:37 EST It’s funny diat you imply diat sealing of die territo¬ Organization: The American University ries contradicts the notion of Palestinian autonomy. I understand from a news report that at least one of die Do you mean that Palestinians cannot be autonomous suicide bombers came from Gaza. A public apology from ■without being stitched into Israeli society? Arafat is nice, but what is he doing to curtail die activities It would be nice if the Israelis and Palestinians of terrorists in Palestinian controlled territory? In my view, could cohabit peacefully, but that doesn’t seem possi¬ precious litde. What can lie done? Halt the peace negotia¬ ble. So closing off the territories may be a collective tions until Arafat and the PLO clean up dieir act. action against the Palestinians but die peace process has a better chance of surviving if Israel can slow From: [email protected] Newsgroups: talk.politics. mideast flown the terrorist attacks. Subject: Re: Yet ANOTHER Bomb! Date: 23 Jan 1995 21:36:49 GMT The opinions expressed here are my own and Organization: University of Colorado at Denver those of anyone who agrees with me. Even before there were “peace negotiations,” the From: [email protected] PLO was held accountable and pressured by Israel to Newsgroups: talk.politics.mideast Subject: Re: Yet ANOTHER Bomb! make sweeping condemnations on the ‘actions’ of Date: 24 Jan 1995 22:24:54 -0500 Hamas and other Islamic-based groups. What good is Organization: intuitive information, Inc. it? Talk is cheap. It accomplishes nodiing and it is I don’t think Arafat and the PLO have anything witii obvious that the percentage of people on both sides suicide bombings in Israel. They’d love to stop it, but diey who are sincere about peace is minimal and decreas¬ can’t. Their strategy has been to, under die guise of a peace ing by the day. process, establish an Arab state in the West Bank and Gaza When Arabs/Muslims kill Israelis, all Jews/Zionists and to use it to conduct a low-intensity guerilla warfare condemn every Arab and continue to denounce col¬ against Israel. It’s not Arafat's fault diat Palestinian Arabs lective peace with Arabs. When Israelis/Zionists kill are so overflowing widi hate diat they can’t control their Arabs/Muslims, all Jews/Zionists try to placate the genocidal urges. Are diey serious about peace or is it all lip Arabs widi words of, ‘He was insane,’ or ‘He doesn’t service? I

MARCH 1995/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 43 Focus

Continued from page 42 wide variety of topics, are the hottest communication ings. Reports and studies generated by the Foreign methods available today, allowing anyone with a modem Agricultural Service (FAS) and the Foreign Commercial and Internet access to pin a note — and read others’ Service (FCS) also found their way to these bulletin boards notes. at a time when the State Department and USIA were still “I’d say in three forums [where I participate], at least using couriers to send information between agencies. 3,000 people a week read and download files about for¬ In October, die White House announced its World eign affairs,” said Georgia Griffith, the system manager of Wide Web (WWW) hypertext site, which provides users CompuServe’s “Political Debate.” She estimates these access to a wide range of presidential documents and users represent 20 to 25 percent of weekly forum visitors. government agency libraries and can take visitors on a Earle Robinson, manager of the CompuServe’s virtual tour of the White House. CompuServe and “European Forum,” says his group has 300-400 active America Online offer templates to send electronic mail members out of 15,000 who have registered with him. to the White Flouse and Congress. His members discuss everything from travel tips to Earlier last year, a World Wide Web site was opened business opportunities to political and social issues. for tire Library of Congress, nicknamed “Thomas” after American University’s Goodman predicts that the the library’s founder, Thomas Jefferson. The WWW Internet is only the beginning of an information and sites provide the added dimension of video, which telecommunications revolution that will change many allows users to see pictures as well as words. people’s lives. “CNN’s 24-hour news coverage allows Global bulletin boards, where users can post com¬ viewers to witness world events first hand, but the ments, and chat rooms, where they can converse on a Internet makes those events more personal. We won’t

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44 FOREIGN SERVICE ] OU RN Ah! M ARC H 1995 Focus

see a sea-change,” he predicts. He believes that gradu¬ each head of a different European nation — and conquer ally people will leam more about the world and “make Europe through diplomacy. adjustments in their lives. ... Its human nature for peo¬ Linguaphiles can get help in wilting and reading for¬ ple to act on knowledge they receive.” eign languages — including correction of grammar, The American Foreign Service Association (AFSA) is spelling and word usage — through a variety of language represented on-line at A Oils “Diplomats On Line,” (DOL) groups, including one offered by the University of which provides a glimpse at die working world of the career Massachusetts at Amherst “International House” of diplomat for students of current events, geography and his¬ America Online, which allows students of Chinese to tory. The program is intended to allow Foreign Service offi¬ practice pinyin and download a sample version of a pro¬ cers and specialists, bodi retired and active duty, in die gram for writing Chinese characters. United States and abroad, to share d teir expertise widi teach¬ Dozens of books are available with die addresses and ers and students at U.S. elementary and secondary schools. Internet locations of popular sites. In December, DOL also offers about 100 bulletin boards and interactive Congressional Quarterly published a directoiy of free conference sites on topics ranging from NAFTA to Kashmir. electronic bulletin boards in the Washington, D.C. area, Games, such as CompuServes “Diplomacy,” are also How to Access the Government’s Electronic Bulletin available on the Net. Based on the 37-year-old board Boards by Bruce Maxwell ($19.95 in paperback), which game from Avon Hill, up to 37 Internet players play the senes as a guide to the more than 200 electronic bulletin game even though they can’t see dieir opponents’ faces boards. A companion guide to government sources on — as is often the case in real diplomatic maneuvering. the Internet will be available in May. The goal remains the same: to outwit your opponents — Happy cyber-surfing. ■

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MARCH 1995/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 45 Focus

HITCHHIKING IN THE BREAKDOWN LANE

I’M NOT CYBERPIIOBIC,

JUST REALLY TERRIFIED

OF COMPUTER CRASHES

BY STEPHEN B. MORISSEAU

onday morning. Another week representing my country as a member of the foreign affairs community. I love Mondays. Start the computer, pour some coffee. Bleep, whir, click — stop. What’s wrong? “Non-system disk in drive A. Please remove and hit any key.” Right, reboot, starting fine. Another sip of coffee. Check my voice mail: three hang-ups, two fax machines and one automated sales call — normal weekend traf¬ fic. Check my e-mail. 247 messages! What the heck? I guess I signed up to a few too many Internet listservers. Another sip of coffee. OK, now I’ll look at the daily in-house newsfile. Should be in the S drive, INFO directory', but on which server? I’ll try this one. Nope. Maybe that one. No again. “Warning. You have exceeded die limit of grace connec-

46 FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL/MARCH 1995 Focus

It’s easy to think of technology as something that happens to you like the flu, rather than something you can use to clo your job better. tion attempts. Possible security violation.” What? All I want We must resist! Smash die computer, reformat your Ooppies! is the newsfile! Tins was easier when it was on paper. Well, The time to rise against the technocracy has come! that can wait. I still need to fax that memo for approval. Ctrl-Alt-Del, reboot. Too much caffeine this morning. Lets see, I’ll start WordPerfect. This update sure takes a When you are in Ouagadougou, where tire poor power long time to load. I wonder when we will get upgraded per¬ supply fries your PC just as you’ve finished die annual sonal computers? Next, printer-fax server. Recipient, fax Economic Trends Analysis, or even in Washington where number, ready, send. Great, at least that worked. die new7 PC you’ve needed for mondis arrives witiiout a More coffee. Ding! ‘Warning. Application has violated powder cord, sof tware or manuals, it’s easy to diink of tech¬ system integrity. Close all applications and restart comput¬ nology as somediing diat happens to you like die flu, er.” AS#&A%$&A#! I'll never get anything done today. Shirt rather dian something you can use to do your job better. over, reboot, search for quotes on diplomacy and technolo¬ This stuff costs a lot of money and comes at us piecemeal, gy. Here’s one: “Once die Xerox copier was invented, diplo¬ and we always seem to be a bit behind the curve. We had macy died,” according to Andrew Young, the fonner U.S. a fine Wang computer system, before someone decided ambassador to die United Nations. That seems a little we had to have individual personal computers, and then extreme. We couldn’t get along witiiout copiers, or fax somebody else decided they had to be linked togetiier, machines, or voice mail or even PCs diese days. Some peo¬ and dien we had to get better PCs widi faster chips but ple just don’t seem to get die concept of die information diose chips can’t do long division or something, and superhighway automation movement. Widi just a little besides, now they are telling us diat I have to shift from a patience, however, I diink... Ding! ‘The system has become PC-LAN to a superserver WAN and it will be great unstable. System crash imminent. Save all data.” Not again. because it will be just like die Wang I was used to. I thought all tills technology would make diplomacy easi¬ Even diough replacing Wang mainframe and OIS sys¬ er. Maybe Andrew Young was right. Maybe for foreign affairs tems with PC-LANs seems momentous, diplomats have practitioners like me, the true enemy is not across the bar¬ been adapting to new technologies for centuries. There gaining table or in some foreign capital, but rather in our have been lots of technological innovations (clipper ship, ergometric workspaces, quiedy beeping and whirring while it undersea telegraph cable, jet engines, direct dial interna¬ saps die very purpose from our being. Mavbe die personal tional calling, machine-readable visas, satellite television, computer is but die latest in a long line of technological inno¬ fax machines) diat were supposed to increase die effective¬ vations foisted upon us by do-gooding, uncomprehending ness of American diplomacy. Each new advance has managers, trying to “help” us, but who, in reality, want onlv to brought dire predictions of die demise of “Diplomacy As control diat which they cannot understand. Maybe We Know It,” and each has proven equally silly in hindsight. Internetworking, information highways, databases mid elec¬ Neitiier the Xerox machine, the direct dial telephone, nor tronic mail are just more attempts to further dilute the connecting each U.S. embassy abroad to die Internet will importance of highly skilled, well-trained Foreign Service mean die end of diplomacy or die Foreign Service. officers as die eyes and ears of the U.S. government. Yes, So grab your disks, charge your laptop batteries and wire that’s it. They are trying to replace 11s widi computers, reduce your computer for e-mail. The information superhighway us to bytes in die data stream, sap our precious bodily fluids. may be more of a two-lane secondaiy dian a 10-lane filter- state, and the technolog)' juggernaut may have frequent Stephen B. Morisseau, a Foreign Service officer at U. S. breakdowns, but we all need to understand and to exploit Information Agency’s Office of Technology. His Internet both to successfully cany diplomacy into the next century. address is “[email protected]. ” Dam. Now what happened to that file I was just in? ■

MARCH 1995/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 47 DEATH COMES CALLING IN KENYA

AN AFRICAN MYTH HAUNTS A FAMILY

HOURS AFTER ALL SOUL’S DAY ENDS

BY BONNIE KATHRYN SCHMIEL

e’ve taken hundreds and was being treated in the cardiac unit of one of pictures in our of Mombasa’s three hospitals. My husband and years overseas. I drove to the hospital to check on the man’s They fill over 20 condition and to reassure his wife, Caroline. albums — overflow¬ The man’s condition remained stable for two ing records of the days, and when I returned to visit, I found his familiar and the foreign, the anticipated and the wife somewhat less tense. She began to make astounding. Occasionally they reveal an inter¬ arrangements with her husband and the hospital section of legend and life, of fable and fact that about his eventual return to the United States. defies reason. They would fly back and he would enter a hos¬ One such photo prompts a chain of memories pital in Boston near their hometown in the state of an unforgettable weekend. A 12-year-old girl, of Maine. my daughter, wears a long black gown and a Then on Saturday at 2 a.m. the telephone on pointed, cone-shaped hat with a scarf trailing our bedside table rang. 1 answered with the fear from its top. White makeup circles her eyes. such calls always elicit, and heard a woman’s Behind her stand other children variously wavering voice. Caroline said that her husband’s dressed as hobos, punks, rock stars and condition had worsened. We reassured her that princesses. It was Saturday, Oct. 31, 1987, All we would come immediately, dressed quickly and Souls’ Day, and we were hosting a Halloween woke our son to tell him that we were driving to party for our children’s friends in Mombasa, the hospital. As we left, we roused our Luhya Kenya, where my husband was posted to the cook, Ishmael, to tell him, too, that we were leav¬ consulate. ing the house to go to the sick man’s side. 1 remember that holiday well. Earlier in the We reached the hospital in 15 minutes and week the local hospital had called to inform the were greeted by the grim-faced doctor, who told consulate that an American tourist, traveling in us that his patient was in extremely critical con¬ Africa with his wife, had suffered a heart attack dition. He expected death momentarily and was grateful that we had come to be with Caroline. Bonnie Kathryn Schmiel, whose husband Eugene We waited and walked with her, circling the was principal officer at the consulate in atrium until the doctor came to us with the final Mombasa, Kenya, from 1986-88, now lives in sad news. Reykjavik, where her husband is deputy chief of Leaving the hospital, we took Caroline to our mission. house, where she rested in the guest room. My

48 FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL/MARCH 1995 husband began the official procedures, while I buzzing, ceaselessly rising and falling in tone. made coffee and tried to decide what to do I didn’t search long for the source. I saw the about the children’s Halloween party planned bees, thousands of them, filling the trough at the for that evening: A man had died, and his wife base of the windows; they were was now a guest in our house. Under the cir¬ climbing over each other cumstances a party would be impossible. It between the glass and the would have to be canceled, I decided. screening. They scaled the According; to the However, when Caroline awoke, she told us inside of the screens, blocking that, after informing her family, she wanted to the view through the window. In folklore, the bees return to the United States as soon as possible. the adjoining dressing area, the We quickly made arrangements for her to get a whirring commotion was even were a symbol of seat on the next plane, and I drove her to Moi stronger. I looked up toward the Airport at 4 p.m., a little more than 12 hours closets; the bees were swarming death. They had after her husband’s death. A few hours later, in the large cupboards which she was on her way to Boston and then on to connected with the crawl space come to our house Maine. under the eaves of the house. I Returning to the house, I found our son and hurriedly left the room, closing because of the daughter busily preparing for the Halloween the door tightly behind me. American man's party. They were attaching balloons to the pil¬ The furious din of insects lars surrounding the veranda. With the help of continued throughout the after¬ death and our the gardener, they had replaced all the white noon and evening. We slept in outside lights with orange and yellow bulbs, tint¬ the guest room that night after connection to him. ing the aqua blue waters of the pool an eerie tucking the mosquito netting in green. Ishmael, who had been almost silent dur¬ securely around the children’s ing the day, was frying hamburgers and frosting mattresses. cupcakes with orange icing. The stereo in the The endless whining threw a sense of uneasi¬ living room had been pushed to the edge of the ness over us all. As darkness fell, we nervously sliding glass doors and filled the patio with prepared to share our house with an angry pres¬ music. ence. The next day exterminators dressed in Soon the children began arriving. The cos¬ bee-proof armor arrived to eliminate the hostile tumes were colorful and imaginative; the guests invaders. were active and excited, dancing, eating, laugh¬ I spoke with Ishmael that next morning and ing, shouting. Four fully costumed guests “fell” told him about the bees. Normally a cheerful into the pool. The party continued until nearly man, he listened somberly to my description of midnight with the remains of partially eaten Sunday’s events. Then he spoke in a serious hamburgers and cupcakes scattered over the voice. veranda and sticky drips of Coke running across According to folklore, he said, the bees were a the tile floor: a messy, but successful preteen symbol of death. They had come to our house party. When the last guest was gone, we col¬ because of the American man’s death and our lapsed in near exhaustion, having been up for connection to him. I felt a tremor pass though my nearly 24 hours. body. I didn’t question Ishmael or argue. The Sunday was quiet. We picked up the last of exterminators had not been able to explain the the debris and hosed down the patio and veran¬ bees’ sudden, unexpected presence. Nor could I. da area. Then we lay back on the chaise lounges Now years later, at another post, on another in the sun, lulled by the gentle swishing of the continent, with our children away at college, I wind through the casuarina trees. I had gone look at our album and the record of rich experi¬ into the house for a towel when I first noticed ences it holds. When I see the photo of our the murmur. As I ascended the steps to our bed¬ daughter in her witch’s costume, I remember the room, the faint drone became louder. Near the man’s death, the Halloween party, and the inva¬ landing the insistent hum was clear, and as I sion of bees, separate images forever connected entered our bedroom, it became an angry by myth and reality. ■

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50 MARCH 1995/FOREIGN SERVIC E JOURNAL BOOKS

IN THE THEATER to write diis case study with Kirk at extended its hand repeatedly through Georgetown University’s Institute high-level dialogue in Washington OF THE ABSURD for the Study of Diplomacy. and Bucharest, but to no avail. Misled The authors attended virtually all by political cronies headed by his wife Romania vs. the United States: the meetings described and had Elena and the obsequious security Diplomacy of the Absurd, 1985- access to declassified State service, Securitate, Ceausescu simply 1989 Department documents. Kirk met lacked reality checks. He denied his Roger Kirk and Mircea Raceanu, St. Ceausescu more than 20 times and country MFN status and senselessly Martin’s Press, 1994, $45, hardcov¬ gained insights into the Balkan dicta¬ suppressed his economy and people er, 320 pages. tor’s peculiar mindset, as illustrated to liquidate foreign debt, illustrating by the many fascinating anecdotes. his ignorance of international finance. BY AURELIUS FERNANDEZ In the absence of Romanian This study may inspire other archives, the authors relied on diplomats to enrich the historical It usually takes years before diplo¬ Raceanu’s vivid memories. record of events leading to the col¬ mats from opposing sides of the nego- The book’s subtitle, “Diplomacy lapse of the Soviet-East European tiadng table meet to draw on archives of the Absurd,” is no reflection on security system and to the end of the and their memories to elucidate die the diplomatic skills of the authors: Cold War. issues dividing them. A quarter centu¬ They dealt with a trick)’ legacy. As ry passed before American and Soviet they pointed out, “Romania was the Aurelius Fernandez was counselor diplomats in the Cuban missile crisis darling of the United States among for public affairs in Bucharest from enlightened each other about mutual the communist Warsaw Pact mem¬ 1974-76. He is executive director of misperceptions and misunderstand¬ bers for almost 20 years, from the the International Media Fund in ings. This welcome study of US- mid-1960’s to the early 1980s. By Washington, D.C. Romanian diplomatic relations from 1989 it had sunk to last place among 1985 to 1989 arrives less than half a those countries in U.S. eyes.” decade after some of the events it The US Trade Act of 1974 and the WHEN THE ENVOY describes. The book makes a unique CSCE Final Act in 1975 had opened contribution to die diplomatic history promising vistas for U.S.-Romanian Is A WOMAN of the Cold War’s last years. most-favored nation (MFN) status Roger Kirk was the U.S. ambas¬ and cultural relations, but Ceausescu Her Excellency: An Oral History sador to Romania from November missed the opportunities. His ruth¬ of American Women 1985 to July 1989. He left Bucharest less trampling of human rights Ambassadors as Nicolae Ceausescu was lurching helped propel U.S.-Romanian rela¬ Ann Miller Morin, Twajne toward inevitable demise in blood¬ tions down a slippery slope. Publishers, hardcover, $27.95 or shed as communist governments in Romania was useful to the U.S. for paperback, $16.95, 315 pages. the area collapsed from political years as the Warsaw Pact “maverick” decay. Mircea Raceanu was one of condemning the Soviet invasion of BY DAVID REUTHER Romanian’s most experienced diplo¬ Czechoslovakia in 1968, maintaining mats in U.S. affairs. After he was relations with both Israel and the This is an excellently crafted book released from prison in December PLO and facilitating contact with that realistically portrays professional 1989, he moved to the United States Beijing and Hanoi. The United States Foreign Service life as represented

MARCH 1995/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 51 BOOKS VOLVO Factory-Set Discounts To Diplomats Posted in the experiences of its highest serv¬ Europe, which culminated in an Stateside and Abroad ing female officers. In author Morin, assignment as consul general at U.S., U.K., European, or we have a researcher not only knowl¬ Strasbourg. edgeable about the Foreign Service, Overseas Specs The interview with Ambassador but one who also tapped a wide Margaret Joy Tibbetts is particularly Overseas and Domestic range of Foreign Service colleagues striking for its insights on mentoring, Deliveries of the ambassadors she profiles. training and anecdotes about the Knowing the Foreign Service invaluable contributions an open JERRY GRIFFIN Weltanschauung, she has done an mind can provide. The chapter on DIPLOMATIC SALES SPECIALIST excellent job editing these oral histo¬ Ambassador Mary Seymour 12 YEARS EXPERIENCE ries, which she demonstrates work Olmstead includes insights on career well as a complicated and nuanced development and an in-depth dis¬ 1231 W. Broad Street research tool. Only 15 of the 34 full cussion of the frustrations involved Falls Church, VA 22046 oral histories the author conducted in establishing a new post. Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Area are represented in this volume. The Ambassador Mari-Luci Jarimillo’s (703) 237-5020 choice of a few extensive histories chapter is an excellent antidote to Fax: (703) 237-5028 rather than a multitude of thin anec¬ the “Ugly American” image of politi¬ dotes was an excellent judgment, cal appointees. Her international because the reader is exposed to interests and style made her a partic¬ dbDon Beyer Volvo careers rather than reminiscences. ularly effective representative to Morin made another excellent deci¬ Honduras. sion in choosing eight career women Not only would this volume serve and seven non-career women, espe¬ well as part of any academic course cially since both groups have different on public service or women’s studies, 220-VOLT perspectives. but it provides valuable insights into EXPORT PRODUCTS The first chapter is a particularly Foreign Service survival skills for the valuable essay that cogently intro¬ young career officer. More than once MULTI-SYSJIM VCk S595.00 SMI S399.00 VOLJASI STABILIZE S295.00 SALE S95.00 duces the novice to the Foreign a career-enhancing opportunity or Service’s institutional history. In assistance in a sticky situation came preparation for the following chap¬ from networking. Ambassador to ters, it tautly draws attention to the Suriname Nancy Ostrander noted three main tasks of the Foreign that, hobbled by personnel shortages Service professional — reportage, and bedeviled by a coup, she asked negotiation and representation. It the ambassador next door, who had also describes cones, entrance tech¬ no shortage of alligators, for tempo¬ niques, bureau loyalties, the nomina- rary duty assistance. tion/conflrmation process and other¬ This volume’s simple theme is, “It wise summarizes the bells and whis¬ can be done and it has been done.” In tles unique to the Foreign Service. a summary last chapter, the author Audio-Visual Products, Computers, Printers, UPS, Small & Major We first meet Constance Ray draws some general conclusions from Appliances, Electronics, Harvey, who in 1929 became the the careers of the 34 ambassadors she Multi-System Television/VCR, Fax, Transformers, Plugs, Steel Shipping sixth woman to become a Foreign interviewed. She notes the common Trunks, ETC. Service officer. She is the prologue personal attributes of education, representing the years when women energy and raw courage. Her narra¬ EMBASSY had difficulty joining the Foreign tion makes it clear that die Foreign 8(703) 3751-6 UK) Service. Her clandestine reporting Service did not always make full use 5810 Seminary Rd,Falls Church,Va.22041 exploits immediately before the of women’s talents. outbreak of World War II are |MSH! Fax:(703)820-9385 Mwj INTERNET Address: ©EMBASSY-USA.COM recounted, as well as her wartime David Reuther is a Foreign Service WE PACK & SBIP BY AIR & OCEAN WORLDWIDE internment and later service in officer on detail to the Pentagon.

52 FOREIGN SERVICE ] O U RN AL/M ARC H 1995 B 0 0 KS

ETHNIC POLITICS offers a meaningful alternative for handling conflicts. But in Kenya, the ALIVE IN KENYA country’s leaders do not choose to use it. Moreover, effective democratic sys¬ Kenya: The Quest for Prosperity tems of government provide citizens Norman Miller and Rodger Yaeger, with the tools to oust abusive leaders Westview Press, 1994, $19.95, soft- from office. In Kenya, tbe point cover, 254 pages. should be made repeatedly that tribal minority and procedural rights must BY ROY A. HARRELL JR. be regarded as elemental features of a democratic form of government. Anyone specializing in sub-Saharan All these matters must be consid¬ Africa knows all too well the need to ered when the United States or oth¬ understand and acknowledge the ers seek to promote democracy in dynamics of ethnic politics. Until Kenya. At all costs, aid donors should recently, American political scientists not attempt to transplant or export have assumed that modernization their institutions and procedures. required a strong, secular state and ethnic considerations were petty Rot/ A. Harrell, Jr., a retired Foreign annoyances. It was felt that the sooner Service officer, has served in all coun¬ these hindrances could be swept tries of Africa, except Somalia and aside, the sooner elites and strong trib¬ Djibouti. He currently works for al leaders could move their societies Research Associates International in toward nation-building and economic Arlington, Va. modernization. Now, political scien¬ SHOP IN AN AMERICAN tists have begun to take into account DRUG STORE BY MAIL! the importance of the inter-ethnic JUDGING FSOS An ice cream soda is one of the relations now rapidly unfolding. few items we cannot mail. Drugs, This book represents a welcome AT WORK IN CHINA cosmetics, sundries step in this direction. Norman Miller mailed to every coun¬ and Rodger Yaeger carefully portray War and Peace with China: First try in the world. We Kenya in all its aspects, providing Hand Experiences in the Foreign maintain permanent family prescription valuable political, economic and cul¬ Service of the United States records. SEND NO tural history to guide the reader as to Marshall Green, John H. Holdridge, MONEY — pay only after satis¬ how Kenya is developing on all fronts. William N. Stokes, DACOR Press, factory receipt of order. Of particular value is the framework 1994, $15, softcover, 211 pages. for studying and analyzing the impor¬ tance of cultural pluralism. The result BY ROBERT W. BARNETT is a readable, succinct volume that belongs on the bookshelf of any Africa War and Peace tuitli China is testi¬ specialist. monial to the professionalism of the In discussing the political situation Foreign Service of the United States. in Kenya today, the authors correctly It refutes supposition diat Foreign note that die Moi government has Service officers are slavish servants of perpetrated civil rights abuses on a distant, ideologically gridlocked mORGcll much of the population. The democ¬ authority. Washington depends, in pharmacy ratic process, which die Agency for fact, on the FSO for context — politi¬ 3001 P Street, N.W. International Development has sup¬ cal, economic, social and historical — Washington, D.C. 20007 ported in Kenya, has emphasized bar¬ vital for relevance and foresight in FAX: (202) 337-4102 gaining and compromise and thus Washington decision-making.

MARCH 1995/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 53 RABUN GAP

ere’s a place where teaching in and out of the classroom, Christian H The structure of collaboration values, and extracurricular activities, prepare young men and allows breathing space for personal women in a boarding school setting for college and for life. “glimpses” certain to delight readers. • Academic Challenge of college-preparatory The authors, all FSOs, served in Asia curriculum includes Advanced Placement, environmental science, and computer labs. and in various branches of the mili¬ tary. Marshall Green, a former Navy • Small Classes and seminar settings in grades officer, served as a FSO in Japan; 7 to 12 enhance individual attention and de¬ velopment of analytical skills. Students from John H. Holdridge, a former Army 17 nations and 18 states share their cultures. officer, served as a FSO in China; • Family Atmosphere provides a framework and William N. Stokes, who served - for developing responsibility, cooperation and in the Air Force, was also a FSO in self-assurance in a secure setting. Christian China. principles instill values and mold character. One of Stokes’s “glimpses” • Middle School (grades 7 & 8), in its own building, offers interdisciplinary studies, refutes the general supposition that cross-curricular writing, and team building. Studies are coordinated with the Upper School. China entered the Korean War in • Outdoor Adventures are found in horseback riding, hiking, camping, biking and fish¬ response to the American invasion of ing in the mountains of North Georgia. Interscholastic athletics include 10 varsity sports. the north. Actually, “The invasion of South Korea was manned, supplied Call: 1-800-543-7467 • FAX: 706-746-2594 and organized by a triple alliance of RABUN GAP-NACOOCHEE SCHOOL Communist states,” notably North School Farm Road, Rt. 1 Box 1A1, Rabun Gap, Georgia 30568 Korea, the USSR and the People’s Republic of China, writes Stokes. Green displays an alarming capacity for detachment and person¬ al integrity in offering casual, almost perfunctory, judgment on the flaws and strengths of working colleagues, above and below him in the pecking A Classic All-Suite Property order. He recalls Henry Kissinger Ideally Located in Historic Foggy Bottom. quoting Harold Nicholson as saving the worst diplomats were zealots, lawyers and missionaries. Green Our 255 spacious suites offer full kitchens, mini-bars, says, "Dulles may be remembered and comfortable living areas. The highly acclaimed Garden Cafe by history as one of our most zeal¬ features contemporary American regional cuisine and ous, hard-line secretaries of State, seasonal outdoor dining. especially in his dealings with Convenient to the State Department, the Kennedy Center, Moscow and Beijing.” ... “But from Georgetown, Metro, and the free MUSEUMS AND MONUMENTS. my vantage point, in the last full year Special AFSA rates available. of his life, he appeared moderate and reasonable, in short, a humane skeptic.” JSB* To Holdridge, we owe our glimpse of the style and ambiance of a business conversation between r ^S/crzxr Kissinger and Zhou Enlai: “I (Holdridge) waited impatiently for 2117 E Street, NW, Washington, DC 20037 him (Kissinger) to get to the point (202)861-8200 ♦ (800)424-2859 about Taiwan. He finally got to what I had written for him — no two Chinas, no one China/one Taiwan,

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no independent Taiwan. Zhou’s response was immediate: "These talks may now proceed.’” The authors are conscious of the implications of the events that led to the Shanghai communique of Feb. 28, 1972. Green points out that its An International Education for the 21st Century one main result was “a constructive ♦ Coeducational, boarding, grades 9 -12, PC 13th grade relationship among the world’s most ♦ University-preparatory studies: International Baccalaureate, Advanced powerful nation, the world’s most Placement, and US High School Diploma populous nation, and the world’s ♦ Excellent US and International university/college placement most economically dynamic nation -— ♦ Full US and European Accreditation all three ... having been at war with ♦ Caring family atmosphere in comfortable residences each other ... earlier in this century.” ♦ Recreation, Europe-wide educational cultural excursions ♦ Summer and winter sports; "Skiing at the LAS Doorsteps!" ♦ Located in beautiful, peaceful Alpine resort, above Lake Geneva, Robert W. Barnett was deputy assis¬ close to metropolitan Lausanne, Geneva, and Montrei tant secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific affairs, director and vice Leysin American School in Switzerland president of the Washington Center Thomas F. Rouillard, Admissions of the Asian Society, and resident PO Box 4016, Portsmouth, NH 03802-4016 Tel: 603.431.7654 associate for the Carnegie Fax: 603.431.1280 Endowment of International Peace. ■

How Democracy Triumphed Over Dictatorship Public Diplomacy in Venezuela By Robert Amerson Foreword by Ambler Moss, former U.S. Ambassador to Panama

Amerson uses his analysis of developments in Venezuela to develop and bolster his case for America's use of "public diplo¬ macy" in the encouragement and nurturing of democracy. In areas where authoritarianism and dictatorship have been the norm, the interface between traditional and public diplomacy to foster democracy movements is often determinative. Amerson has written an insider's account of how U.S. Foreign Service officers with USIA operate during times of crisis, tie pro¬ vides a valuable, first-hand study of Venezuela's transition from military dictatorship to popular democracy, a democracy that continues to exist while still struggling for survival today. November 1994, 256 pages Paper, 1-879383-42-X $26.00 Cloth, 1-879383-33-0 $64.50 THE AMERICAN UNIVERSITY PRESS Order from our distributor: University Press of America 4720 Boston Way, Lanham, MD 20706 1-800-462-6420

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MARCH 1995/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 59 POSTCARD FROM ARROAD Battling Frostbite and Fear In Hungary

BY ANNE-MARIE NICOARS\

When I first joined the one who’ll listen to my proposals for Peace Corps, I never cooperative media, talking in unlit envisioned I would end The courage of universities, dowdy hotel conference up in this frozen wasteland in rooms, wood-stove kitchens, train sta¬ Hungary. “Ugly American” jokes and those willing to tions, bars. Because I am food poisoning are a counterbalance Transylvanian myself, I’m granted a against the Corps’ slick brochures of move forward buoys respectful hearing in Romania and open grasslands that drew me from Hungary. But in Slovakia and Ukniine California. But one year later I still me when l want to I feel more like an extra in some poor¬ haven’t reconciled business suits and ly funded Aristophanes play. Biblical fax machines with my original vision throw up my hands miracles were surely easier than this. of life in Eastern Europe. After more than six months of But in the course of my work — in disgust. frustrated attempts, I’ve set up edi¬ editing a quarterly news magazine torial, translation and distribution with a circulation of 5,000 to foster agreements with each of the five greater tolerance within the Tisza participating countries. Though the River basin — I’ve stumbled 32-page black and white magazine is through a bleak landscape of dis¬ Geography drives the magazine, in English, it carries a Table of trust, arrogance, ignorance and called, somewhat ambitiously, I think, Contents in Slovak, Ukrainian and Byzantine terrors that have con¬ Corridors. The polluted Tisza River Romanian. Translators in each coun¬ vinced me that the United States has Basin is a volatile mix of five nations try provide local-language articles on a role to play here. — Hungary, Romania, Ukraine, request. I am the entire staff, but a Ten years in publishing should Slovakia and Serbia — with dozens of chaotic assortment of local volun¬ have prepared for this work: carefully ethnic groups. The political lines that teers stream in and out to help. orchestrating dialogues on environ¬ dissect the region mean everyone It is a fearful commitment that mental issues, sustainable economic contributes to and suffers from the compels me. Frostbite and food poi¬ development, ethnic and minority effects of pollution collectively; solu¬ soning and a Babel of languages in issues and development of democrat¬ tions art' by necessity international. blackened corridors certainly slow ic processes in this highly volatile soci¬ The prognosis is often grim. me down — I feel so frail next to my ety. But the regions chaotic history Recently scientists discovered colleagues. But the courage of those clots in one’s throat, suffocating new radioactivity in one of Romania’s willing to move forward buoys me ideas. Eveiy pronouncement or story Tisza tributaries, which flows omi¬ when I want nothing more than to idea buckles under die weight of my nously into southern Hungary and throw up my hands in disgust. cultural ignorance. the former Yugoslavia. Political ten¬ But I have an idea, a sometimes sions are building again in romantic, sometimes naive concept Anne-Marie Nicoara, a Peace Corps Transylvania, prompting fears of with legions of supporters. And in a volunteer in Szolnok, Hungary, has another showdown. Ukraine is region where 50 times more per worked as a writer and editor in U. S. falling apart. I often find myself capita is spent on poetry than in the book, magazine and newspaper pub¬ thinking, “There is so little time.” States, where jokes are still passed lishing. The stamp us courtesy of the I travel constantly throughout the around in Latin, perhaps that is AAFSW Book Fair “Stamp Comer.” region, talking, arguing, cajoling any¬ enough. ■

60 FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL/MARCH 1995 WHAT IF YOU’RE HIT EYA 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, AFSA Desk. The Hirshorn Company 14 East Highland Avenue personal lability insurance, complete theft Philadelphia, PA 19118 coverage, and itemized valuable articles protection. Telephone: 215-242-8200. So don’t wait until you’re far away and your posses¬ In Wash. D.C. Area: 202-457-0250 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. THE AFSA INSURANCE PLAN Address. 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. -J PRIVILEGE a right, advantage, favor, or immunity specially granted to one

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