The Foreign Service Journal, June 2003

FROM BOSWELL TO JOHNSON ■ THE PALESTINIAN QUESTION

AFSA’s 30 Years As a Union

$3.50 / JUNE 2003 OREIGN ERVICE FJ O U R N A L STHE MAGAZINE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS PROFESSIONALS

A LIFE OF PUBLIC SERVICE George P. Shultz

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STAY W ITH SOMEONE YOU KNOW.¤ CONTENTS June 2003 ■ Volume 80, No. 6

F OCUS ON AFSA ASAU NION RESOLVING THE PALESTINIAN QUESTION / 52 More than 25 years after Egyptian President Anwar Sadat’s historic trip to Jerusalem, why hasn’t peace come? 18 / AFSA BECOMES A UNION: By Claude Salhani THE REFORMERS’ VICTORY Here’s how AFSA’s “Young Turks” and “Participation APPRECIATION: FROM BOSWELL TO JOHNSON / 58 Slates” expanded what had been a professional and social Vernon A. Walters, 1917-2002 organization into a labor union. By Fletcher M. Burton By Tex Harris 28 / AFSA BECOMES A UNION: FOUR BATTLES AFSA’s victories 30 years ago paved the way for the S CHOOLS S UPPLEMENT progress it continues to make today. By Tom Boyatt CHRISTMAS IN JULY: HOLIDAYS ASAFOREIGN SERVICE CHILD / 62 35 / AFSA BECOMES A UNION: A child raised in the Foreign Service can retain a sense of BREAD-AND-BUTTER ISSUES Helping individual members with their problems tradition and still appreciate new cultures, including their was an AFSA priority from the outset. holidays. By Herman J. Cohen By Mikkela Thompson SCHOOLS AT A GLANCE / 71 40 / AFSA AND THE COURTS: THE BRADLEY CASE A 1979 Supreme Court decision held that the Essential data on educational choices. Foreign Service has unique needs and challenges. By Ted Wilkinson C OLUMNS D EPARTMENTS 42 / AFSA AND THE FOREIGN SERVICE ACT OF 1980 The AFSA Governing Board played a key role in the nego- PRESIDENT’S VIEWS / 5 LETTERS / 7 tiations leading up to the Foreign Service Act of 1980. Exclusive Representative CYBERNOTES / 10 By Ken Bleakley By John K. Naland BOOKS / 82 IN MEMORY / 83 F EATURES SPEAKING OUT / 13 Dissent Again INDEX TO By David T. Jones ADVERTISERS / 90 A LIFE OF PUBLIC SERVICE: GEORGE SHULTZ / 47 AFSA NEWS / AFSA honors George P. Shultz for his contributions to REFLECTIONS / 92 CENTER INSERT American diplomacy and a lifetime of public service. By David Rabadan By Steven Alan Honley

Cover and inside illustration by Ben Fishman

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 by the American Foreign Service Association, a private, non-profit organization. Material appearing here- Editor Editorial Board STEVEN ALAN HONLEY in represents the opinions of the writers and does not necessarily represent the views of the Journal, the Editorial Associate Editor JUDITH BAROODY, Board or AFSA. Writer queries and submissions are invited, preferably by e-mail. Journal subscription: AFSA HAIRMAN SUSAN B. MAITRA C Members - $9.50 included in annual dues; others - $40. For foreign surface mail, add $18 per year; foreign air- Business Manager mail, $36 per year. Periodical postage paid at Washington, D.C., and at additional mailing offices. Postmaster: MIKKELA V. T HOMPSON MARK W. B OCCHETTI ELIZABETH SPIRO CLARK Send address changes to Foreign Service Journal, 2101 E Street N.W., Washington, D.C. 20037-2990. Indexed Ad & Circulation Manager ED MILTENBERGER TATIANA GFOELLER-VOLKOFF by Public Affairs Information Service (PAIS). The Journal is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts, photos CAROL A. GIACOMO AFSA News Editor or illustrations. Advertising inquiries are invited. The appearance of advertisements herein does not imply the LAURIE KASSMAN SHAWN DORMAN endorsement of the services or goods offered. FAX: (202) 338-8244 or (202) 338-6820. E-MAIL: [email protected]. CAROLINE MEIRS Art Director WEB: www.afsa.org. TELEPHONE: (202) 338-4045. © American Foreign Service Association, 2003. Printed CARYN J. SUKO HOLLIS SUMMERS in the U.S.A. Send address changes to AFSA Membership, 2101 E Street N.W., Washington, D.C. 20037- Editorial Intern WILLIAM WANLUND STEPHEN E. MATHER TED WILKINSON 2990. Printed on 50 percent recycled paper, of which 10 percent is post-consumer waste.

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BY JOHN K. NALAND

This is my penul- ly promote their interests. timate column after Elsewhere in this month’s Journal, four years on the AFSA is often you will find some fascinating articles AFSA Governing describing how AFSA became a union Board. While many the initiator of three decades ago. Sitting here today, it of my columns have employee-friendly is hard to imagine what the Foreign focused on AFSA’s Service would be like had AFSA not role (dating from changes in become a union. 1924) as a professional association, I am Much of what AFSA has accom- honored to use this month’s page to the rules. plished for the Foreign Service was commemorate the 30th anniversary of achieved either directly or indirectly AFSA’s certification as the exclusive rep- because of our union status. For exam- resentative — i.e., union — of the U.S. management officials at the foreign ple, employees would likely get less Foreign Service. affairs agencies must obtain AFSA’s bang for the buck from a non-union If you are among the 30 percent of concurrence before they may alter any AFSA that could not negotiate with the active-duty Foreign Service who of the conditions of employment that management on members’ behalf. have entered on duty within the past affect Foreign Service members. Fewer tangible accomplishments would four years, you will have heard me per- Examples of negotiable issues include probably result in a smaller member- sonally explain the significance of promotion precepts, assignment rules, ship than we currently enjoy. Fewer AFSA’s union role when you attended commissioning and tenure rules, and dues-paying members, in turn, would our welcoming luncheon at AFSA time-in-class and time-in-service rules. translate to less money available to fund headquarters. For everyone else, I will AFSA uses its negotiating power key activities such as our legislative start by quoting from the Foreign constructively. For example, it has been action and public outreach efforts — Service Act of 1980: over a decade since AFSA and State efforts that have accomplished much “The unique conditions of Foreign Department management reached a over the years. Service employment require a distinct negotiating impasse that required out- Thankfully, AFSA did become a framework for the development and side mediation. But that is not to say union 30 years ago. For that, we owe implementation of modern, construc- that we rubber-stamp management’s deep gratitude to the AFSA leaders and tive, and cooperative relationships proposals, either. Accounts of our tough members of that era who made it hap- between management officials and negotiations can be found from time to pen. Some of them are named in the organizations representing members of time in the AFSA News section of this retrospective articles in this month’s the Service. Therefore, labor organiza- Journal or in our update telegrams and Journal. What I find remarkable is that tions and collective bargaining in the AFSANet e-mails. many of the key players of that period Service are in the public interest and are In addition to reacting to propos- — including Ambassador William consistent with the requirement of an als made by agency managers, AFSA Harrop, Ambassador Thomas Boyatt, effective and efficient Government.” is often the initiator of employee- F.A. “Tex” Harris, and Ambassador Collective bargaining means that friendly changes in the rules. Many Herman Cohen — are still very active of our best proposals come from our in AFSA right now. We owe a special John K. Naland is the president of the members in the field. We work hard debt to them for both creating and nur- American Foreign Service Association. to listen to our members and active- turing the AFSA that we know today. ■

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6 FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL/JUNE 2003 LETTERS

Enjoying the Journey passed since those days, the the United States. The poem rarely John Naland got it right in his expressions of kindness shown us rhymed and didn’t make much April “President’s Views” column by the Todd family have not been sense. It was, however, the heartfelt when he said, “The Foreign Service forgotten. presentation of an old gentleman career is best viewed as being a jour- Edward H. Wilkinson who admired America and was in ney rather than a destination.” FSO, retired (on WAE to love with the English language. Simon Hankinson illustrates this Consular Affairs) I sent it, with a note, to the attitude beautifully on the last page Springfield, Va. ambassador. of the April issue in “Reflections,” Days later, Moynihan, back from writing about his life in Suva and his Remembering a hasty trip to Washington, sum- yearning for a “Big City Fix.” Daniel Patrick Moynihan moned his huge staff to the confer- Hankinson acknowledges the allure I was a widow of a certain age on ence room. He loved having an of something bigger, but clearly an initial consular assignment in audience for his invariably witty appreciates the passage, as well. India when Ambassador Daniel reports on the U.S. government in David Casavis Patrick Moynihan and his wife action. My office was in a building U.S. Department of hosted a reception for newcomers, connected to the chancery by an Commerce which I attended with my 9-year- underground tunnel. I put my work presently detailed to old daughter, Nancy. All of the on hold and raced to the meeting. Homeland Security children were given souvenir bal- Arriving late, I self-consciously New York, N.Y. loons. Nancy’s was purple, on a dropped into the chair nearest the long string. door. Memories of James Todd As we stood on the covered ter- The ambassador was reading Following up on the obituary in race of the beautiful residence, say- aloud from Mr. Ramanujan’s opus. the April Journal regarding the passing goodbye to the Moynihans, the His voice rose to dramatic heights, ing of James Richard Todd, I would balloon caught on the sharp prongs as did his leprechaun eyebrows, as like to add a small addendum. In the of a brass light fixture and suddenly he concluded with an ode to Henry early 1960s, I was a diplomatic couri- popped. “I’m so sorry,” the ambas- Kissinger: er and one of our African trips sador murmured. You dashing healthy bachelor, included an overnight stop at Ft. “That’s all right,” my daughter Most well-dressed and admired Lamy, Chad (now N’Djamena). Mr. assured him. “It’s happened before.” ever, and Mrs. Todd and their daughters The very tall Moynihan leaned Until wife Nancy stole your love invariably invited us couriers to din- forward. “I can see,” he said gravely, and came ner during our evening in Ft. Lamy. “that you are a young woman of To mellow your memoirs as loyal Believe me, the welcome mat some experience.” dame. extended by the Todds was very On another occasion, an elderly Moynihan then asked for “a much appreciated by all of us Indian man, trying to ingratiate him- round of applause for Ginny Carson, because by then we had been travel- self with me (and influence my deci- who brought this to my attention.” ing in Africa (mostly by propeller air- sion on a visa for his son) submitted My colleagues responded. I damn craft) for several days. a 200-stanza poem he had written to near floated back through that tun- Although nearly 40 years have honor the coming bicentennial of nel to the interview counter where a

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Bukkehave www.bukkehave.com hundred visa applicants were still waited for months before being patiently waiting. notified of any status or results. Charles Smith Corp. Living Another memorable time was A database for trapped Chinese www.SmithLiving.com when Moynihan was peeved at the students to share information has Clements International Indians over their refusal to accept a been set up, which already includes www.clements.com proposed number of U.S. Fulbright more than 300 cases. Some stu- scholars. He decided to close the dents have been waiting for over 10 Diplomatic Auto. Sales www.diplosales.com consular section until permission months. was granted. Someone told him this Each year, thousands of interna- Executive Club Suites was against regulations. “We’ll close tional students and scholars come to www.execlubdc.com for painting, then.” U.S. institutions bringing academic Georgetown Suites Mrs. Gandhi’s government got and technological advancements www.georgetownsuites.com the message. The handful of that serve U.S. and global interests. requested American scholars were Along with their American class- Intelsat quickly readmitted, before any con- mates and friends, international stu- www.intelsat.com sular refurbishing could take place dents and scholars witnessed the Harry Jannette International (alas). tragedy of 9/11: the horror has been www.jannetteintl.com Daniel Patrick Moynihan was a haunting them ever since. “We Hawthorn Suites gem, a pixie, an unorthodox voice in stand by the U.S. policy of tightened www.hawthorn.com a bureaucratic world. I’ll never for- security and appreciate her great get him. efforts and achievements in fighting Hirshorn Company, The www.hirshorn.com Virginia Carson Young terrorism,” said Jiang Zhu, president FSO, retired of the Chinese Students and Laughlin Management Washington, D.C. Scholars Association of the www.century21laughlin.com University of California, Berkeley. Long & Foster Homesick Students However, the current visa proce- www.simunek.com After the April snow when trees dure has derailed study and finally turn green at Columbia research plans of many international NPCA University, many foreign students students and scholars because the www.rpcv.org prepare to leave campus to spend visa adjudication process is taking Oakwood summer break at home. But this too long. This has caused many www.oakwood.com summer, many foreign students are problems for students and U.S. Remington seriously reconsidering plans to institutions: significant delay in www.remington-dc.com leave the U.S., because they don’t research projects; interruption of know whether they can come back. courses and examinations; loss of SDFCU www.sdfcu.org “I won’t go home this summer, research funding, fellowships and/or State Plaza because I am a chemistry major, teaching assistantships; inability to www.stateplaza.com which is on their (consular lookout) unite with family; and waste of rent, list,” said a Chinese student pursu- insurance, institution-paid office WJDManagement ing his Ph.D. at Columbia. “I really space, tuition, and facilities. www. wjdpm.com miss my family in China, but I don’t It is in the U.S. national interest want to take chance.” for the visa decisions, especially for Since last summer, more and those seeking re-entry visas, to be more foreign students and scholars made as quickly as possible, consis- who are in the middle of degree or tent with immigration law and For more information regarding research programs at U.S. institu- homeland security concerns. The AFSA branded products, mission related programs and membership in tions and temporarily left the U.S. current security delays seem to be the American Foreign Sewrvice have had to undergo a “security neither an effective nor a reasonable Association, see: www.afsa.org check” procedure when applying for measure to boost national security, a re-entry visa. Many of them have but a reflection of extreme conser-

8 FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL/JUNE 2003 L ETTERS

vatism and discrimination against certain countries, whose citizens are never issued multiple-entry student visas. What is indeed counter-intu- itive, is that the current visa security check process is actually penalizing a group of international students and scholars who have already been studying and living in the U.S. for years in good faith and character, for no reason but a temporary departure from the U.S. Why is this process taking so long? The Student and Exchange Visitor Information System was supposed to streamline the process. Why not set up a pre-departure clearance process for those who are already in the U.S. and need temporary departure? Answers to these questions might help to balance the efforts to facilitate international education and exchange with those to screen out visa applicants who pose a threat to the U.S. He Huang Alumnus of Columbia University New York, N.Y. ■

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT The editors wish to thank Dr. Svante E. Cornell for the title of the April issue of the Journal, which focused on Central Asia. “Entrenched in the Steppes” was taken from the original title of Dr. Cornell’s lead article for the focus section, “The U.S. Redraws the Map” (p. 18).

JUNE 2003/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 9 CYBERNOTES

Historic Success, end of March, is available online at information revolution to serve Unfinished Work www.diplomatsonline.org. America’s foreign policy interests; In January 2001, Colin Powell took Among Secretary Powell’s major upgrading overseas facilities to reduce over as CEO of a State Department accomplishments, the Council points diplomats’ vulnerability to terrorist that had been weakened by years of to a strong beginning at changing the attack; building a broader base of budget cuts and hampered by anti- organizational culture of the State domestic public understanding for the quated operating procedures. Secre- Department; securing an infusion of work of diplomacy; better aligning tary Powell proceeded immediately resources for personnel, information consular staffing and procedures with and vigorously with a wide range of technology and facilities; enhancing post-9/11 realities; further improving steps to equip the department and the working conditions, security and the State Department’s relations with Foreign Service to meet the foreign morale in the Foreign Service; and, Congress; and determining the future policy challenges of the 21st century. improving State’s relations with of the U.S. Agency for International And, according to an independent Capitol Hill. The report spells out the Development. assessment by the Foreign Affairs background, actions taken and unfin- Failure to accomplish the suggest- Council, an umbrella group of 11 ished business in each area. ed reforms, the FAC states, would organizations — including AFSA — But the main focus of the forward- have serious consequences for concerned about U.S. diplomatic looking report is unfinished work. America’s national security. readiness, the Secretary and his man- The Task Force Report contains 45 The FAC assessment was chaired by agement team have had “substantial, specific recommendations in 11 areas retired Ambassador Thomas D. Boyatt, even historic, success” in revitalizing such as: ensuring that top appointees and the assessment coordinator was the machinery of U.S. diplomacy. have the experience and expertise to AFSA President John K. Naland. The Still, “this ambitious transformation is advance U.S. interests; obtaining report was unanimously endorsed by far from complete,” states the FAC, additional resources to strengthen the following FAC member organiza- whose 30-page report, released at the diplomatic readiness; harnessing the tions: AFSA, Associates of the American

Site of the Month: different historical periods including prehistory, medieval, Best of History Web Sites U.S. history and, of course, World War II. The World Wide Web is a great research tool for histo- For example, clicking on the “Early Modern European” rians, but finding quality sites can be a tiresome chore. link takes one to a long list of rated sites, which includes Best of History Web Sites (www.besthistorysites.net) titles such as “Exploring Leonardo,” “Exploring the takes away some of the guesswork by reviewing, rating and French Revolution” and “The End of Europe’s Middle categorizing more than 800 sites devoted to different peri- Ages.” The sites are created by organizations from around ods of human history. the world. Thomas Daccord, a history teacher and instructional Not every period of history is covered, but Best of technology consultant at the Noble & Greenough School History seems to be growing rapidly in scope. More than in Dedham, Mass., does most of the research. The site has 50 new sites were added between October 2002 and won such awards as the 2002-2003 Golden Web Award January 2003. from the International Association of Webmasters and The site’s creators admit that reviews, by nature, are not Designers, and is recommended by a number of organiza- impartial, but it is a good starting point for someone inter- tions, including The National Council for the Social ested in learning more about history or in need of a quick Studies and The British Library Net. reference. The home page gives links to “the best sites” devoted to — Stephen E. Mather, Editorial Intern

10 FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL/JUNE 2003 CYBERNOTES

Foreign Service Worldwide, Association he secretary was aston- modern pirates? The Society of for Diplomatic Studies and Training, International Law (Singapore) hosted Association of Black American Amb- ished that Mr. Gingrich a 1999 piracy seminar and a detailed assadors, Business Council for Tattacked the president. … summary of the proceedings is avail- International Understanding, Council It’s clear that Mr. Gingrich is off able online (http://www.sils.org/ of American Ambassadors, Una his meds and out of therapy. seminar/1999-piracy-00.htm). Chapman Cox Foundation, Nelson B. The site includes an informative Delavan Foundation, Diplomatic and — Deputy Secretary of State overview of modern piracy by Jayant Consular Officers, Retired, and Public Richard Armitage, when asked for Abhyankar, Deputy Director of the Members Association of the Foreign Colin Powell’s reaction to the for- International Maritime Bureau. Service, USA. mer House speaker Newt Cindy Vallar, a career librarian, has Gingrich’s speech denouncing the written extensively about piracy Modern Pirates State Department, and then for his (http://www.suite101.com/arti The word “pirate” conjures up own; www.usatoday.com, April 22, cle.cfm/pirates/44096). Clicking images of tall ships with Jolly Roger 2003. on the “Articles” link will take you to flags and swashbuckling villains. some 40 articles by Vallar on all Today’s pirates are more likely to use aspects of piracy, both old-fashioned modern conveniences like speedboats Indonesia reported the highest num- and modern. and wield Uzi submachine guns, but ber of attacks. — Stephen E. Mather they are every bit as brutal as their The ICC’s International Marine predecessors. Bureau (www.iccwbo.org/ccs/menu_ Information: A Double- An International Chamber of imb_bureau.asp) has a piracy report- Edged Sword? Commerce report released in ing center in Kuala Lumpur, funded The Defense Department’s Total October 2002 showed that the num- by corporate donations. The center Information Awareness project, a plan ber of pirate attacks is increasing. provides free daily broadcasts alerting to hunt terrorists by scanning the According to the report, 271 pirate shipping of piracy and armed robbery Internet and other electronic records attacks occurred in the first nine incidents. Web surfers can read the for suspicious behavior, has come months of 2002, compared with 253 weekly piracy report. under fire from Congress and privacy for the same period in 2001. Interested in learning more about advocates. Congress amended its January 2003 omnibus spending bill to limit 50 Years Ago... spending on the controversial project. Until we can achieve a deeper and more realistic The amendment requires the understanding generally among the influential strata of Defense Department to report to this country, as to what is really involved in the process Congress about potential privacy and civil liberty impacts and requires con- of international relations, I fear we will not succeed in reducing gressional approval for deployment of appreciably the number of bewildering and painful surprises our the program, according to a press people derive from the unfolding of international events, or the release from the office of Senator Ron instance of recrimination and bitterness on the domestic plane to Wyden, D-Ore., who cosponsored the which such surprises often give rise. amendment with Sen. Russ Feingold, D-Wis. — George Kennan, in “Education for Statesmanship,” FSJ, June 1953. Retired Admiral John Poindexter, infamous for his involvement in the

JUNE 2003/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 11 C YBERNOTES

Iran-Contra scandal, is responsible for plated in the United States.” The shrill protest pages. One such site TIA as Director of the Defense ACLU says that TIA would kill priva- demonstrates the type of information Advanced Research Projects Agency’s cy in America, harbors a potential for that is publicly available by publishing Information Awareness Office abuse, veers from a tradition of limit- Adm. Poindexter’s home address and (www.darpa.mil). The stated pur- ing surveillance to those suspected of telephone number along with aerial pose of TIA is to look for patterns in crimes and, finally, would not be photos of his house (http://cryp- public electronic databases that might effective in combating terrorism. tome.org/tia-eyeball.htm). help nab terrorists before they attack, The TIA project home page coun- More intellectually stimulating but some observers are concerned ters the critics (www.darpa.mil/ material is also available. A search for the plans will infringe on the privacy iao/TIASystems.htm). The FBI’s “total information awareness” on the of law-abiding citizens. The infor- widely reported failure to link isolated Cato Institute’s Web site returns a mation gathered by TIA might pieces of information that might have series of well-written articles by dif- include airline travel, spending prevented 9/11 highlights the need ferent authors, which discuss the pro- habits and other transactions record- for a system that automatically gathers posed intelligence-gathering system ed on computer databases. TIA and analyzes information, according (www.cato.org). A similar search on designers also hope that the system to the “Frequently Asked Questions” Wired.com also yields interesting will be able to rapidly translate for- section of the Web site. The site also pieces (www.wired.com). eign language databases. says that the program would only The Electronic Privacy Infor- On its Web site, the American gather publicly available information mation Center, an advocacy group, Civil Liberties Union (www.aclu. and is developing auditing systems to has a page on its site that is regularly org) says TIA “may be the closest guard against misuse. updated with TIA news (www.epic. thing to a true ‘Big Brother’ program There is a wide variety of TIA dis- org). ■ that has ever been seriously contem- cussion online, including a number of — Stephen E. Mather

12 FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL/JUNE 2003 SPEAKING OUT Dissent Again

BY DAVID T. JONES

he Foreign Service is again have had intimate experience with it. mucking about in the dissent The manner of A generation ago, opposition to U.S. Tswamp. The most recent dissent (with its policy in Vietnam was often stimulat- episode is the sequential resignation ed by invidious experience on the of three Foreign Service officers ultimate expression ground there. A decade ago, a num- shortly before the Iraqi Freedom ber of FSOs resigned over our operation. Although each FSO prof- of resignation) is Yugoslavia policy; without exception, fered individual reasons for the deci- almost as they had extensive experience in the sion, in essence each disagreed with area. The annual AFSA dissent our policy of direct military confronta- important as its awards are presented to “boat rock- tion toward Iraq and left the State substance. ers” who normally know the subject of Department with public blasts for our their dissent in considerable detail. objectives and dire predictions about The point is obvious. To effectively the political consequences. rebut a position, knowledge is neces- So be it; they are welcome to their sary; inchoate feelings are warm and opinions. And so far as resignations fuzzy, but not particularly convincing. are concerned, we should and doubt- In contrast, from what I have gath- less will have more of them. For one seizure of U.S. hostages at our ered by reading their letters of resig- thing, State probably has more time- embassy in Tehran, the military con- nation, none of the three resignees serving drones than it should. There ceived and President Carter autho- had recent (if any) experience in the are certainly individuals who care not rized a rescue effort. From his van- Middle East. Certainly none held a what policy they implement so long as tage point of total access and consum- position associated with Middle East it brings them another day closer to mate experience, Secretary Vance (let alone Iraq) policy formulation at retirement and permits them to retain opposed this effort; he was overruled. the time of their resignation. In fact, jobs that cover mortgages, child sup- He determined that he would resign they could hardly have been further port and college tuitions. So if there whatever the outcome of the rescue from the circles of decision-making. are those who, despite having taken mission (it failed catastrophically), but Frankly, Greece, Mongolia and the “King’s shilling” for years, even for he said nothing publicly until the mis- Georgetown University’s Institute for decades, now have qualms over U.S. sion was complete. the Study of Diplomacy are all some- government action, we are better off Against that standard, the nature what removed from the locus of exec- without them — and they are better of the departure for these new utive authority. off to depart. resignees becomes neither them nor It appears clear that the Bush But the manner of dissent (with its their cause. They certainly do not get administration came to power with no ultimate expression of resignation) is style points either for the logic of their interest in acting as global policeman. almost as important as its substance. arguments or their knowledge of par- Campaign rhetoric is always suspect, Nothing more becomes one than the ticulars, regardless of the presumed but it demonstrated that the White manner of his or her departure. The purity of their hearts. House wanted to avoid peacekeeping classic, “gold standard” resignation and nation-building in foreign affairs. was that of former Secretary of State Retrospective Perspective It looked at some of the foreign policy Cyrus Vance. During the extended Traditionally, those who have conundrums (read the Middle East) crisis in 1979-80 following the Iranian opposed a particular policy at least and determined that they were sink-

JUNE 2003/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 13 S PEAKING O UT

There is no indication that any of the three FSOs used the Dissent Channel.

holes for senior-level time and energy. As a case in point, while senior- level Bush-appointed State and DOD officials surely had political/ideological differences with the Clinton administration team, they would not have suggested their predecessors lacked intelligence or energy. Thus their inability to conclude a Middle SEVEN MINUTES TO STATE DEPARTMENT East peace despite enormous effort suggested that it belonged in the “too hard” box. Other complicated issues such as terrorism were to be “managed” — solving them was just too columbia plaza expensive fiscally and politically to justify the effort. apartments All of this changed with 9/11. Capital Living Although the Clinton administration With Comfort and Convenience was well aware of Osama bin Beautiful, Spacious Efficiencies, 1 and 2 Bedrooms Laden/al-Qaida connections to the USS Cole attack and the assaults on SHORT TERM FURNISHED APARTMENTS AVAILABLE our embassies in Kenya and Tanzania, Utilities Included 24 Hour Front Desk it calculated that the correct Complimentary Voice Mail Garage Parking Available approach was to “manage” the terror- Courtyard Style Plaza Shopping on Site ism problem. With proverbial 20/20 Polished Hardwood Floors Cardkey Entry/Access hindsight, who would not have done Private Balconies River Views more? Yet who in 1998 would have Huge Walk-In Closets Minutes to Fine Dining supported a mission comparable to that undertaken in Afghanistan three Walk to the Kennedy Center and Georgetown years later? Minutes to Foggy Bottom Metro As our calculation of risk has (202) 293-2000 changed, so, too, has our willingness 2400 Virginia Ave., N.W. to pay the price. It was not that Washington, D.C., 20037 Saddam was a uniquely unpleasant individual or Iraq a uniquely unpleas- Managed by Polinger, Shannon & Luchs Co. ant regime. It was the conjunction of

14 FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL/JUNE 2003 S PEAKING O UT

Saddam with weapons of mass weapons in Iraq, or that they had all destruction that the administration been comprehensively destroyed, regarded as uniquely threatening. they would have had a duty to bring Senior U.S. leadership, drawing on this evidence forward. Likewise, if the full panoply of intelligence, con- they had evidence that the “intelli- cluded that the reports of Iraqi WMD gence” had been fabricated and spe- were accurate and reached the judg- cific elements of Secretary Powell’s ment that they would be used against briefing to the U.N. Security Council us (later if not sooner). They bet their were systematic lies, it would have careers on these determinations. been pure patriotism to reveal such duplicity. But these were not the dis- The Dissent Spectrum senters’ claims. Nobody in 21st-century U.S. soci- Likewise, if the dissenters had ety blindly follows orders. Waste, strong evidence to refute the depic- fraud and abuse “hot lines” and tion of Saddam as a bloody-handed recourse to the State Department’s tyrant, such material would have been Inspector General are vital elements vital. If, for example, Iranians rather of the modern Foreign Service. We than Iraqis used nerve gas on the may not regard these mechanisms as Kurds, or there were no torture “dissent,” but they are one facet of the chambers in Iraq and the reports dissent spectrum. Moreover, those were propaganda constructs by who feel strongly about a substantive Saddam’s domestic opponents, that position can “take a footnote” in an would have been vital information — embassy reporting or analytical but the dissenters did not so suggest. telegram. Instead, they took their stance on Nor is there any indication from the much softer ground that action the resignation letters or public com- against Iraq would damage our rela- mentary that the resignees exercised tions with various countries, some their right to use the Dissent friendly and others not; that it is gen- Channel. A mechanism unique to the erating global anti-Americanism and Department of State, the Dissent “ill will,” would be an “unjustified” Channel is designed to raise policy use of force, etc. concerns by subordinate officers to Obviously, they believed them- the most senior levels in the depart- selves more insightful and witting ment with assured confidentiality. (despite their distance from the intel- (This channel was born in 1971 as a ligence judgments and calculations) reflection of Foreign Service disquiet than those at senior levels who over Vietnam; it has been used persis- believed otherwise. Forgive me if, tently, if not extensively, in interven- even at the cynical age of 60-plus, I ing years.) While few officers using remain more willing to accept the the channel have come away with the administration’s credibility than the vindication of having reversed U.S. dissenters’ demurrals. policy, it has given Foreign Service I do not know how long the offi- personnel an opportunity to partici- cers in Greece and Mongolia were pate in the process. But there is no assigned overseas; all appear to have indication that any of the three offi- spent the majority of their careers cers employed this option, either. outside the United States. It may be If the dissenters had uncovered that they lost touch with the degree to intelligence that clearly demonstrated which we are no longer willing to there were no chemical or biological accept the judgments of others

JUNE 2003/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 15 S PEAKING O UT

Ultimately, there is a certain arrogance to dissent. It goes beyond the dissenters’ mindset that senior officials can listen to, evaluate, and then reject their conclusions.

regarding the threats directed at us. This distinct change in the U.S. national character, stimulated by 9/11, is one that foreigners, expatriate Americans or government officials long stationed overseas may appreciate intellectually but not viscerally. Alternatively, they would not be the first FSOs to have succumbed to “localitis” and come to accept as veri- ties the plaints of those who have their own, rather than our, interests in their minds and mouths. In passing, one also recalls the OAS denun- ciations when U.S. action removed Noriega from power in Panama; it has been a long time since any of these states has petitioned for his return. Although we would have preferred it otherwise, significant numbers of states opposed our objective of eliminating Iraq’s weapons of mass destruction. Some opposed us because their preference was indeed for Saddam Hussein and his regime. Others simply opposed our objec-

16 FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL/JUNE 2003 S PEAKING O UT

tives because they were our objectives. Their laments, in the end, seemed less that we sought to eliminate Iraq’s WMD than that we wouldn’t do it in a way that satisfied their sensibilities. Their insistence that the United Nations was the only acceptable mechanism for addressing the problem was akin to insisting that a boulder must be moved with a toothpick — or not moved at all. Thus their major complaint appeared to be that we have the power to act in our own interests and the will to do so; we act to make history rather than wait to have history act upon us. We tried very hard to avoid war; but we declined to accept lies as truth, and Iraq declined to alleviate our concerns. War is never an easy answer. Nor does it solve every question. But war has indeed solved some particularly nasty problems and — most recently — it solved the problem of the Taliban regime as a state Need to Sound the Alarm sponsor of terrorism. And the United States has now resolved its Iraq prob- About Something? lem — whatever new problems may emerge. Why not write a “Speaking Out” Ultimately, there is a certain arro- column for the Foreign Service Journal? gance to dissent. We are so adroit at symbol manipulation, verbal and written, that we come to believe that “Speaking Out” is your forum to being listened to equates to being advocate policy, regulatory or statutory agreed with. Thus, if someone does changes to the Foreign Service. These can be based on personal not accept your position, it simply means that they have not listened to experience with an injustice or convey your hard-won insights into a you. It goes beyond the dissenters’ foreign affairs-related issue. mindset that senior officials can listen to, evaluate, and then reject their Writers are encouraged to take strong stands, but all factual conclusions. But in the end, if U.S. government claims must be supported and documented. Submissions should be policy is an unacceptable course of approximately 1,500 words in length and should be sent via e-mail to action for an American diplomat, [email protected]. well, goodbye, and “Don’t let the door hit you on the way out.” ■ Please note that all submissions to the Journal must be approved David Jones, a retired Senior Foreign by the Editorial Board and are subject to editing for style, length and Service officer, is a frequent contribu- format. tor to the Journal.

JUNE 2003/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 17 F OCUS ON AFSA’S 30 YEARS A SAU NION

AFSA BECOMES A UNION: THE REFORMERS’ VICTORY

hirty years ago, Bill Diplomacy,” a manifesto issued in 1968 by a group of Harrop hung on the AFSA AFSA “Young Turks,” led by Lannon Walker, Charlie Bray president’s wall a triptych and Dean Brown. of letters from the The “Young Turks” sought to expand the connections Secretary of State, the between the Foreign Service and Americans involved in USIA director and the foreign affairs and to modernize the Service’s personnel USAID administrator, system. The “Participation Slate” Governing Board, led attesting that the American Foreign Service Association boldly by Bill Harrop, approached the modernization was theT labor representative of the Foreign Service. The task, it became clear that the need to create a system of framed letters still hang proudly there today, symbolizing independent review of personnel system decisions was a the commitment of the members of the Foreign Service critical factor in forcing change. The foreign affairs agen- to improve American diplo- cies, alone in the federal macy and their careers. government, did not have an Establishing new systems AFSA’S “YOUNG TURKS” AND independent grievance sys- to meet the challenges facing “PARTICIPATION SLATES” RECOGNIZED tem; all grievances filed the Foreign Service has THAT PRESIDENT NIXON’S FEDERAL under Section 3 of the always been hard work, start- Foreign Affairs Manual ing with the establishment of LABOR-MANAGEMENT REFORMS OF were decided by the good the federal Civil Service in THE EARLY 1970S PROVIDED THE (or bad) judgment of the the 1880s. It remained a MECHANISM TO EXPAND INTO A LABOR agencies’ own senior person- complex task when President UNION. HERE IS HOW THEY DID IT. nel officers. In other words, Woodrow Wilson promulgat- those who issued the regula- ed an executive order regulat- tions were also the final ing the Diplomatic Service BY TEX HARRIS judges of their application. and when the Foreign Moreover, key issues, such as Service Act (commonly known as the Rogers Act) of 1924 promotion, assignment and selection-out, were non- was passed, unifying the Diplomatic and Consular reviewable. Services. And it was still a struggle in 1971-72, when These injustices were personified by the tragic April AFSA worked with State Department management to 1971 suicide of FSO Charles Thomas whom many, develop a unique labor management system for the including the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, felt Foreign Service. had been the victim of a series of errors by the State AFSA did so against the backdrop of the Vietnam War, Department’s personnel evaluation and promotion sys- which elevated Foreign Service staffing levels, especially tem. Thomas was involuntarily retired for time in class in the U.S. Agency for International Development, to and denied the right to review the contents of his own record highs in order to staff pacification efforts in personnel file and correct errors and omissions. A key Vietnam. The war not only spawned widespread protests senior inspector’s report recommending his immediate at home but fueled calls for major changes in the Foreign promotion was not seen by the boards as it had been mis- Service — many of them outlined in “Toward a Modern filed.

18 FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL/JUNE 2003 F OCUS

Thomas’ death became the focal The Vietnam War not only more effectively to end those dispar- point for congressional action, led ities if it were a union. Indeed, a by his home-state senator, Birch spawned widespread campaign spearheaded by AFSA’s Bayh Jr., D-Ind., who introduced Members’ Interests Committee, led sweeping grievance legislation protests at home but fueled by Ted Wilkinson, would eventually based on work done by AFSA’s legal lead to establishment of the Office committee, led by Marion Nash. calls for major changes in of Foreign Missions, which gave the (Other committee members were State Department itself the needed Tex Harris, Bill Salisbury, Terry the Foreign Service. leverage through reciprocity to get Leitzell, Erland Heginbotham, Sam equal treatment for all U.S. employ- Parleman, Dick Higgins, Rick ees stationed abroad. Melton and Dick Williams.) State’s managers were out- AFSA also joined forces at this time with women’s raged by the Bayh Bill, which they saw as gutting their groups to pressure State to rescind its discriminatory poli- ability to run the Foreign Service, and moved quickly to cies against female FSOs, who had to resign their com- block it by contending that the new grievance system missions if they married and routinely faced unfair treat- should be negotiated between the foreign affairs agencies ment in assignments and promotions. And on an institu- and the (as yet undesignated) labor union, rather than leg- tional level, AFSA was battling against the business-sup- islated. ported Magnuson Bill, intended to strip the overseas com- Another factor driving support for AFSA’s unionization mercial function from State and send it to the was frustration with the inequities that characterized the Department of Commerce; resisting U.S. Information treatment of Foreign Service personnel in the field. For Agency Director Frank Shakespeare’s insistence on per- example, in 12,000-foot-high La Paz, Bolivia, senior offi- sonally making the final selection of threshold promotions cers got oxygen bottles for their personal use, while junior to the Senior Foreign Service from a list of qualified can- officers and specialists just had to breathe hard. In addi- didates identified by selection boards; and working to tion, many diplomatic privileges and immunities, such as modify the Peterson Report’s recommendations for reor- exemption from local sales tax and duty-free entry of vehi- ganizing USAID. cles and spirits, were denied to specialists outright. Many Foreign Service employees, led by labor officer Executive Orders Hank Cohen and Staff Corps (specialist) representatives As if all that was not enough on AFSA’s plate, the Barbara Good and John Ivie, saw that AFSA could work Office of Management and Budget promulgated Executive Order 11491 in October 1969 to implement F. Allen (“Tex”) Harris is AFSA Governing Board secre- President Nixon’s decision to establish a formal labor- tary and has twice served as its president and twice as vice management system for federal workers. So after 45 years president. An FSO from 1964 until 1999, he served in as a professional and fraternal organization, AFSA sud- Caracas, Buenos Aires, Durban, Melbourne and denly had to decide whether to reconstitute itself as a Washington, D.C. For his reporting (in and out of chan- labor union and contest elections against the American nels) on the Argentine “Dirty War” he received AFSA’s Federation of Government Employees, an AFL-CIO Rivkin Award for constructive dissent by a mid-level offi- union, to represent Foreign Service employees in State, cer in 1984 and, some 15 years later, the State USAID and USIA. Department’s Distinguished Honor Award (its highest The Charles Bray/Bill Harrop-led AFSA Governing award). The AFSA award for dissent by a Foreign Board voted overwhelmingly in 1970 for AFSA to seek Service specialist is named after him. Harris was the first exclusive representation of Foreign Service employees. person fired from the Reagan administration’s One board member, Bill Bradford, resigned in protest, Environmental Protection Agency for zealously promot- arguing that a labor union would both divide the Service ing the idea internationally that chlorofluorocarbons and distance it from the White House. He was far from (CFCs) destroy upper atmospheric ozone. Since retiring alone in that view. But the majority “Young Turks” on the from the Service, he has lectured and consulted. board saw that meaningful reform of the Foreign Service

JUNE 2003/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 19 F OCUS

The Macomber Era, 1969-73

uring this period of challenge and reform, the diplomacy was conducted. An energetic, demanding Department of State was managed with energy and doer who could charm or ream as needed to get things Dvision by Amb. William Butts Macomber. done, he quickly recognized the utility of the AFSA “Young Appointed as the under secretary for administration (later Turk” and “Participation” reform agendas — and the need renamed management) in 1969, Macomber came to the to involve everyone in the reform process. So he draft- job extremely well prepared. A fast-talking, overactive, ed hundreds of State Department Foreign and Civil passionate Yankee Republican, he had already put in long Service employees to serve on a dozen task forces exam- years of service in Foggy ining almost every aspect of Bottom, having twice headed how the department conducted State’s office of congressional its business. Each group pro- affairs (1957-1961 and 1967- Macomber had a vision not duced scores of recommenda- 1969) and having served as the tions which, after careful vetting U.S. ambassador to Jordan in only to reform the by Macomber and a ritual bless- the early 1960s. ing by Rogers and Irwin and the Macomber knew the depart- Department, but also to Board of the Foreign Service, ment inside and out, cared about eventually formed part of an it, and wanted change. The change the way American action blueprint set forth in a demands for major reforms fat green book boldly titled from AFSA’s Young Turks, and diplomacy was conducted. Diplomacy for the 70s. The pro- later by the Harrop and Boyatt posals introduced the cone sys- Participation Slates, made great tem and open bidding for jobs, sense to Macomber, who already emancipated wives from ratings wanted to break the State and unpaid work, mandated Department out of its “old boy” rut and had the wide- gender equality, provided for due process in evaluations, reaching personal connections on the Hill and in the allowed officers to see their “secret” performance White House needed to achieve change. Most important- appraisals and much more. ly, he enjoyed the trust of Secretary of State William FSOs Sam Lewis and Chris Petrow were tasked by Rogers, who was dealing with Vietnam and myriad other Macomber to shepherd the implementation of the pro- major foreign policy issues and was only too happy to posals through a skeptical bureaucracy. Huge tracking delegate management of the department. (It helped that charts papered Macomber’s office walls reporting on Macomber’s wife, Phyliss Bernau, was Rogers’ longtime each proposal’s progress from idea to FAM regulation. personal assistant.) Regular status reports were issued to every State Deputy Secretary of State John “Jack” Irwin, a New employee from the Secretary on down. The bureaucra- York corporate lawyer who was carrying the portfolios of cies in Personnel and Administration, who were luke- two ailing under secretaries in addition to his own duties, warm at best to these reforms, were challenged to also deferred to Macomber. In a fine moment, Irwin, who implement scores and scores of new proposals. They was the “go-to” guy at State for President Nixon and his watered a lot down, but many major new ideas were key staffers, stood up to the president’s personal demand forced through. It was Bill Macomber’s finest achieve- that a group of Foreign Service officers be disciplined for ment, which he detailed after retirement in a small book participating in protests against the Vietnam War. titled Angel’s Game. Macomber had a vision not only for reforming the Atop Macomber’s desk were numerous other ticking department, but also for changing the way American bombs. One was President Nixon’s 1969 Executive Order

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could only come about once AFSA became a union. 11491, mandating that labor-management relations be Although AFSA and State each had incentives to seek conducted on a Civil Service model throughout the fed- quick union elections, the path ahead was anything but eral government. Macomber recognized the need to smooth, as both sides grappled with the myriad difficul- create an alternative template to fit the unique Foreign ties in applying E.O. 11491 to the Foreign Service. For Service personnel and administrative system, and management, the hardest provision to swallow was that worked with AFSA to achieve it. Another was an issue the Secretary of State would no longer be in complete that Macomber (and his wife Phyliss) felt especially pas- charge of the Foreign Service, as provided for in the 1924 sionately about: reversing the entrenched policies of Rogers Act. Outside labor appeal and grievance boards, gender discrimination within the Foreign Service, which not just the tame, in-house Board of the Foreign Service, still required female FSOs to resign upon marriage. would be empowered to make decisions overturning the Macomber’s personal commitment to reform was Secretary’s decisions. This was heresy. enhanced by his detailed, hands-on knowledge of the Parallel concerns surfaced for the many AFSA mem- department and embassy operations. Although he held bers who were uncomfortable with the idea of applying a many of the “gentleman’s” views of his generation Civil Service framework to the Foreign Service, and dis- about the absolute primacy of service to the president liked the fact that the executive order placed the Foreign and the Secretary of State, he also recognized the fail- Service’s union in an adversarial posture to the Secretary ings of the department’s management systems. In the of State, whom they saw as someone well above the give- end, he was able to orchestrate and energize the and-take of the labor-management bargaining table. The resources of the department to outflank the frozen deci- view that a better executive order tailored for the Foreign sion-making channels of the “old boy” system. Service could be crafted was accepted by AFSA “Young In all these battles, AFSA was Macomber’s strate- Turk” leaders Bill Harrop, Ted Eliot and Charlie Bray, gic ally, but sometimes his tactical enemy. For exam- and eventually by Under Secretary for Management Bill ple, AFSA strongly supported the grievance legislation Macomber. Supported by Secretary of State William introduced by Sens. Birch Bayh, D-Ind., and John Rogers, Macomber led the fight within the administration Sherman Cooper, R-Ky., in response to the tragic sui- (taking on OMB, OPM, the White House and Congress) cide of FSO Charles Thomas, while Macomber was an for a separate executive order to address the unique cir- implacable foe. But while such bureaucratic conflicts cumstances of the Foreign Service. (See sidebar.) were always fiercely fought, they were waged deep There were many serious technical problems with inside the new territory of reform. E.O. 11491. Precisely because it was intended for Civil I remember a one-on-one meeting I had with Service employees, its effect on overseas Foreign Service Macomber to discuss the need for an impartial griev- personnel was undefined. The executive order also ance system. We ended up shouting at each other at the excluded all supervisors (defined as anyone who signed top of our lungs, and the veins stood out in his neck in off on annual leave) from being represented by the union, anger. As I left his office, his staff aide rushed up and as well as anyone in intelligence or audit work — which told me angrily, “You don’t talk to the under secretary of potentially meant that over half of the Service would be management that way.” But the next day Macomber excluded from union representation. approached me in the cafeteria, slapped me on the back, Further, E.O. 11491 envisioned a grievance system in and commented on what a good discussion we’d had. which the union represented each person in the bargain- He then exclaimed that we needed to meet again soon. ing unit on all cases unless it expressly waived that right. We did. This was anathema to State’s management. It also envi- Bill Macomber was a great piece of work. He cared. sioned many smaller functional bargaining units around And the State Department and the Foreign Service are the world, which made little sense in the Foreign Service the better for it. with its tradition of “rank in person,” high mobility and — Tex Harris centralized administration. Bargaining on small issues at every post in the world was not the model the Foreign Service wanted to adopt.

JUNE 2003/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 21 F OCUS

Moreover, the Civil members in the process of setting the rules that gov- Service’s executive order erned their careers and, most importantly, their profes- focused on the negotiation sion. of fixed contracts every year Bill Harrop’s vision, in particular, was crystal-clear or two to define the work- and steadfast throughout. He wanted to guarantee the ing conditions for employ- highest professional standards for the Foreign Service ees — such as shift duty, and insure the fairness of the personnel system through lunch hours and office the participation of Service arrangements. In sharp members in making the key contrast, Bill Harrop and decisions. His Ivy-League, east- Tom Boyatt, the leaders of Tex Harris and ern ease, which allowed him to AFSA’s “Participation Slate” his wife Jeanie make these radical ideas palat- Governing Boards, envi- in the midable to the State Department’s sioned a rolling set of 1970s ... and senior leadership, was key to negotiations in which all in 2003. AFSA’s successes. Even when major personnel policies he fought against the depart- — including promotions, specialization, train- ment, he was always seen as ing, transfers, aspects of assignments, etc. — being principled and profession- would be subject to bargaining. AFSA want- al. The “Young Turks” started ed real participation for Foreign Service the revolution, but the two suc-

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cessive “Participation Slates” led by Bill Harrop and by had already been tilled by an earlier major management the smart and hard-charging Tom Boyatt made it succeed. effort led by Macomber that AFSA strongly supported. AFSA’s leadership met numerous times with Under He had organized 13 reform task forces in which scores of Secretary Macomber to discuss these problems. The State employees produced hundreds of recommendations ground for procedural reform and employee participation to reorganize the State Department and improve its personnel and administrative systems. Some critics charged that these task forces were designed to put a “human face” A Final Salute on the implementation of key management decisions that Negotiating a grievance system for the Foreign Service had already been taken. But the initiative was more than took over three years of effort by several AFSA Boards. A that. It was, in fact, a sweeping effort to change and mod- negotiated grievance system was finally signed in March ernize how the Department of State did its work and how 1976 by AFSA President Lars Hydle and Management it treated its employees in Washington and overseas. Under Secretary Larry Eagleburger. At the eighth-floor After vetting by Secretary Rogers, the Macomber Task signing ceremony, Eagleburger saw a small group of Force proposals were issued in February 1972 as a blue- AFSA grievance negotiators in the back of the room. After print for “Diplomacy for the 70s.” This would eventually signing the document, “the Eagle” looked up and subtly lead to the introduction of job bidding, new tenuring rules extended his middle finger across his tie as a final salute and, most importantly, the introduction of cones. in a long battle. (Previously, most FSOs were “generalists” who moved — Tex Harris from job to job without a functional specialty. The “cone system” was established to curtail the surplus of “general-

THE REMINGTON

JUNE 2003/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 23 F OCUS

ist” political officers and more easily allow management to tion, subject to final approval by the Secretary of State, fill Service needs in some 17 recognized specialties, par- USIA director and USAID administrator. ticularly in the consular and administrative functions.) The AFSA “Young Turk” Governing Board (now run On Jan. 14, 1971, AFSA Chairman Bill Harrop, AFSA by Bill Harrop as Charlie Bray had moved on to be the President (and State’s Executive Secretary) Ted Eliot and department’s press spokesman) agreed to this. AFSA’s tit- former AFSA Chairman (and then-press spokesman for ular president, Ted Eliot, chaired a Feb. 8 town hall meet- the department) Charlie Bray met with Secretary of State ing to explain its decision. Bill Harrop and I detailed the Rogers to present him with AFSA’s plan for alternative failure of E.O. 11491 to meet the Service’s needs and the arrangements for labor management relations for the benefits of management’s proposal. Bob Maxim then Foreign Service. spoke for the Junior Foreign Service Officers Club in Shortly thereafter, Macomber announced that the favor of the original executive order. After well over an State Department had proposed to the White House that hour of lively debate had passed, John Ray of the “Ad Hoc the Foreign Service be exempted from E.O. 11491, and Committee for the Executive Order” offered a “sense of unveiled a seven-point plan to allow greater participation the meeting” resolution that the Governing Board should in the Foreign Service bargaining unit. The cornerstone withdraw its agreement to the seven-point proposal. of this alternative approach was a provision that any dead- Instead, Eliot announced that a referendum would be locked issues in labor management bargaining be conducted of all AFSA members, to be followed by anoth- appealed to the Board of the Foreign Service for resolu- er general meeting. He then gaveled the meeting to a

AFSA’s Early Lobbying for Members’ Interests

In 1972 AFSA was elected to represent the Foreign Service want today? If it is grievance legislation, you will have to wait in State, USAID and USIA. AFSA President Tom Boyatt and I until hell freezes over.” called on Rep. Wayne Hays, D-Ohio,to lobby him for passage Tom replied with great courtesy that we had not come to of a number of members’ interests issues that had been ask for grievance legislation, but for a kindergarten allowance blocked by State management or OMB. for Foreign Service children that State’s managers had agreed Hays was one of the powers in the House of to but was being blocked by the bean-counters at OMB. Hays Representatives. As chairman of the House Adminis- looked up and said flatly, “I will give you that.” He then tration Committee, he personally decided everything dealing pushed his intercom and asked his special assistant to come with the running of the House, from granting office space to in. “What else is on your list?” he asked us. hiring the elevator operators who pushed the buttons. Rep. Tom went down the list of a dozen items. On about two- Hays also headed the House International Affairs subcommit- thirds of them, the chairman nodded agreement, not to us, but tee, with oversight of the operations of the State Department to his special assistant, and offered comments about the skin- and USIA. AFSA had testified before his subcommittee the flints at OMB. On a few items, such as overtime for staff and year before, seeking grievance legislation for the Foreign junior officers, Hays ranted against the proposal and then Service, which he had blocked. turned his attention back to the list. Tom Boyatt and I arrived on time and were left to cool our When we finished, Chairman Hays berated us again for heels for a long time in the chairman’s busy front office, which seeking grievance legislation for the Foreign Service, but looked like the sweater competition for the Miss America promised that the bread-and-butter items he had agreed to pageant. Finally, we were shown into his office, which was a would be in the authorization legislation for the Foreign decorator’s showplace. Soft buttercup walls were hung with Service. European masterpieces next to heirloom furniture; we entered And they were. AFSA had discovered its legislative role, the room stunned by its elegance. Hays did not rise from taking the Foreign Service’s needs directly to Congress outside behind his elegant desk, but looked up at us with eyes of the agencies and OMB channels. squeezed into slits and rasped, “What do you sons of bitches — Tex Harris

24 FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL/JUNE 2003 F OCUS

close, on the ground that the allotted time had been While Under Secretary Macomber (who had twice exceeded, to a chorus of boos and cries of “shame.” before headed State’s Legislative Affairs office) used his Some 2,241 of AFSA’s active members, from clerks to connections on the Hill to stall the measure, State insti- ambassadors, participated in a worldwide referendum tuted an Interim Grievance Board in December 1971, that was completed on March 31, 1971. The results were which decided 286 cases before disbanding in March clear-cut: 86 percent favored AFSA’s seeking exclusive 1976. This in-house system provided limited grievance representation on behalf of all Foreign Service employ- review under a management-appointed panel subject to ees, and 59 percent of those voting supported the seven- reversal by the Secretary of State. point proposal. AFSA informed the Federal Labor As a major stalling tactic, the department argued that Relations Council of the referendum results and urged the new permanent grievance system should not be legis- the council to issue comprehensive regulations, pointing lated, but should be negotiated between the foreign out that a grievance system was still missing. affairs agencies and the employees’ elected exclusive rep- Meanwhile, the AFSA Governing Board had estab- resentative. AFSA responded that fundamental due lished a “Committee of Forty,” which I chaired, to draft a process rights, such as the right to a hearing, an indepen- new executive order for the Foreign Service. (The com- dent panel, access to relevant documents, the right to call mittee had only about a half-dozen active members witnesses, and the right of appeal, must all be statutorily besides Harris, notably Rick Melton and Jack Binns, but protected. The Charles Thomas Legal Defense Fund, 40 people did attend its initial meeting.) A detailed draft supported by AFGE, was also very active in lobbying on E.O. was prepared, approved by the Governing Board, the Hill in favor of the bill. and presented to Under Secretary Macomber on May 25, The terms of the debate were set. But the depart- 1971, and to a receptive AFSA open meeting three days ment’s argument was based on there being an elected later. AFSA and the Junior Foreign Service Officer Club employee representative in place with whom to negotiate then circulated a petition worldwide in support of the new a grievance system. Foot-dragging on union elections E.O., which garnered 1,200 signatures, including those of threatened the department with a congressionally-man- seven ambassadors. dated grievance system, which in management’s eyes was Several months of discussions followed between man- even worse than having to deal with a union. agement and AFSA, assisted by labor expert Tom Byrne Adding pressure, on May 3, 1972, the Washington Post and Jim Michael from the Legal Adviser’s office. By June, editorialized that “the Foreign Service continues to be agreement was reached on the preamble, definitions, and Washington’s most troubled bureaucracy” and urged who was in the union (almost everyone below the deputy Congress to pass the Bayh Bill. A week later, at the urg- assistant secretary level), but not on any of the core issues ings of Sens. Cooper and Bayh, the Senate added a man- such as the scope of bargaining, who would decide appeals dated grievance system to the Department of State’s FY and a grievance system. Similar discussions were being 1972 authorization bill. conducted with AFGE. Clearly there was a long way to go. State promptly agreed to accept grievance legislation based on its limited Interim Grievance System, with all Battling for the Bayh Bill board members to be appointed by the Secretary of State In June 1971, Sens. Birch Bayh, D-Ind., John Sherman with the concurrence of the union. On June 15, 1972, the Cooper, R-Ky., and 21 co-sponsors took the grievance bill State/USIA authorization bill was reported out of the con- that had been drafted by AFSA’s Legal Committee and ference committee without the grievance legislation, but introduced it as legislation in the Senate (S. 2023). Rep. with the promise that the House would hold hearings on Lee Hamilton, D-Ind., introduced it in the House (HR the issues involved. The Senate then quickly repassed the 9188). This sent a shock wave through the State Bayh-Cooper Grievance Bill as stand-alone legislation and Department, as the “Bayh Bill” would have mandated the sent it to the House for action. right to a hearing, access to all relevant records, grievance On July 18, AFSA President Bill Harrop, Tex Harris rights for limited appointees and probationers, open hear- and Bill Salisbury testified on the grievance legislation ings and, most threatening to management, final decisions before the House State Department Organization made by an impartial grievance board. Subcommittee, chaired by Rep. Wayne Hays, D-Ohio.

JUNE 2003/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 25 F OCUS

(See sidebar, p. 24.) That subcommittee held further become a static and repressive bureaucracy that had hearings on grievance legislation in the fall with Under failed to keep up with the times. Secretary Macomber and federal labor management Thankfully, that “old” Foreign Service was overturned in experts testifying, but the House eventually adjourned a truly revolutionary five-year period, beginning with the without ever considering the Senate’s bill. 1969 takeover of AFSA’s Governing Board by the “Young Though State and the other foreign affairs agencies Turks,” followed by the focused activism of the won the battle against the Bayh Bill, they lost the war, for Participation Slates, led by Bill Harrop and Tom Boyatt. they had to allow the formation of unions. Their advocacy of empowering Foreign Service members to reform the Service became a reality through the hard The Revolution That Succeeded work of many men and women over the succeeding years. By the late 1960s, the Foreign Service was seen Hundreds participated in the Macomber Task Forces and even by its own members as a deeply flawed institution. in the AFSA Participation Committees around the world. To be sure, it continued to be staffed by “the best and People in posts around the world gladly gave their time and brightest” and ably served the pressing national securi- their effort to support the reform work under way. For ty needs of the nation during the Cold War. But it was example, Sam Hart, AFSA’s chapter head in Santiago, initi- an institution in which the sum of its parts was less- ated an effort to negotiate a “fair duty” roster there — an ened, not enhanced, by its antiquated systems and unprecedented challenge to the status quo. Such activism practices — that succeeded only because of the bril- in reforming Foreign Service practices was seen as the key liance and dedication of its members. It seemed that to a stronger and fairer Service for all, and so it turned out the Foreign Service had lost its way, turned inward and to be.

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26 FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL/JUNE 2003 F OCUS

Equally important, AFSA’s “Young Turks” and concerns, AFSA conducts bargaining on all the major issues “Participation” advocates recognized that President affecting careers and benefits, and does so on a rolling basis Nixon’s federal labor-management reforms of this era pro- each year. Contrast this with the Civil Service system, vided the mechanism for AFSA to expand what had been where the major national regulations are fixed unilaterally a professional and social organization into a labor union — by the Office of Personnel Management and are not nego- one dedicated both to preserving the unique merit-based tiable at the agency level. As a result, most Civil Service principles of the Foreign Service and to establishing a for- bargaining only takes place every year or two and focuses on mal system of bargaining in which employees could par- local implementation of government-wide rules. ticipate actively in the development of the rules and regu- Similarly, grievances within the Foreign Service are lations that governed their profession and their careers. pursued by employees themselves with the assistance This dual approach was the key to the AFSA revolution. of AFSA. In the Civil Service, almost all grievances are Today, the labor management institutions that were brought by the unions on behalf of the employees for built during that revolutionary period are the most broad- the violation of some local contract provision. In other ly-based within the federal government. Unlike other words, it is the unions who are the major grievants in federal unions, which are prohibited from representing the Civil Service System for breaches of the contract, most supervisors, the Foreign Service labor-management not the employees. system encompasses large numbers of executives and The “Young Turks” and Participation Slate members managers, including many former ambassadors and other are now grandfathers and grandmothers, but they have senior-level personnel. given birth to a lasting and vital legacy in the Foreign Reflecting the wide range of its members’ interests and Service and molded their vision into a dynamic reality. ■

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JUNE 2003/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 27 F OCUS ON AFSA’S 30 YEARS A SAU NION

AFSA BECOMES A UNION: FOUR BATTLES

have read with appreciation and zest the other government departments where AFGE was the wonderful recollections of Tex Harris and exclusive employee representative. AFGE’s position Hank Cohen elsewhere in this issue about was also driven by the knowledge that it would lose that very creative period three decades any representation election in which FSOs could par- ago when AFSA became a union. Those ticipate. were indeed heady days, when our joint The next set of protagonists, moving toward the efforts, and those of many colleagues, per- center, was a group of FSOs based on the Junior manently changed the Foreign Service for Foreign Service Officers Club led by Bob Maxim and the better. As we look back on those events, however, Lars Hydle. Like AFGE, the JFSOC wanted the Ieach of us — like the aging samurai in “Roshamon” — Foreign Service union structure to closely parallel the remembers the reality slightly differently. Here is Civil Service structure, a la E.O. 11491. They also reject- how I saw it. ed as a “cop-out to paternalism” the discussions of the The years 1971-73 witnessed four major battles for Charles Bray-led AFSA Governing Board with Under the future of the Foreign Secretary for Management Bill Service: the fight over the AFSA’S VICTORIES 30 YEARS Macomber in 1971 about a union form that white-collar union- structure controlled by the AGO PAVED THE WAY FOR THE ism would take in the Service; Secretary of State. This group the AFSA Governing Board PROGRESS IT CONTINUES TO formed the nucleus of the elections of 1971; the elec- MAKE TODAY ON BEHALF OF “Members’ Interests Slate” that tions for exclusive employee ITS MEMBERS AND THE ran in the AFSA elections of representation in State, FOREIGN SERVICE. 1971-72. USAID and USIA in 1972-73; Occupying the center was a and the struggle to bring the new iteration of the “Young managements of those agen- BY TOM BOYATT Turks.” Reform-minded FSOs cies to the bargaining table in such as Bill Harrop and Tex good faith thereafter. Harris, both members of the The protagonists in all four battles came from the incumbent Bray Board, were joined by a group more following four groups. On the far left (for lack of a clearly identified with support for a union system better term) was the American Federation of independent of State management and based on a Government Employees. AFGE, affiliated with the friendly but adversarial labor-management relation- AFL-CIO, favored a union structure that excluded all ship; these included myself, Hank Cohen, Jim “managers” (which meant almost all Foreign Service Holmes and others. This group became known as the officers, according to their definition) from the bar- “Participation Slate.” gaining unit, and focused strictly on typical shop- Our members had the major influence on the steward issues: allowances, working conditions, etc. details of the new union structure eventually pub- This was the system embodied in E.O. 11491, which lished as E.O. 11636; contested and narrowly won the then governed Civil Service federal employees in hard-fought 1971-72 AFSA elections; defeated AFGE

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in representation elections in AFGE’s position was in administration and Joe State, USAID and USIA in Donelon in budget and fiscal 1972-73; and managed the first driven by the knowledge (both individuals remembered two crucial years of negotiations with affection and respect) with the managements of the that it would lose any were exemplars of this contin- three foreign affairs agencies in gent. The idea that a white-col- 1974-75. representation election in lar union system would allow On the right, of course, was middle-grade generalists (the management. State’s managers which FSOs could AFSA leadership) to negotiate were committed to the preser- policies and procedures in their vation of the status quo. After participate. areas of control — and with any all, a system that had made disagreements going to inde- them managers was clearly pendent adjudicators — was worth preserving. Moreover, these managers wanted difficult for these folks to grasp. They were in denial to maintain the special status conferred upon the for months, if not years, which caused real disruption Secretary of State and the Foreign Service Director in the early stages of negotiations after AFSA won General by the Rogers Act of 1924. exclusive representation. Yet, interestingly, management itself was divided Finally, on the far right (again for lack of a better into two broad camps. Many senior officers — Bill term) was a group of “dead-enders” — those who Macomber, Nat Davis, and Larry Eagleburger come could not contemplate and would not participate in an immediately to mind — were in varying degrees sym- employee-management system that was adversarial. pathetic to AFSA’s “Young Turks” and their objectives. Bill Bradford’s resignation from the AFSA Governing For these “generalists,” love of the Foreign Service Board when it became clear AFSA would become a and its people trumped all other considerations. The union was emblematic of this position. With full second management group was composed of old- respect for those holding this view, it must be said that line administrative officers who had been largely they were a shrinking minority — even in the early sovereign in their areas of expertise. John Thomas 1970s. A statistically overwhelming 2,241 AFSA members (a quarter of total membership) participat- Ambassador Thomas Boyatt, currently AFSA Governing ed in the 1971 referendum on forming a union, with Board treasurer (for a second time), has also served as over 85 percent favoring the proposal. AFSA president, vice president and retiree representative. An FSO from 1959 until 1985, he served as ambas- First Battle: E.O. 11491 vs. E.O. 11636 sador to Colombia and Upper Volta (now Burkina Faso) Executive Order 11491, issued in October 1969, and chargé d’affaires in Chile, in addition to postings in was originally intended to set up “white collar” unions Nicosia, Luxembourg and Antofagasta (Chile). In in the entire federal government service. However, Washington, he served on the staff of the under secretary Secretary of State William Rogers badly wanted the of the Treasury, as assistant to the assistant secretary for State Department to be exempted from the require- Near Eastern Affairs, and as director of the Office of ments of this E.O. and tasked Management Under Cypriot Affairs, among other positions. Secretary Bill Macomber to achieve this. Macomber Since retiring from the Foreign Service, he has been met with AFSA President Charles Bray and others on vice president of a large company, president of a small the unionization issue in early 1971. A set of “four company, and a trustee of Princeton University. Besides points” was agreed, as a basis for a separate E.O. for working with AFSA, current activities include lecturing, the Foreign Service, and Bray tabled them at an open consulting, a commercial directorship, service on several meeting of AFSA members. Sentiment was strongly boards connected to the Foreign Service, and “tanning against the Four Points. the back of my neck working on the back 40 in Great Further meetings with management produced a Falls, Va.” new paper, the “Seven Points,” also designed to serve

JUNE 2003/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 29 F OCUS

as a basis for our union structure Throughout the process, management system designed to and also presented at an open recognize the unique conditions meeting. Sentiment was even AFSA and management of employment in the Foreign more negative toward this pro- Service, with “unique” being the posal, and the meeting turned were strategic key word here. AFGE wanted a raucous as many present carbon copy of E.O. 11491 with- declared that management was allies as well as out special provisions for the still in control of the system. Foreign Service. AFSA, on the AFSA then convened, under tactical rivals. other hand, was prepared to the leadership of Tex Harris, a accept a separate system if the “Committee of Forty” to discuss terms and conditions were right. a separate executive order set- In the end, AFSA achieved ting forth a Foreign Service union structure. Over a the best of both worlds. E.O. 11636 established a sys- period of several months discussions were held with tem that recognized a unique and independent AFSA and AFGE on the details of what eventually Foreign Service. We also obtained management was issued as E.O. 11636. agreement to a worldwide bargaining unit excluding Throughout the process, AFSA and management only top management, and a system of independent, were strategic allies as well as tactical rivals. While we third-party adjudication of disagreements (the disagreed on the mechanics, we both wanted a labor- Employee Management Relations Commission, to

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decide issues relating to the In the end, AFSA achieved management would retain too implementation of the E.O., and much control over the negotiat- the Disputes Panel, to deal with the best of both worlds. ing process. negotiating impasses). For its From the distance of 30-plus part, State management achieved E.O. 11636 established a years, the two platforms do not a separate employee-manage- appear so dissimilar. At the time, ment system for the Foreign system that recognized a however, the debates were sharp, Service and a degree of oversight with both ideological and genera- by the Board of the Foreign unique and independent tional overtones. The Members’ Service in reviewing the decisions Interests Slate attacked from the of the EMRC and the Disputes Foreign Service. left, strongly criticizing E.O. Panel. 11636 and the Participation Slate for accepting it in an alleged sell- Second Battle: The 1971 AFSA Elections out. Reflecting its core constituency, the slate’s other E.O. 11636 was issued in late 1971, a timeframe positions had a junior-officer cast, though it did which also witnessed one attempt to diversify its candidates for the of the hardest-fought Governing Board. AFSA elections ever. Two For our part, the Participation Slate argued slates competed along that AFSA could become an effective union with three independent while maintaining its status as a first-rate profes- candidates. The sional association. We supported E.O. 11636 Participation Slate was because it emphasized the uniqueness and inde- composed of holdovers pendence of the Foreign Service, but promised from the Bray Board to use it effectively to negotiate with manage- (Harrop, Harris and oth- ment on personnel and bread-and-butter issues. ers) along with a more Our goal was to reach out from the center of the aggressive cadre of candi- AFSA polity to the right and left. If anything, we dates (Hank Cohen, had a middle-grade officer cast. Barbara Good, myself and Both sides debated in open meetings, worked others) who had opposed Tom Boyatt in 1978... the halls at State and tried to reach the Seven Points but friends and sympathizers at posts accepted the negotiated abroad. Name recognition also version of E.O. 11636 as a basis played a role. When the votes were for unionism in the Foreign counted, the Participation Slate had Service. Our slate encompassed a swept all Governing Board seats, coalition of political and economic with each of its 11 candidates win- officers from the regional bureaus, ning between 1,163 and 1,400 as well as secretaries, communica- votes. However, the voting was tors and representatives from quite close: the top Members’ USIA and USAID. Interests candidate received 1,103 In strong opposition was the votes, nearly catching our low scor- Members’ Interests Slate, whose er, while the other members of the core group was the Junior Foreign slate obtained between 769 and Service Officer Club leadership. 1,000 votes each. But it was the Although they, too, wanted AFSA Participation Slate that would lead to become a union, they were con- the Foreign Service into the new cerned that through E.O. 11636 ... and 2001. world of unionism.

JUNE 2003/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 31 F OCUS

Third Battle: The Participation Slate on selection boards. For- AFSA vs. AFGE tunately, the EMRC dis- In its first post-victory state- argued that AFSA could missed all those challenges in ment, the new AFSA Govern- August 1972, and called for ing Board editorialized in the become an effective union electoral conferences be- February 1972 Foreign Service tween AFSA and AFGE, Journal: “The historical era of while maintaining its status which had obtained 400 show- administration by benevolent ing of interest cards — — and sometimes arbitrary — as a first-rate professional enough to get on the ballot. paternalism is over.” We were At the electoral confer- overly optimistic. It would take association. And so we did. ences AFGE continued its a yearlong slugging match with stalling tactics. At one point AFGE before representation an AFGE official offered to elections were held and won, bet me that there would be no and the paternalistic system came to an end. election in 1972. I took the wager and reminded him After the Employee Management Relations Committee what Joe Lewis had said about the second Billy Conn rejected our initial attempt to call for elections based on a fight: “He can run but he can’t hide.” “showing of interest” obtained under E.O. 11491, both On Sept. 26, 1972, the EMRC directed that a world- we and AFGE began collecting cards again to trigger wide State Department election be held during a 52-day elections in State, USIA and USAID. period beginning Oct. 10, 1972. AFSA proposed a 14- At its March 13, 1972, organizational meeting the new point program calling for, among many other provisions, AFSA board elected Bill Harrop as chairman and myself an independent Foreign Service and negotiations with as vice chairman along with the other officers and com- management on employment conditions and personnel mittee chairs. I was named “Participation Coordinator” systems. Our final point is worth quoting: “Our Own with responsibility for obtaining a “showing of interest” Thing. Remember, AFSA belongs to us. AFSA has more — i.e., signed cards from 25 percent of the bargaining active committee members working for you than AFGE unit (over 2,000 persons) calling for elections under the has Foreign Service members. AFSA can take positions new, E.O. 11636-mandated guidelines. I immediately without checking with the AFL-CIO ... or with AFGE (to recruited Rick Melton, Jack Binns and other stalwarts to clear the impact on the Civil Service). LET’S DO OUR begin organizing State’s bureaus, building on the work OWN THING.” already done during our election campaign. State ballots were counted on Dec. 4, 1972, and USIA’s We went to work to gather signatures and by April on Dec. 15. at State AFSA won over 75 percent of votes 1972 had over 1,000 signed “showing of interest” cards cast for an exclusive representative (3,093 votes for AFSA from the State Department alone. Cards began to flow and 1,050 for AFGE). We also won a clear victory in in from posts abroad and by May 15, we had gathered USIA, but AFGE held up the results by contesting sever- over 2,000 — a number that doubled by early June. We al ballots before the challenge was eventually thrown out. then petitioned for representation elections in State, At USAID it was management, not AFGE, which stalled USIA and USAID. the proceedings, primarily because they simply would not At this juncture AFGE’s “election” policy reared its accept the EMRC’s decisions about who should be in the ugly head. Their leadership knew they could not beat bargaining unit. Eventually, USAID management relent- AFSA in open elections. Accordingly, they called in pla- ed, representation elections were held and AFSA won over toons of union lawyers to exploit every legal delay possi- 80 percent of the votes. By the end of March 1973, AFSA ble. AFGE began by challenging our showing of interest Chairman Harrop had received certification letters from and asserting unfair labor practices, alleging that Bill the heads of all three foreign affairs agencies. AFSA now Harrop was a management official because he was on the had the power and responsibility to negotiate personnel Policy Planning Council, and that Hank Cohen and I policies and procedures and employment conditions in were likewise tainted because we had previously served State, USAID and USIA.

32 FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL/JUNE 2003 F OCUS

The Final Battle: Bringing Agencies to the go away. So AFSA brought Unfair Labor Practices charges Bargaining Table against the department for its failure to negotiate in good By late 1972 it was clear to the AFSA Governing faith. It then became apparent that State was neither orga- Board that we would soon win the representation elections nized nor staffed to meet our challenges. A period of and therefore needed to be ready to negotiate. paralysis ensued, but we were clearly defining the agenda. Accordingly, in November the board established a “State At this point Foreign Service realities caught up with Negotiations Committee,” which I was elected to chair. the AFSA board. From late spring through the early sum- We organized ourselves into six subcommittees: mer of 1973, AFSA Chairman Bill Harrop, Treasurer Organization (chaired by Bob Pelletreau); Framework David Loving, USIA representative Bill Lenderking and (Rick Melton); Grievance (Tex Harris); Personnel (Jack Staff Corps co-chair Jim Holmes were transferred to Miklos and Bruce Hirshorn); Staff Corps (Jim Holmes and Canberra, Bukavu, Bologna and Tel Aviv respectively. As Barbara Good); and Members’ Interests (Hank Cohen). reported in the July 1973 Journal, Tom Boyatt, Tex Harris, In retrospect I feel sorry for management. Our team and Rick Melton were unanimously elected AFSA resembled the 1927 Yankees in firepower. By the time Governing Board chairman, vice chairman and chairman talks began in March 1973, AFSA was able to table well of the Negotiating Committee. over 50 proposals on subjects ranging from office space for Furthermore, Tex Harris, who had been on leave with- the union to promotion precepts — our version of shock out pay working as the full-time counselor to AFSA, in and awe. addition to all his other work in many areas, particularly Some senior administrative officials at State were in grievances, rejoined the FSO corps and was replaced as denial and simply ignored our proposals, hoping we would counselor by Rick Williamson. Our season of change was

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JUNE 2003/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 33 F OCUS

capped in August when it I marvel at the dedication ber the details of our exchanges, was announced that Henry but we all came away with Kissinger would replace William and energy of those who the impression that Secretary Rogers as Secretary of State. Kissinger understood we were I requested a meeting with accomplished so much in independent of the State the Secretary-designate in late Department hierarchy and, August and he promptly accept- such a short time. therefore, not subject to his dik- ed, even before his confirma- tat. He was prepared to accom- tion. On Sept. 6, 1973, Tex How did it happen? modate many of our goals in Harris, Hank Cohen and I return for “peace and quiet.” In trooped into Kissinger’s White I believe the basic answer short, we sensed he would have House office. For 45 minutes State negotiate with us as we outlined our objectives and is volunteers. required by law and regulation. discussed matters of mutual The news of the AFSA leader- interest. At one point, after I ship’s meeting with Dr. Kissinger informed Dr. Kissinger that I would testify against an spread through the department like a prairie fire. Most unqualified political ambassador, he responded (jokingly, I senior officers had not yet met with him. Within a short hoped), “I realize that you have the right to testify against time the negotiating logjam began to break up. Progress the president’s nomination, but you must remember that I was substantial over the next several months, and in late have the right to send you to Chad.” I no longer remem- 1973 the incumbent Governing Board was overwhelmingly re-elected as the Achievement Slate. In 1974-75 the number of agreements with the managements of State (most notably), USAID and USIA multiplied dramatically. Need to Sound the Alarm New initiatives such as the hiring of AFSA’s first staff lawyer, Cathy Waeldon, and representations to Congress About Something? were put in place. By the end of 1975 a thriving employee-management system was well and truly launched and AFSA had started up the growth curve which has brought Why not write a us all to today’s eminence. “Speaking Out” column When AFSA won exclusive representation its annual for the Foreign Service budget was under $200,000; today the budget is nearly $3 Journal? million. Today our legal staff alone is larger than the total staff was then. When we started there was no employee- “Speaking Out” is your forum to advocate policy, regulatory or statutory changes to the Foreign Service. These can be management system and we represented no one. Today based on personal experience with an injustice or convey the system is enshrined in the Foreign Service Act of 1980 your hard-won insights into a foreign affairs- and we represent the Foreign Service in all the foreign related issue. affairs agencies, including Commerce and Agriculture. When I look back, I marvel at the dedication and ener- Writers are encouraged to take strong stands, but all factual gy of those who accomplished so much in such a short claims must be supported and documented. Submissions time. How did it happen? I believe the basic answer is should be approximately 1,500 words in length and should volunteers. That is the one thing we had more of 30 be sent via e-mail to [email protected]. years ago than today. Hundreds of Foreign Service people — a significant part of an entire Foreign Service Please note that all submissions to the Journal must be generation — gave time, genius and inspiration to the approved by the Editorial Board and are subject to editing reform movement. The testimony to their success is for style, length and format. that virtually the same system is in place today — and continues to prosper. ■

34 FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL/JUNE 2003 F OCUS ON AFSA’S 30 YEARS A SAU NION

AFSA BECOMES A UNION: BREAD-AND-BUTTER ISSUES

nlike some AFSA members in From January 1962 to July 1969, I carried out labor 1969, I found it quite normal that reporting responsibilities at four African posts. At we should add employee repre- Consulate General Salisbury (now Harare), I had the full- sentational responsibilities to our time position of “regional labor attaché,” with reporting ongoing activities as a profession- responsibilities covering Southern Rhodesia (now al association. Indeed, as I Zimbabwe), Malawi and Zambia. Prior to these four explained to the Governing postings in Africa, I completed the nine-month labor- Board during the 1970 debate on training course at FSI. The training included internships whether AFSA should become a labor union, I learned at the Labor Department and the Steelworkers Union Uduring the labor course at FSI that employers are gener- local in Providence, R.I. ally much more comfortable with labor unions than without them. Implementing collective bargaining agree- The Members’ Interests Committee ments is a much more productive and efficient method of I returned to Washington in July 1969 for an assign- handling labor-management relations than dealing with ment as deputy director of the Central African Affairs employees on an individual basis day to day. The key is office. Soon thereafter, Bill Harrop approached me to that the labor union shares see if I would be willing to take responsibility for implementa- AFSA HAS ALWAYS TRIED TO HELP over AFSA’s Members’ Inter- tion of the agreement with ests Committee. (Bill and I management. INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS WITH THEIR had served together in Zaire In fact, my pro-union sym- PROBLEMS. A FORMER CHAIRMAN from 1966 to 1969.) He pathies actually go back to my OF THE MEMBERS’ INTERESTS explained that AFSA was childhood in New York City, COMMITTEE DESCRIBES HOW THAT receiving a growing number of where I grew up immersed in a letters from members request- ROLE HAS EVOLVED. labor union family. Because of ing assistance on bread-and- this ambiance, I was very much butter issues, and the commit- the “anti-communist,” “anti- BY HERMAN J. COHEN tee’s role was to respond and Soviet” intellectual during my help find solutions if at all pos- student days at the City College sible. I agreed to take over the of New York, where I encountered a substantial left-wing committee, and the AFSA executive office started for- presence during the 1949 to 1953 period. warding members’ letters to me. When I entered the Foreign Service in August 1955, I Most of the requests for assistance involved overseas was struck by conversations I had with more senior officers allowances, especially shipment of effects, housing, R&R, who talked frequently about their “out-of-pocket” expens- health benefits and education. As a result of my adminis- es. I found it strange that they apparently regarded those trative officer responsibilities in Kampala (1961-63), I expenses as a normal part of Foreign Service life instead of knew how to navigate through the regulations. I there- seeking reimbursement or at least complaining about fore looked through the manuals in the Africa Bureau’s them. Executive Office in order to understand the background

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to each problem or com- garten. In the early 1970s, I received mail from many plaint. I then called the AFSA members in Western Europe who were paying appropriate office in the $1,500 to $2,000 out-of-pocket to send their children to Administration Bureau to private kindergartens in Paris, London, etc. That was a obtain further background. lot of money in those days. If I felt that the AFSA The regulation covering overseas educational member was not being allowances stipulated that pre-school was not covered. I treated fairly under the reg- inquired as to the basis for this regulation. The educa- ulations, I pleaded on his or tional allowance people explained to me that the legisla- her behalf. Sometimes, but tion directed the department to provide American citizens not always, I did this in the Herman J. Cohen, 1977. serving abroad the same facilities they enjoyed at home in form of a letter on AFSA the U.S. Surveys conducted by letterhead. what was then the Department As I gained more experi- of Health, Education and ence, I started to question Welfare in all 50 states deter- some of the regulations mined that only a minority of themselves. I found that them provided free public the civil servants working in school kindergarten. Therefore, the “A” Bureau were gener- the State Department was ally receptive and willing to barred from covering kinder- talk about the issues. I was garten overseas under the edu- never rejected because I cational allowance. spoke on behalf of AFSA. I asked to see the data from This was true even though the surveys and discovered that they were under no obliga- the latest information was dated tion to take care of me, or 1955, the year I entered even return my calls. There Cohen with the prime minister of Mozambique, 2000. the Foreign Service. I then was nothing structured. It checked the most recent HEW was all a matter of developing personal relationships. data and found that as of 1968, most states were provid- Here are some of the main issues that I handled during free public school kindergarten. When I presented ing my time on the committee: this to the allowance people, they acknowledged that a Kindergarten Allowances. A good example of my revision of the regulations would be appropriate. The questioning of the regulations involved the overseas edu- bureaucracy had never bothered to do a new survey cational allowance for pre-school, essentially kinder- because nobody had complained. At some point after that, kindergarten started to be covered. This experience Career Ambassador Herman J. “Hank” Cohen, who further convinced me that a union was needed to prod entered the Foreign Service in 1955, was a labor-report- the bureaucracy to do its job. ing officer at four African posts. He also served as ambas- Shipping Allowance Distortions. On the other sador to Senegal and the Gambia, and assistant secretary hand, I encountered an injustice in the household for African affairs, among many other positions. effects shipping allowance that I was not able to correct Since retiring from the Foreign Service in 1993, he has on my own. From complaint letters, I found that most worked as senior adviser to the Global Coalition for Africa single employees in the Foreign Service Specialist cat- and is the author of Intervening in Africa: Superpower egory, with 20 or more years of service (and accumu- Peacekeeping in a Troubled Continent (St. Martin’s Press, lated personal effects to match), had smaller overseas 2000). He currently teaches at the Johns Hopkins School shipping allowances than junior, married FSOs with of Advanced International Studies, and does consulting less than five years of service. When I argued for a work for U.S. business in Africa. change, I was told that nothing could be done, as

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weight allowance decisions were In 1969, many of the addition of other insurance programs based on grade. Clearly, this was an later, the AFSA Governing Board issue that could only be negotiated by requests for assistance decided to establish a separate a union. Insurance Committee, breaking that Insurance. There was also a involved issues like function away from the Members’ major problem with government cov- Interests Committee. erage for damage to effects in ship- allowances, insurance In approximately 1972, the State ment. The regulations authorized Department established an Office of claims up to $5,000, but the proce- and education. the Ombudsman, with responsibility dures for claiming for breakage and for handling employee complaints. theft were so stringent that most (My feeling is that department man- employees gave up before they started. In addition, agers did this because they saw a union coming down coverage was only for depreciated value, not replace- the pike and hoped to head it off with the establishment value. ment of an office that represented employees.) The After seeing a number of complaint letters, I initiat- first incumbent was FSO Robert Gordon. He had offi- ed inquiries about private insurance for overseas ship- cial authority to go to any State Department adminis- ment of effects. This led to the establishment of trative office to inquire about problems raised by AFSA’s personal effects insurance policy that was dis- employees. tinguished by an honor system in reporting claims, and Whereas these same offices only tolerated me, as a in reimbursement for replacement value. With the representative of AFSA, they had to deal with the

JUNE 2003/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 37 F OCUS

ombudsman. However, he did not have any enforce- ment power, and could not make decisions: All he AFSA’S DUAL ROLE could do was make inquiries and recommend correc- One of our concerns from the outset was tive action. But he did have official status within the bureaucracy, and was an effective gadfly. the prediction that AFSA, in becoming a The existence of an ombudsman greatly facilitated union, would over time lose the professional my work on the Members’ Interests Committee. dimension which was so important to us. After I had researched a problem, I could take it to him with an analysis and recommendation. He would The National Education Association was held then carry the ball to the administrative bureaucracy. up as an example of a respected professional We were effectively joined at the hip, with AFSA sup- body which added exclusive representation plying the complaints that he needed to justify his work. I was lucky that Gordon considered his work to status and then gradually morphed into a be “problem-solving,” so he was always helpful. union pretty exclusively. There seemed to be a kind of Gresham’s Law under which union Working with Management After AFSA became the official collective bargain- responsibilities swept away the professional ing representative for State and USIA Foreign Service mission. Nobody could name an association employees in 1973, the Governing Board moved quickly to flex its muscles. One of the provisions in which had successfully fused — and retained the collective bargaining agreement gave AFSA the — the two functions. right to submit proposals regarding employee bread- Well, AFSA has done it. and-butter issues, and required management to negotiate with AFSA about such proposals. Those negoti- Why did we succeed? Getting the negotiations could eventually be taken to arbitration, so such ating unit defined so broadly as to include exercises were not just for show. For this reason, and most senior FSOs was important, and possi- to demonstrate that its union activities were meaningful, the AFSA board wanted to engage management bly unprecedented. But I submit that the early on with proposals generated from its own ranks. real reason for this success is the nature of Drawing on my several years of experience fielding the Foreign Service of the United States: its employee complaints, I had developed a whole list of ideas about reforms in regulations, as well as expan- pervasive spirit of public service, its pride in sions of certain benefits that were inadequate. quality and professional standards and its Against this background, Tom Boyatt asked me to develop a set of formal AFSA proposals that could be unshakeable attachment to the national presented to management with a request for formal interest. negotiations. Because of the richness of my file of — Bill Harrop complaints, I was able to write a set of about 20 individual proposals for improvements, expansion, cre- A former AFSA president, Bill Harrop currently ation or revision of employee benefits. serves as a retiree representative on the AFSA When Tom and I presented this set of proposals to Governing Board and is on the boards of five other senior management in the Bureau of Administration, diplomacy-related organizations. An FSO from they were flabbergasted. They never expected such 1954 to 1993, he was ambassador to Guinea, an immediate manifestation of AFSA’s newly-won bar- Kenya, the Seychelles, Zaire and Israel, as well as Inspector General of the State Department and gaining rights. In addition, the proposals were pre- Foreign Service. pared on the basis of very solid evidence that had come out of the complaint file.

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Happily, this AFSA initiative The establishment of a ing the department’s final stimulated management to start offers during the informal organizing themselves to State Department ombudsman grievance process. If the become negotiating partners. employee did not accept my This was a sea change in man- greatly facilitated my work final offer, he or she could agement culture at State, and it then resort to the formal took a while, but eventually on the Members’ Interests grievance process. they understood the value to I had no cultural problem both sides of professionally con- Committee. in moving from labor union ducted negotiations. militant to senior management I left Washington for six official dealing with personnel years of overseas duty in the summer of 1974. When issues. In the final analysis, both sides are trying to I returned in 1980, there was a full-fledged grievance solve problems in order to make the system work system in place, and the arbitration system was func- more fairly and more efficiently. But my AFSA expe- tioning (under the aegis of the Foreign Service Labor rience gave me one advantage over other manage- Relations Board). I even had the pleasure of serving ment officials who did not go via that same route: I as AFSA’s representative on that for a couple of years. never embarked on a change of policy or procedure In 1984, I became State’s deputy assistant secretary with respect to negotiable issues without first initiat- for personnel, and had the responsibility for formulat- ing consultations with AFSA. ■

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JUNE 2003/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 39 F OCUS ON AFSA’S 30 YEARS A SAU NION

AFSA AND THE COURTS: THE BRADLEY CASE

ance v. Bradley (1979) may "Whizzer" White, the Court decided that Congress be the only case dealing with could constitutionally set stricter standards for the a Foreign Service personnel Foreign Service than for the Civil Service. In doing so, matter that has ever gone it reversed a district court decision in favor of the plain- before the U.S. Supreme tiffs that had been supported by amicus briefs by the Court. The case is signifi- American Association of Retired Persons, American cant for several reasons, but Federation of Government Employees, Rep. Pepper et chiefly for the fact that al., and the National Council of Senior Citizens. AFSA — not long after being designated the exclusive The argument of the plaintiffs centered on the fol- Vbargaining agent for the Foreign Service — chose to lowing elements: many Civil Service employees were argue against a group of employees, rather than on serving abroad in Foreign Service positions (the court their behalf. In its amicus curiae brief, AFSA agreed used an estimate of 5 percent of the total U.S. Civil with management that the needs of the Foreign Service at any given time, as opposed to 60 percent of Service were distinct from the Foreign Service); overseas those of other federal govern- A 1979 SUPREME COURT service had no impact on their ment employees, and that mandatory retirement age; DECISION KEPT INTACT THE Foreign Service members service abroad was not neces- could not claim the same enti- LEGAL FINDING THAT THE sarily more demanding than tlements as employees gov- FOREIGN SERVICE HAS NEEDS domestic assignments; and erned by the Civil Service Act. AND CHALLENGES DISTINCT mandatory Foreign Service As in many cases before the retirement at 60 violated the FROM THOSE OF OTHER Supreme Court, the factual due process clause of the Fifth issue in the Bradley case was FEDERAL GOVERNMENT Amendment. In his dissenting narrower than the legal princi- EMPLOYEES. opinion, Judge Thurgood ple involved. A group of Marshall espoused these argu- Foreign Service employees BY TED WILKINSON ments. had sought to have their But the majority opinion mandatory retirements from accepted and reiterated the the Service at the age of 60 set principal points made by aside as discriminatory, on the grounds that Civil AFSA. In the AFSA amicus brief, General Counsel (at Service employees at that time were not subject to the time) Cathy Waelder argued that the 60-year retire- mandatory retirement until the age of 70. (By the time ment age was needed to maintain the regular flow- the Supreme Court decided the case, mandatory through on which the Foreign Service career system retirement for U.S. civil servants on the basis of age was based, and that Foreign Service personnel had to be had already been totally abolished at the initiative of prepared for civil wars, areas plagued by unrest, disaster octogenarian Rep. Claude Pepper, D-Fla.) relief, evacuations, and terrorist attacks. As a result, “it In an 8-1 decision written by Justice Byron was not irrational for the Congress to select age 60 as

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the age beyond which fewer employees could withstand discriminatory in favor of youth “qua youth,” but in the rigors of constant transfers and the stresses which order to allow regular advancement in the lower and accompany life in another culture, sometimes in a hos- middle ranks of the Service. In this respect the tile and rapidly changing environment.” Foreign Service career models were based on the U.S. In the opinion itself, Justice White found it entirely Navy’s, which the Court had already recognized as valid appropriate that Congress had chosen to “attach special in earlier cases. need to high performance in the conduct of our foreign Ironically, only two years after the Bradley decision relations,” and recalled that Rep. Rogers himself Congress reversed course once again and raised the (author of the 1924 Foreign Service Act, commonly mandatory Foreign Service retirement age to 65, as it known as the Rogers Act) had envisaged a lower had been from 1924 to 1946, in the Foreign Service Act Foreign Service retirement age because of the “diffi- of 1980 (which took effect in 1981). The change was cult and unsettling changes” of Foreign Service life. In too late for some if not all of the Bradley plaintiffs, but fact, the Rogers Act included a provision for retirement it presumably took some of the sting out of the adverse at the age of 65, which was not changed until the 1946 Supreme Court ruling for them. Most importantly for revision of the act, when it was lowered to 60. White the Foreign Service, however, the change in law kept also noted that a relatively early retirement age was not intact the legal finding that the Service has distinct challenges, and that Congress has the right to demand Ted Wilkinson, a former AFSA president, is now a more of it or — in certain cases — to compensate for retiree member of the AFSA Governing Board and those demands in ways that do not necessarily parallel also serves on the Journal Editorial Board. Civil Service rules. ■

JUNE 2003/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 41 F OCUS ON AFSA’S 30 YEARS A SAU NION

AFSA AND THE FOREIGN SERVICE ACT OF 1980

he constituents of Rep. Dante Following a hotly contested campaign, we received a Fascell, D-Fla., in southern strong mandate for our declared intention of shaping Miami/Dade County were a lot and supporting a new Foreign Service Act, though more concerned about astro- many had misgivings about the process. In the exist- nomical interest rates and gaso- ing climate, there was genuine concern that the exer- line shortages in the late 1970s cise was designed to merge the Foreign Service than they were about how the into the Civil Service System or to curtail its special Foreign Service was organized. benefits. So there was little to cause the future chairman of the Thus, an unlikely coalition with quite distinct objec- THouse Foreign Affairs Committee to devote countless tives formed among congressional leaders, foreign hours to this issue apart from his own abiding passion affairs management and the members of the Service. for strengthening this critical but neglected institution The AFSA team consulted by telegram with our con- of government. stituents around the globe and created an agenda of The hostage crisis in Iran would over 200 individual issues that soon bring the Foreign Service of FOLLOWING IN THE FOOTSTEPS needed to be addressed. Our the United States into sharp public goal was the creation of a sin- OF THE “YOUNG TURKS,” THE focus. However, when delibera- gle Foreign Service able to tions on the Foreign Service AFSA GOVERNING BOARD represent effectively the broad Act began, the tendency was PLAYED A KEY ROLE LEADING range of U.S. international toward the fragmentation of the UP TO THE FOREIGN SERVICE interests and to provide a ful- Service, symbolized by the creation ACT OF 1980. filling career for its members. of a separate Foreign Commercial Over the next year, hundreds Service in the Department of of AFSA volunteers — staff Commerce. BY KEN BLEAKLEY members, FS employees of all For many of us in the middle levels, spouses and retirees — ranks of the Foreign Service dur- formed committees to define ing this period, the choice was: “reform it or leave it.” these issues, negotiate with management and make our For their own reasons, Secretary of State Cyrus Vance case publicly and on the Hill. Late into the night and and his management team also saw the need for sub- on weekends, on top of our day jobs, we engaged in stantial change, and began drafting a new Foreign negotiations that frequently were every bit as intense as Service Act to replace the Rogers Act of 1924 and the those the Foreign Service conducts with other nations. Foreign Service Act of 1946. On a parallel track, and The issues we confronted were as much internal to following in the footsteps of the earlier reform effort our own constituencies as they were external. We led by a group known as the “Young Turks,” a group of sought, above all, to develop ongoing mechanisms for FSOs, including myself, ran as a slate in the 1979 the Service itself to deal with these points since most of AFSA Governing Board elections, calling ourselves them are inherent to our profession. Key issues includ- the “Professional Renewal Organization (FS PROs).” ed the following:

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Creating a single Foreign For many of us in the The outcome was a final ver- Service system embracing dif- sion of the Foreign Service Act ferent government agencies. middle ranks of the Foreign that begins with a finding that: “A This basic reaffirmation of the career Foreign Service, character- principles of the Rogers Act Service during this period, ized by excellence and profession- brought both State management alism, is essential in the national and AFSA into conflict with a for- the choice was: interest.” midable group of opponents. Reconciling the conflicting Other foreign affairs agencies “reform it or leave it.” needs for a reliable promotion were jealous of their own prerog- system, up-or-out procedures, atives. Sen. Jesse Helms, R-N.C., rewards for years of faithful ser- who later became a strong proponent of consolidation vice, and retention of specialized skills. By the late of foreign affairs functions, ardently fought the concept 1970s, promotions in the Foreign Service had come to of a single Foreign Service that he viewed as “elitist.” a virtual standstill as extensions of time in a single class The AFL-CIO saw the seeds of the demise of its or in multiple-classes, as well as reluctance to use selec- “Foreign Service” bargaining unit in USIA and fielded, tion-out for low ranking, became commonplace in the by our count, eight of its lobbyists to block it. Large senior ranks. Compounding the situation was a per- numbers of individuals who had slipped into the ception that the Foreign Service was out of step with Foreign Service personnel system over the years with- the Civil Service after the creation of the Senior out being available for worldwide service felt threat- Executive Service with a threshold that did not then ened, though their Foreign Service privileges were exist in the Foreign Service. This was an especially grandfathered. divisive issue pitting senior officers threatened by Had it not been for the intense public focus on the change against others who demanded it. The senior common plight of those being held hostage in our officers who were most vocal in their opposition, how- embassy in Tehran, it is doubtful that the basic premise ever, never organized themselves into a cohesive inter- of the U.S. Foreign Service would have survived into est group, unlike other groups with special concerns the 1980s. Those heroic women and men made an such as the staff corps, USIA and Foreign Commercial enduring contribution to U.S. foreign affairs. From Service officers, spouses, and minority groups. Each of Tehran, Charge d’Affaires Bruce Laingen, who was these groups had formal organizations and presented permitted some communication from his confinement the AFSA Governing Board with strong positions on in the Iranian Foreign Ministry, was in consultation the issues of special interest to them. with us as we put forth our positions on the act. So too was Ambassador Diego Asencio, separately being held A Team Effort hostage in Bogotá. Foreign Service members stationed around the world worked with the AFSA team in debating and influencing Ken Bleakley joined the Foreign Service in 1963, serv- every provision of the chapter of the act dealing with pro- ing in the Dominican Republic, Spain, Panama, Bolivia motion and retention. We insisted on transition provi- and El Salvador. He was AFSA president from 1979 to sions to ease the impact on those most affected by the 1981, when he left to become DCM in El Salvador, and new provisions. At one point, debate with management later served as senior deputy U.S. coordinator for inter- over critical details of these provisions became so intense national communications and information policy. that the AFSA delegation walked out of the talks and After retiring from the Foreign Service in 1992, threatened to scuttle the act. In the end, we believed we Bleakley founded First Personal Communications Inc., had achieved a fair balance between protection of indi- subsequently acquired by FONEMED, LLC. He is vidual officers and the need for fluidity within the system. now the president and CEO of FONEMED We never doubted, however, that the subject would (www.fonemed.com), which builds and operates med- require constant monitoring by our successors to pre- ical call centers worldwide. serve this precarious balance.

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Recognizing and rewarding the professional the “staff corps” worldwide and turned dissidence into nature of support functions in the Service and an effective and articulate vehicle of reform. Her con- enhancing the status of spouses accompanying per- tributions to the formation and implementation of the sonnel overseas. During the 1970s, more names of Foreign Service Act profoundly changed the structure those killed in overseas service were added to the of the institution. The Association of American AFSA memorial plaques in the State Department Foreign Service Women, now the Associates of the lobby than in the entire previous history of the U.S. American Foreign Service Worldwide, ensured that The world of diplomacy was changing, and increased spousal concerns, particularly employment opportuni- danger was an important aspect of it. Members of all ties, survivor benefits and protection for former spous- agencies and all specialties — communicators, secre- es, all received appropriate attention. taries, security personnel, couriers and many others — The legislation that emerged in 1980 seeks to avoid shared the essential demands of worldwide availability, the distinctions that previously existed that implied as did their spouses. It was time to eliminate the dis- preferential status to one category or another. It con- tinction between “officers” and other members of the sistently refers to all Foreign Service personnel as Service labeled simply as “employees,” as well as to “members of the Service” and establishes a single deal with the special issues affecting spouses. Foreign Service pay schedule. And it provides for Thea De Rouville, a career Foreign Service staff training for spouses and protection for former spouses. officer and the only non-member of the PRO slate, was Balancing the role of the professional organiza- elected vice president of AFSA in 1979. She mobilized tion representing all members, including senior

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44 FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL/JUNE 2003 F OCUS

officials and management, The AFSA team engaged This conflict also affected the with that of labor union. Pat crucial issue of representation in Schroeder, D-Colo., Chairman in negotiations that grievance proceedings. AFSA of the House Post Office and sought to have discretion as to Civil Service Committee, sought frequently were every bit whom it represented in such to assure consistency between proceedings. We did not want the Foreign Service Act and the as intense as those the to be compelled to support Civil Service Act wherever pos- cases that would undermine ser- sible. However, this required a Foreign Service conducts vice discipline, but we did wish framework that could reconcile to represent all members in Civil Service “rank in job” provi- with other nations. issues where the principles of sions with the Foreign Service the profession were at stake. “rank in person” system, under In the end, we were reason- which members periodically move into and out of man- ably successful in broadening the base of the bargain- agement positions. To deal with this conflict required ing unit. However, we were unsuccessful in narrowing creation of a personnel system unique to the Foreign the scope of our grievance representation responsibili- Service in which positions, not rank, determine who is ties; AFSA is not permitted to deny grievance repre- “management” (and therefore is excluded from the bar- sentation based on its view of the merits of the case. gaining unit while in that position). Assuring a competitive recruitment, retention

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and promotion system that Two FSOs, Bruce Laingen employees. The compensa- is representative of all tion provisions were inciden- Americans, and defining the and Diego Asencio, contributed tal to the act, but proved a use of non-career person- major incentive to Foreign nel. It was our perception that to AFSA’s efforts even Service recruitment and the growing use of Foreign retention. By resetting pay Service Reserve officers and while being held hostage equivalencies at specific lev- Civil Service employees to fill els, it was possible to raise overseas positions, and the in Tehran and Bogotá, junior and middle-grade existence of “Foreign Service” Foreign Service pay to the personnel with no commit- respectively. levels that their Civil Service ment to overseas service, had counterparts of similar experi- seriously undermined the ence and education were principles of the Rogers Act. earning. Similarly, introduc- This tendency was also evident in the trend toward ing performance pay (despite the opposition of sev- appointing non-career personnel as ambassadors, fre- eral senior FSOs who considered it demeaning) ben- quently without regard to their qualifications. efited senior members of the Foreign Service by pro- In addition, we recognized the need for the Foreign viding tangible rewards for exceptional service. Service to rectify all too many years of under-repre- Finally, the reaffirmation and expansion of pension sentation of minorities and women, particularly in the provisions, hardship and danger differentials and the upper ranks, but to do so without sacrificing the objec- introduction of special differentials for those tive, competitive criteria for recruitment, promotion required to perform additional work on a regular and retention on which the Foreign Service is based. basis spread these benefits widely throughout the All of these issues were sensitive and charged with Service. emotion. It was necessary for leaders of the AFSA In promoting these and other core concerns of the team to meet privately with Under Secretary for Service, the advice and support of former FSO Rep. Management Ben Read, as well as with Secretary Jim Leach, R-Iowa, were invaluable. So, too, was the Cyrus Vance, Deputy Secretary Warren Christopher contribution of AFSA Retiree Representative Amb. and Under Secretary for Political Affairs David Charlie Whitehouse in winning the active support of Newsom, to reconcile divergent views on the subject. the Senate Foreign Relations Chairman, Claiborne Out of these informal sessions we developed the com- Pell, D-R.I. But most crucially, whenever we needed promises that we were able to present jointly to the to mobilize our “troops” to overcome the objections Hill and to our own constituency. of Sen. Helms or the AFL-CIO to specific provisions, or the general apathy of most of the Congress toward The Outcome this arcane bill, AFSA members and their families The general provisions of the Foreign Service Act visited the Hill, made phone calls, wrote letters, and captured the essence of these compromises in laying sent telegrams from around the world. out the need for a professional service, the qualities The many professional issues we sought to required of its members, the merit principles to be fol- address did not and will not go away. However, I lowed in recruitment, advancement and separation, believe those of us who participated in the process and the measures, including affirmative action, for of overhauling the Foreign Service created better achieving a more representative Service. The act was mechanisms for dealing with them — and not just in equally forceful in prescribing narrow criteria for use the 1980 Act itself. The devil is in the details, but of non-career people to fill Foreign Service positions, the carefully crafted conference report accompany- especially ambassadorial appointments. ing the legislation has frequently given our succes- In the end, we got most of what we went after. We sors ammunition to bolster AFSA’s interpretation of also achieved pay raises for many Foreign Service the act. ■

46 FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL/JUNE 2003 A LIFE OF PUBLIC SERVICE: GEORGE P. S HULTZ

GEORGE P. S HULTZ SERVED AS SECRETARY OF STATE FROM 1982 TO 1989, HIS FOURTH JOB OF CABINET RANK. THIS MONTH AFSA IS HONORING HIM FOR HIS CONTRIBUTIONS TO AMERICAN DIPLOMACY AND A LIFETIME OF PUBLIC SERVICE.

BY STEVEN ALAN HONLEY Ben Fishman

ntroducing George Shultz at the May 2002 cere- world recognize and which they associate with principled mony renaming the National Foreign Affairs international engagement.” Training Center as the George P. Shultz National Powell went on to note that, “George Shultz is a student Foreign Affairs Training Center, Secretary of State of history, and he has made quite a bit of it himself. We have Colin Powell observed that, “His is a name that always known George to be a man keenly focused on the the American people connect with selfless public future, especially on preparing the rising generation for ser- service and solid integrity, a name that is synonymous with vice to the country. … It is not we who honor George Shultz IAmerican statesmanship, a name that people all over the by naming this center after him; rather, it is George Shultz who honors us and all who will pass through these halls by Steven Alan Honley is the editor of the Journal.

JUNE 2003/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 47 lending his name to this facility.” he was appointed professor of indus- It is for the same reasons that on trial relations in the University of June 26, George P. Shultz will receive “The war on terrorism Chicago’s Graduate School of the American Foreign Service Business, and became dean of the Association’s award for Lifetime brings out — if it needed school in 1962. Contributions to American Diplomacy. From 1968 to 1969, he was a fel- (Previous recipients are U. Alexis to be brought out — low at the Center for Advanced Study Johnson, Frank Carlucci, George in the Behavioral Sciences at Stanford H.W. Bush, Lawrence Eagleburger, the central importance University, the beginning of a long Cyrus Vance, David Newsom, Lee association with that institution. Hamilton and Thomas Pickering.) of vital, skillful Shultz served in the administration George Pratt Shultz was born in of President Richard Nixon as New York City on Dec. 13, 1920. He diplomacy.” Secretary of Labor from January 1969 graduated from Princeton University to June 1970, at which time he was in 1942 with a B.A. in economics, and appointed director of the Office of then joined the U.S. Marine Corps, Management and Budget. He serving through 1945. After the war, Shultz earned a Ph.D. in industrial economics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1949. Shultz spent most of the next two decades in academia. He taught at MIT from 1948 to 1957, though he did take a year’s leave of absence in 1955 to serve as senior staff economist on President Dwight Eisenhower’s Council of Economic Advisers. In 1957,

Above left, Secretary of State Shultz conferring with Colin Powell. Right, speaking at Stanford University in 1992. Below, Treasury Secretary Shultz shaking hands with a predecessor, Alexander Hamilton, in 1978.

Receiving the Medal of Freedom from President Ronald Reagan in 1989.

48 FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL/JUNE 2003 became Secretary of the Treasury in Foreign Service Journal Editor May 1972, serving until May 1974. Steven Alan Honley interviewed Sec. During that period he also served as “As Treasury Secretary, Shultz by phone on April 22. chairman of the Council on Economic Policy and chairman of the East-West I noticed, ‘Hey, [FSOs] FSJ: Your award from AFSA for Trade Policy Committee. In that lifetime contributions to American capacity, Shultz traveled to Moscow in write good cables. And diplomacy places you in the same 1973 and negotiated a series of trade company as former President George protocols with the Soviet Union. He they’re interesting — H. W. Bush, former Secretaries of also represented the United States at State Cyrus Vance and Larry the Tokyo meeting of the General apparently they see Eagleburger, and Rep. Lee Hamilton, Agreement on Tariffs and Trade. among others. What is it about for- In 1974, he again left government what’s going on. I can eign policy that has held your interest service to become president and for so long, both as a practitioner and director of Bechtel Group, where he learn from them.’” an academic? remained until 1982. While at Shultz: I suppose it’s the sheer Bechtel, he maintained his close ties importance of what takes place to the with the academic world by joining well-being of our country, and as a cit- the faculty of Stanford University on a the advisory committee of Infra- izen of our country, to myself. And part-time basis. structureworld. then, of course, it’s inherently inter- From January 1981 until June Sec. Shultz’s many publications esting. 1982, when he was nominated to suc- include: Labor Problems: Cases and I am a person who was trained as a ceed Alexander Haig as Secretary of Readings (1953); Management, Organi- professional economist, but in the State, Shultz was chairman of zation and the Computer (1960); tradition of economics as part of a President Ronald Reagan’s Economic Guidelines, Informal Controls, and the broad discipline that used to be Policy Advisory Board. He was sworn Market Place (1966); Workers and called, way back when, “political in on July 16, 1982, as the sixtieth U.S. Wages in the Urban Labor Market economy.” I’ve always thought of it Secretary of State and served until (1970); Economic Policy Beyond the that way. And so when you have a Jan. 20, 1989. Headlines (1978); the monograph problem in foreign policy, it doesn’t Returning to private life, he “Economics in Action: Ideas, Institu- come to you as an economic prob- rejoined Stanford University as the tions, Policies” (Hoover Essays in lem — it’s just a problem, of certain Jack Steele Parker Professor of Public Policy, 1995); and another dimensions. I thought that was fas- International Economics at the book, Economic Policy Beyond the cinating, going back to my days in Graduate School of Business. He is Headlines (2d edition), cowritten with college when I was in what is now also the Thomas W. and Susan B. Kenneth Dam (University of Chicago called the Woodrow Wilson School Ford Distinguished Fellow at the Press, 1998). In addition, he pub- [at Princeton] and we had problems Hoover Institution. lished a best-selling memoir of his to tackle. And so this interest in for- Secretary Shultz was awarded the time in Foggy Bottom: Turmoil and eign policy and diplomacy is long- Medal of Freedom, the nation’s high- Triumph: My Years As Secretary of standing with me. est civilian honor, on Jan. 19, 1989. He State (Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1993). FSJ: What would you say were has also received the Seoul Peace Prize Secretary Shultz holds honorary some of your accomplishments as (1992), the Eisenhower Medal for degrees from the universities of Secretary of State that you’re most Leadership and Service (2001), and Columbia, Notre Dame, Loyola, proud of today? the Reagan Distinguished American Pennsylvania, Rochester, Princeton, Shultz: The things that you feel Award (2002), to name but a few of his Carnegie-Mellon, City University of are the greatest are happenings to many honors. New York, Yeshiva, Northwestern, human beings, at least for me. In He is a member of the board of Technion, Tel Aviv, Weizmann Insti- the broad perspective of things, I directors of Bechtel Group, Fremont tute of Science, Baruch College of would cite the developments that Group, Gilead Sciences, Unext.com, New York, Hebrew University of led to the end of the Cold War — I and Charles Schwab & Co. He is also Jerusalem, Tbilisi State University in was a part of that; the really very chairman of the International Council the Republic of Georgia, and Keio positive situation we had throughout of J. P. Morgan Chase and serves on University in Tokyo. the Asia-Pacific region; and the

JUNE 2003/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 49 emergence of politically open, demo- Charlie Hill and Ray Seitz, who cratic governments, in many parts of worked directly with me; and Tom the world that took place while I was “It’s important for a Pickering — I could go on and on in office. and on. The Foreign Service offi- But then you come back to some- diplomat to provide not cers were really special, and I think thing that involves a human being. I they responded to the fact that the remember working so hard on the simply intelligence but political appointees were also a first- problems of Soviet Jewry and the class bunch of people. Kenneth repression that they experienced, interpretation of Dam first, and then John and working on individual cases. I Whitehead, for most of the time, worked on many of them. One of intelligence to who served as my deputy [secretary of them was a woman called Ida Nudel. State]; Paul Nitze, Allen Wallis, and I can recall to this day sitting in my Washington, and then to Max Kampelman. You had a really office at the State Department and special bunch of people to work with. the phone rings and on the other stand firmly for whatever I’m just sitting here recalling end a voice says, “This is Ida Nudel. names off the top of my head — I’m in Jerusalem. I’m home.” Some- the U.S. position is.” Dick Solomon, Chet Crocker, Paul thing like that makes you feel that Wolfowitz, Gaston Sigur, Dick whatever part you may have had in Murphy. I could go on and on. that, you did something that helped FSJ: Speaking at the renaming of an individual human being that you noticed, “Hey, these guys write good the National Foreign Affairs can identify. cables. And they’re interesting — Training Center to the George P. FSJ: What do you see as the value apparently they see what’s going on. Shultz National Foreign Affairs of professional diplomats? I can learn from them.” So I came to Training Center last year, you com- Shultz: My time as Secretary of my job at the State Department in a mented that when you became State was my fourth job of Cabinet somewhat different frame of mind Secretary of State, you knew you rank. I started as Secretary of Labor than many people do. I was very “would be dealing with many crises in a Republican administration. I favorably disposed to these people on a day-to-day basis, and that for was told that I had an impossible job who devote their lives to public ser- American foreign policy to succeed because the career people were all vice. So I found the Foreign Service over time I would have to pay atten- the appointees of organized labor very responsive and I think I worked tion to long-term issues.” What do and they wouldn’t do anything for a them pretty hard, lots of them. And you see as the impact of the war Republican. I didn’t believe that, they liked that; in a sense, that’s what against terrorism on diplomacy as a and I managed to recruit a very top- they came for: to be involved, to be profession, in terms of taking a long- notch bunch of people to come and consulted, to be given assignments. range view of things? work with me at the Department [of And they carried them out well. Shultz: The war on terrorism Labor]. They provided what I would FSJ: Who are some diplomats brings out — if it needed to be call professional support; the career you worked with during your time in brought out — the central impor- people responded and knocked Foggy Bottom that particularly tance of vital, skillful diplomacy, themselves out to work with us. We stand out in your memory now? because you’re dealing all the time listened to them; we worked with Shultz: I had a whole lot of spe- with people throughout the world them; and it was a great experience. cial ones: Larry Eagleburger was and you are relying on them to pro- And it was the same when I was under secretary for political affairs vide intelligence; you are working Director of the [Office of Manage- when I came, and Jerry Bremer was with them if the use of force ment and] Budget and Secretary of in the Secretariat or the Operations becomes necessary; you are con- the Treasury. Center, I forget which; and later stantly working the message of the I came to the State Department Mike Armacost came and succeeded Great Seal [of the United States]. having had some experience with Larry Eagleburger. And then I got The Great Seal has the eagle with the Foreign Service when I was to work with the incomparable Phil the olive branch in one talon and the Secretary of the Treasury, because Habib. And I had Roz Ridgeway, arrows in the other. So the essence when I’d go on trips, generally some who did a marvelous job with all the of diplomacy is you work these two FSO was assigned to go along and I negotiations with the Soviets, and things together. So much of the time

50 FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL/JUNE 2003 people say, “Well, there is a military against random lie detector tests as stances. But I think it’s important alternative and there is a diplomatic just one example. What do you see for a diplomat to be a professional, alternative.” I say, nonsense! These as the particular value of the Foreign to be able to understand what’s tak- are two things that go together. Service as an institution, beyond the ing place wherever they’re stationed, They’re not separate things; they’re many individuals you’ve worked and provide not simply intelligence things that benefit from each other. with? but interpretation of intelligence That’s the way you have to look at it. Shultz: Well, the Foreign back to Washington, and then to FSJ: Long before you became Service sits there as a body of talent stand firmly for whatever the U.S. Secretary of State, you were already that has taken pains to look about position is. Sometimes that annoys renowned as an economist. Do you the world, the process of diplomacy, people, but that’s what a diplomat is believe economic and trade issues, and has studied the history and pol- paid for. particularly the promotion and itics of it. People by and large have FSJ: In addition to your work at advocacy of U.S. business interests, language capability — they not only Stanford University and as a distin- have received enough attention in have languages but they’ve learned guished fellow at the Hoover U.S. diplomacy? how to learn languages rapidly. And Institution, you have published sev- Shultz: I believe the first mes- when you’re abroad, and you’re eral books, including a memoir of sage that I sent out to all posts after serving somewhere, it’s a great your time at State, since returning to being sworn in as Secretary of State advantage, obviously, to be able to the private sector. Any other pro- called to everyone’s attention the speak the language in a reasonably jects in the works? importance of supporting American fluent way. Shultz: I teach and give talks business abroad. It’s one of our rea- The Foreign Service is also a kind around and work on those. I keep sons for being there, after all. of repository of the history of our nourishing the idea of writing a rela- Obviously, you don’t support one diplomacy and a pool from which tively short book around the subject U.S. company over another but you you draw people with great skills. of accountability and its importance support U.S. business interests And so from that standpoint, the in economic and in security matters. strongly. I think it’s important that importance of recruiting able peo- So I keep gathering material and our embassies do that, and my ple, of giving them a variety of expe- thinking about it, and maybe one of observation is that they now do. rience and managing that experience these days I’ll get energetic enough From all I can see, the trade so they get exposed to the things that to write this short book. I hope so. issues are being worked very skillful- matter, and having a training facility FSJ: We hope so, too. Any final ly. Largely, it is the U.S. Trade that develops their skills and which thoughts? Representative who carries the ball in itself carries the message that we Shultz: I would go back to my on that, but he gets support from all care about your career and what image of the Great Seal, to recog- around, so that’s something that happens to you — all those things, I nize how important it is that we have needs to be done. The economic think, are very important. a strong diplomatic corps able to issues involving exchange rates and FSJ: Amb. Thomas Pickering, conduct a global diplomacy, and that things like that are mainly issues the last year’s recipient of this award, we have military capability, econom- Treasury Department deals with, observed in an interview with ic capability and willpower in our but from my standpoint, I feel they Foreign Policy magazine a couple of country, so that the diplomacy and have been working to improve the years ago that senior career diplo- the strength work together. If you quality of work of the IMF and mats sometimes get in hot water for go somewhere as a diplomat and you World Bank, and the sense of direc- taking too high a profile in present- have no strength, you are in many tion in international economic poli- ing U.S. government policy too ways wasting your breath. At the cy. Again, I’m not that close to it, forcibly in public. Yet FSOs are also same time, if all we have is strength, but I know the State Department’s often criticized for being overly cau- and we don’t build on that and use it, Economic Bureau plays its part in all tious. Do you think either criticism it tends to become debilitated. So that, too. is fair, and if so, what can profes- the image of the eagle with the olive FSJ: Perhaps more than any sional diplomats do to counter such branch and the arrows should be a other Secretary of State, many FS complaints? central feature of our thinking about personnel remember you fondly for Shultz: Well, they have to be this matter. your consistent support of the themselves, and probably those crit- FSJ: Thank you, Secretary Foreign Service, citing your stand icisms are fair under certain circum- Shultz. ■

JUNE 2003/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 51 RESOLVING THE PALESTINIAN QUESTION

IT HAS BEEN MORE THAN 25 YEARS SINCE EGYPTIAN PRESIDENT ANWAR SADAT MADE HIS HISTORIC TRIP TO JERUSALEM. WHY HASN’T PEACE COME TO THE MIDDLE EAST YET?

BY CLAUDE SALHANI

hen Egyptian President tions. They could have participated, but at the time Anwar Sadat made his his- chose not to, and as a result, the conflict continues to this toric trip to Jerusalem on day. It was a failure of judgment on their part. To para- Nov. 19, 1977, to address the phrase Abba Eban, the father of Israeli diplomacy, the Knesset, I remember think- Palestinians have never missed an opportunity to miss an ing that peace in the Middle opportunity. East was about to suddenly That squandered opportunity to advance the cause of break out. After covering Sadat’s departure from Egypt, peace was not only a tragedy for the Palestinian people. Wwhere I was based at the time, I shared a taxi ride into The Israeli-Palestinian problem remains, to this day, the town with Jonathan Randall of the Washington Post. central rallying cry for religious extremists and political Randall, much like myself, had spent a good portion of fanatics throughout the region. The Hamas fundamen- his adult life covering Middle East conflicts. During the talists, the Osama bin Ladens and the Saddam Husseins trip, we discovered that we both truly believed we would of this world have all jumped on the Palestine bandwag- soon be out of a job, or, at least, that we would have to on at one time or another — albeit to advance their own recycle ourselves in other parts of the world if we want- agendas. ed to continue covering front-page news stories. Similarly, in the name of the “Palestinian cause,” many While Sadat did manage to move a notch forward Arab countries have suspended fundamental human down the tortuous road to peace, achieving a state of non- rights, imposed martial law, extended the duration of mil- belligerency (though not complete normalcy) between itary service for years beyond the norm, and basically run Egypt and Israel, he failed to bring about a lasting reso- their nations as police states in a state of perpetual war lution to the Middle East crisis. So, more than a quarter- with Israel. century later, peace has yet to break out, and even before the war with Iraq began, the Middle East has remained a The Need for Reform constant presence on the front pages of the world’s news- A 2002 Arab Human Development Report, written by papers and on our TV screens. leading Arab scholars and issued by the United Nations, What went wrong? identified a fundamental choice — between “inertia ... I would submit that the main reason the peace process [and] an Arab renaissance that will build a prosperous has not advanced further is that the Palestinians them- future for all Arabs.” It stressed the fact that Arabs dra- selves were not directly involved in the initial negotia- matically lag behind the rest of the world in democracy, knowledge and women’s rights. Claude Salhani, a senior editor at United Press As Edward Said pointed out in an article published in International, has covered the Middle East for the last 30 CounterPunch on Jan. 25, 2003, “Everyone says (with years. some justification, of course) that Islam needs reform and

52 FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL/JUNE 2003 that the Arab educational system is a disaster — in effect, In an unprecedented acknowledgement echoed in the a school for religious fanatics and suicide bombers fund- Arab press (the Feb. 1 edition of ArabicNews.com, ed not just by crazy imams and their wealthy followers among others) that not all is rosy in the Arab world in the (such as Osama bin Laden) but also by governments who aftermath of the Sept. 11 attacks, no less prominent a fig- are the supposed allies of the U.S.” ure than Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Abdullah declared Despite massive oil reserves, the Arab world is also in February 2003, that “the Arabs need to reform.” falling behind economically. Already, 14 million Arab While this point might seem blindingly obvious to adults lack the jobs they need to provide food and take many in the West, it is virtually unprecedented for such a proper care of their families, and 50 million more Arab key Middle Eastern figure to concur publicly. youths will enter the already crowded job market over the next eight years. The average GDP of the 260 million The U.S. Role Arabs is already less than that of 40 million Spaniards, But the U.S. needs to get serious about helping and falls further behind with each passing year. change come about in the Middle East by going beyond Other than in the energy sector, the countries of the cheap rhetoric and half-hearted measures. Middle East are also largely absent During a speech at the Heritage from world markets. They generate Foundation on Dec. 12, 2002, barely 1 percent of the world’s non- Secretary of State Colin Powell oil exports. Only 10 Middle Eastern All parties to the announced plans for a U.S.-Middle countries belong to the World Trade East Partnership Initiative, which Organization. conflict must make some he said “will provide a framework As the Cairo daily Al-Ahram and funding for the U.S. to work reported in its Nov. 29-Dec. 5, 2002, hard choices. together with governments and peo- issue, Egypt’s President Hosni ple in the Arab world to expand eco- Mubarak warned his cabinet minis- nomic, political and educational ters during a 90-minute meeting in opportunities for all. It will commit December 2001 that, “Giving a boost to exports is a mat- the U.S. to $29 million in initial funding for pilot pro- ter of life or death.” jects in support of reform in each area listed above.” For all these reasons, Arab leaders must awaken to the Powell correctly observed that, “Today, too many peo- fact that they cannot continue to muzzle their own people there lack the very political and economic freedom, ples, denying them basic freedoms: freedom of speech, of empowerment of women, and modern education they the press, of assembly, of religion, and of electing their need to prosper in the 21st century. Barely one person own leaders. Now, in the post-Saddam period, would be out of a hundred in the Arab world has access to a com- an opportune moment to begin pushing the Arab world puter. Of those, only half can reach the wider world.” toward change. Well-intentioned as the initiative is, many in the Arab Every war brings with it fresh winds of change, and world found the amount of $29 million proposed by the war on Iraq should be no different. The ground is Powell to be almost insulting. “That amounts to just ripe for new initiatives. If the U.S. can harvest that ener- about the price of 6 M1A1 Abrams tanks and some spare gy in a positive manner by moving the “Middle East Road parts,” says one Arab business executive in Washington, Map” forward, it should be able to reap positive benefits who is engaged in fostering closer Arab-American rela- from the war. The Arab street, however, remains very tions. “It amounts to roughly $8.90 per inhabitant, less suspicious of America’s real intentions in the Middle than the price of a movie ticket. Powell would have been East. The onus is now on the Bush administration to better off not putting forward a figure,” he comments. prove it is serious about settling the Palestinian issue, and At the same time, U.S. bias in dealing with the Arab- not, as many Arabs believe, going after Iraqi oil. Israeli issue needs to be re-evaluated and corrected, a There are indications that an awakening for change is move that will win the American government many badly beginning to seep through the region’s entrenched cul- needed friends in the Arab and Islamic world. The U.S. tural barriers that for years have blocked progress. The cannot hope to win the war on terrorism while continuing signs are faint and need to grow greatly in strength, but to infuriate millions of people in one of the most volatile they are there. parts of the world.

JUNE 2003/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 53 Fortunately, President Bush trust the E.U. far more than they do recently reiterated that the U.S. wants the U.S. to see an independent Palestinian The main reason the state by 2005, which should give new The Palestinian Question impetus to the process. peace process has not Important as region-wide reform Equally important, this facilita- is, the Israeli-Palestinian question tive role must apply across the advanced further is that remains the epicenter of the Middle board, not only where and when it East conflict. Until that issue is prop- is advantageous to Washington. the Palestinians erly resolved, the anger and frustra- That means prodding and pushing, tion aimed at the United States will not only the Palestinians, but also themselves were not remain largely unchecked. our allies in Saudi Arabia and other Of course, after a half-century of oil-rich nations, as well as Israel. directly involved in the hostility, trust between the antago- Finally, it is essential that these nists will not develop quickly or eas- changes — if they are to come — be initial negotiations. ily. I was asked a few years ago in a encouraged by the United States radio interview if I still believed (and the European Community as there would ever be peace between well as the United Nations). the Israelis and the Palestinians. An Though the U.S. remains the only eternal optimist, I replied, “Yes, superpower, the E.U. and the U.N. table. The E.U., for example, can eventually, but only after each side should be encouraged to participate assist in economic reconstruction develops greater love for their chil- in bringing peace and stability to the and help the Palestinian Authority dren than the hatred and distrust Levant. These institutions bring in their building of a democratic they harbor for their enemies.” important assets to the negotiating society. Lastly, the Arabs tend to By implementing small confi-

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54 FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL/JUNE 2003 dence-building measures at first, Minister Ariel Sharon’s recent com- then building on them, the two sides ment that Israel will probably have can eventually achieve a genuine The failure to advance to give up some settlements to resolution to the conflict. achieve peace is encouraging. Naturally, Israel’s security and the peace process was However, many Middle East ana- well-being must be safeguarded for lysts remain skeptical. They would the peace process to advance. But not only a tragedy for like to see concrete peace offers in the long term, a lasting settle- from Sharon before accepting that ment with the Palestinians and the the Palestinian people. the hawkish warrior-turned-politi- rest of Israel’s neighbors will foster cian is changing his traditional hard- prosperity far more effectively than line stance regarding the Pales- establishing and expanding settle- tinians. ments and building security fences, In return, the Palestinians need however entrenched and fortified. ensures that another generation will to demonstrate that they can man- To quell the violence, Israel grow up in hate, seeking revenge as age a state that will not represent a needs to decide if it wants to be suicide bombers and perpetuating threat to the very existence of Israel. accepted in the Mideast, or to con- the cycle of violence. They will have to show that they can tinue living as an armed camp in a Similarly, one could well ques- control their fringe elements and perpetual state of war. Its current tion the logic of bivouacking thou- prevent Hamas, Islamic Jihad and tactics are simply sowing the seeds sands of heavily armed troops to others from carrying out suicide of future hatred and resentment. safeguard 400 settlers in the heart of bombings and other attacks. For example, dynamiting the homes an Arab city, amid tens of thousands That means convincing the rest of alleged terrorists’ family mem- of Arab inhabitants, as is the case in of the Arab world that it, too, needs bers and expelling them only Hebron. In that regard, Prime to jump onto the peace train. Syria,

JUNE 2003/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 55 in particular, needs to realize that it easily wait another five or 10 years, has much more to gain from peace or even longer. than from backing Hezbollah, the In the post-Saddam Palestinian refugees. The most militant Shiite Lebanese militia, and contentious issue, and the one that thereby consigning the entire Hussein era, will ultimately make or break the Middle East to a perpetual state of peace process, is the fate of approx- conflict. Arab leaders must stop imately six million Palestinian Recent U.S. claims that Syria refugees living in the diaspora. offered assistance to Saddam muzzling their own According to figures released by the Hussein, as well as Secretary of U.S. Committee for Refugees, in its Defense Donald Rumsfeld’s accu- peoples and 2000 World Refugee Survey report, sation that Damascus possesses about a quarter of them live in chemical weapons, will only make denying them Jordan (1,512,700), with the rest in this harder to achieve, however. Syria (374,000), Lebanon (370,000), The charges directed at Syria as the basic freedoms. Saudi Arabia (123,000), Iraq war in Iraq was winding down only (90,000), Kuwait (35,000), the Gaza served to irritate the Arab world. Strip (798,000) and the West Bank (569,700). Many of the refugees A Comprehensive Settlement live in squalid camps, their lives, Once enough trust has been the state of Palestine — must ulti- and those of their children and established among the parties to mately consist of a contiguous zone, grandchildren, in limbo for decades. resume a meaningful peace process, not the Swiss cheese-like Bantustan To address this reality will the negotiators will have to address that exists now. The Palestinians require a two-step approach involv- three paramount issues: must be given economically viable ing the Arab states where the 1. The refugees and the right of territory that they can live on in dig- refugees are currently encamped return of Palestinians living in the nity. and the cooperation of the devel- diaspora; Toward that end, Israel will have oped world. As a first step, the 2. The status of Jerusalem as the to make some hard choices, includ- Palestinian Authority would issue to capital of Israel and the capital of a ing enforcing a freeze on settle- all Palestinian refugees, wherever future Palestinian state; and ments and dismantling some of they are located, a “B-type” pass- 3. The final borders of that them, as is consistent with the port. That will solve the immediate Palestinian state. Mitchell Commission Report. problem in the sense that the Let’s take these in reverse order. In return, the Palestinian leader- refugees would become citizens of The final borders. In July 2000, ship must prove that it is prepared the new Palestinian state. However, when President Bill Clinton tried to to bring about an end to terror and they would not be granted the right negotiate a comprehensive Middle violence and set up new institutions. to settle in Israel/Palestine, in East peace deal during his final However, any Palestinian leader — recognition of the grim reality that months in office, he said: “The chal- be it Arafat or someone else — who Israel will almost certainly never lenge for [then-]Israeli Prime cracks down on the extremists with- allow those refugees living outside the Minister Ehud Barak and out gaining some sort of concession Gaza Strip and the West Bank to Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat will from the Israelis first, such as the “return” to live in Palestine. be to draw the contours of peace.” freezing of settlements, would be Instead, they would receive finan- Unfortunately, they failed. seen by his own people as having cial compensation and assistance in Instead, the second intifada erupt- sold out to the enemy, and would immigrating to countries such as ed, and the region has been spiral- not last very long. Australia, Canada, the U.S. and some ing downhill into greater violence The status of Jerusalem. If, as is European nations. (There is a prece- ever since. But eventually, the likely, no accord can be reached on dent for such a move, when Great peace caravan will set off again. this perennially thorny issue in the Britain offered similar conditions to When it does, Israel must con- short term, it should be left to be Asians who had been expelled from cede that the lands currently known decided at a later date, after a Uganda by Idi Amin Dada.) At some as the “Palestinian Authority” — greater level of trust has been estab- point in the future, visitation rights which will eventually mature into lished. The issue of Jerusalem can could be granted on an individual

56 FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL/JUNE 2003 refugees as full citizens of their countries (which automatically means Year-End Roundup of The U.S. cannot hope to those nations must be included in the FOREIGN SERVICE final peace agreement). This is far AUTHORS win the war on terrorism easier said than done, to be sure. In Lebanon, where the confessional bal- As we have done each year since 2000, the November 2003 Foreign while continuing to ance is dangerously precarious, it Service Journal will include a list of could cause serious problems. Saudi recently published books by Foreign infuriate millions of Arabia, for example, has long been Service-affiliated authors in a special section: “In Their Own Write.” FS reluctant to grant citizenship to for- authors who have had a book people in one of the most eigners, even those who have resided published either by a commercial or there for generations. academic publisher last year or this Yet while this and numerous other year (2002-2003) that has not volatile parts of previously been featured in the obstacles remain on the road to roundup are invited to send a copy of the world. peace, they are not completely insur- the book, along with a press release or mountable. And the alternative is lit- backgrounder with information on the author, to: erally unthinkable: left unresolved, Susan Maitra the Palestinian question is analogous Associate Editor to a dangerously exposed fuse that can Foreign Service Journal basis to refugees who still have family be ignited by a spark at any given 2101 E Street, NW ties there — but only for brief stays, moment, starting a devastating fire Washington, D.C. 20037-2990 not permanent residence. that not only engulfs its immediate Deadline for submissions In return, Jordan, Lebanon, Saudi surroundings but spreads far and is Sept. 1. Arabia, etc. would have to accept the wide. ■

Executive

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JUNE 2003/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 57 APPRECIATION

FROM BOSWELL TO JOHNSON VERNON A. WALTERS 1917-2002

BY FLETCHER M. BURTON

A moment of truth came for Walters would have enjoyed the Vernon Walters during a White During a tributes from those who gathered in House meeting in 1970. Then serv- half-century in the Arlington’s Old Post Chapel on ing as the U.S. defense attaché in March 5, 2002, to bid farewell. But Paris, he had just received his pro- nation’s service, he would have been annoyed at motion to major general (conferring Vernon Walters those who, in describing the extraor- the second of his three stars, all of dinary arc of his career, failed to which, at his request, were on his transformed himself appreciate his transformation from shoulders at his Arlington Cemetery from a secretary to a Boswell to Johnson. The New York burial in March 2002). Chief of Staff Times’ obituary, for example, stated Haldeman wanted to know if Walters general, from a he “may not have made history in his would serve as the Oval Office note- derivative figure to a career, but he saw it firsthand.” That taker. President Nixon had endorsed is a half-truth. the idea in light of Walters’ primary force. Walters knew that some dis- unmatched experience as an inter- missed him as “a burly, jovial mes- preter and aide. Haldeman later senger boy who had no part in draft- described Walters’ reaction: “He He rose steadily through the ranks, ing the messages he was carrying,” as drew himself up to his full height and but not because of his ability to com- he once summed up the uncharita- said, ‘A general commands troops. mand troops. He rose because of his ble view of his role. He resented the He is not a secretary.’” gift for languages, flair for interpret- put-down that he “spoke eight lan- Walters, who died Feb. 10, 2002, ing, dedication to preserving a writ- guages and thought in none.” at age 85, started his career as a ten record of the spoken word, and Several obituaries dredged up this James Boswell and ended it as a his knack for winning the confidence quip, and even attributed it to him. Samuel Johnson. During a half-cen- of high-ranking officials. Walters never said it of himself. It tury in the nation’s service, he trans- Walters became a global presence would have mocked his aspirations. formed himself from a secretary to a in the course of his many sensitive When, at age 74, he heard that general, from a derivative figure to a presidential missions. Toward the Nixon in his memoirs had portrayed primary force. end of his career, he served as per- him as a “top-drawer strategic Boswell, whose Life of Johnson manent representative to the U.N., thinker,” Walters took notice. That may be the best biography in the with cabinet rank, and ambassador was how he wanted to be remem- English language, related to Johnson to Germany. bered. in a way once described as the ivy to He died a celebrated raconteur. the oak. So, too, Walters attached Like Johnson, Walters may be Career Continuities himself to towering figures, and then remembered more for his table talk In May 1991, George F. Ward, set about to evolve from the vine to than for his writings. Secretary the DCM in Bonn, hosted a celebra- the tree. Powell got it right in hailing Walters’ tion to mark the 50th anniversary of He began as a private in the life and work as “storied.” (See side- Walters’ entry into U.S. service. Army, without a college education. bar, p. 60.) Walters was then concluding his

58 FOREIGN SERVICE J OURNAL/J UNE 2003 momentous tenure as ambassador know history and draw on it. He Vice President Nixon? (The latter during Germany’s unification. He once said his motivation throughout termed the brush with death one of delighted at the time in calculating his life was to “walk with history.” his “Six Crises” and recalled the that his service amounted to almost a Amid these continuities, there resulting “bond of friendship” on quarter of U.S. history. The lies the watershed, the great change Walters’ 50th anniversary of service.) Germans lauded his role during uni- that bisected his career. It took How would Walters have gone down fication. Chancellor Kohl stated that place not when he moved from gen- in history? As diplomacy’s Boswell, Walters was prescient in foreseeing, eral to ambassador. (In fact, he had perhaps — as a Zelig present at var- “as few others,” the fall of the Berlin played a diplomatic role early in his ious creations, the scribe at the Wall and the coming of Germany career.) Rather, it was his leap from elbow of the great, recording their unity. aide to principal: in 1960, at the age thoughts and chronicling their Reviewing those five decades of of 43, he was named a military habits. service, one is struck by the abiding attaché in Rome. Looking back, he He, of course, survived the elements, the dimensions taking savored the moment when he Venezuelan rock-throwing, and went shape early on: became “my own boss at last.” on to elevate himself above inter- High-level service: Starting in preter and notetaker. Throughout World War II with General Mark Paradigm Shift the 1960s, Walters served as a mili- Clark (who left a profound imprint on Walters appears only once in tary attaché at American embassies him), Walters became an aide and Dean Acheson’s memoirs, Present at in Italy, Brazil and France. interpreter to numerous U.S. military the Creation. The index lists him as Promotions up the Army ladder fol- officers, senior diplomats and presi- “Walters, Col. (interpreter).” And so lowed, thanks in large part to his dents. Truman, Eisenhower, Nixon, Walters was known during the first intelligence expertise. At the end of Harriman, Marshall, Kissinger — half of his career, the Boswell years. the decade, fortified by his second Walters worked for them all. Thanks Here is Eisenhower’s description in star, he felt confident to rebuff to the access afforded by such men- 1955: Walters “was one of the most Haldeman and reject the role of tors, Walters developed his “uncanny brilliant interpreters I have ever Oval Office amanuensis (thereby ability to be present at large events,” as known ... completely at home in six prompting the fateful step to install the Washington Post obituary summ- or seven other languages, and when the next best option, a taping sys- ed it up, such as the launching of the he was using any one of them he tem). Marshall Plan and NATO. seemed unconsciously to adopt the Walters felt further vindicated by Foreign contacts: As a spin-off mannerisms of the people of that Nixon’s choice of him in 1972 as the of his work as an interpreter, particular country.” Nixon referred CIA deputy director, the start of his Walters made numerous friends to him as “one of the world’s most 1972-76 stint that included five during the war, including the future skilled interpreters.” De Gaulle, months as acting director. Walters presidents of France (de Gaulle) whom Walters knew for nearly three had made it. He was now a Johnson, and Brazil (Branco), as well as the decades, praised his French lan- a figure quoted by others, a touch- future king of Morocco (Hassan). guage facility as “eloquent.” stone in policy debates. And he Few could match his global net- Walters would later relate that made a historic contribution in fend- work. working as an aide could be rough ing off the entreaties of John Dean European languages: A gifted sledding. It involved meeting inces- for the CIA to get involved in the polyglot, Walters lived in Europe sant demands (e.g., from Gen. Mark Watergate cover-up. He had finally during his formative years from age Clark during wartime) and tackling stepped into history for what he did 6 to 16, when he learned French, unusual challenges (e.g., smuggling and said. Spanish, German and Italian. He Henry Kissinger in and out of Paris later acquired Portuguese, Dutch during secret talks with the North A Sense of History and Russian. He was, as a German Vietnamese). His work as interpreter Why have some failed to appreci- official once observed, “the most required setting down a record of the ate the paradigm shift in Walters’ European American.” conversation, done later from memo- career? In part because, with his lin- Interest in history: As a boy, ry and sometimes entailing all-night guistic flair and remarkable memory, Walters succeeded in soliciting the drafting — the very skill that caught he was a brilliant Boswell. For some, autograph of the exiled German the attention of Haldeman. he will forever remain as Acheson cat- Kaiser, an early endeavor in his life- What if Walters had been killed alogued him: “Walters, Col. (inter- long fascination with history. He in 1958 in the mob violence in preter).” In part, as well, because believed that leaders needed to Caracas during his tour with then- Washington policy-makers found his

JUNE 2003/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 59 A PPRECIATION

policy input more anecdotal than AMERICAN DIPLOMACY’S SAMUEL JOHNSON analytical. Such criticism was most pronounced during the drive to Commentary from Vernon Walters, drawn from his table talk, as recorded German unification. by the author: Walters may not have helped his cause with his own books. Silent ON HIMSELF: Missions, published in 1978 when (After terrorists fired at the American Embassy in Bonn): I have only he was sitting out the Carter years, contempt for this attack. I wanted to feel like de Gaulle who, after he was once was his bid to be seen as a Johnson. shot at, dismissed it as “just an incident along the road.” But then, not every- Yet the book’s Boswellian passages one is de Gaulle. (February 1991) are most memorable. Where his I’m enjoying the World Cup. Action in soccer is continuous, unlike our exploits as an aide and interpreter football, where every few minutes people stop play to mill about and confer. with a front-row seat at history are (July 1994) set down, the book brims with vital- ity. But it is maddeningly discreet ON THE EUROPEANS: when discussing his trouble-shoot- Americans and Germans show a hypochondriacal compulsion to take ing diplomacy. According to one each other’s temperature. Bismarck once said, “We fear God and no one else.” White House colleague, this “reti- Now Germans are saying, “We don’t fear God but everyone else.” (June 1991) cence” in his writings made Walters (After attending Wagner’s Lohengrin in Beyreuth): Wagnerian opera is an unlikely suspect as Watergate’s only a German speech set to music. It goes on and on. The first act lasted an “Deep Throat.” hour and a half. The second act lasted two hours. The third act I spared Germans developed a fuller myself. (July 1991) appreciation of Walters’ transforma- Eastern Germany is like deep, dark Africa during the days of Stanley and tion. The tributes of Chancellor Kohl Livingston. Everyone is eager to explore it, as long as good hotels are available. and Foreign Minister Genscher are a (May 1991) case in point. Germans, as some of Frederick the Great emphasized human rights. … I was reminded of this their memoirs now show, were struck last night as I read myself to sleep with the Prussian-American Friendship by Walters’ prediction in the spring of Treaty. (August 1991) 1989 that the Berlin Wall would col- France most enjoys it when it stands alone, knowing that the world is out lapse and Germany would unite. of step with France. (March 1991) Over the years Walters had honed Germans think the French brought back Germany into polite society. his instincts about Germany. In But the French were real hard-liners at first. We had to use can-openers on 1989, he wanted to sound the tocsin. them. (June 1991) He once framed a newspaper report The Marshall Plan was like building on a cleared site because World War of his views — “Walters: German II had devastated Europe. Even three years after the war’s end, only every Unity Soon.” The article had other street light was burning in Paris. Food rationing was still in effect, except appeared in the International Herald in Belgium, where we would dart over for cream puffs. (June 1995) Tribune on Sept. 4, 1989 — two I once encountered Alexander Dubcek (who led the “Prague Spring” months before the fall of the wall and uprising in 1968) and told him, “You were a lantern blazing in the darkness of 13 months before unification. In an the night.” But I was thinking at the time, “He was dreaming the impossible act of pride and defiance, he hung dream: socialism with a human face.” (April 1991) the piece in his Bonn office. Brent Scowcroft recalled later WARNINGS: that Washington in 1989 did not The danger is that the twentieth century will end how it began: with a want to initiate a discussion of war in the Balkans. (May 1991) German unity. Rather, in his words, We made a mistake in dealing with the Iraqi generals after the Gulf War. it was inclined “to let sleeping dogs We should have told them, along the lines of what we told Hindenburg and lie.” Walters drew the State Ludendorff after World War I: “We will not deal with anyone representing Department’s ire with his unautho- Kaiser Wilhelm.” (August 1994) rized pronouncements on the matter because their side effect was to com-

60 FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL/JUNE 2003 A PPRECIATION

plicate U.S. relations with other capi- gone down as an over-the-hill eccen- and dramatic bisection, was one of a tals, particularly Moscow. tric — exactly how some Germans kind. In his eulogy at Arlington Walters’ record on German devel- regarded him when he arrived as Cemetery, former Secretary of State opments was not spotless. He lost his ambassador in April 1989. Alexander Haig called him “both an bet, for instance, that Kohl would win But the sleeping dogs awoke. observer and a shaper of history.” re-election in 1998. Yet, as was said of Walters was indeed clairvoyant. Not Precisely; he was both. ■ Johnson, his talk “may not show the only did he sense the tide that would minute-hand, but strikes the hour very sweep away the Berlin Wall, he also Fletcher M. Burton is consul general correctly.” All in all, Walters exhibited made the conceptual connection — for the states of Saxony, Saxony- a sense of history matched by few by no means conventional wisdom at Anhalt and Thuringia at Consulate other American officials. the time — that German unity General Leipzig. He joined the would be the natural outcome of Foreign Service in 1988, and has Both Observer and Shaper political developments. served in Bonn, Berlin, Pristina, And what if Walters had been Walters thus capped his career Sarajevo, Riyadh and Washington. wrong about German unity? with the end of the Cold War, a con- Historians now contend that flict that had lasted his entire adult Mr. Burton first met Vernon Walters in Germany slipped through a narrow life. By his own account, the most 1990. He served as staff aide to window in 1989-90: Unification exciting moment came with the fall of Ambassador Walters at Embassy would not have been possible earlier the wall — fittingly, at the very end of Bonn during 1991, the last year of or later, given the historical circum- his career. Walters’ tenure, and thereafter main- stances. Had his vision on unity Vernon Walters was unique. His tained contact with Walters for the rest been clouded, Walters might have career, with its unusual continuities of his life.

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CHRISTMAS IN JULY: HOLIDAYS AS A FOREIGN SERVICE CHILD

A CHILD RAISED IN THE FOREIGN SERVICE CAN RETAIN A SENSE OF TRADITION AND ALSO APPRECIATE NEW AND DIVERSE CULTURES, INCLUDING THEIR HOLIDAYS.

BY MIKKELA THOMPSON

or a Foreign Service child, the old “American” are the customs and recipes that are passed adage “the only constant is change” down from one generation to another. truly applies. One bastion of stability in Alexandra, the child of an FSO and an Austrian moth- an FS child’s life, and sometimes the er, who has lived in Bonn, Tangier, Casablanca, Arlington, only one, is his or her family and their Beirut, Munich and Brussels, remembers celebrating traditions. Foreign service families cel- holidays overseas and in the U.S. as a cultural smorgas- ebrate a plethora of holidays — bord. From her American grandmother, she inherited a American and foreign — and many assimilate traditions book of traditional Lutheran recipes and her aluminum Fas they move around the world. But despite this, it is the Swedish meatball pan. From her Salzburger Omi (grand- celebration itself, a time spent with one’s family, home mother), she has a coveted collection of Austrian recipes from school, that can provide an from marillen knoedel (apricot emotional oasis in a childhood dumplings) to buchtel (a prune- lived overseas. filled pastry). For FS children, holidays and For FS children, holidays and Her most vivid memory is of celebrations are not particularly Christmas, a holiday that is cele- wedded to specific dates and sea- celebrations are not particularly brated in Austria from the begin- sons. And even the idea of what ning of the Advent season, usual- constitutes a holiday is flexible. wedded to specific dates and ly the first Sunday in December. The most common holidays are “My mother made a big fuss over New Year’s and Christmas. seasons. And even the idea decorating for Christmas. First, Others include Valentine’s Day, she glued cotton balls to simulate St. Patrick’s Day, Easter, Mother’s of what constitutes a snow on our bedroom windows Day, Father’s Day, the Fourth of in Casablanca. These windows July, Halloween, Thanksgiving holiday is flexible. looked out onto palm, lemon and and birthdays. Of these, the mimosa trees which were, of Fourth of July and Thanksgiving course, never covered with snow! are the two most traditionally American holidays. FS kids On Dec. 1, we received a calendar to count down the are perhaps more lenient in their expectations of these days until Christmas, 24 days exactly.” occasions, given that the opportunities to celebrate them “On Dec. 6, we celebrated St. Nikolaus Day at home. in a foreign country are necessarily limited. So for FS Once, my parents asked a friend from the Austrian con- children, such holidays are mainly occasions involving sulate, Mr. Auer, to dress up as St. Nikolaus and knock on informal gatherings with their families for big meals. our door. The sight of St. Nick was awesome! We were Indeed for some, what makes holidays distinctly amazed that he really appeared at our house and left shoes filled with Moroccan tangerines and walnuts.” Mikkela Thompson is the Journal’s business manager. Continued on page 64

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JUNE 2003/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 63 S CHOOLS S UPPLEMENT

Continued from page 62 I remain stubborn in my ebration on Dec. 8 in honor of “I think this event turned us the Catholic saint of the town of into true believers in Santa traditions, so although the Cacupe. Although it’s a Catholic Claus! My sister and I visited a holiday, even non-Catholic chil- Moroccan department store and schools, friends, houses and dren join in by giving medicine to had our picture taken with a the homeless Guarani Indians. Moroccan Santa, and we left countries change, the same The FS child also recalled teach- milk and vanilla Kipferl (vanilla- ing the Guarani children to play nut crescent-shaped cookies) for cardboard Christmas elves with Legos. In Japan, another Santa’s hungry reindeer. Our FS child attended Obon, held Christmas holiday and dinner decorate the bookshelves and Aug. 13-15, which is the were always held on Dec. 24, for Japanese festival for showing my mother the most holy of we feast on the same menu respect to the dead. When we days in the Austrian liturgical lived in Finland, the St. Lucia calendar. each year. celebration was fun, and we fol- “In Lebanon, my mother, who lowed the St. Lucia contestants’ probably missed a snowy Christ- pictures in the paper every day. mas season and her days on skis, St. Lucia was a Christian saint shopped with my father on Hamra Street to buy us skis who is symbolized wearing a white gown and a wreath of and boots. We learned to ski in Faraya, a ski resort an candles in her hair. In the dark cold month of December, hour from Beirut.” the St. Lucia parade was a fairyland spectacle of light. Like Alexandra, my own strongest memories are of Conversely, Midsummer is a huge celebration in the Christmas. Even today, in my family, with an FSO father Nordic countries, and we enjoyed many a bonfire and and a Danish mother, we have an almost ritualistic skinny dip there in June. evening. We celebrate a Danish “yule” on Christmas Summer holidays can mean a change in schools and Eve. I remain stubborn in my traditions, so although the countries for FS kids. But summer vacation can be a schools, friends, houses and countries change, the same source of normalcy and tradition, too. FS kids may return Danish cardboard Christmas elves decorate the book- to the same house, their grandparent’s house, or summer shelves and we feast on the same menu each year. Roast camp. I attended the same summer camp in New duck, pork roast with crackling, red cabbage, potatoes, Hampshire for seven years and despite my having roamed boiled and caramelized, brown gravy and rice pudding far-away continents in the intervening years, my cabin are still all I want to eat on Christmas Eve. After dinner, mates were always more interested in what life was like in we dance around the Christmas tree singing carols and the “south” (i.e., northern Virginia)! then, one by one, we open our presents while everyone Once back in the U.S., FS children quickly readjust to else watches and adds their oohs and aaahs. the local American traditions. They now integrate Understandably, Thanksgiving and the Fourth of July Halloween and trick-or-treating as well as the traditional are of less interest outside the U.S., so many FS children Thanksgiving turkey dinner into their celebrations. Still, do not celebrate these holidays when overseas. The holidays spent in the U.S. can seem at first, to an FS exception is when events are arranged at the embassy — child, just as foreign as a holiday on Pluto. I vividly recall such as a Halloween parade with other embassy kids. my horror when, as a 10-year-old in Virginia, I went over Still, I recall spending one Thanksgiving at an American to my friend’s house on the morning of Dec. 25 and school in London. And we had a great time. Some of the watched her ravage her way through her Christmas pre- British students even joined us for pumpkin pie! But sents — while her parents slept upstairs. It was so differ- really it was just an excuse to party on a school night. And ent from the Christmas I knew. “Occasionally, we have as the world becomes more global, many holidays had Christmas dinner at a Vietnamese restaurant in have been exported. For example, although it seems Arlington,” Alexandra says. “Our whole family likes this mostly market-driven, the Swedes appear to be taking twist on the traditional feast at home.” Halloween to heart. But for some FS kids, coming back to the U.S. is no Many FS children participate in local cultural celebra- holiday at all. One FS child, returning from Zimbabwe, tions. In Paraguay, one child volunteered at the festival recalls his culture shock as he was bombarded with what of “Our Lady of the Cacupe” or “Virgin of Cacupe,” a cel- Continued on page 66

64 FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL/JUNE 2003 S CHOOLS S UPPLEMENT

JUNE 2003/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 65 S CHOOLS S UPPLEMENT

Continued from page 64

For some Foreign Service kids, holidays spent in the U.S. can seem at first just as foreign as a holiday on Pluto — and for some it’s no holiday at all.

he calls questions about “Africa: the land of the lost” such as: Do you speak Ethiopian? Do you have one big president telling everyone what to do? Do you speak African? Do you have cars? Do you have swimming pools in Africa? How do you know English if you’ve been living in Africa? Over time, he has come up with glib answers to this barrage. For instance, on the issue of cars in Africa, he retorts: “Well, there are only two cars in the whole country. One is the president’s. The other one is ours. So it all works out.” And to the question of swimming pools, he answers: “Why do we need swimming pools? We have the watering hole!” A child raised in the Foreign Service can retain a sense of tradition while also appreciating new and diverse cultures, including their holidays. But while most FS children would agree that they enjoy holidays, it is the people with whom they spend these holidays that make all the difference. Schools come and go but one’s family and friends are the true source of stability. Family and celebrations, whether wearing candles on your head or eating marillen knoedel, can provide the rarest of gifts in a nomadic childhood — a tradition of continuity. ■

66 FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL/JUNE 2003

S CHOOLS S UPPLEMENT

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS: June 14 Baseball Game (Prince William County Potomac Cannons) July 4 FSYF/AAFSW Independence Day Potluck/Picnic July 29 Manassas Splashdown Waterpark August 20 Six Flags America Adventure Theme Park September 21 Welcome Back Family Picnic, Getting Ready to Go: FSYF’s Annual Fall Foreign Lubber Run Park Service Teen GetAway Weekend Training retreat.

The Foreign Service Youth Foundation sponsors the AWAL (ages 13-19) and Globe Trotters (ages 9-12) youth development programs for Foreign Service kids who share the experience of living overseas. New members (whether you are returning from overseas, starting A-100 or have been in DC for awhile) are always welcome to join in the fun!!

For information about the Foreign Service Youth Foundation, AWAL and Globe Trotters, contact FSYF at (301) 404-6655 or email: [email protected]. website: www.fsyf.org Designate CFC Participant #8488 and support Foreign Service Youth

68 FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL/JUNE 2003 S CHOOLS S UPPLEMENT

JUNE 2003/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 69 S CHOOLS S UPPLEMENT

BRENTWOOD COLLEGE SCHOOL Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada 420 Students, Boys and Girls Grades 8 – 12 www.brentwood.bc.ca

A BOARDING SCHOOL NURTURING SCHOLARS, ARTISTS AND ATHLETES AS INDIVIDUALS OF INTEGRITY.

Founded in 1923, Brentwood College is a co-educational university preparatory school for grades 8 through 12. Located on Vancouver Island, our oceanfront campus is home to 420 students from diverse Canadian and international backgrounds, and affords opportunities for a variety of aquatic sports and outdoor activities. Proximity to Victoria provides access to music, theatre, and other cultural experiences. For years Brentwood College graduates have continued their studies at all major Canadian universities, American universities including: Harvard, Princeton, Yale, Stanford, MIT, Brown, the University of California, The University of Washington, and many prestigious institutions of higher learning in Europe. Our school offers a challenging symphony of academics, visual and performing arts, and athletics (including crew). We encourage you to fully explore our web site and arrange a visit to our campus.

FOR FURTHER DETAIL, CONTACT ANDY RODFORD, DIRECTOR OF ADMISSIONS: Tel: (250) 743-5521, Fax: (250) 743-2911 or email: [email protected]

70 FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL/JUNE 2003 S CHOOLS S UPPLEMENT SchoolsSchools atat aa glanceglance See our web page www.afsa.org and click on the marketplace tab.

on, ti

Annual Tui School Name Advertisement PageEnrollment No. Gender DistributiPercenton, M/F BoardPercenting InternatLevelsional Offered Common ApplicatAccepts/Offersion ADDM andiles LDto IntInt’l ’Al iStudentsrport Dorms Orientat w/E-maiHolon il,day phones Break CoverageRoom & Board (USD)

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Rock Creek International 81 190 40/60 0 60 PK-8 N Y 20 Y NA Y 16,975 School

JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL

North Country School 81 78 58/42 95 16 4-9 Y Y 125 Y Y N 32,500

JUNIOR-SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL

Grier School 68 184 All girls 100 50 7-12 Y Y 120 N Y Y 28,000 Hockaday School 79 1,010 All girls 9 1 PK-12 Y Y 30 Y Y Y 30,170 Oldfields School 77 188 All girls 80 14 8-12 Y Limited 35 N N Y 26,900 Sandy Spring Friends 80 520 47/53 19 12 PK-12 Y N 20 Y Y N 11,625- School 27,900 Shattuck - St. Mary's 72 300 61/39 80 15 6-12, PG Y N 45 Y Y N 25,600 School Washington International 72 821 49/51 0 37 PK-12 N Limited 8 Y NA NA 16,500- School 18,390 West Nottingham 76 198 65/35 65 17 6-12, PG Y Y 50 N Y N 26,380 Academy Wilbraham & Monson 66 350 55/45 50 18 9-12, PG Y Y 20 Y Y N 30,950 Academy

SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL

Conserve School 66 160 50/50 100 5 9-12 N N 250 Y Y Y 25,000 Foxcroft School 79 182 All girls 75 13 9-12 Y N 30 Y N Y 32,000 Gunnery 73 271 60/40 70 15 9-12, PG Y N 60 Y Y N 30,100 Kiski School 77 All boys 100 28 9-12, PG Y 45 Y Y N 27.500 La Lumiere School 80 120 52/48 45 20 9-12 Y Limited 70 N N Y 20,644 Madeira School 65 307 All girls 52 11 9-12 Y Y 15 Y Y Limited 32,800 Milton Academy 81 660 53/47 40 14 9-12 N N 10 Y Y Y 26,950 Miss Hall's School 78 165 All girls 75 18 9-12 Y NA 40 Y Y N 31,800 Perkiomen School 69 275 60/40 60 20 5-12, PG Y Y 50 Y Y N 29,300

CONTINUED ON PAGE 75

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72 FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL/JUNE 2003 S CHOOLS S UPPLEMENT

USEFUL INFO State Department Links http://www.state.gov/www/flo/ — Family Liaison Office http://state.gov/m/dghr/flo/c1958.htm — FLO Education and Youth Officer http://www.state.gov/www/about state/schools/index.html — Office of Overseas Schools Other Sites of Interest http://www.edulink.com/ — Ed-U-Link Services http://www.artschools.com/ — ArtSchools.com http://www.ibo.org — International Baccalaureate Organization http://www.schools.com — The Association of Boarding Schools http://nces.ed.gov/globallocator/ — National Center for Educational Statistics http://www.ncld.org/map.cfm — National Center for Learning Disabilities http://www.americanhomeschool association.org/index.html — American Homeschool Association http://www.nhen.org — National Home Education Network

This Fall the Foreign Service Journal Brings You the Finest Books

Access the American Foreign Service Association homepage www.afsa.org, on the internet, and we will direct you to amazon.comTM , where you can choose from millions of great books. The Foreign Service Journal receives a referral fee on every book and CD you buy, so the more you read and listen, the better we can serve you as our reader.

The Foreign Service Journal gives you access to 2,500,000 books. Simply access our web site at www.afsa.org!

JUNE 2003/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 73 S CHOOLS S UPPLEMENT

74 FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL/JUNE 2003 S CHOOLS S UPPLEMENT SchoolsSchools atat aa glanceglance See our web page www.afsa.org and click on the marketplace tab.

School Name Advertisement PageEnrollment No. Gender DistributiPercenton, M/F BoardPercenting InternatLevelsional Offered Common ApplicatAccepts/Offersion ADDM andiles LDto IntInt’l ’Al iStudentsrport Dorms Orientat w/E-maiHolon il,day phones Break Coverage

SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL Continued

Salem Academy 65 200 All girls 52 6 9-12 Y N 20 N Y/N Y 24,600 St Andrews Sewanee 63 251 55/45 50 10 9-12 Y N 60 Y Y Y 26,760 St Catherines School 74 285 All girls 26 15 9-12 Y N 10 N Y N 24,500 Tilton School 69 210 60/40 70 17 9-12, PG Y Y 90 Y Y Y 31,850 Westover School 80 195 All girls 70 20 9-12 Y Limited 55 Y Y N 25,800

DISTANCE LEARNING/HOMESCHOOLING

Calvert Education Services 70 Homeschooling program. K-8 For more info. go to: www.calvertschool.org University of Missouri 22 21,000 Independent study: 3-12, PG, accredited HS diploma. cdis.missouri.edu/go/fsj3.asp at Columbia

MILITARY SCHOOLS

Admiral Farragut 68 345 75/25 50 10 6-12 N N 20 Y N Y 18,000 Academy Oak Ridge Military 80 240 85-15 85 30 7-12, PG N Y 7 Y N Y 19,600 Academy

SPECIAL NEEDS SCHOOLS

Gow School 79 143 All boys 100 20 7-12, PG N All LD 20 Y Y N 37,250 Vanguard School 76 143 60/40 95 30 5-12, PG N Y 50 Y Y N 31,400

OVERSEAS SCHOOLS

American Overseas 67 600 50/50 7 70 PK-PG N Y 30 Y Y N 21,000- School of Rome 25,000 Brentwood College 70 425 58/42 78 22 8-12 N N 42 Y Y N 16,500 School Jakarta International 63 Go To www.jisedu.org School John F. Kennedy 69 65 50/50 50 70 K-8 N Limited 90 Y Y/N No 31,300 International School Switzerland Leysin American School 72 330 58/42 100 65 9-12, PG Y Limited 75 Y Y N 31,000 in Switzerland Trinity College School 74 590 57/43 61 31 9-12 Y - 60 Y N 18,000

OTHER Foreign Service Youth 68 Go to www.fsyf.org Foundation

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E LEMENTARY S CHOOL M ILITARY S CHOOLS Rock Creek International Admiral Farragut Academy ...... www.farragut.org School...... www.rcis.org Oak Ridge Military Academy ....www.oakridgemilitary.com

J UNIOR - SENIOR H IGH S CHOOLS D ISTANCE L EARNING Grier School ...... www.grier.org Calvert Education Services ...... www.calvertschool.org North Country School ...... www.nct.org University of Missouri Oldfields School ...... ww.oldfieldsschool.com (at Columbia)...... www.cdis.missouri.edu Perkiomen School...... www.perkiomen.org Hockaday School, The ...... www.hockaday.org S PECIAL N EEDS S CHOOLS Sandy Spring Friends School...... www.ssfs.org Shattuck - St. Mary’s School ...... www.s-sm.org Gow School ...... www.gow.org Washington International Vanguard School ...... www.vanguardschool.org School ...... www.wis.edu West Nottingham Academy...... www.wna.org O VERSEAS S CHOOLS S ENIOR H IGH S CHOOLS American Overseas School of Rome...... www.aosr.org Conserve School ...... www.conserveschool.org Brentwood College School ...... www.brentwood.bc.ca Foxcroft School ...... www.foxcroft.org Jakarta International School...... www.jisedu.org Gunnery, The ...... www.gunnery.org John F. Kennedy International Kiski School...... www.kiski.org School Switzerland ...... www.jfk.ch La Lumiere School...... www.lalumiere.org Leysin American School Madeira School ...... www.madeira.org in Switzerland ...... www.las.ch Milton Academy ...... www.milton.edu Trinity College School ...... www.trinitydc.edu Miss Hall’s School...... www.misshalls.org Salem Academy...... www.salemacademy.com St. Andrew’s Sewanee...... www.sasweb.org O THER St. Catherine’s School...... www.st.catherines.org Tilton School ...... www.tiltonschool.org Foreign Service Youth Westover School ...... www.westoverschool.org Foundation...... www.fsyf.org

76 FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL/JUNE 2003 S CHOOLS S UPPLEMENT

JUNE 2003/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 77

S CHOOLS S UPPLEMENT

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The Gow School is a college preparatory school for young men, grades 7 - postgrad with Dyslexia or Similar Language Based Learning Differences. Phone: (716) 652-3450 or email: [email protected] South Wales, New York, USA Visit us at www.gow.org

JUNE 2003/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 79 S CHOOLS S UPPLEMENT

“World-Class” Education (12 nations, 7 states) Nestled in America’s Heartland

• Rural Midwest, 60 miles from Chicago • Small classes • 6:1 student:faculty

LaLumiere College Prep LaPorte, Indiana [email protected] • www.lalumiere.org (336) 643-4131 Ext. 132 Since 1963 educating in the Catholic tradition; welcoming all students

A leader in girls’ education... WESTOVER SCHOOL Middlebury, CT Westover is an academically rigorous school dedicated to challenging and encouraging young women in all aspects of academic, community and athletic life.

Girls’ Joint Boarding and Day Math/Science grades 9-12 program with Rensselaer Outstanding Polytechnic performing and Institute visual arts Joint Program with Students The Manhattan representing School of Music 12 countries and 22 states Joint Program with Extensive sports The School of program including Dance CT 9 varsity sports, an outdoor program Advanced and dance Placement Courses in 17 subjects Summer Math and Science Camp for Centrally located girls entering 7th, between 8th or 9th grades For more information contact: New York City The Office of Admission Two Preview Days Westover School and Boston held in the fall P.O. Box 847 for prospective Middlebury, CT 06762 New 30,000 square students and their tel: (203)758-2423 foot athletic center parents fax: (203)577-4588 opened fall of 2001 website: www.westoverschool.org e-mail: [email protected]

80 FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL/JUNE 2003 S CHOOLS S UPPLEMENT

JUNE 2003/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 81 BOOKS

Good Intentions Opposition came from a variety of The “Kampala sources. Some African leaders insisted that democracy could function in a A Strategic Vision for Africa: Document” one-party state; others rejected the The Kampala Movement whole idea of multi-party democracy Francis M. Deng and I. William envisioned an Africa as a Western concept that was destabi- Zartman, Brookings Institution Press, resembling Western lizing in multi-ethnic societies and 2002, $19.95, paperback, 198 pages. Europe. emphasized, instead, the need for REVIEWED BY DAVID W. B OYLE strong, centralized governments to ensure stability. Still others, like A Strategic Vision for Africa: The Zambia’s former President Kenneth Kampala Movement describes an ini- Kaunda, blamed Africa’s ills not on a tiative by African scholars and political lack of democracy but on external fac- leaders to develop a systematic Arguing that only genuine democracy tors — colonialism, slavery and imper- approach toward fostering the political could create stability and attract the ialism. Finally, many leaders pre- and economic development of their foreign capital Africa so desperately ferred the OAU’s emphasis on nonin- continent in the post-Cold War era. needed, he called for open markets, terference and territorial integrity. This campaign is known as the regional cooperation, and democrati- All the same, Deng and Zartman Kampala Movement, after the cally elected governments with estab- remain optimistic about the influence Ugandan capital where a conference lished constitutions. and future of the movement, hailing was held in 1991 to formulate a set of At the May 1991 conference, some the Kampala Document as “one of the guiding principles for the movement. 500 signatories endorsed that set of most important works of statesman- The authors of this account, Frances principles. In essence, the “Kampala ship of the postwar era.” Yet their own Deng and I. William Zartman, are both Document” envisions an Africa analysis shows that it was considerably academics: Deng is a fellow at the resembling Western Europe, with a less than that — as well-intentioned Brookings Institution and Zartman is a framework — modeled loosely on the and progressive as the document was, professor at Johns Hopkins University. European Union — for governing it has proved impossible to implement. As they note in their opening sec- political relations among (and within) The idea of a multi-party democra- tion, the movement was launched in all African states. cy may be inherently attractive to 1988 by Olusegun Obasanjo (who has Yet as Deng and Zartman explain, Americans, but in a continent wracked just been re-elected president of the problems began when Obasanjo by failed states, ethnic conflict, col- Nigeria). Obasanjo recognized that and his colleagues tried to put these lapsed economies, and endemic cor- after three decades of economic ideals into practice. ruption, it is sobering to realize that decline, Africa needed a comprehen- For example, the Kampala confer- African leaders are not only unable to sive plan to end chronic crises — par- ence recommended restructuring the work together to build good govern- ticularly since the end of the Cold War Organization of African Unity (now ment, but are also apparently unable threatened to extinguish what little called the African Union) to make it to even agree on what the concept interest the West had shown in Africa. more effective and representative. But means. ■ In his view, Africa’s problems were when that proposal was submitted to not rooted in the past but in the failure the OAU in June 1991 and again in FSO David Boyle has served in Lagos of Africans to establish multi-party July 2001, it was soundly defeated both and Malabo. He is currently a watch democracy, which he saw as the pre- times. In fact, no country has ever officer in the Nuclear Risk Reduction requisite for economic development. endorsed the Kampala Document. Center.

82 FOREIGN SERVICE J OURNAL/J UNE 2003 IN MEMORY

Paul H. Boeker, 64, retired California at San Diego, a nonprofit for Reuters in Paris, London and Foreign Service officer and former business networking organization Washington. From 1949 to 1952, he ambassador to Bolivia and Jordan, serving the U.S., Canada and Latin served as a correspondent for United died March 29 of a brain tumor at his America. Formerly a resident of Press in Washington. home in San Diego, Calif. Chevy Chase, Md., he moved to Mr. Briggs joined the Foreign Born in St. Louis, Mr. Boeker California at this time. Service in 1952, and was posted as graduated Phi Beta Kappa and magna Mr. Boeker was a member of the press attaché to Embassy Belgrade cum laude from Dartmouth College. American Academy of Diplomacy. At from 1952 through 1954. Thereafter, He received a master’s degree in eco- the funeral service in California on he was assigned as a USIA informa- nomics from the University of Mich- April 3, Alex Watson read a resolution tion officer to Paris (1954-57), igan and pursued further economic expressing the Academy’s admiration Calcutta (1957-59), Ankara (1959- studies at Princeton University. for the example set by Mr. Boeker 63), and Saigon (1964-66). He Mr. Boeker joined the Foreign during his 27-year career in the attended the National War College in Service in 1961. His career included Foreign Service and subsequent 15 Washington, D.C. in 1963 and 1964. postings in Germany and Colombia years of public service at the Institute From 1966 to 1971 Mr. Briggs was and service on the State Department of the Americas. posted to New Delhi as counselor Policy Planning Staff in Washington, Survivors include his wife, and deputy public affairs officer. He D.C. In 1975, he received the Margaret Macon Campbell Boeker served in Washington as chief of the Arthur S. Fleming Award, given of San Diego; and three children, National Security Advisory Staff of annually to 10 outstanding young Michelle Horn of Atlanta, Kent USIA from 1971 to 1974. He was men and women in the federal gov- Boeker of San Diego and Madison counselor and public affairs officer in ernment. Boeker of Washington, D.C. Colombo (1974-76) and Islamabad Mr. Boeker served as ambassador (1976-78). He retired from the to Bolivia from 1977 to 1980, and Foreign Service in 1978 and settled received the State Department’s in Meredith, N.H. Superior Honor Award for protecting David Garrison Briggs, 83, Mr. Briggs published poetry, and American lives during a military coup retired FSO, died on March 29 in is the author of Action Amid Ruins d’etat there in 1979. From 1980 to Laconia, N. H. Mr. Briggs was born (1945). 1983 he was director of the Foreign Jan. 19, 1920, in Ashaway, R.I., the He is survived by his wife of 56 Service Institute. From 1984 to son of Ralph Maxon and Frances years, Yvonne Armande Hare, and 1987, Mr. Boeker was ambassador Heard (Babcock). He earned a bach- three children: Jean Ellen, Anne to Jordan, where he brokered elor’s degree in journalism at the Babcock and David Garrison Jr. secret meetings between Jordanian University of Wisconsin in 1942. He and Israeli officials on a range of served as a volunteer with the issues, including telecommunications, American Field Service, British 8th counter-terrorism and water sharing. Army, from 1942 through 1944, and John M. (Jack) Cornelius, 78, a At the time of his retirement in with the French 1st Army in 1944 retired Foreign Service officer, died 1988, Mr. Boeker was a member of and 1945. March 27 in Oklahoma City, Okla. As the U.S. delegation to the United Following World War II, in 1945 a career employee with USAID, he Nations. After leaving the Foreign and 1946, Mr. Briggs was a reporter served in Thailand, Tanzania, Liberia, Service, he became president and for the New York and Paris Post, and Washington, D.C. chief executive of the Institute of the based in Paris. From 1946 through Prior to his employment with the Americas at the University of 1949, he was a foreign correspondent State Department, Mr. Cornelius was

JUNE 2003/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 83 I N M EMORY

a commissioner of agriculture for the schools and at San Diego Community 1957, and was posted to Togo, state of Oklahoma and a rural devel- College. He also found time to pur- Tangier, British Guyana (now opment specialist with the sue his interest in Judaism. He was Guyana), Venezuela, Costa Rica and Department of Agriculture. He was chairman of the Foreign Service Washington, D.C. In Washington, also a World War II veteran, serving Retirees Association of Southern Mr. Ogg was detailed to the Com- in the U.S. Army from 1943 to 1946. California and an active member of merce Department, served as an eco- After retiring from the Foreign the Foreign Affairs Association of nomic and management analyst at Service, Mr. Cornelius established a South and Central California. State and as executive secretary of a career as a U.S. bankruptcy trustee Mr. Johnson leaves his wife, the State Department task force on the for the Federal Bankruptcy Court in former Carole Polen, and two sons. country director system. He also Oklahoma City, Okla. He retired The family requests that contribu- served on a White House task force from this position in 2001. tions in his memory be made to the on reorganization of the technical Mr. Cornelius is survived by his AFSA scholarship fund. assistance functions of the Agency for wife Charlene, daughter Johnna, and International Development, and was three grandchildren. chief of the commodities and developing countries division in State’s George Wesley Ogg, 70, a Office of Economic Analysis. retired FSO and loving father and In 1977 Mr. Ogg attended the Sandor Johnson, 59, retired grandfather who is remembered for Canadian Defence College in Foreign Service officer, died in his marvelous sense of humor and Kingston, Ontario. He was deputy Encinitas, Calif., on Dec. 3, 2002. dedication to family, community and director of the State Department’s Mr. Johnson was born in Georgia. country, died of ideopathic pul- Office of Canadian Affairs in the early He received his bachelor’s degree monary fibrosis on Jan. 29 at Casey 1980s, and a member of the U.S.- from the University of California at House hospice in Rockville, Md. Canada permanent joint board on Los Angeles in 1963. After a stint as A native of Washington, D.C., Mr. defense. His overseas assignments a Peace Corps Volunteer in India, he Ogg attended Alice Deal Junior High ended with four years as consul gen- joined the State Department in and Woodrow Wilson High School, eral in Vancouver. 1969. He was posted to Ankara in before going to Paris, France, for his From 1986 to 1988 he taught for- that year, then to Belize as adminis- senior year at the American School. eign relations at the National trative officer in 1971. His next Mr. Ogg majored in foreign relations Defense University. Mr. Ogg retired posting took him to Karachi in 1974, at Colgate University, and received a from the Foreign Service in 1988, where he served as general services master’s degree in economics from and continued to teach for several officer. He was transferred to The George Washington University. years at NDU. He received the Bangui as administrative officer a He also received a master’s degree in Department of State Superior Honor few years later. systems analysis from the University Award in 1974 and a Meritorious In 1978 Mr. Johnson returned to of Maryland, which he attended as a Honor Award in 1980. State, where he worked in personnel presidential fellow. He lacked only Mr. Ogg enjoyed his retirement and communications for seven years. the dissertation for a doctorate in to the fullest, and was known to In 1985 he was sent to Buenos Aires economics. comment: “How did I ever find time as an administrative officer. He Mr. Ogg served in the Air Force as to go to work?” He was an avid ten- served in Mexico City as personnel a pilot and photo intelligence officer, nis player and gardener. Fishing, officer from 1989 to 1994, and in the and was assigned to Japan in the traveling and reading were favorite same capacity at the “tri-mission” in 1950s. He retired from the Air Force pastimes. He also enjoyed working Brussels from 1994 to 1997. as a captain. In 1954 Mr. Ogg mar- on genealogy. After retiring to California in ried Frances Zabilsky in the Navy Mr. Ogg is survived by his wife of 1997, Mr. Johnson earned a certifi- Chapel on Nebraska Avenue in 48 years, Frances, of Potomac, Md.; cate in teaching English as a second Washington, D.C. their two children, David (and his language, which he did in private He joined the Foreign Service in wife Cindy) of Warren, N.J., and

84 FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL/JUNE 2003 I N M EMORY

Carolyn Tripp of Newark, Del.; a sis- positions as a wage analyst at the War for the trip, Mr. Rimestad worked as ter, Janet Dollacker of California; Department, culminating as director a liaison between White House staff and four grandchildren (Kevin, of European command position clas- and the State Department’s supply Kristin, Sarah and John). His family sification from 1947 to 1949. During and procurement personnel. This will be comforted by many wonder- this period he also worked briefly at was his first contact with the White ful memories of his love and their the Atomic Energy Commission. House, he reports in his oral history. times with him. In 1949 Mr. Rimestad entered the Upon returning to Paris, Mr. Mr. Ogg was interred with full mil- Department of State as a staff officer Rimestad received a call from the itary honors in Arlington National assigned to Frankfurt, and subse- White House requesting that he Cemetery. Memorial contributions quently served as personnel officer in meet with Johnson. As Jack Williams may be made in his name to either Bonn (1951-1953) and Washington, recounts the story in his obituary in Montgomery Hospice Society, 1450 D.C. (1954-1957). He received his the San Diego Union-Tribune, when Research Blvd., #310, Rockville MD Foreign Service officer commission the president asked his political affili- 20850, or to the American Lung in 1955. ation, Mr. Rimestad replied that he Association, 14435 Cherry Lane Ct., From 1957 to 1960, at the height was “apolitical.” Apparently satisfied #310, Laurel MD 20707. of the Cold War, Mr. Rimestad was with that response and impressed by posted as an administrative officer to his qualifications, President Johnson Moscow. In a memoir that is part of appointed Mr. Rimestad deputy the Association for Diplomatic under secretary of State for adminis- Idar Rimestad, 86, retired FSO Studies and Training’s Diplomatic tration, a position he held from 1967 and former ambassador, died of com- Oral History Collection, Mr. to 1969. plications due to Alzheimer’s disease Rimestad recalled being at then-Vice In 1969, President Richard Nixon at his home in San Diego, Calif., on President Nixon’s side in July 1959 appointed Mr. Rimestad as the U.S. Feb. 13. when Russian Premier Nikita representative to United Nations Mr. Rimestad was born in Alsen, Khrushchev told Western journalists Organizations in Geneva, Switzerland, N.D. He received a bachelor’s degree that his country would soon surpass with the rank of ambassador. in philosophy from the University of the United States in technology. The Mr. Rimestad’s broad experience North Dakota in 1940. In 1967, the exchange that followed, in front of a in the Foreign Service made him a University bestowed upon him its kitchen exhibit of a model American popular mentor for newcomers to “Sioux Award” in recognition of out- house, came to be known as the diplomacy. In 1970, when Richard standing alumni achievement. “kitchen debate.” Beginning in May Funkhouser, a young officer who In a long and distinguished diplo- 1960, Mr. Rimestad found himself had never supervised more than matic career that took him far afield involved in the tense aftermath of the 12 employees, was assigned to over- from his native North Dakota, Mr. famous “U-2 Incident,” the capture see a staff of 3,300 Americans and Rimestad often had the title of sec- of American Captain Gary Powers Vietnamese in Bien Hoa, Vietnam, retary, and this prompted some con- whose plane was shot down over as the deputy director of Civil cern at home. Mrs. Rimestad recalls: Russia by the Soviets. Operations and Revolutionary Devel- “During one of his visits to his fami- Mr. Rimestad returned to opment Support, he wrote for advice ly in North Dakota, a well-meaning Washington in 1962, and was to Amb. Idar Rimestad, with whom relative advised him that if he would appointed executive director of the he had served in Paris. Years later, the just work a little harder, perhaps he Arms Control and Disarmament letter Mr. Funkhouser received from might get a promotion from secre- Agency. In 1964 he was assigned to the ambassador was published in the tarial work.” It was an incident she Paris as administrative counselor. Foreign Service Journal under the and her husband laughed about for While in Paris, Mr. Rimestad was title, “Management Advice From a years. detailed to New Zealand to help with Master” (FSJ, August 1996). It is a Mr. Rimestad began professional the advance work for President gem of management wisdom — pithy, work in 1941 with the National Youth Lyndon B. Johnson’s trip to that true and eminently practical — with Administration, and then held several nation. Joining the presidential party such advice as: “Your time at your

JUNE 2003/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 85 I N M EMORY Year-End Roundup of FOREIGN SERVICE

AUTHORS desk should be the rare occasion. Salvador before assignment to Your time away from it should be the Guatemala as an associate regional As we have done each year norm.” director of the Agency for Inter- since 2000, the November Mr. Rimestad retired in 1973, and national Development in the mid- moved to Fountain Hills, Ariz., 1960s. From 1970 to 1974, Mr. 2003 Foreign Service where he served on the Maricopa Sowash was counselor for political County Planning and Zoning affairs at Embassy Buenos Aires. Journal will include a list of Commission for eight years. In 1997, An Ohio native, Mr. Sowash was a recently published books by he moved to San Diego, Calif., where 1939 Phi Beta Kappa graduate of the he had vacationed for many years. University of Chicago, where he also Foreign Service-affiliated There he especially enjoyed down- belonged to Phi Delta Kappa and authors in a special section: town walks. He was interested in received a master’s degree in history. antiques, travel and animals, Patricia During World War II, he served “In Their Own Write.” Rimestad says. A lover of poetry, he with the Navy in the Pacific as a cryp- FS authors who have had a was an avid reader until his vision was tographer. He studied Russian at the impaired by macular degeneration. Navy School of Oriental Languages book published either by a Mr. Rimestad was married in 1940 and attended the Inter-American to Ann Prestbo, by whom he had two Defense College. He later retired commercial or academic daughters: Sanna Lee Solem of from the Naval Reserve as a lieu- publisher last year or this Bethesda, Md., and Karen Ann tenant commander. Chappelear of Kensington, Md. Ms. Mr. Sowash was a recipient of the year (2002-2003) that has Prestbo died in 1979. He is survived State Department’s meritorious and not previously been featured by his second wife, Patricia superior honor awards. His hobbies Whitmore Jenkins, whom he married included travel and gardening. in the roundup are invited to in 1981. Other survivors include two He is survived by his wife, Ruth send a copy of the book, stepsons, Michael E. Jenkins of M. Sowash of Bethesda, Md., whom Seattle, Wash., and Mark W. Jenkins he married in 1945; a daugher, along with a press release of Pleasanton, Calif.; a brother Sigurd Carolyn S. Mitchell of Portland, Rimestad of Taylors Falls, Minn.; a Maine; a sister; and two grandchil- or backgrounder with sister Judit Jaynes of Apple Valley, dren. ■ information on the Minn; five grandchildren and one great-grandchild; and many cousins, author, to: nieces and nephews. Susan Maitra Please send your Associate Editor In Memory item to: Foreign Service Journal William Burton Sowash, 85, retired FSO, died of pancreatic can- 2101 E Street, NW cer Dec. 3, 2002, at his home in FSJ, 2101 E Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. Bethesda, Md. Mr. Sowash worked Washington, DC 20037, 20037-2990 for the State Department for 30 years, retiring in 1976 as deputy chief of mission in Tegucigalpa. or e-mail to Deadline for Mr. Sowash began his diplomatic [email protected], or submissions career in 1946 as a foreign affairs analyst and served as Panama desk offi- fax to (202) 338-8244. is Sept. 1. cer from 1949 to 1956. He served as a political officer in Spain and El

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JUNE 2003/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 91 REFLECTIONS Two Worlds

BY DAVID RABADAN

In Jeddah, our family’s first post, Gabriel simply because of his place guest workers from all over the In a flashback, of birth! Muslim world came to Saudi Arabia to At Duke University Hospital, he work and send money to their families. I saw that was treated by one of the top heart One day in March 1983, a Pakistani surgeons on the East Coast. The couple appeared for a visa interview. Pakistani family medical team needed five hours to Their 3-month-old son was in obvious sitting in my office repair his plum-sized heart, while his distress. Cradled by his mother, he parents and grandparents nervously weighed about seven pounds and his in Jeddah, hoping awaited the results. fingers, toes and lips were blue, obvi- that a miracle was When we first saw him later, ous signs of a serious heart defect that Gabriel was plugged into eight mon- required immediate attention. His within their grasp. itors, was receiving several intra- mother knew the medical treatment venous fluids and oxygen, and had her son needed was only available in three tubes draining his lower the U.S. So she called the embassy, abdomen. Three other small chil- and the nurse practitioner identified dren, all similarly fed, tubed and several American hospitals specializ- just died. It is God’s will.” She would monitored, kept him company. It ing in heart surgery. return to Pakistan to her other chil- was humbling to contemplate the Next, the baby’s family applied for dren. In the 20 years since these depth of the expertise and dedica- their visas to travel to the U.S. A heart events, I have replayed them in my tion of doctors and staff, and the specialist in Washington had agreed to mind many times. sophistication of the equipment treat the baby, pending a review of his In March 2001, our family wel- monitoring his recovery. Again, I medical history. With no medical comed the arrival of our second grand- thought of Mohamed and his par- background, I could only surmise the child, Gabriel. Our daughter ents, and about how far in time and seriousness of the baby’s illness. A Rebecca, who was only 5 when I met place we had moved. local doctor agreed to see the child Mohamed’s family in Jeddah, had Today, Gabriel Chester looks like that afternoon. As soon as the doctor delivered her son in Roanoke. The a “Campbell’s kid,” a redhead with a saw the infant, he had him admitted to baby seemed healthy, but had a slight happy disposition that belies the a hospital. heart murmur. After a couple of days challenges he faced so early in life. At 5:30 the following morning, the at home, Gabriel was in distress and a Yet for me, his life will be linked for- phone rang at our house on the cardiologist diagnosed a serious heart ever with Mohamed’s, that dark- embassy compound. The woman defect, Truncus Ateriosus — an haired Pakistani infant who had no whom I had met just the day before incompletely formed heart — that chance to live. said to me: “My son, Mohamed, has would require almost immediate But there is one important simi- open-heart surgery. larity between the two families. David Rabadan retired from the In a flashback, I saw that Pakistani Mohamed’s parents taught me about Foreign Service in 2002. He and his family sitting in my tiny office in the power of faith and hope. Our family were in Jeddah from 1982 Jeddah, hoping that a miracle was daughter and son-in-law have rein- until 1984. The stamp is courtesy of within their grasp as they sought the forced that lesson, through their the AAFSW Bookfair “Stamp visas to the United States. How dif- own courage and determination in Corner.” ferent were the prospects for the face of adversity. ■

92 FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL/JUNE 2003 AFSAAmerican ForeignNEWS Service Association • June 2003

AWARDEES TO BE HONORED AT JUNE 26 CEREMONY LEGISLATIVE UPDATE 2003 AFSA AWARD WINNERS AFSA Initiatives Gaining Ground he American Foreign Service CONSTRUCTIVE DISSENT AWARDS Association is proud to announce the This year’s AFSA awards for intellectual FSA has been especially active on the Twinners of the 2003 AFSA Awards. courage, initiative and integrity in the con- Hill in recent months as we get clos- AFSA places great emphasis on these text of constructive dissent will be presented Aer than ever before to passage of the awards, which serve to recognize intellec- to the following Foreign Service employ- capital gains tax exclusion for sale of a pri- tual courage and outstanding achievement ees who demonstrated the courage to speak mary residence. among Foreign Service personnel. AFSA out and challenge the system on a subject Director of Legislative Affairs Ken will confer its annual awards on Thursday, related to their work: Nakamura and AFSA officers have been June 26, at 4 p.m. in the Benjamin The Christian A. Herter Award, for a making frequent trips to Capitol Hill to Franklin Diplomatic Reception Room of senior Foreign Service officer, will be shared push AFSA’s legislative agenda. Here are the Department of State. Each award win- by four members of the Embassy Moscow updates on some of those issues: ner will receive a certificate of recognition Consular Section: James B. Warlick, TAX BILL: We are optimistic that we are and a monetary prize of $2,500. Everyone Continued on page 3 Continued on page 9 is welcome. To RSVP for the awards event, call (202) 338-4045, ext. 515. For more information, call Awards Coordinator AFSA MARKS 30 YEARS AS A UNION Barbara Berger at (202) 338-4045, ext. 521. REPRESENTING THE FOREIGN SERVICE LIFETIME CONTRIBUTIONS TO ere is the Jan. 26, 1973, letter from Secretary of State William Rogers to AMERICAN DIPLOMACY: AFSA Chairman of the Board William C. Harrop, making official AFSA’s Former Secretary of Hrole as the exclusive representative of State Department Foreign Service State George Shultz employees. The Agency for International Development recognized AFSA as the exclusive representative on April 5, 1973, and USIA did so on April 18, 1973. AFSA’s annual award for Lifetime Contributions to American Diplomacy Having received notice from the Executive Secretary of the Employee- will be conferred on former Secretary of Management Relations Commission of the certification that the American Foreign State George P. Shultz. Secretary of State Service Association received a majority of the valid votes cast in the representation Colin Powell is planning to present this election among the eligible Foreign Service employees of the Department, I hereby award to Secretary Shultz. Last year’s accord recognition to your organization as exclusive representative pursuant to E.O. recipient was Ambassador Thomas 11636, Section 7 (c) and Title 22 CFR, Section 14.6 (c). Pickering. Previous recipients were I am confident that the constructive and cooperative relationship between man- U. Alexis Johnson, Frank Carlucci, agement officials and the organization representing Foreign Service employees envi- George H.W. Bush, Lawrence Eagleburger, sioned by Executive Order 11636 will be our mutual goal under the exclusive recog- Cyrus Vance, David Newsom, and Lee nition granted by this letter. Hamilton. (Read the interview with Sincerely yours, Secretary Shultz on page 47 of this issue William P. Rogers of the Foreign Service Journal.) AFSANEWSBRIEFS SECRETARY POWELL AT 2-YEAR MARK AFSA Contributes to Major Report The Foreign Affairs Council — an umbrella group of 11 organizations — recently released an assessment of Secretary Colin Powell’s State Department at the two-year mark. AFSA President John Naland was the principal drafter of the report, but the final version reflected the input of a drafting committee consisting of distinguished former ambassadors. The FAC assessment is the first in-depth and comprehensive evaluation of Secretary Powell’s State Department. It provides a much-needed update to the numerous blue-ribbon panel reports done just before Secretary Powell took office — reports that found the State Department to be suffering from long-term mismanagement and underfunding. The assessment documents Secretary Powell’s substantial, even historic, accomplishments in strengthening the diplomatic component of U.S. national security. Importantly, however, the report also details the work that remains to be done to revitalize the machinery of diplomacy. For more details about the report, see Cybernotes in this issue of the Journal. To read the assessment, go to www.diplomatsonline.org. Life in the Foreign Service AFSA EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY ■ BY BRIAN AGGELER, FOREIGN SERVICE OFFICER & CARTOONIST Retiree Activities Coordinator AFSA seeks a part-time Retiree Activities Coordinator who will be responsible for activities involving AFSA's retired membership. The coordinator responds to alumni member inquiries on retirement issues and is the AFSA liaison with the State Department and other institutions on retiree issues. The coordinator is responsible for communication with the retiree membership including pro- duction of the retiree newsletter, articles and mailings. He/she provides assistance to local foreign affairs retiree associations through liaison and outreach travel. Partial employee benefits are available for part-time positions including 401k. To apply for the above position, send cover letter and resume to: Recruitment, American Foreign Service Association, 2101 E St. NW, Washington DC 20037; fax: (202) 338-6820; or e-mail: [email protected]. “QUICK, DRAFT A MEMO TO ALL THE KING’S HORSES AND YOU DRAFT ANOTHER TO ALL THE KING’S MEN AND I’LL DRAFT ONE TO THE AFSA LEGAL ADVISER!” Briefs • Continued on page 3

AFSA HEADQUARTERS: Staff: Governing Board: Executive Director Susan Reardon: [email protected] (202) 338-4045; Fax: (202) 338-6820 PRESIDENT: John K. Naland STATE DEPARTMENT AFSA OFFICE: Business Department STATE VICE PRESIDENT: Louise K. Crane (202) 647-8160; Fax: (202) 647-0265 Controller Kalpna Srimal: [email protected] Accounting Assistant Christa Nyamekye: [email protected] USAID VICE PRESIDENT: Joe Pastic USAID AFSA OFFICE: FCS VICE PRESIDENT: Peter G. Frederick (202) 712-1941; Fax: (202) 216-3710 Labor Management General Counsel Sharon Papp: [email protected] FAS VICE PRESIDENT: Edwin Porter Labor Management Attorney Zlatana Badrich: [email protected] RETIREE VICE PRESIDENT: Robert W. Farrand AFSA Internet and E-mail addresses: Labor Management Specialist James Yorke: [email protected] AFSA WEB SITE: www.afsa.org USAID Senior Labor Management Advisor Douglas Broome: [email protected] SECRETARY: F.A. “Tex” Harris AFSA E-MAIL: [email protected] USAID Office Manager Suzan Reager: [email protected] TREASURER: Thomas D. Boyatt AFSA NEWS: [email protected] Grievance Attorneys Harry Sizer: [email protected], and Neera Parikh: [email protected] FSJ: [email protected] Office Manager Christine Warren: [email protected] STATE REPRESENTATIVES: Pamela Bates, PRESIDENT: [email protected] John P. Boulanger, George W. Colvin, STATE VP: [email protected] Member Services Director Janet Hedrick: Roy Perrin, Lynn G. Sever, John Weis RETIREE VP: [email protected] [email protected] Representative Lindsay Peyton: [email protected] USAID VP: [email protected] USAID REPRESENTATIVE: Woody Navin Administrative Assistant Ana Lopez: [email protected] FAS VP: [email protected] FCS REPRESENTATIVE: James Joy FCS VP: [email protected] Outreach Programs RETIREE REPRESENTATIVES: Retiree Liaison Ward Thompson: [email protected] AFSA News Director of Communications Thomas Switzer: [email protected] William C. Harrop, David E. Reuther, Editor Shawn Dorman: [email protected] Congressional Affairs Director Ken Nakamura: [email protected] Richard C. Scissors, Theodore S. Wilkinson, III

How to Contact Us: to Contact How (202) 338-4045 x 503; Fax: (202) 338-8244 Corporate Relations/Executive Assistant Marc Goldberg: [email protected] Scholarship Director Lori Dec: [email protected] IBB REPRESENTATIVE: Vacant On the Web: www.afsa.org/news Professional Issues Coordinator Barbara Berger: [email protected] FAS REPRESENTATIVE: Eric Wenberg

2 AFSA NEWS • JUNE 2003 Awards • Continued from page 1 tiveness, professionalism and morale by an Office Management Specialist: Laura Baer, Embassy Islamabad. Consul General; June H. Kunsman, Deputy Consul General; Kim Runner-up: Nancy Alain, currently at Embassy Tallinn, but Marie Gendin, Consul; and Natasha Franceschi, Vice Consul. nominated for her work at Embassy Bujumbura. Runner-up: William David McKinney, USAID Country The M. Juanita Guess Award, for outstanding service as a Coordinator, Embassy Baku. Community Liaison officer assisting American families serving The William R. Rivkin Award, for a mid-career officer, will not at an overseas post: Joy Bacik, CLO, Embassy Jakarta. be presented this year. Runner-up: Julie Konichek, CLO, Embassy Cairo. The W. Averell Harriman Award, for a junior Foreign Service officer: Dean M. Kaplan, who was Political/Military Affairs Officer AFSA ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS at Embassy Abuja at the time of his nomination. The AFSA Achievement Awards honor two AFSA members The Tex Harris Award, for a Foreign Service specialist: Charles (one active and one retired) for their significant contributions O’Malley, FP-3, who was assigned to Embassy New Delhi at the to AFSA and its members during the past year. time of his nomination. AFSA Achievement Award, for an active member: Cecile Shea, Runner-up: John L. Whitney, OBO Project Director in Abu Dhabi. Embassy Tel Aviv. AFSA Achievement Award, for a retiree member: Dick EXEMPLARY SERVICE AWARDS Thompson. These awards recognize exemplary performance and extraordi- AFSA Special One-Time Award for Lifetime Contributions nary contributions to professionalism, morale and effectiveness. to Foreign Service Family Members: Mette Beecroft. The Avis Bohlen Award, for a Foreign Service family mem- AFSA greatly appreciates the efforts of all those who sent in ber whose relations with the American and host-country com- nominations or served on a panel this year. A warm thank you munities at a Foreign Service post have done the most to advance also goes to Director General Ruth A. Davis for co-sponsoring American interests: Bonnie Miller, Embassy Athens. our annual awards ceremony, which is open to any employee wish- Runner-up: Kristine Luoma-Overstreet, Consulate Merida. ing to attend. Articles about each of this year’s award winners The Delavan Award, for extraordinary contributions to effec- will appear in the July/August issue of AFSA News. ▫

If you (or anyone you know) are giving a talk on the Foreign AFSANEWSBRIEFS Service, consider using this book as a resource. We have promotional postcards available. Just send a request to Continued from page 2 [email protected] and we’ll send you cards. Go to www.afsa.org/inside for ordering and other information Inside a U.S. Embassy: about the book. Orders can also be placed by phone: (847) Getting the Word Out 364-1222. (The number is not toll-free.) The 2003 edition of AFSA’s book, Inside a U.S. Embassy, is being well received both inside and AFSA Wins Laundry Ruling outside the Foreign Service community. Among AFSA wrote to the department to protest the recent ruling that those who have expressed enthusiasm for the book are Under laundry and dry cleaning expenses would not be reimbursed for Secretary of State for Political Affairs Marc Grossman and FSI students, pointing out Director General Ruth A. Davis, both of whom spoke at the that the Federal Travel March 27 book launch. As part of our public outreach and Regulations state that these education efforts, we sent the book to every member of expenses will be reim- Congress, and we have received kind words from a number of bursed. The department Senators and Representatives. responded positively to our The State Department’s Diplomatic Readiness Task Force request that the ruling be ordered 10,000 copies of the book for State’s recruiting efforts, altered, and stated that it and since the book became available in late February, another would modify the FAM to 2,500 have been sold through the fulfillment house’s Web- reflect the new ruling allow- based ordering system. ing laundry and dry clean- We would like to see this unique resource in every career coun- ing expense reimburse- seling office and foreign relations department in every university ment. FSI students on TDY and college in America. It is time for Americans to understand orders whose claims were JOSH what the Foreign Service is and what goes on inside embassies, rejected may now resubmit the claims. and this book is one of AFSA’s contributions toward that aim. Continued on page 6

JUNE 2003 • AFSA NEWS 3 V.P. VOICE: STATE ■ BY LOUISE CRANE THE GINGRICH BROADSIDE The Cost of Job Satisfaction AFSA Stands Up

speak to all State Department new hires at the luncheons for the Foreign AFSA hosts for them. AFSA President John Naland and Service II urge them to join AFSA and provide examples of how we help individual members of the Foreign Service as well BY SHAWN DORMAN as the Foreign Service as a whole. FSA could not remain silent as for- I always preface my remarks by explaining that I have mer House Speaker Newt Gingrich been in the Foreign Service for 38 years and have never once A attacked the State Department and doubted that my job was worthwhile and my work a posi- the Foreign Service. In an April 22 speech tive contribution to my country. In short, the Foreign Service to the American Enterprise Institute, has provided me with a great deal of job satisfaction over the years. But I also tell them Gingrich said, among other things: “One that compared with when I started out, Foreign Service life overseas has changed: The world view is process, politeness and world is far more dangerous than it was when I took the oath. accommodation. The other world view The statistics on assignment terms and is a world view of facts, values and out- evacuations bear this conclusion out. We For all those who think Foreign have posts where the assignments are for AFSA’s response to the Gingrich only one year (Beirut, Kabul, Peshawar, et speech was quoted in the press, Service life is glamorous, for al.), where no family members are allowed those critics who assume we all (Kabul, Khartoum, Monrovia, et al.) and including the Chicago Tribune, where only adult family members are the Los Angeles Times, live in London, Paris or Rome, allowed (Yemen, Abidjan, et al.). It is clear the truth is that FS life is that many Foreign Service children won’t Reuters and AFP. be seeing a parent at the breakfast table for difficult and dangerous. a year or longer. Shortly after dependents departed Abidjan, I received an e-mail from comes. The State Department as an insti- a mother with two toddlers who reported tution and the Foreign Service as a cul- that when she talked to her daughters about “Daddy,” they smiled and ran to point ture clearly represent the former.” He at the computer. “Daddy” was an e-mail abstraction to them. called for a reorganization of the State Dependents and non-emergency personnel have been authorized to leave China, Department and for abolition of the U.S. Vietnam, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Singapore because of SARS. This move was dic- Agency for International Development. tated by uncertainty over how the disease is spread and the lack of proper medical care. AFSA issued press releases to all As of this writing, there is no medevac service that will transport a SARS patient out major media nationwide containing a let- of China, so our people at those posts have to simply hope not to be infected. ter from AFSA President John Naland to Civil unrest prompted ordered departure of non-emergency personnel and depen- Gingrich, as well as a letter from the dents from Caracas and Abidjan in late 2002, while the threat of terrorist attacks sent American Academy of Diplomacy. AFSA non-emergency personnel and all dependents home from Indonesia. delivered copies of both letters to the State Before some posts went on departure status, they first moved to danger pay sta- Department press corps and to tus. Tel Aviv and Jerusalem received an extra R&R trip, because suicide bombings Spokesman Richard Boucher, who quot- prevented families from coming to visit them. Then the threat of Scud attacks from ed Amb. Tom Boyatt’s comments in the Iraq provoked the departure of all dependents and non-emergency staff. This pattern AAD letter at a noon briefing. was repeated elsewhere. These evacuations have a very unsettling effect on staff and In his letter, Naland stated: “You (Mr. families, especially children who prefer their lives to be routine and predictable. Gingrich) have essentially accused Who knows what threats lurk out there in the future? After all, until March 15, (Foreign Service) employees of treason; no one had ever heard of SARS. Yet in only one month, it has killed hundreds and of betraying the trust their government sickened thousands, disrupted trade and tourism, thrown hundreds of thousands out has placed in them; of betraying the oath of work, seriously damaged economies and separated Foreign Service families. they took. In your speech to the For all those Foreign Service relatives who think Foreign Service life is glamorous, American Enterprise Institute on April 22, for those critics who assume we all live in London, Paris or Rome, the truth is that FS 2003, you enumerated supposed instances life is difficult and dangerous. Our families pay a greater price today than mine did of these employees’ betrayal, saying they 38 years ago for our job satisfaction. ▫ threaten to undermine the president’s

4 AFSA NEWS • JUNE 2003 policies and have led to the collapse of the V.P. VOICE: FCS ■ BY PETER FREDERICK Department of State as an effective instrument …. Sir, these are serious Almost Getting It Right charges indeed. If you have proof you should run, not walk, to the offices of the aving served for three years as the deputy assistant sec- nearest U.S. attorney. However, you do retary for international operations and four years as not have proof. Your charges are spuri- Hthe AFSA vice president for FCS, I have a unique per- ous. As such, they will be consigned to spective on the US&FCS, which should be called the Agency the dustbin of history where they belong, That Almost Got It Right (ATAGIT). Over the years, FCS along with that paper Senator Joseph R. has come close to doing the right thing many times, but can- McCarthy held up in a speech in not claim complete success. For example, separating from Wheeling, W.Va., on Feb. 9, 1950, claim- State in 1980 was right for FCS mission goals but not for logis- ing to ‘have in my hand a list’ of traitors tics coordination. FCS has yet to feel it has received good value in the State Department.” for its International Cooperative Administrative Support Services (ICASS) payments. AFSA’s response to the Gingrich speech Officers report to Commerce management, but at post, the ambassador — not the was quoted in the press, including the director general — is in charge. Chicago Tribune, the Los Angeles Times, FCS is considered one FCS moved into Commerce, which was almost Reuters and AFP. There was substantial of the best-performing the right place at the time. But Commerce, a mas- coverage of rebuttals from State sive domestic department, had little idea how to Department officials, including Secretary government organizations manage a small foreign affairs agency. Commerce Powell, Deputy Secretary Richard lawyers knew trade law but not the Foreign Service within and outside Armitage, Assistant Secretary Elizabeth Act. Human Resources professionals knew reg- Jones, and Spokesman Richard Boucher. the Beltway. ulations covering the Civil Service but not the At a Senate Appropriations subcommit- Foreign Service. Forming a seamless international tee hearing on May 1, Secretary Powell said market promotion organization by merging FCS with Commerce’s domestic offices that State is “always willing to receive help- was almost a good idea. Both organizations share the mission of helping American ful, constructive comment as to how to invested companies profit from international business. However, each has different improve our operation.” Secretaries of personnel policies, promotion and reward procedures, challenges and benefits. State, he said, have all “been criticized at There has never been a question about the ability of FCS officers to accomplish one time or another for being like diplo- their mission. FCS is considered one of the best-performing government organiza- mats, for trying to find peaceful solutions tions within and outside the Beltway. But there have always been questions about the . . . creating alliances. That’s what we do. ability of FCS to manage its operations: many in the foreign affairs community use We do it damn well, and I am not going FCS as an example of how not to manage resources. Last year, for example, 22 mem- to apologize to anybody.” ▫ bers of the Senior Foreign Service were selected to receive awards or promotions in recognition of outstanding accomplishments. It took 19 weeks to get the necessary clearances. The files are full of examples of how we almost got it right. That’s probably why Vietnam Reunion the last four years have been so challenging. The day I started as VP, I was asked to accept a change to the commissioning and tenure policy. Three years later, after sev- AFSA member Lillian (Lillums) eral false starts, we signed an agreement and the C&T board has had two meetings. Alger writes to inform us that there Right, finally. But it has taken over three months to get the secretary to accept the will be a reunion of U.S. govern- board’s recommendations. Not quite right. We agreed on a new assignments poli- ment employees (all agencies) who cy and signed all the appropriate documents. Right! But two months later manage- served in Vietnam up to the fall of ment reopened the negotiations demanding the right to assign whomever they want to whichever post regardless of incumbents, bidders or the Foreign Service Act. Not Saigon in 1975. The reunion will be right. In early 2000, AFSA and FCS agreed to a completely new evaluation procedure held in New Orleans Sept. 10 – 13. and precepts for the selection boards. Right! But after three years of “technical review,” For more information or to request we have begun the negotiations again. Not right. a flyer, contact Mary M. Collias by FCS should not be part of Commerce, but we are. FCS management should do a better job supporting its officers. Not every team can experience an undefeated sea- e-mail: [email protected] or by son: sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. However, if you can win more than mail: 5119 Bellemeade Ln., your share of the close ones, you’ve had a good year. These have been four good years. Alexandria, VA 22314. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to serve. ▫

JUNE 2003 • AFSA NEWS 5 V.P. VOICE: USAID ■ BY JOE PASTIC AFSANEWSBRIEFS SMG: A Call for Transparency Continued from page 2 Notes from the Foreign everal members have asked why the new mission direc- Service Youth Foundation tor and deputy mission director positions in Iraq were The Foreign Service Youth Foundation spon- not advertised. Why, instead of tapping an active-duty sors the Around the World in a Lifetime S (AWAL, for 13- to 19-year olds) and Globe officer, was a retired officer recalled? While recognizing the Trotters (for 9- to 12-year olds) youth develop- stellar qualifications of the officers chosen, it is important to ment programs for Foreign Service kids who challenge the agency for the lack of transparency in manag- share the experience of living overseas. In ing the Senior Management Group. April, the FSYF launched a new newsletter for “No foreign affairs agency except USAID has a formally FS parents called FS Youth on the Move. FSYF has also revamped its other newsletters, Here- structured dual assignments system for senior officers that sys- There-Everywhere and Wings of AWAL, and tematically divides an ‘out-group’ from a priestly caste ‘in-group.’” That’s how the will now be mailing quarterly issues to select grouping of overseas and Washington leadership positions was characterized members. in the July-August 2001 AFSA News. Why does USAID choose to select and man- Mark your calendars for these teen summer age its senior career executives through a activities: June 14 — Baseball Game (Prince William caste system? How does this process affect County Potomac Cannons); career planning for the rest of us? July 4 — FSYF/AAFSW Independence Day It is time for more Shouldn’t the system be transparent? Potluck/Picnic USAID’s direct-hire cadre is around July 19 — Manassas Splashdown Waterpark transparency about the 2,100, and only half of those are Foreign August 20 — Six Flags America Adventure Theme Park criteria used to select Service. Of those who are Foreign Service Sept. 21 — Welcome Back Family Picnic, members, about 120 are in SMG positions. Lubber Run Park people for SMG positions. We have a separate-but-not-equal assign- Newcomers are always welcome at events. ment system composed of select SMG For more information about the Foreign members for just a small fraction of our Service Youth Foundation, AWAL and Globe Trotters, contact FSYF at (301) 404-6655 or e- cadre. We question why authority for eval- mail [email protected]. Web site: www.fsyf.org. uating and selecting people to fill the most senior positions is vested in a group that Financial support is always welcome: desig- meets part time and is composed of people who are executives, not human resources nate CFC Participant #8488. professionals. Members of such a group tend to substitute personal factors for professional human resources factors in decision-making, studies of similar practices have AAFES Online Shopping Foreign Service members stationed abroad shown. Shouldn’t the precious limited time of these executives be put toward men- can sign up for online ordering from the toring and training? Army and Air Force Exchange Service cata- With the steady attrition in the Human Resources Office over the past several years, log (AAFES) by faxing a written request (e.g., “I am an overseas Foreign Service member how can the agency afford to support two assignment systems? Finally, what hap- applying for online ordering authorization”). pens to those who presently fall out of the SMG after an initial go? Do they become Include a photocopy of your embassy or consulate ID badge (front and back) and a pariahs? Why should it be so? Would it not be possible to factor SMG-type assign- copy of your assignment orders plus, if the ments into career paths such that, for example, promotion to FS-1 or SFS requires information is not already listed on those service in an SMG position? documents, the name of your post, your date of birth, and Social Security number. Fax the Promotion into the Senior Foreign Service has become virtually impossible for any- docs to (800) 446-0163 (toll-free) or (214) one not serving in an SMG position. This perverse inversion has effectively taken the 583-5135, or mail them to Exchange Catalog power of promotion out of the hands of the panels and put it into the hands of the Sales, Attn: Internet, P.O. Box 660211, Dallas TX 75266-0211. secretive SMG. This situation has significantly disadvantaged those who have the more Foreign Service shoppers must renew their technical backstop experience. The panels view a well-written evaluation on a mis- registration every 12 months by faxing a sion director or deputy mission director a winner every time over a well-written eval- copy of their embassy or consulate ID badge and giving the month and year that their uation of a “techie.” Is this fair? Is this in the best interest of the agency in its search overseas tour is scheduled to end. Orders for top talent? Or does it merely favor the best schmoozers among us while destroy- from AAFES, like shipments from other ven- dors, cannot be delivered if they exceed size ing the enthusiasm and motivation of the rest? or other limitations imposed on your post’s It is time for more transparency about the criteria used to select people for SMG posi- mail service by APO or State regulations. tions. At a minimum, the USAID direct-hire cadre (especially those in the Foreign Service) There is still a question about whether AAFES can ship to the 20189 (pouch) ZIP as well as HR need such information for career planning and succession planning. code, but AFSA is working with AAFES HQ As of this writing, AFSA USAID has requested a briefing on Iraq staffing. ▫ to set this up. ▫

6 AFSA NEWS • JUNE 2003 many of the benefits problems that some- example. Sometimes we can save mem- times arise in retirement. bers considerable money by appealing these Q: What were some specific accom- decisions on their behalf. plishments? Q: Any failures? I like to think that I contributed Well, yes. Despite our efforts A: to better service institutionally A: with the now-defunct Foreign Q&A to Foreign Service retirees; for example, by Affairs Reserve Corps and its successor Retiree Issues urging both AFSA and the Retirement AFSA skills database, we have not been able Office to offer toll-free telephone service. to convince the State Department to Turning the Tables: We recently got the Resource Management adopt a systematic agency-wide approach Questions for Ward Thompson Bureau to offer a broader range of annu- to rehiring annuitants, which we believe ity deductions to retirees. I am particularly would offer greater management efficien- Q: You are leaving AFSA after more than pleased that the Job Search Program’s grad- cy. And we are still looking for ways to get a decade as retiree liaison. Any last uation reception, which I was involved in more Foreign Service retirees to join thoughts about the job? initiating, continues to provide an occasion AFSA and strengthen our voice in work- It has been a lot like another for AFSA and State to thank colleagues as ing on their behalf. A: Foreign Service assignment, they retire. None of these achievements Q: Any other observations about AFSA? involving me primarily with Foreign would have been possible, of course, Only the obvious: Although Service members and State Department without the help of many others who are A: AFSA represents several career offices, but fuller and richer in many ways. dedicated to improving the transition to categories, most of its members can also be Working with retirees has given me con- retirement and the two-way exchange of regarded as future retirees. That is why we tact with colleagues whose careers spanned information with the retiree constituency. must devote resources not just to meeting several generations, and I have gotten to At the individual level, it has been grat- the needs of current retirees but also to know hundreds of them in person and by ifying to intervene successfully on behalf of ensure that the interests of future retirees will telephone or e-mail. My “in-country” trav- retirees and surviving spouses who turn to be protected. In turn, it is never too early el has enabled me to visit individuals and AFSA for help on benefits issues. In many for Foreign Service employees to give a retiree associations throughout the U.S. I cases, the need has been merely to get thought to future retirement benefits. I have have had the satisfaction of tracking retire- information and paperwork flowing. enjoyed working with the thoroughly pro- ment issues as they evolve in Congress and Often there has also been financial hard- fessional AFSA staff and dedicated board the bureaucracy. Most importantly, I have ship involving denial of a medical insurance members who have seen to it that adequate been able to assist fellow members of our claim or a government demand for repay- information and attention to these benefits Foreign Service community in resolving ment of a miscalculated annuity, for are essential parts of the AFSA agenda. ▫

ADVICE FROM FS MEMBERS Another useful resource is the Find Your Spot Web site at http://www.findyourspot.com/ where you can fill in a quick (or Where to Retire? much more detailed) questionnaire and receive a summarized list- Editor’s Note: Thanks to those retirees who have already respond- ing of cities that meet your particular “perfect place.” The listings ed to our call for insights into how to choose a retirement location. Clearly for over 25 cities feature links to more detailed information about this is a topic of interest to AFSA members. Beginning with this issue, each city, including such niceties as local cultural activities, economic we will periodically publish excerpts from the responses. Please send situation, area attractions, and the real estate situation. If you don’t your comments to [email protected]. like the cities presented based on your search, you can go back and change a few of the variables to get a completely new listing. I noted with interest in the April AFSA News a letter from a read- The Kiplinger Web site offers some nice retirement tools at er about where to retire. I am nearing retirement and have found http://www.kiplinger.com/managing/retirement/ and contains that there is a wealth of information available on the Internet. useful links to other information. One excellent resource is the CNN/Money Web site at The bottom line is that there’s lots of information available on http://money.cnn.com/retirement/. The site includes useful the Internet just waiting for you to get out your miner’s hat and ideas and leads you to other resources such as tools for financial do a bit of mining! assessment of your personal situation. The site periodically features Carl G. Britt, Jr. articles on where the best place to live or retire might be depend- Deputy Manager ing on individual situations. IBB Tangier, Morocco ▫

JUNE 2003 • AFSA NEWS 7 WARD THOMPSON MOVES ON FS and generally of American engagement in world affairs. This is an important con- A Job Well Done tribution,” says Harry Blaney III, president of the Coalition for American Leadership BY SHAWN DORMAN Abroad. Ward has been instrumental in the cre- ard Thompson will relied heavily on Ward for advice ation and management of AFSA’s Foreign leave AFSA in June to and counsel as he tried to best Service Elderhostel program. He played a Wmove to California serve retirees. key advisory role in the development of the with his wife Diana. Ward has “Ward responded to retiree highly successful program, which has edu- been an institution at AFSA and inquiries with competence, cour- cated thousands of Americans on the cru- an invaluable resource for Foreign tesy and dispatch. He main- cial role of the Foreign Service in defend- Service retirees, both AFSA mem- tained close working relations ing national interests, says AFSA bers and non-members. Executive Director with retirement officials in the State Communications Director Tom Switzer. Susan Reardon tells us that for the last 11 Department and other foreign affairs “The success of AFSA’s Elderhostel years, he has been “like an anchor” for agencies, whose cooperation was crucial in Program,” says Bill DePree, “owes much AFSA. “Ward’s easygoing manner and sage eliciting actions or information requested to Ward’s day-to-day oversight of the pro- advice will be sorely missed,” she says. While by the retirees,” says former AFSA Retiree grams and to the many substantive sug- we wish him all the best, this move will be VP Bill De Pree. “He is unflappable, always gestions he made over the past seven years a tremendous loss for AFSA. patient and willing to help another col- to make these programs more appealing “Ward has been a strong advocate for league,” adds Professional Issues and timely.” the interests of retirees and has played a key Coordinator Barbara Berger. Ward also Ward retired from the Foreign Service role in making sure that the department oversaw AFSA’s cooperation with Foreign in 1991 following a 25-year career as a polit- communicates with its retirees,” says Service retiree groups around the coun- ical and labor officer with a strong focus on AFSA President John Naland. “We are try, in some cases facilitat- the Nordic countries. He grateful for Ward’s countless contribu- ing the establishment of the remains active as a Nordic tions.” group. specialist, lecturing at local Susan Reardon explains universities and at FSI. Retiree Liaison that the entire Foreign He served in Helsinki, Ward has been AFSA’s liaison with Service retiree community Copenhagen, Gothenburg, Foreign Service retirees, a position which is indebted to Ward for his Seoul and in Washington. has an ombudsman function and an efforts on their behalf: the He has degrees from informational function. He has engaged solutions to individual Brown University and the the appropriate offices to help retirees problems for retirees often Fletcher School of Law and solve problems, and has disseminated have broader ramifications Diplomacy, and is a information retirees need through a that benefit the entire com- Ward with Congressman Tom Davis, Marine Corps Vietnam newsletter that he wrote single-handed- munity. Ward tells us he R-Va., Chair of the House Government veteran. ly every two months for the last 11 years. has enjoyed being able to Reform Committee at the 2001 Ward appreciated his “AFSA’s retiree newsletter is a gold mine engage with the State Hill launching of the health care job at AFSA because it of practical information for our annui- Department on retiree premium conversion bills. gave him an opportunity tants,” says AFSA Retiree Vice President issues, “as part of the fam- to work with the Foreign Bill Farrand. ily but without the constraints of an Service community. “Retirement is a time In his role as liaison, no inquiry was ever employee.” when instead of forgetting the FS you can too trivial for him, and he assisted hundreds reconnect with colleagues. In this job, I of retirees when they felt they had nowhere Public Outreach have connected with hundreds of col- to turn. “Any question coming in from our Ward has also made a significant con- leagues I never knew before, and it has retired brothers and sisters — even from tribution to AFSA’s public outreach efforts, been a pleasure. The job is fun because those who were not AFSA members — engaging retirees in the process of educat- you never know what’s going to be on the received Ward’s thoughtful and timely ing the American public about foreign other end of the line when you pick up attention,” says Farrand. “He paid close affairs and the Foreign Service. “He has the phone.” Luckily for all those retirees attention to the bread-and-butter issues that been the AFSA ‘voice’ and ‘face’ of retiree who have called AFSA over the past 11 can baffle people living far from concerns, but he also acted to keep our years, it was Ward who picked up the Washington.” Bill Farrand adds that he alumni members engaged in support of the phone. ▫

8 AFSA NEWS • JUNE 2003 Legislative • Continued from page 1 current task is to begin to educate the Hill in our overseas communities, in their nearing the end of our four-year effort to on the merits of this issue in an effort to soft- homes, in the schools and elsewhere. In tes- amend the tax code concerning the current en up the ground for a hoped-for admin- timony submitted to the Foreign Operations two-in-five-years occupancy requirement istration push for Overseas Comparability Subcommittee, we emphasized the need for to exclude the tax on capital gains on the Pay. That push, if it ever comes, will not be more funding in the operations account for sale of a primary residence. The Senate has before late this year when the FY 2005 bud- State, and perhaps more importantly, we now passed a bill fixing this problem for both get request is finalized. urged that USAID receive the same support the Foreign Service and the uniformed mil- CONTACT WITH SENATOR LUGAR: AFSA for security funding that the department has itary. The House passed a different version, President John Naland and two retired received. also covering both Foreign Service and the ambassadors (representing the Foreign PRE-TAX ANNUITIES FOR HEALTH military. We are now talking with key play- Affairs Council) met with Senate Foreign PREMIUMS: Federal employees and annu- ers in both chambers urging them to resolve Relations Committee Chairman Richard itants pay an average share of 29 percent the differences and adopt a final version to Lugar, R-Ind., and his chief of staff in April. for federal health premiums and the fed- send to the president for enactment. The group made a strong pitch for con- eral government picks up the other 71 per- AUTHORIZATION BILL: AFSA has recently gressional support for Secretary Powell’s cent. However, since October 2000, the met with majority and minority staffers from efforts to secure a sustained infusion of impact on active-duty employees and both the Senate Foreign Relations Committee resources for personnel, information tech- retired annuitants has been different: and the House International Relations nology, security and facilities. A longtime employees can now pay their 29 percent Committee, pushing for provisions to: friend of the Foreign Service, Senator Lugar in pre-tax dollars, while annuitants cannot. 1) authorize the payment of Overseas expressed his strong support and detailed his This saves the average active-duty employ- Comparability Pay; efforts to increase the resources devoted to ee about $435 a year. 2) give the Secretary of State more dis- international relations. The meeting was very Rep. Tom Davis, R-Va., introduced H.R. cretion to waive dual compensation limita- upbeat and positive. 1231 and Senator John Warner, R-Va., tions on Foreign Service retirees who return MILLENNIUM CHALLENGE ACCOUNT: introduced an identical bill, S. 623, in the to work for the department (AFSA is sup- AFSA submitted testimony to the Senate Senate. These bills, targeted specifically at porting the department’s proposal); Foreign Relations Committee expressing federal and military annuitants, have 190 3) raise the cap on post differential pay- its views on the administration’s request- cosponsors in the House and 23 cospon- ments from 25 to 35 percent of base pay (a ed MCA legislation. We urged the com- sors in the Senate. proposal from the department’s recent hard- mittee to include the administrator of They seek to amend Section 125 of the ship staffing working group that was not part USAID on the Millennium Challenge Tax Code by addressing the concerns of mil- of the administration’s request); Corporation Board, and fully utilize and itary and federal employees. The political 4) place a deadline for the Office of integrate the expertise of the Foreign difficulty is that it is anticipated that there Personnel Management to implement last Service at the agency. We also urged that would be a huge demand from the private year’s law allowing certain PITs to buy back consideration be given to the increased sector seeking this same premium conver- retirement credit; demands on the personnel at USAID. sion benefit. That is where the cost — a 5) allow Foreign Service members to get APPROPRIATIONS: AFSA has submitted multibillion-dollar impact on federal rev- advances on salary when they transfer from testimony to the House and Senate enues — comes in, and it has dissuaded overseas back to the U.S.; Appropriations Subcommittees on many lawmakers from supporting the leg- 6) allow Foreign Service members serv- Commerce, Justice, State and the Judiciary, islation. ing at hardship posts to be reimbursed for and to the House Foreign Operations Despite these obstacles, under the lead- out-of-pocket expenses for property man- Subcommittee. In the CSJ testimonies, we ership of the National Association of agement services when they rent out their pointed out the importance of fully fund- Retired Federal Employees and the Military primary residence; and ing, at a minimum, the administration’s Officers Association of America, AFSA and 7) amend the 5-percent low-ranking rule request. We spoke of the need to completely the other federal employee organizations to give selection boards the discretion to low- fund the third year of the Secretary’s continue to work together to seek the nec- rank a smaller percentage of employees. Diplomatic Readiness Initiative to fill the essary change in law. We agree with OVERSEAS COMPARABILITY PAY: Despite 1,100-person shortage identified in reports Chairman Davis, who said that the proposal our efforts, there is no realistic hope of con- from 1999 and 2000. We noted that these is the right thing to do, both as a way to rec- vincing Congress to implement Overseas reports are now three years old, and that per- ognize the importance of public service, and Comparability Pay without the full support sonnel needs should be continuously to rectify an inequity. Members, especial- of the administration. Secretary Powell examined. We continued to urge funding ly retirees, who wish to write to their con- sought such support from the OMB last fall, for embassy security, but also pointed to the gressional delegation supporting this legis- but his request was rejected. Thus, AFSA’s need to provide protection for our families lation are urged to do so. ▫

JUNE 2003 • AFSA NEWS 9 CLASSIFIEDS

DENTAL SERVICES ROLAND S. HEARD, CPA PROPERTY MANAGEMENT FAMILY DENTISTRY JOSIE S. KEAT D.D.S. 1091 Chaddwyck Dr. REALTY GROUP, INC. 2579 John Milton Dr., Suite 250 Oak Hill, VA Athens, GA 30606 20171 Tel: (703) 860-8860. Dr. Keat is a Tel/Fax: (706) 769-8976 DC PROPERTY MANAGEMENT Foreign Service spouse and understands E-mail: [email protected] AND SALES • U.S. income tax services of single-family homes, Foreign Service needs. Open 7 A.M.; evening condos & small apartment bldgs. and Saturday appointments available. 50%* • Many FS & contractor clients • Practiced before the IRS We serve owners off on first check-up and cleaning appointment who appreciate personalized • Financial planning with this ad. *Excludes third-party payments. service & quality maintenance. • American Institute of CPAs, Member LEGAL SERVICES FIRST CONSULTATION FREE Amy Fisher, CRS: (202) 544-8762 E-mail: [email protected], ATTORNEY WITH 22 years successful FREE TAX CONSULTATION: For overseas personnel. We process returns as Visit our Web site: experience SPECIALIZING FULL-TIME IN FS dcpropertymanagement.com GRIEVANCES will more than double your received, without delay. Preparation and rep- chance of winning. 30% of grievants win before resentation by Enrolled Agents. Federal and PEAKE MANAGEMENT: Looking for a the Grievance Board; 85% of my clients win. all states prepared. Includes “TAX TRAX” great property manager experienced with FS Only a private attorney can adequately devel- unique mini-financial planning review with rec- clients? Call me to set up an appointment, or ommendations. Full planning available. Get the op and present your case, including neces- to receive our free Landlord Manual. The man- most from your financial dollar! Financial sary regs, arcane legal doctrines, precedents ual clearly explains the rental management Forecasts Inc., Barry B. De Marr, CFP, EA, process no matter which company you and rules. Call Bridget R. Mugane at 3918 Prosperity Ave. #230, Fairfax, VA 22031 Tel: (202) 387-4383, or (301) 596-0175. choose. We’re professional, experienced and Tel: (703) 289-1167, Fax: (703) 289-1178, friendly. In business since 1982. Lindsey E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] Free initial consultation. Peake: 6842 Elm St., McLean, VA 22101. Tel: (703) 448-0212. ATTORNEY FINANCIAL ADVISOR: Stephen H. E-mail: [email protected] Thompson, Legg Mason Wood Walker Inc. ESTATE PLANNING, WILLS, POW- Member NYSE/Member SIPC (Retired WJD MANAGEMENT IS competitively ERS OF ATTORNEY. General practice; Foreign Service Officer). priced, of course. However, if you are consid- estate planning: wills, trusts, living wills, pow- Tel: (202) 778-1970, (800) 792-4411. ering hiring a property management firm, don’t ers of attorney; review and update of old wills Web site: ww.sthompson.fa.leggmason.com forget the old saying, “You get what you pay or drafting of new one; probate administra- E-Mail: [email protected] for.” All of us at WJD have worked for other tion. Charles S. Abell, Furey, Doolan & Abell, property management firms in the past, and LLP; 8401 Conn. Ave., #1100, Chevy Chase, VIRGINIA M. TEST, CPA: Tax service we have learned what to do and, more impor- MD 20815, Tel: (301) 652-6880, Specializing in Foreign Service/overseas con- tantly, what not to do from our experiences at Fax: (301) 652-8972. tractors. CONTACT INFO: (804) 695-2939, these companies. We invite you to explore our FAX: (804) 695-2958. E-mail: [email protected] Web site at www.wjdpm.com for more infor- GRIEVANCE ATTORNEY (specializing mation, or call us at (703) 385-3600. since 1983). Attorney assists FS officers to correct defective performance appraisals to JACOB FORBAI, CPA/MS: Affordable PROPERTY MANAGEMENT reverse improper tenuring and promotion expatriate tax solutions, compliance, planning, PRUDENTIAL CARRUTHERS REAL- board decisions, secure financial benefits, preparation for U.S. citizens & aliens world- TORS: Complete professional dedication to the defend against disciplinary actions and obtain wide. 18+ years exp. Tel: (301) 608-2248. management of residential property in Northern relief from all forms of discrimination. Free Initial E-mail: [email protected] Virginia. Our professionals will provide personal Consultation. Call William T. Irelan, Esq. attention to your home, careful tenant screen- Tel: (202) 625-1800, Fax: (202) 625-1616. ATTORNEY, FORMER FOREIGN SER- ing, and video inspections of your property. We E-mail: [email protected] VICE OFFICER: Extensive experience w/ tax are equipped to handle all of your property problems peculiar to the Foreign Service. management needs. We work 7 days a week! WILL/ESTATE PLANNING by attorney Available for consultation, tax planning, and Over 22 years real estate experience and who is a former FSO. Have your will reviewed preparation of returns: Foreign Service overseas living experience. and updated, or new one prepared: M. Bruce Hirshorn, Boring & Pilger JOANN PIEKNEY. Vienna: No charge for initial consultation. 307 West Maple Ave., Suite D, Tel: (703) 938-0909, Fax: (703) 281-9782, M. Bruce Hirshorn, Boring & Pilger, 307 E-mail: [email protected] Maple Ave. W, Suite D, Vienna, VA 22180 Vienna, VA 22180 Tel: (703) 281-2161, Fax: (703) 281-9464. Arlington: Tel: (703) 522-5900, Tel: (703) 281-2161, Fax: (703) 281-9464. Fax: (703) 525-4173. E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected]. TAX & FINANCIAL SERVICES PROFESSIONAL TAX RETURN KDH PROPERTIES serves NOVA clients PREPARATION: Thirty years in public tax inside the Beltway. 30+ years experience in TAX RETURN PREPARATION AND practice. Arthur A Granberg, EA, ATA, ATP. renting and managing homes. We belong to PLANNING by experienced tax professional. Our charges are $65 per hour. Most FSO the NoVa Assoc. of REALTORS. We manage: Federal and all State returns. Year-round assis- returns take 3 to 4 hours. Our office is 100 feet single family, townhomes, condos, and small tance. JANE A. BRUNO Tel: (561) 470-7631, from Virginia Square Metro Station, Tax associations. We would be honored to serve Fax: (561) 470-4790. Matters Associates PC, 3601 North Fairfax Dr. you. Our manager is a Certified Property E-mail: [email protected] Arlington, VA 22201. Tel: (703) 522-3828, Manager and Certified Manager of Community Web site: www.americantaxhelp.com Fax: (703) 522-5726. Associations. Contact us: (703) 522-4927, or E-mail: [email protected] e-mail: [email protected]

10 AFSA NEWS • JUNE 2003 CLASSIFIEDS

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT RESIDENCES: SHORT & long-term. Call HEADED TO D.C.? Start planning now H.A. GILL & SON, INC.: Family-owned Betsy at (202) 234-5789. for house hunting in Northern Virginia. Let my and operated firm specializing in the leasing E-mail: [email protected] 16-plus years of experience providing FS per- and management of fine single-family hous- www.roommatespreferred.com sonnel with exclusive Buyer Representation es, condominiums and cooperatives in work for you. My effective strategy for home Washington, D.C. and Montgomery County PIED-A-TERRE PROPERTIES, LTD: buying will make the transition easier for you since 1888. While we operate with cutting- Select from our unique inventory of fully fur- and your family! edge technology, we do business the old- nished & tastefully decorated apartments & Contact MARILYN CANTRELL, Associate fashioned way: providing close personal townhouses all located in D.C.’s best in-town Broker, ABR, CRS, GRI at McEnearney attention to our clients and their properties. We neighborhoods: Dupont, Georgetown, Foggy Associates, 1320 Old Chain Bridge Rd, provide expertise in dealing with jurisdiction- Bottom & The West End. Two-month mini- McLean, VA 22101. Tel: (703) 790-9090, ext. al legal requirements, rent control, property mum. Mother-Daughter Owned & Operated. 246; Fax: (703) 734-9460. registration and lead paint requirements. We Tel: (202) 338-3190. Fax: (202) 332-1406. E-mail: [email protected] closely screen all tenant applications and are www.piedaterredc.com www.marilyncantrell.com on-line with Equifax Credit Information Services which provides our firm with instantaneous TEMPORARY QUARTERS GEORGETOWN: DC AND MD SUBURBS - homes for sale. hard-copy credit reports. You can rest assured Exquisite, fully furnished accommodations at Log on to homesdatabase.com/samsells to while you are abroad that your property will be the East End of Georgetown. Short walk to view homes. Tel: (301) 951-3354. in the most capable hands. Please call John World Bank and State Department. Lower Gill, Jr. at (202) 338-5000 or e-mail him at two levels of four-level home, private front and [email protected] for more info. or a brochure. rear entrances, eight-foot ceilings, three fire- FLORIDA TEMPORARY HOUSING places, two large marble bathrooms, granite LONGBOAT KEY, BRADENTON/ FOREIGN SERVICE ASSOCIATES, INC. and stainless steel kitchen, washer and dryer, SARASOTA Area will exceed expectations. Stylishly and fully-furnished condominiums at fenced rear patio leading to alley. Street park- Don’t miss owning in Florida. Resales, new River Place (Rosslyn, Virginia), Foggy Bottom ing. Dishes, flatware, towels, linens and light homes, rental management and vacation & Dupont Circle (D.C.) All units are walking maid service included. Pets case-by-case. rentals. Dynamic growing company offering distance to the metro or NFATC SHUTTLE. Rate commensurate with housing allowance. personalized professional service. Contact: Utilities, free basic cable, free local telephone See photos and description at: Sharon E. Oper, Realtor (AFSA Member) service and Internet access included. Full ser- www.1229-30thStreet.com Contact owner at: Wagner Realty. Tel: (941) 387-7199. vice gym, pool, entertainment center and [email protected] or Tel: (202) 625-6448. E-mail: [email protected] jacuzzi (certain locations) Efficiencies, 1&2 Bedroom units available. Owned by retired FURNISHED LUXURY APARTMENTS: Department of State Employee. Flexible with Short/long-term. Best locations: Dupont Circle, FLORIDA all per diems, even sliding allowances. WE Georgetown. Utilities included. All price BEAUTIFUL SOUTHWEST FLORIDA: UNDERSTAND BECAUSE WE’VE BEEN ranges/sizes. Parking available. Tel: (202) 296- SARASOTA – Sunshine, blue skies, excellent THERE! (703) 470-4908. [email protected] 4989, E-mail: [email protected] values in real estate. Call former FSO Tom TEMPORARY HOUSING Farley, AFSA member, licensed real estate broker. New homes and condos a speciality. WASHINGTON, D.C. or NFATC TOUR? 1768-74 U. ST/ ADAMS MORGAN: Construction International Services, Inc. EXECUTIVE HOUSING CONSULTANTS Unique spacious 2-BR apts w/terrace. In newly Tel: (941) 926-8550, Fax: (941) 926-9546. offers Metropolitan Washington, D.C.’s finest renovated historic bldg. Individual HVAC units, E-mail: [email protected] portfolio of short-term, fully-furnished and controlled entry system, hdwd flrs, all new equipped apartments, townhomes and sin- appliances including W/D. Pkg. avail. gle-family residences in Maryland, D.C. and For appt. call: (917) 567-4811. NO STATE INCOME TAX enhances gra- Virginia. cious living in Sarasota, the cultural capital of In Virginia: “River Place’s Finest” is steps 2-BEDROOM CONDO, Capitol Hill. 4, 6, Florida’s Gulf Coast. Contact former FSO Paul to Rosslyn Metro and Georgetown, and 15 or 12-month leases available at per diem rates, Byrnes, Coldwell Banker residential sales spe- minutes on Metro bus or State Department July 2003-June 2004. Modern, spacious, cialist, through e-mail: [email protected] shuttle to NFATC. For more info, please call bright, beautifully furnished 2-story condo in or Toll-Free: (877) 924-9001. (301) 951-4111, or visit our Web site: small residential building: parking, 2.5 bath- www.executivehousing.com rooms, den, deck, hardwood floors, fireplace, CHARLOTTESVILLE, VIRGINIA Within CAC, w/d, d/w. 3 blocks to Union Station minutes of Thomas Jefferson’s University of SHORT - TERM RENTALS Metro. Contact: Jacob Moss: Virginia and the Blue Ridge Mountains is locat- CORPORATE APARTMENT SPE- [email protected], ed Charlottesville’s premier senior independent CIALISTS: Abundant experience working or Leslee Behar, (202) 543-2272; retirement community. Panoramic views are with Foreign Service professionals and the locations to best serve you: Foggy Bottom, [email protected] visible from the luxury condominium homes and the sunny atriums. Residents enjoy many Woodley Park, Cleveland Park, Chevy REAL ESTATE Chase, Rosslyn, Ballston, Pentagon City. Our fine amenities and services including fine din- office is a short walk from NFATC. One- MISSOURI LAKE OF THE OZARKS Over ing, full fitness center with heated pool, con- month minimum. All furnishings, house- 1,150 miles of Shoreline, Fast Boats, Great certs, lectures, and films, 24-hour security, wares, utilities, telephone and cable includ- Fishing, Water Sports, Excellent Restaurants, 14 chauffer, and underground parking. For infor- ed. Golf Courses, Beautiful Parks, Waterfront mation on UNIVERSITY VILLAGE, or other Tel: (703) 979-2830 or (800) 914-2802, fine properties in Charlottesville, VA, contact: and Fax: (703) 979-2813. Homes, Acreage, Condos, or build your own Web site: www.corporateapartments.com dream home. Gerald R. Duvall (FSO Ret), Linda Broadbent, Real Estate III, E-mail: [email protected] Broker duvallrealty.com. Tel: (573) 873-5296. (800) 868-0025, or [email protected].

JUNE 2003 • AFSA NEWS 11 CLASSIFIEDS

A MAGICAL RETREAT, or year-round SUMMER RENTAL: Lovely furnished PET TRANSPORTATION residence, in the storybook town of Black 3-BR/2-BA home in Arlington, VA. June- Mountain, N.C. This “jewel of the builder’s art” August. $2,000/mo. Tel: (703) 527-3960 or DOMESTIC / WORLDWIDE SHIPPING: uses imaginative architecture brought to life e-mail: [email protected] Tel: (304) 274-6859, (888) 234-5028 by master craftsmen. Situated in a wooded set- www.actionpetexpress.com ting, the 5,000 sq. ft. home contains 4 BR, 3.5 BOOKS E-mail: [email protected] baths, and numerous high-quality amenities. Point Four: Memories of a Foreign Located just 20 minutes from the abundant cul- Service Officer by James O. Bleidner. The ACUPUNCTURE & FENG SHUI tural, educational, and medical resources of book is dedicated to my colleagues in civic-minded Ashville. It is truly “a must-see” USAID. Send check for $15 plus postage of property. Asking: $490,000. Acupuncture for Body/Mind/ Spirit: $3 to: James Bleidner, 708 Leah Jean Lane, For details: http://www.ncmountainhome.com Feng Shui for harmony in your space. Contact: Gay Fox, (USAID ret.) at Tel: (828) Winter Haven, FL 33884-3198. Former FS spouse offers these services in Bethesda, Md & Vienna, Va. Contact: Abhaya 669-8027. OLD ASIA/ORIENT BOOKS BOUGHT Schlesinger, M.Ac; L.Ac; Diplomate. Asian rare books. Fax: (212) 316-3408, BEAUTIFUL RETIREMENT PROPERTY (703) 242-9065. References upon request. in Parsons, Tennessee. E-mail: [email protected] Visit: Jacksproperty.com. Or call Jack at DIPLOMATIC AFFAIRS: Robert G. Tel: (731) 847-4146. Morris’s third novel, now available from: SHIPPING WASHINGTON STATE ISLANDS: www.thebookden.com Spectacular views, wonderful community, cli- MISCELLANEOUS PLANNING TO MOVE OVERSEAS? mate, boating, hiking. Access Seattle & Need a rate to ship your car, household goods, Vancouver, B.C. Former FSO Jan Zehner, W.W. GENERAL CONSTRUCTION or other cargo going abroad? Contact Windermere Real Estate/ Orcas Island, Serving VA, MD & DC SEFCO-Export Management Company for (800) 842-5770; www.orcas-island.com Licensed and Bonded rates and advice. Tel: (718) 268-6233, E-mail: [email protected] Complete Home Remodeling & Repair Fax: (718) 268-0505. Contact Joseph T. Quinn. Visit our Web site at www.sefco-export.com VACATION Total Renovations Kitchens, Bathrooms and Basements E-mail: [email protected] 17TH-CENTURY HOUSE for rent in Ceramic Tile and Hardwood Floors Ganges, southern France. Sleeping 8, this Painting and Drywall former silkworm farm offers a chance to visit For more information visit our Web site 110 - 220 VOLT STORE Mediterranean beaches, mountains of the www.1stcarpenter.com MULTI-SYSTEM ELECTRONICS Cevennes, lovely local villages, golf and river or e-mail us at: [email protected] PAL-SECAM-NTSC TVs, outings. Swimming pool, tennis court and other or call us at (301) 330-9806 VCRs, AUDIO, CAMCORDER, amenities. From $1,200 per week. Please Quality Work and Reasonable Prices ADAPTOR, TRANSFORMERS, e-mail [email protected] for further details. References upon Request KITCHEN APPLIANCES PERMANENT, FLEXIBLE E-MAIL EPORT WORLD ELECTRONICS RUMLEY HOUSE, BEAUFORT, N.C. SOLUTION NETBird Premium E-mail: pro- 1719 Connecticut Ave. N.W. Plaqued 1778 meticulously restored and art- viding e-mail solutions to the international com- Washington, D.C. 20009, near Dupont fully furnished FSO-owned home. Half-block 1 munity since 1997. Our accounts feature Circle Metro. Between R & S Streets. from the waterfront; 1 /2 blocks from shops and 20MB storage, 10MB incoming attachments, Tel: (202) 232-2244, Fax: (202) 265-2435, restaurants. Sleeps 7-9, 3 bedrooms, 3.5 forwarding, autoresponse, folders, filtering, (800) 513-3907. baths. Beaufort Realty: Tel: (800) 548-2961. address book, no advertisements, autofetch E-mail: [email protected] www.beaufortrlty.com/rentals/rental023.htm from other e-mail accounts, spell check, html URL:www.220AV.TV GREAT VERMONT VACATION HOUSE support, and text search of your e-mail, all Government & Diplomat discounts online! Read your e-mail with a Web brows- on Lake Dunmore — 10 miles south of SHOPPING Middlebury — with private tennis court. er, or download to any e-mail client. Perfect Available by week or month, June 15-Aug. 1. if you don’t have e-mail at home, or if you need Also Aug. 15-Sept. 15. Call Lea Sneider: to check your e-mail from work, Internet cafes, NAVCO MALL (212) 724-6171; Fax: (212) 769-3156. anywhere! Enter coupon “USA” to receive Over 200 Shops and Stores! E-mail: [email protected] 15% discount for State Department employ- Save Time and Money ees. Visit WWW.NETBIRD.COM today. Everything you’re looking for, from A to Z VACATION RENTAL: MARCO ISLAND, BUSINESS CARDS Sales and Bargains at Every Store! FLA. Gulf Coast island offering the perfect Owned and operated by a 16-year-veteran vacation retreat. Waterfront home, beautifully BUSINESS CARDS AGENCYCARD.COM of the military and the FS furnished, 2 bedrooms/2 baths, swimming Professional Printing with raised lettering; Shop: www.navcosa.com pool, close to white sandy beaches. 5-day turnaround, free 2-day shipping (U.S. E-mail: [email protected] address/APO/FPO/Pouch) Tel: (410) 604-1254. www.agencycard.com AMERICAN PRODUCTS OVERSEAS! ONE-STOP SHOPPING for all your house- BEACHVIEW CONDO FLORIDA at BUSINESS CARDS Printed to State hold & personal needs. Personalized service Marco Island, 2 hours from Miami, 2 bed- Department specifications and delivered in 5 for FS personnel by FS retiree. Must have room/bath, walking distance to beach, swim- working days. 500 cards for as little as $37.00! APO or FPO address. For FREE CATALOG: ming pool, tennis, golf; low off-season rates; Thank you for calling Herron Printing & E-mail: [email protected] contact FSO Robert Cunnane at: Graphics at (301) 990-3100; or e-mail: E-mail: [email protected] [email protected]

12 AFSA NEWS • JUNE 2003