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$3.50 / JULY-AUGUST 2006 OREIGN ERVICE FJ O U R N A L S THE MAGAZINE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS PROFESSIONALS

TRANSFORMING DIPLOMACY A Hard Sell in Foggy Bottom?

CONTENTS July-August 2006 Volume 83, No. 7-8 See p. 65

C OVER S TORY FS FICTION

19 / TRANSFORMING DIPLOMACY AT STATE DAY OF THE JACKALOPE / 39 Obtaining the necessary resources to implement A diplomatic faux pas is narrowly avoided with the transformational diplomacy will be the key test of delivery of a hefty jackalope. Secretary of State Rice’s commitment to her vision. By Brian Aggeler By Shawn Zeller RAM BALRAM’S FINAL EXAM / 44 An Indian village’s history and hope are wrapped up in the struggles of a doddering but determined old man. By Rakesh Surampudi

C OLUMNS D EPARTMENTS

PRESIDENT’S VIEWS / 5 LETTERS / 6 Closer State-DOD CYBERNOTES / 11 Cooperation: Building MARKETPLACE / 12 on Existing Success BOOKS / 49 IN MEMORY / 52 F EATURE By J. Anthony Holmes AFSA NEWS / 65 PEAKING UT INDEX TO 30 / HONORING AN “AGGRESSIVE INTERVENTIONIST”: S O / 15 AMBASSADOR MORTON ABRAMOWITZ Run, Lemmings, Run ADVERTISERS / 90 Last month AFSA recognized the retired By David T. Jones ambassador’s many contributions to American REFLECTIONS / 92 diplomacy and his lifetime of public service. A Deep Bow to the By Steven Alan Honley Foreign Service By Ashley Wills

THE MAGAZINE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS PROFESSIONALS OREIGN ERVICE Foreign Service Journal (ISSN 0146-3543), 2101 E Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20037-2990 is published J O U R N A L F S monthly with a combined July/August issue by the American Foreign Service Association, a private, non-profit Editor Editorial Board STEVEN ALAN HONLEY organization. Material appearing herein represents the opinions of the writers and does not necessarily represent Senior Editor TED WILKINSON, the views of the Journal, the Editorial Board or AFSA. Writer queries and submissions are invited, preferably by SUSAN B. MAITRA CHAIRMAN e-mail. Journal subscription: AFSA Members - $13 included in annual dues; others - $40. For foreign surface mail, Associate Editor add $18 per year; foreign airmail, $36 per year. Periodical postage paid at Washington, D.C., and at additional mail- KENT C. BROKENSHIRE SHAWN DORMAN ing offices. Postmaster: Send address changes to Foreign Service Journal, 2101 E Street N.W., Washington, D.C. Ad & Circulation Manager STEPHEN W. B UCK 20037-2990. Indexed by Public Affairs Information Service (PAIS). The Journal is not responsible for unsolicited ED MILTENBERGER ANTHONY S. CHAN Business Manager LILLIAN DEVALCOURT-AYALA manuscripts, photos or illustrations. Advertising inquiries are invited. The appearance of advertisements herein MIKKELA V. T HOMPSON JOSH GLAZEROFF does not imply the endorsement of the services or goods offered. FAX: (202) 338-8244 or (202) 338-6820. Art Director ILLIAM ORDAN E-MAIL: [email protected]. WEB: www.afsa.org. TELEPHONE: (202) 338-4045. © American Foreign Service CARYN SUKO SMITH W W. J Association, 2006. Printed in the U.S.A. Send address changes to AFSA Membership, 2101 E Street N.W., Editorial Intern LAURIE KASSMAN EIRENE BUSA JOYCE W. N AMDE Washington, D.C. 20037-2990. Printed on 50-percent recycled paper, of which 10 percent is post-consumer waste. Advertising Intern KAY WEBB MAYFIELD ANDRES VIDER CHRISTOPHER L. TEAL Cover and inside illustration by Brian Aggeler

JULY-AUGUST 2006/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 3

PRESIDENT’S VIEWS Closer State-DOD Cooperation: Building on Existing Success BY J. ANTHONY HOLMES

The state of the world today, cers for expanded cooperation • Establishing a joint FSI-NDU pro- and for the foreseeable future, with our military overseas is gram to train FS political advisers dictates much closer coopera- the existing State/DOD coop- (“polads”) to military commanders tion between the State and eration programs. Particularly before they go to their assignments; Defense Departments, particu- relevant are those offered at • Assigning State officers to the new larly at overseas missions. This the National Defense Univer- 10-month Counterterrorism Fellows enhanced coordination lies at sity, the premier professional program, set up three years ago to bring the heart of Secretary Rice’s military educational institution senior military and civilian officials from transformational diplomacy initiative. in the United States. Fortuitously, around the world to the U.S. to cement Regrettably, the political-military DOD is in the process of converting contacts and to acquaint them with our function in the State Department has NDU into more of a National Security interagency terrorism programs; become marginalized over the past cou- University to strengthen interagency • Setting up a working relationship ple of decades, its appeal as a specialty between the State Department’s Office has waned, and the number of FSOs in of Stabilization and Reconstruction the PM Bureau has shrunk markedly. Promoting a more and NDU’s Strategic Gaming Center. At a time when DOD is playing a much productive engagement NDU’s widely acclaimed Gaming Cen- larger role in both foreign affairs and the with the military will ter could prepare, facilitate, and host the conduct of diplomacy, it is important strategic scenarios for this State entity; that State both increase its understand- come with a price tag. • Establishing a jointly-run FSI- ing of the U.S. military’s values and cul- But it is one worth NDU program to train civilian and mil- ture and try to impart to our military an paying. itary personnel to participate in Provin- understanding of what drives State cial Reconstruction Teams in Iraq, Department approaches and why we Afghanistan and other post-conflict situ- see the world differently than they do. collaboration and increase professional ations; The reality remains that only the education to more civilians and military • Creating closer contacts between State Department sees the entire fabric officers. NDU’s three affiliated regional centers of our relations with other nations, and The State Department has long par- and the State Department by assigning only State is responsible for managing ticipated in key NDU programs, includ- a senior FSO to serve as a deputy direc- and maximizing the totality of these ing the highly valued, but limited, stu- tor at each; and relationships. While the “long war” may dent and faculty slots at the National •Extending current State Depart- dominate relations with some countries, War College and the Industrial College ment faculty assignments at NDU to it is not the only element in any of our of the Armed Forces. With the provi- two years with an option for a third. bilateral relationships. The other sion of some modest resources and While the ideas above are a mix of aspects simply have to be factored in as additional billets, NDU can play a sig- old and new, all of them would well. One example of this is the signifi- nificantly greater role in preparing State increase State/DOD understanding cance of Iran and Iraq in terms of glob- Department personnel to meet some of and cooperation. Admittedly, promot- al economic and energy interests. the new national security challenges. ing a more productive engagement An obvious place for State to focus in New initiatives worthy of considera- with the military will come with a price order to prepare Foreign Service offi- tion, according to senior State officials tag. But to advance transformational presently assigned to NDU, include: diplomacy and achieve the results J. Anthony Holmes is the president of the • Doubling the number of FSOs Secretary Rice wants, that price will American Foreign Service Association. who attend the War College and ICAF; have to be paid.

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“The Other Side of the of Household who are interested in type of challenge in their Foreign Unaccompanied Tour”: participating. Service careers. For more informa- FLO Responds Once FLO receives the contact tion on FLO’s programs in support of We were pleased to see the article information, Nan, a trained social unaccompanied tours, please visit our by FSO Deborah Sisbarro (May AFSA worker, maintains regular communi- Web site at www.state.gov/m/dghr/flo, News), who served two years in Mos- cation with family members, providing or contact Nan Leininger directly at cow as a public diplomacy officer and information, referrals and guidance, [email protected] or (202) 647- extended for one year while her hus- developing programs to serve both 1076. band served in Iraq. Ms. Sisbarro adults and children, and advocating Ann DeLong Greenberg noted that being able to remain in for services as needed. The goal is to Director Moscow during this period provided create an interactive “virtual commu- Family Liaison Office continuity and stability for her family; nity” of mutually supportive families Washington, D.C. allowed her son to stay in the same who share the same situation. FLO school and maintain the same friends has reached out by developing the Support Career Development and nanny; and enabled her to contin- HomeFrontUS listserv, establishing a As a Foreign Service office man- ue working with supportive supervi- 24/7 hotline for referrals and making agement specialist who has been in sors. In addition, it was easier for the various relevant publications available the Service since 1986, I think the family to meet at a halfway point in online. Nan also presents information OMS career development plans sound Europe when her husband was able to on FLO’s support services to the DS great. However, they don’t help us take R&R. Iraq course each week. She recently much if we do not have support from However, Ms. Sisbarro expressed visited Baghdad and Riyadh to see the post management and, most of all, disappointment that, as the spouse of physical environments and speak with from our supervisors. They should be an employee serving in Iraq, she was employees to better appreciate what briefed on our precepts and need to not contacted by the State Depart- they are experiencing and to be able to understand that when we request ment. She and others may still not be improve the support provided to the training, it is not to go on vacation; it is aware that the Family Liaison Office employees and family members. actually to go to much-needed instruc- has been actively supporting the fami- The theme of this year’s Foreign tion that is now a requirement for pro- lies of employees on unaccompanied Affairs Day in May was the Foreign motion. tours since October 2005. That was Service family. FLO chaired a panel Also, with regard to leadership when FLO hired Nan Leininger as the focused on issues and support services training for entry-level, mid-level and first “Program Specialist for Unac- available to those separated by an senior officers, they, too, should be companied Tours,” and began design- unaccompanied tour. In conjunction taking the “7 Habits” course. This ing a program to support families dur- with this event, FLO developed and should be mandatory. ing the preparation, separation and distributed medals and certificates of Paula P. Guimond reunion phases of an unaccompanied recognition for Foreign Service chil- OMS tour. FLO sent out an ALDAC mes- dren separated from their parents by Beijing sage (05 State 196382, sent Oct. 10, an unaccompanied tour to recognize 2005) and a Department Notice an- their contribution and acknowledge Certification Fever? nouncing the program and asking their sacrifice. Over time and through As a recently hired information employees to provide us with contact various means, FLO hopes the word management specialist (May 2005), I information for their spouses, chil- will spread of the department’s efforts was confused by Carl Stefan’s criti- dren, siblings, parents and Members to help those experiencing this new cisms of the training program in the

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May Speaking Out, “What Are We Training IMSers to Do?” He con- demns the attitude of “certification fever” during new-hire training, say- ing that racking up IT certifications (A+, Network+, Server 2003) takes precedence over all other objectives. The training program that Stefan describes is not the one in which I participated. Yes, my class of IMSers all became A+ and Network+ certified, and some of us also passed the Microsoft Server 2003 test. But these courses lasted for just six weeks, out of a total of five months of training. Furthermore, when you consider that all IRM staff are required to be A+ and Network+ certified these days, running new hires through these two courses makes obvious sense. We took some other in-house IT training, but none of that was geared toward certifica- tion. In all, the portion of training devoted to certifications came to less than a third of the total, and I’ve found much of it applicable to my job. Stefan recommends mock-ups of what a new IMS will see at post. But these already exist, and are what we used during our eight weeks in Warrenton. With minor exceptions, all of the hardware and software that I encountered in the Information Programs Center at my first post was the same as what we used during training, down to the combination locks on the doors and the escape hatch in the ceiling. So when I arrived at post, I was already familiar with what I would encounter there. The idea that IMS is an IT-only job is quickly dispelled during new-hire training, contrary to another of Stefan’s criticisms. We took classes in COMSEC accounting, radios, tele- phones and the diplomatic pouch (including a simulated pouch run at the loading dock behind the building). In fact, we spent more time on these decidedly non-IT subjects than on the

JULY-AUGUST 2006/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 7 L ETTERS

certification courses. As a matter of mance, they should have been low- Unless your retirement income is fact, we were even told that we might ranked. drastically lower than current income have to clean bathrooms, if there were I have seen excellent candidates (don’t forget that you’ll be collecting any located inside the restricted areas depart the Service, not primarily to your pension, Social Security and of the IPC (thankfully, that’s not the accept offers for three times their cur- other investment income), the Roth case at my post). rent salary, but because the people IRA is hard to beat. Stefan’s criticisms are not consis- who were supposed to be teaching The TSP article claims that Roth tent with my experience as a new-hire them the job went out of their way to IRAs “frequently lack the TSP’s auto- IMS. make life miserable, mainly because matic contribution mechanism, so Chris Corlett they were just RIP, “Retired in Place.” they require much more discipline to IMS What are we really offering Gen Xers, make installment payments.” If you Doha who aren’t being paid even close to can find an IRA custodian who doesn’t what the private sector makes? allow automatic contributions, you’ve Gen X and IRM In order to make changes, one has probably found “Spike’s Bail Bonds It was with great interest that I read to stick around, give feedback and be and IRAs,” down by the railroad “State’s Generation X Work Force” in able to articulate problems, and live tracks. Any reputable company that the May FSJ and compared it to my with less than desirable situations until has a Web site and a toll-free number own “new” experiences with IRM: two one gets high enough to change them. will offer convenient automatic contri- tours in two hardship posts. I was I intend to stick around. butions from your bank account. born in 1962, which makes me a Gwen M. Sell The article also includes a state- “Boomer” with a “Gen X” lifestyle. IMS ment about Roth IRAs that’s not cor- When I joined the Foreign Service, I Maputo rect: “[B]ecause Roth IRAs permit already had IT certifications, earned withdrawals with no further taxes or during corporate and military com- Roth IRAs and the TSP penalties (unlike TSP contributions), it munications experience. I have ben- AFSA seems to suggest that TSP can be very tempting to use those efited from promotion, while some contributions be maximized instead invested dollars to pay for vacations, a of my “just as qualified” colleagues of funding a Roth IRA (“Make the new car, etc.” The Roth IRA allows fear that promotion for them will be Most of Your Thrift Savings Plan,” withdrawals before retirement with- a long road to travel when looking at FS Know-How, April). It’s true that out penalty only for the purchase of a the statistics. everyone should contribute the first home (vacation and car purchases If the author’s research holds true, amount to a TSP that will gain the do not qualify). Non-qualified with- then I say, “Yahoo!” The number of maximum employer match, but after drawals from a Roth IRA are hit with management positions opening up by that amount, the Roth IRA’s benefit of a 10-percent penalty, right off the top, 2010 will only put those of us that want tax-free withdrawals at retirement out- which is a big disincentive to making to stay and make it into the Senior weighs — for most people — the frivolous withdrawals from your Roth. Foreign Service on a faster track to TSP’s benefit of pretax contributions. If you’re concerned that easy access to promotion than any of our predeces- The FSI Transition Center’s “Personal your retirement savings might make it sors. Finances and Investments” course too tempting to buy cars and vaca- But after seeing a number of the also strongly recommends the Roth, tions, it’s harder to take a 10-percent Gen Xers leave the department after but don’t just take their word or mine hit on a non-qualified Roth IRA with- one or two tours, and sometimes even for it. Do the research yourself: drawal than to take out a penalty-free sooner, I have to question manage- Google “traditional Roth IRA compar- TSP loan. ment. I have worked with some (just ison” to confirm whether the Roth The Roth IRA is an excellent some, not all) Boomers who had no IRA is a better deal for you than a tra- retirement savings vehicle. I recom- desire ever to learn new technical ditional IRA. mend researching whether the Roth skills, lacked any management skills The TSP is essentially the same IRA is right for your personal situation whatsoever and had no usable skills kind of instrument as a traditional before simply maxing out TSP contri- other then longevity. Yet they contin- IRA: pretax contributions and fully- butions. ued to receive meritorious service taxed withdrawals. The Roth IRA is Rich Roesing increases when, in reality, if their EER the opposite: after-tax contributions FSO had reflected their actual job perfor- and withdrawals are never taxed. FSI/Consulate Calgary

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The Coombs Legacy with Sen. William Fulbright, D-Ark., intellectual-ambassadors like Reisch- The Journal’s obituary of Philip he stood for a benign, engagemental, auer and Galbraith. He helped re- Coombs (May) prompts reflection. cooperative, mutually-advantageous cruit academic cultural officers for My book, First Resort of Kings (Poto- and coordinated public-private ap- embassies like Brazil, Egypt, France, mac Books, 2005), devotes an entire proach to exchanges of intellect, schol- India, Japan and the U.K. He shep- chapter to his contribution to cultural arship and research. herded the mission-defining Ful- diplomacy in his 700 frustrating days Coombs’ staff of 300 was discour- bright-Hays Act of 1963 through in State’s Bureau of Educational and aged by two decades of congressional Congress, pulling fragmented legisla- Cultural Affairs (1961 to 1963). whipsawing. Eight years of USIA tion together. He pressed the overseas Coombs was enticed to State by ambivalence did not help: the mes- educational arms of a dozen federal President John Kennedy. Friends like sage-driven agency that controlled the agencies to work together. He con- Chester Bowles, Dean Rusk, John cultural affairs field staff saw little con- vinced universities, foundations and Gardner and Ed Murrow, among oth- tradiction between education and pro- NGOs that they had a friend in State. ers, believed that this human-resource paganda. And he led a dozen interlinked study- economist, staffer for the monumental His energy was impressive. He groups involving 500 high-caliber Morrill Report (Universities and persuaded the president to establish a Americans in redesigning cultural out- World Affairs, 1959), could help focus blue-chip advisory commission head- reach. the role of the university world in for- ed by Gardner, with its far-seeing Then it was over. One attack came eign policy, pull together the scattered manifesto Beacon of Hope. He from USIA, headed but not entirely efforts of a dozen U.S. agencies, and brought outstanding scholars to led by his friend Murrow; its un- bring consensus to a few hundred dis- Fulbright’s supervisory Board of For- abashed propagandists considered tracted members of Congress. Along eign Scholarships. He pressed for education a minor tool and saw

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Coombs as a predator. Elsewhere, International Educational Planning: appropriate, enduring, unthreatening, Rep. John J. Rooney, D-N.Y., of the until 1968, Coombs was unofficial productive and decent way of linking House Appropriations Committee, “Dean of Education” to the world. U.S. power with the world. The goal: used Coombs for his annual game of Since 1963, IIEP has trained more to lead universities in a grand attack on death by a thousand cuts. True, than 5,000 planners, who today hold ignorance, obscurantism and intoler- Coombs was no incrementalist. With senior positions in educational man- ance. the economist’s mathematical certain- agement and teaching in 190 coun- For Coombs, sharing education ty and the short time-frames of any tries. The World Crisis in Education was a low-cost way of dealing with cul- appointee, he could seem impatient (Oxford University Press, 1968), vali- tural clash, over time. And it maxi- — even Fulbright urged him to suffer dated 15 years later by an updated vol- mized America’s greatest wealth: edu- the uninformed. Eyes on the horizon, ume, is the world’s leading textbook on cation and its deep-dyed traditions of Coombs did not see his support falling educational costs. humanizing power. away. Washington was not entirely Events today have shown that the Richard T. Arndt ready for new frontiers. submersion of culture and education FSO, retired After State, Coombs found his in a propaganda framework, perpetu- Denver, Colo. niche. His calm post-mortem, The ated in the phrase “public diplomacy,” Fourth Dimension of Foreign Policy sells both sides short. Propaganda — Send your letters to: (Council on Foreign Relations, 1964), or spin — is indispensable, especially [email protected]. was, in its time, the best book ever in time of war. But wars come and go, written in any country on the diploma- whereas the need for intercultural Note that all letters are subject to cy of education and culture. In Paris, communication never ends. For editing for style, format and length. he founded UNESCO’s Institute for Coombs, education provided an

10 FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL/JULY-AUGUST 2006 CYBERNOTES

Albright in the Limelight showcased Albright’s pointed and ness in these areas.” Rust adds: Former Secretary of State Madele- refreshing repartee. “Frankly, one could argue that this ine Albright has been rivaling Condo- The legendary formidable pres- reduction in State’s role is precisely leezza Rice for face time with the ence of America’s first female Secre- the outcome some were seeking.” media lately. A round of late-April tary of State was further boosted with Last November AFSA wrote to interviews centered on her new and the revelation in a New York Times Secretary of State Rice expressing con- timely book, The Mighty and the Magazine interview that at age 68 she cern over the reorganization, which Almighty: Reflections on America, works out three times a week and can was already negatively affecting work- God and World Affairs (Harper- still leg-press up to 400 pounds. Who ing conditions for Foreign Service Collins), released on May 1 (www. knew that Condi Rice was not the members in the T bureaus (“What’s amazon.com). first female physical-fitness buff in Happening to the ‘T’ Family?,” AFSA “I have looked at foreign policy Foggy Bottom? News, January 2006). AFSA’s request and international relations issues all — Susan Maitra to review, comment on and, where my life and I’ve never seen the world appropriate, negotiate the reorganiza- in such turmoil,” Albright told Time T-Bureaus Reorganization tion plans in writing before they were magazine. “What I’m looking at is “Hijacked” by Political implemented was ignored. whether there are elements within all Appointees: An Inside View Rust retired from the State De- religions that allow us to work to solve The first detailed account of the partment in September 2005. He problems rather than using religion as controversial “stealth” reorganization told Knight Ridder he was “very dis- a divisive issue.” of the State Department bureaus in mayed” by the decisions made by Albright told Reuters that Presi- the “T family” that handle arms con- political appointees, but would have dent Bush’s religious absolutism has trol and international security issues retired at that time anyway. made American foreign policy more is now in print in the June issue of — Susan Maitra rigid and more difficult for other Arms Control Today, the monthly countries to accept. “Some of his lan- magazine of the Arms Control Paul Wolfowitz at the guage is really quite over the top,” she Association (http://www.armscon- World Bank: A Status Report states. “When he says ‘God is on our trol.org/act/2006_06/ReorgRunA Paul Wolfowitz, former U.S. depu- side,’ it’s very different from [former mok.asp). ty defense secretary and lead architect President Abraham] Lincoln saying In “Reorganization Run Amok: of the U.S.-led Iraq invasion, took ‘We have to be on God’s side.’” State Department’s WMD Effort over as president of the World Bank But it’s not all heavy-duty policy Weakened,” arms expert Dean Rust, Group on March 31, 2005. Picking study for the former Secretary of State. who saw the reorganization unfold as up on his predecessor James Wolfen- She had some fun in a “guest star” an acting deputy director in the sohn’s anti-corruption campaign, cameo role on the WB series “Gilmore Nonproliferation Bureau, gives a Wolfowitz has made it his number- Girls” that aired last Oct. 25. “If you blow-by-blow account of the process. one issue. He has targeted graft think she seems brilliant and sassy “What started as an ostensibly routine among the recipients of World Bank strutting around the Middle East, you inspection of the arms control, non- loans, in particular sub-Saharan Afri- should try talking to her in person,” proliferation, and verification and ca, as well as within the Bank’s man- executive producer Amy Sherman- compliance functions at the State agement structure. Palladino told the press. More recent- Department,” Rust states, “has ended A spate of reviews, surveys and ly, a May 11 appearance on Comedy with a restructuring that has led to a analyses of Wolfowitz’s nearly 18- Central’s “Stephen Colbert Show” net loss of the department’s effective- month tenure issued over the past

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50 Years Ago... The voluntary relinquishment of American sovereignty over the Philippines was an almost unprecedented act of good will on the part of a stronger nation towards a weaker, dependent country. ... Today, when the problems of colonialism are receiving dramatic attention the world over, as highlighted last year by the Bandung Conference, the unique American record in the Philippines deserves to be emphasized and made known to a wider world audience. — Edward W. Mill, on the tenth anniversary of Philippine independence on July 4, 1946, in “Letters to the Editor,” FSJ, July 1956.

weeks feature a passionate mixture of Bank’s corruption and ethics program praise and criticism. reported similar findings (http:// At first, the appointment was met www.whistleblower.org/content/ with skepticism from Bank staff and press_detail.cfm?press_id=425& incredulity from development cam- keyword). The sources of discontent paigners. But as Emad Mekay of the most often cited were Wolfowitz’s Inter Press Service News Agency appointment of personal Republi- notes, Wolfowitz’s anti-fraud drive has can advisers and the resulting “mas- proven, over the months, to be a “life sive exodus of top talent” from the raft for his image” (http://www.ips Bank (http://www.thewashington news.net/print.asp?idnews=3292 note.com/archives/001196.php). 6). The World Bank president held There are also voices of dissatisfac- up loans to India, Bangladesh, Kenya tion outside the Bank. At a Senate and Chad, and made it clear to the Foreign Relations Committee hearing Republic of the Congo that it would on March 28, Adam Lerrick, director not get the $2.9 billion it desperately of the Gailliot Center for Public needed unless it established strong Policy at Carnegie Mellon University, anti-corruption measures (http:// said: “The Bank gives itself good www.brettonwoodsproject.org/ marks and boasts that more than art.shtml?x=531789). Internally, three-quarters of projects completed Wolfowitz restructured the Bank’s had ‘satisfactory outcomes.’ But when Department of Institutional Integrity, the auditors are captive, when the the organization’s anti-corruption timing of judgment is premature, watchdog. when the criteria are faulty and when Still, many critics within the Bank the numbers are selectively manipu- remain unimpressed. A Financial lated — how credible are the conclu- Times analysis of his first eight months sions?” (http://www.senate.gov/~ in office found “strife” and “unhappi- foreign/hearings/2006/hrg06032 ness” among senior staff and directors 8a.html) over Wolfowitz’s management style The final verdict is, clearly, still out. and performance. A U.S. News & A BBC poll of 32 nations in January World Report investigation on the showed that the global public believes

12 FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL/JULY-AUGUST 2006 C YBERNOTES

European Network on Debt and Deve- Fears over economic competition t does sound like this is part lopment (http://www.eurodad.org). from China also played a role in the of a strategy — in that they — Eirene Busa, Editorial Intern outcry over the purchase. In the fuss, Idon’t value their own lives, however, little attention was given to Lenovo Computers: the fact that Lenovo computers are and they certainly don’t value China Card Trumps Reality assembled on U.S. soil, or that there ours. ... Taking their own lives The State Department caved in to are computer specialists at the was not necessary, but it political pressure on May 18, announc- Bureau of Diplomatic Security who certainly is a good PR move. ing that none of the 16,000 computers regularly check State Department it bought in March from Lenovo systems for monitoring devices and — U.S. Deputy Assistant Group, Ltd., a Chinese-owned per- malicious software. Secretary of State for Public sonal computer company, would be Though State buckled, not every- Diplomacy Colleen Graffy on used on the department’s classified one was fooled. Dexter Anderson, a the suicides by three inmates networks. State had originally plan- retired FSO from Connecticut and at Camp Delta in Guantanamo ned to use 900 for classified work. “Buy American” proponent who fol- Bay, June 12, www.guardian. The about-face came after Repre- lowed the issue, points up the ironies: co.uk. sentative Frank R. Wolf, R-Va., chair- “Given the yawning trade deficit with man of the House subcommittee that China, would the critics rather have oversees State’s budget appropria- had the department purchase ‘Ameri- tions, wrote to Sec. Rice, warning that can’ computers such as Dells or the Bank still has a positive influence “the Chinese have a coordinated espi- HPs assembled in China, or ‘Chinese’ in the world (http://www.world onage program against our govern- computers assembled in North Caro- publicopinion.org/pipa/articles/ ment” (http://www.house.gov/wolf/ lina?” brglobalmultiregionra/164.php? news/2006/05-18Computers.html). And further: “If the Chinese were nid=&id=&pnt=164&lb=btgl). But, Lenovo, which purchased the PC going to slip bad things into comput- some development activists argue, if division of IBM Corporation in 2005, ers they somehow knew were des- Wolfowitz wants to maintain or won a competitive bid in 2006 to sell tined to perform classified U.S. gov- increase this good will, he must show the State Department $13 million ernment work, couldn’t they just as leadership in reforming the Bank’s worth of PCs. Two years ago, the easily slip them into computers as- governance structures to give a voice Washington Post called Lenovo “one sembled for American companies in to poor, recipient countries, take deci- of the darlings of the Chinese busi- China?” Anderson asks. sive action to get the Bank to stop dic- ness world,” and said it was destined — Eirene Busa, Editorial Intern, tating borrowers’ economic policies, to become a “global company with a and Susan Maitra ensure that the Bank really has recognized brand.” Today, however, ‘learned the lessons’ of infrastructure the company symbolizes American U.S. Restores Diplomatic and address the question of debt fears concerning national security and Relations with Libya relief (http://www.brettonwoods global competition. The State Department announced project.org/art.shtml?x=538129). The congressional campaign was on May 15 that the United States will Anti-corruption “noise” alone will not spearheaded by Larry M. Wortzel and restore full diplomatic relations with do, they say. Michael R. Wessel, members of the Libya (http://www.state.gov/secre You can keep up to date on devel- bipartisan United States-China Econ- tary/rm/1006/66235.htm). opments at the World Bank by visiting omic and Security Review Commis- In consideration of Libya’s 2003 the many available online resources. sion. The two explained their securi- renunciation of terrorist activities and In addition to the World Bank Web ty concerns thus: “The U.S. is a prin- continuous cooperation with U.S. site (http://www.worldbank.org), cipal intelligence target for China. antiterrorist efforts thereafter, Secre- check out Probe International’s Odi- The government is pursuing aggres- tary of State Condoleezza Rice declar- ous Debts (http://www.odiousdeb sive efforts to obtain access to our net- ed, the U.S. will upgrade the liaison ts.org). Also check out IFIwatch- works” (http://www.uscc.gov/hear office in Tripoli to an embassy, rescind net (http://ifiwatchnet.org), which ings/2006hearings/written_testi- Libya’s designation as a state sponsor of links NGOs monitoring the interna- monies/06_05_18press_conf/06_ terrorism and remove it from the annu- tional financial institutions, and the 05_18_wessel.php). al list of countries involved in terrorism.

JULY-AUGUST 2006/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 13 C YBERNOTES

The May 15 decision ends more administration looks forward to capi- uate-level study in the U.S. (http:// than 25 years of hostility between the talizing on economic benefits. Libya’s tripoli.usmission.gov/). U.S. and Libya. Ties were formally oil reserves total 39 billion barrels, Some also believe that Tripoli’s cut in 1979, when an angry mob the largest in Africa. As Foreign restoration of relations with the U.S. chanting pro-Iran slogans set fire to Policy In Focus analyst Ronald Bruce may serve as a model for North Embassy Tripoli. Relations deterio- St. John states: “The United States Korea or Iran. Kurt Achin, a Seoul- rated further over the next decade as has never been a major importer of based correspondent and Bureau Libya was implicated in the 1986 Libyan oil and is not expected to be Chief for Voice of America, believes bombing of La Belle discothèque in one in the future, [but] Libya’s oil the Libyan model can be applied to Berlin, the French UTA Flight 772 and gas reserves are increasingly North Korea, especially with South disaster in 1989 and the 1988 downing important to America’s European Korean Foreign Minister Ban Ki- of Pan Am Flight 103 over Locker- allies. Additional Libyan output will Moon already championing it (http:// bie, Scotland, in which 270 people contribute to global supplies to the www.voanews.com/english/2006- died. mutual benefit of both sides of the 05-25-voa35.cfm). U.S. Ambassa- In 2003, Muammar Qadhafi an- Atlantic” (http://www.fpif.org/fpi dor to the United Nations John Bol- nounced that Libya would abandon its ftxt/3286). Assistant Secretary for ton hinted in May, however, that it is WMD program and allow interna- Near Eastern Affairs C. David Welch “unlikely” that the same can be said tional weapons inspectors into the reaffirmed this focus on economic ties for Iran (http://www.nuclearno. country (http://fpc.state.gov/docu at a recent State Department briefing com/text.asp?10856). ments/organization/32007.pdf). (http://www.state.gov/p/nea/rls/ Meanwhile, the Bush administra- Since then, relations have warmed rm/2006/66268.htm). tion continues to face criticism from considerably. The process was helped The Bush administration also looks families of the victims of Pan Am by Libya’s cooperation in tracking the forward to a more open discussion Flight 103. These families are frus- illegal proliferation network run by with Tripoli on other issues of impor- trated that the U.S. government has A.Q. Khan, Pakistan’s top nuclear sci- tance to the U.S., including human not urged the Libyan government to entist (http://www.globalsecurity. rights and political reform. Recently, honor a settlement made with the org/wmd/world/libya/khan-libya. the United States Liaison Office insti- families in 2003 giving them full com- htm). tuted the Libyan Fulbright Foreign pensation once Libya was taken off What is expected from this new era Student Program to provide scholar- the list of state sponsors of terror in U.S.-Libyan relations? The Bush ships for Libyans to pursue post-grad- (http://www.victimsofpanamflight 103.org). To follow unfolding developments, see the World News Network’s Libya Site of the Month: www.craigslist.com Daily (http://www.libyadaily.com). For a quick and easy timeline of U.S.- Getting ready for your next post? Whether it’s your first or sixth tour, you Libyan relations since 1979, visit may want to check out www.craigslist.com, the world’s most popular online Aljazeera.net (http://english.aljaze classifieds section. Craigslist currently provides services in 35 countries in era.net/NR/exeres/9375DF75- addition to all 50 U.S. states, and can help users find anything from a new piano 28FB-4D18-96C591E55DB5B to a new pet or car. 976.htm). Craigslist was created in 1995 by Craig Newmark, a Web-oriented software For background, see the Council engineer in San Francisco. In just over a decade, it has become the seventh on Foreign Relations Web site (http: most popular English-language site — after Yahoo, AOL, Microsoft, Google, //www.cfr.org/publication/10863/ Ebay and Newscorp — with more than nine million classified ads and more taming_of_a_pariah.html). See than 400,000 new job listings each month. And the service, which is free, is still Congressional Research Service Re- expanding at an astounding rate. ports for Libya’s economic and politi- For new users, the Web site’s homepage may seem overwhelming, with list cal history (http://digital.library. after list of information to choose from. But the no-nonsense layout is surpris- unt.edu/govdocs/crs//data/2006/u ingly easy to navigate, even for the most Internet-challenged users. pl-meta-crs-8361/RL33142_2006 — Eirene Busa, Editorial Intern Jan25.pdf). — Eirene Busa, Editorial Intern

14 FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL/JULY-AUGUST 2006 SPEAKING OUT Run, Lemmings, Run

BY DAVID T. JONES

he Foreign Service is cavort- Posts.” In some ways, this concept is a ing about in apparent eager- The Foreign Service natural outgrowth of the “honorary T ness to jump onto Secretary consul” mechanism, whereby a promi- Rice’s transformational diplomacy should look before it nent local expatriate, host-country bandwagon. But before we join the leaps onto the businessman, or sympathetic local procession like good little lemmings, national assumes some legal and rep- we would be wise to notice that there transformational resentational responsibilities on behalf is a cliff ahead. Several, in fact. diplomacy of the United States in a foreign city or Take the Secretary’s Global Re- bandwagon. province. (In fact, for most of our his- positioning Initiative. This is intended tory such individuals provided the only to realign our diplomatic staffing with U.S. diplomatic representation many our national interests by shifting cities, and some countries, ever saw.) Foreign Service positions away from main criterion for coming out a winner In its modern incarnation, an Ameri- comfortable European embassies to rather than a loser in the exercise is can Presence Post allows us to cover countries in the Middle East and bureaucratic skill rather than substan- more area with limited numbers, tak- South Asia on the front lines of the war tive arguments. ing advantage of hi-tech connectivity. on terror. Now, it is true that, at first There also seems to be a rather But here is the dilemma. If we glance, the disparity between the insulting assumption at work here that want to maximize the return on our diplomatic staffing patterns for the our colleagues serving in the devel- investment in such posts, we should U.S. government’s relationship with 80 oped world somehow are not pulling be opening them in the very places million Germans and with a billion their weight, so their positions should that we have traditionally ignored as Indians is striking. But look again. be shifted to what appear to be more marginal or inhospitable. So how do Is the argument that we should fallow (if perilous) fields. But is there we effectively support such remote staff our posts on the basis of the coun- any real evidence that U.S. objectives outposts? And what happens the first try’s population? That would mean we are better served by devoting resour- time that our man (or woman) in should have over 40 times as many ces to, say, Uzbekistan that used to be Carjackistan is seized, tortured and officers in China (population 1.3 bil- applied within the U.K.? Assessment executed on global TV? And perhaps lion) as in Canada (32 million). Or and analyses, please. also the family as a bonus? At a mini- perhaps we should readjust the ratio It is also irrelevant whether there mum, that is likely to have a serious of FSOs stationed in Saudi Arabia are 200 or 2,000 cities with at least one negative effect on recruitment across (population 26 million) and Bangla- million inhabitants that lack a formal the board — and not just at American desh (144 million)? U.S. diplomatic presence. The point Presence Posts. Even if one accepts the rationale isn’t population but whether the diplo- Those who suggest that FSOs in behind repositioning (whatever it is) at matic equivalent of boots on the such environments need to act like face value, it is rather puzzling that the ground will provide commensurate Special Forces officers should be first round of the exercise left France value for expense and risk. reminded that when headed into totally untouched while Germany, harm’s way, the military sends fully Belgium and Italy lost a combined 12 One-Person Deathtraps equipped combat teams, not sitting slots. No restructuring process is ever Backers of transformational diplo- ducks. perfect, of course, particularly one macy also advocate expanding the Although less likely to have a san- executed as suddenly as this one was. number of one-person offices, cur- guinary outcome, the “Virtual Pre- But I still have to wonder whether the rently known as “American Presence sence Post” has its own set of short-

JULY-AUGUST 2006/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 15 S PEAKING O UT

to move all of those infected with “localitis” (others might prefer the Doing diplomacy term “expertise”) into new regions and stimulate fresh thinking. But all the differently doesn’t exercise managed to do was eliminate a good part of the department’s institu- mean acting without tional wisdom on the Middle East, as many “Arabists” walked away into appropriate reflection more lucrative pursuits rather than spend a couple of tours elsewhere. and analysis. Obviously, we need to place our limited resources where they will have the greatest effect, but instantly inter- changeable parts we are not. I recall the observation of an Army chief of staff who asked his audience rhetori- comings. These offices appear to be cally, “What is my longest lead-time the equivalent of an Internet café- item?” The answer was not the fol- cum-chatroom, with a safely-distanced low-on to the Abrams tank or the next U.S. government representative on helicopter gunship. The answer was a the other end of the fiber-optic con- senior officer. “It takes me 20 years to nection. Leaving aside the obvious grow a general officer.” With that question of how effective such com- objective in mind, the military thinks, munications are in advancing policy plans and prepares in generation-long objectives, just who secures this equip- terms, sorting through a vast intake of ment from local thieves or from the young officers to obtain its senior random attacker who figures out that a leaders. liter of accelerant in a Molotov cock- To be sure, this is the Army way, not tail can cause a million-dollars-plus of a State Department career track. You expense to Washington? can “make” an ambassador in 20 sec- If either of these proposals had onds with a presidential phone call. come from former Secretary Powell, at But to produce a qualified U.S. diplo- least we could be confident that he mat at the FS-1 level, let alone a Senior had counted the costs. He has been in Foreign Service officer, takes a long harm’s way, has sent others in that time, a great deal of training and many direction, and has absorbed the conse- hard choices — by both the Foreign quences of them not coming back. Service and the individual FSO. Being “point man” in even the noblest If we want to cultivate Arabists, cause can have bloody consequences; China hands, a Republic of Korea not always is the blood that of your group, or Amazon area experts, we will enemy. For all of her intelligence and have to make a generation-long invest- charisma, Secretary Rice has not ment in officers who are essentially walked this walk. tagged for such regions. More than that, we will have to protect and An Old Road reward them for their commitment, We have gone down this road even when it eventuates that we before, of course. Those with longer “guessed wrong” about how important memories will recall “GLOP” — the area will be in 2030. After all, Henry Kissinger’s infamous Global there are those who say that “Brazil is Outlook and Programming shakeup of the country of the future — and always the mid-1970s. GLOP was supposed will be.”

16 FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL/JULY-AUGUST 2006 S PEAKING O UT

The Chimera of Linguistic Facility We have seen “Vital Language of the Era” fads come and go, as well. Today the top contenders include Arabic, Chinese, Farsi and Urdu. A generation ago, the central U.S. chal- lenge (the Iraq of its day) was Vietnam, so winning hearts and minds ostensibly required our bodies on the ground to communicate in Vietnam- ese. Toward that end, Washington sent thousands of our best and bright- est through crash courses in the lan- guage, as well as more extended study. Of course, the reasons we lost that war had little if anything to do with the ability to speak the language. Nor is their hard-won linguistic expertise exactly in high demand today. Does anyone really think that we will convert Hamas or al-Qaida sup- porters to Western democracy by debating our differences in Arabic instead of English? And even if that were the magic key, just which variant of Arabic (or Chinese, to cite another prime candidate) should the new best- and-brightest generation be learning? In truth, unless you come to the Foreign Service with the language already imbedded in your family or educational background, or possess the linguistic knack of a Gen. Vernon Walters, you will probably never speak a “hard” language with the same flu- ency with which your foreign inter- locutor will speak English — because he or she almost certainly began mas- tering English in childhood. Your hard-language ability is likely to be equivalent to the knack of a bear for riding a bicycle: the observer marvels that you speak it at all, rather than that you speak it well. And, if we wish to recruit first- or second-generation Americans for special language posi- tions, we must calculate the weight of the cultural baggage that they will bring with them into these assign- ments.

JULY-AUGUST 2006/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 17 S PEAKING O UT

To be sure, there will always be a Arguing Over Transformation rent quadrennial defense review are handful of individuals who are the Just as no one steps into the same not attacked as insubordinate coup 21st-century equivalent of 19th-centu- stream twice, it is a new Foreign plotters. The arguments are intense, ry linguist, adventurer and explorer Service every day. And the next but cries of “treason” are not part of Richard Burton. Among other ex- administration, of whatever party, will the discourse. ploits, he disguised himself as a Mus- have its own foreign policy buzzword. Foreign policy choices are always lim and visited Mecca — where dis- But doing diplomacy differently complex, and who is better positioned covery meant death. But the downside doesn’t mean acting without appro- to critique them than members of the of employing such figures is that they priate reflection and analysis. Trans- Foreign Service? Let us not turn into demand both autonomy and authority, formational diplomacy in its many lemmings who obediently sprint over and the results can be idiosyncratic. manifestations deserves such a review the cliff. Nor should we let fear that In that regard, the precedent of Sir rather than a galvanic twitch into we will be dismissed as disloyal to the Charles Napier may be instructive. action. current administration deter us from After seizing the Sind in 1843, he Why can’t we have a reasoned and responding to threats. reportedly informed his superiors by reasonable discussion about the merits A soft answer turneth not away transmitting only one word: “Peccavi” of the policy? To question policy is not wrath; it only indicates weakness. (I have sinned). Yet he still expected disloyalty. In this regard, we can learn Diplomat is not spelled “d-o-o-r-m- to be backed up by those superiors. from our military colleagues. Those a-t.” While our cell-phone-connected world within and outside the armed forces makes equivalent action unlikely, the who have cast a skeptical eye on the David T. Jones, a retired Senior consequences of initiative are not defense parameters and weapons sys- Foreign Service officer, is a frequent always predictable. tems costs associated with DOD’s cur- contributor to the Journal.

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TRANSFORMING DIPLOMACY AT STATE Brian Aggeler

OBTAINING THE NECESSARY RESOURCES TO IMPLEMENT TRANSFORMATIONAL DIPLOMACY WILL BE THE KEY TEST OF SECRETARY OF STATE RICE’S COMMITMENT TO HER VISION.

BY SHAWN ZELLER

y all accounts, the Diplomatic Readiness Initiative revitalized the Foreign Service during Colin Powell’s tenure as Secretary of State. But has it positioned State (and the other foreign affairs agencies) well enough to meet the challenges of “transformational diplomacy,” the next big thing after the DRI? ThereB are certainly grounds for optimism. Business Week recently conducted a poll indicating that the State Department ranked third, behind only Disney and Google, as an ideal employer of undergraduates. The FBI and CIA

JULY-AUGUST 2006/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 19 C OVER S TORY

finished a close fourth and fifth, There is no doubt that ment Henrietta Fore has assured respectively, but no other govern- employees that the department is ment agency even broke the top 25. the Powell-era committed to making itself the best The study, conducted by Philadel- place to work in the federal govern- phia-based Universum Communica- Diplomatic Readiness ment, and has exhorted everyone at tions, was based on a survey of 37,000 State to adopt that goal. undergraduate members of the class Initiative brought State She may have a hard sell, howev- of 2006. The students were asked to er, judging from the responses of list their top five prospective employ- back from the brink. Foreign Service officers interviewed ers from among 189 organizations for this article. Many have serious that were frequently mentioned by concerns about Rice’s leadership students in the previous annual survey. style, which, in contrast to that of Powell, is less attentive The Partnership for Public Service’s most recent rank- to Foreign Service management. Even the prospect that ing of the best places to work in the federal government the long fight for overseas comparability pay may finally is similarly encouraging. This annual survey is viewed as be coming to a victorious end has not allayed widespread a reliable gauge of employee attitudes because it is based doubts about her willingness to go to bat for her depart- on federal workers’ responses to questions posed by the ment. Office of Personnel Management in its biennial Federal Meanwhile, huge concerns persist about the depart- Human Capital Survey on pay and benefits, family- ment’s commitment to helping diplomats maintain their friendly policies, diversity and leadership. The PPS, in family lives, especially as Rice pushes for massive rede- cooperation with American University’s Institute for the ployments of officers to hardship and danger posts in the Study of Public Policy Implementation, then crunches developing world as part of her Global Repositioning the numbers. Initiative and the number of unaccompanied posts is State finished second among Cabinet departments, expected to grow. (Such posts already account for more close behind the Department of Energy, in the 2005 than 700 unaccompanied positions.) To be sure, the results, which mainly reflects the fruits of Powell’s lead- department has made progress on finding more jobs for ership. Overall, the department rose from 19th to 10th spouses than it did in the past. But much more could be place. “It was quite a nice rise,” says PPS Vice President done on this critical issue, officers say. John Palguta, who previously was director of the Office of Still, in comparison to the human resources-related Policy and Evaluation at the Merit Systems Protection turmoil now sweeping the Defense and Homeland Board. Security departments, State’s labor-management rela- “When Colin Powell became Secretary of State, he tions are civil and generally productive. Both DOD and really paid attention to the people part of his job,” recalls DHS are mired in court fights over their plans to imple- Palguta. “He listened to his troops. And one of the ment pay-for-performance systems, the result of legisla- things he did was lobby for more money for proactive tion passed by Congress in 2003 and 2004 allowing them recruitment. He also looked at the deployment of his to scrap the decades-old General Schedule, the civil ser- folks and where people were most needed. He listened vice’s pay system, in favor of new regimes that grant pay to the employees where they said they were stretched raises based on formulas that will consider performance thin, and set about trying to rectify that.” reviews, locality and market factors. Now that DRI has ended, the big question is whether that momentum will continue in the new era of transfor- The Pay-for-Performance Tradeoff mational diplomacy that Secretary of State Condoleezza When Rice went to Capitol Hill earlier this year to pre- Rice has proclaimed. Palguta thinks it will. Referencing sent the Bush administration’s Fiscal Year 2007 budget the PPS survey, Under Secretary of State for Manage- request, she dropped what would have registered as a bombshell in almost any other Cabinet department. She Shawn Zeller, a regular contributor to the Journal, is a asked Congress to authorize sweeping changes to the senior staff writer for Congressional Quarterly. Foreign Service personnel system that would eliminate

20 FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL/JULY-AUGUST 2006 C OVER S TORY

annual step increases, equivalent to Huge concerns persist work, is intended to close the gap about 3 percent of base pay, while between what public-sector and pri- allowing the department to use the about the department’s vate-sector employees are paid for resulting savings to create a perfor- performing similar jobs. Unfortun- mance pay fund. (This change would commitment to helping ately, the Federal Pay Comparability not affect annual cost-of-living adjust- Act of 1990, 5 USC 5301 et seq., cur- ments.) Officers could fare better diplomats maintain rently prohibits the payment of local- under the new framework, but only if ity pay outside of the continental their performance is deemed out- their family lives. U.S. (However, due to a 2004 techni- standing. Moreover, under the new cal change in the law, all members of system, for every officer getting a big- the Senior Foreign Service and ger raise than average, another would get less, a zero-sum Senior Executive Service, as well as employees of some proposition that would be anathema in agencies less federal agencies serving overseas, do receive it.) With attuned to merit-based compensation. Washington, D.C., locality pay already above the 17-per- As an incentive for the Foreign Service to accept this cent mark, and rising by about a percentage point each unprecedented change, State would phase in overseas year, this prohibition effectively imposes a double-digit comparability pay, the equivalent of Washington, D.C.- pay cut on all Foreign Service employees serving abroad. level locality pay for all its personnel serving abroad. This disparity damages both the morale and the diplo- Locality pay, which all federal employees receive on top matic readiness of U.S. foreign affairs agencies. of their base salary depending on where in the U.S. they The Office of Management and Budget, which has

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JULY-AUGUST 2006/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 21 C OVER S TORY

long opposed AFSA’s request to Rice is pushing for Foreign Service employee faces on ensure that employees stationed a regular basis, and the Foreign abroad receive at least the same lev- massive redeployments Service’s up-or-out promotion sys- els of compensation received by tem. “It’s not office politics. This is their counterparts in Washington, of officers to hardship truly objective. It’s accepted as a agreed to back pay comparability if fair and reasonable way of sorting the department shifted to pay for and danger posts in out who gets promoted and who performance. In its budget request doesn’t by the vast majority of our to Congress, the department re- the developing world people.” quested additional funding in 2008 Among the rank-and-file, some and 2009 to roll out the new system, as part of her Global officers say they see examples of with the goal being to begin imple- favoritism in the current perfor- mentation this year. During his Repositioning Initiative. mance board reviews. But their confirmation hearings before the main recommendation — adopt- Senate Foreign Relations Commit- ing 360-degree reviews, in which tee in March, new Director General George Staples said both the superiors and subordinates of rated employees that if the plan is approved by Congress, a transition are asked to provide comments for the review panel — is phase to granting full overseas comparability pay would something the department is eager to implement, says begin in April 2007. Under this plan the salaries of O’Keefe. Not all the details have been formulated, he’s overseas personnel would be adjusted by one-half of quick to add, “But if you are evaluating someone ... you the current difference between overseas and Washing- need to know how well an individual gets along with col- ton, D.C., pay, or 9 percent. leagues because interagency and cross-sectional coopera- The American Foreign Service Association’s initial tion is critical to the success of any mission and you want reaction was positive. “We basically support it because to see how well they are treating subordinates.” If that is the Foreign Service is already a pay-for-performance sys- the end result, most State employees will be pleased. tem,” says AFSA State Vice President Steve Kashkett. As he observes, “We already have rank in person, rather than Recruitment and Retention position, and we already face fierce competition with our Even so, the Foreign Service does face many of the peers worldwide for promotion,” in contrast to the Civil same problems that the Civil Service does, such as grow- Service. However, disturbing indications that the bill ing concern that government employment is becoming may grant the Secretary of State “sole and exclusive less competitive with the private sector at a time when it rights” to design and implement the new system, thereby is more important than ever to recruit top talent. Is State stripping AFSA of its current right to have a voice at the doing what it takes to recruit the best possible personnel, table, have caused the association to qualify its support. and then retain them? For his part, Ambassador John O’Keefe — a career Some of the signs are good. The number of regis- diplomat who served as acting director general of the trants for the Foreign Service exam has grown markedly Foreign Service for several months between the retire- since Powell launched a massive advertising push. At the ment of W. Robert Pearson and the confirmation of same time, surveys of college graduates indicate a con- George Staples — cautions that the plan is still a work in tinued interest in public service. The Foreign Service has progress. The department wants to model the system on always had a special appeal, because it offers the oppor- that already in place for Senior Foreign Service officers, tunity to live and work literally all over the world. but has refined few of the details, he says. But once the sense of adventure wears off, will new “It’s a reasonable management tool to say the high recruits stay committed, as their predecessors did, and pur- performers ought to get recognized for high perfor- sue careers in the Foreign Service? Veteran officers worry mance,” says O’Keefe. As for the lack of controversy they will not, unless State does a better job of rewarding about it at State, he notes that “We already do it,” citing talented young officers, providing them with challeng- the longstanding promotion board reviews that every ing work, and employing their spouses and partners.

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Thanks to the Diplomatic Even the prospect of By contrast, many say that Readiness Initiative, State is out the entire Civil Service is now of the crisis situation it faced in achieving overseas in the midst of a “human capi- the 1990s, when intake of new tal crisis.” In 2001, the Govern- officers failed to keep up with comparability pay has not ment Accountability Office (at attrition. More than 1,000 offi- that time known as the General cers were hired between 2002 allayed widespread doubts Accounting Office), which and 2004 under the DRI. The oversees the executive branch initiative is now over, but, says about Rice’s willingness to go for Congress, put the state of O’Keefe, “We continue to hire the federal work force on its list slightly above attrition.” For to bat for her department. of high-risk areas, arguing that 2007, the administration has “serious management chal- requested more than 250 new lenges across a wide range of positions in the areas of trans- federal agencies, covering pro- formational diplomacy, security and consular affairs. grams that involve billions of federal expenditures, can be “What it means is we are not going to fall back as we did attributed to shortcomings in how agencies manage their before,” says O’Keefe. It will also ideally open enough human capital.” The GAO went on to argue that agen- wiggle room to allow more officers to gain critical lan- cies — during the downsizing of the 1990s — had guage training, program management and public diplo- allowed their skills at recruiting and training new workers macy skills. to atrophy, and that with much of the federal work force

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aging, and on the verge of Most Foreign Service apparent upward trend in the retirement eligibility, some- retirement numbers. Last year, thing had to be done fast. employees agree with the basic 10.7 percent of senior officers The situation, in reality, has left the Foreign Service, mark- proven not quite as dire, thanks contours of Rice’s strategy. ing a five-year high. That’s a lot to the unusual loyalty of federal of knowledge heading out the workers, who quit at rates only But they worry that in a tight door. about a quarter of that of the Few in leadership, however, private-sector work force. Many budget environment, some of seem worried about State’s have readily worked for years ability to recruit new blood. past retirement eligibility, allow- the promises will go unmet. And on its face, the numbers ing agencies extra time to look good. The number of recruit and train new personnel. Foreign Service exam regis- Everyone says that the DRI brought State back from trants has continued to grow, and now averages 35,000 a the brink. And the numbers bear it out. AFSA argues year, up from 22,000 a few years ago. The department’s that the department needs to work harder to diversify advertising budget for the exam, just $75,000 five years the work force, recruiting more minority officers and ago, is now well over $1 million. Women make up a solid women and hanging on to them. But that, too, has been 45 percent of the hopefuls, and minorities 22 percent. a major priority for both Powell and Rice, who have The average age of incoming recruits is now 30, just a ramped up recruiting at universities with large minority year older than when acting DG O’Keefe joined the populations, and vastly increased the amount spent Service. And that, in a way, is another feather in State’s advertising the Foreign Service written exam. Under cap, as the federal government as a whole has tradition- Powell, the department also decreased the amount of ally had trouble hiring workers with substantial previous time it takes to bring a new officer on board from 27 work experience. months to 10, and reached out — through targeted State is happy with the recruits it is getting. After a advertising — to fill skills gaps in management and bud- review, the core characteristics that the department seeks get specialties. — leadership skills and good judgment under pressure Confirming the results of the PPS and Business Week — appear to have stood the test of time. “We had a dis- surveys referenced at the beginning of this article, the cussion about changing the profile in the Foreign State Department has proven a more desirable employer Service,” former DG Pearson told Federal News Radio than most other agencies. According to separation-rate last year, shortly before his retirement. “Should we data provided by OPM, the department’s annual rate at recruit greater risk-takers,” for example? In the end, the which Foreign Service officers have left the service has test remained the same: “We’re getting such an excellent over the last five years been lower than that of the Civil mix of people, I’m not sure we need to change the Service governmentwide. Last year, for instance, the recruiting profile,” he said. Foreign Service separation rate was 5.48 percent, com- State’s numbers contrast sharply with those of the mil- pared with 6.76 percent in the federal government as a itary, where recruitment in the Navy and Army have whole. Still, like the rest of the federal government, lagged since the war in Iraq began. For most of State’s State and the other foreign affairs agencies have to be history, the comparison might not have been apt. But on their toes, filling skill gaps as veteran officers retire. nowadays, with the number of danger posts spiraling Office of Personnel Management data indicate that upward, it is. Since the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, the num- over the next five years the percentage of Foreign ber of Foreign Service positions at unaccompanied posts Service employees eligible to retire will grow from 38 has risen nearly fourfold to 700. Thankfully, a sense of percent to 60 percent. adventure still drives young people to the Foreign To be sure, senior officers are also about the same age Service, says Pearson. “For job seekers, we offer a career as their Civil Service counterparts, at 54.3 years old on that can’t be found anywhere else. That’s our strongest average. One potential cause for concern, however, is the appeal.”

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A Generational Shift State has taken some proven more reluctant to embrace But under the surface, big ques- State’s culture, and more willing to tions remain, at least among the steps in the right question their superiors. That’s rank-and-file, about whether the not to say these young officers recent recruits will pursue careers at direction to help spouses aren’t up to the task — most, she State, or whether they will ultimately acknowledged, have proven their opt for greener pastures in the pri- find rewarding work. mettle just by surviving the highly vate sector. competitive entrance process — A 2004 Foreign Service Journal but at the same time, given their report on officers hired under the Diplomatic Readiness willingness to consider Foreign Service just a short- Initiative confirmed what many older officers have term job, they don’t have nearly as much at stake as observed: the new generation is eager to be judged on its their elders. merits, rather than time in grade, but hesitates when it “Of course, you want these people, but the question is comes to committing to the Foreign Service for an entire how do we keep them?” she asks. “How do we bring career. (See “Great Expectations: New Hires and the them into the culture? The attitude now is: ‘We really Foreign Service,” June 2004 FSJ.) Many new entrants aren’t losing that many people’” to attrition. “But will that complain that it took years sometimes for State to put to last? You have this big bulge at the bottom because of the use the skills for which they were hired. DRI. Are those people feeling challenged? Are they In some cases, says one recently-retired, 24-year vet- happy? Is the department thinking about that?” eran of the Foreign Service, the new recruits have “I think there’s been a generational shift,” she says.

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“The people coming in no Officers want work that zations, or other international longer see this as a lifelong agencies, as well as other assis- career. Often they see it as a challenges them, but they also tance, in the form of career way to see the world and to gain development seminars and some experience.” want a secure environment information on training oppor- There is a consensus that tunities. And last year, the State can take no bigger step within which to carry out their department teamed with Staff- toward ensuring the success of Centrix to provide training for the next generation of officers duties and adequate spouses on entrepreneurship — who, even more than their and running service businesses predecessors, are likely to compensation for taking on from home using e-mail, phone marry highly-educated, career- or fax. oriented men and women risky assignments. A Foreign Service Journal unwilling to put aside their own study last year (“Special Re- goals — than by increasing port — Family Member Em- employment opportunities for spouses. (Gay and lesbian ployment: At Work in the Mission,” July-August 2005 officers note that the situation is even more dire for them, FSJ) found that 75 percent of family members with jobs because their partners are not allowed to apply for many continue to work within embassy walls. Spouses pre- jobs set aside for spouses.) ferred this work because it typically paid better than jobs One veteran officer now based in Washington, who in the local economy, but expressed concern that too few has previously served in Africa, Asia and Latin America, opportunities were available. would like to see the department introduce a program Overall, only 35 percent of spouses overseas hold jobs, that allows spouses to fill Foreign Service jobs on a tem- according to State’s Family Liaison Office, while another porary basis and, after a period of a few years, transition 15 percent want a job but cannot find one. Spouses look- fully into the Service without having to undergo the writ- ing for high-level professional employment were particu- ten exam. “Why is the department willing to bring in an larly disappointed, as most of the available embassy jobs untried college graduate, but not a spouse who’s proven are in junior officer, clerical or blue-collar roles. Officers over the years that they can do the job?” she asks. reported that opportunities vary widely by post, depend- That’s a question, like many others raised by Rice’s ing on the commitment of mission leaders. transformational diplomacy initiative, which remains to “The Foreign Service is different from almost any be resolved. Up to this point, officers have proven will- other profession you can think of in that it’s composed of ing to make the necessary sacrifices, as Rice moves people who are highly educated, white-collar profession- increasing numbers into hardship and danger posts. But als, who have to live in places where their spouses cannot with increasing numbers of two-parent working families really pursue their careers,” says AFSA State VP in the Foreign Service, family matters remain the biggest Kashkett. “This is a unique challenge, and if you want the sticking point. best and brightest, you have to accommodate their spous- The State Department has taken some steps in the es and partners.” right direction. In order to better help spouses find rewarding work, State last year contracted with The Transformational Diplomacy Effect Milwaukee-based job placement firm Manpower Inc. to Kashkett says State management needs to be more launch an initiative that aims to provide spouses with diligent about ensuring that new recruits find the Foreign access to overseas employment markets and cultural Service is everything it was billed to be. Officers want familiarization training. That built on other initiatives: In work that challenges them, to be sure; but they also want 2001, for example, the department launched the a secure environment within which to carry out their Strategic Networking Assistance Program, which seeks to duties and adequate compensation for taking on risky link spouses up with jobs in local markets or positions assignments. That doesn’t mean easy jobs, Kashkett with multinational companies, nongovernmental organi- emphasizes. “The image of the pampered U.S. diplomat

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is one we strongly dispute. Today’s Foreign Service is a they can’t help but be a little offended by some of Rice’s tough way to make a life and our people deserve to be pronouncements — that, for example, they need to get taken care of.” out from behind their desks and onto the streets. That’s Rice, meanwhile, has laid out a vision of transforma- exactly what most officers say they’ve already been doing tional diplomacy that projects placing Foreign Service for years, sometimes at great personal risk. And if they officers in even more difficult environments on the front are to take on greater program management roles, as lines of the war on terrorism. She has proposed, for Rice has requested, officers say she must follow through example, Provincial Reconstruction Teams, staffed with on her commitment to improve the quality of program diplomats, to work outside the secured Green Zone in management training available, and provide employees Baghdad in provinces throughout Iraq, as State has with the time to make use of it. already done to some extent in Afghanistan. (Creation of The department has, to its credit, worked to refine its the teams has been delayed because of slow recruiting own processes. It has, for instance, taken a welcome step and bickering with the military over security for the to improve efficiency in the assignment process by refin- teams.) She’s also upped the ante for promotion to the ing the EP-Plus program, in which officers have volun- Senior Foreign Service, with officers now required to be tarily entered biographical information about their work expert in at least two regions and fluent in at at least one experience and skills. The program, which the National foreign language. In addition, officers will have to serve Aeronautics and Space Administration invented for its in danger-pay and hardship posts (not just bid on them) own engineering staff and State refined for use with in order to advance to the Senior Foreign Service. Foreign Service officers, allowed the department to In response, officers interviewed for this article say quickly find staff with experience in South Asia after the

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tsunami hit in 2004. More If Foreign Service top management has said the recently, it enabled State to right things about ensuring contribute to the relief efforts members are to take on greater proper levels of security and after Hurricane Katrina. The providing incentives to encour- department was able to quickly program management roles, age work in dangerous parts of identify officers fluent in lan- the world, while at the same guages spoken by minority State must improve the quality time considering the needs of populations along the Gulf officers with families. But offi- Coast. of training and give employees cers worry that in a tight budget In February 2006, Rice rec- environment, some of the ognized the importance of the time to make use of it. promises will go unmet. training by filling the open slot With ever-larger numbers of at the helm of the Foreign officers shipping out to unac- Service Institute with Ruth A. Whiteside, a former FSO companied posts, family-separation issues continue to be who had been the principal deputy assistant secretary of a major concern. One method the department has used the Bureau of Human Resources. Rice has taken an to limit family separations is to shorten terms at extreme- interest in recasting the training curriculum for Foreign danger posts; but that, some worry, could have a negative Service employees, shifting coursework at FSI toward impact on diplomacy. At Embassy Baghdad, for instance, public diplomacy and development. She’s also moved to the department has had to find a whole new set of make training more accessible to officers at post through recruits every year. Elsewhere, an inspector general online coursework. report last September, for example, argued that turnover Also on the work-force efficiency front, Rice has in Pakistan had led to “a lack of continuity in leadership, tasked Under Secretary for Management Fore to redou- program management and contacts” that weakened pub- ble her efforts to “rightsize” overseas missions by, for lic diplomacy efforts. At the same time, a May 2005 GAO example, shifting information technology, human report concluded that “State has not developed a com- resources and financial management staff out of individ- prehensive strategy that clearly identifies safety and secu- ual embassies into regional centers. She also envisions rity requirements and resources needed to protect U.S. regional public diplomacy centers that would be sta- officials.” tioned in major embassies for the purpose of responding Says Kashkett: “I don’t think people have traditionally to negative propaganda, and has requested $351 million joined the Foreign Service expecting to spend a good to bolster those efforts. chunk of their careers in dangerous hardship posts, sepa- As part of the Global Repositioning Initiative, the rated from their families. The biggest challenge for State department is downsizing posts in Europe and the devel- is to find ways to get people to bid on those posts and to oped world, shifting positions to democratizing countries. make sure they are safe and are actually able to perform Already, more than 100 officers have been repositioned, the jobs they are sent there to do.” with more shifts to come. Unfortunately, many of them Thus far, officers have proven willing to accept the were moved into new positions in other countries well challenge, but many wonder how long State can keep after being paneled for the job they had bid on; indeed, it up. It raised spirits, earlier this year, when State some of these individuals had already completed most of moved to boost hardship and danger allowances for their language and professional training for that assign- service in Iraq and Afghanistan from 25 percent to 35 ment. Such experiences only reinforce the accuracy of percent of base pay, the first time allowances had been independent auditor reports that have sometimes ques- lifted in decades. In the minds of most officers, the tioned State’s follow-through on such initiatives. move was long overdue, given the many assignments bunched at the 25-percent level and the special risks Hardship and Danger associated with serving in countries still immersed in Still, most Foreign Service employees agree with the open conflict. basic contours of Rice’s strategy. And for the most part, But even as the department followed through and

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raised the allowances, it covered the costs by cutting ing 135 new consular officers and passport staff. Rice pay at more than a dozen other posts that had previ- would also spend $115 million on language training to ously received a 5-percent differential, irking many. boost fluency in languages such as Arabic, Chinese, “They changed the allowances. That was great,” says Urdu and Farsi; $1.5 billion on construction of new the Washington-based officer who has previously embassies and hardening of existing facilities; and $276 served in overseas assignments in Asia, Africa and million for professional training and information tech- Latin America. “But they took it out of other people’s nology upgrades. hides. You can’t tell me they couldn’t find that money All of that, of course, sounds good. But anyone who’s somewhere else.” followed the congressional budget process in recent There was positive news on the funding front in tes- years knows well that the numbers thrown out at the timony Rice delivered before Congress earlier this year beginning often bear little resemblance to those enact- outlining the administration’s FY 2007 budget request. ed at year’s end. Much of Rice’s legacy will hinge on her The request, if enacted, would boost State’s budget by success in following through. 13 percent to $33 billion, the largest percentage “We are the front lines of U.S. foreign policy,” says increase requested for any Cabinet department, with Kashkett. “We are there to make sure that things don’t $9.3 billion for State Department operations. About deteriorate to the point where the military needs to get $23 million of that spending would go toward 100 new involved, yet we are a tiny percentage of the military in positions that would be targeted to transformational terms of funding. The bottom line is that we think that diplomacy, while another $1.1 billion would be spent on in a world like today’s, the Foreign Service needs far bolstering the department’s consular operations by hir- greater resources.”

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JULY-AUGUST 2006/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 29 HONORING AN “AGGRESSIVE INTERVENTIONIST”: AMBASSADOR MORTON ABRAMOWITZ

LAST MONTH AFSA RECOGNIZED THE RETIRED AMBASSADOR FOR HIS MANY CONTRIBUTIONS TO AMERICAN DIPLOMACY AND A LIFETIME OF PUBLIC SERVICE.

BY STEVEN ALAN HONLEY

n June 22, Ambassador Morton I. Administration from 1958 to 1960, when he joined the Abramowitz received the American Foreign Service as an economic officer specializing in Foreign Service Association’s award for Chinese affairs. In keeping with that background, his first Lifetime Contributions to Ameri- two assignments were as a consular-economic officer in can Diplomacy, in recognition of a dis- Taipei (1960-1962) and a economic officer in Hong Kong tinguished 31-year Foreign Service (1963-1966). He returned to Washington in 1966, spending career and equally impressive achieve- the next seven years there in various capacities, including ments in public service after his retirement. serving as special assistant to Under Secretary Elliot OBorn in Lakewood, N.J., on Jan. 20, 1933, the future Richardson. ambassador was drawn to the Foreign Service from an early The next phase of his diplomatic career, from 1973 to age. He studied Chinese affairs at Stanford, earning a B.A. 1978, centered on relations with the Department of in 1953 and an M.A. from Harvard in 1955. After a year in Defense: he was political adviser to the Commander-in- the Army, he worked for the International Cooperation Chief of the Pacific Command from 1973 to 1974 and then deputy assistant secretary of Defense for international affairs, on detail from the Foreign Service, from 1974 to 1978. The familiarity with politico-military affairs he gained as a result would stand him in good stead in all three of his ambassadorships. In 1978, Abramowitz was selected as chief of mission in Thailand, serving in Bangkok until 1981. He next became the U.S. representative to the Mutual and Balanced Force Reduction Negotiations in Vienna, with ambassadorial rank, a position he held from 1983 to 1984. From 1985 to 1989, Amb. Abramowitz served as the first assistant secretary of the Bureau of Intelligence and Research. His third and final ambassadorship was in Turkey, a position he held from 1989 to 1991. During that time he Amb. Abramowitz introduces Pres. George H.W. Bush, also attained the rank of career ambassador. who visted Turkey in July 1991 after the Gulf War. In 1991, Amb. Abramowitz retired from the Foreign

30 FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL/JULY-AUGUST 2006 Service to become president of the Carnegie Endowment 2003). His latest book, also co-authored with Amb. for International Peace, soon after the attempted coup d’etat Bosworth, is Chasing the Sun: Rethinking East Asian Policy against Russian President Mikhail Gorbachev. Even before (The Century Foundation, 2006). His op-eds and articles that crisis, reflecting his self-description as an “aggressive have appeared in the New York Times, Washington Post, interventionist,” Abramowitz was looking for ways to inte- Newsweek, International Herald Tribune, Christian Science grate Russia into the international system. Toward that end, Monitor, Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles Times, Foreign he launched the first Carnegie-Moscow Center, a bilateral Policy and Foreign Affairs, among many other periodicals. think-tank that has brought together American and Russian Amb. Abramowitz has been the recipient of numerous scholars and continues to sponsor free-wheeling confer- awards, including the Director General’s Cup of the Foreign ences, discussions, research and publications. Service in 1995; the National Intelligence Medal in 1989; the As president of the Carnegie Endowment, he also played President’s Award for Distinguished Federal Service in 1981, the key role in launching the International Crisis Group, 1985 and 1988; and the Joseph C. Wilson Award for which he headed as acting president for six months after step- International Service from the University of Rochester in ping down from Carnegie in 1997. Amb. Abramowitz has 1980. He has served on the boards of many nonprofit orga- remained highly active in the ICG and has also been a senior nizations, including the International Rescue Committee, fellow at The Century Foundation since 1998. National Endowment for Democracy, Open Society Institute Another professional concentration, both at Carnegie and and International Crisis Group. elsewhere, has been the Balkans. He was among the first Through all these activities and associations, Amb. U.S. diplomats to urge a robust Abramowitz continues to be vitally response to the Bosnian war and the engaged in the critical issues facing difficult situation in Kosovo. As “Sen. Sam Nunn once U.S. diplomacy today. Christopher Hill, currently assistant Amb. Abramowitz and his wife, secretary of State for East Asian and told me, ‘Anywhere you Sheppie, have two grown children. Pacific affairs, has remarked, “Mort Foreign Service Journal Editor never saw a city in the Balkans he did- are, Mort, I know there’s Steven Alan Honley interviewed n’t want to become independent.” Amb. Abramowitz at The Century Amb. Abramowitz has long been a a war going on!’” Foundation on May 22. prolific author and editor. His book credits include: Remaking China — Amb. Morton Abramowitz FSJ: First of all, Ambassador Policy: U.S.-China Relations and Abramowitz, congratulations on your Government Decisionmaking (Rand award for lifetime contributions to Corporation, 1971); The Pacific Community: American American diplomacy. It places you in the same company as Myth? Asian Reality? (Carnegie Endowment, 1996), co- Thomas Pickering, Larry Eagleburger, George Shultz and authored with Ambassador Stephen Bosworth; China: Can Richard Lugar, among others. Who were some of the people We Have a Policy? (Carnegie Endowment, 1997); China- you especially admired or were inspired by during your Japan-U.S. Relations: Managing the Trilateral Relationship Foreign Service career? (Japan Center for International Exchange, 1998), with MIA: I had some extraordinary political bosses during my Funabashi Yoichi and Wang Jisi; Managing Change on the career and learned a lot from them: Elliot Richardson, Jim Korean Peninsula: Report of an Independent Task Force Schlesinger, Don Rumsfeld, Harold Brown, George Shultz (Council on Foreign Relations Press, 1998), Meeting the and Jim Baker. I also had some excellent career diplomat North Korean Nuclear Challenge (Council on Foreign bosses like Art Hartman, Ed Fried and Bill Gleysteen. As for Relations Press, 2000) and Testing North Korea: The Next career officials I enjoyed working with, there are too many to Stage in U.S. and ROK Policy (Council on Foreign Relations list, but I’d start with the incomparable Phil Habib and then Press, 2001), all co-authored with James Laney; Turkey’s mention Mike Armacost, Bob and Phyllis Oakley, Nick Platt, Transformation and American Policy (The Century John Negroponte, Marc Grossman, Stapleton Roy, Dick Foundation, 2000); China-Japan-U.S. Relations: Meeting Clarke, Frank McNeil, Paul Cleveland ... the list could go on New Challenges (Japan Center for International Exchange, and on. 2002), with Funabashi Yoichi and Wang Jisi; and The United States and Turkey: Allies in Need (The Century Foundation, FSJ: What drew you to the Foreign Service? MIA: I was always interested in international affairs, and Steven Alan Honley, an FSO from 1985 to 1997, is the edi- began thinking about becoming an FSO during my senior tor of the Journal. year in high school. The Cold War had begun and was end-

JULY-AUGUST 2006/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 31 MIA: I don’t like to answer that sort of question, but I guess my short list would start with understanding — real- ly trying to understand the views and positions of others. A second would be candor — I’ve never been reluctant to tell my bosses what I think. Another would be an action focus, to always con- centrate on what do we do, not suck our thumbs. There is inevitably too much of that in the think-tank world.

FSJ: On a related note, what qual- ities do you think are most important for a Secretary of State to have? Amb. Abramowitz at a refugee camp for Cambodians on the Thai border in 1980. MIA: Much depends on the times. Generally, they must have keen lessly fascinating. China was extraordi- serving as ambassador to the Mutual insights into how the world works — narily interesting at that time, and the and Balanced Force Reduction Nego- and not just in theory — and they debate about “who lost China?” was tiations. The conventional arms nego- must be good listeners. They should still fresh in my mind. There was also tiations had turned into a cynical exer- have a sense of the American national a cult of public service that motivated cise and the interest of both sides was interest, and be able to communicate my generation. just to perpetuate the [talks]. our positions articulately to foreign Unlike most FSOs, I was never a and domestic audiences. An ability to FSJ: Your first two overseas post- political or economic counselor or cut through BS is helpful. Finally, ings were in Taipei and Hong Kong. DCM. I never worked in a regional they must be able to make decisions, Did you originally plan to specialize in bureau in the department. I went dominate the interagency process and Chinese affairs? pretty much from consul to ambas- work effectively with the president. MIA: I did my graduate work in sador without doing a mid-level over- Having a longer-term perspective is Chinese affairs and studied the lan- seas job. So I had a rather bizarre also helpful. guage for three years at Stanford and career. Harvard. That was actually a mistake, For instance, [speaking of] fortu- FSJ: Which holder of that position by the way: I should have studied itousness: When Larry Eagleburger, in recent years would you say was Chinese in Taiwan right away instead of who was special assistant to Under most successful? stumbling along in the U.S. I was never Secretary [Nicholas] Katzenbach, went MIA: I don’t think there’s any a good language speaker and not much to New York in 1968 to work for question that Henry Kissinger was of a scholar. I also discovered I didn’t Kissinger during the interregnum pre-eminent in that job; he was a pow- really enjoy trying to be a scholar. between the Johnson and Nixon erful policy-maker in a way that no one administrations — a really awful time, else in my lifetime has been. He FSJ: Did you consciously move by the way, in the department — I was remains a phenomenon at 80-plus. I’d away from a China specialization after then working for Arthur Hartmann. also give high marks to George Shultz those first two tours? He persuaded Katzenbach to have me and James Baker, who was Secretary of MIA: No. It just so happened that replace Eagleburger for a couple of State when I left the Foreign Service once I left Hong Kong in 1966, I never months, and that totally changed my 15 years ago. I’m not really in as good worked on China full-time again. I career. Under Secretary [Elliot] a position to comment as well on the did, of course, later serve in East Asia Richardson asked me to stay on in that later ones, although I know and and with CINCPAC, so China was position. In hiring me, he said, he had respect Madeleine Albright and Colin certainly a part of my job. It wasn’t a a simple incentive plan: “One mistake Powell. conscious decision on my part. and you are out.” Foreign Service careers have a certain FSJ: What is your overall assess- fortuitousness, and mine was no FSJ: What would you say have ment of Condoleezza Rice’s first year exception. I liked every job but one — been your strengths as a diplomat? in the position?

32 FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL/JULY-AUGUST 2006 MIA: It’s still too soon to say and occupation with the help of its friends. the country has this enormous unend- I might also mention that the ing problem of Iraq. You have to keep “In hiring me, Under embassy was publicly attacked by in mind that President Bush’s first many prominent Americans and oth- term was not impressive in foreign Secretary [Elliot] ers for supposedly undermining the policy. It had one big achievement — new regime in Cambodia set up by there has not been a terrorist incident Richardson said he had a Vietnam and hindering its relief effort here for five years — but the country by feeding people in western is in a massive hole, and has borne and simple incentive plan: Cambodia from the Thai border. Our continues to bear truly extraordinary purpose was not to undermine the costs. Rice wasn’t Secretary of State ‘One mistake and you regime, although it was a rotten one, when Iraq happened; but as national but to make sure people were fed, so security adviser, she was part of the are out.’” we did not care who fed them or team that produced the problem. She where the food came through as long has made a start on recovering from as it served the purpose. If Phnom that period, but there are very difficult Penh could adequately deliver food to problems and the results are not in. Thai prime minister to obtain a pledge all of Cambodia amidst all the chaos, that some 30,000 refugees wouldn’t be so much the better. FSJ: Going back to your career: forced back into a dangerously mined Your first ambassadorship was in area in Cambodia. He assured me FSJ: Do you see the current politi- Bangkok from 1978 to 1981. What that wouldn’t happen but, sure cal turmoil in Thailand as worrisome were some of the challenges you faced enough, in a few days the Thai military or a sign of the country’s democratic as chief of mission there, and how did forced them back. So I learned never vitality? you handle them? to take anything for granted, no matter MIA: Both. Prime Minister MIA: I was there at an extraordi- who it comes from. But we continued Thaksin is not a particularly admirable nary time, with the Vietnamese inva- to praise the government and the Thai fellow. He has feathered his own nest, sion of Cambodia next door soon after people for what was a deeply humani- ordered extrajudicial killings and I arrived and its massive impact on tarian response, and that made a dif- weakened Thailand’s political institu- Thailand. It’s a sad thing to say, but in ference in the pursuit of our objec- tions. On the other hand, he has con- times of war, things get extremely tives. My wife, Sheppie, probably tinued Thailand’s economic growth interesting. spent as much time in border refugee and has sought to bring greater pros- Our primary task became to deal camps as I did. perity to Thai farmers. The way the with a huge humanitarian crisis, to help Second, we had to keep reassuring opposition moved to oust an elected the large numbers of Lao, Cambodian the Thais that the U.S. stood ready to leader on the streets isn’t healthy for and Vietnamese trying to flee into safeguard their security if Vietnam democracy either. Sometimes democ- Thailand in the wake of the invasion were to invade, which was considered racies elect people we don’t want, as and the Vietnamese government’s a real possibility in Thailand at the we’ve seen in Palestine and elsewhere. crackdown in South Vietnam. We led time. Both of these efforts were an That’s one of the problems of democ- an international effort to feed and shel- incessant preoccupation for the next racy. We get leaders we don’t like. ter over a million refugees and create a couple of years. Happens here, too. safe haven for them in Thailand or in Third, it was crucial for ASEAN, camps along the border. As part of that the Association of Southeast Asian FSJ: You were also ambassador to effort, President Carter did an extraor- Nations, to step up to the crisis. I Turkey from 1989 to 1991. What were dinary thing: he paroled into the U.S. remember a variety of conversations some of the challenges you faced as almost half a million Indochinese with Southeast Asian leaders, particu- chief of mission there, and how did refugees over a three-year period. larly Singaporean Prime Minister Lee you handle them? As you might imagine, the Thais Kuan Yu, soon after the invasion dur- MIA: Turkey was a great post and were not happy to suddenly have ing which I hammered home that a wonderful place. I only had two 300,000 to 400,000 Cambodian refu- point. That message, more important- years there because I left the depart- gees on their border. One costly inci- ly, was reinforced by Washington. And ment in 1991 to become president of dent taught me quite a lesson. Early ASEAN did stand up and ultimately the Carnegie Endowment for Interna- on in the refugee flood, I called the succeeded in ending the Vietnamese tional Peace.

JULY-AUGUST 2006/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 33 My first year there was consumed In the end, the logistical problem by one issue, the Armenian genocide was so huge that it was necessary to resolution that Sen. Robert Dole, R- “I’ve always been very get the involvement of the U.S. and Kan., introduced in April 1990. The other militaries. We urged Sec. Baker Turkish government and people went proud of INR. Its people to make a brief stopover in a Kurdish berserk in opposition to it. I ended up refugee camp in northern Iraq. He coming back to Washington and per- deserve a lot of credit for was only there for 12 minutes, but it sonally calling on some 60 senators to made all the difference. He got the persuade them not to approve the res- the work they do and the U.S. military involved. The next effort olution, citing the damage it would do was to get the Kurds home, and this to our alliance with Ankara. I believed independent voice was done by creating a safe haven for a war with Iraq was in the cards and them in northern Iraq, protected by we needed Turkish support; I also felt they maintain.” the strength and commitment of the that the Senate should not pass resolu- U.S. and its allies. In two months, tions of this type on historical events in about 1.5 million people were return- a now-allied country nearly a hundred ed to their homes. The justifiably leg- years ago. It was, I confess, a bad endary Fred Cuny, who was later moral dilemma for me because of the months to Turkey helped enormously. murdered in Chechnya, played an massive killings of Armenians at that In the aftermath of the war, I had to important role in that effort. That time. The resolution was defeated, deal with another huge humanitarian area in northern Iraq was the begin- not because of the administration, crisis. The U.S. had called on the ning, it turned out, of a de facto which for domestic political reasons Kurds in Iraq to rise up against Kurdish state in northern Iraq, anoth- lay low, but largely because of Sen. Saddam during the war, and they did er example of the law of unintended Byrd, D-W.Va. The resolution still — but we failed to support them. Half consequences. comes up every year. a million Kurds fled to the mountain I remember meeting Sen. Sam For the rest of my time in Ankara, borders of Turkey (and a million to Nunn, D-Ga., at the airport sometime Iraq was our preoccupation. The Iran), and they needed to be taken during this period and having him tell embassy focused on cementing care of. The Turkish government me, “Anywhere you are, Mort, I know Turkish support for the war against wouldn’t let them into the country, but there’s a war going on!” Saddam Hussein. President Bush’s allowed the U.S. and other concerned telephone diplomacy with President countries to feed and shelter them FSJ: Are you optimistic about Ozul and Sec. Baker’s four trips in six along the border. Turkey’s prospects for joining the European Union? MIA: Cautiously optimistic. The European publics are right now against it, and so the European Union governments’ support has weakened. The E.U. also seems to have lost its way recently. But I believe Turkey will eventually be admitted. It has become a dynamic state and should continue to be one, if it maintains political sta- bility and carries on its massive reform efforts.

FSJ: You also served as the first assistant secretary of the Bureau of Intelligence and Research from 1985 to 1989. In the runup to the Iraq War, INR was one of the few voices in the Amb. Abramowitz with his wife, Sheppie, and the French ambassador, await- intelligence community to express ing the arrival of the King of Thailand in Bangkok in 1980. skepticism about claims that Saddam

34 FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL/JULY-AUGUST 2006 Hussein had weapons of mass destruc- tion and to anticipate what would happen after the war. It turned out to be right on both counts, of course, yet its counsel was ignored. Do you view that outcome as representing a politi- cization of the intelligence process? MIA: First, let me say that I’ve always been very proud of INR. Its people deserve a lot of credit for the work they do and the independent voice they maintain. The marriage of good Foreign Service officers and long-serving Civil Service profession- als with institutional memory has pro- duced good analysis over the years. I’ve felt for some time now that the ability to truly understand what’s going on in other countries is central, both to intelligence analysis and to Foreign Service work across the board. That element of understand- ing is often missing, as we have seen in Iraq. Places like that, and Iran and Afghanistan, simply do not play to our strong suits. Another looming prob- lem is that ever since 9/11, we’ve been understandably so focused on terrorist threats that we may be losing the ana- lytical ability to look long term and think strategically. In this connection, I’ve got a hobby horse: I believe breaking relations is one of the dumbest things we do. It is always a politically easy way. Of course, sometimes it is unavoidable. I have the view that keeping lines of communication more open and hav- ing people who might get a better understanding of what is going on are highly desirable. It would have been useful to keep an embassy in Baghdad after the Gulf War, for instance.

FSJ: You have been a highly vocal critic of the Iraq War and postwar policy. More than three years on, do you see any way our intervention in Iraq can help pave the way for democ- ratization in the region? MIA: Actually, I supported the move to oust Saddam Hussein. But I

JULY-AUGUST 2006/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 35 now believe it was a profound mis- take, looking at what has happened there since and the terrible costs we’re paying in terms of lives lost, huge resources wasted, terrorism increased and major problems unat- tended to. I think history will judge the war as one of the biggest blunders in our lifetime. This administration seems to have no notion of real costs and focuses on would-be catastrophic consequences, which may occur but are thoroughly difficult to analyze or foresee. Obviously, we all hope we will be able to leave Iraq in one piece and reasonably stable, and that the war and its results will have an impact in the long run on the democratization of the region. I am not smart enough to know, but I’m not optimistic, because I remain skeptical that we know what we are doing. There are always major problems of consisten- cy and hypocrisy, of course, where promoting democracy is concerned. We are still supporting regimes like Saudi Arabia and Egypt, albeit for understandable reasons; but that sends mixed signals to the rest of the region.

FSJ: Last year, in a National Interest magazine article titled “In Defense of Striped Pants,” you said: “Career professionals are being most loyal when they are being candid with their bosses about situations and when they press for a serious exami- nation of policy. ... At this time, the country has a particular need for pre- serving candor in the departments and a variety of viewpoints from dif- ferent agencies.” Yet use of the Dissent Channel has fallen sharply in recent years, as has the number of nominations for AFSA’s four constructive dissent awards. Do you have any sense of what accounts for the decline in dissent? Any sug- gestions for how the Foreign Service can revive it?

36 FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL/JULY-AUGUST 2006 MIA: I’ve been out of the Service think-tank that has brought together for quite a while, and I have no real American and Russian scholars and insight into that important question. continues to sponsor free-wheeling But I would observe that this admin- conferences and discussions, individual istration has certainly not encouraged research and Russian and English pub- dissenting voices. In fact, it has con- lications. It is a unique place. sistently blamed the bureaucracy for We also conducted the first com- its own failures. prehensive post–Cold War study of U.S. foreign policy, which I think still FSJ: When you resigned from the holds up pretty well today. We Amb. Abramowitz today. Foreign Service in 1991 after 31 years focused much effort on the Balkans, to become president of the Carnegie FSJ: What do you see as your trying to spark a more robust Western Endowment for International Peace, main accomplishments during your six response to the Bosnian war and the was that transition difficult? years at Carnegie? difficult situation in Kosovo. I was an MIA: I was certainly sorry to MIA: I’m especially proud of the aggressive interventionist. Chris Hill leave Turkey a year early and to work the Carnegie Endowment has always used to say, “Mort never saw a resign from the Service, so that was done in Russia. I took over at Carnegie city in the Balkans he did not want to a difficult dilemma. What attracted a few days after the August 1991 become independent.” Oh, and we me to the job was the fact that it had attempted coup d’etat against Gorba- built a new headquarters on Massa- not been open for 20 years, and its chev. But even before that crisis, I was chusetts Ave. [in Washington, D.C.]. scope. The Carnegie Endowment is already looking for ways in which a pri- But probably the most useful long- not just a good think-tank but also an vate-sector institution could help better term effort during my time at Carne- institution-builder. There are all integrate Russia into the international gie was to help create the Internation- kinds of ways one can make a differ- system. That’s why we set up the first al Crisis Group. My memory of the ence. Carnegie-Moscow Center, a bilateral ICG’s birth is very precise. I was part

JULY-AUGUST 2006/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 37 of a small group set up in 1993 by are addressing that point? George Soros to advise him how to MIA: I don’t follow that closely; but spend $50 million in relief for Bosnia. “Chris Hill always used yes, I have the impression they are I still vividly remember flying into aware of the difficulties. Sarajevo on Jan. 5 of that year, amid to say, ‘Mort never saw a shelling on a terribly cold day, to meet FSJ: In a later chapter, you note the Bosnian president and as many city in the Balkans he that after 9/11, top American officials others as we could on that brief occa- frequently proclaimed that they’d sion. The group also included Mark didn’t want to become learned the lesson that “weak and fail- Malloch Brown, now U.N. deputy sec- ing states can serve as breeding retary general. independent.’” grounds for terrorism, as well as drugs On the plane ride home we agreed and HIV/AIDS.” But you then go on that the Western response to Bosnia to observe that in reality, the U.S. pays was abysmal and the humanitarian little or no attention to many weak and effort was also insufficient. We MIA: At that point I decided I fragile states. “At most, Americans hypothesized whether a private orga- really didn’t want to run any organiza- look at such states in a narrowly focus- nization could help stimulate a better tions anymore or work full-time for ed, short-term context.” What can be Western response to preventing or anyone. [Still,] my wife and many oth- done about that tendency? containing conflict. ers told me I made a serious mistake MIA: I’m not sure we can do much In 1995, the ICG was established, leaving Carnegie. Sometimes I agree. about it, unfortunately. We always end and it has grown into a $14 million I also miss the money. up having priorities, and there are enterprise working in 30 countries. It For the last nine years I have been just too many failed states around the tries to do three things: provide con- associated with The Century Founda- world for us to fix them all — whatever tinuing, on-the-ground analysis of con- tion, where I have written or edited we might say. Remember, “failed states flict or pre-conflict situations, offer three books and spent a lot of time in breed terrorism.” Just look at what has prescriptions on how to deal with both speech and word pontificating. happened now in Somalia, and recall all them and conduct advocacy to turn the rhetoric we once expended on it. that prescription into public policy as FSJ: Tell us about your latest book, How quickly we all forget. best it can in those countries that have co-written with retired Ambassador the resources to do something. Its Stephen Bosworth — Chasing the Sun: FSJ: Whenever you talk to bright reporting is sensational and, I suspect, Rethinking East Asian Policy, just pub- young people today, college graduates, in some cases far more useful than lished by The Century Foundation. do you recommend the Foreign Foreign Service reporting. I am MIA: In some ways, that was a Service to them as a career? pleased to say [former Ambassador] more difficult project than we imag- MIA: I don’t have many opportuni- Tom Pickering recently joined Chris ined, but it was fun. Basically, Steve ties presently to promote the Service, Patten as co-chair of the organization. and I wanted to do a book that would but I do so when I can. However, an provide a fresh, broad analysis of East FS career is not for everyone. There FSJ: In 1997, you left Carnegie Asia, what the U.S. was doing in the are serious problems of recruitment and became acting president of the area and what it might do better. It is and maintenance, of being able to mas- International Crisis Group. What did a rather unique effort to try to do all ter the increasing number of subjects that involve? that in one brief book. that are now involved in foreign rela- MIA: I was acting president of the tions, of tensions within the organiza- organization for about six months. Our FSJ: Early on in the book, you tion over fears of politicization. But first president had suddenly died in observe: “Concern about how others the Foreign Service offers great oppor- Croatia, and my principal job was to see us is mirrored in increasing Ameri- tunities and challenges to work on find a new one. We have been lucky to can self-criticism over the U.S. govern- great public issues, which are simply have former Australian Foreign Minis- ment’s failure to win support for its not available on the outside. ter Gareth Evans as our current presi- policies and calls for a more effective dent. He is a force of nature. ‘public diplomacy.’ The problem, of FSJ: Any final thoughts, Amb. course, often lies with the policies Abramowitz? FSJ: What was next after you left themselves.” Do you see any signs that MIA: No. I have talked too the ICG in 1998? Condoleezza Rice and Karen Hughes much.

38 FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL/JULY-AUGUST 2006 FS FICTION DAY OF THE JACKALOPE

A DELICATE DIPLOMATIC FAUX PAS IS NARROWLY AVOIDED WITH THE DELIVERY OF A HEFTY JACKALOPE.

BY BRIAN AGGELER

halo of malarial mosquitoes buzzing “Well, some of those guys do seem larger than life.” Miles around his head, Ambassador T. had served at posts all over the world, and wielded a gener- Farlack Vodel was lifting his racket to ous supply of tales from each. “I remember at my last post, serve when the twin-engined aircraft we had a visit from a congressman who had to have a trapeze roared low over the tennis court, installed in his hotel suite and an officer designated as his causing the monkeys in the trees to badminton partner on call the entire visit. Had to have a start screeching. The ambassador whole-wheat bagel with goat cheese and an emu oil massage stared at the empty sky where the plane had been, and every morning, without exception. Milking the goat wasn’t a Aadjusted his thick glasses. “Queer, a flight on Saturday morn- big deal, but finding an emu and then squeezing the oil out ing.” Distrustful of excess verbiage, the ambassador did not of it ...” use verbs. “No, Miles, the jackalope.” Miles Farley, the deputy chief of mission, stared at the sky “Of course that particular myth was inspired by sightings from the other side of the court. of rabbits with the papillomavirus — causes antler-like “Yeah, the next flight is on Tuesday — the one that tumors to grow in various places on the rabbit’s head and brings the International Herald Tribune and Martha Stewart body. Thought I had it once myself back in Moldova. Visited Living.” an unlicensed rabbit farm, and then found this strange horn “Ah, yes,” the ambassador nodded. “Inspiration for those growing in my ...” scented sorghum wreaths in our secure area.” “They’re landing right now — hurry!” Wally shouted. Information Officer Wally Spinks came sprinting from the Miles and the ambassador ran over and jumped into the embassy across the rutted street. “The plane! They called — ambassador’s car. Followed by Wally in the embassy it’s a congressman! And a jackalope!” Landcruiser, they bounced off down the potholed road to the The ambassador adjusted his thick glasses. “Mythical airport. creatures, Walter — at least according to conventional wis- dom ...” obody was sure when the last official U.S. visitor had Editor’s Note: “Day of the Jackalope” by Brian Aggeler is Ncome to Datipuru. There were stories that the desk the winner of this year’s Foreign Service Fiction contest. officer had visited several years ago and left on the next flight “Ram Balram’s Final Exam” by Rakesh Surampudi, which out after a tainted Fanta quaffed in the airport terminal had follows, took second place. The runners-up will appear in resulted in all her hair falling out later that evening. future issues of the Journal when space permits. And Datipuru would have remained unvisited if Mandi

JULY-AUGUST 2006/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 39 Wigenrath, wife of Representative “The problem is the fuel truck from Waylon Wigenrath, had not pur- the coast doesn’t arrive until tomorrow chased a large and heavy statue of a The plane’s range was morning, so I’m afraid you’re here recumbent jackalope during an over- overnight,” Miles explained. seas visit. She had insisted that the correspondingly shorter “Our honored guests for the day,” statue accompany them home in their the ambassador said. official plane, meaning that the — even with the The congressman massaged his plane’s range was correspondingly chins pensively. “Okay, then — got shorter — even with the congress- congressman’s staff some time to kill,” he said. “What kind man’s staff assistant bumped off to of sightseeing is there to do?” make room for the jackalope. And assistant bumped off “The most famous attraction in that entailed an unscheduled refuel- the country is the mysterious dung ing stop in Datipuru. to make room for mounds of Bingobara,” Lloyd offered. “What’s so mysterious about them?” s the C-12 descended, a boy the jackalope. “Well, it really is an incredible A chased the sleeping dogs off the amount of dung, for one thing ...” runway. The plane taxied to the small “What about shopping?” Mandi concrete terminal in a cloud of hot interjected. “No acceptable clothes, I dust. Some still panting from their guess,” she sniffed, eyeing Ardela’s scramble, the whole country team people. Fact is we got one helluva big dress, stitched of local fabric festooned lined up at the bottom of the stairs: jackalope in this plane — you know, with enlarged labels of the national Amb. Vodel, DCM Farley, Public those rabbits with antlers? Damn beer. Affairs Officer Lloyd Candy, Infor- thing must be six feet long and 500 “There’s a guy who makes flutes out mation Officer Spinks and Ardela pounds.” of hollowed-out tarantulas,” Miles Dingel, who did everything else. “I didn’t think they grew that big,” noted. “Surprisingly melodic, but you The aircraft door opened and Rep. Wally whispered. need to wear chapstick or some kind Wigenrath appeared, a stout giant “He’s pure brass and he’s glorious!” of protection when you’re playing with a solid helmet of improbably came a shout from the door of the them — reason I have no feeling in my chestnut-colored hair and a jiggling plane. Mandi Wigenrath’s vertiginous lower jaw ...” wattle of chins and jowl. He squeezed heels and confection of teased plat- “And there’s that other guy in the his bulging frame through the door of inum hair combined to raise her shack down by the burning tire mound the aircraft, eased himself down the height to very nearly five feet. “I col- who makes purses out of bush rats,” stairs and squinted skeptically at the lect jackalopes,” she declared, wob- Lloyd said. “You know, with his little embassy officials. Ardela was in a bling down the stairs to the tarmac. “I head and front feet, then the zipper faded jumper and Lloyd sported his have over 300, probably the greatest opening across his stomach.” off-duty men’s capris and a T-shirt that collection of jackalopes in the world. “You can get a better deal on the read “I’d Rather Be Square Dancing.” But this is the biggest.” She snapped ones made out of the back end,” Wally Amb. Vodel and Miles were still in her gum and looked around the dusty, added. “That’s everyone on my Christ- their tennis togs, and Wally was in a dry scene. The dogs had resumed mas list this year!” sleeveless T-shirt with Spongebob their positions sleeping on the runway. “Unique treasures,” the ambas- Squarepants pajama bottoms. Amb. The only other aircraft was a decaying sador agreed. “At the same time, real Vodel shook the congressman’s hand wreck next to the terminal building, opportunity here for a big step in our and introduced the staff. “Embassy where more dogs slept. Fat flies bilateral relations.” Datipuru at your service.” buzzed lazily in the heat. “This is dis- “Absolutely! President Kotazo The congressman cleared his mal,” she declared. “Let’s go to a would be thrilled to receive you — throat. “Sorry to land on you like this, Bennigan’s.” biggest visitor in years,” Miles suggest- “Sadly, food service industry here ed. “I mean in rank,” he added, as the Brian Aggeler entered the Foreign still in its infancy,” the ambassador congressman scratched his fleshy Service in 1990, serving in Europe, explained. “Not yet advanced to the flank. South Asia and Africa. He is cur- stage of Bennigan’s.” “Sure, I guess I could go pay a rently working in the Bureau of East She shrugged. “Well, let’s get the courtesy call on the president,” he Asian and Pacific Affairs. gas and go then.” shrugged.

40 FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL/JULY-AUGUST 2006 “Waylon, do these official trips Sparky.” The driver looked confused. always have to be about you?” Mandi “Apologies, missing a key part for snapped. “There is absolutely nothing Mandi’s hair stood the A/C,” Amb. Vodel said. “Nothing here for me to do, so don’t you go off in the budget for it, but fervent hope and see the president of some country straight out and her for next fiscal year.” that doesn’t even have a Bennigan’s.” The congressman stared in disbe- The congressman hesitated. Man- makeup had run down lief and tried to roll down the window. di cocked her arm on her hip, lowered “Not possible, unfortunately, with the her cat-eye sunglasses and raised a her face, giving her the bullet-proof glass.” tightly-tweezed brow at her husband. “How far to the hotel?” he gasped. “I guess Mandi’s right. Can’t really see appearance of a wet “Only hotel in town temporarily the need to see the president — not out of service,” the ambassador said. really any connection ...” raccoon that had been “Much-needed repairs and exorcism. Miles’ handlebar moustache droop- Repairs on track, exorcism more prob- ed with despair. Ardela glared at electrocuted. lematic. No worries, though — plen- Mandi. “Maybe you’d like a Fanta ty of room for you at my residence.” from the terminal?” The car bounced down the deeply potholed streets, with the congress- mb. Vodel led the couple to his man’s head slamming on the ceiling A car. “Ah, one of these fancy They got in the vehicle and and getting redder and redder and ambassadorial vehicles,” the congress- slammed the doors. Rep. Wigenrath Mandi’s wildly gyrating breasts threat- man slapped the steaming hood. “So immediately began to pour sweat, his ening to burst free from her tank top. you’re out here living the high life in soggy shirt sticking to the molten vinyl. The ambassador rolled with the famil- these luxury wheels the taxpayers get He tapped the driver on the shoulder, iar bumps like an experienced jockey. to pay for.” “Crank up the air conditioning there, He pointed out the window. “On your

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JULY-AUGUST 2006/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 41 left, the Presidential Palace,” he background, cabaret things?” Lloyd announced. “Conveniently located,” said. he added with a note of hope. We are the mighty “I think most of her dancing was “I guess ...” the congressman started. done on tables,” Ardela muttered. “Or “Waylon, don’t even think it!” Beetdiggers of dear old wrapped around a pole ...” Mandi hissed. “Anyway, perhaps we could con- The temperature continued to Backlick State! vince her to come judge our square climb. When the car pulled to a stop in dance troupe? I know we’re not at front of the residence, Wigenrath competition level yet, but if it got her tugged frantically at the door. “A little away so her husband was free for the jiggle always needed,” the ambassador meeting with the president ...” said, opening the door. Rep. Wigen- “‘Baywatch!’” Wally gasped. “Worth a try, Lloyd,” the ambas- rath burst out of the car, red-faced and “Didn’t we just reverse a military sador concluded. “Still some hope for gasping, dripping sweat. Mandi’s hair coup to restore Pres. Kotazo’s govern- ‘Baywatch,’ Walter ...” stood straight out in all directions and ment to power?” Ardela asked. her makeup had run down her face, “Old news, Dell,” the ambassador hat evening, Amb. Vodel and giving her the appearance of a wet rac- sighed. “A new week upon us now ...” TMiles paced outside Pres. Kota- coon that had been electrocuted. “If only there was some connection zo’s office. The ceremonial guards on “Perhaps after freshening up ...” that would make the congressman either side of the door were dozing on Amb. Vodel ventured. want to see the president ...” Miles their feet, the plumes on their helmets “We are not leaving this house until pulled on his drooping moustache. swaying with their deep breathing. we can fly out of this godforsaken “He’s on the House Subcommittee “Two hours in there,” the ambassador country!” Mandi waved her finger up on Space and we are after all an official whispered uneasily. “One-on-one at the ambassador. “Now if you would alternate landing site for the space meeting: margin for error uncomfort- just get us some emu oil.” shuttle,” Ardela said. ably high ...” “Possibility,” the ambassador nod- “Anything can happen with con- fter the Wigenraths and their ded. gressional types,” Miles agreed. “I was A pilots were settled in at the “The new ‘Blue Hawaii Elvis’ stamp the notetaker once for a visiting sena- ambassador’s residence, the country they’re issuing here is big news in the tor’s meeting with a real hardline min- team huddled at the embassy, scouring stamp community,” Wally chirped. “Is ister of sport and leisure. Lesson old congressional directories and every- the congressman a philatelist?” learned there was never call into cred- thing else they could find for informa- “There were allegations,” Miles ibility another man’s hairpiece, even if tion on their visitor. “At a crossroads whispered conspiratorially. “Nothing it’s not on his head. Things got pretty here,” the ambassador announced. proven.” heated — I honestly don’t know whose “Potential new era of bilateral hope and “Backlick!” Lloyd shouted. bite marks these are ...” understanding on one side — diplo- “Steady, Lloyd,” the ambassador Just as Miles turned and lifted the matic fiasco and descent into deep cautioned. “No call for salty language.” back of his safari suit, the heavy doors unspeakable on the other.” “No, no — Backlick State Univer- to the president’s office swung open. Miles elaborated. “Pres. Kotazo has sity!” Lloyd waved a biography of the Pres. Kotazo and Rep. Wigenrath heard the congressman is here, and congressman. emerged arm in arm, chanting in uni- will take it as an enormous insult if he “Rep. Wigenrath went there and so son: doesn’t come see him for a courtesy did Pres. Kotazo — he was an We are the mighty Beetdiggers call — fairly grim news for us if he exchange student! Wouldn’t that con- of dear old Backlick State! doesn’t do it.” vince him they should meet?” You think our mascot’s kind “Definition of grim?” asked Amb. The ambassador smiled. “Well of lame, Vodel. done, Lloyd. Still the matter of Mrs. But our teams really rate! “Well, the protocol office men- Wigenrath, a bit of a skeptic on the Beetdigger hearts always ring true, tioned they could refuse overflight utility of a meeting.” With love for dear old BSU! clearances for U.S. aircraft, ban “And damned if I know where to The congressman and president imports of all U.S. goods, expel you find an emu around here,” Miles mut- backed up, then ran at each other and and maybe even jam our rebroadcast- tered. jumped, their bellies colliding in mid- ing of Armed Forces television.” “I see that she has some dancing air as they shouted: “Dig the beet!”

42 FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL/JULY-AUGUST 2006 President Kotazo hugged the con- the funding for it!” gressman, then turned to the ambas- Overcome, Lloyd threw his skinny sador. “This man is my dear brother She mouthed Lloyd a arms around Rep. Wigenrath in a Beetdigger!” He pumped the ambas- weepy embrace. “You may not be my sador’s hand. “We are so filled with thank-you for the emu congressman,” he sniffed, “But you gratitude to the United States for send- touched me like my own member!” ing this distinguished envoy from BSU. oil, and tottered on her Mandi Wigenrath, her hair re- My entire country will forever be filled teased to its full glory, planted a bright- with warmest adoration for the United stiletto heels up the stairs red kiss on Lloyd’s cheek. “This man States, its people and its enlightened has the body of a beaten-down policies!” into the aircraft. bureaucrat but the heart of a dancer!” The congressman howled with she announced. She mouthed Lloyd a delight. “Why didn’t you tell me in the thank-you for the emu oil, and tot- first place the president here is a fellow tered on her stiletto heels up the stairs Beetdigger!” into the aircraft. As the pilot started At the door to the plane, the con- up the engines, the congressman t the airport the next morning, an gressman patted Amb. Vodel on the leaned over and whispered to Amb. Ahonor guard from the Presiden- shoulder. “Thanks for everything. Vodel, “Hope Kotazo enjoys the token tial Palace stood at attention on the tar- That Kotazo’s a great guy — said he’s of our friendship I left for him.” mac as the embassy vehicles pulled up. looking forward to signing a bunch Mandi shrieked from the plane, A military band played a surprisingly of new agreements with us.” He “Where’s my jackalope?” peppy version of “Georgia on My turned to Lloyd. “And I don’t know “Take it easy, Mandi!” the congress- Mind.” And while Rep. Wigenrath what kind of exchange program he man growled, as he climbed into the was not actually from Georgia, he was on, but you just let me know and plane. “There are always more jack- smiled graciously at the gesture. I’m going to go back and get double alopes.”

JULY-AUGUST 2006/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 43 FS FICTION RAM BALRAM’S FINAL EXAM

AN INDIAN VILLAGE’S HISTORY AND HOPE ARE WRAPPED UP IN THE STRUGGLES OF A DODDERING BUT DETERMINED OLD MAN.

BY RAKESH SURAMPUDI

n April 30, 2004, Ram Balram took ernment had so far not been responsive about funding.) the secondary-level exam for the The most common and most popular tale concerned last time. Now, this may seem 1947, when the town was badly divided by religious strife. unimportant to the average person, Ram Balram had agreed to wear a kufi while taking the test. who might say, “What the hell, the Even then the superintendent of exams, waiting piously at secondary level exam? Thousands the school entrance, commanded Ram Balram to lower his of newly adolescent students take pants and show proof of religious affiliation — which he that exam every year.” And they would be right to be so dis- dutifully marked as Hindu — so that the record would be Odainful, except for two things: one, every year the entire correct. village of B_ _ waited for exam day with the anticipation of A close second was the story of 1977, during the a carnival; and two, Ram Balram was 78 years old and had Emergency, when the time of the test conflicted with Ram been trying to pass the secondary-level exam for the past 65 Balram’s appointment for sterilization. He pored for so years. long over the questions that the government cutters grew Located in the heart of India’s unassuming and oft- snippy and bored, and left. It helped that Ram Balram had neglected south central region, B_ _ was remarkable for made a vow never to marry until he passed the exam. “We its citizens’ utter sameness. Ram Balram’s struggles func- don’t need to worry about this one,” one cutter was heard tioned like the town’s historical ledger. Everyone had a to say. Ram Balram story, and part of the celebration was the Other stories challenged for top honors. There was retelling of these stories over cups of warm tea in the cen- 1968, when Ram Balram was sick with smallpox, and rumor ter of town on the night before the exam. (In fact, the sto- had it that the town head had located a nearly identical twin rytelling was in danger of surpassing the actual event of to Ram Balram who had taken the exam in his place (he, the exam itself, and there was talk of creating a Ram too, failed), though this was never proven. Too late, some- Balram one-day storytelling festival. But the state gov- one had thought to check for the cauliflower-like brand of smallpox vaccination, but as a failing score was a failing Rakesh Surampudi joined the Foreign Service in 2000, score, the matter quickly died. and has served in Mexico City, Santo Domingo and In 1994, a scandal broke out over the test itself. A par- Islamabad, and with the Office of U.N. Political Affairs in ticularly scholarly and fundamentalist set decried the exam, the International Organizations Bureau. He is heading to claiming it to be a copy of an ancient text that was itself a Kolkata, India, for his next assignment. mimicry of an earlier work purportedly written by the

44 FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL/JULY-AUGUST 2006 first Hindu to have put ideas to paper. An original exam note to do some finger exercises, for his joints ached when existed that should be used, this set insisted. The matter making many small movements. was sent before the magistrate of the district, who quickly “And what’s more,” the American added, “P.D. Dixit, the and wisely passed the buck to another set of scholars. They, state education minister, will attend your test here in B_ _. in turn, promptly asked for 20 years more time to research You will meet him when you are done. That’s exciting!” the matter thoroughly, hoping that Ram Balram would The education ministry representative nodded wisely in either pass the test in the interval or pass from this world agreement and leaned back in his chair. “With the new sys- into the next, rendering a final pronouncement on the mat- tem, we’ll know your score within minutes.” ter moot. Whatever the story, each and every villager understood n exam day, as in the past 50 years, Ram Balram was that beneath it all, Ram Balram was an embodiment of Oaccompanied from his home by a woman named Devi their posterity. Generations of youngsters came and went, Das, who, somehow in this small village, was completely but over six decades Ram Balram had proven that in this unrelated to him. Notwithstanding this odd circumstance, world of patterns, cause and effect Devi Das had, in a display of bravado and complex algorithms, unpre- or stupidity (though quite remarkable dictability alone was the rule. He in its matter-of-factness), taken a vow was the only one in B_ _ who faced Let the Americans pour never to marry until Ram Balram the future unblinkingly. passed his exam. Although every year their money into India; a few naysayers argued that by swear- t was one subject or another in the ing such a silly oath, she had unnec- Itest that caused Ram Balram’s hadn’t they taken the essarily piled mounds of pressure downfall year after year, but the onto Ram Balram’s much-pressur- wrinkle this year was the administra- best and brightest ized shoulders, Devi Das generally tion of the exam. For the first time, garnered an incredible amount of Ram Balram would be taking it by Indians for so sympathy in her own right. “She is a computer instead of with pencil and poor nutter, that woman,” people paper. The United States govern- many years? said, “doomed to be a spinster and ment had quietly provided funding useful to no one.” But, in truth, this for the computerization project, was not quite accurate; for by match- tying a small Texas software company ing Ram Balram vow for vow she had, to B_ _ by way of kilobytes, cash and the efforts of an in essence, tied herself to him with a bond stronger than an excitable and somewhat determined USAID officer. actual marriage. This was not as upsetting to the locals as one might have Devi Das was clearly in love with Ram Balram. To be expected, though arguments had been going on from the honest, this love was unlike anything anyone in the village moment word of the new format had reached the village. had ever seen: unarranged, topping the deepest of spiritual India had turned into the world leader in information tech- trances in its self-absorption, surpassing the most passion- nology and IT services. Internet houses were beginning to ate of touches in its utter lack of physicality and outstrip- dot the larger towns that surrounded B_ _, dominated by ping the most heart-rending songs in its futility. It was pure pairs of young men crammed into drab cubicles in front of 1950s cinema. Devi Das thus somehow managed to computer screens. Plans were afoot to create an electroni- achieve her own film-star status, and every year a large cally literate army of millions (and downloaders of pornog- proportion of the (male) crowd unabashedly seemed to raphy — an unfortunate side effect), said India’s leaders, show up better dressed than was befitting an event like and demand for education in programming was being felt the secondary-level exam in hopes of catching the starry in a growing number of state capitals. Let the Americans gaze of a spinster who had eyes for only one person on the pour their money into India; hadn’t they taken the best and planet. brightest Indians for so many years? When asked, Devi Das claimed that she was only help- The USAID officer and an education ministry represen- ing Ram Balram focus on the exam, and accompanying him tative had held a meeting with Ram Balram to explain the to the school. Inwardly, she wished to spare him from the new testing procedures. “There’s nothing to worry about. corrosive harm of constant failure. Were she able, Devi It’s modernization,” the American said reassuringly. “Quite Das would receive the failures upon her body like blows simple and quite efficient. The questions do not require from a policeman’s stick. She knew that the harshest dam- more than pushing a button.” Ram Balram made a mental age from failure was always on the inside, unseen and

JULY-AUGUST 2006/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 45 brooding; and it was her task to mend matter, and out of the village, as the the wound gently, as if rubbing a computerized testing would certainly sponge on a soft stain of caked mud Matching Ram Balram be one of the first scapegoats in the until it disintegrated. She knew also event of Ram Balram’s failure. No that her efforts could only be 90-per- vow for vow, she had matter, he thought. He could always cent effective, at most, for every blame the Americans. stain, no matter how skillfully and tied herself to him with carefully removed, leaves another am Balram arrived at the entry stain behind it. a bond stronger than Rto the school, where he glanced The keener minds among the vil- at the large dais that had been set up lage recognized that the shared bur- an actual marriage. for P.D. Dixit’s speech. He then den of 65 failures had made them noticed that the windows were closed mirrors of each other. Devi Das and inside the classroom where he would Ram Balram walked in perfect point- take the test. counterpoint, the cup of her palm “I’m sorry, Ram Balram,” the propping up his left elbow as she hend. Sixty-five failures. Enough to superintendent apologized, “but we leaned into him ever so slightly, not crush the hardiest of psyches. didn’t want you to be disturbed by quite touching the loose folds of his Was the man really so unflap- the noise from the minister’s speech.” white cotton kurta. This small assis- pable? To think of all that time and The exam room was empty except tance, the light touch of another energy wasted. He had read that for a small desk centered in the front human being that was little more Ram Balram had refused any sort of of the room, wires from the comput- than the tickle of a feather on his dry tutoring, though he knew it was cer- er balanced on its surface trailing elbow joint, was the only help Ram tainly not because of any lack of avail- toward a large mess of plugs, cords Balram accepted from anyone on the able teachers. Maybe it was for the and humming lights on the wall. The half-kilometer walk to the school. best, he speculated. If the fellow superintendent explained the process For a full 10 minutes the crowd really was incapable of learning, to try of the test in a speech that Ram stood looking at the pair with some and teach him only to watch him fail Balram had nearly memorized by measure of awe and remained speech- would be bad publicity for his educa- heart over the past 65 years. He less, except for one middle-aged Sikh tional plans for the district. He imag- would have three hours. If he need- fellow wearing a yellow turban. “The ined his opponents campaigning: ed some water or a bathroom break, bastard, the poor bastard,” he mut- “Under P.D. Dixit, a state of 20 mil- he only needed to signal the test tered repeatedly. lion people cannot teach a single old monitor standing by the door. Did he Suddenly a cheer rose from the man to pass an exam.” It was sadly have any questions? middle of the large group: “Best of ironic, thought P.D., that a man Ram Balram listened to the luck, Ram Balram! You’ll do it this should ever reach a point where help whirring of the computer’s cooling time!” Ram Balram raised a shaky was no longer an option. fan and asked what he had been hand toward the well-wishers, with Sighing and reconciled to the thinking of for some time now: the air of a detached politician. changes that were beyond his control “If it is all right, please allow Miss — for the moment, he reassured Devi Das to remain.” istening to the slightly nasal himself — he motioned to his aide- L drone of his aide-de-camp de-camp and to the small attaché utside, the crowd seemed to be briefing him on the new computer case he was carrying. He gathered Obreathing sleepily as P.D. testing system, state education minis- the sheaf of papers that would be his trudged to the end of his speech on ter P.D. Dixit remembered that his speech, and began to mentally the promise of high technology for own family tree, going back six gener- rehearse. A two-hour discourse on education. The excitement of Ram ations, had its roots in Ram Balram’s education to a captive audience. It Balram’s entrance into the school had village. P.D. glanced briefly again at would be a long day. Longer still if worn off, and updates were severely Ram Balram’s dossier. He noticed the old man didn’t pass. People restricted by the superintendent, who the date of birth and did some rapid became angry too easily these days. shooed away the little boys trying to calculations. The sheer enormity of He wondered if, in the sum of things, peek through the windows of the Ram Balram’s inability to achieve was it would have been better to leave school, the glass too high for most of difficult for the minister to compre- modern technology out of this kind of them to see through.

46 FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL/JULY-AUGUST 2006 P.D. finished his speech in the like Forster and Naipaul, had seen time he had allotted himself and and meditated on this truth. He also looked around, tremendously pleas- P.D. shook his head knew that, like Ram Balram, the ed. He noticed that for the first time cycle of repetition was the drug and in his tenure, no one was shouting at slightly. The country also the addiction. The ending had him or pleading for him to make an already been written and the story, impossible change in government would never change, well, the story was only the echo of a policy. His bodyguards stood in their song sung long ago. normal state of cat-like alertness, with he thought. Ram Balram would emerge, weary heavily lidded eyes; but he was, in and a bit unsteady, and would be fact, a spectator, unnoticed, in the allowed perhaps 10 paces before truest sense of the word. Amazing, someone would shout, “How was it, he thought as he smiled to himself. Ram Balram? Did you pass the He made a mental note to write this He says he will do it on his own, with- exam?” humanizing event down in his mem- out any help. That is why we admire And Ram Balram would wave with oirs, along with a secret wish to see him,” the local explained. the back of his hand and reply, “Only Ram Balram fail. The man was good P.D. shook his head slightly. The God can say, but I am confident” — for business. country would never change, he which would please them all to no Meanwhile a group of reporters, thought. Let others raise the alarm end, and fill them with hope for the no longer interested in his words, had about corrupting foreign influences, future. gathered around a local man who was the drain on so much of India’s If only he could package that hope holding forth with seriousness. P.D. future. He knew that India was unex- in something more manageable than watched. “We love him. Everyone in plainable and unchanging on some a doddering and determined old this village. He is our Ram Balram. basic level. What came would be man, P.D. thought somewhat wist- He has refused all help for 65 years. converted. The keenest minds, men fully.

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JULY-AUGUST 2006/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 47 .D. was thinking of a mango lassi Pwhile being shuffled from the podium by his security detail when Such fragile things are the bombs detonated, exactly 26 sec- onds apart, the first from near the our thoughts, mused base of the platform. The air, sucked inward for the briefest of millisec- Ram Balram as he onds preceding the flash of noise and light that threw him to the ground, glanced at Devi Das, and reminded P.D. of a moment from his own childhood, riding on the local our dreams even more Golconda Express between Chennai and Hyderabad. so. Yet somehow they He was a boy of 12, and had pushed and maneuvered his thin manage to endure. brown frame through the bodies of the older men standing in the open entryway of the overloaded rail car- riage. Those closest to the edge maintained an easy grip on the verti- explosion, taking all sound with it, cal railing just outside the doorframe, giving the listener a moment of pure others leaned and rocked comfort- emptiness. The silent universe, he ably further inside, sipping on the thought, before the big bang. pungent smoke of their beedis. P.D. stared out at the passing landscape of nside the school, Ram Balram dusty mounds and occasional rocks, Iremained focused, accustomed to feeling the balance of the train’s the droplets of sweat on his fore- motion and listening to the clack of head, as the world outside careened the wheels upon the rails. He looked out of control. The bombs had not down at his toes, just crossing the shaken his will or his concentration. edge of the doorway into the cooling Neither had they affected Devi Das, evening air. who sat in a high-backed chair in a The men’s voices, laughing and corner of the room. She was silent, bantering, disappeared, and he was with eyes closed in meditation, imag- left for the briefest of moments with ining a wedding where the scent of the sound of an eternal nothingness. jasmine wove itself into the fabric of Hypnotized by how quiet it had sud- her wedding sari as the priest circled denly become, he turned to look for- dancing flame around her head. ward, and at that moment the south- He felt the stiffness in his fingers bound train screamed past. There and, for a moment, noticed a wave of had been no warning, and he had tiredness surging along inside his heard nothing. In reality, the train body. Such fragile things are our was never closer than one meter to thoughts, mused Ram Balram as he his head, but it seemed to P.D. that glanced at Devi Das, and our dreams mere centimeters separated his even more so. Yet somehow they body from the speeding metal of manage to endure. death. The computer screen began to Now, as he lay face down upon flicker. Ram Balram focused his gaze the earth searching for breath and and stared at the last question on the finding none, P.D. thought how sim- exam. It was straightforward. There ilar the two moments were. Air were only two possible responses. gathered inward by an impending He answered yes.

48 FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL/JULY-AUGUST 2006 BOOKS

A Rich Life would be for the United States to Reagan gave Perkins bring solutions from the outside. By far the most exciting section in Mr. Ambassador: instructions to “shake the book centers on Perkins’ experi- Warrior for Peace things up” as the first ence as the first African-American to Edward J. Perkins with Connie black ambassador to serve as U.S. ambassador to the Cronley, University of Oklahoma South Africa. And that apartheid-era Republic of South Press, 2006, $39.95, hardcover, is just what he did. Africa, from 1986 to 1989. President 560 pages. Reagan gave Perkins instructions to “shake things up” down there. And REVIEWED BY HERMAN J. COHEN that is just what he did, using his posi- tion to go everywhere and see every- One of the most visible and inspira- tion can pay dividends. one. tional icons of the Foreign Service Separate periods of service in the Through his very presence as a during the 1980s, Ambassador Ed- Army and the Marine Corps gave strong, articulate, unflappable black ward J. Perkins, has published his Perkins opportunities to work in man, Perkins gave hope to South memoirs 10 years after his retirement Korea and Japan. Persuaded that he African people of color that there was from government. Had Mr. Ambass- was destined for a career in foreign a light at the end of the tunnel. As for ador: Warrior for Peace only recalled affairs, he took advantage of every free the white power structure, he not only his 24-year diplomatic career, it would minute to learn about the cultures sur- administered a dose of reality about be well worth reading. But as a bonus, rounding him. After discharge, he the inevitable demise of the apartheid it gives us a total picture of his life. remained in the Far East as a civilian system, but offered reassurance that And what a fantastic life it has been! with the Military Exchange Service; the transition could be peaceful and Kudos to the University of Oklahoma that organization assigned him to would benefit all South Africans. The Press for giving Perkins the room to Taiwan, where he met and married his controlled implosion of apartheid, tell his entire story, from boyhood to life partner, Lucy Cheng-mei Liu. leading to the advent of majority rule his current position as professor of Those of us who have worked with in 1994, came largely from within, but international relations at U.O. him know that she played a major role Perkins played a major role in the crit- The future ambassador was an in his success as an anchor, muse and ical push from without during his underprivileged child raised on a cot- excellent representative of the United three years there. ton farm in rural Louisiana, in the States in her own right. Perkins continued to move midst of total segregation and racial From Taiwan, Perkins signed on upward, serving as director general of discrimination. But with much love with USAID as a reserve officer in the Foreign Service, then permanent from his mother and grandmother to Bangkok. This was his stepping stone U.S. representative to the United sustain him, and his own steely deter- to full Foreign Service status, which Nations, ambassador to Liberia and, mination, he was able to overcome all he achieved in 1972 at the age of 44. finally, to Australia. In chapters devot- obstacles. These early years constitute During early assignments in West ed to these assignments, Perkins a motivational story that should be Africa, Perkins witnessed revolutions, demonstrates his willingness to inno- made available to high school stu- coups and instability in Ghana and vate, his ability to push the envelope dents, especially those in underprivi- Liberia. It was a period during which and his courage in telling it like it is to leged circumstances who need to much of Africa was trying to find itself. all levels, above and below. I was par- know that hard work and determina- Perkins learned quickly how difficult it ticularly struck by Perkins’ willingness

JULY-AUGUST 2006/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 49 B OOKS

to share credit with the officers and ernments find in deflecting criticism support staff who advised him, educat- that would otherwise be directed at ed him and aided his efforts to defend Mandelbaum doubts that themselves. A major factor has been U.S. interests. the handicap of a nation so powerful Still, this reviewer was a bit disap- the United States will that it is often seen as “the world’s pointed that Perkins did not take Goliath.” advantage of hindsight to comment on continue to exercise its The author doubts whether the some policy issues that are still contro- United States will continue to exer- versial, such as Washington’s relations current dominant role in cise such a dominant role in interna- with Liberian dictator Samuel Doe tional relations, however. This is not and with Saddam Hussein following international relations. so much because of foreign opposi- the Persian Gulf War. I also take issue tion, or even American dissatisfaction with his assessment of Chester A. with the results achieved, but Crocker, assistant secretary of State for because it will prove impossible to African affairs throughout the Reagan Professor Michael Mandelbaum’s finance such a role and also fund administration. Despite much opposi- novel thesis in The Case for Goliath is the staggering future Social Security tion, he brokered the December 1988 that ever since World War II, the and Medicare entitlements to which New York agreements that brought United States has been performing American voters will attach greater about the independence of Namibia some of those “services” that a world importance. Equally disquieting, he and the withdrawal of Cuban and government would be providing if sees no other nation, alliance or inter- South African troops from Angola. such a government existed. In the national organization as likely to take One of the great postwar U.S. diplo- economic sphere, this role was under- over that role, and he predicts that matic achievements, those agree- taken at the Bretton Woods Confer- the world will regret our withdrawal ments also contributed more than any ence in 1944, as the means to avoid a from it. other event, in my view, to the end of repetition of the worldwide economic One aspect of this book I particu- apartheid. Yet Perkins gives Crocker disasters of the interwar period. In the larly appreciate is that Mandelbaum is only tepid praise for them in a single sphere of national security, “What not trying to whitewash or denigrate short paragraph which, unfortunately, began as emergency measures to forti- the record of any American adminis- reflects mixed feelings toward the man fy its coalition partners in the Cold tration. Rather, he is seeking to himself. War became, over time, services that explain in basic terms how the United That said, Ed Perkins has written the United States provided to the States has been behaving on the inter- a first-rate memoir that merits the world as a whole.” In both cases the national scene, what the consequences attention of a wide public. primary American motivation was to of that behavior have been, and what advance its own interests, but in both changes are likely in the future. No Ambassador Herman J. Cohen, a cases the rest of the world benefited one can be perfectly objective in pur- retired FSO, was assistant secretary of more than its spokesmen have been suing such a task, but I think he has State for African affairs during the willing to admit. done remarkably well in this relatively George H.W. Bush administration. Mandelbaum devotes a lot of atten- short and consistently lucid book. I tion to the dissatisfaction and outrage also enjoyed the apt and humorous that American activities of this type quotations with which he illustrates Be Careful What have caused in other countries, even some of his main points, and an aston- when they met with a significant de- ishing final sentence that aptly sums You Wish for gree of tacit consent on the part of for- up his predictions for the future. eign leaders. He discusses a wide vari- I feel sure Foreign Service person- The Case for Goliath ety of factors contributing to those nel will find The Case for Goliath Michael Mandelbaum, Perseus Books reactions. Some of them relate to the thought-provoking and pertinent. It Group, 2005, $26, hardback, 283 content of American policies, some to should be of particular interest to pages. the many differences between Ameri- many, like myself, who have long can values and values elsewhere, and thought that the ever-closer interde- REVIEWED BY PARKER WYMAN some to the advantages foreign gov- pendence of the nations of the world

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means that there cannot be anything fail and break up, reasoning that things like satisfactory solutions to many of could hardly get worse. He also their major problems without some Calderisi believes quotes some average Africans who kind, and some degree, of what wish European colonialists would Mandelbaum calls “global gover- Western aid is actually return. nance.” Conversely, Calderisi advocates slowing down increasing Western aid to the conti- Retired FSO Parker Wyman served in nent’s few successes — Tanzania, Berlin, Cairo, Duesseldorf, Milan, Tay democratization in Mozambique, Ghana, Uganda and Ninh (South Vietnam), Addis Ababa Mali — and other countries that are and Lagos, as well as in Washington, Africa by propping serious about reducing poverty. D.C. For 11 years following retire- Calderisi’s human touch is what ment he helped develop specialized up dictators. draws the reader through often grim computer programs for use by the reading. He vividly illustrates the Foreign Service and the State cumulative impact of day-to-day cor- Department. ruption, such as the need to hand over Chad-Cameroon pipeline properly. a month’s farming income just to Because of this and other failures, the obtain a burial certificate, or the tradi- Tough Love World Bank and the International tion of heads of state buying new pres- Monetary Fund have been nicknamed idential airplanes as soon as aid money “the Masters of Disaster” in some arrives. And he explains why desper- The Trouble with Africa: parts of the continent. ately poor farmers “tip” a school- Why Foreign Aid Isn’t Working The author concedes that there is teacher to have a son or daughter seat- Robert Calderisi, St. Martin’s Press, plenty of blame to go around, to be ed in the front few rows: in a class of 2006, $24.95, hardcover, 230 pages. sure. He lists several prominent 150 to 200, that is the only way to NGOs as being better known for ensure they get any attention. REVIEWED BY DAVID CASAVIS “pompous officials, padded budgets, Those new to Africa will find this stuffy reports and incessant self-con- book a breathless tour across a conti- Over the past half-century, many gratulation than for any real progress nent four times the size of the United grand schemes have been launched to in pooling national resources.” At the States. Those formulating policy fix Africa’s woes, often accompanied same time, he identifies African traits might want to concentrate on the by huge sums of money. So why is that he says work against develop- country case studies laid out in the much of the continent still in dire ment, chief among them “petty com- middle of the book. And Africa hands straits? petition among enlarged egos.” will find Chapter 12 of particular In The Trouble with Africa: Why In his view, Western aid is actually interest: it lays out 10 ways to change Foreign Aid Isn’t Working, Robert slowing down democratization in the continent. Calderisi has a ready answer: “The Africa, as it props up dictators while Whether one agrees with Calderi- simplest way to explain Africa’s prob- doing nothing for the suffering mass- si’s basic thesis that less aid is best, lems is that it has never known good es. For support, he quotes no less an there can be no doubt of his sincere government.” authority than former Tanzanian commitment to improving the lives of A retired World Bank spokesman President Julius Nyerere: “If our effort Africans. He repeatedly hails the for Africa, Calderisi makes full use of slackens, [donors] will — and should indomitable spirit of the continent’s the ammunition he gathered during — lose interest in cooperating with us many, varied denizens who, he his 22-year career there. He dismisses for our benefit.” Again and again he believes, have nothing to lose but their the Bank’s Chad oil watchdog commit- returns to the theme that aid works exploiters. tee as more interested in receiving best when recipient governments are diplomatic passports and traveling first already on the right track. He even David Casavis has worked for the class, with all the perks, than in mak- argues that countries like the Congo Commerce and Homeland Security ing sure that President Idriss Deby’s (formerly Zaire) that are too far gone departments. He has just completed a government spends revenues from the to be reformed should be allowed to book on visa fraud.

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Thomas W. Ainsworth, 84, a of Development, P.O. Box 2038, New Huntington College fencing team in retired FSO of Chambersburg and Haven CT 06521-2038. Montgomery in his later years. Amberson Valley, Pa., died peacefully Mr. Barker’s wife, Joan Arnold at home, surrounded by his family, on Barker, and son, Thomas Barker, pre- April 1. ceded him in death. He is survived by Born in Beloit, Wisc., Mr. Edmund O. Barker, 86, a former three children: Mary Barker of Long Ainsworth earned a B.A. in English member of the Foreign Service, died Island, N.Y.; Brent Barker (and his from Yale University in 1942 and then at his home in Montgomery, Ala., on wife, Marcia) of Fairfax, Va., who is a began graduate school. His studies Jan. 9 after a short illness. diplomatic security agent in the were interrupted by World War II. As A graduate of the University of Foreign Service; and Jeffrey Barker a U.S. naval officer, he learned Nebraska (Omaha) and the University (and his wife, Ana) of Mobile, Ala.; Japanese and served in the Pacific of California (Los Angeles), Mr. and four grandchildren: Alexander, until the end of the war. Barker joined the War Department in Francesca, Edmund and Martin After the war, Mr. Ainsworth 1940 as an editor and analyst. He was Barker. joined the Foreign Service. He stud- appointed vice consul at Noumea, ied Cantonese at the Army Language New Caledonia, in 1943, and subse- School, and served in embassies and quently served as a diplomat in Addis consular offices throughout the Far Ababa and Bangkok during and after Robert Bruce Black, 85, an East, including Fukuoka, Kobe, World War II. economist and former FSO with Tokyo, Taipei, Saigon and Hong After leaving the Foreign Service, USAID, died on April 6 in Biddeford, Kong. His final overseas post was as he undertook graduate studies at Maine, of complications from a consul general in Osaka-Kobe. UCLA in 1949, then married and stroke. Mr. Ainsworth is survived by his relocated to Montgomery, Ala., where Mr. Black was a native of Arlington, wife, Wilma “Sue” Ainsworth; three he began a distinguished, 25-year Mass. He was educated at Philips sons, Bruce H. Ainsworth of Cheverly, career as a civilian employee with Exeter Academy, Harvard College, Md., Thomas W. Ainsworth Jr. (and Maxwell Air Force Base. His last and the Harvard Littauer School of Public wife, Terry) of Woodbridge, Va., and longest position was with the staff of Administration and the London Daniel E. Ainsworth (and wife, Becky) the Air Force’s Air War College pro- School of Economics. He earned a of Severn, Md.; two daughters, Jean fessional journal, AU Review. He was Ph.D. in economics and political sci- Ainsworth Zablin (and husband, Gary) one of the oldest members of the ence from Harvard University. In of Philadelphia, Pa., and Anne Ains- Maxwell Officers’ Club, and enjoyed 1942 he entered the U.S. Navy, serv- worth Kirkland (and husband, David) his connection with the base during ing in action on a destroyer during the of Houston, Texas; and nine grandchil- his retirement years. He was an active entire campaign in the Pacific, rising dren: Candice and Charles Zablin; sponsor of foreign students attending in rank from ensign to lieutenant com- Jason, Daniel, and Andrew Ainsworth; the Maxwell Air Force Base War mander. He was present at the signing Diana and Will Kirkland; and Saman- College, and volunteered as an of the peace treaty in Japan. tha Ballard and Alexis Ainsworth. He is “English as a Second Language” After the war, Mr. Black began a also survived by his sister, Elizabeth teacher. distinguished government career on Ainsworth Steinberg, and her four Mr. Barker’s love of international assignment to the President’s Mater- sons. travel was rivaled only by his interest ials Policy Commission, which re- Donations may be made to the in art, both of which provided great viewed long-term needs for strategic Hospice of the Good Shepherd, 2700 joy in his life. He also enjoyed the natural resources. His foreign affairs Luther Drive, Chambersburg PA sport of fencing, serving as coach career began during the Marshall 17201, or to the Yale University Office while at UCLA and assisting the Plan, when he served as an economist

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in the office of Director of Mutual ham, Mass., and Rebecca Black, a career minister, Amb. Boonstra be- Security Averell Harriman. From Foreign Service officer with USAID came a consultant to the Weyer- 1953 to 1972, he worked in a variety in New Delhi; a brother and a grand- haeuser Corporation, the United of capacities for the U.S. foreign assis- son. His first wife, Martha Mooney Nations, and several public and pri- tance agencies that became USAID, Black, died in 1963. vate agencies. He also lectured beginning with the Office of Program extensively, provided foreign affairs and Planning dealing with the Near expertise to commissions of the East and Africa. State of Florida and served for a After attending the National War Clarence A. Boonstra, 92, a number of years on the University of College, Mr. Black became chief of retired FSO and former ambassador, Florida’s External Advisory Board. the USAID Military Assistance Divi- succumbed to pneumonia at his home He was an active Rotarian and a Paul sion. He directed missions in Tunisia, in Gainesville, Fla., on March 20. Harris Fellow, an avid fisherman and Senegal and Costa Rica, and was sub- Born in Grand Rapids, Mich., conservationist, a golfer and tennis sequently appointed director of the Ambassador Boonstra graduated from player. He was a member of Diplo- Latin American Office for Population Michigan State University, studied at matic and Consular Officers, Re- Programs and Civic Development. the Universities of Chicago and Wis- tired and enjoyed events at the His last assignment was as head of the consin, and earned a Ph.D. in agricul- DACOR Bacon House during fre- Social Development and Demogra- tural economics at Louisiana State quent trips to Washington, D.C. phy Program within the Organization University. He was commissioned as a Amb. Boonstra moved to Florida for Economic Cooperation and Deve- Foreign Service officer in 1946, after in 1975 after living in Washington, lopment in Paris. He represented the tours with the U.S. Department of D.C., for over 30 years between post- OECD at the first U.N. World Agriculture in Washington, D.C., and ings abroad. Population Conference in 1974. overseas. He leaves his wife of 40 years, the Apart from his career, Mr. Black Amb. Boonstra specialized in trop- former Margaret Beshore; three had many interests. He was an avid ical development. On the staff of daughters, Alexa Barnett of McLean, reader and an enthusiast for theater, General Douglas MacArthur during Va., Sandra Page of Miami, Fla., and modern dance and music. With John World War II, his assignments includ- Tara Boonstra of Gainesville; a son, H. Esterline, he wrote Inside Foreign ed sugar purchases and food supply in Carl Boonstra of Miami; six grandchil- Policy: The Department of State Politi- Cuba and the Caribbean region, and dren; two great-grandchildren; a sister, cal System and Its Subsystems (May- agricultural reconstruction in the Lillian Piersma of Lansing, Ill.; and field, 1975). He also wrote exten- Philippines and Southeast Asia. Later, numerous cherished in-laws, nephews sively on questions of planning and Amb. Boonstra was posted to Peru, to and nieces. His first wife, Mildred development. He was an ardent envi- Argentina during the turbulent Peron Fereira, died in 1960. ronmentalist and outdoorsman. He years, and to Brazil. He served again checked regularly for pollution in in Cuba when the Batista regime was the streams around Washington, falling to Castro’s forces. D.C., as a member of Save our After a year at the National War John Edward Devine, 92, a Streams. He fly fished all over the College in Washington, D.C., he retired FSO, died on Feb. 16 at the world throughout his life, and was an served as director for South American Carroll Manor Nursing Home in expert canoeist and member of the affairs in the State Department and, Washington, D.C., of complications Sycamore Island Club in Montgomery subsequently, as political adviser to from Alzheimer’s disease. County. U.S. military forces under the Born in Chicago, Ill., he was mold- He was a Washington, D.C.-area Southern Command in Panama. In ed into a distinguished government resident from the late 1940s until the 1960s and early 1970s, he was servant by his father, an assistant post- 2003, when he moved to Kennebunk, deputy chief of mission and chargé master of Chicago. He graduated Maine. d’affaires in Mexico and Brazil, consul from the University of Chicago in Survivors include his wife, Jean- general in Rio de Janeiro and ambas- 1935, and later received his master’s netta Wilson Black of Kennebunk, sador to Costa Rica. degree from the same institution. also retired from USAID; two daugh- After retiring from the State After a stint in the Army Air Force ters, Brenda Pollara Black of Hing- Department in 1974 with the rank of during World War II, Mr. Devine

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joined the State Department in 1946. and three grandchildren, Nicole, Max Vance Krebs, 89, a retired His first assignment was in Cairo. He Steven and Andrea, all of Ventura FSO and former ambassador, died on was subsequently posted to Ham- County, Calif.; and a brother Duane, April 22 at St. Joseph of the Pines in burg, Bonn, Vienna and Heidelberg. and his wife, Nancy, of Mt. Morris, Ill. Southern Pines, N.C. His last assignment was as a visiting Born and raised in Cincinnati, professor and lecturer at the Univer- Ohio, Ambassador Krebs graduated sity of Oregon in Eugene. with honors from Princeton Univer- Mr. Devine retired in 1970, and John C. Hawley, 87, a retired sity in 1937. He enlisted in the Horse settled in Washington, D.C., where FSO, died peacefully on March 12 at Cavalry Division of the National he worked as a representative of Hampshire Care Nursing & Rehab- Guard in Ohio, graduated from the Business International of Zurich. ilitation Home in Plainfield, Mass. Transportation Corps Officer Candi- With his long experience in European Born in Nagoya, Japan, as the date School in New Orleans, La., and affairs, Mr. Devine continued bring- youngest son of a Foreign Service was posted in California for the dura- ing together people and cultures in officer and a missionary’s daughter, tion of World War II. He was mus- the business world. Mr. Hawley was a Phi Beta Kappa tered out of the service in 1946 with His wife of 62 years, Virginia C. graduate of Haverford College. the rank of captain. Devine, died in 2004. Mr. Devine is A brilliant linguist who spoke flu- Amb. Krebs began his 29-year survived by a son, John R. Devine of ent French, Italian, Spanish and career in the Foreign Service in 1947. San Jose, Calif., and a daughter, Kate German, Mr. Hawley joined the State His first post was Montevideo. He Williams of Washington, D.C. Department in 1942, and was posted next served in Bogota, and then went to Agua Prieta, Ciudad Juarez and to the consulate in Antwerp as eco- Port-au-Prince. He was commis- nomic officer before being re- sioned as a Foreign Service officer in called to Washington in 1955 for an Charlie Hagemann, 73, a retired 1945. He was posted in Venice and assignment in personnel. In 1957, FSO, died of a heart attack on April 3, Florence before joining USIA in 1956 Amb. Krebs was hand-picked by new- in Cibolo, Texas. as a foreign affairs officer. He subse- ly appointed Under Secretary of State Born in Mt. Morris, Ill., Mr. quently served in Rome, Trieste, La Christian Herter as his special assistant. Hagemann was the son of Ella and Paz, Ottawa, Paris and Frankfurt. Upon the death of Secretary of Herman Hagemann, and brother of Following retirement, Mr. and State John Foster Dulles, Herter be- Iola Roos, Arnie, Jerry and Duane Mrs. Hawley moved to Vinalhaven, came Secretary of State. Amb. Krebs Hagemann. He married the love of Maine. This was his first real home, declined an appointment to the War his life, Pauline, in 1956. and he lived there longer than any College to continue the challenging Mr. Hagemann served meritori- previous place. He loved the island and exciting years with Secretary Her- ously in the U.S. Navy Seabees for 26 and its people as if they were his fam- ter, accompanying him on all his trips years prior to joining the Foreign ily. He was an active member of the to Europe and a final one flying the Service in 1980. He was also a 32nd community, joining the school board length of Latin America with Presi- degree Mason, Scottish Rite. and becoming a lay reader in the dent Eisenhower. Mr. Hagemann served as the Episcopal Church. Later, when his With the change of administration maintenance officer for posts in Kin- wife’s health deteriorated, Mr. Haw- in the White House, Amb. Krebs was shasa, Islamabad, Cairo, Mogadishu ley moved to Plainfield, Mass., to live sent to Manila as political counselor in and Lagos. He retired from the For- with his youngest daughter and son- 1961, and thereafter posted to Rio de eign Service in 1991. He and Pauline in-law. Janeiro in 1964. He was sent to Gua- enjoyed their retirement years in Mr. Hawley was predeceased by temala City in 1967 as deputy chief of Cibolo, working on building projects his wife, Kathryn, and eldest daugh- mission under Ambassador Gordon and helping neighbors in the commu- ter, Beatrice. Survivors include two Mein, who sadly attained world fame nity. daughters, five grandchildren and in August 1968, when he was assassi- Mr. Hagemann is survived by his four great-grandchildren. nated by communist guerrillas in a wife; a son and daughter-in-law, Ken- Memorial donations may be made kidnapping attempt to free some cap- neth and Michelle; a daughter and to the Christian Children’s Fund tured guerillas. Amb. Krebs stayed in son-in-law, Linda and Joel Oksner; (www.christianchildrensfund.org). Guatemala as the chargé d’affaires

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until the newly appointed ambassador about the opportunity to live and work In the Sandhills, he joined the college arrived. He was then appointed polit- overseas. He served as an adjunct orchestra and the Village Chapel. He ical adviser to Gen. George Mather, instructor to the Continuing Educa- led the Moore County Chapter of the Commander of the Southern Com- tion Department at Sandhills Com- North Carolina Symphony, expanding mand, in Panama. munity College, where he designed the number of concerts from three to In 1971, Amb. Krebs was assigned and taught three different courses. six per year, including a popular to Buenos Aires as DCM. During his And, for 17 years, he was moderator Thanksgiving concert. three-year tenure in Argentina, end- for the “Great Decisions” course de- Amb. Krebs’ Rotary membership ing with the return of Peron, there signed annually by the Foreign Policy and leadership promoted unique was tremendous political turmoil for Association. In Foxfire, where Amb. scholarships for young golf champions which he had to have constant police Krebs lived until 1999, he served as from foreign countries for summer protection. In 1974, he was appoint- chair of the Planning and Zoning instruction at the Pinehurst Golf ed ambassador to Guyana. He retired Board, and also wrote a “History of Club. His interest in mental illness in 1976, and he and his wife settled in Foxfire” that was printed in booklet led to membership in the National the Sandhills area of North Carolina. form for newcomers. Alliance for the Mentally Ill in the Amb. Krebs continued his life of Music was a constant interest in early 1980s. After work with local and service in retirement, first training Amb. Krebs’ life. In college, he played state groups, Amb. Krebs was ap- young Foreign Service officers at FSI. the violin in the Princeton Triangle pointed to the Governor’s Advisory Later, as a Woodrow Wilson Fellow, Club. Throughout his Foreign Service Council for Persons with Disabilities, he spent three years visiting small lib- career, he performed solos and accom- where he served until 1997. eral arts colleges to inform students panied voices at informal gatherings. Amb. Krebs received the Depart-

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ment of State Superior Honor Award munity. He graduated from Union 1961, he served as chairman of the in August 1969 for his courage and Central High School, built by his State Rural Progress Campaign leadership in Guatemala in the trying father, and went on to receive a B.S. Committee, promoting rural devel- conditions following the ambassador’s degree (cum laude) in agriculture and opment in 66 counties in North assassination. In 1998, his high school science from Southern University, Carolina. At the height of the Cold in Cincinnati presented Amb. Krebs near Baton Rouge, in 1937. He pur- War, in 1955, Dr. Reed was selected the “Golden Eagle Lifetime Achieve- sued graduate studies during the sum- as one of 12 American agricultural ment Award.” The award was mer of 1938 at Tuskegee Institute, and scientists who toured the Soviet uniquely appropriate, as it had been in 1941 he received a master’s degree Union. During a subsequent leave of his high school French teacher who in soil science from Iowa State Uni- absence from A&T College from first inspired Amb. Krebs to become a versity. He earned a Ph.D. in soil 1957 to 1959, he served as chief of diplomat. His most recent recogni- chemistry in 1946 from Cornell Uni- party for an International Cooper- tion was the 2002 award from the versity. ation Administration contract team Foxfire Village Council for “Out- From 1936 to 1937, Dr. Reed to Ghana. standing Leadership in the Village.” worked as a technician with the Soil In 1961, Dr. Reed joined the He is survived by his wife of 63 Conservation Service in Bossier and Foreign Service. He served several years, Esther Winn Krebs; a daughter, Caddo Parishes in Louisiana. From tours of duty in Ibadan as USAID’s Marlynn Clayton and her husband 1937 to 1940, he was a county agricul- assistant director for the western Garry Krinsky of Greenfield, Mass; a tural agent with Louisiana State Uni- region of Nigeria. In 1963, he was a son, Timothy of Greenfield; a grand- versity’s Cooperative Agricultural and member of the U.S. delegation to son, Sasha Clayton of Washing- Home Economic Extension Service in the United Nations Conference on ton, D.C.; a sister, Ruth Anne Wright East Feliciana Parish, Clinton, La. the Application of Science and of San Juan Capistrano, Calif.; a sister- From 1942 to 1947 he taught agrono- Technology for the benefit of the in-law, Elizabeth Baldwin of Cincin- my and chemistry intermittently at less developed areas of the world in nati, Ohio; a niece, Elizabeth Simms, Southern University. During this peri- Geneva. He was posted to Ethiopia and two nephews, Christian and Britt od, he was a member of the State from 1968 to 1972 as USAID’s dep- Krebs, all of Ohio. Committee on Resource Use Educa- uty mission director. From 1972 to Memorials may be made to the Alz- tion at Southern University, and also a 1976, Dr. Reed served as USAID heimer’s Association, Western Carolina member of the Mayor’s Advisory officer-in-residence at North Caro- Chapter, 3800 Shamrock Drive, Charl- Committee on Interracial Problems in lina Agricultural & Technical State otte NC 28215, to NAMI, Moore the City of Baton Rouge. University (formerly A&T College), County, P.O. Box 4823, Pinehurst NC Dr. Reed’s first special assignment the last two years as special assistant 28374, to St. Joseph of the Pines, with the U.S. government was with to the chancellor for international Development Department, 100 Waters the Department of State. From 1947 programs. Drive, Southern Pines NC 28387, or to to 1949, he undertook a mission to Dr. Reed remained at NCATSU FirstHealth Foundation, 150 Apple- the Republic of Liberia to study its for the rest of his career. From 1976 cross Road, Pinehurst NC 28374. soils and evaluate the prospects for to 1978, he was associate dean for agricultural development in that research and special programs in the country as a forerunner of USAID School of Agriculture; and from 1978 development programs. He walked to 1988 he was director of internation- Dr. William Edward Reed, 91, a and traveled throughout Liberia con- al programs for the university. After retired FSO with USAID, died on ducting research for Reconnaissance retiring in 1988, he enjoyed spending April 12 at Wesley Long Community Soil Survey of Liberia, published by time with his family, especially his Hospital in Greensboro, N.C. the U.S. Department of Agriculture grandchildren, and gardening. Dr. Reed was born in Columbia, in 1951. Dr. Reed was a member of numer- La., on July 15, 1914. He began his After his return from Liberia, in ous organizations and professional education at Rosenwald School, then 1949, Dr. Reed became dean of the societies, including: Omega Psi Phi, attended the Brownville Baptist School of Agriculture at North Caro- Sigma Pi Phi, Phi Kappa Phi (Nation- Church founded in 1869 by his great- lina’s Agricultural & Technical Col- al Scholastic Honor Society), Sigma Xi grandfather and others in the com- lege in Greensboro. From 1951 to (National Scientific Honor Society)

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and Beta Kappa Chi (National Scien- Edward E. Rice, 97, a retired Chinese-language officer, he eagerly tific Society). FSO, died on April 13 in Tiburon, accepted. China would be a constant Dr. Reed was predeceased by his Calif. theme in his career and into retire- wife, Mattye Marie Scott Reed, whom Born in Saginaw, Mich., Mr. Rice ment: he was probably the last among he married in 1942. He leaves behind attended the University of Wisconsin the American “China hands” who three daughters, Edwarda Johnson, in Milwaukee, the University of Illi- began their careers before World War Carol Reed and Bernetiae Reed, of nois in Urbana-Champaign (including II. Greensboro; four grandchildren, Luci- post-graduate work) and the National Mr. Rice was a language attaché in en Johnson of Falls Church, Va., University of Mexico. Peiping (as it was then known) from Kimberly Johnson of Irving, Texas, Mr. Rice passed the Foreign 1935 to 1937. Posts in Canton, Yewande Johnson of Washington, Service exam in 1932, but due to the Foochow, Chungking, with details to D.C., and William Johnson of Oakton, Great Depression no new appoint- Lanchow and Sian, followed. After Va.; numerous nieces and nephews ments were made until 1935. In those World War II, he served in the office and many other relatives and friends. days the Foreign Service was still of Chinese and then Philippine affairs, Memorial contributions may be dominated by men from the eastern and had a posting to Manila. He made to The Heifer Project Inter- part of the U.S., many with a Euro- attended the National War College in national, 1015 Louisiana Street, Little centric orientation. With his Mid- 1951-1952, followed by an assignment Rock AR 72202, or The Church World western background, Mr. Rice was as consul general in Stuttgart. In the Service, P.O. Box 968, Elkhart IN ready for something else: when late 1950s and early 1960s, Mr. Rice 46515. offered the opportunity to become a was deputy director of personnel, a

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member of the Policy Planning nalism from the University of Minne- mother, Katya Robinson, of Silver Council and deputy assistant secretary sota in 1952. He wrote advertising Spring, Md. of State for Far Eastern affairs. From and educational television copy from 1964 to 1968, he served as consul gen- 1948 to 1972. For a short time, in eral in Hong Kong, with the rank of 1967-1968, he was a consultant to the minister. In 1968-1969, he was a U.S. government’s Teacher Corps Mary Ryan, 65, a retired FSO and diplomat-in-residence at the Univer- program. former career ambassador, died on sity of California at Berkeley. Mr. Robinson joined the Foreign April 25 of myelofibrosis at her home Edward Rice and Mary June Service in 1954, and was posted to in Washington, D.C. Kellogg were married in 1942. After Rangoon, and then Moulmein. He Ambassador Ryan was born in their years in the Foreign Service, was transferred to Stuttgart in 1957, New York, and received a bachelor’s much of it dealing with Asia, they and detailed to the Foreign Service degree in 1963 and a master’s degree built a home in Tiburon, Calif., with a Institute’s language school in Frank- in 1965, both from St. John’s Univer- lovely view of San Francisco and its furt in 1958. In 1959, he was named sity. She remained a New Yorker in bay. Mrs. Rice had and still has many director of the Amerika Haus in Mar- spirit her entire life, friends told the art interests. Mr. Rice was for a time burg. From 1960 to 1962, he was an Washington Post, with a New York a research associate at the Center for information officer in Saigon. From Public Library book bag constantly Chinese Studies at the University of 1962 to 1964, he worked at the Voice filled with books and a passionate California. He is the author of two of America in Washington, D.C. He attachment to the New York Yankees. books: Mao’s Way (University of was posted to Bombay in 1964, and Amb. Ryan joined the Foreign California Press, 1972), an account of returned to USIA headquarters in Service in 1966. Her first posting was Mao Tse-tung’s life and leadership of 1966. He held a number of positions to Naples. She served in Tegucigalpa the Chinese Communist Party that at USIA, notably head of its Thai lan- and Monterrey before returning to won the Commonwealth Club’s gold guage service, from 1972 until he Washington, D.C., to take up a posi- medal for nonfiction in 1973, and retired in 1985. tion as roving administrative officer Wars of the Third Kind: Conflict in Friends and family remember him for Africa and post management offi- Underdeveloped Countries (Univer- as an avid reader, author, storyteller, cer in the Bureau of African Affairs. sity of California Press, 1986). gardener, walker and loyal friend. He In 1980 she was posted as administra- Mr. Rice was slowed by a stroke in is the author of Sloth and Heathen tive counselor to Abidjan, and then his final years. He is survived by his Folly (Macmillan, 1972), a novel set in Khartoum. In 1988 she was appoint- wife, Mary Kellogg Rice, and niece, Burma (now Myanmar) about serving ed ambassador to Swaziland, and in Catherine Siewert. as an FSO in Gamalia, a “backwater 1990 became director of the Kuwait corner of Asia.” Task Force after the Iraqi invasion of Mr. Robinson and his family lived Kuwait. for many years in Bethesda, Md., In 1991, Amb. Ryan was one of 14 Edward Louis Robinson, 84, a before moving to Darnestown, Md., in consular officers fired by Assistant retired Foreign Service Reserve offi- 1992. Secretary of State Elizabeth M. cer with the U.S. Information Agency, Survivors include his beloved wife Tomposi, a political appointee. Amb. died of cancer on Feb. 8 at the Wilson of 40 years, Mary Blair Robinson, and Ryan then became the first director of Health Care Center of Asbury Meth- three sons: Edward Jr. of New York operations for the U.N. Special Com- odist Village, in Gaithersburg, Md. City, Michael of Darnestown, and mission on the elimination of Iraqi Born in Ames, Iowa, Mr. Robinson Neil of San Diego, Calif. He was pre- weapons of mass destruction, based in was also an avid son of northern ceded in death by a fourth and much- New York. When Tamposi was herself Minnesota. He served in the U.S. loved son, Ben, in 1996. There are fired by Secretary of State Lawrence Navy in the Pacific during World War also two sons from a previous mar- Eagleburger (for authorizing the II, and was honorably discharged as a riage to the former Joanne Peterson: search of passport records belonging lieutenant (j.g.). He earned a B.A. Rand, a USAID officer now serving in to then-presidential candidate Bill from the University of Iowa in 1944, Tel Aviv; and Shawn, of Frederick, Clinton), Amb. Ryan returned to an M.S. from the University of Md. There are two granddaughters, Washington as deputy assistant secre- Colorado in 1948 and an M.A. in jour- Sophia and Kate, who live with their tary in the Bureau of European and

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Canadian Affairs. In 1993, she April 11 in Fort Myers, Fla. Smith was a graduate of Los Angeles became assistant secretary of State for Mr. Seeley was born in Detroit, City College and the Radio/Television consular affairs. Mich. He attended Columbia Uni- Arts Academy of Los Angeles. She Amb. Ryan was named career versity, where he received his B.A., joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 1943, ambassador in 1999, the second M.A. and Ph.D. degrees. He joined where she met her husband, also a U.S. woman to hold that rank in the his- the Foreign Service in 1969, and was Marine. They were married in 1944. tory of the State Department. She posted with USAID as an education- Mrs. Smith accompanied her hus- served as head of the Bureau of al adviser in Bogota. Besides Bogota band to posts in India, Turkey (twice), Consular Affairs until 2002, when she and Washington, D.C., his postings Ethiopia, Cyprus and, when her hus- resigned as a result of the post-9/11 included Rio de Janeiro. He retired band attended the U.S. Naval War dispute over whether visa standards in 1986, receiving recognition from College, Newport, R.I. had grown lax during her watch. At the Reagan administration for his She was an avid tennis player into the time, she was the longest-serving service. her seventies. She appeared in many diplomat in the State Department, In 1994, Mr. Seeley moved to amateur and professional theater and with 36 years of service. Lehigh Acres, Fla., from Virginia. television productions, both in the Amb. Ryan received the Presiden- He was a member of the Fort Myers, U.S. and abroad. She was also active tial Distinguished Service Award in Estero, Caloosahatchee Chorus and in charitable organizations, working 1992 and in 1998, and the State De- the Lehigh Senior Citizens Center. with Planned Parenthood in India, partment’s Arnold L. Raphel Award He enjoyed volunteering for Hope aiding lepers in Ethiopia and teaching for mentoring in 1996. “Amb. Ryan Hospice. He was a member of the English in Turkey. She taught in inner- exemplified the best in public ser- Christ United Methodist Church of city schools in Washington, D.C., vice,” her successor as assistant secre- Lehigh Acres, and sang in its choir. when her husband was special assistant tary for consular affairs, Maura Harty, Throughout his life, his passion for to Edward R. Murrow, then director of said in an official statement. “She was music was matched only by his dedi- the U.S. Information Agency. a colleague, a mentor and a friend to cation to serving humanity. In addition to her husband of 61 all of us. We will miss her humanity, Mr. Seeley was predeceased by years, Gloria Smith is survived by two her intellect and her kindness.” his wife, Margaret Ruth, in 1997. daughters, Kerry Bargsten of Wind- In retirement, Amb. Ryan tutored He is survived by his daughters sor, Calif., and Shelley Sweeney of students in Washington, D.C.-area and sons-in-law, Sandra and John Raleigh, N.C.; two sons, Bruce Smith schools and volunteered as a Euchar- Guerrero, Jr., of Fort Myers Beach, of Venice, Calif., and Stephen Smith istic minister for patients at George Fla., and Susan and Bob Derse of of Las Vegas, Nev.; five grandchildren Washington University Hospital. She Seattle, Wash.; a son, Clayton Seeley and one great-grandchild. served as an extraordinary minister of of Brazil; a son and daughter-in-law, the Eucharist at St. Stephen Martyr Donald and Li Seeley of Virginia; a Roman Catholic Church, attended the brother, Robert D. Seeley of Virginia; Shrine of the Blessed Sacrament and a sister, Bethany Klug of Oviedo, Fla.; William H. (Bill) Spengler, 82, a graduated from a two-year program in four grandchildren and five great- retired FSO, died on Nov. 8 in Colo- parish administration at Trinity Uni- grandchildren. rado Springs, Colo., after a 10-month versity in Washington, D.C. Memorial contributions may be battle with pancreatic cancer. Survivors include a sister, Kathleen made to any charity. Born in 1923 in Neenah, Wisc., Montgomery of Flushing, N.Y. Mr. Spengler was active as an Eagle Memorial donations may be made Scout and traveled to the Internation- to St. Stephen Martyr Church, 2436 al Boy Scout Jamboree in the Nether- Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington Gloria Diana (Lehan) Smith, 83, lands in 1939. He attended Andover DC 20037. wife of retired FSO Glenn Lee Smith, Academy and the University of Wis- died on Christmas Day 2005 of com- consin, earning an M.A. in political sci- plications of Parkinson’s disease after ence. During World War II he served a brief stay in a nursing home in Santa as a code breaker in the U.S. Army. Erwin Clayton Seeley, 85, a Rosa, Calif. In 1950, he joined the Foreign retired FSO with USAID, died on Born in Minneapolis, Minn., Mrs. Service. His postings included Thail-

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and, Norway, Afghanistan and Pakis- Ms. Taylor was born in San Diego, undergraduate degree at Princeton, tan. He retired as consul general in Calif., and graduated from San Diego staying to complete his master’s Lahore in 1976. State University, later earning an M.A. degree in international relations at the Mr. Spengler was an avid research- from Stanford University in 1966. Woodrow Wilson School of Public and er and collector of stamps, antique After three years in Boston with The International Affairs. phonograph machines, cylinders and Christian Science Monitor, she joined Amb. Tienken began his diplomat- disks, sheet music, maps, books, the Foreign Service in 1951. ic career in 1950 as a Kreis resident ancient coins and Soviet cosmonaut In 1952, Ms. Taylor’s long service officer in post–World War II Ger- souvenir pins (znachkii). While sta- abroad as a cultural affairs specialist many. He spent the majority of his tioned in Kabul during the 1960s, he began with an assignment to Salonika. career in Africa at embassies and con- grew interested in ancient coins from Subsequently, she served in cultural sulates in Mozambique, the Belgian the region, and subsequently became and educational affairs positions in Tel Congo (now Congo), Zambia, Tunisia one of the foremost authorities on the Aviv, Medan, Tokyo, Helsinki and and Ethiopia. He was appointed people and coins that passed through Washington, D.C. She specialized in ambassador to Gabon and São Tome that area over the centuries. This cultural exchange programs, including & Principe in 1978. He also spent interest in numismatics and history those for Fulbright scholars, foreign four years in Brussels, as well as sever- influenced the rest of his life. Mr. and American students, and civic lead- al tours in Washington, D.C. He Spengler published numerous arti- ers of the countries where she was attended the Naval War College in cles, contributed to and edited cata- posted. She retired in 1980, following Newport, R.I., and was a diplomat-in- logs on world coins and co-authored a tour in Rangoon. residence at Marquette University in two books on the Turkomans. In retirement, Ms. Taylor lived first Milwaukee, Wis. He was a member of the Society in Tiburon, Calif., moving to Washing- Following retirement in 1987, for Preservation & Encouragement ton D.C. in 1996. She maintained a Amb. Tienken continued his service of Barber Shop Quartet Singing in lifelong commitment to the arts, envi- as a State Department inspector, sur- America for 59 years, and organized a ronmental causes and politics, and veying embassies in China, Algeria, quartet in almost every place he lived. remained an inveterate international Egypt, India, Jamaica, Honduras, After retiring, he settled in Colo- traveler. Brazil and many others. Until March rado Springs, where he was active in Ms. Taylor is survived by a niece 2006, he assisted in declassifying doc- Sister Cities, the American Numisma- and nephew, and by the children and uments as part of the Freedom of tic Association, the American Numis- grandchildren of her two cousins. Information Act. He was active in matic Society and the World Affairs Memorial contributions may be sent the Tunisian-American Society, the Council, and also formed the local to the Sierra Club or to the Save the Senior Living Foundation and Diplo- Committee for International Visitors. Redwoods League. matic and Consular Officers, Retired He held memberships in many inter- (DACOR). He was also a member of national societies. the Riverbend Country Club. Mr. Spengler leaves his wife of 55 An avid golfer, Tienken continued years, Phid; three children, Sarah, Bill Arthur T. Tienken, 83, a retired to enjoy the game to the day before and John; and four grandchildren, FSO and former ambassador, died on his death, and prided himself on the May, Alex, Grant and Bennett; a sis- May 7 at his home in Arlington, Va., many courses he had played world- ter, Susan; and a brother, David. after a long battle with stomach can- wide. When he wasn’t golfing, he Memorial contributions may be cer. was fishing, preferably saltwater made to South Asia Earthquake relief at Ambassador Tienken was born in surf-casting or boat fishing. He was www.worldvision.com, or to any hospice. Yonkers, N.Y. His studies at Prince- also a stamp collector, and trained ton University were interrupted by his family and friends to save can- World War II, in which he served as celled stamps and send them to him a first lieutenant in the 3094th Quar- in batches for review. He was fasci- Margaret V. Taylor, 81, a retired termaster Company of the Western nated by American history and mili- FSO with USIA, died on May 9 at her Pacific in the Philippines. He return- tary history in general. He loved to home in Washington, D.C., of natural ed in 1946 to marry Jean Ridgway of sing, smoke his pipe and drink a per- causes. Springfield, Mass., and finish his fect Manhattan.

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A daughter, Ann Tienken, died in also filed audio reports on the 1956 Coast Bureau. In Los Angeles she 1971. Suez Canal crisis. In Jordan, Lee Hall took over a large staff of correspon- Amb. Tienken is survived by his broke the news of King Hussein’s dents and technicians, and arranged wife of nearly 60 years, Jean R. Tien- surviving an assassination attempt. news coverage of events from Holly- ken of Arlington, Va.; three daughters, When Lee and Wilson Hall returned wood to outer space throughout the Judy Nelson of University Place, to New York in 1957, she served as western states. Wash., Nancy Milburn of Falls United Nations correspondent. On her retirement in October Church, Va., and Carol Tienken of In 1959 the Halls were assigned to 1990, Ms. Hall moved back to Boston, Mass.; four grandchildren, cover South America. They estab- Washington, D.C., and temporarily Angela, Aaron, Matthew and Katha- lished a bureau in Rio de Janeiro and worked part-time for two British rine; two great-grandchildren, Trey- covered the continent, keeping a close newspapers. She served a term as phosa Jean and Anthony, Jr.; and a eye on Cuba, where Fidel Castro had president of the D.C. Public Library’s nephew, Robert Woods Tienken. overthrown the Batista regime in Palisades Branch, and in 1992 Memorial donations may be sent to January. Later in 1960, she left South became active in the Institute for Capital Hospice (www.capitalhospice. America temporarily to join in NBC’s Learning in Retirement. There she org). coverage of the national presidential not only took courses, but also served nominating conventions. She was the as a member of the board of directors lone woman on a panel of NBC corre- and on a number of committees. spondents that included Chet Huntley, Throughout her life, friends Lee Hall Valeriani, 80, one of the David Brinkley and others, who re- recall, Lee Hall was known as an ele- pioneering female network corre- sponded to letters from listeners. She gant and modest woman who rarely spondents and a member of the then returned to South America. But discussed her remarkable career. Foreign Service with the Voice of by the end of 1961 Lee and Wilson Julius Goodman, former president America, died of cancer on March 23 Hall were back in New York, assigned of NBC, remembers Ms. Hall as “a at her home in Washington, D.C. to NBC-TV and divorced. good reporter, personable and ener- Known professionally as Lee Hall, At this time, Ms. Hall moved to getic.” As he told the Washington she was born in Oklahoma and spent Washington to begin what would be a Post, “She was tenacious and was her infancy in Japan, where her father, 28-year career at VOA. There she interested in everything; just one of an engineer, was working on a project. had reporting assignments in addition those women with a kind of atmos- She received her bachelor’s degree in to supervising worldwide English pro- phere about her, so you knew when journalism in 1947 at the University of grams. She covered the Republican you entered a room that you wanted Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. There and Democratic conventions in 1964 to talk to her.” she met Wilson Hall. When he trans- and 1968. In 1966, she was a member Ms. Hall has no immediate survivors. ferred to Yale University, they married of the press corps accompanying in New Haven, Conn. She began President Johnson on his trip to Asia working for a local radio station and and the Pacific. participated in programming chil- In 1965, Ms. Hall married Richard Leonard F. Willems, 68, a retired dren’s shows in the early days of TV. Valeriani, who was NBC’s diplomatic FSO, died in Hamilton, Ontario, on Lee Hall was hired by NBC in the correspondent, and they traveled April 30, following a long illness. early 1950s as a foreign correspon- abroad frequently. She was promot- A graduate of Brown University, dent. Prior to that, when her husband ed to deputy chief of the VOA’s Mr. Willems grew up in a military fam- was recalled to military service and Worldwide English Division and ily. His father, John Willems, was a stationed in Japan, she did broadcasts also was VOA’s White House corre- general officer who served in the for Armed Forces Radio on the spondent. She was unfailingly help- peacetime army of the 1930s and in Korean War. By 1953, they were both ful to her staff, especially newcom- World War II. One of Mr. Willems’ working for NBC and based in Cairo, ers, and they admired her as a boss proud possessions was a large black- covering the Middle East. She and as a person. and-white photo of his father’s battal- reported on the 1952 military take- Her marriage to Valeriani ended in ion drawn up in formation with sol- over of the Egyptian government and divorce in 1979, and she moved to diers and equipment. A self-pro- the abdication of King Farouk. She Los Angeles as chief of VOA’s West claimed “military brat,” Mr. Willems

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clearly had a happy childhood and Stephen Winship, 85, a retired volunteer for the Sailboat Bend Civic cherished his family’s Wyoming roots. FSO, died on March 11 in Charlottes- Association and Recordings for the Mr. Willems joined the Foreign ville, Va., after a brief illness. Blind. The couple moved to the West- Service in 1963. His postings inclu- Born in Charles River, Mass., Mr. minster-Canterbury retirement com- ded Kingston, the Cayman Islands, Winship attended Phillips Academy munity in Charlottesville, Va., in 1995. Montreal, Hong Kong, Lagos, Edin- and was a 1941 graduate of Harvard In addition to his love of sailing, burgh, Moscow and Monrovia, as College. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy Mr. Winship had a lifelong association well as assignments in Soviet affairs in 1942 and, after aviation training, with the mountains of New Hamp- in the department. He was became a flight instructor and also shire. He spent many summers in acclaimed for initiating the practice flew sea planes in the Caribbean. North Sandwich in his early and later of “accelerated third-country pro- After World War II, he worked briefly life hiking, cutting firewood, garden- cessing,” which enabled Soviet Jews as a commercial airline pilot before ing and relaxing in the wood-fired and other minorities to reduce their joining the Foreign Service in 1947. sauna he built by a mountain brook. time spent in holding camps in Italy Mr. Winship served in Kingston, Until his health failed in his final before proceeding on to the USA. Buenos Aires, Perth, Stockholm, years, Mr. Winship was a dynamo — He assiduously followed reciprocity Washington, D.C., and as consul in “indestructible,” in the words of an issues, which he enforced rigorously. Peshawar. He spent the later years of old family friend. He never shirked a As the supervisory consular officer in his career doing political-military work new construction or renovation pro- Hong Kong, he prided himself on in Saigon and Bangkok, and with the ject, and enjoyed reading and reciting issuing more nonimmigrant visas Joint Chiefs of Staff and Office of Mili- poetry or prose aloud and making than the rest of his large staff com- tary Assistance in Washington, D.C. woodcuts and wooden toys for his bined — setting the tone that “our His last assignment before retiring in grandchildren. doors” needed to be more open to 1977 was as a member of a Foreign Survivors include his wife of 63 China. Service inspection team in France. years, Norrine Hayford Winship; four In Lagos, Mr. Willems served as His favorite assignments were as children, Peter Winship of Dallas, labor attaché and also ran the politi- the American consul in Perth in the Texas, and London, Rebecca More- cal section for long periods between mid-1950s and in Peshawar in the late house of Corte Madera, Calif., Mich- the assignment of new occupants to 1960s, where being in charge of small ael Winship of Austin, Texas, and that office. As in his work on Soviet diplomatic outposts left him relatively Nathaniel Winship of Leominster, affairs, he demonstrated the versatil- free from bureaucratic burdens. He Mass.; eight grandchildren and one ity and managerial acumen that took these opportunities to travel great-grandchild. moved him to the top of the consular extensively through the vast consular ranks. He retired as consul general districts, using his vibrant style of per- in Ottawa in 1991, subsequently sonal diplomacy to win friends and crossing Wellington Street to advise increase understanding for the people Irena O. Yost, 91, widow of the a number of prominent members of of the United States. late Ambassador Charles W. Yost, Parliament on immigration issues. Upon retirement, Mr. Winship and passed away in her sleep in Bethesda, Friends recall Mr. Willems for his his wife, Ronnie (Norinne), fulfilled a Md., on March 25. insight, integrity and candor. He long-deferred dream by relocating Mrs. Yost was born in 1915 in Lodz, was also known for his ready wit and aboard a 45-foot ketch, Marith II. The Poland, and grew up in Radom, where skill in telling a revealing story. boat was named after the schooner her father was director of the govern- Mr. Willems is survived by his they had lived on with their young ment-owned arms factory. Having wife, Alice, manager of the Canada family in Florida and on the Potomac already acquired proficiency in four Marine Discovery Centre/HMCS River during the shortage of postwar languages, she was attending the École Haida in Hamilton, Ontario; their housing in the 1940s. They cruised the des Sciences Politiques when she met daughter, Rebecca, a student at Aca- Caribbean, the East Coast of the U.S., her future husband, then a young dia University in Nova Scotia; and and made a voyage to the Galapagos diplomat in Warsaw. They married in two sons by his first marriage, John Islands before settling in Fort Lauder- 1934, then moved to the United States. of New York City, and Jim of Seattle, dale, Fla., in 1987. With little knowledge of English or Wash. There Mr. Winship was an active the ways of the State Department,

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Mrs. Yost joined a group of foreign as well as having her home turned into assistance groups. She was a member FSO wives, including Annalise Ken- an international relief center after an of the U.S. United Nations Associa- nan (the wife of George Kennan) and earthquake in Morocco. In 1961, when tion, the Women’s Democratic Club, Elise Henderson (the wife of Loy Amb. Yost was called to serve at the the World Federation of U.N. Associa- Henderson), who met regularly to help U.N. with Adlai Stevenson, and later, tions and the Polish-American Associa- each other navigate their new country. when President Nixon called him out of tion. During the war years, with her hus- retirement to serve as the U.S. ambas- She also continued to travel exten- band at the State Department, Mrs. sador to the U.N., Mrs. Yost found her- sively. In 2003 a fall forced her to a Yost assisted with fundraising for the self on a new world stage where her tal- nursing home in Bethesda, where she Red Cross and worked on Polish war ents made her a popular figure with remained until her death. relief. several generations of diplomats and Mrs. Yost is survived by her three In 1946, when Amb. Yost was sent their wives. children, Nicholas of San Francisco, as chargé d’affaires to Bangkok, Mrs. When Amb. Yost retired from his Calif., Casimir of Bethesda, Md., and Yost began her life as a career Foreign U.N. posting in 1971, the couple set- Felicity of New York, N.Y.; a sister; Service wife, packing and unpacking as tled in Washington, D.C. After her three grandchildren and two step- well as entertaining, cajoling, assisting husband’s death in 1981, Mrs. Yost grandchildren. and persuading on four different conti- continued her involvement with Memorial contributions may be nents. Besides postings in Europe, UNICEF and the United Nations sent to the AFSA Scholarship Fund, Mrs. Yost had to contend with house- Development Fund for Women, while 2101 E Street NW, Washington DC hold rats and no running water in Laos also involving herself in various Polish 20037.

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AFSAAmerican Foreign Service AssociationNEWS • July-August 2006 AFSA Award Winners Honored This Issue in Brief: he American Foreign Service Association is proud to announce the AFSA Award win- ners for 2006. They were honored at a June 22 ceremony in the Benjamin Franklin VP STATE: PATRONAGE ...... 67 TDiplomatic Reception Room at the Department of State. AFSA places great empha- VP USAID: ADIOS ...... 68 sis on these awards, which recognize intellectual courage and outstanding achievement in AFSA AWARD WINNERS...... 68 the Foreign Service. DAY ON THE HILL...... 76 Ambassador Morton Abramowitz was selected for the 2006 AFSA Award for Lifetime STAMPS OF APPROVAL ...... 77 Contributions to American Diplomacy. James Schlesinger presented the award to Amb. SCHOLARS...... 78 Abramowitz at the ceremony. See the profile and interview on p. 30 of this issue and look IRAQ SERVICE INCENTIVES ...... 80 for coverage of the awards ceremony in the September AFSA News. Articles about the award winners follow in this issue of AFSA News. AFSA greatly appreciates the efforts of all those who sent in nominations or served on FOREIGN AFFAIRS DAY 2006 a selection panel this year. We also extend warm thanks to the director general for co-spon- soring the annual awards ceremony. Four Names Added

CONSTRUCTIVE DISSENT AWARDS EXEMPLARY SERVICE AWARDS to Memorial Plaque For over 30 years, AFSA has been hon- These awards recognize exemplary per- n May 5, four more colleagues who oring members of the Foreign Service who formance and extraordinary contributions died in the line of duty while serv- have the intellectual courage to question the to professionalism, morale and effectiveness. ing their country overseas were status quo and take a stand, no matter the O sensitivity of the issue or the consequences The Delavan Award, for extraordinary con- honored during the AFSA Memorial of their actions. The following Foreign tributions by an office management spe- Plaque Ceremony, held on Foreign Affairs Service employees received this year’s AFSA cialist: Malgorzata “Gosia” Lamot at Em- Day. They are: Barbara C. Heald, Keith E. awards for intellectual courage, initiative and bassy Kuwait; Runner-up: Linda Ingalls at Taylor, Stephen E. Sullivan and David E. integrity in the context of constructive dis- Embassy Pretoria. Foy. The new names have been added to sent, for speaking out and challenging the the plaque and were unveiled by Secretary system from within. The M. Juanita Guess Award, for out- standing service as a community liaison offi- Condoleezza Rice and AFSA President J. The Christian A. Herter Award, for a senior- cer: Martine McKinnie at Embassy Yaoun- Anthony Holmes. There are now 222 level Foreign Service officer: Ambassador de; Runner-up: Shelley Wooley at Embassy names inscribed on the Memorial Plaque, Michael E. Guest, current dean of the Brasilia. which were established by AFSA in 1933. Foreign Service Institute’s Leadership and Continued on page 75 Management School. AFSA SPECIAL AWARDS OF APPRECIATION The William R. Rivkin Award, for a mid- AFSA presented a special award of appre- level Foreign Service officer: Richard S. Sacks, ciation to retiring Senator Paul Sarbanes, political counselor at Embassy Panama. D-Md., in acknowledgement of his strong The W. Averell Harriman Award, for an support for the Foreign Service during his entry-level Foreign Service officer: Christo- 30 years of service in the U.S. Senate. pher C. Allison, vice consul at Consulate A special award of appreciation was also Chennai. presented to Ambassador L. Bruce Laingen in recognition of his many years of dedicated The Tex Harris Award, for a Foreign Service service as chairman of the AFSA Awards & specialist: Kevin B. Morgan, budget and Plaque Committee. MIKKELA THOMPSON resources officer at Embassy Minsk. Secretary Rice offers condolences to the families of the honorees at the AFSA Plaque Ceremony.

JULY-AUGUST 2006/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 65 A F S A N AFSANEWSBRIEFS E W S Life in the Foreign Service BY BRIAN AGGELER

AFSA HEADQUARTERS: Staff: Governing Board: (202) 338-4045; Fax: (202) 338-6820 Executive Director Susan Reardon: [email protected] Business Department STATE DEPARTMENT AFSA OFFICE: PRESIDENT: J. Anthony Holmes (202) 647-8160; Fax: (202) 647-0265 Controller Steven Tipton: [email protected] Accounting Assistant Jon Reed: [email protected] STATE VICE PRESIDENT: Steven Kashkett USAID AFSA OFFICE: (202) 712-1941; Fax: (202) 216-3710 Labor Management USAID VICE PRESIDENT: Bill Carter General Counsel Sharon Papp: [email protected] FCS VICE PRESIDENT: Donald Businger FCS AFSA OFFICE: Labor Management Attorney Zlatana Badrich: [email protected] (202) 482-9088; Fax: (202) 482-9087 Labor Management Specialist James Yorke: [email protected] FAS VICE PRESIDENT: Laura Scandurra Grievance Attorneys Neera Parikh: [email protected] and RETIREE VICE PRESIDENT: David Reuther AFSA WEB SITE: www.afsa.org Charles Garten: [email protected] SECRETARY: Tex Harris AFSA E-MAIL: [email protected] Office Manager Christine Warren: [email protected] AFSA NEWS: [email protected] USAID Senior Labor Management Adviser Douglas Broome: [email protected] TREASURER: Andrew Winter FSJ: [email protected] USAID Office Manager Asgeir Sigfusson: [email protected] STATE REPRESENTATIVES: Bradford Bell, PRESIDENT: [email protected] Member Services Brian Cook, Hugh Neighbour, Director Janet Hedrick: [email protected] STATE VP: [email protected] Alan Misenheimer, Joyce Namde, Makila RETIREE VP: [email protected] Representative Cory Nishi: [email protected] Web-site & Database Associate Sheng Zhao: [email protected] James, James Roseli and Andrew Young USAID VP: [email protected] Administrative Assistant Ana Lopez: [email protected] FCS VP: [email protected] USAID REPRESENTATIVE: Francisco Zamora Outreach Programs FCS REPRESENTATIVE: William Center FAS VP: [email protected] Retiree Liaison Bonnie Brown: [email protected] Director of Communications Thomas Switzer: [email protected] FAS REPRESENTATIVE: Mike Conlon AFSA News Congressional Affairs Director Ken Nakamura: [email protected] IBB REPRESENTATIVE: Sheldon Daitch Editor Shawn Dorman: [email protected] Corporate Relations/Executive Assistant Austin Tracy: [email protected] Scholarship Director Lori Dec: [email protected] RETIREE REPRESENTATIVES: Leonard J. How to Contact Us: to Contact How (202) 338-4045 x 503; Fax: (202) 338-8244 Professional Issues Coordinator Barbara Berger: [email protected] Baldyga, Roger Dankert, Larry Lesser and On the Web: www.afsa.org/news Retiree Recruitment Coordinator Norma Reyes: [email protected] Gilbert Sheinbaum Elderhostel Coordinator Janice Bay: [email protected]

66 FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL/JULY-AUGUST 2006 A F V.P. VOICE: STATE BY STEVE KASHKETT S A The Great American Patronage System N E here is an old story that has been circulating throughout successful in another profession — busi- W the ranks of the Foreign Service for years. In this tale, a ness entrepreneur, stock broker, tax S T politically well-connected U.S. Navy captain who is in com- lawyer, oil magnate, bank president, mand of an aircraft carrier battle group visits the U.S. embassy whatever — does not automatically in a foreign country where the carrier is making a port call. At qualify one to serve as a United States a reception that the ambassador hosts in his honor, the Navy cap- ambassador, any more than a career as tain exclaims: “This is a really sweet setup you’ve got here. I think a Foreign Service officer qualifies some- when I retire next year, I’ll pull some strings in Washington and one to command a naval battle group. get me appointed to one of these ambassador gigs.” To which Even suggesting otherwise is an insult to the ambassador, a veteran FSO, replies: “You do that ... and when our proud profession. We in the Foreign Service do specialized I retire next year, maybe I’ll pull some strings in Washington and work that is painstakingly learned over the course of a diplomatic get me appointed to command a Navy aircraft carrier battle group.” career. This story, meant to illustrate the absurdity of considering vir- What few people realize is that this patronage system is unique tually anyone with political “connections” to be capable of assum- to the United States government. Sadly, we remain the only coun- ing the responsibilities of serving as a United States ambassador, try in the world that routinely treats its ambassadorships as rewards cuts close to the bone for many of us who devote our lives to the for the president’s friends and financial backers. It is no secret professional Foreign Service. After all, we spend our careers labo- that many ambassadorships can now be purchased by the high- riously acquiring a nuanced under- est bidder among campaign contrib- standing of the challenges facing our utors. country abroad, developing our exper- Sadly, we remain the only country Virtually every other country in the tise on foreign nations, languages and world takes its ambassadorships seri- cultures, learning how to negotiate and in the world that routinely treats its ously. The U.K., Germany, France, manage bilateral and multilateral ambassadorships as rewards for the Italy, Spain, Japan, India, China, relationships with other governments, Saudi Arabia, Brazil and Mexico all cultivating our diplomatic skills and president’s friends and financial backers. reserve their most important diplo- being groomed to perform the job of matic postings — including their United States ambassador — only to envoys to Washington — for their face the reality that more than a third of the U.S. ambassador- most experienced professional diplomats. These countries’ ambas- ships around the world, including in some of the most impor- sadors to the United States all have glittering resumés of achieve- tant countries for U.S. interests, are handed out as perks to the ment in managing foreign-policy issues. Yet our ambassadors president’s political cronies and campaign contributors, often with to every one of those countries are political appointees with no no regard whatsoever for foreign-affairs qualifications. diplomatic background. Most of us in the Foreign Service have had mixed experiences What does this practice say about our foreign policy? What working for political-appointee ambassadors. Some of these signal does it send to foreign governments? What does it reveal appointees prove to be quick learners and manage to do well as about the face America is presenting to an increasingly difficult ambassadors, but a great many others do not. Some treat the and dangerous world? job as little more than a status symbol and a social opportunity, Because the ambassadorial patronage system has been a long- hardly participating in the real work of managing the bilateral standing feature of American politics — and has been practiced relationship. Some spend three years as ambassador without ever equally by Democratic and Republican presidents — few have bothering to learn the language of the country to which they are been willing to challenge it. Perhaps in the post-9/11 world of assigned to represent the United States. Some spend most of their transformational diplomacy, in which our country is fighting a time away from post. war in the Middle East and struggling to contend with widespread This should surprise no one. Someone who has never served negative images of the United States, it is time to reconsider who in an embassy, never delivered a diplomatic demarche, never draft- represents our country abroad as ambassadors. Perhaps it is time ed a reporting cable and never worked in the foreign-policy arena for one bold administration to stand up and put an end to the is going to need an awful lot of on-the-job training. Having been patronage system.

JULY-AUGUST 2006/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 67 A F S V.P. VOICE: USAID BY BILL CARTER Award for A Lifetime Contributions N Morton E W “Adios,” Sports Fans Abramowitz S uring the June 22 AFSA Award ceremony, James Schlesinger Dpresented the 2006 AFSA Award fter serving as the AFSA/USAID vice president for for Lifetime Contributions to American three satisfying years, I am retiring. This is my swan- Diplomacy to Ambassador Morton Asong column. I have been trying to come up with something appropriately Abramowitz. Previous recipients of this sage and profound to say as I exit, like: “Beware of the military-industrial complex,” prestigious award include U. Alexis or “Remember to use sunscreen, floss and recycle,” but I would be borrowing those Johnson, Frank Carlucci, George H.W. from others. Instead, indulge me in a few reflections. Bush, Lawrence Eagleburger, Cyrus I come away from this experience with a much deeper appreciation for AFSA, Vance, David Newsom, Lee Hamilton, and what it does, than I had when first elected. Bureaucratic systems are not always Tom Pickering, George Shultz, Richard benign. They need checks and balances; they need vigilant watchdogs against the Parker and Richard Lugar. arrogance of power; they need employee advocacy organizations to minimize abus- The lifetime contributions award es. At other times, employees need third-party interventions to resolve individual honors Amb. Abramowitz for his dedi- issues or to correct systemic flaws flowing from specific cases. AFSA serves these cated public service of more than 46 functions for all five foreign affairs agencies — and serves them well. years. (See profile and interview, p. 30.) It took my entire tenure to get the unjust dismissal of two USAID officers reversed. His 31-year career in the U.S. Foreign If common sense had prevailed at the outset, there would have been tremendous Service included ambassadorships to savings in time and money, and avoidance of the loss of some trust and good will. Turkey, Thailand and the Mutual and But, common sense was on an extended vacation, and it took the Foreign Service Balanced Force Reduction Negotiations Grievance Board and, finally, federal court action before it returned. in Vienna. He also served as assistant At last, these two Foreign Service officers are back and fully reinstated. AFSA- secretary of State for Intelligence and sponsored litigation in court and before the Foreign Service Grievance Board helped Research and deputy assistant secretary bring about this just ending. These cases against two untenured officers had a broad of Defense, among many other assign- impact. They led to successful negotiations for revising tenure procedures so that ments. what happened to these two employees will not happen to anyone else. Upon retirement from the Foreign AFSA played an important role in reversing a “reblocking” decision that would Service as a career ambassador in 1991, have reconfigured the office space within the Ronald Reagan Building at great expense. Amb. Abramowitz continued his distin- Given the subsequent agency changes and reorganization, this would have proven guished service to the American people to be very wasteful. AFSA was instrumental in convincing management to staff crit- as president of the Carnegie ical-priority countries on a volunteer basis, as opposed to the use of directed assign- Endowment for International Peace for ments, which was the initial intent. So far, this voluntary system has worked well. six years. He has also been acting presi- The Student Loan Repayment Program for USAID employees was implement- dent of the International Crisis Group ed before budgetary shortfalls put it temporarily on hold. I know my successor will and a senior fellow at The Century be working hard to get it restarted. Foundation. He has published numer- No, it was not all sweetness and light. AFSA was not successful in gaining eligi- ous books, articles and essays on a wide bility to join USAA for new USAID, FAS and FCS officers. We fought a valiant fight range of foreign policy issues. but lost, for now. I predict that somewhere down the road, this, too, will be reversed Amb. Abramowitz continues to be in our members’ favor. And, AFSA continues to believe that converting Personal actively engaged in the critical issues Services Contractors and others to Foreign Service positions and creating the quick- facing U.S. diplomacy today and to fix Foreign Service Limited personnel category were serious errors that will haunt work toward the achievement of peace the agency’s human resources function for many years to come. and better relations between America I cannot go without thanking my sidekicks at the AFSA/USAID office, Doug and the rest of the world. AFSA is Broome and Asgeir Sigfusson, for their patience, support and wise counsel. proud to honor Amb. Abramowitz for I will miss this job at AFSA, and I will miss being an active member of the Foreign his important and significant contribu- Service. I wish you all the best in life. tions to U.S. foreign policy.

68 FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL/JULY-AUGUST 2006 A F Special Award of Appreciation Special Award of Appreciation S for Support of AFSA and the Ambassador L. Bruce Laingen A American Foreign Service N In deep gratitude for his two decades of distinguished service E Senator Paul S. Sarbanes, as chairman of the AFSA Awards and Plaque Committee, as well as his lifetime of dedication to the American Foreign Service W D-Md. Association and public service, AFSA honored Ambassador S L. Bruce Laingen with a Special Award of Appreciation at the In appreciation for all that June 22 ceremony. he has done in support of the In 1987, Amb. Laingen was elected as a retiree member of the American Foreign Service and ASFA Governing Board and appointed chairman of the Awards the American Foreign Service Committee (which later became the Awards Association while serving in the and Plaque Committee). During his tenure, U.S. Senate for 30 years, AFSA pre- he succeeded in greatly improving the stand- sented a special award to Senator ing of the AFSA awards, and consistently pro- Paul S. Sarbanes, D-Md., at the vided wise guidance in the important task of AFSA Awards Ceremony on June honoring members of the Foreign Service who 22. Sen. Sarbanes is retiring this have lost their lives overseas in the line of duty. year, at the end of the 109th session of Congress, having served five AFSA is deeply grateful for Amb. Laingen’s terms in the Senate. He currently serves as ranking member of the commitment and dedication to our organization for so many Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee, and is a senior years. In his modest and understated way, he made a tremendous member of the Foreign Relations Committee, the Budget contribution to the awards program, helping the association con- Committee and the Joint Economic Committee. tinue to honor dissent through the only such program for U.S. For three decades, Sen. Sarbanes has been a champion for the government employees. He devoted countless hours to AFSA and Foreign Service, someone who understands the important role of the committee, always maintaining a high level of integrity. diplomacy. As a member of the Foreign Relations Committee, A Minnesotan, Amb. Laingen served in the U.S. Navy during Sen. Sarbanes and his staff have always provided AFSA with valu- World War II and in the Foreign Service from 1949 to 1987. He able advice and support. Because of his sound advice and careful was ambassador to Malta from 1977 to 1979. While serving as consideration of legislation affecting the U.S. foreign affairs com- chargé d’affaires in Iran in 1979, he was taken hostage. Following munity, the Foreign Service is better able to protect and advance his release in 1981, Amb. Laingen served as vice president of the the vital interests of the United States in the international arena. National Defense University in Washington, D.C., and executive “For AFSA as well as all those in the Foreign Service communi- director of the National Commission on Public Service (the ty,” says AFSA Legislative Director Ken Nakamura, “he is known Volcker Commission). as a strong supporter and defender of our interests. His help Amb. Laingen recently retired from his position as president of comes in many forms: from quietly advising us to actively fighting the American Academy of Diplomacy, a nonprofit, nonpartisan for our interests, whether in the Senate Foreign Relations organization dedicated to fostering the highest standards in the Committee or on the floor of the Senate. Without his help, many conduct of diplomacy. While president of the academy, he served of the things that have improved the lives and working conditions on the boards of A Presidential Classroom for Young Americans, of those in the Foreign Service, their families and our retirees the Mercersburg Academy of Pennsylvania, No Greater Love and would not have been achieved.” the National Defense University Foundation, among others. Sen. Sarbanes has consistently supported and fought for the He holds the Award for Valor from the U.S. Department of resources needed for diplomacy and foreign assistance. He strong- State, the Distinguished Public Service medal from the ly favored appointment of ambassadors from the career Foreign Department of Defense, the Distinguished Alumnus Award from Service. And he has always taken up less-noticed issues that St. Olaf College, the Golden Plate Award from the American strengthen the foreign affairs agencies and improve the Foreign Academy of Achievement, a Presidential Meritorious Award and Service. He has played a crucial role in defending the Foreign the Foreign Service Cup. Service over many years, and served as a valuable partner in Amb. Laingen is a graduate of St. Olaf College in Minnesota, AFSA’s Capitol Hill efforts. AFSA is honored to recognize Sen. the National War College and has a master’s degree in interna- Sarbanes for his long record of support for the Foreign Service. tional relations from the University of Minnesota. He is the author of Yellow Ribbon: The Secret Journal of Bruce Laingen (1992), and has written several articles and commentaries for the Foreign Service Journal.

JULY-AUGUST 2006/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 69 A AFSA’S 2006 DISSENT AWARD WINNERS F S The constructive dissent awards recognize individuals who have demonstrated the courage to challenge the system from within. A N Christian A. Herter Award E FOR A SENIOR-LEVEL FOREIGN SERVICE OFFICER W S Michael E. Guest

ecretary Rice’s Transformational Diplomacy initiative Department employees are accorded states that the U.S. “must send out into the world a diplo- protections, training and benefits now Smatic ... corps that reflects [its] great diversity.” However, provided only to spouses. Current reg- the department’s own regulations impede that goal through pro- ulations are particularly unfair to gay visions that discriminate against unmarried partners of Foreign and lesbian employees, who cannot marry but whose partners Service personnel. Ambassador Michael Guest has been selected nonetheless are denied basic training and benefits accorded to for the Herter Award for his efforts to push the State Depart- heterosexual spouses. These inequities also affect heterosexual ment to adopt family-friendly policies for all families, and to employees in committed relationships who are not married but ensure that Members of Household are treated fairly and equi- are part of U.S. mission communities abroad. tably by the foreign affairs agencies. Recognizing that the “best and brightest” of the Foreign Service are sometimes also homosexual, Amb. Guest has sought to promote a diverse Foreign Service whose members are distin- guished by talent, and where discrimination is not tolerated. He has encouraged the department to recognize that gay and lesbian FSOs serve on the front lines in often dangerous and difficult conditions. He has highlighted to management the fact that their partners, unlike the spouses of heterosexual FSOs, cannot receive security training, will not be evacuated in an emergency or assisted by embassy medical personnel during an epidemic and do not receive the protection of a diplomatic visa. Amb. Guest does not seek special “gay rights;” rather, he seeks fairness At the Foreign Service Institute, where and equity for all employees. he is serving as dean of the Leadership and Dissatisfied with the status quo, Amb. Management School, Amb. Guest has qui- Guest continues to press department man- etly but persistently advocated that partners agers to remedy these inequities so that the be given the same training and other oppor- talented work force of the Foreign Service tunities afforded to spouses. “Training is Top: Amb. Guest is sworn in as ambassador to can serve as the team it should be and can not a benefit, but a core requirement for the Romania, 2001. Bottom: Romanian children in channel its full energies in directions that security of those who live abroad on behalf traditional regional garb meet Amb. Guest. will benefit the United States. of the United States, and for the effective- In addition to FSI and Bucharest, during ness of our mission,” Guest believes. “The department’s dis- his 24 years in the Foreign Service, Amb. Guest served in Prague criminatory disregard for unmarried partners, whether gay or as deputy chief of mission, in Paris as deputy political counselor straight, is an issue of work force fairness and equity.” and in Embassy Moscow’s political section. In Washington, he As ambassador to Romania, where he served with distinction has served as principal deputy assistant secretary and acting assis- from 2001 to 2004 with his life partner by his side, Guest found tant secretary for the Bureau of Legislative Affairs, as deputy that the inequities for unmarried partners were creating a nega- executive secretary of the State Department and White House tive morale issue for the community as a whole. A number of assistant press secretary during the Reagan administration. He employees at post, both gay and straight, had unmarried part- has received the State Department’s Superior Honor Award five ners. They had been refused training that would have benefited times. While serving as ambassador to Romania, he received the their security, and were denied access to embassy facilities and prestigious Charles E. Cobb Award for Initiative and Success in services. Trade Development. Amb. Guest is a Phi Beta Kappa and holds Amb. Guest has been patient but insistent in urging the an M.A. from the University of Virginia and a B.A. from department to revise internal regulations so that partners of State Furman University.

70 FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL/JULY-AUGUST 2006 AFSA’S 2006 DISSENT AWARD WINNERS A F S A William R. Rivkin Award N FOR A MID-LEVEL FOREIGN SERVICE OFFICER E W Richard S. Sacks S

hile serving as political counselor in Panama City, issues that have been raised. None of this would have been possi- Richard Sacks sent a Dissent Channel message to the ble without his courageous actions in challenging the status quo WState Department that called attention to the negative and persisting in efforts to find other solutions. effect that poor treatment of Panamanian Muslims at U.S. ports Sacks says he was “a bit stunned, but very happy” on winning of entry was having on the U.S. image in Panama. For his intel- the Rivkin award. “It is a great honor. But more importantly, the lectual courage and constructive dissent, he was selected for the award helps AFSA focus attention on issues and problems that 2006 Rivkin Award. He challenged and ultimately influenced the the department might otherwise prefer to ignore,” Sacks stated. Department of Homeland Security’s passenger-screening proce- “My dissent criticized widespread mistreatment of Panamanian dures as well as the embassy’s approach to engagement with Panama’s Muslim community. Since the 9/11 Sacks with Public Affairs Director of Colón attacks, foreign Muslims Islamic Cultural Center Luis Ibrahim at the traveling to the U.S. Arab community school. have come under greater scrutiny. Members of Panama’s Muslim com- munity have faced numerous difficulties, including having their visas revoked, being incarcerated or being Embassy Panama City country team with Sheik Halim at the Colón mosque. voluntarily deported as a Sacks is sixth from right. result of information in various U.S. government databas- Muslims at U.S. ports of entry in the es. Sacks identified the problems context of the threat from jihadist ter- faced by the Panamanian rorism, and questioned how those Muslims at U.S. ports of entry as practices make Americans more a major factor influencing their secure or enhance the image of the negative attitude toward the U.S. United States abroad, or make win- Sacks researched both individ- ning the struggle against Islamic total- ual claims of harassment and ad- itarianism more likely. Also, by hold- mission procedures. The Dissent ing constructive dissent in the highest Channel message he sent called regard, AFSA maintains an important attention to this problem and standard. If I may quote one of my urged changes in the procedures. From left: Sacks at Panama Ports with his mother Dorothy Sacks, colleagues, is not the right to dissent Despite vocal opposition from FSN Ceci Carrasco and sons Jared and Gershom. at the very core of the freedom we some members of the country espouse for all?” team — who argued that the mission’s primary concern should Prior to joining the Foreign Service in 1989, Sacks worked as a be U.S. homeland security, not the alienation of Panama’s journalist for the Associated Press and as World Bank publica- Muslims — Sacks continued to push for recognition of this prob- tions editor. He co-authored Paraguay: The Personalist Legacy lem. He formulated several strategies to deal with it, such as (Westview Press, 1991), with Riordan Roett. Sacks has served expanding outreach to Panama’s Muslim community (including in Seoul, Hanoi, Casablanca, Mexico City (twice) and first-time invitations to functions hosted by the ambassador), and Washington, D.C. He heads back to the U.S. this summer for a fostering a greater willingness to address the larger immigration Washington assignment.

JULY-AUGUST 2006/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 71 A AFSA’S 2006 DISSENT AWARD WINNERS F S A N W. Averell Harriman Award E FOR AN ENTRY-LEVEL FOREIGN SERVICE OFFICER W S Christopher C. Allison

issent does not always mean say- colleagues to improve their temporary ing no or sending a Dissent worker visa processing. DChannel message. What first- It would have been easy for Allison tour officer Christopher C. Allison did to say that the law prohibited re-adjudi- was challenge the status quo and ask dif- cation of DHS decisions and to con- ficult questions, as well as suggest solu- clude that it was too hard to fight the tions for a problem he saw in the pro- system. Consulate Chennai’s workload cessing of temporary-worker visas in is notoriously heavy, and taking the South India. His efforts led to positive time to pursue this course meant lots of changes in H-1B visa processing. For extra work with the possibility of no constructively challenging the status Chennai consular officers (from left) Franc Shelton, Hilary change at all in procedures. “Chris’s quo, Christopher C. Allison was selected Dauer and Chris Allison promoting grass-roots diplomacy willingness to ask questions and not just for the 2006 W. Averell Harriman at the Sri Venkateswara Temple in Tirumala, Andhra accept the status quo, while at the same Pradesh, India. Award. time working within the system,” While working in the fraud pre- notes the colleague who nominated vention unit in a traditionally high- him, “is an example of how one per- fraud environment, Allison discov- son can make a big difference.” ered that many questionable H-1B Allison is finishing up his first temporary-worker visa petitions seen tour in Chennai. He tells AFSA by Consulate Chennai were being News that the work he did “would approved by Department of not have been possible without the Homeland Security officers even active encouragement of my super- though some petitioners appeared visors and the support and assistance not to have the required job waiting of my colleagues at post, particularly for them in the U.S. The practice the other H-1B adjudicators and the was not clearly definable as fraud, outstanding fraud prevention unit and the Foreign Affairs Manual staff.” states that consular officers are not His next post is Tokyo, for allowed to re-adjudicate a DHS peti- another consular tour. tion approval. Consular officers may, however, return problematic cases for review if new information unavailable to the DHS approving officer at the time of the approval arises later. Allison went to work trying to fix the system. He worked with the consular Allison and his wife, Beth Rollins, riding in an autorickshaw in fraud unit at the Kentucky Consular Mysore, India. Center, the H-1B visa desk officer in the Bureau of Consular Affairs and contacts he had made within DHS to determine what, if any- thing, he could do regarding such cases. Through that coopera- tion, he was able to target his interviewing and bring out new Allison contemplating the Lisbon skyline while on R&R in 2005. information. The interagency discussions led to efforts by DHS

72 FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL/JULY-AUGUST 2006 AFSA’S 2006 DISSENT AWARD WINNERS A F S A Tex Harris Award N FOR A FOREIGN SERVICE SPECIALIST E W Kevin Morgan S

s the budget and human embassy’s most valuable and resources officer at trustworthy local employees A Embassy Minsk, Kevin showed his true character,” the Morgan earned a reputation as nomination states, “as a person a strong protector of, and advo- who will stand his ground in the cate for, the local Belarusian face of overwhelming odds when staff in the embassy. When a it is the right thing to do.” delicate situation arose involv- Morgan was successful in his ing the credibility of allegations efforts, and post management made by an embassy Foreign reversed the earlier position. Service National, Morgan Kevin Morgan was born in argued strenuously that no Ft. Monroe, Va., while his father action should be taken until a was stationed there in the Army. thorough investigation could Morgan at a local bread factory in Minsk. He grew up in Fairfax, but his be made by someone from maternal grandmother was born outside the embassy. While in Belarus. Morgan has a degree some in post management in accounting from George argued that the local employee Mason University. He is a CPA, should be summarily dismissed and prior to joining the Foreign for making the allegations, Service worked in the finance Morgan insisted that this course office of the National Science of action would send the wrong Foundation for seven years. message to the embassy work Then he spent six years in the force: that reporting misdeeds Regional Inspector General’s could result in punitive action. Office of USAID, serving in Morgan (center) with The 2006 Tex Harris Budapest. In this position, FSNs at the Drina River in Award has been given to Visegrad, Republika he worked in Yerevan, Kevin Morgan for taking a Serbska, while working Sarajevo, Warsaw, Moscow brave and difficult stand to with USAID. and Kiev. protect the rights of a local Morgan joined the State employee. In advocating due process for the employ- Department as a financial ee, who was described as a valuable and model mem- specialist in 2002, and went ber of the embassy staff, Morgan took career risks to to Harare for his first tour. do what he believed to be the right thing. He demon- Embassy Minsk is his sec- strated courage and integrity in an effort to protect and ond post with the Foreign defend the rights of a local employee. Service. He and his wife, Belarus is an extremely difficult environment in Tatiana, have a 3-year-old which to operate; relations between the host govern- daughter. ment and the U.S. are tense. This hostile atmosphere contributed to an initial post reaction to prevent this sensitive matter from being exposed to a wider audi- ence, including the Belarusian authorities, and to limit the extent of the internal investigation. Morgan with daughter Valentina at the “Kevin’s willingness to fight to protect one of the World War II Khatyn Memorial outside Minsk.

JULY-AUGUST 2006/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 73 A AFSA’S 2006 OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE AWARD WINNERS F These awards honor exemplary performance and extraordinary contributions. S A Delavan Award M. Juanita Guess Award FOR A FOREIGN SERVICE OFFICE MANAGEMENT SPECIALIST FOR A COMMUNITY LIAISON OFFICER N E Malgorzata “Gosia” Lamot Martine S. McKinnie W eyond her regular duties as the office his year’s M. Juanita Guess Award goes to Martine S management specialist for the deputy chief McKinnie for her superb performance as community liai- Bof mission, Malgorzata “Gosia” Lamot has Tson officer at Embassy Yaounde, which resulted in a dramatic made significant contributions to the entire improvement in morale among mission employees, their families embassy community in Kuwait. She generously and the American community. shares her knowledge, skills and lifelong commit- “Martine’s devotion to duty is without paral- ment to learning and exercise through spirited lel,” explains the deputy chief of mission. “She and relevant activities she organizes for embassy seems to be everywhere at all times, organizing staff and family members. For enhancing the quality of life and or assisting in an astounding number of morale- learning at Embassy Kuwait, Lamot has been selected as the 2006 boosting programs, both official and private. winner of the Delavan Award. Her outreach to the expatri- Nearly 10 percent of Embassy Kuwait’s 500 personnel partici- ate and Cameroonian com- pate in the popular program she runs during her lunch break every munities has brought great day. “The Healthy Living Lunch Break” promotes both physical credit to this mission.” and mental fitness as well as financial and social well-being. Four She sees her highest pri- times a week, she leads a group-oriented athletic activity, such as ority as welcoming newcom- walking, running or water exercises, enjoyed by a loyal following of ers and assisting them in get- locally-engaged staff, Foreign Service officers and family members. ting settled and getting their Wednesday’s lunch breaks are dedicated to promoting profes- bearings in Yaounde, a his- sional development. Lamot targets each lecture to specific groups torically-difficult-to-staff 25- of employees or Eligible Family Members. Most of these work- percent differential post. McKinnie, with the Embassy Yaounde shops aim to better familiarize employees with the Department of “As an experienced Foreign Marine Detachment, delivering food and State and the embassy. For example, her talk on employment Service family member,” supplies to an AIDS/HIV orphanage. opportunities for she says, “I know first-hand spouses weighed how stressful moving to a new environment can be on anyone. … the benefits and It makes a world of difference to have someone assist in the crucial disadvantages of first days after arrival and during an entire tour.” outside employ- McKinnie begins welcoming new employees and family mem- ment versus bers long before they arrive at post. “Many new employees have embassy employ- told me they have never felt so welcome upon arrival in a new ment as an community,” comments the deputy chief of mission. “I felt the Eligible Family same when I arrived.” Member. Fluent in French and English, McKinnie has made a tremen- Lamot (right) with the junior diplomats at the The sessions dous contribution to the post language program. The French- ambassador’s residence in Kuwait. on “Intranet immersion trips she has organized have been particularly popular versus Internet” for helping staff and family members learn about and appreciate and “FSI Distance Learning” were so popular that she had to repeat the culture of Cameroon. them several times to accommodate the extraordinary demand A weekly newsletter that McKinnie puts together serves as a from FSN and direct-hire personnel. great resource, including information for diverse interests. She is During the 2006 winter school break, when options were scarce inclusive, and ensures that all members have holiday plans. for organized activities for students, Lamot arranged a three-day “Martine made me feel welcome at a time when I was new to living Junior Diplomat Program for embassy youth between the ages of at an American embassy,” says a Marine security guard. “She was 12 and 15. In addition to field trips, the group met at the embassy so helpful, and that set the tone for the impression I got about the and learned about the functions of the many elements of the U.S. entire civilian community here in Yaounde.” mission to Kuwait and visited the ambassador’s residence. A strong advocate for family member employment, McKinnie Lamot’s creative programs have contributed enormously to post works to seek and support job opportunities inside and outside the morale. Her programs have prepared participants to make better mission. Ambassador Niels Marquardt describes McKinnie as “an career decisions, improve their performance, gain new skills and indispensable actor both in building internal morale and in project- compete more effectively for promotions and awards. She also has ing an appropriately inclusive public image for this mission.” boosted participants’ self-confidence, and encouraged them to Martine McKinnie grew up in Niger. She went to Paris for share their knowledge and demonstrate their new skills to others. three years of secretarial training, and returned to Niamey, where Kuwait is her second posting as an OMS, the first being Riyadh. she gained valuable private-sector experience working for several Before joining the Foreign Service, Lamot was an EFM and worked companies before going to work for the U.S. embassy as an office as an overseas educational adviser during postings with her hus- management specialist. She has accompanied her Foreign Service band to Abu Dhabi and Riyadh. She was born and educated in spouse, Robert McKinnie, for 19 years to Georgetown (Guyana), Poland and is a graduate of the Academy of Economics in Krakow. Kinshasa, Bogotá, Berlin, Dar es Salaam and Washington. The She and her consular officer husband, Charles Glatz, have three couple has three sons. The family will return to Washington this children. summer for a new assignment.

74 FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL/JULY-AUGUST 2006 A F Foreign Affairs Day • Continued from page 65 Amb. Holmes welcomed the family past year ... I appreciate the members of S members of the honorees and other the American Foreign Service Association A guests, numbering over 200. “To their fam- for their support of the men and women ilies and friends gathered here,” said who face danger to protect our citizens.” Holmes, “I express my deepest gratitude for In his remarks, Holmes said that the N the contributions that your loved ones have individuals being honored “voluntarily E made for our nation. But I also want to embarked on very difficult missions to serve W acknowledge the sacrifices that you have their country in extremely dangerous S made, and the pain and loss that you have places — Iraq and Pakistan. They did not endured. Please be assured that we will consider themselves heroes. ... The men never forget what they have done.” and women in the Foreign Service face great Following the presentation of the col- risks and serious hardships every day in vir- ors by a United States Armed Forces Color tually every post in which they serve. The Guard, Sec. Rice spoke about each of the same is true for our colleagues from other four honorees and read a message from U.S. government agencies serving overseas. President George Bush. However, despite the danger, they contin- MIKKELA THOMPSON Newest additions to the AFSA Memorial Plaque are unveiled.

The Honorees David E. Foy, a facilities manager at Consulate Karachi, was killed by a car bomb on March 2, 2006, as he was about to enter the consulate on his way to work. After a 21-year career in the Navy, Foy had joined the Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations in 2003, and was on his second MIKKELA THOMPSON AFSA President J. Anthony Holmes and Secretary Rice at the Plaque Ceremony. tour of duty. Stephen E. Sullivan, Diplomatic ue to go forth with dedication and deter- Security Special Agent, was killed in a car mination, united in their desire to serve their bombing in Mosul, Iraq, on Sept. 19, 2005. nation and to meet the demands of service He was serving as acting regional security in a turbulent and uncertain world.” officer for the Regional Embassy Office in Guests at the ceremony included Acting Mosul, and was part of a chief-of-mission Director General of the Foreign Service motorcade that was attacked. John O’Keefe, USAID Administrator Barbara C. Heald, a civilian employee Randall Tobias, Assistant Secretary for of the Army’s Project and Contracting Diplomatic Security Richard Griffin, FAS Office, was killed on Jan. 29, 2005, while Administrator Michael Yost, Rep. James MIKKELA THOMPSON working at her desk, by a rocket that hit the Retiree Coordinator Norma Reyes greets Foreign McGovern (D-Mass.), and representatives U.S. embassy complex in Baghdad. She had Affairs Day attendees at the AFSA table. for Rep. G.K. Butterfield (R-S.C.), and for volunteered for service in Iraq after retir- Sen. John Warner, (R-Va.), among many ing from the U.S. Department of The message included the following: others. Agriculture, and was on her third tour there “Across our nation and around the world, After the official ceremony, Sec. Rice when she was killed. members of the Foreign Service, Civil greeted the family members and offered Lieutenant Commander Keith E. Service and Foreign Service Nationals work personal condolences. The plaque cere- Taylor, a Navy reservist, was killed in the to improve lives, advance prosperity and mony was followed by Foreign Affairs Day Jan. 29, 2005, rocket attack on the embassy protect our homeland. As they support our seminars sponsored by the State Depart- complex in Baghdad. He was the chief con- country, these individuals make great sac- ment. After the conclusion of the day’s pro- tracting officer for transportation and com- rifices and, of course, some have paid the grams, AFSA hosted a reception and an- munications for the Army’s Project and ultimate price. ... We honor the Foreign nounced the annual AFSA Merit Scholar- Contracting Office. Service members who lost their lives this ship winners.

JULY-AUGUST 2006/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 75 A F S DAY ON THE HILL 2006 A Taking the Voice of the Foreign Service to Capitol Hill N BY AUSTIN TRACY, EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT TO THE AFSA PRESIDENT E W S n May 4, the day before introduce Health Savings Accounts Foreign Affairs Day, 35 into the Federal Employees Health Oretired and active-duty Benefits Plan. members of the U.S. Foreign Service, After a brunch briefing on the joined by AFSA Governing Board issues at AFSA headquarters, par- members and staffers, visited 29 con- ticipants were taken by bus to the gressional offices during AFSA’s Hill and gathered in a House sixth annual Day on the Hill pro- International Relations Committee gram. The intrepid volunteers, hearing room. Guest speakers, representing nine states (Florida, Eleanor Nagy, director of policy for Indiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, the HIRC Subcommittee on Africa, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Ohio, Global Human Rights and Virginia and Washington) and the International Operations, and Scott District of Columbia, helped convey Thayer, staffer for Senator John the message that the Foreign Sununu, R-N.H., spoke of the Service, though it serves abroad, has atmospherics on the Hill. Thayer a constituency at home that must and Nagy, FSOs working on not be neglected. Capitol Hill as Pearson Fellows, AFSA’s overall theme for Day were able to offer unique insights. on the Hill focused on how each Following the plenary session, of our legislative proposals com- the participants dispersed into plements Secretary Rice’s trans- smaller groups to visit the offices formational diplomacy initiative. PHOTOS BY MIKKELA THOMPSON of their elected officials. Over 20 From top, clockwise: AFSA Legislative Affairs Director Ken Nakamura wel- By taking this approach, AFSA comes participants to Capitol Hill. Departure from AFSA headquarters. Virginian participants packed into demonstrated the role it plays vis- AFSA Retiree VP David Reuther with Senator Maria Cantwell, D-Wash. the offices of Senators George à-vis the State Department and the Allen, R-Va., and John Warner, R- men and women serving in our diplo- budget request. As AFSA President J. Va., to show their support for the Foreign matic missions. Anthony Holmes stated in a National Public Service. AFSA Retiree Vice President David During meetings on the Hill, AFSA par- Radio interview, “We cannot be a super- E. Reuther enjoyed meeting a hometown ticipants highlighted issues of importance to power on a shoestring. ... The administra- senator, Maria Cantwell, D-Wash. And the Foreign Service, such as the need for tion needs to work with the Congress [to AFSA member Vern Penner, undeterred by enactment of overseas comparability pay, give the necessary] resources ... to transform the fact that AFSA staffers had been unable which would create pay equity for For- the Secretary’s vision of transformational to secure a meeting with one of his elected eign Service members serving overseas. diplomacy into a meaningful reality.” officials, showed up at the office of Rep. Currently, Foreign Service members at AFSA also highlighted several issues of Wayne Gilchrest, R-Md., and struck up a FS-1 and below receive a 17-percent pay cut top concern to retiree members. While rec- conversation with the congressman. when they leave Washington, a clear disin- ognizing that the current Congress has kept AFSA’s legislative strategy encompass- centive for overseas service. Participants also a low profile on retiree issues (perhaps to es a number of efforts, with Day on the Hill highlighted the need to improve the mech- avoid upsetting an important block of vot- being the most high-profile and grass-roots anisms for rehiring Foreign Service annui- ers), AFSA has vigorously supported several oriented. The program’s success depends tants (under the WAE program), which bills which provide relief to the checkbooks on a strong and enthusiastic turnout by would give the Secretary more flexibility to of retired federal employees. AFSA Retiree members and non-members alike. Using rebalance and transform the nation’s diplo- Coordinator Bonnie Brown and Legislative the momentum created by Day on the Hill, matic posture around the globe. Affairs Director Ken Nakamura keep a sharp AFSA continues advocating on behalf of the Participants called on Congress to fully eye on proposals that could negatively affect men and women of the Foreign Service all fund the president’s international affairs retirees, such as the administration’s call to year.

76 FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL/JULY-AUGUST 2006 A F STAMPS OF APPROVAL spoke were Robert Kim Bingham, son of S Hiram Bingham; Avis Bohlen, daughter of A Career Diplomats Honored with Charles E. Bohlen; Susan Michaels, daugh- ter of Philip C. Habib; Mildred Pond, First Postage Stamps daughter of Robert D. Murphy; Dr. N E BY EIRENE BUSA, EDITORIAL INTERN Clifton R. Wharton Jr., son of Clifton R. Wharton Sr.; and Sherene Gravatte, great W or the first time, U.S. postage stamps ing of how he or she can, like them, make niece of Frances E. Willis. They all spoke S bear the faces of career diplomats. Six a difference. These six diplomats represent highly of the Foreign Service in highlight- Fcommemorative stamps, “Distin- what it means to be an American.” ing the achievements of the honorees. guished American Diplomats,” were ded- Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice Representative Robert Simmons, R- icated at a special U.S. Postal Service cer- offered remarks via videotape. “It is the Conn., attended the ceremony especially to emony on May 30 at the pay tribute to Harry Bingham. Washington, D.C., Convention Simmons, himself an avid stamp Center as part of the World collector, took part in the dedi- Philatelic Exhibition. cation ceremony, proudly pulling The stamps honor Hiram the stamps out of his jacket while “Harry” Bingham IV, Charles E. making his remarks. He distin- Bohlen, Philip C. Habib, Robert guished Bingham from the other D. Murphy, Clifton R. Wharton, five honorees, noting that “Bing- Sr. and Frances E. Willis. These ham was not a success. He was diplomats made significant con- not the first of anything. He was tributions to international rela- not an architect of some great tions as negotiators, administra- foreign policy. In fact, he left the The “Distinguished American Diplomats” stamp series tors, trailblazers, shapers of pol- Foreign Service under a bit of a icy, peacemakers and humani- cloud. ... [Yet Bingham] saw and tarians. AFSA is proud to see them bring memory of these great diplomats that serves recognized the face of evil. He knew it was national attention to the accomplish- as a source of strength and inspiration for wrong, and worked in the only way he ments of the Foreign Service. all who use diplomacy today to build a knew.” The stamps were the culmination of future of peace and hope,” she said. “By While serving as a consular officer in almost a decade of collaboration among honoring the memory of the past, we are Marseilles from 1939 to 1941, Bingham AFSA, the USPS, the State Department and better able to face the future.” defied orders, issuing over 2,500 life-sav- other organizations. In attendance at the The highlight of the special ceremony ing visas to Jews and anti-Nazi activists. He ceremony were AFSA President J. Anthony was when the diplomats’ family members was not recognized for his work during his Holmes, AFSA Communications Director reflected on their loved ones. Those who lifetime, but received a posthumous dissent Tom Switzer, USPS Board of Governors award from AFSA in 2002, which then- member John S. Gardner and State Secretary of State Colin Powell presented Department Civil Service officer John to his family. Hotchner, an avid stamp collector who AFSA greatly appreciates Robert Kim serves on the USPS committee that advis- Bingham’s positive remarks about the orga- es the postmaster general on new stamps nization. Bingham said that his father was and played a key role in seeking the issuance “always proud to receive mailings from of the diplomat stamp series. AFSA.” Bingham noted his appreciation James C. Miller, chairman of the USPS for the AFSA award for his father, which Board of Governors, officially dedicated the represented the first time Bingham’s stamps. “All of these diplomats served in courageous actions were recognized at the different parts of the world, yet they shared State Department. a common passion for service — a passion The “Distinguished American Diplo- that sometimes put them in harm’s way. mats” ceremony drew positive media ... It is because these accomplished diplo- coverage for the Foreign Service and for AUSTIN TRACY mats took so much pride in their service AFSA President J. Anthony Holmes (right) with AFSA. Stories ran on CBS News and CNN, to our nation that they have inspired gen- State Department Civil Service officer John and in The Washington Post and The erations of diplomats — each one dream- Hotchner at the stamp ceremony. Washington Times.

JULY-AUGUST 2006/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 77 A F S A 2006 AFSA Merit Award Winners FSA is proud to announce the 22 Foreign Service high school seniors applicants were judged on their art submission, letters of recommenda- N who were selected as the 2006 Merit Award winners. These one- tion and essays. Benjamin McAllister was selected as the Art Merit Award E Atime-only awards, totaling $26,500, were bestowed during Foreign winner for his euphonium performance musical arts submission. W Affairs Day May 5 at an AFSA ceremony and reception. AFSA congrat- Stephanie Kranstover was selected as the Art Merit Award honorable men- ulates the students for their academic and artistic achievements. Winners tion winner for her visual arts acrylic paintings and charcoal drawings. S received $1,500 awards and Honorable Mention winners received $500 Six academic merit named scholarships have been established to date, awards. Judges were drawn from the Foreign Service community. and these awards are bestowed on the highest-scoring students. The recip- This year, 42 students competed for the 15 Academic Merit Awards. ients of these scholarships were: Katherine Rock for the Associates of the They were judged on grade point average, Scholastic Assessment Test scores, American Foreign Service Worldwide Scholarship; Laura Downes for the essays, letters of recommendation, extracurricular activities and any spe- John and Priscilla Becker Family Scholarship; Theresa Smyth for the John cial circumstances. From the Academic Merit Award applicants, a best- C. Leary Memorial Scholarship; Melinda Kilner and Christian Ternus essay winner (Julia Wohlers) and a community service winner (Alexandra for the Joanna and Robert Martin Scholarships; and Matthew Dantas- Noyes) were selected. The best essay winner and community service award McCutcheon for the Donald Spigler and Maria Giuseppa Spigler winner received $250. Julia’s essay can be found on AFSA’s Web site at Scholarship. www.afsa.org/scholar/index.cfm. For more information on the AFSA Merit Awards, the AFSA Scholarship Nine students submitted art merit applications under one of the fol- Program, or how to establish a named scholarship, contact Lori Dec at (202) lowing categories: visual arts, musical arts, drama or creative writing. Art 944-5504, or [email protected], or visit www.afsa.org/scholar/index.cfm. Academic Merit Winners

David Bertsch: son of Charles Richard Brown: son of Dolores Joel Christensen: son of Eion Dando: son of Lori (State) Matthew Dantas-McCutcheon: (FAS) and Donna Bertsch; (State) and Graham Brown Brenda and W. Brent (State) and Stephen Dando; graduate son of Elizabeth de Lima Dan- graduate of McLean High (deceased); graduate of James Christensen; graduate of the of Copenhagen International tas and Robert McCutcheon School, McLean, Va.; attend- Madison High School, Vienna, International School of Beijing, School, Denmark; attending (State); graduate of DeMatha ing Elon University, majoring Va.; attending Columbia Uni- China; attending Brigham Macalester College, majoring in High School in Hyattsville, Md.; in engineering. versity, majoring in pre-med/ Young University, majoring in engineering. attending the University of political science. computer science. Maryland, majoring in aero- space engineering; recipient of the AFSA Donald S. Spigler and Maria Giuseppa Spigler Aca- demic Merit Scholarship.

Joseph Muhm: son of Cather- Alexandra Noyes: daughter of Erin O’Grady: daughter of Katherine Rock: daughter of Stephanie Ruse: daughter of ine Nemmert and Daniel Julieta (State) and Nicholas Deborah Guido-O’Grady (State) Anthony (State, retired) Rock Edward (FCS-retired) and Muhm (State); graduate of (State) Noyes; graduate of and Daniel O’Grady (State); and Sherry Barndollar Rock; Kathleen Ruse, graduate of Taipei American School, Tai- James Madison High School, graduate of Anglo-American graduate of McLean High Ravenscroft School, Raleigh, wan; attending the University Vienna, Va.; attending the School, Moscow; attending the School, Va.; attending the Uni- N.C.; attending Washington of Washington in Seattle, University of Virginia. Alex- College of William and Mary, versity of Virginia, majoring in University College of Arts and majoring in aerospace engi- andra is the AFSA winner of majoring in pre-med. biology/pre-med; recipient of Sciences in St. Louis. neering. the Community Service Award. the Associates of the American Foreign Service Worldwide Merit Scholarship.

78 FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL/JULY-AUGUST 2006 A F PMA Presents $3,800 Award to AFSA S A n May 4, at the annual meeting in honor of the 38th anniver- sary of the Public Members Association of the Foreign N OService, PMA presented a check for $3,800 to AFSA for the AFSA Scholarship Fund. This check will be used as a scholarship E under the need-based AFSA Financial Aid Scholarship Program and W will be bestowed on a junior or senior majoring in foreign affairs S

MIKKELA THOMPSON in the 2006-2007 academic year. Scholarship Winners Honored Shown here at PMA’s The 2006 AFSA Merit Award winners who attended the luncheon are, from May 5 reception in their honor are shown here with left, AFSA Scholarship Director Lori Dec, AFSA President J. Anthony Holmes. PMA Scholarship Coordinator Nick Back row, from left: David Bertsch, Richard Brown, Alexandra Noyes, Frankhouser and Katherine Rock and J. Anthony Holmes; front row, from left: PMA President Laura Downes, Stephanie Kranstover, Matthew Dantas-McCutcheon Betty Duckert. and Janelle Barth.

Academic Merit Honorable Mention Winners

Janelle Barth: daughter of Deborah and Phil (State) Barth; graduate of W. T. Woodson High School, Laura Downes: daughter of Melinda Kilner: daughter of Eva Kolker: daughter of Fairfax, Va.; attending Duke University, majoring in Robert (State) and Sara Jan and Scott (State) Kilner; Ambassador Jimmy Kolker mechanical engineering. Downes; graduate of Wakefield graduate of St. Stephen’s (State) and Britt-Marie Fors- High School, Arlington, Va.; School, Rome, Italy; attending lund; graduate of United Katherine Schroeder: daughter of Anne Callaghan attending University of Pitts- Stanford University, majoring World College, Montezuma, (State) and Robert Schroeder; graduate of Colegio burgh, majoring in theater arts; in English; recipient of the N.M.; attending Brown Univer- Nueva Granada, Bogota; attending the University recipient of the AFSA Priscilla AFSA Joanna and Robert sity, majoring in economics. of Virginia. and John Becker Family Aca- Martin Academic Merit Sch- demic Merit Scholarship. olarship. Julia Wohlers: daughter of Mary Jo and Paul (State) Wohlers; graduate of NOVA International School, Skopje, Macedonia; attending Covenant College in Lookout Mountain, Ga. Julia is the winner of the AFSA Best Essay Award (essay posted at www. afsa.org/scholar/index.cfm).

Art Merit Honorable Mention Winner

Stephanie Kranstover: daughter of Anne Lewandow- ski and Peter Kranstover (USAID, retired); gradu- ate of W. T. Woodson High School, Fairfax, Va.; Theresa Smyth: daughter of Christian Ternus: son of Mary Art Merit Winner attending Virginia Commonwealth University in Janice (State) and Richard (State) and Scott (State) Tern- Benjamin McAllister: son of Richmond, Va., majoring in art and art history. (State) Smyth; graduate of us; graduate of Munich Inter- Paul McAllister and Susan Stephanie won for her charcoal drawings and acrylic South Lakes High School, Res- national School, Starnsberg, Domowitz (State); graduate of painting submissions. ton, Va.; attending the Univer- Germany; attending the Massa- the American School in Lon- sity of Virginia, majoring in biol- chusetts Institute of Technol- don, England; attending Tow- ogy; recipient of the AFSA John ogy, majoring in computer sci- son University in Towson, Md. C. Leary Memorial Academic ence and astrophysics; recipi- Benjamin won for his eupho- Merit Scholarship. ent of the AFSA Joanna and nium performance musical Robert Martin Academic Merit arts submission. Scholarship.

JULY-AUGUST 2006/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 79 A F S AFSA AND STATE REACH AGREEMENT A New Incentives for Iraq PRT Volunteers N E FSA has agreed to four new incen- tions with volunteers is vastly preferable — by a margin of 59 to 41 percent. AFSA and W tives for those who volunteer to serve for both the department and individual management agreed to take stock of the S Aon Iraq Provincial Reconstruction members of the Foreign Service — to situation again next year to determine Teams (PRTs), at Regional Embassy resorting to directed assignments. Senior whether the program achieved the desired Offices (REOs) and as State Officers Em- department management officials have results. bedded with U.S. Military (SETs). Prior to assured AFSA that virtually all positions On the promotion incentive, AFSA signing off on the new incentives, AFSA have been filled for the coming year, that members opposed any explicit or automatic sought feedback from members worldwide there is presently no plan to begin direct- promotion benefit merely as a reward for and held numerous discussions with ing Foreign Service members to assign- volunteering for Iraq PRT service, by a wide department management. ments in Iraq, and that the purpose of the margin (69 to 31 percent). AFSA mem- The four new incentives announced by package of new incentives is to continue to bers worldwide made it clear that they rec- the State Department on May 31 are, in encourage volunteers to serve in Iraq. ognize the difficulty of Iraq service but brief: nonetheless seek to preserve the fairness and 1) For those serving at Iraq PRTs/ integrity of a promotion system based on For AFSA and for the REOs/SETs only, and transferring in 2007, how well an employee performs, not on a firm commitment to one of the mem- overwhelming majority of the where an employee is assigned. ber’s top five choices for an onward At the same time, the nearly 2,000 indi- assignment (at-grade, in-cone or in-spe- Foreign Service, the essential vidual comments that members wrote cialty, with no language waiver requirement, link between outstanding revealed a more nuanced and flexible atti- excluding deputy chief of mission and prin- tude on the subject of giving due consid- cipal officer positions). performance and promotion is eration to service in particularly difficult and 2) Amended language for the 2006 pro- the bedrock of our meritocracy dangerous places. The survey comments cedural precepts, instructions to the 2006 indicated that a majority are prepared to selection boards, which draws particular and must not be severed. accept language in the procedural precepts attention to performance in PRTs and other for promotion that recognizes the unique regional operations in Iraq. difficulties of service in war zones, 3) For those serving at Iraq PRTs/ particularly in the PRTs/REOs/SETs REOs/SETs beginning in 2006, plus a lim- in Iraq. ited number of other positions still to be AFSA therefore negotiated and defined, an extension of time-in-class and ultimately concurred with the lan- time-in-service for certain Foreign Service guage contained in the DG’s cable, members. which builds on and slightly mod- 4) For those serving in one-year tours ifies the comparable references in the Iraq PRTs/REOs/SETs only, beginning in 2004 precepts. The key point is that 2006, the option to elect to have family the selection boards will continue to members remain at losing post during time base their decisions on “creditable

of Iraq service. (Note: See May 31 State REBECCA FONG and exemplary” performance. For 088092 for the full incentives announce- AFSA and for the overwhelming ment.) The first two incentives listed above were majority of the Foreign Service, the essen- AFSA understands the importance the subject of AFSA’s electronic survey con- tial link between outstanding performance that Secretary Rice and the administration ducted in June after they were initially pro- and promotion is the bedrock of our mer- place on transforming Iraq and the high pri- posed to association officials. Nearly 2,500 itocracy and must not be severed. ority of the State Department to fill all the active-duty members responded. On the Iraq presents extraordinary challenges jobs that have been created there, both at onward-assignment incentive, AFSA mem- for the Foreign Service, and AFSA hopes the embassy in Baghdad and outside the bers indicated their willingness to support the new incentives will help us rise to those capital. AFSA remains convinced, as do the this proposal as a one-time benefit for those challenges — without tampering with the vast majority of AFSA members around the who volunteer and as a measure to help basic principles of fairness in the open world, that continuing to staff these posi- avoid directed assignments to a war zone, assignments and promotion systems.

80 FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL/JULY-AUGUST 2006 A F S AFSANEWSBRIEFS A N Donate to BOOKFAIR E W The Associates of the American S Foreign Service Worldwide need Request for Information: donations for the 2006 BOOK- Neil Ruge

FAIR, especially for the art corner. JOSH Linda Williams would like to hear from Art, collectables and handicrafts, anyone who worked at Embassy London in as well as books, CDs, DVDs and videos are welcome. Proceeds bene- 1955 or 1956 and knew Vice Consul Neil Ruge. fit scholarship programs and other Foreign Service projects. The She can be reached by e-mail: 2006 BOOKFAIR will be held Oct. 13 to 22 in the State Department [email protected], or mail: 62 Seymour St., Harry S. Truman Building. Please call (202) 223-5796 or e-mail Middlebury VT 05753. [email protected] for donation information. From overseas, items may be pouched to the AAFSW Bookroom, B816 in the Harry S. Truman Building. CLASSIFIEDS

LEGAL SERVICES TAX & FINANCIAL SERVICES TAX & FINANCIAL SERVICES ATTORNEY WITH 26 years’ successful PROFESSIONAL TAX RETURN PREPA- ATTORNEY, FORMER FOREIGN SER- experience SPECIALIZING FULL-TIME IN FS RATION: Thirty years in public tax practice. VICE OFFICER: Extensive experience w/ tax GRIEVANCES will more than double your Arthur A. Granberg, EA, ATA, ATP. Our problems unique to the Foreign Service. chance of winning: 30% of grievants win charges are $75 per hour. Most FS returns Available for consultation, tax planning, and before the Grievance Board; 85% of my take 3 to 4 hours. Our office is 100 feet from preparation of returns: clients win. Only a private attorney can ade- Virginia Square Metro Station, Tax Matters M. Bruce Hirshorn, Boring & Pilger, P.C. quately develop and present your case, Associates PC, 3601 North Fairfax Dr., 307 Maple Ave. W, Suite D, Vienna, VA 22180. including necessary regs, arcane legal doc- Arlington, VA 22201. Tel: (703) 522-3828. Tel: (703) 281-2161. Fax: (703) 281-9464. trines, precedents and rules. Call Bridget R. Fax: (703) 522-5726. E-mail: [email protected] Mugane at Tel: (202) 387-4383, or (301) 596- E-mail: [email protected] 0175. E-mail: [email protected] FREE TAX CONSULTATION: For over- Free initial consultation. seas personnel. We process returns as ROLAND S. HEARD, CPA received, without delay. Preparation and rep- WILLS/ESTATE PLANNING by attorney 1091 Chaddwyck Dr. resentation by Enrolled Agents. Federal and who is a former FSO. Have your will reviewed Athens, GA 30606 all states prepared. Includes “TAX TRAX” and updated, or new one prepared: No charge Tel/Fax: (706) 769-8976 unique mini-financial planning review with rec- for initial consultation. E-mail: [email protected] ommendations. Full planning available. Get the • U.S. income tax services M. Bruce Hirshorn, Boring & Pilger, P.C. most from your financial dollar! Financial • Practiced before the IRS Forecasts Inc., Barry B. De Marr, CFP, EA, 307 Maple Ave. W, Suite D, Vienna, VA 22180. FIRST CONSULTATION FREE 3918 Prosperity Ave. #230, Fairfax, VA 22031 Tel: (703) 281-2161. Fax: (703) 281-9464. WWW.ROLANDSHEARDCPA.COM Tel: (703) 289-1167. Fax: (703) 289-1178. E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] FINANCIAL CONSULTANTS: TAX & FINANCIAL SERVICES Kirkpatrick and Eisen Group, RBC Dain JACOB FORBAI, CPA/MS: Affordable Rauscher, Washington, D.C. For information, expatriate tax solutions, compliance, planning, VIRGINIA M. TEST, CPA: Tax service spe- please contact team member and retired FSO preparation for U.S. citizens & aliens world- cializing in Foreign Service/overseas con- Stephen Thompson at (202) 408-4563, or wide. 20+ years experience. tractors. Contact info: Tel: (804) 695-2939. [email protected], RBC Dain Tel: (301) 608-2248. Fax: (804) 695-2958. E-mail: [email protected] Rauscher, Member NYSE/SIPC E-mail: [email protected]

JULY-AUGUST 2006/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 81 A F S A CLASSIFIEDS N E W TEMPORARY HOUSING TEMPORARY HOUSING RELOCATION ON THE MOVE? Want a vacation S CORPORATE APARTMENT SPECIALISTS SHORT-TERM RENTALS home? Call Carol McNiff, with W.C.& A.N. Abundant experience working with Foreign Miller Relocation, serving the U.S. and Service professionals and the locations to best TEMPORARY HOUSING Canada, specializing in the Washington, D.C., serve you: Foggy Bottom, Woodley Park, metro area: Va., Md. & D.C. A former Cleveland Park, Chevy Chase, Rosslyn, Ballston, WASHINGTON, D.C. or NFATC Foreign Service wife, Carol will send you an Pentagon City. Our office is a short walk from TOUR? EXECUTIVE HOUSING CON- area orientation package. Call or e-mail for NFATC. One-month minimum. All furnishings, SULTANTS offers Metropolitan Washington, information on real estate sales, rentals, prop- housewares, utilities, telephone and cable D.C.’s finest portfolio of short-term, fully-fur- erty management, schools, cost-of-living included. Tel: (703) 979-2830 or (800) 914-2802. nished and equipped apartments, town- comparison or a free market analysis on your Fax: (703) 979-2813. homes and single-family residences in present home. Tel: (301) 229-4017. E-mail: [email protected] Maryland, D.C. and Virginia. Toll-free: (888) 246-5668. Web site: www.corporateapartments.com In Virginia: “River Place’s Finest” is steps E-mail: [email protected] to Rosslyn Metro and Georgetown, and 15 Web: www.wcanmiller.com minutes on Metro bus or State Department PIED-A-TERRE PROPERTIES, LTD: PROPERTY MANAGEMENT shuttle to NFATC. For more info, please call Select from our unique inventory of fully-fur- (301) 951-4111, or visit our Web site: WJD MANAGEMENT IS competitively nished & tastefully-decorated apartments & www.executivehousing.com priced, of course. However, if you are con- townhouses all located in D.C.’s best in-town sidering hiring a property management firm, neighborhoods: Dupont, Georgetown, Foggy don’t forget the old saying, “You get what you Bottom & the West End. Two-month mini- FURNISHED LUXURY APARTMENTS: pay for.” All of us at WJD have worked for mum. Mother-Daughter Owned and Operated. Short/long-term. Best locations: Dupont other property management firms in the past, Tel: (202) 462-0200. Fax: (202) 332-1406. Circle, Georgetown. Utilities included. All price and we have learned what to do and, more E-mail: [email protected] ranges/sizes. Parking available. importantly, what not to do, from our expe- Web site: www.piedaterredc.com Tel: (202) 296-4989. riences at these companies. We invite you to E-mail: [email protected] explore our Web site at www.wjdpm.com for FULLY-FURNISHED SHORT-TERM more information, or call us at (703) 385-3600. RENTALS: Near National Archives. Walk to REAL ESTATE 4 Metro stations, shops, dining. 24-hour desk, FULLY-FURNISHED APARTMENTS: Arlington, Va. Two blocks to Rosslyn Metro. Health Club, pool, steam room, etc. PROFITABLE TURN-KEY BED AND Short/long-term rental. Everything included. Washer/dryer in each apartment; unlimited BREAKFAST FOR SALE: Two minutes from local telephone; maid service; video cassette $1,700 Studio, $2,000 1 BR. Includes all util- Michigan's world-famous Interlochen Center or DVD player; digital cable; HBO; free high- ities and a parking space. Please contact for the Arts. Retired Foreign Service couple speed Internet access. Complimentary con- Theodore at Tel: (703) 973-9551, or innkeepers for 12 fun-filled years. Seven bed- tinental breakfast in lobby weekdays and E-mail: [email protected] Washington Post delivered to door daily. rooms, 60' indoor, heated lap pool, beautiful Within government per diem. Contact library, five gas long-burning fireplaces/AC 2-BR/2-BA CORNER apartment, 9th throughout. On two acres of mature woods Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage: floor, 20' balcony, SW exposure, quiet, 2 Mary Lowry Smith, Tel: (202) 247-5077 between two large spring-fed lakes. Perfect blocks from Crystal City Metro, fantastic out- for energetic couple. E-mail: [email protected] door pool. Moving overseas; August- E-mail: [email protected] Web site: www.cmove.com/mary.lowry.smith September left on lease; management can provide furniture for fee; about $1,900, not fur- PAUL BYRNES, FORMER FSO and 1778 HISTORIC HOME for lease in pic- nished, plus application fee, pet fee. Lease Sales Associate with Coldwell Banker turesque seaside village of Beaufort, N.C., may be renewed. Contact: E-mail: Residential Real Estate Inc., is now a Referral September-May. Meticulously restored and fur- [email protected], or Tel: 703) 979-0401. Associate with the company's Referral nished. Utilities included. House plus guest- Network, Inc. He can assist with real estate house $2,700 monthly. Perfect for writer's LONG-TERM HOUSING needs anywhere in the United States retreat, snowbirds or pre-retirement foray. or Canada. Contact Paul at (941) 377-8181. Contacts: [email protected] or E-mail: [email protected] PENTHOUSE ONE BEDROOM, Mt. www.beaufortrlty.com/longterm/ltrental014.html Pleasant, Very large, beautiful views, 5 bal- ARIZONA - LINGERING SUMMERS, conies, pet-friendly building. S1 Bus straight enchanting sunsets, majestic mountains, FURNISHED 10-MONTH RENTAL from front door to D.St. entrance, Main State. rich cultural life. My Mission: To serve you Arlington, Va. Nicely updated and furnished $2,000/month. Tel: (202) 299-9050. with Honesty, Integrity, and YOUR NEEDS in 3-4 Bedrooms/two Bathrooms. End TH E-mail: [email protected] mind. Long Realty Co. Anna Celini Kennedy. w/fenced patio. Fully-equipped kitchen, W/D. Tel: (520) 918-5799. E-mail: [email protected] Includes linens/utensils, etc. Just bring your BRAND NEW, SPACIOUS, 3-level town- Web site: http://annak.longrealty.com suitcase! In pool/tennis community. 5 minutes homes and single-family homes for rent in to NFATC, State Department, Pentagon. Dulles/Chantilly area. Immediate availability for FLORIDA WEST COAST Real Estate! $2,500/mo. + electric. Available Aug. 1, 2006. 12- to 36-month lease, $1,800 to $3,200. 10 Perfect homes for vacation, investment, Call Corinne Voneiff/Remax Allegiance. minutes from the free Loudoun County relocation. For information and referral to out- Tel: (703) 585-2519, or e-mail: Commuter Park-n-Ride lot. standing realty specialist, contact [email protected] Tel: (703) 509-8677. [email protected]

82 FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL/JULY-AUGUST 2006 A F S CLASSIFIEDS A N E REAL ESTATE REAL ESTATE VACATION W JOANN PIEKNEY/RE/MAX REAL- MIAMI REAL ESTATE. Exploring to live CAPE COD, MASSACHUSETTS S TORS: Complete professional dedication to or invest in this exciting city? Tired of long win- $850/week. Four-room 2-Bedroom, 1-Bath residential sales in Northern Virginia. I pro- ters and looking for sun, beaches and a cos- ranch, sleeps six. 4/10 mile to private beach vide you with personal attention. Over 24 mopolitan community? Contact Tirza Rivera- in West Yarmouth. Contact Mort. years’ real estate experience and Foreign Cira, former Foreign Service spouse who has E-mail: [email protected] Service overseas living experience. JOANN helped other diplomatic families to find homes Tel: (508) 775-6880, ext. 10. PIEKNEY. Tel: (703) 624-1594. Fax: (703) here. I am bilingual, know Miami very well and ROCKY MOUNTAIN CHALET. 757-9137. E-mail: [email protected] am ready to work for you. Web site: www.movetonorthernvirginia.com Tel: (786) 205-8581. Cathedral ceilings, circular stairway, wildlife, E-mail: [email protected] seclusion. FSO-owned. Photos and reserva- LOOKING TO BUY, sell or rent property Web site: www.TirzaRivera.com tions: www.pinebrookvacationrentals.com/ in Northern Virginia? This former FSO under- ridgeviewdetail.html stands your needs and can help you. David Olinger, GRI Long & Foster, Realtors CATHLEEN BALDWIN TUPMAN/ RENT A 300-year-old stone house in a Alexandria/Mt. Vernon Office. KELLER WILLIAMS REALITY: Are you mov- medieval village in the south of France Tel: (703) 960-8900, ext. 246. ing to the Tampa area and looking for some- (Languedoc-Roussillon)! Fax: (703) 960-1305. one familiar with properties in Hillsborough/ E-mail: [email protected] E-Mail: [email protected] Pasco/Pinellas counties and experienced in Foreign Service relocations? Contact VERMONT: LAKE-FRONT cottage. ALL YOUR REAL ESTATE NEEDS Cathleen Tupman. Tel: (813) 361-0447. Quiet. Swim, fish, hike. Sleeps 6. $525 week- Native Washingtonian & FSO Spouse Fax: (813) 865-0440. ly, plus tax. Second, more simple, camp will give you individual attention to find the sleeps 4, lake-front, $325 weekly also avail- home that fits your needs able. Summer only. Tel: (301) 951-4328. or sell your current home. MORTGAGE E-mail: [email protected] Fay Finver - WC&AN Miller Real Estate Tel: (240) 338-5692 BUYING OR REFINANCING A HOME? WWW.OLDNORTHERNINN.COM or e-mail me: [email protected] Jeff Stoddard specializes in working with the Think you've seen the end of the world? Foreign Service community overseas and in Check out www.priestlake.org RETIRING SOON? Become an innkeep- the U.S. Authorized lender in all 50 states and er. We did, and five years have flown by! Our can provide access to local Multiple Listing MODERN COMPLETELY-RENOVATED four-guest-room inn on Maryland's Eastern Services in all 50 states. Cell: (703) 725-2455. furnished one-bedroom apartment in Buenos Shore is two hours from D.C. We seek new Toll free: (866) 312- 1700 Aires for rent. $600/week, discounts for owners to energize and build on the inter- E-mail: [email protected] month stays or longer. Located in Palermo national theme, which has put Sinclair district at the edge of Palermo Soho. For House B&B Inn on the map. Check out VACATION more information, pictures and availability, www.sinclairhouse.biz and give us a call at contact [email protected] (888) 859-2147. We will train. Or book a DISNEY VACATION RENTAL: room to see us in action. Townhouse with pool sleeps eight, nestled in TRANSPORTATION E-mail: [email protected] wildlife preserve, minutes from Disney. PET MOVING MADE EASY. Club Pet E-mail: [email protected] International, is a full-service animal shipper Web site: www.vacationdisneyhome.com WASHINGTON STATE ISLANDS: specializing in domestic and international trips. Spectacular views, wonderful community, cli- Club Pet is the ultimate pet-care boarding mate, boating, hiking. Access to Seattle & NORMANDY, FRANCE: Large, comfort- facility in the Washington Metropolitan area. Vancouver, B.C. Former FSO Jan Zehner, able farmhouse near D-Day Beaches for Tel: (703) 471-7818 or (800) 871-2535. Windermere Real Estate/Orcas Island. weekly rental. E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] Tel: (800) 842-5770. E-mail: [email protected] Web site: www.laporterouge.net Web site: www.clubpet.com Web site: www.orcashomes.net MODERN COMPLETELY RENOVATED PET SHIPPING WORLDWIDE : Over 25 WATERGATE APARTMENT FOR SALE: furnished one-bedroom apartment in Buenos yrs. experience, free estimates, no deposits gorgeous, fully-renovated two-bedroom, Aires for rent. $600/week, discounts month required, military veteran, 24-hr. availability. two-bathroom with 50-foot 10th-floor balcony, stays or longer. Located in Palermo district Tel: (304) 274-6859, (888) 234-5028. offering sweeping city views. Parking and stor- at the edge of Palermo Soho. For more infor- E-mail: [email protected] age. Tel: (202) 342-0002. mation, pictures and availability, contact www.actionpetexpress.com E-mail: [email protected] [email protected] SHIPPING ARIZONA REAL ESTATE: Investigate the HOME LEAVE ON SANIBEL: Former lush Sonoran Desert for your second or retire- FSO offers 2-bedroom, 2-bath condo on PLANNING TO MOVE OVERSEAS? ment home. Tucson offers an excellent cli- Sanibel Island, Florida. Steps from famous Need a rate to ship your car, household mate, lovely scenery and a recreational seashells and pristine beach of this vacation goods, or other cargo going abroad? Contact: lifestyle. Contact: Willanne Winchester, Long paradise. Available on monthly and weekly Joseph T. Quinn. at SEFCO-Export Realty Company. Tel: (520) 661-5633. basis. Check http://www.vrbo.com/92653 for Management Company for rates and advice. E-mail: [email protected] availability and rates, or e-mail: Tel: (718) 268-6233. Fax: (718) 268-0505. Web site: wwinchester.longrealty.com [email protected] Visit our Web site at www.sefco-export.com

JULY-AUGUST 2006/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 83 A F S A CLASSIFIEDS N E W AUTO SHOPPING SHOPPING SERVICES WE CAR SHOP. S 110 - 220 VOLT STORE COUNSELOR FOR WOMEN: Dr. Donna YOU SAVE MONEY & TIME. MULTI-SYSTEM ELECTRONICS Kimmel, Ph.D. Building confident, healthy GUARANTEED. women. Tel: (240) 277-4427. PAL-SECAM-NTSC TVs, www.donnakimmelphd.com PLUS IT S EVEN DELIVERED VCRs, AUDIO, CAMCORDER, RIGHT TO YOUR FRONT DOOR ADAPTOR, TRANSFORMERS, Anywhere in the USA KITCHEN APPLIANCES WORRIED ABOUT MOM OR DAD? NEW or USED -- Any Make, Any Model GMS WORLD WIDE PHONES EPORT WORLD ELECTRONICS WE WILL ASSESS your parent, bring in • services, talk with physicians and keep you -- SINCE 1987 -- 1719 Connecticut Ave. NW (Dupont Circle Metro. Btwn. R & S Sts.) informed all along the way. Directors of Aging GUARANTEED SAVINGS -- HASSLE-FREE TEL: (202) 232-2244 or (800) 513-3907. Network Services, Barbara Kane and Risa Put Our Shopping Expertise On Your Side E-mail: [email protected] Segal, are licensed clinical social workers and It s So Easy 1) Contact Us, 2) Hire Us & URL: www.eportworld.com geriatric care managers serving the metro 3) Just Tell Us What Vehicle You Want. DOWNTOWN LOCATION D.C. area and nationwide. Twenty-five years --We Do the Shopping & Handle the Details-- 1030 19TH ST. NW (between K & L Sts.) in practice, we are known as the pioneers of NO TRIPS TO DEALERS Washington, D.C. 20036 private-care management. 4400 East West NO Car Salesmen; NO Wasted Hours TEL: (202) 464-7600 Highway, #907, Bethesda, Maryland 20814. NO So-Called Misunderstandings INQUIRE ABOUT OUR PROMOTIONS Tel: (301) 657-4329. E-Mail: [email protected] • Government & Diplomat discounts Web: www.AgingNetS.com Sounds Too Good To Be True??? (We’ve Done All This Thousands Of Times.) 220-VOLT See Our Client List EMBASSYVILLAGE.COM An online Real People, Real Savings, Real Happy. EMBASSY Products community for Foreign Service families. • Discussion Forum, Classifieds, Shopping, Step-Up/Down TRANSFORMERS/ Professional Vehicle Shopping Career and Education links, and much more! Automatic Voltage Regulators (100 to Join the village today at EmbassyVillage.com Personally for YOU by the author of the 10,000 watts), 220-Volt Appliances, Multi- “The AAA Car Buyers Handbook!” System TV/DVD/VCRs, Water Distillers, • plus hundreds of other products. TRAVEL SERVICES ConsumersAutomotive.com ------CUSTOM WINE TOURS in Italy for pri- (800) WE-SHOP-4-U (800) 937-4674) SPECIALS: 100-Watt-Transformers: vate groups (2-8 people) led by certified som- E-mail: [email protected] $12.99/ea.; 300-Watt APC UPS: $129.99, melier, daughter of retired FSOs. Visit winer- Durastill Distiller Descaler & Filters $ 9.00/ea. ies, stay in hand-selected accommodations BOOKS We Honor Purchase Orders and enjoy Italy's finest regional cuisine with We ship APO, Dip Pouch, U.S. Despatch, and your private guide and driver. Tuscany, Cinque THE ASSOCIATES OF THE AMERICAN Airfreight Worldwide Terre, Aosta, Piedmonte and more! We also FOREIGN SERVICE WORLDWIDE (AAFSW) ------provide detailed custom itinerary planning for need donations of art, collectibles and hand- EMBASSY SHOWROOM self-guided travelers including hotel reserva- icrafts from around the world for the ART 5810 Seminary Road tions, detailed driving directions, restaurant CORNER at its 46th annual BOOKFAIR Falls Church, Virginia 22041 recommendations and suggestions for (October 13 - 22). Please call, tel: (202) 223- (less than 10 minutes from FSI in Arlington) special activities in each region. Visit our 5796 or e-mail: [email protected] for Tel: (703) 845-0800 Web site at www.divinotours.com, or e-mail donation information. We would also like Fax: (703) 820-9385 [email protected]. books, CDs, DVDs and videos. E-mail: [email protected] Web: www.embassy-usa.com OVER 50,000 COPIES SOLD! ROSA MARŒA DUE AS-RŒOS. ATA Inside a U.S. Embassy, published by AFSA Web: www.shopembassyusa.com Certified Translator from English, French into and updated for 2005, takes readers inside Spanish. Fields: Marketing, Health, embassies in over 50 countries, providing detailed CRAVING GROCERIES FROM HOME? Environment, Current Social Issues. Mexico descriptions of Foreign Service jobs and first-hand Visit www.lowesfoodstogo.com. We ship City. Tel: (52-55) 5280-5402. accounts of diplomacy in action. Quantity discounts non-perishable groceries to you via the Dulles E-mail: [email protected] available.For a complimentary, outreach or review mail-sorting facility, or your choice of ship- copy, e-mail [email protected]. ping facility. For more information e-mail: To order, go to: www.afsa.org/inside or call [email protected] APPRAISALS (847) 364-1222. PACKING OUT? Do you need insurance PLACE A CLASSIFIED AD: $1.25/word BUSINESS CARDS for the personal property that you are ship- (10-word min.) First 3 words bolded free, add’l ping? Or do you want to sell some of your BUSINESS CARDS PRINTED to State bold text $.75/word, header, box, shading $10 pieces before you go? The Frogeye Company, Department specifications. 500 cards for as ea. Deadline: 20th of the month for publica- LLC, can assist you with an appraisal or pro- little as $37.00! Herron Printing & Graphics. tion 5 weeks later. Ad Mgr: fessional opinion of value for furniture, Tel: (301) 990-3100. Tel: (202) 944-5507. Fax: (202) 338-6820. antiques and decorative arts. See our Web site E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] at www.frogeye.biz.

84 FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL/JULY-AUGUST 2006 REAL ESTATE

JULY-AUGUST 2006/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 85 REAL ESTATE

86 FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL/JULY-AUGUST 2006 REAL ESTATE

Specializing in PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

Property Specialists, Inc. A professional and personal service tailored to meet your needs in: • Property Management • Sales and Rentals • Tax-deferred Exchange • Real Estate Investment Counseling Our staff includes:

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JULY-AUGUST 2006/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 87 REAL ESTATE

88 FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL/JULY-AUGUST 2006 REAL ESTATE

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JULY-AUGUST 2006/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 89 REAL ESTATE

ADVERTISING INDEX When contacting one of our advertisers, kindly mention you saw their advertisement in the Foreign Service Journal.

AUTOMOBILES Executive Lodging ESRI / Inside back cover McGrath Real Estate Aeskjaer / 9 Alternatives / 47 Foreign Service Authors Services / 90 Consumers Auto / 47 Hawthorn Suites / 37 Roundup / 7 Meyerson Group / 91 D&M Auto / 18 Korman Communities / 17 Inside a U.S. Embassy / 27 Peake Management, Inc. / 85 Diplomatic Automobile /23 Oakwood / Inside front cover Legacy / 64 Promax / 88 Martens Volvo / 35 Remington / 29 Marketplace / 12 Property Specialists / 87 Staybridge / 43 Middle East Journal / 63 Prudential Carruthers / 91 FINANCIAL, LEGAL Suite America / 55 Morgan Pharmacy / 57 RE/MAX / Piekney / 87 AND TAX SERVICES Virginian Suites / 35 Texas Tech University /25 Stuart & Maury / 89 MCG Financial Planning / 57 W.C. & A.N. Miller Merrill Lynch / Pappano / 55 INSURANCE REAL ESTATE & (previously Laughlin) / 86 State Department Federal AFSPA / 17 PROPERTY WJD Management / 89 Credit Union / 4, 41 Clements International / 1 MANAGEMENT Washington Management Jannette Embassy Plan / 21 Coldwell Banker / 87 Services / 85 HOUSING The Hirshorn Company / Executive Housing Weichert / Pepper / 85 Accommodations 4U / 18 Outside back cover Consultants / 91 Arlington Residence Court / Hagner Ridgway and 10 MISCELLANEOUS Jackson / 89 BridgeStreet Worldwide / 4 AAFSW Book Fair / 48 Long & Foster / Simunek / 86 Corporate Apartment Cort Furniture / 2 McEnearney Associates / 90 Specialists, Inc. / 43 Embassy Village / 25 McEnearney / Fauss / 88

90 FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL/JULY-AUGUST 2006 REAL ESTATE

u REGULAR INSPECTIONS u ENJOY PEACE OF MIND u u u RENT TS Who’s taking care of your home AL SER while you’re away? VICES REGULAR REPOR u u No one takes care of your home like we do! 24 HOUR ON-C

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JULY-AUGUST 2006/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 91 REFLECTIONS A Deep Bow to the Foreign Service

BY ASHLEY WILLS

n 1972, I set off from the small- in the Foreign Service. He thought very amusing occupation. If you town South to join the Foreign for several moments and then said, can’t find the funniness in the pre- IService. I stopped along the way solemnly: “Watch what you eat, and tensions of diplomatic custom or the at the University of Georgia to meet keep your zipper up!” surprises that attend living in a for- with Dean Rusk, Secretary of State in It was not what I expected to hear. eign culture, then — in the idiom of the Kennedy and Johnson administra- It was earthy, politically incorrect Georgia — you was raised wrong. tions, who had just joined the law fac- even then, and funny as hell. I Perhaps I’ve gone gooey about the ulty there. I had not called ahead to laughed, we shook hands and I left his FS in my recently-retired state of seek an appointment; I suppose I office. As I drove through the night to mind. Certainly time has rounded the thought I could just walk in unan- Washington, I thought if such a per- edges of my memory, allowing me to nounced to chat with one of the most son could thrive in the Foreign luxuriate in nostalgia and to forget eminent figures of the mid-20th cen- Service, perhaps it would be a good most of the irritations of the diplo- tury. professional home for me, too. matic calling. Or perhaps I really was I arrived at the law school late in Thirty-four years later, I can report a natural-born ramblin’ man. the afternoon and was directed to that the Foreign Service was a won- If Secretary Rusk were advising a Rusk’s office. His door was open and derful career for me. Never having prospective diplomat today, he surely I could see him at his desk, his back to set foot outside the United States would add a third admonition: Duck! the door. Unaccountably, I lost my when I joined the Service, I thought I Danger and anti-Americanism have nerve and walked by his office twice would explore the world for two or been part of our professional lives for without mustering the gumption to three years, and then come home to years, but today’s American diplomats knock. On my third pass, he bel- take up a sensible profession my rural encounter threats and hatred as never lowed: “Don’t be timid, boy; come on relatives would understand. before. I have visited our embassies in!” It didn’t happen that way; the in Afghanistan and Iraq and was To my delight, Rusk was extraordi- Foreign Service seduced me. It struck by the claustrophobia of our narily gracious. We talked for more appealed to my sense of romance compounds and the courage of our than two hours: about the Foreign and adventure. I delighted in en- colleagues. Menace hangs around Service, the Cuban Missile Crisis, counters with otherness, in finding both Kabul and Baghdad like mist in a Vietnam. It was a thrilling moment myself in some truly exotic spot in Sherlock Holmes story. for me, a 22-year-old, to talk about this over-discovered world. The But insecurity is now chronic great events with a participant in Foreign Service brought out my everywhere. Jefferson could return them. patriotism. I felt pride in represent- from his wanderings to Monticello, As I got up to leave, I asked the ing a well-intentioned society, no but in the modern world, where is it Secretary if he had any parting coun- matter who was president. I liked safe to hide? Not even the fastnesses sel for me as I embarked on a career debating ideas and policies with for- of America’s coasts offer us a retreat eigners. I thrived on having change anymore. Ashley Wills served as ambassador to built into my profession. I enjoyed So I salute today’s Foreign Service Sri Lanka and the Maldives, in addi- being part of a team of embassy col- employees. It’s no longer enough to tion to postings in Romania, South leagues engaged in a noble enter- have a sense of curiosity about the Africa, Barbados, Yugoslavia, Bel- prise. And I loved the laughter: the world, or patriotism, or love of team- gium, India and Washington, D.C. Foreign Service deals with serious work. In today’s Foreign Service, one Stamp courtesy of the USPS. issues but, let’s face it, diplomacy is a needs to be brave, big-time.

92 FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL/JULY-AUGUST 2006