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Home , Charles Yost, Foreign Affairs (novel), John Gunther Dean, John Jacob Rogers

PUBLISHED BY THE AMERICAN FOREIGN SERVICE ASSOCIATION MAY 2014

CELEBRATING 90 YEARS OF THE ROGERS ACT

THE AMERICAN WAY OF DIPLOMACY

OUR MAN IN

FOREIGN May 2014 SERVICE Volume 91, No. 5

AFSA NEWS FOCUS 90TH ANNIVERSARY OF AFSA AND THE FOREIGN SERVICE Senate Releases Hold on FS Employees / 51 Diplomacy in Dangerous Foreign Service, Civil Service: Places / 51 How We Got to Where We Are / 19 State VP Voice: Millennial Diplomacy / 52 The burden of two very different personnel systems, and a large and FAS VP Voice: New USDA growing cohort of appointees exempt from the disciplines of either, Under Secretary Position / 53 is taking a real toll on the Department of State—and the Foreign Service. AFSA on the Hill: BY HARRY KOPP The Multiplier Effect / 54 Honoring Toni Tomasek In the Beginning: The Rogers Act of 1924 / 26 on Day / 55 The Foreign Service Act of 1924, known as the Rogers Act, created Department of State by State / 56 the U.S. Foreign Service as we know it today. Here is how it happened. UNA-NCA Honors BY JIM LAMONT AND LARRY COHEN Amb. Edward Perkins / 56 Members Support Merit Awards Program / 57 Foreign Service Stories: What Makes Us Proud / 33 Advocating for Members of the U.S. Foreign Service share moments from their careers. FS Child Care Options / 58 CONTRIBUTIONS FROM AFSA MEMBERS International Studies: AFSA Meets Academia / 59 An AFSA Timeline: Selected Highlights / 38 “Nowruz Pirooz!” / 60 COLUMNS President’s Views / 7 FEATURE In Defense of Nation-Building BY ROBERT J. SILVERMAN Letter from the Editor / 8 The American Way of Diplomacy / 40 Remembering Our History How do we rescue U.S. foreign policy from creeping militarization? BY SHAWN DORMAN How can we resurrect diplomacy from the musty archives of the past? Speaking Out / 16 A diplomatic practitioner offers some answers. Getting State and the Foreign BY ROBERT HUTCHINGS Service Back in the Game BY ROBERT HUNTER FS HERITAGE Reflections / 81 On the Eve of Independence Day BY JENNIE WILLSON Charles W. Yost: Our Man in Morocco / 44 This account of Ambassador ’s tenure in Morocco during the Cold War DEPARTMENTS offers a window into his remarkable career and the texture of postwar diplomacy. Letters / 9 BY FELICITY O. YOST Talking Points / 12 Books / 65 In Memory / 66 Local Lens / 82

MARKETPLACE Marketplace / 14 Classifieds / 73 Real Estate / 77 On the cover: The “father of the Foreign Service,” John Jacob Rogers, a Republican congressman Index to Advertisers / 80 from , is shown here in a portrait from 1921, courtesy of the Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division. The photo of Ambassador Charles W. Yost, “Our Man in Morocco,” was taken in February 1971, when the distinguished diplomat served as president of the Security Council, having been called out of retirement in 1969 by President to be the U.S. Permanent Representative to the U.N. Photo courtesy of UN Photo/Teddy Chen.

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | MAY 2014 5 FOREIGN SERVICE

Editor Shawn Dorman: [email protected]

Managing Editor Susan Brady Maitra: [email protected]

Ad & Circulation Manager Ed Miltenberger: [email protected] CONTACTS AFSA Headquarters: LABOR MANAGEMENT Art Director (202) 338-4045; Fax (202) 338-6820 General Counsel Caryn Suko Smith State Department AFSA Office: Sharon Papp: [email protected] Editorial Intern (202) 647-8160; Fax (202) 647-0265 Deputy General Counsel Bret Matera USAID AFSA Office: Zlatana Badrich: [email protected] (202) 712-1941; Fax (202) 216-3710 Labor Management Specialist Advertising Intern FCS AFSA Office: James Yorke: [email protected] Yuting “Cibil” Lu (202) 482-9088; Fax (202) 482-9087 Senior Staff Attorney Neera Parikh: [email protected] Contributing Editor GOVERNING BOARD Staff Attorney Steven Alan Honley: [email protected] President: Raeka Safai: [email protected] Robert J. Silverman; [email protected] Editorial Board Staff Attorney Secretary: Angela Dickey: [email protected] Andrew Large: [email protected] Jim DeHart, Chairman Treasurer: Hon. Charles A. Ford; [email protected] Labor Management Counselor Hon. Gordon S. Brown State Vice President: John Long: [email protected] Stephen W. Buck Matthew K. Asada; [email protected] Executive Assistant Ruth Hall USAID Vice President: Elizabeth Lee: [email protected] Maria C. Livingston Sharon Wayne; [email protected] USAID Senior Labor Management Adviser Richard McKee FCS Vice President: Douglas Broome: [email protected] Beth Payne Steve Morrison; [email protected] USAID Staff Assistant John G. Rendeiro Jr. FAS Vice President: Chioma Dike: [email protected] Duncan Walker David Mergen; [email protected] Tracy Whittington Retiree Vice President: MEMBER SERVICES Clayton Bond (AFSA Governing Board liaison) Lawrence Cohen; lawrencecohenassociates@ Member Services Director hotmail.com Janet Hedrick: [email protected] State Representatives: Deputy Director, Member Services and Events THE MAGAZINE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS Clayton Bond Kristy Pomes: [email protected] PROFESSIONALS Everett “Alex” Copher Coordinator, Retiree Counseling The Foreign Service Journal (ISSN 0146-3543), 2101 E Todd Crawford Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20037-2990 is pub- Todd Thurwachter: [email protected] lished monthly, with combined January-February and Chuck Fee Associate Coordinator, Retiree Counseling July-August issues, by the American Foreign Service Ken Kero-Mentz and Legislation Association (AFSA), a private, nonprofit organization. Elise Mellinger Matthew Sumrak: [email protected] Material appearing herein represents the opinions of the Nancy Rios-Brooks Administrative Assistant and Office Manager writers and does not necessarily represent the views of Sue Saarnio the Journal, the Editorial Board or AFSA. Writer queries Ana Lopez: [email protected] and submissions are invited, preferably by e-mail. The Michael D. Thomas Journal is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts, Lillian Wahl-Tuco COMMUNICATIONS photos or illustrations. Advertising inquiries are invited. David Zwach Director of Communications The appearance of advertisements herein does not imply USAID Representatives: Kristen Fernekes: [email protected] endorsement of the services or goods offered. Journal Andrew Levin Director of New Media subscription: AFSA member–$20, included in annual Ásgeir Sigfússon: [email protected] dues; student–$30; institution–$40; others–$50; Single Jason Singer issue–$4.50. For foreign surface mail, add $18 per year; FCS Representative: Publications Manager foreign airmail, $36 per year. Periodical postage paid Barbara Farrar Shawn Dorman: [email protected] at Washington, D.C., and at additional mailing offices. FAS Representative: Mark Petry Online Communications Specialist Indexed by the Public Affairs Information Services (PAIS). BBG Representative: Andre de Nesnera Jeff Lau: [email protected] Special Awards and Outreach Coordinator Email: [email protected] APHIS Representative: Mark C. Prescott Perri Green: [email protected] Phone: (202) 338-4045 Retiree Representatives: Marshall Adair Speakers Bureau Director Fax: (202) 338-8244 Hon. David Greenlee Thomas Switzer: [email protected] Web: www.afsa.org/fsj F. Allen “Tex” Harris ADVOCACY Hon. Edward Marks © American Foreign Service Association, 2014 Advocacy Director PRINTED IN THE U.S.A. STAFF Javier Cuebas: [email protected] Executive Director Senior Legislative Assistant Postmaster: Send address changes to Ian Houston: [email protected] David Murimi: [email protected] AFSA Executive Assistant to the President Attn: Address Change SCHOLARSHIPS Patrick Bradley: [email protected] 2101 E Street NW Scholarship Director Washington DC 20037-2990 BUSINESS DEPARTMENT Lori Dec: [email protected] Director of Finance Scholarship Assistant Femi Oshobukola: [email protected] Jonathan Crawford: [email protected] Controller Kalpna Srimal: [email protected] Assistant Controller Cory Nishi: [email protected] www.afsa.org

6 MAY 2014 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL PRESIDENT’S VIEWS

In Defense of Nation-Building

BY ROBERT J. SILVERMAN

n one of my favorite Bill Murray Iraq); and it certainly is not the kind of mission should be delegated to the chief of movies, he plays a local television international relations traditionally associ- mission to implement on the ground. weatherman sent to cover the annual ated with diplomacy (see under Henry Second, the U.S. government should I Groundhog Day festivities in Punx- Kissinger, A World Restored). realize that the State Department is the sutawney, Pa. Murray openly despises Most importantly, it is often seen as natural leader of this enterprise. True, the assignment. Forced by bad weather just plain not feasible, an amorphous task USAID has critical expertise in certain to stay in the small town overnight, he without clear criteria for success at best sectors; Treasury plays an important role, continually awakens the following morn- and a waste of money at worst. State’s especially in liaising with the international ings to find himself reliving Groundhog Office of the Inspector General reflects financial institutions. And the military Day in the same place. He is only able to this skepticism in its 2014 report on has the lead in security assistance and the break the time loop when he learns how the Bureau of Conflict and Stabilization resources to play a greater role in key infra- to handle the people and the assignment Operations. structure protection, while the intelligence well. So, given all this skepticism, why do we community is focused on the very different Is the stuck in a similar continue to get stuck in Groundhog Day? counterterrorism mission. time loop when it comes to the nation- The circumstances are different each State has the people who know the building assignment? time, but I count , Bosnia, Iraq, region and its leadership structures, who Of course there are real reasons to Afghanistan and as Groundhog are able to integrate the various inter- question the whole enterprise. To begin Day—and one could add others. agency resources to best achieve mission with, nation-building is a paternalistic Nation-building, or nation jump-start- priorities in a specific place. We sometimes term—it sounds like we are building some- ing, will remain a key part of our overseas come to this realization after the mission one else’s national institutions. In fact, mission as long as we are the pre-eminent has started (see under Iraq). what is usually meant is a mix of capacity democracy, and we should plan for it bet- Third, given its natural leadership role, building, development and reconstruc- ter. Here are three suggestions. State should invest more in equipping our tion aid, often focused at the local and First, it is time to revise the prescrip- people to be successful in carrying out the provincial levels, in conflict, post-conflict tions in the 2010 Quadrennial Diplomacy mission. To me that means more language and crisis countries. and Development Review, which spoke training, more and longer interagency Rick Barton, assistant secretary of State repeatedly of a “whole of government” leadership education and more prior- for conflict and stabilization operations, approach. That is a nice slogan; but if it ity given to those with multiple tours in uses the much better term “jump-starting,” means a laundry list from the Washington troubled regions. I believe Robert Ford’s which implies correctly that this enterprise interagency for what the United States record of effectiveness as ambassador to doesn’t work unless the local should do in conducting these the Syrian opposition has something to do people take ownership of it difficult assignments, it is abso- with his three tours in postwar Iraq. early on. lutely wrong. In short, let’s embrace the nation-build- There are other reasons for Instead, we should have ing enterprise and prepare for the next a lack of enthusiasm for nation- two or three clearly defined mission to Punxsutawney. building in the United States. priorities adopted by a unified Be well, stay safe and keep in touch, It has cultural connotations of U.S. government at the outset of Bob the colonial enterprise; it can each such assignment, and that [email protected] n become overly dependent on the U.S. military (see under Robert J. Silverman is the president of the American Foreign Service Association.

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | MAY 2014 7 LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

Remembering Our History

BY SHAWN DORMAN

his year marks nine decades of in the field of international studies. times contentious Foreign Service-Civil the Foreign Service and AFSA. I made the trip to Toronto, along Service relationship over time, including On May 24, 1924, President with retired FSO Robert Dry, a member the controversial 1950s Wristonization T Calvin Coolidge signed the Rog- of AFSA’s Professionalism and Ethics program and its impact on the present ers Act into law, establishing the modern Committee, to represent AFSA and the state of FS-CS relations. Foreign Service. The history of the For- Association for Diplomatic Studies and Then we take a close look at how the eign Service and AFSA is our focus in this Training. Rogers Act came to be with “In the Begin- anniversary month. Our goal was to make connections ning: The Rogers Act of 1924,” written by And speaking of birthdays, The Foreign in the academic world and share the two retired FSOs, AFSA Vice President Service Journal is actually 95 this year! practitioners’ perspectives through AFSA for Retirees Larry Cohen and James The American Consular Association pub- and ADST materials (The Foreign Service Lamont—who may just be the only per- lished the first issue of our precursor, the Journal, the Inside a U.S. Embassy book son to have written his Ph.D. thesis on the eight-page American Consular Bulletin, and the ADST oral histories, which were Rogers Act. Everyone concerned with the in March 1919. That organization was conveniently featured in our March Foreign Service should be familiar with expanded into the American Foreign Ser- issue). this act, so here is your primer. vice Association after the Rogers Act was The divide between the study of To conclude our focus, we offer a passed, and the magazine was renamed, international relations and the practice of selection of vignettes from AFSA mem- as well. diplomacy that I saw firsthand in Toronto bers, active-duty and retired, on some The new publication began with bold was striking, indeed, and begs to be of their best moments in the Foreign ambitions, which have stood the test of addressed. Happily, in this month’s fea- Service, followed by a condensed AFSA time: “This first printed bulletin of the ture, “The American Way of Diplomacy,” History Timeline. American Consular Association is the Robert Hutchings does just that, offering Elsewhere in this month’s issue, result of a feeling on the part of many a reality check and ideas for elevating Ambassador Robert Hunter calls for “Get- consular officers that there should be diplomacy as a subject for serious study. ting State and the FS Back in the Game” some organ by which information of To illuminate AFSA’s own 90-year (Speaking Out). And you’ll find a fascinat- interest to the Service might be dissemi- history, this fall AFSA’s Foreign Service ing account of Ambassador Charles Yost’s nated—an organ which would provide a Books imprint will publish a new book, tenure in Cold War Morocco, written by medium for the exchange of ideas look- The Voice of the Foreign Service: A History his daughter, in FS Heritage. ing to the improvement of the service as of AFSA. It’s author, former FSO Harry We welcome your feedback on this well as news of the activities of particular Kopp, has been poring over archival issue and encourage you to think about officers.” documents and old FSJs, interviewing, submitting a letter or a full article for a Fittingly, it was during that birthday researching and writing for the last 18 future issue. Author guidelines can be month that we took the Journal and other months, and the book is close to found on the FSJ page of the AFSA materials to the International Stud- completion. Look for it before AFSA website. If you’re keen to ies Association convention in Toronto. The the end of our anniversary year. share but not to write, send us ISA was established in 1959 to promote For this issue, in “Foreign a favorite recent photo from an research and education in international Service, Civil Service: How We interesting place for Local Lens. affairs and to be the premier organization Got to Where We Are,” Mr. Kopp Next month, look for perspec- for connecting scholars and practitioners looks at the sensitive and some- tives on the diplomatic corps of other countries, written by Shawn Dorman is the editor of The Foreign Service Journal. practitioners. n

8 MAY 2014 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL LETTERS

Promoting FS Health The depart- sonal protective equipment. And they I am writing in response to the ment has support deployments to zones of armed Speaking Out column in your engaged in conflict by psychologically preparing, November 2013 issue (“Keeping numerous screening and treating employees for Faith with State’s Wounded War- discussions with post-traumatic stress disorders or other riors,” by Juliet Wurr) and to the two OWCP regarding related mental health conditions. letters to the editor in the January- this issue, and we Hans G. Klemm February 2014 issue involving a understand that Acting Director General for the workers’ compensation claim. OWCP shares this Foreign Service and Director Although the State Depart- view. We con- of Human Resources ment cannot comment on medical and tinue to work with Washington, D.C. confidential information on specific OWCP to clarify the standards it applies employees, the department shares the to the adjudication of such cases. A Clarification Regarding concerns about the health risks that In addition to its work with OWCP, Workers’ Comp many of our Foreign and Civil Service the department is committed to enhanc- The AFSA News article “Claiming employees face when posted abroad. ing its efforts to inform Foreign Service Workers’ Compensation” in your We have taken appropriate and effective and other U.S. government civilian January-February issue states: “The cost action to address them. employees posted abroad regarding the of long-term treatment of all civilian fed- The State Department provides sup- health risks they face in their countries eral government employees—including port to its employees in filing claims for of assignment, and to provide them the members of the Foreign Service—who workers’ compensation benefits under necessary resources and direction to are injured in the line of duty, or suffer the Federal Employees’ Compensation mitigate these risks. from a medical or psychiatric condition Act, a program administered by the U.S. The Department of State’s Office of that can be attributed to government Department of Labor’s Office of Work- Medical Services strives to safeguard service domestically or overseas, is ers’ Compensation Programs. Although and promote the health and well-being reimbursed through the Office of Work- OWCP is responsible for adjudicating of America’s diplomatic community. ers’ Compensation in the Department claims for workers’ compensation, the Overseas, MED provides primary care of Labor, and not through the foreign department works closely with OWCP and mental health services, manages affairs agencies.” and its employees to assist them if an hospitalizations and medical evacua- While it is correct that the Depart- employee believes that he or she con- tions, and assesses local health threats ment of Labor adjudicates claims, pays tracted a disease or other injury causally and medical resources for more than claim-related medical bills and pays related to his or her employment. 50,000 employees and their eligible monetary, wage-loss compensation for The department also consults regu- family members serving under chief-of- those who are unable to work or who larly with OWCP regarding the sup- mission authority. have incurred permanent impairments, porting documentation and standards MED staff members promote well- all these related expenses are actually it applies in evaluating claims, includ- ness through health promotion, educa- charged back to the employing agency at ing the required demonstration by an tion, immunizations and attention to the end of the year. employee that a disease was contracted health maintenance. They provide occu- Of primary importance, however, is in the performance of duty. The depart- pational and travel medical services to not which agency covers such expenses, ment strongly believes that Foreign maintain a safe workplace and healthy but seeing that all claims are handled Service employees, as well as all other workforce worldwide. fairly and in a timely manner by OWCP. federal government employees posted They also prepare for medical That is our goal. abroad, who contract an infectious dis- responses to pandemics, disasters and Judy Goodman Ikels ease endemic to their country of assign- terrorist attacks by emergency planning, Chief, Work/Life Division ment should be eligible for workers’ staff training and stockpiling of emer- U.S. Department of State compensation benefits under FECA. gency drugs, medical supplies and per- Washington, D.C.

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | MAY 2014 9 The Young African promote the values that we hold dear in the Maryland election and was alleged Leaders Initiative our own nation and those of us in the to have engaged in unfair and decep- I’d like to highlight the Young African Foreign Service strive to impart in the tive campaign practices. That election Leaders Initiative for Foreign Service regions in which we work: democracy, itself became the subject of a Senate Journal readers. This noble endeavor by human rights and the rule of law. investigation in 1951, but the results were the United States is a signature effort to Krishna Das ultimately allowed to stand. Joseph D. invest in the next generation of African Foreign Service Specialist Tydings, Millard’s son, represented Mary- leaders. Nearly one in three Africans Embassy Baghdad land in the U.S. Senate from 1965 to 1971. are between the ages of 10 and 24, and Michael D. Orlansky approximately 60 percent of Africa’s total Correcting Tydings FSO, retired population is below the age of 35. “Telling Our Stories: The Foreign Affairs Burlington, Vt. President Obama launched YALI in Oral History Collection,” as featured in 2010 to support young African lead- the March issue of The Foreign Service Recalling Anson ers as they spur growth and prosperity, Journal, was an excellent way to mark Burlingame strengthen democratic governance, and AFSA’s 90th anniversary. The excerpts In reference to the March AFSA News enhance peace and security across the from the ADST interviews with six diplo- article, “AFSA Memorial Plaque: The For- continent. mats who carried out their assign- gotten, Found,” I believe that one other Since 2010, the State Department ments with distinction, meeting exceptional American has held 15 exchanges for young African many challenges from the 1940s diplomat omitted from leaders and sponsored 1,283 sub-Saha- through the 1990s, offer unique the list should be honored ran scholars through its educational and insights into the professional and remembered: Anson cultural affairs programs. U.S. embas- and personal aspects of serving Burlingame, Abraham Lin- sies have awarded small grants totaling our country abroad. coln’s first envoy to Imperial $750,000 to YALI alumni groups sup- These well-selected excerpts China (Qing Dynasty). porting youth development in Africa. will surely encourage many While serving in Beijing The YALI programs could be emu- readers to consult the website (1861-1867), Burlingame lated across the globe, especially in of the Association for Diplo- often spoke up for ordinary places where there is a lack of under- matic Studies and Training in search of Chinese whose voices were standing of basic governance and the “the rest of the story.” The ADST oral his- rarely heard. He articulated the issues of rule of law. The Middle East would be tory interviews are a valuable historical unfairness perpetuated by foreign powers a great place to start a similar program resource—and often a great read, too. seeking special privileges, extraterritori- for emerging leaders in the areas of civic Regarding the interview of FSO John ality, access to commerce in coastal ports engagement, government and business. S. Service, however, I would note that and other demands. As a reader for the YALI program, I the chairman of the Tydings Commit- At the end of his China tour, the Qing have seen many talented individuals tee (formally called the Subcommittee Imperial Court asked him to serve as who aspired to become leaders within on the Investigation of Loyalty of State its envoy to help renegotiate the many their chosen fields. Sadly, however, due Department Employees), which in 1950 unequal treaties Western powers had to a lack of resources and opportunities summoned Mr. Service and others to tes- imposed following the Opium Wars of within their respective environments, tify, was U.S. Senator Millard E. Tydings, 1839-1842. The State Department autho- they were unable to develop their true D-Md.—not Joseph Tydings, as indicated rized him to do so. (For the full story, potential. So it is truly an honor to be in the excerpt. see www.unc/edu/depts/diplomat/ part of the State Department’s innova- Millard Tydings served in the Senate item/2011/0912/ca/jue_burlingame). tive, creative efforts to address this from 1927 until 1951, following his defeat As part of his mission to help China, problem. in the bitter 1950 campaign. His col- the envoy drafted eight articles to supple- Programs like YALI are an investment league on the committee, Sen. Joseph ment the 1858 Treaty of Tientsin. These in the future of those nations, and they McCarthy, R-Wis., became involved in formed the Burlingame Treaty of 1868,

10 MAY 2014 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL also known as the Seward-Burlingame Treaty. This new treaty accorded equality, fairness and reciprocity to China. Regrettably, the national mood in the United States at that time was highly xenophobic, and Congress tried to abro- gate the treaty by legislation. President Rutherford Hayes vetoed that bill, citing the constitutional principle of separation of powers, but the treaty was later nulli- fied by the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882. En route to Europe, Burlingame and his large Chinese delegation stopped in London, , Stockholm, Copenha- gen, Berlin and St. Petersburg, and were warmly received at each stop by heads of state. Sadly, the Russian winter was too severe for Burlingame, who died there of pneumonia on Feb. 23, 1870. He was buried in a cemetery in Cambridge, Mass., with both American and Chinese flags draped over the coffin. In honor of his diplomatic service, the A time of service…a time of need Qing Court conferred a posthumous Civil Service title of the first rank on him and set up a pension of $10,000 for his fam- Help for Seniors May ily. The city of Burlingame outside San Francisco International Airport was also Be Just a Phone Call Away— named after him. In retrospect, perhaps Mark Twain’s The Senior Living Foundation may be words in his tribute to Burlingame able to help you or someone you know. expressed it best: “For he had outgrown Some examples of assistance are: the narrow citizenship of a state and N Home Health Care became a citizen of the world, and his charity was large enough and his great N Adult Day Care & Respite Care heart warm enough to feel for all its N Prescription Drug Copayments races and to labor for them. ... In great- N Transportation to Medical Appointments ness, ability, grandeur of character and N Durable Medical Equipment achievement, he stood head and shoul- ders above all the Americans of today. For more information, please contact the ... He was a good man and a very, very SENIOR LIVING FOUNDATION great man. America lost a son, and all the OF THE AMERICAN FOREIGN SERVICE 1716 N Street, NW N Washington, DC 20036-2902 world a servant, when he died.” Phone: (202) 887-8170 N Fax: (202) 872-9320 Stanton Jue E-Mail: [email protected] N Web Site: www.SLFoundation.org

FSO, retired SPONSORED BY THE AMERICAN FOREIGN SERVICE PROTECTIVE ASSOCIATION Arlington, Va. n

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | MAY 2014 11 TALKING POINTS

Sending Their Best tees—just 7.8 percent. In comparison, 37 changes may affect the accuracy of the to Washington percent of America’s ambassadors sta- data.) AFSA’s document, Guidelines for s AFSA delves ever deeper into tioned overseas were political appoin- Successful Performance as a Chief of Mis- Athe issue of political ambassadors, tees as of April 1. sion, is available online at www.afsa.org/ we have often made the case that our As we broke the data down even chiefsofmission. counterparts around the world do not further, we discovered that not a single —Ásgeir Sigfússon, contend with the same level of political member of NATO, the Group of 20 or the AFSA Director of New Media patronage when it comes to the selec- Association of Southeast Asian Nations tion of ambassadors—and particularly has a politically appointed ambassador Addition by those being dispatched to the capitals representing it in Washington. The only Subtraction? of important allies. But would the actual nations with such political appointees in n a March 24 statement known as the statistics bear out the anecdotal evi- Washington are Haiti, Jamaica, Kenya, IHague Declaration, the United States dence supporting that conclusion? Kosovo, Lesotho, Mauritania, Moldova, and its closest allies formally suspended After researching every ambassador Panama, Rwanda, Serbia, , Russia from membership in the “Group currently stationed in Washington (167 Trinidad & Tobago and Zambia. of 8” industrialized democracies. in all) and scrutinizing their biogra- Clearly, almost every country in the As a result, the body will now revert phies, it turns out we were even more world believes that its bilateral rela- to its Group of 7 structure, which dates right than we knew. tionship with the United States is so back to 1976 and brings together finance To aid in our analysis, we divided important that only highly qualified and ministers and central bank governors these officials into three categories: experienced diplomats or government from Canada, , , Italy, career members of their country’s For- ministers are entrusted with conduct- Japan, the United Kingdom and the eign Service; highly experienced former ing it. United States. government members; and political We invite you to investigate the list The Hague Declaration reads, in part: appointees. The chart shown here tells by visiting www.afsa.org/foreignambs. “This Group came together because of the story vividly. Only 13 of the 167 (Note that the data there is accurate shared beliefs and shared responsibili- could be categorized as political appoin- as of March 18; subsequent personnel ties. Russia’s actions in recent weeks are not consistent with them. Under these circum- stances, we will not partici- pate in the planned Sochi Summit. “We will suspend our participation in the Group of 8 until Russia changes course and the environ- ment comes back to where the G-8 is able to have a meaningful discussion, and will meet again in G-7 format at the same time

Jeff Lau Jeff as planned, in June 2014, in , to discuss the broad agenda we have together. “We have also advised our foreign ministers not

12 MAY 2014 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL SITE OF THE MONTH: http://uscpublicdiplomacy.org

he University of Southern California’s Center on Pub- colleagues around Tlic Diplomacy was established in 2003 as a partner- the world, help them ship between the Annenberg School for Communication dig deeper into and Journalism and the School of International Relations its original analy- at the University of Southern California. In 2008, USC sis and curated received the Benjamin Franklin Award for Public Diplo- content, and share macy from the U.S. State Department in recognition of their work with the its work to “advance and enrich the study and practice of global PD community. The new public diplomacy through its research, professional educa- and improved site offers access to daily news, blogs, inter- tion and public engagement.” views and multimedia content, as well as the largest free To enhance its ability to carry out that mission, CPD collection of public diplomacy resources anywhere. has redesigned its website to connect PD professionals to —Steven Alan Honley, Contributing Editor

to attend the April meeting in Moscow. stepped down as U.S. ambassador MTV Fights Trafficking In addition, we have decided that G-7 to Moscow, believes it might. In his emember the old days when MTV energy ministers will meet to discuss view, “The G-8 was something [Russia] Rjust showed music videos? Today the ways to strengthen our collective energy wanted to be part of. This for them was a pioneering network harnesses the power security.” symbol of being part of the big-boy club, of its world-famous brand to support Since Moscow was invited to join the the great power club—and the club of social action campaigns. forum in 1998 as a gesture to encourage democracies,” he adds. One such campaign is MTV EXIT (End the nascent democracy to align with But other commentators insist that Exploitation and Trafficking), which works Western powers, the decision to hold the expulsion from the G-8 actually serves in partnership with USAID and Australian foreign ministers’ meeting in Brussels, Putin’s interests, freeing him from Aid. MTV EXIT seeks to help end human where NATO is headquartered, may well keeping up the pretense that he shares trafficking and exploitation “by raising be meant to hammer that point home. Western values. In a March 3 awareness, promoting positive behavior There is little reason to believe the Times op-ed, William Inboden, a profes- change and driving social action.” snub will induce Russian President sor at the Clements Center for History, Based in , MTV EXIT works Vladimir Putin to roll back his country’s dismisses the Kremlin as a “kleptocratic with “influencers” around the world, “annexation” of Crimea. Speaking at the autocracy” and says, “It’s long been clear including international and local celebri- Nuclear Security Summit in The Hague that Russia doesn’t belong” to the West. ties, anti-trafficking and youth organiza- (where the G-7 issued its statement), Nor will “jettisoning the G-8” harm tions, government agencies and young Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov the global economy, concludes David people, primarily in the Asia Pacific responded: “If our Western partners Bosco, an assistant professor at Ameri- region. believe that this format has become can University. He points out that the So far, the campaign has put on 38 obsolete, then so be it. We are not cling- Group of 20 (which includes Russia) large concerts, including a Jason Mraz ing to this format and we do not see big emerged as the principal forum for appearance in Myanmar and concerts in troubles if the group does not meet.” global economic issues in the wake of Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia and even Still, might such moves deter the 2008 financial crisis. (The next G-20 Timor-Leste, featuring many of the most Putin from further aggression toward summit will take place in Brisbane on popular Southeast Asian artists. Ukraine or other former Soviet repub- Nov. 15-16.) Through films, TV shows, music vid- lics? Michael A. McFaul, who recently —Bret Matera, Editorial Intern eos, concerts, public service announce-

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | MAY 2014 13 MTV EXIT concert in Surabaya, Indonesia.

ing with resources to help activists get involved. It also AFSA Scholarship provides resources to AFSA.org/Scholar help those at risk stay AKA informed. stayAKA.com Using art and music to connect Arlington Court Suites Hotel Jakarta USAID of Courtesy with the target demo- arlingtoncourthotel.com ments and a robust online presence, the graphic (young people), the site features campaign has a wide reach. The website videos and photos from the campaign. Clements Worldwide features a “My EXIT Plan toolkit” to It also profiles the artists and bands who clements.com encourage people to get involved in rais- have already joined the cause, such as ing awareness about trafficking. South Korean girl band Simple Plan and Diplomatic Automobile In November 2013, MTV EXIT Thai band Slot Machine. diplosales.com launched the MTV EXIT Blog (mtvexit. MTV EXIT includes a link on its front org/blog/) to chronicle the work of youth page that allows visitors to “Join the Embassy Risk Management embassyrisk.com leaders and activists across the Asia Fight,” offering information on how activ- Pacific region. The blog has a friendly ists can make a difference. The Hirshorn Company and dynamic layout, and is overflow- —Bret Matera, Editorial Intern hirshorn.com/USFS 50 Years Ago McGrath Real Estate Services homesdatabase.com/jimmcgrath he people at the Journal office have been some- Twhat surprised, and a little miffed, at the lack of PROMAX Management Inc. reader comment on the changes in the magazine’s promaxrealtors.com appearance in the last couple of issues. Hasn’t anybody noticed? When the Saturday Evening Post underwent WJD Management a radical face-lifting operation a few years ago, the wjdpm.com reaction, pro and con, was convulsive. We wouldn’t like people writing in to cancel their subscriptions, as some SEP readers did, but we expected at least a few oral or epistolary twitches. … So far (at this writing) nobody has pointed out that the eagle on our title page is looking the wrong way: anyway, in the wrong direction from the eagle on the United States Seal. No insubordination or heresy intended: his pose does not indicate an ideological shift to the left. The artist insisted he had to face that way, outward toward the magazine title rather than inward away from it. We choose to believe that the absence of protests means that Journal read- ers are, as a group, open-minded, receptive to change and experiment. Not just unobservant. —From “Washington Letter,” by Ted Olson, FSJ, May 1964.

14 MAY 2014 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL Contemporary Quote

I feel privileged… If I were outside government now I’d be writing editorials, seeking meetings with the U.N. ambassador [and] seeking meet- ings with the Secretary of State. Instead I get to work with the Secretary every day who’s as committed as I am to dealing with the problem. I get to talk to the president about it, who has dedicated $100 million to get African forces in there in as timely a fashion as possible in tough budget times. So I’m in a much better position now to affect both the pace and the scope of our response, and we’ve come a long way. But ... neither the new nor the old Samantha Power can be satisfied when you still have Muslim and Christian civilians who are living in great fear. —Samantha Power, U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations, speaking about the crisis in the Central African Republic on NPR’s “Morning Edition,” April 11.

Shooting the Messenger show that he is afraid of the message and tung by online political attacks, desperate to shoot the messenger.” STurkish Prime Minister Recep Twitter is a popular platform for Turk- Tayyip Erdogan banned access to the ish whistleblowers, who in recent months social media platform Twitter on March have shared recordings—allegedly of 21, just ahead of local elections. At this Erdogan and his aides—that implicate writing, the issue is in the courts. top-ranking authorities in corruption, Erdogan has made similar threats to abuse of power and other wrongdoing. ban Facebook and YouTube, but has not Anonymous tweets promising to yet acted on those. release even more sensitive recordings The Turkish telecommunications reg- via Twitter on March 25, a few days ulator BTK defended the ban as intended before the elections, presumably goaded to prevent the possible “victimization Erdogan to issue his edict. of citizens,” citing legal complaints from Many Turkish Twitter users have users who asserted the site had violated sidestepped the ban, including Turk- their privacy. ish President Abdullah Gül, who But the English-language Turkish tweeted: “There is no way that closing newspaper Hürriyet Daily News reports down social media platforms can be that the Istanbul Heavy Penal Court told approved.” The hashtag #TwitterIs- the Union of Turkish Bar Associations BlockedInTurkey began trending from that Twitter had been blocked as a result within the country a few hours after the of an “executive decision, not a judicial ban was announced. verdict.” TBB has filed a petition with the Neelie Kroes, vice president of the court requesting the ban be lifted, the European Commission who is also in report said. charge of the European Union’s digital The Committee to Protect Journal- agenda, called Turkey’s ban “groundless, ists commented that “Prime Minister pointless, cowardly.” n Erdogan can keep stepping up his attacks —Steven Alan Honley, on social media, but they only serve to Contributing Editor

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | MAY 2014 15 SPEAKING OUT

Getting State and the Foreign Service Back in the Game This is not just about diplomacy, either narrowly or broadly defined, but about analyzing and integrating all instruments of power and influence— political, diplomatic, economic and military.

BY ROBERT HUNTER

or some time, there has been a narrowly or broadly defined, but about the outside world than ever before, and spate of articles and other com- analyzing and integrating all instruments must therefore be both smarter and more mentary (I might even say hand- of power and influence—political, diplo- creative. Fwringing) about the diminished matic, economic and military. (And also Among other things, radical expan- role that the State Department is playing cultural: I still bemoan one of the worst sion of the term “foreign policy” means in the overall “making” of U.S. foreign decisions affecting U.S. interests abroad that there are a lot more players than policy, as opposed to “carrying out” at in the last two decades, the elimination of ever before in U.S. policy formulation least the non-military elements of it. (Wit- the U.S. Information Agency, for which I and engagement (not all of whom are in ness Vali Nasr’s pointed analysis in The spoke over many years and which should Washington), including the public and Dispensable Nation: American Foreign be promptly revived.) private sectors and nongovernmental Policy in Retreat, Anchor, 2014.) organizations. These players all have an Though I have never served in the U.S. The Paradigm Gap instantaneous capacity to interact and Foreign Service, I would like to draw on This mission has become even more communicate that defies centralization my experience as a former ambassador urgent since the end of the Cold War, with under the authority of anyone, certainly to NATO and National Security Council the collapse of a relatively simple unifying including the Secretary of State—let alone staffer, and a current member of State’s foreign policy paradigm. Indeed, there any U.S. chief of mission abroad. International Security Advisory Board, to is now a “paradigm gap” that—absent a The country teams in many embassies offer the following suggestions for getting unifying “threat” from, say, China—will are already too huge to manage, forcing State and the Foreign Service fully back in not be closed, given the nature of today’s the front office to spend more and more the game, where they belong. diffuse international system and the likely time gathering intelligence on what is Strengthening the Foreign Service is systems of tomorrow. being done in the name of the U.S. by so essential in its own right, but I believe it This reality is reinforced by the sheer many different actors—including combat- is also critical to focus on the role that the scope of U.S. interaction with the outside ant commands that bear no allegiance to State Department must play in the inter- world, encompassed (for want of a bet- the chief of mission. agency process, as well as in developing ter term) by the concept “globalization.” Back in Washington, State has often (and implementing) overall strategies for Ironically, we face fewer direct threats to been sidelined since the end of the Cold the United States in the world. the homeland than we did during the Cold War—not just because the White House This is not just about diplomacy, either War, but are perforce far more engaged in has been drawing power to itself, but also because State has not sufficiently Robert Hunter served as U.S. ambassador to NATO (1993-1998), lead consultant to the Na- cultivated Foreign and Civil Service staff tional Bipartisan Commission on Central America (also known as the Kissinger Commission, with the talents and skills to play effec- 1983-1984), director of West European and then Middle East affairs at the National Security tive roles in strategic thinking and policy Council (1977-1981) and foreign policy adviser to Senator Edward Kennedy (1973-1977), integration. These are not, alas, generally among other positions. He is currently a member of the State Department’s International Secu- requirements for promotion. rity Advisory Board and the American Academy of Diplomacy. Killing off the mind-expanding Senior

16 MAY 2014 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL Seminar, on the specious grounds that down to the working level—lots of whom, contending aspects of U.S. interests and senior people could not be spared for let’s be candid, are not up to the job—only policies); charting courses to deal with the several months, is just one example of the exacerbates the loss of Foreign Service consequences of U.S. disentangling from problem. The same goes for the tendency expertise. the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan; and often to send FSOs judged to be “unpro- This might have happened anyway, providing context and political content for motable” at State to be political advisers given the growth of patronage politics in the “rebalancing” to Asia. at military commands, even when they recent decades. But it has not been helped Another area, evident recently, in are “square pegs” who lack the regional or by the relative lack of hard analyses and which the White House came up short and functional expertise to be effective there. useful policy suggestions flowing from State did not fill the void, concerns NATO, This robs the commands of solid diplo- State to the White House, which could Central Europe and Russia. Had circum- matic advice, deprives State of a source of signal to the president that too much stances been properly understood and seasoned intelligence on the U.S. military patronage politics at State could kill off a policies well-formulated and executed, in action, and reduces the chances of inte- valuable goose and its golden eggs. And clear-sightedness just might have headed grating different aspects of policy. if the NSC staff itself proves to be inad- off the recent crisis over Ukraine. equate in strategic thinking, the president It has been years, if not decades, Left on the Margins does not benefit if the pros at State don’t since State’s Policy Planning staff has While State continues to do its job fill the gap. played the creative role for which it was well enough, often superbly, in terms of designed. Too often, its director has day-to-day activities (frequently under The Ideas Gap lacked the skills, experience and stature difficult circumstances), it has become All too often, today’s Foreign Service to provide the necessary leadership in steadily more marginal in the formulation does not encourage (or promote) mem- choosing and motivating staff and assur- of policy at the high end of the spectrum. bers well-versed in strategic thought, ing that S/P’s products meet the needs of This has been true of at least the last three broad-scale analysis and integration the Secretary of State. (To be fair, though, administrations, and the resulting gap— across regions and functions to pres- the Secretary has often failed to use S/P though only in part State’s “fault”—has ent for presidential-level decision the effectively or demand that it be “brought been largely filled by other entities. perspectives and potentialities for U.S. up to snuff.”) In particular, the National Security effectiveness in the world. Too often, At the same time, many regional Council staff has grown exponentially insight and initiative are stifled in the bureau assistant secretaries—even when since the end of the Cold War, even though lower and middle grades; cutting-edge Foreign Service and not political—are they, too, have often shown little penchant analysis is heavily sandpapered on the selected for their capacity to “manage” a for “strategic thinking.” This is due in large sixth and seventh floors, before smooth bureau—which, of course, is important— part to the fact that every president after but uninspiring “consensus”—i.e., “fully but not to produce (or draw out from their George H.W. Bush has seemed to believe, cleared”—recommendations pass to the teams) the perspectives needed for State erroneously, that America’s role in the White House. to play a critical role in the formulation world is easier to manage in an era of Thus, expertise at State has made of policy. The under secretary for politi- reduced direct threats to the nation. (Also, of a dent in the interagency process and cal affairs has often been top-class in this the larger the NSC staff grows, the more has been less on the “front lines” of ideas regard, but recent incumbents have rarely it “crowds out” more experienced and than should be expected. These lacunae in been chosen for their capacity for strategic expert people in the agencies.) State’s policy leadership notably include, thinking. The drop in the number of FSOs in for instance, fashioning a new Transat- Of course, there are pockets within the senior-level positions at State—50 percent lantic Compact embracing NATO and the department that traditionally have played is the common assessment—is a further critical Transatlantic Trade and Invest- an effective “strategic” role and some problem, not just for the department but ment Partnership—on which Treasury continue to do so, notably, in my judg- also for policy-formulation overall. The and USTR have marginalized State; most ment, current Under Secretary for Arms intrusion of political appointees many areas of Middle East policy (including the Control and International Security Rose layers deep into the bureaucracy, even necessary integration and trade-offs of Gottemoeller and her able team. This is

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | MAY 2014 17 one area where State’s leadership role has requires taking a broad look at the role of long been acknowledged throughout the State in an age when more factors than government. ever before must be integrated to enable the United States to be effective in the Filling the Leadership world. Vacuum It means placing added emphasis Part of the problem is also insufficient on developing people with the capac- leadership at the top of the department. ity for strategic thinking; and it means To be blunt, several Secretaries of State reforming the selection, promotion, in the past two decades never under- organization and management processes stood that their real influence derived within State, especially to emphasize and from their ability to bring ideas to the reward the skills and perspectives that table, not just success at implementing produce ideas that can truly add value policy or sitting at the president’s right not just to the “interagency process” but hand in the Cabinet or situation rooms. also to securing U.S. interests and values They compounded that mistake by abroad. defining success in terms of the narrow Each Secretary of State needs to instrumentality summarized as “diplo- make building an effective, top-class, macy”—even when expertly carried “strategically-oriented” team his or her out—without reference to strategic first order of business before plunging thinking, analysis, planning and presen- into diplomacy. Otherwise, State’s role tation of policy alternatives. will continue to be depreciated, and the There has also been weakness at the Foreign Service will increasingly be seen top at the State Department in terms of not as a policy development instrument fighting for money, including failure to but as a team of negotiators—however enlist presidents in that cause. The first able. Quadrennial Diplomacy and Develop- It follows, too, that strengthening ment Review four years ago was a noble State’s role in foreign policy and national venture in essaying a counterpart to security must include not just Foreign the Defense Department’s Quadrennial Service officers and others whose experi- Defense Review, thus opening the door ence is largely limited to the department, to challenging DoD’s 13-to-1 share of the but their colleagues from other agencies, national security budget pie. the private sector, NGOs and non-FSO But aside from some increase in the “policymakers”—where strategic think- number of Foreign Service positions, ing and integration of different perspec- what did the QDDR accomplish? The tives and instruments of policy and creation of three new bureaus just added action will also be in critical demand. to bureaucracy without enhancing Of course, all of this must be directed State’s “clout”—whether in diplomacy from the top, by U.S. presidents who and development or, more importantly, understand the need for a first-class in strategy. team in foreign policy and national secu- rity, structure and organization to enable Cast a Wide Net them to be effective and his or her com- What is to be done? Addressing the mitment to lead. This, too, is needed for problems and possibilities of the Foreign State and the Foreign Service to get back Service and of the State Department in the game. n

18 MAY 2014 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL FOCUS 90TH ANNIVERSARY OF AFSA AND THE FOREIGN SERVICE

FOREIGN SERVICE, CIVIL SERVICE How We Got to Where We Are

The burden of two very different he U.S. Department of State is one of personnel systems, and a large and the few agencies—the Department of Defense is another—with large num- growing cohort of appointees exempt bers of employees in different personnel from the disciplines of either, is taking systems. The two systems, Civil Service a real toll on the Department of State— and Foreign Service, have different and the Foreign Service. employee benefits, protections, rights and obligations. BY HARRY KOPP Conflicts between the systems have long been evident. From the 1940s into the 1970s, a series of com- Tmissions, committees and panels of experts urged the depart- ment to move to a single structure. The department’s leadership agreed with these recommendations, but time and again found reasons to delay or avoid acting on them. State eventually abandoned the effort to integrate the two ser- vices, but not the search for ways to strengthen a sense of team- work and unity of purpose. The dual system, with its administra- tive complexities and inevitable inequities, continues to burden the department’s managers.

The Roots of a Dual System The roots of the dual system reach to the 18th century, when Thomas Jefferson, the first Secretary of State, created different services to perform different functions: a diplomatic service to

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | MAY 2014 19 maintain political rela- The Foreign Service Act tions with foreign powers; a In 1900 the U.S. had 41 of 1924, generally known consular service to protect diplomatic missions and 318 as the Rogers Act, passed American seamen and after three years of debate, other citizens, and attend to consular establishments—and combining the two services American maritime interests just 91 domestic employees, into a single Foreign Service generally; and a home or of the United States, with departmental service to take including the Secretary of State. entry by competitive exami- care of matters in the capital. nation, promotion by merit, “The great rule of mandatory retirement, a conduct for us in regard pension system and other to foreign nations,” said President George Washington, “is, in features that remain in place today (see p. 26). extending our commercial relations, to have with them as little political connection as possible.” In line with this doctrine, Personnel Structure under the Rogers Act the consular service far outnumbered the diplomatic service, The personnel structure of the Foreign Service as conceived which far outnumbered the home service. in the 1924 Act was a flow-through system, bringing new As late as 1900, when the United States was an emerging world members in at the bottom and moving them through ranks power with a two-ocean navy, a colony in the Philippines and that emptied with promotions or retirements, by reason of age a rising global financial center in New York, there were only 41 or time in grade. The system was rotational, with members diplomatic missions compared with 318 consular establishments expected to move periodically from station to station. Officers (not counting some 400 more consular agencies). To oversee and in the Foreign Service would compete against each other, with support this far-flung network, filled with patronage appoint- the top performers advancing and the worst performers facing ments, the department had just 91 employees, including the possible dismissal. Secretary of State. By contrast, the Civil Service system, introduced to the At the turn of the 20th century, according to historian Tyler Department of State in the early 20th century through a series Dennet, the Department of State was “an antiquated, feeble of executive orders, was static. Members did not necessarily organization, enslaved by precedents and routine … remote from enter at the bottom, and they advanced in grade only by mov- the public gaze and indifferent to it.” For diplomats and consuls ing to more highly rated—more challenging and more respon- alike, salaries were low and allowances, other than modest sums sible—positions. They had a high degree of job security and for rental of office space, essentially nonexistent. were not expected to move periodically from one assignment Business and shipping interests complained that the consular to another. service, in particular, served them poorly. Wilbur Carr, then The principal difference, however, was that members of the head of the department’s consular bureau, began working with Foreign Service expected to spend roughly 90 percent of their Representative John Rogers of Massachusetts in 1919 to produce time overseas. Members of the Civil Service, with a few excep- a bill to “amalgamate” and professionalize the consular and tions, worked only in the United States. diplomatic services. The exceptions were outside the State Department. Congress established a Foreign Commerce Service in the Commerce Harry Kopp, a former FSO and international trade consultant, was Department (1927-1939) and a Foreign Agricultural Service deputy assistant secretary of State for international trade policy in the in the Department of Agriculture (1930-1939), and provided Carter and Reagan administrations; his foreign assignments included overseas postings for employees of the Interior Department’s and Brasilia. He is the author of Commercial Diplomacy Bureau of Mines (1935-1943). Employees of all three agencies and the National Interest (Academy of Diplomacy, 2004) and the co- remained in the Civil Service when sent abroad. When austerity author of Career Diplomacy: Life and Work in the U.S. Foreign Service and war later shut both organizations down, their members were ( Press, 2011). He is now writing a history of the reassigned to the Department of State and welcomed into the American Foreign Service Association, and some of the material in this Foreign Service. Congress revived the FAS in 1954 and the FCS article will appear in different form in that work. in 1980, and both services adopted the Foreign Service system

20 MAY 2014 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL after passage of the Foreign ing “democratization of Service Act of 1980. Despite repeated calls to move the Foreign Service.” The to a unitary personnel structure, Bureau of the Budget urged Broken by War Secretary of State James F. World War II broke the like most other federal agencies, Byrnes to place the depart- Foreign Service, as it broke so the State Department has ment’s Foreign Service and many institutions. Recruit- Civil Service employees in ment was halted to avoid refused to act. a single system. Foreign interference with the military Service personnel, said the draft, leading the increas- BOB, would benefit from ingly short-handed department to implore its senior officers to more time in the department, and Civil Service personnel would stay on the job as long as possible. Under the Rogers Act, the gain from tours abroad. percentage of officers in each of the top six (of nine) ranks was The bureau also recommended recruitment and hiring into strictly limited: no more than 6 percent, for example, could be in the middle and upper grades of the Foreign Service, to break Class 1, the highest rank, and no more than 14 percent in Class down its closed, elite structure. It argued, as well, for more atten- 6. The percentage caps, lifted finally in 1945, effectively blocked tion to building leadership, supervisory and administrative skills promotions. As officers grew frustrated, many resigned to join the through systematic training for all of the department’s employees. armed forces. In 1941 Congress addressed the shortage by authorizing the Seldin Chapin and the 1946 Act department to form a Foreign Service Auxiliary of people hired Seldin Chapin, head of the department’s Office of Foreign outside the examination process, to serve for the duration of the Service (a position roughly equivalent to today’s director general war. Auxiliary personnel were paid according to their civilian of the Foreign Service), led a study group that proposed a 10-year experience and sometimes outearned regular Foreign Service transition to a consolidated service whose members would all officers doing similar work. Many had skills in economics and serve at home and abroad. But consolidation, even over a decade, finance that regular FSOs often disparaged as technical or “spe- would surely have met resistance from the career Foreign Service, cialized.” and likely from the home service as well. By 1943 planning for a postwar world was already underway. State management did not want to deal with such friction, and The department’s top administrative official, a career member turned aside Chapin’s recommendation. Instead, it directed him of the Foreign Service named G. Howland Shaw, saw a need to to work on legislation to preserve a separate Foreign Service. retain the skills that the Auxiliary had brought into the service. The Foreign Service Act of 1946 evolved from Chapin’s efforts. Regular career FSOs feared that an influx of Auxiliary personnel It created a service that included an officer corps, a staff officer into the career would inhibit their own advancement. A Decem- corps (providing a career for the non-career clerks) and a reserve. ber 1943 Foreign Service Journal editorial defended the “versatil- Reserve officers held commissions for up to five years and were ity and adaptability” of the “trained Foreign Service officer” who often chosen for their specialized skills and knowledge. is “better fitted to handle the coming postwar duties than any Staff, reserve and regular officers were all on the same pay group of specialists or technicians recruited from civil life.” scale and received similar benefits. The foreign and home ser- But the hiring freeze in the career service had made that think- vices remained separate, but members of the home service, the ing irrelevant. In January 1946, the 976 officers in the Auxiliary staff officer corps and the reserve corps with at least four years of outnumbered the 820 officers of the regular career corps. Under experience (or three years for those over the age of 31) could seek the Manpower Act of 1946, the department held examinations lateral entry into any but the highest level of the Foreign Service. that brought 360 new officers into the career service at all but the Chapin, a career FSO, was a graduate of the Naval Academy. most senior grades. The new officers came from the Auxiliary, the His legislative draft introduced several features of the Navy’s per- military and the Civil Service, or had been clerks and vice consuls sonnel system to the Foreign Service, notably “promotion up or in the non-career Foreign Service. selection out”—mandatory retirement of regular (but not staff or A July 1945 Washington Post editorial called for “a complete reserve) officers repeatedly passed over for promotion or repeat- overhaul and radical expansion of the State Department,” includ- edly ranked at the bottom of their class.

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | MAY 2014 21 The 1946 Foreign Service Act For all its virtues, the Foreign proposal for the Army of the created a service of great flex- Potomac between the Wilder- ibility, able (at least on paper) to Service Act of 1946 did not ness and Appomattox.” So, as add and subtract personnel as had happened under Secretary needs changed. But the legisla- address key organizational Byrnes, the moment for uniting tion left untouched the manage- problems. the services passed again. rial complexity of a Department President Dwight Eisen- of State with two personnel hower’s Secretary of State, John systems, and failed to provide overseas exposure for the home Foster Dulles, had far fewer qualms about disrupting the depart- service or Washington assignments for the Foreign Service. Its ment. In 1954 he appointed a committee of eight under Chair- passage turned out to be just the beginning, not the end, of a long man Henry Wriston, president of Brown University, to review past period of organizational flux and debate. reports and recommend action that would be swift and decisive. Just five months after the committee’s first meeting, its work was Curing a “Cancerous Cleavage”: Hoover to Wriston done, and Secretary Dulles accepted its main recommendations. A series of blue-ribbon panels, beginning with the Hoover The Wriston Committee called for the integration of the Commission of 1947-1949 (chaired by former President Herbert Foreign Service and the home service “where their functions and Hoover) urged the department to restructure itself. Citing “a can- responsibilities converge.” Implementation would entail making cerous cleavage” between the Foreign Service and the Civil Ser- some 1,450 home-service positions in Washington available to vice in the department, the commission’s recommended solution members of the Foreign Service, and admitting a like number of was clear: “The personnel in the permanent State Department home officers from the Civil Service to the Foreign Service, along establishment in Washington and the personnel of the Foreign with a large number of new recruits. The Foreign Service officer Service above certain levels should be amalgamated over a short corps was to grow from around 1,300 to nearly 4,000. Congress period of years into a single foreign affairs service obligated to passed the necessary legislation in August 1954, and enacted serve at home or overseas and constituting a safeguarded career related reforms the following April. group administered separately from the general Civil Service” Although in surveys FSOs claimed to favor integration of the [emphasis in original]. Civil and Foreign Services, in practice many objected to bringing Dean Acheson, the former under secretary and future Sec- in new officers at any but the lowest grades. And many con- retary of State, was a member of the commission and “heartily sidered members of the Civil Service unworthy of joining their concurred” with this view. But when he became Secretary of State ranks. in 1949, he fudged by appointing New Deal lawyer James H. Rowe The country’s most famous Foreign Service officer, George to head a new commission to study the report of the old one. F. Kennan, certainly held that view. Writing in Foreign Affairs in Rowe’s report reached his desk in 1951 with another recommen- high patrician style, Kennan, then on extended leave from the dation for merging the Civil and Foreign Services. It cited a survey department, referred to himself as “an antiquated spirit” who that found that 81 percent of the department’s civil servants and would prefer “25 really superior officers to 2,500 mediocre ones.” 59 percent of its Foreign Service officers supported an integrated He dismissed the Wriston Report as “a pamphlet.” service—albeit with caveats. Members of the home service wanted assurances they would not be penalized if they chose not Last Gasp of the Single-Service Impulse to go abroad; FSOs feared loss of pension and retirement benefits Wristonization, as the process was soon universally known and worried about a decline in standards. within State, was completed in just four years’ time, but few found Secretary Acheson was even more reluctant to act in 1951 than the result satisfactory. The incoming Kennedy administration he had been in 1949. Senator Joseph McCarthy’s witch hunt was found a State Department that still contained two personnel sys- in full cry, and the department was in turmoil. Acheson (refer- tems. An outside committee on foreign affairs personnel under ring to himself in the third person) later wrote: “It would seem former Secretary of State produced a report that understandable that the Secretary regarded a far-reaching and Secretary Dean Rusk approvingly sent to the president. “Espe- basic reorganization of the status of every person in the Depart- cially welcome,” he wrote, “is the proposal for a single foreign ment [of State] as General Grant might have regarded a similar affairs personnel system, instead of the dual Foreign Service and

22 MAY 2014 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL Harris & Ewing/Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division and Photographs Prints Congress of Harris & Ewing/Library Henry M. Wriston, at right, the newly inaugurated president of Brown University, was introduced by former Secretary of State Charles Evans Hughes, at left, at the school’s alumni dinner at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, D.C., on March 15, 1937.

Civil Service system with which we now work.” Whatever the reasons, the legislative path to integration had Secretary Rusk’s top management official, Deputy Under Sec- reached its end. retary for Administration Bill Crockett, followed his chief’s lead. William Macomber, a political appointee, took Bill Crockett’s Crockett, a lateral entry into the Foreign Service, was tireless and job as State’s under secretary for management in 1969. Nomi- optimistic. “I was the Foreign Service’s Don Quixote,” he later said nally a Republican, he had already been Kennedy’s ambassador in an oral history interview. “I saw windmills to combat, and I to Jordan and had served as Dean Rusk’s assistant secretary for never contemplated failure. I was naïve or inordinately optimistic legislative affairs in the late 1960s. about what we could accomplish.” Macomber used administrative measures to create a new For- Crockett enlisted the support of Representative Wayne Hays, eign Service personnel category, the foreign affairs specialist, to D-Ohio, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. In which members of the Civil Service and the Foreign Service staff 1965 Hays produced a bill that would have placed nearly all corps could convert. The FAS corps was a hybrid, taking rank- employees in State, the Agency for International Development in-person, selection-out and mandatory retirement from the and the U.S. Information Agency in a unitary Foreign Service. The Foreign Service system, but without a requirement for worldwide bill would have added to the regular, staff and reserve officers a availability. Foreign affairs specialists were expected to serve new category, foreign affairs officers, comprising professionals primarily in the United States. who would serve primarily, but not exclusively, in the United The FAS program was short-lived. Federal courts accepted the States. position of the American Federation of Government Employees His bill passed the House but died in committee in the Senate. that the program had no basis in law and shut it down in 1973. Hays blamed Senator Claiborne Pell, D-R.I., a member of the Still, it had been popular. Hundreds of civil servants, especially Committee on Foreign Relations and a former FSO. Pell, said in the U.S. Information Agency, had converted to FAS before the Hays, “didn’t like the selecting-out thing.” Crockett blamed the court decision, and many, including the head of AFGE’s USIA often-reported animosity between Senate Committee Chairman local, chose to remain foreign affairs specialists to the end of their J. William Fulbright, D-Ark., and his erratic House counterpart. careers.

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | MAY 2014 23 The FAS corps was Wristonization was completed programs—the Diplomatic effectively the last time the Readiness Initiative and Diplo- single-service impulse took in just four years, but few macy 3.0, respectively—that tangible form in the Depart- found the result satisfactory. secured congressional support ment of State. (The National for increased funding and Performance Review, a study additional positions for Foreign prepared in 1993 under the Service and Civil Service leadership of Vice President Al Gore, urged USAID to bring its employees in the Department of State. Under these programs, the Civil Service and Foreign Service employees into a single person- Foreign Service grew more rapidly than the Civil Service, but over- nel system modeled on the Central Intelligence Agency, but that all personnel data tell a different story. By 2009, State employed idea was not pursued.) In 1975, Foreign Service Director General 12,018 members of the Foreign Service and 9,487 members of the Carol Laise told Secretary of State that the drive Civil Service, a ratio of just 1.3 to 1. toward a single-system model had failed and should be aban- Throughout this period, the emphasis that AFSA and other doned. Soon after, yet another blue-ribbon commission, this one foreign affairs organizations placed on the unique characteristics convoked by Congress and headed by retired Ambassador Robert of the Foreign Service clashed repeatedly with the emphasis of the Murphy, came down in favor of a dual-service system, a posi- department’s leadership on teamwork and unity of purpose. AFSA tion endorsed by Deputy Under Secretary for Management Larry and other organizations were quick to criticize Secretary Powell Eagleburger. when he changed the annual Foreign Service Day celebration to a more inclusive Foreign Affairs Day in 2001 and renamed the Vive la Difference Foreign Service Lounge the Employee Service Center. When the Carter administration and Congress wrote the More seriously, AFSA fought a long and litigious campaign to Civil Service Reform Act of 1978 and the Foreign Service Act of block certain high-profile assignments of Civil Service employees 1980, a merger of the two systems was never seriously discussed. to Foreign Service positions overseas, and to inhibit such assign- (Creation of a single senior service, instead of the separate Senior ments generally. These and other efforts to defend the distinction Foreign Service and Senior Executive Service that emerged, was of the Foreign Service did not reverse the Service’s diminishing briefly under consideration, however.) prominence in the Department of State and in the conduct of The American Foreign Service Association had favored a the country’s foreign relations. Nor did such efforts sit well with single-service system in the 1950s, but after the reformers known the department’s management, which tried under successive as the Young Turks took control in 1968, AFSA argued in favor of secretaries to make (in Secretary John Kerry’s words) “each com- a “clear division” between the home (Civil Service) and Foreign ponent of our workforce … work together as one cohesive and Service. AFSA praised the Foreign Service Act of 1980 for its “reaf- vibrant team.” firmation of the distinction between the Foreign Service and the The Foreign Service Act of 1980 is now 34 years old, the age of Civil Service.” (The distinction was blurred for the director general the Foreign Service Act of 1946 when it was replaced. The drafters of the Foreign Service, who under the legislation became respon- of the 1980 legislation had no great admiration for the dual-ser- sible for all of the department’s human resources, including its vice system, but like Secretaries Byrnes, Acheson and Rusk, they Civil Service employees, but had little to do with Foreign Service concluded that keeping it was preferable to attempting change. personnel in agencies other than State.) With two very different personnel systems—not to men- The years since passage of the 1980 Act have not been kind to tion a large and growing cohort of appointees exempt from the the position of the Foreign Service within the Department of State. disciplines of either—the Department of State lacks the cohesion In 1988, the department had 9,232 full-time employees in the For- and vibrancy Sec. Kerry has called for. The department’s man- eign Service and 4,677 in the Civil Service, a ratio of 2 to 1. By 1998, agers, its Foreign Service and Civil Service employees, and its the department had cut its Foreign Service staff by 16 percent, to congressional committees of jurisdiction should start now to look 7,724. The number of civil servants, however, had increased by for ways to harmonize the systems, with renewed dedication to more than 6 percent, to 4,977, so the ratio had fallen to 1.6 to 1. merit principles, equal opportunity, and a fair balance of rights To repair the damage to the Foreign Service, Secretaries and obligations. Only fundamental change can give the Secretary of State Colin Powell and Hillary Rodham Clinton undertook what he wants and deserves. n

24 MAY 2014 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL

FOCUS 90TH ANNIVERSARY OF AFSA AND THE FOREIGN SERVICE

IN THE BEGINNING The Rogers Act of 1924

The Foreign Service Act of 1924, known as the Rogers Act, created the U.S. Foreign Service as we know it today. Here is the story of how it happened.

BY JIM LAMONT AND LARRY COHEN

inety years ago this month, the duced his first Foreign Service reform bill in 1919. A decade Rogers Act, officially known as the earlier President Theodore Roosevelt had declared: “The spoils Foreign Service Act of 1924, merged system of making appointments to and removals from office is the Department of State’s Diplomatic so wholly and unmixedly evil, is so emphatically un-American Service and Consular Service—sepa- and undemocratic, and is so potent a force for degradation in our rate institutions since the nation’s public life, that it is difficult to believe that any intelligent man earliest days—into the United States of ordinary decency who has looked into the matter can be its Foreign Service. Equally important, advocate. As a matter of fact, the arguments in favor of the merit it established a meritocracy-driven system against the spoils system are not only convincing; they are personnel system, and established or extended vital allowances absolutely unanswerable.” Nand benefits that had been either lacking or seriously inadequate. The status quo was also inefficient. Although the Consular The need for such sweeping reform had been evident many Service was in dire need of modernization, it was widely seen years before Representative John Jacob Rogers, R-Mass., intro- as business-oriented and was the more respected of the two divisions. The Diplomatic Service lacked many attributes for an Jim Lamont, a Foreign Service officer from 1965 to 1991, wrote about effective professional career and was perceived by the public as the Rogers Act for his doctoral dissertation, which he completed 50 years elitist and snobby. Little interaction occurred between the two ago. In studying the legislation, he became curious about what hap- divisions, whose members followed unrelated career paths. Both pened to the Foreign Service after its enactment, so he took the Foreign suffered from a dearth of essential benefits. Salaries were discour- Service exam to find out. agingly low for consuls and ridiculously low for diplomats. Larry Cohen, a Foreign Service officer from 1980 to 2007, is currently The leading internal catalyst for reform at State during the AFSA’s vice president for retirees. He and Jim Lamont served together in early years of the 20th century was Wilbur John Carr. Born in the economic section of Embassy Tegucigalpa from 1983 to 1985. Ohio in 1870, Carr entered the State Department as a shorthand

26 MAY 2014 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL clerk in 1892. Through talent and hard work, he rose to become chief of the Consular Bureau in 1902; seven years later, he became director of the Consular Service. Under his leadership, the Con- sular Service became better organized and more effectively managed than its stodgy diplomatic counterpart. Carr’s forward-looking ideas about administra- tion and management caught the attention of Elihu Root, President Theodore Roosevelt’s Secretary of State. In 1906 Secretary Root worked with Senator , R-Mass., to pass the first bill to restructure the Consular Service along merit-based lines. Drafted almost entirely by Carr, the Act of April 5, 1906, reorganized the Consular Service in almost every way. Among other things, it classified officers by salary, increased the overall pay scale, and provided for the creation of a corps of consular inspectors who were to report on the operation of each consular post at least once every two years. These reforms did not address State’s larger structural problems, however. The Diplomatic Ser- vice was clearly not equipped to meet its growing Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division and Photographs Prints Congress of Library responsibilities in the post-World War I world. No Wilbur John Carr, shown here in a portrait taken in 1924, was a master inspection system supervised diplomatic posts. The bureaucratic tactician and administrator who served a total of 47 years with State Department lacked the authority to support the Department of State. Born near Taylorsville, Ohio, in 1870, he entered State in 1892 as a clerk. In 1902, he became chief of the Consular Bureau, which he disabled officers, fund sick or home leave, provide almost single-handedly reconstructed as a merit-based system. He served as for a retirement system with benefits or allow offi- director of the Consular Service from 1909 to 1924. cers to serve in positions outside of their specialty. Carr worked with Representative John Rogers to craft the language that And neither service possessed legal authority for went into the Rogers Act and, with its 1924 passage, became the first Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs. He served in that position until officer training; post, representational or cost-of- appointed to in 1937. He was present at the German occupation living allowances; or the dismissal or retirement of of that country in 1939. ineffective officers. While executive orders promulgated by Presi- Fifth Congressional District. A fervent supporter of institutional dents Grover Cleveland, Theodore Roosevelt and William How- reform, Rogers well deserved his eventual nickname, “the father ard Taft had introduced some merit principles to both services, of the Foreign Service.” leading Progressives realized that effective reform required com- With Wilbur Carr as his legislative ghostwriter, Rogers prehensive legislation. But how could an increasingly isolationist introduced a series of reform bills beginning in 1919. Generally, and economy-minded Congress enact such legislation? changes were made to the bills either when Rogers and Carr Luckily, Rep. John Jacob Rogers, R-Mass., rose to the chal- wanted to incorporate improvements, or when a new Congress lenge. required a new bill to replace one that had died with the previous session. Despite occasional variations in content and language, Enter John Jacob Rogers all were precursors to the Foreign Service Act of 1924. Carr also Born in 1881 in Lowell, Mass., Rogers graduated from Harvard ensured that the consuls maintained a united front in support of University and Harvard Law School. In 1912 he was elected passage of the bills. as a Republican to the House of Representatives for the state’s The Diplomatic Service was another story. William Castle,

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | MAY 2014 27 Unlike Castle and his ilk, Grew and his col- leagues were not motivated by snobbery or a desire to protect privilege or patronage. They also shared the desire of Carr, Rogers and others to enhance the department’s professionalism and its ability to conduct diplomacy. In fact, they opposed union with the consuls precisely because they considered unity an obstacle to achieving those goals. Only diplomats, Grew believed, possessed the special- ized experience and ability required for such important work. Interservice union, he argued, would seriously harm their esprit de corps. Still, Grew and his supporters knew they held a weak hand. It was true that the Diplomatic Service occupied the most senior positions and exercised greater influence within the department. But it also suffered from a reputation as a haven for political- patronage appointees. One of Rogers’ strongest diplomatic supporters, Minister Hugh Gibson, played on this stereotype at a congressional hear- ing by deploring “the boys in the white spats, the tea drinkers, the cookie pushers … the specimens who have become poor imitations of foreigners.” Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division and Photographs Prints Congress of Library John Jacob Rogers, the “father of the Foreign Service,” shown here in a portrait Rogers himself characterized the diplomats from 1921, was a Republican congressman from Massachusetts. Born in Lowell, as “men to whom social opportunities strongly Mass., in 1881, he was first elected to the House of Representatives in 1912. After appeal,” and expressed the hope of eliminating a brief stint in late 1918 as a private in the Field Artillery, Rogers introduced a from the Service “the idle rich young man who series of Foreign Service reform bills, drafted largely by Wilbur Carr. He finally won passage in May 1924 of the Act that bears his name. Less than a year later, thinks in terms of silk hats, spats and afternoon he was dead. teas.” Another witness from the Diplomatic Service, His wife, , succeeded him in Congress. She worked for Hugh Wilson, attempted to defend his peers by passage of the Moses-Linthicum Act and was a key sponsor of bills creating the Women’s Army Corps, the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps and the Serviceman’s declaring that diplomats were “more spat upon Readjustment Act of 1944, commonly known as the GI Bill. Rep. Nourse Rogers than spatted.” This was decidedly a minority view, served in Congress for 35 years until her death in 1960. however. In the end, career diplomats sensitive to their chief of the Bureau of Western European Affairs, exemplified the service’s negative reputation and desirous of its professionaliza- resistance to some to Carr’s efforts. Castle remarked that he did tion had to go along with Rogers and Carr. not regard an increase in diplomatic salaries as wise. “No man … not possessed of a large income” should be admitted to the A Hard Slog Diplomatic Service, Castle sniffed. Rogers’ legislation eventually gained the endorsement of Sec- Another critic of the Rogers bills was Joseph C. Grew. Like retary of State Charles Evans Hughes, who wryly remarked, “It is Rogers, he was a Massachusetts native and Harvard man. A a poor patriot who would sink his ships and his diplomats at the Boston Brahmin, Grew began his government career in 1904 as a same time.” Presidents Warren Harding and Calvin Coolidge also consular clerk at the U.S. consulate in Cairo, but soon entered the supported the measure. Diplomatic Service and rose swiftly through the ranks. During the Since the president, the secretary of State, and both houses of early 1920s he served first as minister to Denmark, then Switzer- the Republican-controlled Congress favored the legislation—with land. In March 1924, he was made under secretary of State. the Senate minority leader lending his backing—opposition was

28 MAY 2014 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL A fervent supporter of institutional reform, John Jacob Rogers well deserved his eventual nickname, “the father of the Foreign Service.”

not substantial. Yet final passage was not smooth. Congressional indifference and a lack of political attention at key points in time delayed action. In the House of Representatives, vocal partisan attacks came in early 1923 from four Texas Democrats who chal- lenged almost every aspect of the bill, its sponsors and the means by which it had progressed in Congress. Rogers himself and the Republican Party were specifically assailed. In March 1923, the House of Representatives passed Rog- ers’ bill. The Senate Foreign Relations Committee approved it. Congress was about to adjourn, and unanimous consent was required to bring the bill to the Senate floor for debate. As Carr waited anxiously in the gallery, no motion came to allow debate, so the bill died. The problem was unanimous consent. Senator Thomas Ster- ling, R-S.D., was seen as likely to block the bill from coming to the floor because of concerns about its retirement feature. Lodge told Carr that he could do nothing with Sterling. Carr asked Secretary Hughes to write to President Harding, who wrote to Sterling. But the senator remained unconvinced. Carr suspected that Lodge was not being sufficiently active, but hesitated to “nag” him. One of the leading consuls, Tracy Lay, thought that Lodge had not pushed the bill strongly enough, possibly because he was jealous of Rogers and did not want him to get credit for it. Carr himself was less harsh toward Lodge: “I am disposed to think … that if Lodge did refrain purposely from pressing the bill, it was because he was loaded up with distasteful administration measures at the last moment … and became tired and displeased and unwilling to fight for anything anymore. It may be, on the other hand, that he had learned that Sterling would continue his opposition, and that there was no use trying to pass the bill by unanimous consent.” He added: “A mere onlooker cannot judge without being put in possession of all the facts.” If not for the adjournment of Congress, the bill would likely have passed easily in 1923. In 1924 such opposition as existed was again politically pow-

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | MAY 2014 29 The Act’s Main Provisions The legislation addressed several long- standing goals of Carr and his allies: • First, it established a new entity, “The Foreign Service of the United States.” Its members were called “Foreign Service offi- cers,” were promotable on merit and subject to assignment in either the consular or diplo- matic branch of the Service. • The Rogers Act created a class structure for FSOs (Class 9 through Class 1) with speci- fied pay scales. Officers were to be appointed as diplomatic secretaries, consular officers or both. Entrants would not be commissioned to a specific post; rather they would be placed within an officer class. All applicants had to pass an examination and spend five years in probationary status in an “unclassified” (but J. Sherrel Lakey/Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division and Photographs Prints Congress of Lakey/Library Sherrel J. On Dec. 20, 1944, Joseph Clark Grew became under secretary of State for the second salaried) group before entering Class 9. time. Above, Secretary of State Edward Stettinius presents the new under secretary • For the first time, representational and five of the new assistant secretaries at the oath of office ceremony. Left to right: allowances were to be provided to diplomatic William L. Clayton, Dean Acheson, Joseph C. Grew, Edward R. Stettinius, Archibald MacLeish, Nelson A. Rockefeller and James C. Dunn. and consular missions. Home leave travel Grew served a total of 37 years in the Department of State. Born in Boston in and subsistence expenses would be paid to 1880, he began his career as a clerk and rose quickly. In the early 1920s he served FSOs who served overseas for at least three as minister, first to Denmark and then Switzerland. During the debate over the Rogers Act, Grew feared that merger of the Diplomatic and Consular Services would years. Officers acting as chargés d’affaires or compromise his service’s standards. assuming temporary charge of a consulate Three months before passage of the Rogers Act in May 1924, Grew was appointed would receive additional compensation. The undersecretary of State. He next became ambassador to Turkey in 1927, during a Rogers Act also ordered the creation of a list period of turmoil over the act’s implementation. He was serving as ambassador in Tokyo at the time of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, on Dec. 7, 1941. of unhealthful posts; a year at any of them would count as 1½ years for purposes of calculating length of service. erless to stop it. On May 1, the House of Representatives passed • FSOs could be assigned to the Department of State for a the bill for a second time. Two weeks later, Sen. Lodge called the period of three years. If the “public interests” demanded further bill up. With the addition of four amendments, it passed the full service, a tour could be extended by up to another year. Senate with little floor debate and no real opposition. • The Rogers Act created a Foreign Service retirement and The amendments were not minor. They provided that officers disability system. FSOs age 65 or older with at least 15 years of could accept any position in the government without giving up service were now eligible for full retirement. Officers who became their right to reinstatement in the Service; that officers on special disabled (provided it was not because of “vicious habits, intem- duty or duty as inspectors should receive per diem instead of perance or willful misconduct”) were entitled to similar benefits. subsistence pay; that officers retiring before reaching 65 should Retirement annuities, however, were subject to reduction by receive 75 percent rather than 50 percent of their contributions whatever income an annuitant earned from other sources. to the retirement and disability fund; and that Carr’s position as director of the Consular Service be abolished and a new assistant Easier Said than Done secretary job created. The House quickly concurred with the bill After the act’s passage, messages of appreciation poured in to as amended. those most responsible for the outcome: Rep. Rogers and Wilbur President Calvin Coolidge signed it into law on May 24, 1924. Carr. The latter received extensive expressions of congratulation,

30 MAY 2014 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL A rocky road lay ahead for the system, due in large measure to the State Department’s failure to aggressively pursue congressional funding for training, allowances and other requirements.

including the pen Pres. Coolidge had used to sign the bill into diplomatic career spanned nearly 40 years. Before 1924, some law. In public Carr maintained his customary modesty. But in his African-Americans had been admitted, but were assigned only to personal diary, he confided: “It was I … who drafted the legisla- a handful of countries in Africa and the Caribbean, such as Haiti tion and who carried through most that we have that is valuable.” and Liberia. Now assignments of African-American FSOs were to While the Foreign Service Act specified what was to be done be made worldwide—at least in theory. (See “African-American and set in place the framework for the modern Foreign Service, it Consuls Abroad, 1897-1909,” by Benjamin R. Justesen, in the required executive orders and administrative regulations to come September 2004 Foreign Service Journal.) to life. Accordingly, Executive Order 4022 of June 7, 1924, estab- To the continuing concern of Grew and his fellow diplomats, lished the Foreign Service Personnel Board and named the under some issues were left unresolved. But as Carr commented, “The secretary of State as its chairman. Other board members included law is only the instrument which we are authorized to employ to the assistant secretary for consular affairs—Carr—and an assistant the end we wish to obtain. We shall have only the kind of Service secretary from the diplomatic branch so that both former services we are willing to make.” would be represented. The order also provided for the creation of Unfortunately, a rocky road lay ahead for the system, due in a Board of Examiners and a Foreign Service School. large measure to the State Department’s failure to aggressively Now that the institution’s basic structure was defined, the pursue congressional funding for training, allowances and other Personnel Board went to work. In its first major action, it retired requirements. Congress even cut previously granted post allow- older officers and jettisoned other “dead wood” in the united ances. This timidity seriously debilitated the Foreign Service, officer corps, clearing the way for more meritorious officers to both in terms of efficiency and morale. One story that made the rise through the ranks. rounds told of a London bobby who encounters a solitary man The board acted with remarkable unanimity on a multitude of sitting on a curb. The bobby asks him, “Gov’nor, why don’t you matters, following a tacit understanding that consular members go ‘ome?” The man replies, “I have no home. I am the American would generally leave final decisions on diplomatic questions to ambassador!” their diplomatic colleagues and vice versa. It established stan- Ironically, interchangeability between the services, a key stick- dards for entry tests and efficiency reports, assigned members ing point prior to passage of the legislation, proved almost totally to promotion review boards and clarified the requirements for non-controversial. Just before its May 1924 passage, Grew wrote entrance to the Foreign Service. Of particular note, it opened up in a letter to a fellow diplomat that Carr “realizes … the branches the institution to women and African-Americans. must represent two separate professions” and there must be The first woman to enter the Foreign Service after passage of “no weaving back and forth” between them. His judgment the Rogers Act was Pattie H. Field, who was sworn in on April 20, about Carr’s views was essentially correct. The Personnel Board 1925, and served as a vice consul in Amsterdam. However, Field subsequently made clear that “indiscriminate transfers from one was not the first woman in the United States Foreign Service. That branch to the other clearly would not be in the interest of the honor belongs to Lucile Atcherson, who was appointed to the government or of the officers themselves.” Carr had to agree. Diplomatic Service in 1922. (See “Lucile Atcherson Curtis: The Foreign Service officers “particularly adapted” to one branch First Female American Diplomat,” by Molly W. Wood, in the July- were expected to serve in it permanently, while officers with August 2013 Foreign Service Journal.) equal talents in both fields would be given their choice. How- According to the State Department’s Office of the Historian, ever, Grew and his fellow diplomats also recognized that there the first African-American to join the U.S. Foreign Service fol- had to be some exceptions. As an indication of its acceptance of lowing passage of the Rogers Act was Clifton R. Wharton, whose interchangeability, the Personnel Board decided that most For-

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | MAY 2014 31 eign Service School graduates, regardless of career goals, would rewriting the Rogers Act. A bill strongly influenced by the consuls initially be assigned to a consular office for about 18 months. was introduced that year and served as a template for similar bills introduced over the next three years. In 1931, Senator George H. The Promotion-Equity Crisis Moses, R-N.H., and Representative John C. Linthicum, D-Md., During the transition to a merit-based promotion system, a introduced a bill that passed and was signed into law by Presi- serious problem emerged. For the consuls, an officer list drawn dent Herbert Hoover. Carr called it “one of the most important up in order of excellence was no problem. But personnel records measures, and perhaps the most important, for the future welfare for their diplomatic colleagues were woefully inadequate. The of the Foreign Service that has yet been enacted.” Personnel Board felt constrained under the circumstances to The Moses-Linthicum Act ordered a reorganization of the use separate lists on a purely “temporary basis” until standards department’s personnel system, establishing a Division of Person- became more uniform. Carr had to concur. As a result, equal num- nel led by an assistant secretary to handle efficiency records and bers of officers in each specialty were promoted during the first their evaluation. This official, together with two other assistant year of the new system. But this failed to take into consideration secretaries, would form a personnel board with the sole duty of the greater number of consuls (375 to 117), their longer average recommending officers for promotion, demotion, transfer or time-in-class and Service seniority. separation. FSOs who were board members were made ineligible The issue came to a head in October 1925. Robert Skinner, an for promotion to minister or ambassador until three years after influential, high-ranking consular officer who had been actively serving on the board. involved in the Rogers reform effort, complained to Grew that The act also set more liberal compensation rates and leave-of- half-measures and grudging concessions regarding Foreign absence rules and instituted optional retirement after 30 years of Service unity did not fulfill the spirit of the Rogers Act. Most service, retroactive credit for service at unhealthful posts, more significantly, he provided figures that proved promotions favored equitable representation, post allowances, within-class salary diplomats. The Personnel Board researched the numbers and increases and other benefits. Further, it spelled out more stringent found, to its surprise and chagrin, that Skinner was right. But it examination and appointment rules, and created new opportuni- took no action to remedy the situation. ties for clerks to advance into the Service. By mid-1926 Congress got wind of the dispute. With pressure The new act’s most important result, however, was psychologi- mounting, the board asked the State Department’s solicitor to rule cal. It served to reassure all FSOs that there would be no recur- on the legality of maintaining separate promotion lists. Instructed rence of the administrative stumbles that had led to the crisis of that such a practice was illegal, the board belatedly unified its 1926-1927. two lists, and followed this action in 1927 with a proposal for 44 additional consular officers to be granted immediate “reparation” A Great Legacy promotions. Nearly a century later, the Rogers Act, buttressed by the Moses- That response failed to resolve the flap, however. Grew saw Linthicum Act, still serves as the foundation of the current Foreign the writing on the wall, remarking: “We seem to have our hands Service. Of course, in hindsight it suffered from weaknesses that particularly full of wildcats.” He was right. House and Senate somewhat limited the effectiveness of U.S. foreign policy. resolutions called for a full investigation, and in April 1927, Sec- Nevertheless, to a very large degree it accomplished the goals retary of State Frank Kellogg, upset by the whole situation, sought Rogers and his fellow reformers envisioned. Not until 1946, 22 a shakeup of the Personnel Board. He proposed to President years after its passage, was any noteworthy change to the Foreign Coolidge that Grew be nominated as ambassador to Turkey, and Service’s structure deemed necessary. And even then, the Foreign that two other board members be nominated for ministerial posi- Service Act of 1946 was, in essence, only an updated expression of tions overseas. the ideas Rogers had promulgated in 1924. His vision—and Wil- Although the three nominees were eventually confirmed, the bur Carr’s—still determine to a large degree the conditions under department’s clumsy handling only reinforced the growing belief which today’s Foreign Service personnel work and live. that reform of the Foreign Service was incomplete. Sadly, neither Sen. Lodge nor Rep. Rogers lived long beyond the act’s passage. Lodge suffered a fatal stroke in November 1924, The Moses-Linthicum Act less than six months after its enactment, while Rogers died at the Accordingly, Congress held hearings in 1928 with an eye to age of 43 in Washington, D.C., on March 28, 1925. n

32 MAY 2014 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL FOCUS 90TH ANNIVERSARY OF AFSA AND THE FOREIGN SERVICE

FOREIGN SERVICE STORIES What Makes Us Proud Members of the U.S. Foreign Service share moments from their careers.

n commemoration of the 90th anni- DOMINICAN REPUBLIC versary of the modern Foreign Service, “An Angel from the Embassy” AFSA has redoubled its efforts to deepen public understanding of diplomacy, By Corinna Ybarra Arnold development and foreign affairs, and Hometown: Brownsville, Texas to celebrate the accomplishments of the In January 2010, I was in the Dominican Republic when the men and women from all corners of earthquake occurred in Haiti. Once we heard that people were America who serve—and have served— going to be evacuated to Santo Domingo, my colleagues and I in U.S. foreign affairs agencies. were deployed to an airport hangar to work with the military on a There’s no better way to do this than sharing the welcoming center for them. We worked all day to make the space Istories of the Foreign Service. And there is no one comfortable and to get the evacuees essential items for their stay. better able to tell those stories than our members, I could not have been prouder to be a part of the Foreign Service both active-duty and retired. when the first plane full of survivors came in late that evening. AFSA asked members to send brief notes, 100 When one man I visited in the hospital after 2 a.m. said it was words or so, about the time when they were most his wedding anniversary, I told him he should call his wife. He proud to be part of the U.S. Foreign Service. Please called and told her, “I am in the Dominican Republic, and an enjoy this sampling of the great variety of stories we angel from the embassy just handed me her personal phone to have received. call you.” It was an amazing moment. I will never forget that day —Shawn Dorman, Editor and those we served.

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | MAY 2014 33 accompanied by my husband and three children. Although we The Thank You Card loved the country, it wasn’t an easy tour: I contracted typhoid and encephalitis. But it was all worth it when I heard the news of the By Joseph De Maria water project. Hometown: Lakewood, N.J. I was the sole consular officer in in the late 1990s. BELGIUM At the time, Laotians who had been admitted to the United The Secretary’s Entourage States as refugees in the 1970s and 1980s had established themselves there and were petitioning for relatives, often elderly By Ted Wilkinson parents, to immigrate. I adjudicated hundreds of such cases. Hometown: Washington, D.C. One day, when I opened my mail at the office, there was a In June 1973, Secretary of State William Rogers visited Copen- “thank you” card with about 10 signatures, some of adults and hagen, and then continued on to Brussels to attend a NATO min- some of young children. It simply said, “Thank you for sending isterial meeting. He and his Washington entourage occupied most us our grandparents.” of the 20-odd seats for the U.S. delegation at the NATO meeting. I was in the last seat, as a very junior notetaker, when Rogers passed MEXICO a note to Ambassador Rumsfeld, seated next to him. The note Three Generations travelled with puzzled glances all the way down the 20 seats to me. It read: “What did the Dane say yesterday?” By Manav Jain, Consular Officer I did the obvious—called Embassy Copenhagen for a reply, Hometown: Villa Park, Calif. and then sent a follow-up cable query. The reply came in the next During my first tour, at Embassy Mexico City in 2003, a Fili- morning, with all the possible answers the embassy could come pino man came in to notarize his recently departed father’s mili- up with. tary service documents, which indicated that he had fought on What I relished was the slug line on the cable: “For Secretary the U.S. side during World War II. In reviewing the paperwork, Rogers and Ted Wilkinson.” I realized that his father was potentially a U.S. citizen. Congress had granted U.S. citizenship to certain Filipinos who fought UZBEKISTAN alongside the United States in World War II. Teaching English On confirming the regulations and qualifications, we post- humously made his father a U.S. citizen. Because the father By George Wilcox spent time in the U.S. after the war, the man himself became a Hometown: Tucson, Ariz. U.S. citizen from birth, which in turn granted his own son U.S. In 1996, working at Embassy Tashkent as the first United citizenship. States Information Agency Regional English Language Officer for We created three generations of Americans that day. Central Asia and the Caucasus, I organized a national English GHANA teachers’ conference for Uzbeki- Accra’s Infrastructure Upgrade stan, focusing on business appli- cations. During the conference I By Heather Byrnes told everyone our office was too Hometown: Anchorage, Alaska small to organize more confer- Among my best Foreign Service memories is the day I heard ences; but we could help them, that a U.S. company had been awarded the tender for a $595 if they wanted to form a national million project to revamp the water and sanitation infrastructure association and organize such in Ghana’s capital, Accra. This would boost U.S. exports, lead to conferences themselves. about 3,000 American jobs and provide a much-needed fix to Within six months, with our Accra’s annual flooding and resulting cholera outbreaks. office serving as the primary I served for four years in Ghana as commercial counselor, catalyst, they had formed their

34 MAY 2014 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL association. Over the following years, it held many conferences Georgia changed its adoption law virtually overnight and without and continued to grow. Several years ago, they informed me I’d notice, shutting down the process. There were six American fami- been formally recognized as “the Father of UZTEA”! lies whose cases had started under the old code but had not yet made their way to conclusion. BURKINA FASO After intense behind-the-scenes work, “my” six cases were A Sister Schools Project eventually released. One child was so ill that I held the immigrant visa interview with his adoptive parents in his hospital room in a By David Patterson rundown, Soviet-era clinic. Hometown: Evansville, Ind. Another couple was briefly detained and had to leave their In 1998, when I was serving in Ouagadougou as the informa- baby in foster care. After the adoption was approved, I escorted tion programs officer, Ambassador Sharon Wilkinson asked me to this family to the airport because they were so scared they might go “up country” to a small village an hour’s drive from the capital be arrested again. to be the U.S. embassy representative at the dedication of a new We walked through immigration where, as expected, they were schoolhouse built by USAID. Though USAID had officially shut carefully scrutinized as the first foreign adoptive parents allowed down operations in Burkina Faso in 1996, the school was one of its to take a Georgian out of the country under the new laws. last projects. The headmaster at the school pointed out that the 30-odd MEXICO students did not have even basic supplies such as pencils or paper. A Poignant Introduction As a result, he had to write the lessons on the chalkboard, and the children had to memorize everything. He asked me to please By Javier Alfredo Araujo have the embassy supply these items, and I told him I’d see what I Hometown: El Paso, Texas could do. One of my proudest moments in the Foreign Service was dur- Back at the embassy, I was told we could not do that. So I con- ing the summer of 2013, when the U.S. consul general in Ciudad tacted Highland Elementary School in my hometown of Evans- Juarez invited me to share the podium to launch “100,000 Strong ville, Ind., to see if they could possibly help. The fourth-grade class in the Americas.” More than 500 students from northern Mexico went into action, and within a month I had more than 30 kits. came to learn about President Obama’s initiative to increase edu- Each was a large, two-gallon Ziploc bag filled with notebooks, cational exchanges between the United States and Latin America crayons, pencils, pens, scissors, water color paints and a ruler. and the Caribbean. The goal is 100,000 exchanges annually in I soon made another trip to the village. What joy on the chil- each direction. dren’s faces as each was presented with a bag full of school sup- The consul general introduced me as a diplomatic colleague plies! I truly felt proud to represent America. Later, while on home who, 35 years earlier, had sat in the very same room awaiting a leave, I visited the Highland Elementary class to thank them and student visa! give them photos of the event at the village school. Last time I checked, the fourth-grade classes of the two schools AFGHANISTAN were still corresponding—by mail. Highland had asked for their Women’s Basketball in Kabul sister school’s email address. They were shocked when I explained that there was no electricity in this village, let alone computers! It By Rose Naputi gave the kids a new perspective on life. Hometown: Merizo, Guam On March 7, 2012, in Kabul, during turbulent and troubled GEORGIA times in a country devastated by war, I had an awesome opportu- Untangling an Adoption Crisis nity to celebrate International Women’s Day in a friendly basket- ball competition between a U.S. team made up of embassy and By Robin Busse International Security Assistance Force women, and the Afghan Hometown: Charlottesville, Va. Women’s Olympic basketball team. I was proudest of being in the Foreign Service when I helped This event brought together women of all ages and cultures untangle an adoption crisis in Georgia. In September 2003, from our military fighting forces, our embassy staff and, most

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | MAY 2014 35 you where you need to go.” He sped up the car and helped me get safely to my destination. It’s times like that when I am proud to call myself a U.S. diplo- mat.

WASHINGTON, D.C. A Hero’s Welcome

Rose Naputi Rose By Vella G. Mbenna importantly, our Afghan Hometown: Midway, Ga. partners. During practices As an information management specialist, I did a hometown and on game day, I played diplomat stint at an elementary school in Midway in 2013. Ner- small forward and in the vous as heck, I was greeted with a hero’s welcome by adminis- final seconds, I made the last trators, teachers and the nicest fifth-graders I have ever met. I basket of the game—which had donned one of my African dresses and had set up a table to me symbolized the success that filled with African and South American relics and fabrics on all women can achieve. display. After my presentation, I spent another hour and a half In Kabul and other major cities in Afghanistan, enormous speaking with the adults at the school about the Foreign Service progress has been made in women’s rights since the 2001 U.S.-led and how to apply. invasion brought down the Taliban regime that banned girls from I left the classroom extremely proud to be a part of this orga- going to school and women from working. This event, which nization that others in my small town were so interested in. received worldwide news coverage from CNN, Reuters and , was a show of support for women throughout MONGOLIA Afghanistan, and it was an honor to participate. The Land of Genghis Khan Revisited

INDIA By Joseph E. Zadrozny Heading to the Embassy Hometown: Houston, Texas in a Nice Suit and Tie Mongolia still has the ring of the remote and exotic, the land of Genghis Khan. It certainly did in 1992, when I first stepped off By Justin Davis the plane, only five years after the United States and Mongolia Hometown: Atlanta, Ga. had established diplomatic relations. I was part of the second Returning to the office from a meeting in , I hailed a group of Peace Corps Volunteers in the country, and the first taxi, jumped inside and asked the driver to take me to the Ameri- group to be assigned outside of the capital. can embassy. Before putting the car in drive, he took another Twenty years later, I found myself back in Mongolia, this time moment to watch me as I scrambled to fasten my seatbelt and as a diplomat. My proudest moment was meeting a former stu- catch my breath. He could tell I was somewhat disheveled and in dent, who is now a teacher herself, teaching English. Mongolia a hurry. will always hold a special place in my heart. As he pulled away, amidst the cacophony of horns behind us, he asked where I was from. “The United States,” I told him. His MAURITANIA eyes grew round in surprise. Seeming not to believe me, he asked, Sheltering Local Employees “Why are you heading to the embassy in such a nice suit and tie?” in a Crisis I told him I was a U.S. diplomat posted there. He seemed puzzled, and confessed that he had never seen or heard of a black By Gregory McLerran American diplomat. I smiled, “We come in all colors.” Hometown: , Va. After a hearty guffaw, he, too, smiled, and responded in It was 2 a.m. when the phone rang in my home on the broken English: “I see. I enjoy America’s diversity, happy to get compound of Embassy Nouakchott. One of the Foreign Service

36 MAY 2014 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL Nationals, calling from the General Services Office compound, was screaming into the phone. “The police have come to take us away,” he shouted, referring to more than 100 local staff and their families from Senegal and for whom we had arranged a place of safety there. This was in 1989, during a period of unrest in Mauritania when foreign nationals from Black Africa were hunted down and deported or killed. I immediately woke Communicator Cookie Rodriquez, who was staying with me during the crisis, and then Ambassador William Twadell and Deputy Chief of Mission John Vincent. The ambassador called the foreign minister to request assistance. When help was slow in coming, Amb. Twadell elected to go to the compound himself—despite the curfew enforced by nervous Mauritanian army troops and the danger such a trip entailed. Ms. SOMALIA Rodriquez volunteered to drive his limo and, with flags flying, they A Roadmap in Somalia headed out. On the way, they met the foreign minister, and the ambassador joined him. The two officials reached the compound By Brandi James in time to stop the police from taking away our FSNs. Hometown: Augusta, Georgia The courage shown by Amb. Twadell and Communicator As the principal reporting officer for Embassy Nairobi’s Soma- Rodriquez was exemplary. The following day, accompanied by lia Affairs Unit from July 2011 to June 2013, and one of the first American members of the embassy staff, the FSNs were taken State Department officials to work inside Somalia after the infa- to the airport, where Algerian and French aircraft flew them to mous Battle of Mogadishu (Black Hawk Down) in October 1993, I safety. had an extraordinary opportunity to live and breathe expedition- The entire embassy staff showed great empathy and courage in ary diplomacy. sheltering our colleagues from Mali and Senegal, and it made me I reported on Somali and international community efforts proud to be a member of the Foreign Service. under the United Nations-backed roadmap process to end the transitional period of governance within a one-year timeframe. During that period, Somali stakeholders drafted a provisional It All Started at the constitution that protects fundamental human rights, which was American Embassy Library adopted by a representative constituent assembly. Traditional elders selected educated and civic-minded Somalis By Azizou Atte-Oudeyi to a new 275-member federal parliament. On Sept. 10, 2012, that Hometown: Springfield, Mass. new parliament held an historic indirect presidential election, My journey started when I visited the American embassy which ushered in a new hope for Somalia and a peaceful transi- library in Lomé for the first time at the age of 13. tion to the first president democratically elected inside Somalia I was born in Togo, a small country located on the west coast since 1967. of Africa, and immigrated to the United States through the diver- I have never felt as proud of being a part of the U.S. Foreign sity visa program. I became a U.S. citizen in 2005. While working Service as I did on Jan. 17, 2013, when Secretary of State Hillary for the U.S. Postal Service, I began pursuing a career as a Foreign Rodham Clinton officially recognized the new Somali govern- Service officer. My dream became true in October 2013, when I ment, the first time the United States had done so since 1991. My took the oath of service before Secretary of State John Kerry. long days traveling inside Somalia on rickety planes under inse- I was most proud of being part of the Foreign Service when cure conditions and long nights sleeping in makeshift containers my colleagues honored me with the Glenn Munro Award for or hooches had paid off. I could finally see how my work—how- Outstanding Potential and Leadership during the A-100 orienta- ever trivial and distant from the radar of Washington policymakers tion session. it may sometimes seem—could help make a difference. n

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | MAY 2014 37 FOCUS 90TH ANNIVERSARY OF AFSA AND THE FOREIGN SERVICE An AFSA Timeline SELECTED HIGHLIGHTS

Editor’s Note: As AFSA and the Foreign Service both celebrate their 90th anniversaries, here are some of the events that have shaped both institu- tions. As with any timeline, there are many other important developments we could cite, but we 1789 n The Department of State becomes the first Cabinet believe these represent a good beginning. agency to be created. You will find an expanded version of this 1791 n Secretary of State document at www.afsa.org/timeline. Thomas Jefferson establishes separate diplomatic and con- sular services. 1856 n The Organic Act regu- American Consular Bulletin honoring “those in the Ameri- 1951 n The American Foreign lates diplomatic and consular becomes the American Foreign can Foreign Service who … have Service Journal is renamed the posts and sets a salary cap of Service Journal. died under tragic or heroic Foreign Service Journal. $17,500, which stays in place circumstances.” for the next 90 years. 1933 n AFSA confers its first 1895 n President Grover scholarship. Cleveland places most consular 1946 n A new Foreign Service positions within the merit Act replaces the Rogers Act, system. creating Foreign Service Staff 1909 n President William officers and Foreign Service Howard Taft extends the merit Reserve officers. AFSA admits system to all diplomatic posi- members of both groups to tions below ministerial rank active membership. and prohibits consideration of candidates’ political affiliation. n Elizabeth Harriman n AFSA replaces its 1918 n The American Consular 1929 1951 Association is formed. gives AFSA $25,000 to estab- executive committee with a lish a scholarship fund in honor board of directors, chosen 1919 n The American Consular of her late son Oliver, a Foreign annually by an electoral college Bulletin begins publication. Service officer. of 18 members. AFSA has about 1924 n The Foreign Service 1929 n Foreign Service clerks 2,000 active-duty and 500 Act of 1924, known as the Rog- and non-career vice consuls at n associate members out of a ers Act, unifies the diplomatic 1947 The Hoover Commis- Embassy Paris form Local 349 pool of 12,000 eligibles. and consular services to create sion on Reorganization of the of the National Federation of 1954 n In what becomes the Foreign Service of the Executive Branch recommends Federal Employees, called the known as “Wristonization,” United States. merging the Foreign Service Foreign Service Local. and Civil Service within the State opens the Foreign Service 1924 n The American Con- 1931 n The Moses-Linthicum State Department. No action is to about 1,500 Civil Service sular Association reconstitutes Act regulates Foreign Service taken. employees, and makes a similar itself as the American Foreign ranks and retirement. n number of domestic positions Service Association “for the 1950-1953 State fires n available to FSOs. purpose of fostering an esprit 1933 Secretary of State more than 500 employees as 1956 n Junior FSOs at State de corps” among Foreign Cordell Hull unveils AFSA’s Roll “security risks” during form the Junior Foreign Service Service employees, and the of Honor, a memorial plaque the McCarthy era. Officers Club.

38 MAY 2014 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 1962 n President John F. Executive Order 11636, setting represent each constituency. Service Grievance Board sides Kennedy signs Executive Order labor-management rules for the 1989 n AFSA establishes a with AFSA, but Secretary of 10988, authorizing federal Foreign Service, AFSA moves to program of conferences with State over- employees to unionize. seek recognition as a Foreign Senior Foreign Service officers, rules it, citing national security 1964 n AFSA forms a Commit- Service union. intended to attract international grounds. tee on Career Principles. 1972 n Bill Harrop and Tom businesses as “International 2000 n The Delavan Foun- 1965 n AFSA, DACOR and the Boyatt lead AFSA in a contest Associates.” dation funds the Tex Harris State Department organize the with the American Federation 1992 n AFSA wins election Award honoring specialists for first Foreign Service Day, to pro- of Government Employees for challenging AFGE’s representa- constructive dissent. mote exchanges among career representation that centers on tion of the USIA Foreign Service. 2001 n AFSA objects as Sec- the legal issue of who is labor diplomats, academicians, jour- 1994 n AFSA wins uncon- retary Powell changes Foreign and who is management. nalists and businesspeople. tested representation elections Service Day to Foreign Affairs 1967 n AFSA buys the building 1973 n AFSA is certified as in the Foreign Agricultural Day, renames the Foreign Ser- at 2101 E Street NW in Washing- the winner in State, USIA and Service and the Foreign Com- vice Lounge as the Employee ton, D.C., for its headquarters. USAID representation elections. mercial Service. Service Center, and changes New AFSA bylaws replace the the Foreign Service Star to 1967 n AFSA elections give 1995 n AFSA joins AFGE in a association’s chairman and the Thomas Jefferson Star for the reformist “Young Turks,” led State-USAID-USIA rally protest- directors with a president and Foreign Service. by Lannon Walker and Charlie ing government shutdown and governing board, effective the Bray, all 18 seats in the electoral furlough. next year. college. 1996 n AFSA publishes the 1976 n AFSA’s membership 1967-1968 n AFSA establishes first edition of Inside a U.S. votes to recall John Hemenway awards for constructive dissent, Embassy: How the Foreign Ser- after nine months in office. The funded by donations from the vice Works for America. Governing Board chooses Pat Harriman, Herter and Rivkin Woodring, AFSA’s first female families and named for the president, to complete his term. donors. 1976 n AFSA and State reach 1968 n AFSA publishes Toward agreement on regulations to a Modern Diplomacy, a 185- implement grievance legisla- page manifesto based on the tion. report of Committee on Career Principles. It calls for a unified 1976 n USIA rejects AFSA in 2002 n Governing Board Foreign Service combining favor of AFGE in a second repre- approves creation of a political State, USIA, USAID, Commerce sentation election. action committee, AFSA-PAC. and Labor under an indepen- 1980 n A new Foreign Service 2003 n AFSA publishes an dent director general. Act, the first in 34 years, is all-new edition of Inside a U.S. passed with substantial AFSA 1999 n AFSA conducts its Embassy. A revised version fol- input. Among many other provi- first annual high school essay lows two years later. sions, it establishes the Senior contest. 2007-2008 n AFSA renovates Foreign Service. 1999 n An act of Congress its headquarters for the first 1982 n The Mary Harriman closes USIA and transfers its time in 40 years. Foundation funds a new, annual personnel and functions to Avis Bohlen Award honoring the the Department of State. The 2009 n AFSA establishes the Foreign Service family member Broadcasting Board of Gover- Foreign Service Books imprint. who has done most to advance nors remains outside State, and 2011 n AFSA’s FS Books pub- U.S. interests overseas. its FS employees keep AFSA lishes an all-new third edition of 1983 n The Department of representation. Inside a U.S. Embassy, with the State funds the AFSA presi- 1999 n AFSA engages in a subhead Diplomacy at Work. 1969 n President Richard dency as a full-time position. high-profile fight against assign- 2013 n AFSA wins an uncon- Nixon signs Executive Order 1983 n AFSA establishes a ment of State Department Civil tested election to represent For- 11491, setting new rules for Legislative Action Fund. Service employee to a deputy eign Service employees of the labor-management relations chief-of-mission position on Animal and Plant Health Inspec- 1985 n New bylaws provide within the federal government. which qualified Foreign Service tion Service at the Department for an AFSA vice president to 1971 n Following issuance of officers had bid. The Foreign of Agriculture. n

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | MAY 2014 39 FEATURE THE AMERICAN WAY OF Diplomacy

How do we rescue U.S. foreign policy from creeping militarization? How can we resurrect diplomacy from the musty archives of the past? A diplomatic practitioner offers some answers.

BY ROBERT HUTCHINGS

wo decades ago, the late historian the nearly five million persons who work for the U.S. govern- Ernest May imagined a visitor from a ment. Farther out in Virginia, at Langley, the Central Intelligence foreign land coming to Washington, Agency has more office acreage than the Pentagon. At Fort D.C., and being shown the West Wing Meade in Maryland sits the even larger, more mysterious, and of the White House, with its Situation more expensive National Security Agency,” wrote May. Room in round-the-clock operation, The visitor might return from his visit, May concluded, to and next door, the Old Executive Office describe the nation’s capital this way: “Yes, a city. But, at heart, a Building housing the ever-expanding military headquarters, like the Rome of the Flavians or the Berlin National Security Council staff. of the Hohenzollerns.” “Across the Potomac, [the] visitor sees the Pentagon. With a Twenty years later, the city is much the same. As J. Anthony Tdaytime population of 25,000, it is the crest of a mountainous Holmes, a former ambassador and AFSA president from 2005 defense establishment, which employs almost two-thirds of to 2007, observed in Foreign Affairs a few years ago, the defense budget is roughly 20 times as great as the combined budgets Robert Hutchings is dean of the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Af- of the State Department and the U.S. Agency for International fairs at the University of Texas at Austin. Before joining the LBJ School Development. There are more lawyers in the Pentagon than in March 2010, he was diplomat-in-residence at , diplomats in the State Department. where he had also served as assistant dean of the Woodrow Wilson Defense Secretary Robert Gates warned in 2008 that the School of Public and International Affairs. Among many other posi- United States risks the “creeping militarization” of its foreign tions, he chaired the U.S. National Intelligence Council in Washington, policy by giving such overwhelming priority to our military ser- D.C., from 2003 to 2005, and has served as director of international vices and paying so little attention to the diplomats who work to studies at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, advance American interests through non-military means. director for European affairs at the National Security Council, special Gates reminded Americans that current and future wars are adviser to the Secretary of State with the rank of ambassador, and likely to be “fundamentally political in nature” and that military deputy director of Radio Free Europe. means always need to be harnessed to political ends.

40 MAY 2014 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL The American Way of War it more relevant to the present and future? Except in the early days of the republic, “the American Way International diplomacy remains one of the least studied and of War” has centered on achieving a “crushing” military victory most misunderstood elements of foreign policy. Scholars and over an adversary, the distinguished military historian Russell practitioners have produced a substantial body of literature on Weigley argued 40 years ago. He noted the paradox that although international economics and military strategy, but they have not Americans generally view themselves as peace-loving, they have done the same for diplomacy and statecraft. been capable of engaging in the most devastating kind of warfare, aimed at total victory and the complete elimination of enemy The Learning/Practice Gap threats—or even the enemies themselves. Rather than seeing war Even at the professional level, diplomacy is undervalued, as part of an ongoing political and diplomatic process, as Carl von underanalyzed and under-resourced. Although diplomatic Clausewitz counseled, Americans have tended to see war as an training occurs at the Foreign Service Institute and in diplomatic alternative to diplomacy. academies around the world, this is mostly confined to foreign So instead of waging war until we have achieved certain language and area studies with a thin veneer of “how-to” instruc- limited ends and then negotiat- ing a peace, which is the way most wars have been waged histori- Rather than seeing war as part cally, the United States insists on unconditional surrender, regime of an ongoing political and diplomatic process, change and the total defeat of the Americans have tended to see war as an adversary—not only Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan, but far lesser alternative to diplomacy. threats like Serbia, Iraq, Libya and Syria. In addition, the Cold War produced some lingering bad habits. tion for junior diplomats. Because that long conflict had such a substantial military compo- Few American diplomats have ever enrolled in a course on nent, and because countries on both sides of the East-West divide diplomacy, either before or after entering the Foreign Service. built up a substantial military arsenal as a result, it became tempt- Even as they rise to the highest levels, they are expected to learn ing to view every strategic challenge, then and now, through that “on the job” rather than as part of a rigorous program of profes- same strategic lens. As the saying goes, “If the only tool you have sional preparation. Contrast this with the professional training is a hammer, you tend to see every problem as a nail.” their military counterparts receive all the way through their We instinctively look to our military to address global prob- careers. lems, whether or not the military hammer is the appropriate The problem is not all with government: the academy deserves tool for the task. Our soldiers constitute one of the best-trained blame, too. There is growing concern among scholars about what fighting forces the world has ever seen, but they are asked to do has been called the “cult of irrelevancy”: the reality that academic too much. Our diplomats, in contrast, struggle to find adequate research is too often abstract and theoretical, written by academ- resources. Our soldiers are stretched too far; our diplomats are ics for other academics. To illustrate the gulf that has developed too few and too poorly prepared for the challenges we face. between the worlds of learning and policy, a recent poll showed Now, as U.S. forces return home from two of our country’s that of the 25 international relations scholars who produced the longest wars, in Iraq and Afghanistan, there is an urgent need to most important scholarship over the past five years, only three reassess strategic priorities and capabilities. What international had ever held policy positions in the U.S. government. role should the United States play in the 21st century? How, and with what tools, should we engage the rest of the world? Reinventing Diplomacy What role does America’s still-unrivaled military power play, To address these shortcomings and begin bridging the gap and how can U.S. leaders better use the formidable non-military between policymakers and academics, the Lyndon B. Johnson elements of American power and influence? And how can we School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas has launched a resurrect diplomacy from the musty archives of the past and make major new global initiative called “Reinventing Diplomacy”—one

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | MAY 2014 41 of several similar undertakings around the country. This program includes new curricula at the undergraduate and graduate levels, public outreach events so that our citizens are better educated about foreign policy issues and a new effort to elevate diplomacy as a subject for serious academic inquiry. We also aim to “internationalize” the study and practice of statecraft so that American and Chinese diplomats, for example, will have been trained in similar, or at least mutually compre- hensible, ways. Such a synthesis occurs in the academic study of international relations, but not in strategy and statecraft. It is a strange irony that international relations scholars from around the world speak a common professional language, read the same books and debate the same theories—but their statesmen and diplomats do not. Last spring we convened a major international meeting of

International diplomacy remains one of the least studied Take AFSA and most misunderstood With You! elements of foreign policy.

Change your address online, visit us at www.afsa.org/address scholars and practitioners to investigate the key elements of Or successful diplomacy. We all know what failure looks like, but we Send changes to: also need to recognize success. When have diplomats worked AFSA Membership effectively to influence international outcomes? How can current Department diplomats learn from past experiences? 2101 E Street NW The discussions produced a series of historical case stud- Washington, DC 20037 ies examining the evolution of successful diplomatic efforts in diverse settings, including the U.S. opening to China, the negotia- tion of the Camp David Accords in the Middle East, the manage- ment of Germany’s reunification at the end of the Cold War and completion of the North American Free Trade Agreement, among other topics. We have worked to consolidate “lessons learned” Moving? from these cases that diplomats can use when they approach cur- rent opportunities and challenges.

A Call for Imagination Much work remains to be done: to train the next generation of diplomats and better equip those currently serving, to pro- duce a body of policy-relevant research on diplomacy, to reach

42 MAY 2014 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL out to the wider public and to catalyze a global dialogue among with leading public policy and international relations schools students, scholars and practitioners of diplomacy. Beyond the around the world so that American diplomats (and other foreign curricular and research agendas we are already pursuing on policy professionals) could study alongside their counterparts our campus, there are several avenues of potential collabora- from Europe, Asia and other parts of the world, in seminars and tion. workshops taught by an international faculty. We could, for example, form a consortium of top-tier There are, of course, obstacles to be overcome. But as the public policy schools, which would offer seri- ous academic training in It is a strange irony that diplomacy and statecraft. international relations scholars from around the This could be done under world speak a common professional language— contract to the U.S. Foreign Service Institute and listed but their statesmen and diplomats do not. as an FSI course—perhaps through its existing National Security Executive Leadership creator of the State Department’s yearlong master’s program for Seminar. The goal would not be to duplicate the FSI curriculum, mid-career Foreign Service officers at Princeton University, a but rather to focus on areas where public policy schools have a program that has been running successfully for 15 years now, I comparative advantage. know that such obstacles can be overcome—as long as there are A more ambitious model might “go global,” by partnering willing partners with sufficient imagination on both sides. n

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | MAY 2014 43 FS HERITAGE CHARLES W. YOST Our Man in Morocco

This account of Ambassador Charles Yost’s tenure in Morocco during the Cold War offers a window into his remarkable career and the texture of postwar diplomacy.

BY FELICITY O. YOST

hen World War II ended in man he referred to as “a wise and courteous scion of an old 1945, three years after “Oper- dynasty.” ation Torch,” the Allied inva- A slight man with a kindly face, the king was delighted to dis- sion of North Africa, U.S. sol- cover that his exchanges with the American ambassador could diers remained in Morocco. be conducted in French, and thus in private. They were still there 13 years Over the coming years, the two would form a personal bond later—and for Moroccans, based on trust and respect—a bond that would ease them, and this was a problem. their countries, through the national and international problems In 1958, in the midst of the Cold War, Charles W. Yost became they confronted. Wpart of the solution. On a hot, muggy Sunday in July, he walked out onto the tarmac of Washington’s National Airport. The State Chaos Brewing Department had booked him on a four prop-driven, dolphin- Within days of his arrival, the country team gave Ambassador shaped Lockheed Constellation—the luxurious “Paris Sky Chief.” Yost a sobering view of the current political situation. In a nut- Two days later, after stops in Newfoundland, Ireland and France, shell, the stability of the newly independent Moroccan govern- the plane landed in . ment, and U.S. objectives there, were under serious threat. A week after his arrival, photographers recorded the new U.S. A faltering economy, rising unemployment, and an unedu- ambassador, his top hat sitting at a rakish angle on his slender cated and impoverished lower class were all creating a fertile frame, arriving at the royal palace in a convertible, followed recruiting ground for extremists. As Amb. Yost well knew, closely by a mounted military escort. Ushered into the throne Morocco had a rich but turbulent history, and had regained its room, he presented his credentials to King Mohammed V—a independence from Spain and France only in 1956. The most problematic issue concerned the four American Felicity O. Yost, the daughter of Ambassador Charles W. Yost, retired military bases built in Morocco during World War II. At the end recently after 37 years as a graphic designer and election monitor at the of the war, the French had taken over the bases; but in 1950, they United Nations. She is now writing a biography of her father, tentatively reverted to the United States under the aegis of NATO. There the titled Charles W. Yost and the Golden Age of U.S. Diplomacy, from 316th Air Division housed American nuclear-armed B-47 bomb- which this account of his tenure as ambassador in Morocco is drawn. ers, with their capability to strike the Soviet Union. They were a

44 MAY 2014 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL USIA, Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum Library Presidential Eisenhower D. USIA, Dwight At the dinner after President Dwight D. Eisenhower and King Mohammed V signed a joint communiqué ending the crisis over U.S. bases in Morocco in December 1959. From left to right: Ambassador Charles W. Yost, Crown Prince Hassan, President Eisenhower, an interpreter and King Mohammed V.

crucial weapon in the U.S. air defense arsenal in the days before Maroc (Moroccan Workers’ Union), the Parti Istiqlal (the major American intercontinental ballistic missiles became operational. political party) and student organizations were all impatient But for Moroccans, the presence of foreign troops provoked with Morocco’s lack of progress in surmounting its social and deep resentment. Moroccan anger was also fueled by the economic problems. And all three, Yost informed Washington, behavior of the bases’ American civilian staff. Some of them “got were using the American bases as convenient political targets at drunk on the plane [from New York],” recalled an American vice which to vent their anger. consul, “stayed drunk on the plane, arrived in Paris drunk, were In his early cables, the ambassador also alerted the State transferred to another plane, Department to the Moroccan arrived drunk in Casablanca. left wing’s attempt to remove Three days later, they were sent As American and Moroccan the army and police from the home, drunk.” officials argued over the palace’s purview, a move that As American and Moroc- would severely undermine the can officials argued over the status of the bases, nerves king’s ability to govern. The status of the bases, nerves on on both sides of the king’s strategy, Yost reported, both sides of the Atlantic were was to detach the moderate wearing thin despite efforts Atlantic were wearing thin. party members from the far to relieve tensions. Amb. Yost left by conferring government soon realized that unless a posts on them. If the moder- solution could be arrived at, the continued American military ates could work with the conservatives, a coalition government presence would complicate—or worse, derail—an otherwise might function; or so the king hoped. Yost concluded that good relationship with Morocco, which had been the first nation Mohammed V was the main force keeping the country from to recognize the United States, in 1777. exploding—a weighty responsibility for the 49-year-old mon- arch. The Crisis Deepens In 1958, the UMT called for a general strike in Rabat. It soon Throughout the 1950s, political protests had torn at the spread across the country, and by year’s end, the nation was fabric of Moroccan society. The Union des Travailleurs du imploding. Early the following year, the tenuous equilibrium

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | MAY 2014 45 In New York in 1962, U.S. Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy and Charles Yost, then deputy to U.S. Ambassador Adlai Stevenson, cross the street from the U.S. Mission to the United Nations for a meeting with U.N. Secretary General U Thant.

As the situation became more urgent, he warned that if Washington took no steps to defuse tensions over the bases, the likelihood that the king would be assas- sinated would increase. And that outcome would put the hard-line, unpopular and volatile Prince Hassan on the Associated Press Associated throne. It would be best, he felt, began to unravel, and Amb. Yost It would be best, if the U.S. trod as lightly as possible warned Washington that the on Moroccan sensibilities, keeping a king “wondered whether Moroc- Yost felt, if the U.S. trod minor breach in relations at a man- cans would soon be slitting each as lightly as possible on ageable level. “I suggest,” Yost wrote, other’s throats.” “that what we need is not more Yost added that though the Moroccan sensibilities. crisis management but more crisis king was under tremendous neglect. Small ills, like pimples, are pressure to close the bases, Mohammed V was trying to put his more likely to be inflamed than cured by scratching.” critics off. He urged Washington to meet the king halfway on Yost knew that if he succeeded in convincing the Pentagon the base question, or risk inciting opposition forces that, once to agree to close the bases at some future date, both Rabat and unleashed, might be impossible to control. U.S. security interests Washington could pull back from the brink of a major military in North Africa and the Middle East were then, as now, a critical and diplomatic confrontation. If he failed, the consequences for issue. his career and the U.S.-Moroccan relationship could be momen- tous. Negotiating with the Brass The Pentagon recognized the gravity of the situation but A “Triumph for Royal Diplomacy” objected, in no uncertain terms, to the idea of closing the facili- In his initial conversation with Amb. Yost, General Curtis ties. During consultations in Washington in June 1959, General LeMay (Air Force vice chief of staff) assumed that he was dealing Nathan Twining (chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff) and Admi- with a lightweight. As Yost wrote: “LeMay gagged at giving up ral Arleigh Burke (chief of naval operations) told Yost they saw no those [bases] in Morocco and spoke grimly of ‘bombing them reason to soften the U.S. negotiating stance. into the Stone Age’ if the Moroccans should use force.” The endless discussions with the Pentagon caused Yost to Yost’s reserved manner fooled many, friend and foe alike, doubt that soldiers, who “perceive the components of foreign who faced him across the negotiating table. But he did not hesi- affairs through the prism of what they believe to be overriding tate to remind LeMay that the Moroccans could simply deprive military necessities, were psychologically best fitted to define and the bases of access to drinking water. He also reminded the judge national security in its broadest sense.” general of the larger implications for American alliances if the

46 MAY 2014 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL free world’s champion bombed a An outing in Middle Atlas, Morocco, in 1959. From left to friend and ally. right: Cas Yost, Irena Yost, Charles In the end, with perseverance Yost, Nick Yost and Felicity Yost, and wise counsel, Yost won the with the family dog, Geronimo. support of Gen. Twining. His suc- cess was an example, as he later recounted, of how facts could Yost had weathered the greatest persuade an intelligent person crisis that he might have expected despite his core beliefs. to face as ambassador to Morocco. On a crisp morning just three But the respite would not last long. days before Christmas 1959, Amb. Yost walked up to the stairs of Air A Tragedy and Force One at Nouasseur Air Force New Challenges Base in Casablanca. He and the The night of Feb. 29, 1960, the Courtesy of Felicity O. Yost O. Felicity of Courtesy king had come to greet President second day of the holy month of Dwight D. Eisenhower, who had Ramadan, was clear in the seaside commanded “Operation Torch” 17 years earlier and was now town of Agadir, 342 miles south of the capital. But as families who returning to sign a joint communiqué ending the crisis. had broken their fast at sunset greeted friends in the streets, they U.S. military forces would be withdrawn over the next four began noticing the animals’ odd behavior: a cat who yowled so years. As the New York Times reported it, the accord “concluded loudly she drowned out a radio; donkeys whose withers started by the United States Ambassador, Charles Woodruff Yost, and shivering nonstop; and the echo of countless dogs howling across King Mohammed, was something of a triumph for royal diplo- the starlit night. macy.” At 11:40 p.m. suffered a magnitude 5.7 earthquake. The ground shook for just 15 seconds, followed by a massive tidal wave, but that was all it took for fire and brim- stone to consume the town. Due to poor design and use of shoddy materials, many areas were completely obliterated. Some 15,000 people died, and twice that many were injured. A phone call alerted Amb. Yost to the disas- ter, and he immediately launched a massive American relief effort. The official residence became a hub for U.S. and other assistance, and soon filled up with any container that could hold clothes, blankets, canned goods, bandages, water jugs or cooking utensils. Even chickens were deposited on the doorstep. Less than 12 hours after the quake, a Navy transport aircraft, with Yost aboard, led a con- voy of UF-1 Albatrosses (amphibious search- and-rescue flying boats) to the site. Even from a distance they could see the havoc wreaked on the seaside community, the enormous fissures

Meyle in the earth into which whole city blocks, entire Secretary of State , at right, greets Irena Yost at Charles Yost’s swearing-in as U.S. Ambassador to Morocco on July 24, 1958 at the State families, and herds of camels and donkeys had Department. simply vanished.

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | MAY 2014 47 At the end of the harrowing visit, Amb. Yost visited a curb- Soviet Union offered to sell two nuclear-capable Ilyushin bomb- side medical facility. There a photographer captured a heart- ers and 12 MIG fighters to Morocco. For the Americans, Soviet wrenching image of him sitting at the bedside of a patient, his nuclear bombs and jet fighters within easy striking distance of head bowed, weeping as he gently held the survivor’s fingers— U.S. bases were simply unacceptable. the only unbandaged part of the man’s body. In December, back in the States on home leave, Amb. Yost In mid-November 1960, a new challenge arose when the met with officials at State and at the Pentagon. He emphasized

Charles W. Yost (1907–1981) Born in 1907 in Watertown, N.Y., my father joined the foreign policy, he did not mind being surprised with a ‘fait Foreign Service in 1929 at the suggestion of Secretary of accompli.’ Furthermore, the Yost-Dulles connection was one State , a family friend. Forty years later, that went back many decades. his last assignment was as the first career diplomat to be Dulles, the nephew of Secretary of State Lansing, had appointed permanent U.S. representative to the United also grown up in Watertown; in 1902 Dulles’ father, a Pres- Nations. byterian minister, had married my father’s parents. That His early assignments to the U.S. consulates in connection may explain why the ultraconservative Dulles and proved frustrating. When the ambassadors became a loyal supporter of my liberal father. to those countries saw promise in him, and requested his That support proved crucial in the 1950s, during the transfer to their staff, the State Department refused on the investigations of my father by the FBI and the Truman Loy- grounds that his apprenticeship had been too short. As a alty Board. Those investigations ruined the lives and careers result, when he rose to supervisory positions, he went out of of many State Department colleagues, and took their toll on his way, as Ambassador John Gunther Dean later recalled, both of my parents. to always be “helpful and supportive of his younger col- In 1961, my father began his first assignment at the leagues starting in their career.” United Nations, as the deputy to Ambassador Adlai Ste- In 1944 my father returned to Washington, where he venson. After Stevenson’s death in 1965, he stayed on as worked on postwar planning before being assigned to the deputy to Ambassador , and was promoted Dumbarton Oaks Conference as a member of the commit- to the rank of career ambassador, the highest professional tee that drafted chapters VI and VII of the United Nations Foreign Service level. Charter—the provisions regularly cited in times of crisis. The turbulent 1960s presented upheavals around the Following service as an assistant to Secretary of State globe—most significantly in the Congo, Kashmir, Cyprus Edward R. Stettinius during the United Nations’ 1945 found- and the Middle East—that challenged the United Nations ing conference in San Francisco, and later as secretary-gen- and American diplomacy. My father’s habit of “suspecting eral of the U.S. delegation to the , my that there is some right on both sides of most questions,” as father served in Asia, including as the first U.S. ambassador he wrote, helped him face those challenges. to Laos, and in posts in Europe. In 1966 he resigned from the Foreign Service to begin his In 1958, after the abrupt termination of his assignment career as a writer at the Council on Foreign Relations and to Syria when the country broke off relations with the U.S., as a teacher at , but was called out of he was adrift. It was my Polish mother, Irena, who was retirement by President Richard Nixon in 1969 to become responsible for his next assignment; she mentioned to the the permanent United States representative to the United wife of Deputy Under Secretary of State Loy Henderson my Nations, a position he held until 1971. father’s strong desire for a new posting. At his 1981 memorial service, historian Arthur M. When Secretary of State John Foster Dulles was Schlesinger Jr. reflected: “Charles Yost’s life presents the informed that Henderson had slated my father for Morocco, gallant spectacle of a supremely rational man trying to Dulles was not put out. Because Dulles considered my make sense of a supremely irrational age.” father a subtle and reliable implementer of American –Felicity O. Yost

48 MAY 2014 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL that it would be in the interest of the U.S. to respond positively to Morocco’s request for military support. By supplying its army, which tended to be loyal to the king, with updated weapons, Washington could help solidify the king’s position and make the Soviet overture less attractive. In a cable to the Secretary of State, Yost “urgently requested standby authority to make such an offer.” After the Pentagon’s objections were appeased, the White House signed off on an offer of F-86s.

Changing of the Guard On Feb. 21, 1961, Yost met with the king and presented a let- ter from the new U.S. president, John F. Kennedy. In subsequent meetings with the monarch, he pursued the issue of Soviet jets and technicians stationed in the country. At the conclusion of

Yost’s reserved manner fooled many, friend and foe alike, who faced him across the negotiating table. the second meeting, on Feb. 25, Mohammed casually mentioned that he was scheduled for minor surgery later that evening; so minor, in fact, that the procedure would be done in the palace and certainly would not interfere with their meeting the follow- ing morning. The next morning, however, the Moroccan press reported that the king had died during the night. When the American ambas- sador received a phone call during breakfast, he remarked to his wife: “I would venture to bet Prince Hassan was involved.” It was an opinion shared by many. In one of his last acts as U.S. ambassador to Morocco, Yost urged President Kennedy to send a high-profile representative to the funeral. Ambassador at Large Averell Harriman, a Yost family friend, turned out to be the perfect choice. The night before the funeral, Yost and Harriman, both suffering from insomnia, met in the kitchen of the residence in Rabat over a glass of hot milk (it was Harriman’s idea to add a shot of whiskey, Yost recalled). Barely 18 months later both men would be members of the dip- lomatic team advising JFK during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Amb. Yost returned to the United States shortly after the king’s funeral, in March 1961, to become deputy U.S. representa- tive to the United Nations. n

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | MAY 2014 49

AFSA NEWS THE OFFICIAL RECORD OF THE AMERICAN FOREIGN SERVICE ASSOCIATION

A VICTORY ON CAPITOL HILL Senate Releases Hold on 1,800 FS Careers CALENDAR May 2 On April 11, thanks in large repeatedly with management 10-10:30 a.m. AFSA Memorial Ceremony measure to AFSA’s advo- from the foreign affairs agen- cacy, the Senate confirmed cies and with SFRC members May 2 the commission, tenure and and committee staff from 3-5 p.m. AFSA Foreign promotion of all but a handful both sides of the aisle. Affairs Day reception of the nearly 1,800 members May 4 of the Foreign Service whose A Well-Coordinated Public Service Recognition careers had been held up by Strategy Week Begins the Senate Foreign Relations On March 7, AFSA’s presi- May 4 Committee. dent, State vice president and 8 a.m. In some cases, these indi- director of advocacy brought Public Service 5K Run/Walk viduals’ careers had been on all parties together to seek May 7 hold for as long as 15 months, agreement and an end to the 12-2 p.m. with this unprecedented hold. questioning the integrity of AFSA Governing situation directly affecting Through these discus- any individual. Board Meeting more than 10 percent of our sions, AFSA learned that the Negotiations continued, May 19 colleagues. committee staff was seeking and on March 27 AFSA sent 2-4 p.m. Over the past several an enhanced vetting process a letter to SFRC Chairman The Coordination of months AFSA has been for those put forward for Robert Menendez, D-N.J., FEHB and Medicare deeply involved in efforts to confirmation, while making and Ranking Member May 26 rectify this injustice, meeting it clear that they were not Continued on page 53 Memorial Day; AFSA Offices Closed May 29 Conducting Diplomacy in Dangerous Places 2-4 p.m. “Professionalism and the Foreign Service” On March 25, AFSA wel- June 4 comed Ambassador Gerald 12-2 p.m. Feierstein to AFSA headquar- AFSA Governing Board ters to discuss the challenges Meeting of conducting diplomacy in June 8-13 dangerous places. AFSA Road Scholar Program That is certainly a topic June 18 Amb. Feierstein—now 4-6 p.m. principal deputy assistant Annual AFSA Awards secretary for Near Eastern SIGFÚSSON ÁSGEIR BY PHOTO Ceremony Amb. Gerald Feierstein addresses a full house at AFSA on March 25. affairs—knows firsthand. While serving as U.S. ambas- toward diplomacy in dan- Sept. 11, 2012, attitudes have sador to Yemen from 2010 ger zones, distinguishing shifted back toward risk- to 2013, he had the unenvi- between the pre- and post- aversion, Feierstein pointed able distinction of having an Benghazi periods. out. al-Qaida bounty put on his From 9/11, and partic- Zero tolerance for threats head; anyone who killed him ularly following the March to a diplomatic mission has was to be rewarded with six 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq, negative consequences in pounds of gold. the emphasis was on expedi- terms of the ability to main- Amb. Feierstein addressed tionary diplomacy. But since tain a U.S. presence overseas, the changing attitudes the tragic incident in Libya on Continued on page 60

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | MAY 2014 51 STATE VP VOICE | BY MATTHEW ASADA AFSA NEWS

Views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the AFSA State VP. Contact: [email protected] or (202) 647-8160

as peers, even if their experi- a perceived negative bias in Millennial Diplomacy* ence is one in three billion. media coverage of the Sochi Olympics. The millennial generation is tics—confidence, optimism Life In a post-ideological world, changing the Foreign Service about the future and open- Finally, the generation millennials appreciate digital and how it works, lives and ness to change—carry over has different expectations interconnectivity across views the world. into the workplace. There is for the quality of work/life. national borders between New hires have tradition- an expectation of full-digital They are likely to subscribe people of different races ally adapted their behavior integration at work, includ- to Wharton Professor Stew and religions. They are more to conform to the system. ing tools that provide for Friedman’s “Total Leader- likely to form associations Today, given the numbers of extreme transparency inside ship” philosophy and, unlike and make Facebook “friends” new hires (more than 50 per- and outside the department, past generations, set limits (and no, not the kind that cent of the Service—granted, here and abroad. on the number of hours in warrant Diplomatic Security not all of them millennials), The generation is less the workday. contact reporting) with peo- it’s more two-way: the estab- accepting of what it views Millennials are marrying ple from around the world. lishment also has to adapt to as onerous security require- later (if at all), having fewer What does all this mean this new generation. ments, in terms of both tech- children and espousing more for U.S. diplomacy? Such The millennials are chal- nology and physical facilities. liberal views on many politi- a differing generational lenging, sometimes subtly These digital natives are cal and social issues than perspective may contribute and other times more overtly, frustrated by the depart- previous generations. to a diversity of views about the internal order and its pre- ment’s use of technology and With Foreign Affairs the national interest at stake vailing work-life norms. This find it inadequate compared Manual regulations touching in a given country or crisis, as generation’s more global, to other agencies in the U.S. on topics like “promiscuous well as different emphases, interdisciplinary and digitally government (e.g., the military behavior” in an age where initiatives or engagement connected perspective is also and intelligence), not to men- the definition of promiscu- strategies. opening up new diplomatic tion private-sector firms. ity often varies widely (see 3 It also suggests that the solutions. Millennials also have dif- FAM 4139.14 on “Notoriously Foreign Service would do well At the same time, this ferent career expectations Disgraceful Behavior”), State to increase training on geog- generation shares the same than Gen X and the Baby may need to re-evaluate raphy, history and culture, to passion for and dedication to Boomers. They are less likely its policies and disciplinary ensure that we are operating the Foreign Service as others. to have “one employer for regulations. from a common platform of It values the Service’s inter- life.” If the Foreign Service understanding. generational contact and wants to capture the best World Outlook Millennials matter. They opportunities to learn from and brightest, it needs to be The recent crisis in Crimea are already shaping the those who have gone before. able to accommodate those reminds us of the importance culture of the State Depart- Together, the millennials, who are looking to join for a of perspective to diplomacy. ment, more rapidly than generation X and baby boom- limited number of years. The millennial generation department leadership ever ers are shaping—perhaps in Millennials expect respon- was raised with a different expected, and will continue new ways and with different sibility, meaningful work and view of Russia than gen X or to do so as they rise through approaches—the premier advancement opportunities, the baby boomers. It came of the ranks. diplomatic workforce of the and are subtly influenced age knowing Russia as a post- Share your own millennial 21st century. by the success and fortunes Soviet Union country the story with me on twitter of their counterparts in the West was trying to incorpo- @matthewasada. n Work private sector. They regard rate into a post-modern world The millennial genera- Facebook founders Marc order—not as a historical Next month: Post-Benghazi tion’s general characteris- Zuckerberg and Chris Hughes foe. Some were surprised by Security

* This column draws on the 2010 and 2014 Pew Research Millennial Surveys. The millennial generation generally refers to those born after 1980 (i.e., the first generation to come of age in the new millennium). Generation X covers people born from 1965 through 1980; and the baby boomers are those born between 1946 and 1964.

52 MAY 2014 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL FAS VP VOICE | BY DAVID MERGEN AFSA NEWS

Views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the AFSA FAS VP. Contact: [email protected] or (202) 720-3650

particularly on SPS issues, it New USDA Under Secretary for Trade is not clear how this will be and Foreign Agricultural Affairs accomplished. We have requested that AFSA be given pre- The Farm Bill passed by Con- FAS will obviously come under the decisional involvement in gress at the start of February new under secretary’s purview, but it is the implementation of the includes a provision mandat- Farm Bill changes, as well as ing a reorganization of trade still an open question how other USDA any potential organizational functions, and the establish- agencies will be affected. changes within FAS. ment of a new Under Sec- Based on what I have retary for Trade and Foreign heard so far, we don’t expect Agricultural Affairs position the change appears to be a secretary position. Nor any changes in FAS on the at USDA. desire to improve coordina- does it specify what current scale of the 2006 reorgani- It is not clear yet how the tion on sanitary and phyto- under secretary position zation. Nor do I expect major reorganization will be done sanitary import and export will be eliminated (the total changes at our sister agen- or what kind of impact it will issues; and to establish number of authorized USDA cies, the Animal and Plant have on FAS, but this is an a single, high-level USDA under secretaries stays the Health Inspection Service area we will be tracking over representative for trade same). and the Food Safety and the next few months. negotiations with senior FAS will obviously come Inspection Service. But as The law requires USDA to foreign officials and within under the new under sec- we go to press, it is still early report an implementation the executive branch. retary’s purview, but it is in the process. plan to Congress within six The Farm Bill does not still an open question how Staying on top of this and months and carry out the specify how the reorganiza- other USDA agencies will be making sure AFSA members changes within the next year. tion will take place below affected. Though the goal have a voice in any changes The main impetus for the level of the new under is to improve coordination, is one of our top priorities. n

Senate Releases Hold • Continued from page 51

Senator Bob Corker, R-Tenn. only were these individuals’ full Senate, which ultimately And finally—in an all-too- It expressed our general careers on the line, but they passed them just before the rare example of bipartisan concerns about the situation and their families were also two-week April recess. cooperation—Senate Demo- and sought to educate the facing significant financial crats and Republicans came senators about the nega- repercussions regarding A Formula for Success together in support of the tive consequences to those employment, education and This victory illustrates Foreign Service and the inter- on hold, as well as to the housing. what can be accomplished ests of the American people. country. On April 1, AFSA issued with consistent, cooperative AFSA will keep you AFSA further pointed out a general call to action. We efforts. AFSA worked col- informed of developments that the number of individuals asked members to call their laboratively with the State on this issue, as well as other on the list had continued to congressional representatives Department to keep the issues of importance to the grow, and stated: “These men to urge movement on this pressure on. AFSA leadership Foreign Service community. and women who have patiently issue. The response was excel- and staff sought to educate We’re happy to hear waited for months have jobs lent—and compelling. Our Hill staff about the impact of from you about the issues that are essential to our friends on the Hill received these holds and remind them that have an impact on your national security, economic a significant number of calls of the important work of the career. Contact your board prosperity and job creation. and emails. Foreign Service. AFSA mem- representative or vice presi- They should wait no longer.” Our efforts continued, and bers stepped forward and dent, or email advocacy@ Throughout this process on April 10 we learned that the made their voices heard— afsa.org. n AFSA heard from our mem- lists had passed through com- amplifying a very important –Kristen Fernekes, AFSA bers around the world. Not mittee and moved on to the message. Communications Director

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | MAY 2014 53 AFSA NEWS

AFSA on the Hill: The Multiplier Effect

As we celebrate 90 years ments, living arrangements, Capitol Hill is our number-one Capitol Hill is changing of the Foreign Service and family-member employment priority. fast, and so are the players. AFSA, our legislative team and educational options. (See As Congress continues to is engaged on an increasing page 51 for up-to-date infor- People Over Programs see members retire in record number of fronts to serve mation on this issue.) The more people we reach numbers, AFSA is seizing the our membership. Our goal Similarly, we have pushed on Capitol Hill, the better opportunity to introduce our- is to ensure that AFSA’s hard on the Senate to clear are our chances of promot- selves to new senators and voice is heard on Capitol Hill, the logjam of ambassadorial ing our core issues. “Friends representatives, familiarizing making it a vital resource nominations that are lan- of friends,” as we like to call them with the Foreign Service going forward—for another guishing on the Senate floor; them, have become increas- and our issues from their first 90 years! as of this writing 33 such ingly influential and beneficial days in office. nominations await confirma- as we expand the AFSA brand We also continue to Priority Issues tion. and talk about the brave men educate appropriators and In accordance with the and women of the Foreign authorizers on the impor- AFSA Governing Board’s New Alliances Service. tance of Foreign Service work strategic plan, our key issues Our recent advocacy for “People over programs” and the need for the right remain career development AFSA’s “Guidelines for Suc- is our motto when we talk to amount of funding to do your and professional capacity, cessful Performance as a Members of Congress. You jobs successfully. We hope we overseas security and over- Chief of Mission” is another are the face of the nation can continue to count on your seas comparability pay. way we are showcasing our abroad, and Congress needs support as we work on your These are the themes value to Congress and the to know the importance of behalf in Congress. n we hit in every meeting we White House. your work, wherever you may –David Murimi, Senior have on the Hill, and we are AFSA has been able to be serving. Legislative Assistant pleased to note that con- engage with a large number of gressional staff members stakeholders on the guide- are becoming increasingly lines issue, and in the process A Panel on the Foreign Service Career conversant on these issues as has made new alliances with a result of our advocacy. Not congressional offices with every member of Congress which we previously had very will support our issues, but little contact. maintaining strong relation- We are also engaging more ships across the board is with state legislatures. For important for AFSA. instance, in Virginia we are In recent weeks, AFSA has working to establish a new been very much engaged in state license plate honor- pushing through the commis- ing the Foreign Service and sioning, tenure and promo- diplomacy. Any Virginia resi- tions of close to 1,800 mem- dent who is interested in this bers of the Foreign Service initiative should let us know at at the Department of State, [email protected]. On March 28, AFSA State Vice President Matthew Asada, at left, USAID, Foreign Commercial AFSA is also working on a joined Pearson Fellows Dena Brownlow and Mark Shapiro for a panel on Capitol Hill about life in the Foreign Service. Asada underlined the Service and Foreign Agricul- resolution honoring the For- importance of training to develop a professional diplomatic workforce. tural Service. eign Service and the associa- He noted Congress’ decision not to fund the 2014 request for additional This is a tremendously tion on the occasion of this personnel positions that would ensure officers and specialists receive the language and security awareness training they need to work and important issue to our year’s 90th anniversaries. survive overseas. Shapiro stressed cultural differences between State members, directly affecting Keeping and maintain- and the Hill and the need to improve understanding between the two. your salaries, onward assign- ing healthy relationships on

54 MAY 2014 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL AFSA NEWS

AFSA Honors Toni Tomasek on Foreign Affairs Day

Each year on Foreign Affairs mission in Port-au-Prince. true testament to the Day, we have the solemn duty In Indonesia, where she sacrifice and accom- and honor to recognize some was a development leader- plishment inherent in a of the best of the Foreign ship initiative officer, she Foreign Service career. Service—those who gave established a groundbreak- Secretary of State their lives while on duty, in ing program that offered John Kerry and USAID pursuit of the highest goals grants to local organizations Administrator Rajiv of American diplomacy and working to prevent and treat Shah will both make development. tuberculosis. She was also remarks in Toni’s On May 2, AFSA Presi- one of the principal authors honor during the May 2 memorial ceremony. We ask that all mem- Toni was tireless in her fight to make the bers of the Foreign world a better place. Service community take a moment on that dent Robert Silverman leads of Indonesia’s Global Health morning to remember AFSA’s memorial ceremony Initiative strategy, which Toni and the 244 indi- in gratitude for the service continues to guide the work FAMILY THE TOMASEK OF COURTESY viduals who precede and sacrifice of the 244 of USAID Indonesia. her on the memorial individuals already inscribed Toni was tireless in her and Amelie (7), cherish the plaque. n on our memorial plaques in fight to make the world a memory of her commitment, –Perri Green, the Department of State’s better place, and brought kindness and energy. Special Awards and C Street lobby. This year, to the Foreign Service years Toni Tomasek’s legacy is a Outreach Coordinator another name joins this roll of experience designing of honor as Antoinette “Toni” and implementing health Beaumont Tomasek becomes programs. the 245th honoree at our Before becoming a dip- 81st memorial ceremony. lomat, she studied in Spain Show Me Diplomacy! A returned Peace Corps and Brazil, served as a PCV Volunteer and specialist in in Paraguay, worked in the To celebrate the 90th anniversary of AFSA and international public health United States with migrant the Foreign Service, AFSA is assembling a slide- and intercultural educa- and seasonal farming commu- show that will be shown at AFSA events throughout tion, Toni began her Foreign nities, and was a health lead the year and posted on our website. Service career with the U.S. for the Inter-American and Please share a Foreign Service memory with us Agency for International Pacific region at Peace Corps by sending a photograph that represents diplomacy Development in 2009. In headquarters in Washington, NEWS BRIEF and a memory from your career. Our goal is to show postings from Indonesia to D.C. the last 90 years of the Foreign Service through Haiti, she worked to better Toni’s career speaks to your lens. We want all types of photos: happy or the lives of others. her nature as a humanitar- sad, a person, place or animal or object. Show us In Haiti she ensured that ian and exemplary diplomat. diplomacy in action! a local clinic had adequate Her unwavering dedication Please send just one picture and include your supplies to treat the children to development and for- name and a caption giving the location of the photo of the community. Tragically, eign assistance positively and the year it was taken. Submit your photo by on June 29, 2013, at the age improved the lives of many e-mail to [email protected], use #90FS on Instagram, of 41, she was killed in a car vulnerable families. or leave your photo as a comment on AFSA’s Face- accident on her way back Her husband, Adam, and book page. n from that clinic to the USAID their two children, Alex (9)

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | MAY 2014 55 AFSA NEWS

UNA-NCA Honors Amb. Edward Perkins at AFSA

On April 2, AFSA had the American director general of pleasure of hosting the the Foreign Service. In that United Nations Association position, he spearheaded of the National Capital Area significant Foreign Service as it presented its Lifetime reform. Achievement Award to AFSA Executive Director Ambassador Edward Perkins. Ian Houston welcomed the Dedicated to enhancing large crowd that gathered support for the U.N. in the to celebrate Amb. Perkins United States, the UNA-NCA and his inspiring life in the is one of AFSA’s partner Foreign Service. organizations. UNA-NCA President PHOTO BY ÁSGEIR SIGFÚSSON ÁSGEIR BY PHOTO Amb. Perkins is a true Ambassador Donald Bliss From left to right: UNA-NCA Director-at-Large Recardo Gibson, UNA-NCA Foreign Service legend. He introduced Amb. Perkins, Executive Director Paula Boland, UNA-NCA Africa Committee Co-Chair broke countless barriers as who regaled the audience Lydia Kwawu, UNA-NCA President Ambassador Donald T. Bliss, Ambassador Edward Perkins and AFSA Executive Director Ian M. Houston. an African-American diplo- during a moderated con- mat, and served as ambassa- versation with UNA-NCA’s Perkins. It was a touching continuing the partner- dor to Liberia, South Africa, Recardo Gibson. Despite moment, and affirmation of ship with UNA-NCA, and we the United Nations and being 85 years old, the an admirable and pioneering expect to offer additional Australia. statesman remains a capti- life of devotion to diplomacy joint events later this year. The first African-Ameri- vating storyteller. and human rights. AFSA was You may learn more about can to serve in South Africa, Following the discussion, honored to play a part in rec- UNA-NCA at www.unanca. his appointment garnered Liberian Ambassador to ognizing Amb. Perkins for his org. n international attention and the United States Jeremiah innumerable contributions –Ásgeir Sigfússon, some controversy. Later, he Sulunteh came forward to to the Foreign Service. Director of New Media became the first African- present the award to Amb. AFSA looks forward to Department of State by State

In March, the Department to Alaska’s fishing industry. of State’s Bureau of Public There are numerous such Diplomacy and Public Affairs facts for each state, includ- introduced a new online ing the number of foreign feature, “the Department individuals on a work- or of State by State.” It is an study-based international interactive map that shows visitor exchange program the effect the department, in the state, the number of its personnel and American residents holding passports diplomacy have in each of and information on notable the 50 states. state residents who have been A rich source of informa- diplomats. tion, the map is an exemplary STATE.GOV The map is available public outreach tool. For at www.state.gov/stateby instance, by using the map grams help support 130,000 $1.2 billion in services ex- state. n you can illustrate that the jobs in Montana, $8.9 billion ported by Maine companies –Ásgeir Sigfússon, Department of State’s pro- in exports from Arkansas, and a $7.3 million contribution Director of New Media

56 MAY 2014 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL AFSA NEWS

Members Give Time to Support AFSA’s Art and Academic Merit Awards Program

During March and April, 25 next generation of our youth.” AFSA members from the All volunteer judges Washington, D.C., area were attended an orientation busy serving as judges for meeting to learn the mechan- AFSA’s youth Merit Awards ics of scoring, spent 10-12 program. hours of their own time to This year, 94 graduating evaluate applications over a Foreign Service high school three-week period, and then seniors, in the U.S. and participated in a panel meet- abroad, competed on their ing to select some winners academic and art accom- and finalists. plishments for $48,500 in Scholarship Committee prize money to be used for members, who are also merit

college education. The win- award judges, then volun- KERRIN MURPHY ners will be announced on teered for a second round to Volunteers Karen Zens and Mort Dworken, both members of the AFSA Scholarship Committee, discuss an entry at the art merit panel meeting. May 2. evaluate the finalists from all As usual, AFSA will panels and select the remain- spotlight the award winners ing award winners. Since and donors who support the 2012 the AFSA Merit Awards National High School Essay program in the July-August program has used an online Contest in 16th Year issue of The Foreign Service student application submis- This year, AFSA’s National High School Essay Journal, but we want to take sion and judge evaluation Contest enters its 16th year. In honor of the 90th this opportunity to salute the program called “Fluidreview” anniversary of the Foreign Service, students were volunteer judges who are the to manage the process. challenged to write about an important topic from critical “behind-the-scenes” diplomatic history. players in this program. THE JUDGING NEWS BRIEF The available topics were the Cuban missile crisis, PROCESS the 1978 Camp David Accords, the end of the Cold MOTIVATED TO Five academic merit pan- War, the Northern Ireland Peace Process/Good Friday GIVE BACK els and one art merit panel Agreement, the post-World War II period/Marshall Wanting to give back is scored the 78 academic Plan, and diplomacy through development. The most a prime motivator for the merit applications and 16 popular topic was the Cuban missile crisis. individuals involved in this art merit applications AFSA We received more than 400 essays from 47 states activity, but that’s not all. received this year. Just as and six countries, with just over 100 qualifying to Retiree Mort Dworken, who the academic applicants are move onto the second round of judging, in early April; has served as an academic divided into balanced panels the final round of judging began April 15. merit and now an art merit by their grade point average The winning essay earns the student an all- judge, says, “I would not and standardized test scores, expense paid trip with family to Washington, D.C., come back year after year if I so are the judges. to meet the Secretary of State, a $2,500 prize, and did not enjoy this experience AFSA staff members an educational voyage courtesy of Semester at Sea so much.” use the following criteria to when the student enrolls in an accredited university. A first-time judge, active- assign judges to each panel: Learn more at www.afsa.org/essaycontest or by duty State Department gender, active-duty versus contacting AFSA’s Coordinator for Special Awards employee Frances Chisholm retiree status, new or repeat and Outreach Perri Green at [email protected] or adds, “It validates for me the volunteer, agency repre- (202) 719-9700. n immense potential of the Continued on page 63

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | MAY 2014 57 AFSA NEWS

AFSA Advocates for Foreign Service Child Care Options

One of AFSA’s five strategic Last year, AFSA expressed concern about not to change their process goals is working to imple- child care procedures and policies at when opening the new center ment policies that improve at SA-17, arguing that the sib- the quality of employees’ department-supported centers that ling preference and waitlist work and family life. For appear to disadvantage employees who were standard practice in some, that means improving are required to move every few years and D.C. AFSA maintains that our available child care options in transient, international FS Washington, D.C. those with only one child. personnel system points to State facilitates child the need for a more custom- care through three separate ized solution. contract agreements at FSI, AFSA will continue to SA-1 (Diplotots) and the advocate for a preference soon-to-be-opened SA-17 challenging, and many cen- ing in the department’s child category system that fairly (Diplotots Too). Waiting lists ters have average wait times care subsidy program. addresses the transient range from 80-120 children of two to three years (some- Last year, AFSA expressed nature of Foreign Service (approximately nine months times longer than a typical concern about child care families of all sizes, and for to one year) at FSI to 500- domestic assignment). procedures and policies online, worldwide-available 800 children (2.5 to 3 years) Many employees with small at department-supported waitlists for department- at SA-1. Top priority at FSI is children who cannot get into centers that appear to dis- supported centers. And we given to children of Foreign a center ultimately choose advantage employees who will continue to advocate for Service employees assigned to hire or find a nanny-share are required to move every additional child care options, to training; at SA-1 priority arrangement. few years and those with only whether through partnership is given to the siblings of an However, both options are one child. with third-party providers already enrolled child. costly and take a lot of time In several letters to the such as Care.com or inclu- Identifying private child to find and arrange. Employ- department and Diplotots, sion in facility expansion care facilities in the Washing- ees may offset some of their we proposed that instead of plans. ton metro area can be very child care costs by participat- relying solely on the waitlist, The department recently an initial allocation of SA-17 provided additional resources child care spots also be for child care, including a AFSA @ BYU made available on a modi- pilot program for emer- fied lottery basis. Such a gency backup care cover- On March 20, lottery would ensure that all ing domestic and overseas AFSA Execu- employees, wherever and locations. AFSA will support tive Director in whatever status, have an making this pilot permanent Ian Houston equal chance of securing a if employees find it useful. spoke to a spot for their child. We want to hear from you

NEWS BRIEF group of In addition, we suggested about your experience with students at that the SA-1 and FSI waitlists child care. How did the exist- Brigham Young University’s David M. Kennedy Center be online and worldwide- ing process work for you? for International Studies. He discussed AFSA, the For- available so that FS mem- What ideas or suggestions eign Service career, development and diplomacy as a bers posted overseas have do you have for improving part of AFSA’s effort to engage students and young pro- access to them, and that they the employee child care fessionals in exploring the Foreign Service as a career provide equal opportunity experience? Please send us choice. He also met with officers of the school’s Foreign to single-child and multi- your feedback at afsa@state. Service Student Organization, and provided advice to children families. gov. n students who are interested in international careers. n Ultimately, the depart- –Matthew Asada, AFSA ment and Diplotots decided State Vice President

58 MAY 2014 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL AFSA NEWS

International Studies: AFSA Meets Academia

This year, for the first time, material that is were pleased to learn about AFSA set up shop as an the ADST oral Inside a U.S. Embassy, and exhibitor at the International history collec- one from the Air Force said it Studies Association con- tion—1,800 was exactly what they needed vention, the largest annual first-person for an upcoming course. gathering of international accounts The book went over well relations academics in the of events in with academics teaching world. diplomatic in the U.S., as well as those Created to promote history that are teaching in other countries. research and education in searchable and Dry and Dorman met with international affairs, ISA is available at no representatives from the PATRICIA GUY PATRICIA the premier organization A Foreign Service candidate chats with FSJ Editor cost. Diplomatic Studies Section for connecting scholars and Shawn Dorman. Some two of ISA and with many others practitioners in the fields of dozen profes- interested in building bridges international studies. Some The AFSA and ADST sors took copies of the book between academia and diplo- 6,000 members attended materials seemed a for possible course adoption. matic practice. n the annual convention. Several attendees who –Shawn Dorman, The majority of the perfect fit for this teach at military institutions FSJ Editor 80-some exhibitors at the audience. four-day conference, held March 26–29 in Toronto, AFSA Professionalism and were academic and commer- Ethics Committee Robert cial publishers selling books Dry and AFSA Publications and networking. A number Manager and FSJ Editor of related organizations also Shawn Dorman were there to had booths at ISA, including represent AFSA and ADST. Gallup, Council on Foreign AFSA’s reps spoke with Relations and Statecraft several hundred conference Simulation. participants, introducing them to AFSA and ADST pro- AFSA and ADST grams and sharing copies of Our neighbor was the The Foreign Service Journal, State Department recruit- AFSA’s Inside a U.S. Embassy ment office, represented book and information about by the New York region’s ADST—especially its oral Diplomat-in-Residence Patri- history program (which hap- cia Guy, D.C.-based recruiter pened to be the focus of the and retired FSO Ramona March Journal). Harper, and Michael Wolfe, the student program and fel- Building Bridges lowship division chief. The AFSA and ADST AFSA shared a booth with materials seemed a perfect the Association of Diplo- fit for this audience. A few matic Studies and Training, professors and Ph.D. candi- although ADST did not send dates practically cried with any staff to Toronto. Retired enthusiasm about the trea- FSO and member of the sure trove of primary source

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | MAY 2014 59 AFSA NEWS

Dangerous Places • Continued from page 51 “Nowruz Pirooz!”—AFSA Celebrates Persian New Year Feierstein argued. He also A Realistic Analysis deplored the trend toward of Risk Persian New Year one-year and unaccompa- Acknowledging that safety (“Nowruz”) is nied assignments. is a legitimate priority for our celebrated annually “I do not think it is pos- diplomatic posts, Feierstein on the vernal equi- sible for our diplomats to do suggested that “an adult nox, when Earth is a good job in only one year,” conversation about what we renewed with the he stated. He also noted that are trying to do, weighing coming of spring. U.S. missions in dangerous risks and benefits,” is overdue. Partly rooted in countries are forced to rely He pointed to the embassy Zoroastrianism, the too heavily on entry-level closings in 2013 as the kind holiday is enjoyed personnel. of “knee-jerk reaction” that is by people all over not helpful. the world including Negative Feierstein also questioned Afghanistan, Iraq, Consequences whether State adequately , Tajikistan, Another effect is that articulates what the Foreign Uzbekistan, Azer- U.S. missions are becom- Service does and why we baijan, , Paki- ing increasingly militarized. need to be overseas within stan and Turkey. SAFAI RAEKA “When I left Yemen, we had the interagency community, With Nowruz 110 Marines at the embassy,” given that State officers are comes the setting of the “Haft-seen” (seven ‘S’) table, so observed Feierstein. “I truly often the ones pulled out first named because it includes seven meaningful items whose appreciate the work of the in a closure. names start with the Persian letter ‘seen’: Marine Corps. But if you “This is exactly wrong,” •Senjed (dry fruit of a lotus tree) denotes love and have this number of military Feierstein commented. “As we affection [personnel] in an embassy, it go forward, our battle is less •Sumaq (Sumac) symbolizes sunrise and the warmth is noted by the public.” in the dangerous posts than it of life Restrictions on move- is in Washington. We have to •Seeb (apple) stands for health and beauty ment for embassy personnel continue convincing the State •Seer (garlic) indicates good health and well-being and their families increased Department that it is impor- •Samanu (wheat pudding) represents the sweetness dramatically, as well. Feier- tant to have people there. of life stein cited Sanaa, where all “I still don’t think that the •Sabzeh (sprouted wheat grass) represents the employees had to move into a correct response is to build renewal of life and the rebirth of nature nearby hotel. fortresses and to lock down •Sonbol (hyacinth) stands for prosperity and good will “Our personnel can’t go our diplomats. We need a in the new year. anywhere,” Feierstein said. “It more nuanced approach.” On the eve of the last Wednesday of the old year, is crucial for our diplomatic The large audience, in what Persians celebrate Chahar Shanbe Suri. They gather, light goals that our FSOs be able was AFSA’s first members- small bonfires in the streets and jump over the flames say- to connect with the locals and only event, engaged Feierstein ing, “May my sickly pallor be yours and your red glow be have host-country neighbors.” in a lively question-and- mine.” The flames symbolically take away all the unpleas- Making matters worse answer session following his ant things from the past year to prepare one for the New in Sanaa, he noted, during remarks. Ye a r. the 2013 embassy closings To view the discussion Nowruz lasts 13 days. The last day is called “Sizdeh the 15-minute drive from online, please visit www.afsa. Bedar,” which literally means “getting rid of the thirteenth.” the hotel to the embassy org/video. n Families and friends spend the day picnicking outdoors to was considered too dan- –Julian Steiner, get rid of bad luck. n gerous, and all diplomatic Communications Intern –Raeka Safai, AFSA Staff Attorney personnel had to sleep in their offices.

60 MAY 2014 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL AFSA NEWS

May Event: The Foreign Service and Professionalism

On May 29, AFSA will present an event in collabora- Dr. Snider’s continuing research examines American civil- tion with the association’s Professionalism and Ethics military relations, the identities and development of the U.S. Committee. “The System of Professions and Profes- Army officer, military professions and professional military sionalism—Relevance to the Foreign Service” will look ethics. He was research director and co-editor of The Future at the concept of professionalism and apply it to the of the Army Profession (2nd edition, McGraw-Hill, 2005) and

NEWS BRIEF realities of the Foreign Service. Forging the Warrior’s Character (2nd edition, McGraw-Hill, What is Foreign Service professionalism? What 2008). does it look like? Should these ideas be part of every He also co-authored The Army’s Professional Military Ethic Foreign Service employee’s training? in an Era of Persistent Conflict(U.S. Army War College, 2008) Our speaker is Don Snider, emeritus professor of and was co-editor with Suzanne Nielsen of American Civil- political science at West Point, from which he retired Military Relations: The Soldier and the State in the New Era in 2008. He serves now as a senior fellow in the Cen- (Johns Hopkins University Press, 2009). ter for the Army Profession and Ethic at West Point This program takes place at AFSA headquarters, and as Distinguished Visiting Professor in the Strate- 2101 E St NW, and begins at 2 p.m. on Thursday, May 29. gic Studies Institute at the U.S. Army War College. Please RSVP to [email protected]. n

Save the Date and Donate: Helping do what’s best for you... The 2014 AAFSW Art & BookFair The 2014 Art & BookFair of the Associates of the Financial Analysis American Foreign Service Worldwide will take place from Friday, Oct. 10, to Sunday, Oct. 19, in the Diplo- A Former State Department Employee matic Exhibit Hall in the Harry S Truman building. Stationed Overseas Understands Unique The fair will feature books, jewelry, art, collect- Financial Situation of Foreign Service.

NEWS BRIEF ibles, stamps and coins from all over the world. Proceeds benefit Foreign Service families and the Services Include: AAFSW Scholarship Fund. • Tax Preparation Donations of rare books, jewelry, art items, • Financial Analysis stamps and coins are now being accepted. To have • Retirement Analysis your donations picked up, please call (202) 223- • Lump Sum Retirement Options 5796 or email [email protected]. If you are interested in volunteering to help MARY CORNELIA GINN us out during this annual event, please contact 10303 Greenwood Place AAFSW at (703) 820-5420 or visit www.aafsw.org. Oakwood, Virginia 22124 If you love books and exotic items, you won’t be Phone: (703) 938-0074 disappointed! n e-mail: [email protected]

Registerd representative offering securities through Cetera Advisor Networks LLC, member FINRA/SIPC. Cetera is under separate ownership from any other named entity. Financial analysis and tax services offered through MCG Financial Planning. Each office is independently responsible for the services provided.

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | MAY 2014 61 AFSA NEWS

March Job Search Program Reception

On March 28, AFSA and DACOR co-hosted the graduation reception for the most recent Job Search Program group at the Foreign Service Institute. We were pleased NEWS BRIEF to honor the 46 Foreign Service employees who were retiring from diplomatic service with champagne and hors d’oeuvres. Earlier that week, AFSA’s Membership Department hosted a brown-bag lunch with the same group to let them know about AFSA’s services to retirees. AFSA looks forward to welcoming them as retiree members of the association and continuing to work on their behalf as they begin a new chapter in their lives. n MATTHEW SUMRAK MATTHEW

AFSA Helps Out Common Ground Book Festival

America Counts on CPAs AFSA welcomed the invitation to support the fifth annual Common Ground International Book Fest & Business Expo at Shepherd University in Shepherdstown, W. Va. David L. Mortimer, CPA, has more than 20 years The March 1 event showcased the work of of experience in tax planning, research and com- NEWS BRIEF authors, playwrights, filmmakers, musicians and pliance. This experience includes developing tax craft vendors with a host of activities, seminars minimization strategies, planning business trans- and book signings. It was organized by Women actions and tax audit representation. for Shepherd University, the Shepherd University • Income tax services Foundation and Harambee Conference. AFSA arranged for retired Foreign Service officer • Financial planning Patricia McArdle to be the featured speaker at the • Practiced before the IRS event’s keynote luncheon. McArdle is the author of • Electronic tax filing the novel Farishta (Riverhead Hardcover, 2011), win- • Member AICPA ner of the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award. In addition to copies of The Foreign Service F IRST C ONSULTATION F REE Journal, AFSA also donated copies of Inside a U.S. David L. Mortimer, CPA Embassy: Diplomacy at Work that were given as 5500 Holmes Run Parkway C4 awards in various student competitions and as a Alexandria VA 22314 door prize. n Tel: (703) 743-0272 Fax: (202) 204-5199 E-mail: [email protected] Web site: www.mytaxcpa.net

62 MAY 2014 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL AFSA NEWS

Merit Awards Program • Continued from page 57 Essay Award and Community the AFSA Scholarship Com- Service Award are bestowed mittee.) annually. The Merit Award program AFSA thanks the 2014 is part of the AFSA Scholar- merit award judges: Lora ship Program, which also Berg*, Chanda Berk*, Jennifer includes a need-based Finan- Bucha, Frances Chisholm, cial Aid Scholarship program Larry Cohen*, Paul Cox, Mort providing $200,000 in edu- Dworken, Kevin Ellison, Mark cational aid it to FS students Gellerson, Olivia, Hilton, annually. The AFSA Scholar- David Jones, Todd Kushner, ship Program is managed by Bill Kutson*, Helen Lovejoy, two AFSA staff members and Bill Martin, Bobbie Neal, a one-semester intern. Maureen O’Neill*, Mark For more information on KERRIN MURPHY Volunteers Paul Cox, a first-time judge, and Maureen O’Neill, a member of Petry*, Andrew Ryan, Amb. the program and to view the AFSA Scholarship Committee, review applications at an academic merit Lange Schermerhorn*, Anne the full list of merit award panel meeting. Simon, Jennifer Spande, winners, visit www.afsa.org/ Carol Sutherland, Jane Tan- scholar. n sented, availability for panel The competition is open nenbaum and Karen Zens. –Lori Dec, discussion meetings and, in only to children of AFSA (The (*) denotes members of Scholarship Director the case of the art judges, members who are active duty expertise. As mentioned or retired Foreign Service above, each panel had an employees. AFSA Scholarship Commit- tee member on it, too. REWARDING Academic merit award FS STUDENTS applicants receive a score for “I am happy we have their unweighted gradepoint this AFSA program and that average, standardized test we are able to reward the scores, higher-level courses students we do,” says Ambas- taken, a two-page essay, sador Lange Schermerhorn, high school activities and chairwoman of the AFSA any special circumstances. Scholarship Committee. Letters of recommendation “However, there are still many are also taken into consider- deserving applicants AFSA ation. cannot recognize because Art merit award appli- of the funding constraints, cants must have at least a so we must, at times, make 2.0 GPA, but do not need to tough decisions.” submit their standardized Overseen by the seven- test scores. These candi- person AFSA Scholarship dates submit two to five art Committee, which is made samples in one of the follow- up of representatives from ing four categories: creative all Foreign Service agencies, writing, visual arts, perform- AFSA’s Merit Award pro- ing arts or musical arts. They gram is now in its 38th year. also submit an essay and two Thirteen top prizes ($2,500) letters of recommendation, and 12 honorable mention and answer various ques- prizes ($1,000), along with a tions on their artwork. $750 prize each for the Best

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | MAY 2014 63

BOOKS

Navigating Two-Way tecture, but still disapprove strongly of public diplomacy tool could benefit from Streets Beijing’s human rights record or foreign the chapter recounting the challenges policy. In such cases, appeals to mutual French diplomats confronted in their Searching for a Cultural Diplomacy understanding have a hollow ring. Syria and mandates between the Jessica C.E. Gienow-Hecht and Mark C. While the editors deserve credit for world wars. The prevalence of the French Donfried, editors, Berghahn Books, 2013, assembling so many varied perspectives language in so much of the world, includ- paperback/$34.95, Kindle Edition/$19.22, on cultural diplomacy, the results are ing Russia and West Africa, convinced 278 pages. uneven. The profile of Nitobe Inazô, a for- them it was an “international instrument” Reviewed by Ken Moskowitz mer under-secretary general for Japan that went hand-in-hand with at the League of Nations, their superior culture and In her introduction to this collection of who spent a year teach- “civilizing mission.” American case studies (Volume 6 in an ongoing ing in the U.S. and then diplomats should be careful series of “Explorations in Culture and wrote in English about never to give the impression International History”), Jessica Gienow- Meiji Japan, is interesting that we feel the same way Hecht correctly avers that “the more enough, but adds little to about the English language interactive the structure of the cultural our understanding of the or our own culture. diplomacy program is, the more likely it is topic. While this is a useful to be successful.” Even more baffling is the and varied collection of While that principle has gained new chapter about the Bens- case studies, the editors prominence thanks to social media, berger Memorandum, a 1968 could have benefited two-way dialogues have rarely, if ever, document by a West German from collaboration with been absent from successful public Catholic lay group proposing a ruthless wordsmith. diplomacy. For instance, the principle of improved relations with com- Readers will struggle with some of the mutual understanding was spelled out in munist Poland. This example of efforts by contributions by foreign writers, but even the 1946 law establishing the Fulbright non-state actors, which we convention- the essays by Americans have not been Scholar program, which has always aimed ally label people-to-people diplomacy, closely edited. to educate the American public as much can hardly inform diplomats about best For example, one U.S. ambassador’s as overseas audiences. practices given official constraints. information officer is called his “press Gienow-Hecht and her co-editor, Mark More instructively, the repeated agent,” while another essay refers to Donfried, are on less firm ground, how- failures of Soviet diplomats and corre- “Soviet impression management.” But ever, in declaring that cultural diplomacy spondents to engage Americans during my favorite example of gobbledygook must always be delinked from politi- the Cold War cited in the book serve as discusses two governments that “tried to cal messages, with the Cold War as the excellent negative examples of public promote interactive cultural programs best-known example. A cultural program diplomacy. As one Russian journalist and cooperative cultural policymaking entirely devoid of political content might warned at the time, the fear of deviation to promote mutuality among regional draw big audiences, no doubt—but to from prepared texts only “indulges anti- members.” what end? Soviet lore.” On balance, however, Searching for a If your post’s public diplomacy Yet while the task of trying to sell Cultural Diplomacy is well worth the time program centers on organizing concert Soviet culture and society while on the of anyone interested in this important tours by American musicians even as losing side of history is a fascinating story, topic. n local extremists are plotting to attack the we current practitioners of PD should embassy, why should U.S. taxpayers sup- not be smug. At one time or another, all Ken Moskowitz, a Foreign Service officer port it, no matter how well attended those public diplomacy officers are tasked with with USIA and State since 1986, currently performances are? making a silk purse out of the sow’s ear of serves in the Office of the Inspector General. Similarly, one could enjoy a Confucius bad policy. His overseas assignments include Budapest, Institute seminar on, say, Chinese archi- Proponents of English teaching as a Tokyo (twice), Sofia and Kyiv.

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | MAY 2014 65 IN MEMORY

n Christopher Michel Lance Brown, Mr. Brown loved dogs and the the Chinese Combat Command. His com- 57, an FSO with the U.S. Agency for Inter- outdoors, and had a passion for new bat experience in the northern Shan and national Development, died peacefully at adventures. An accomplished skier, snow- Kachin areas of Burma, and seven months his home with family and friends in Lake boarder, water skier, wake-boarder, rock in Kunming, China, where he spent his Placid, N.Y., on March 23. climber and kayaker, he surprised family off-duty hours learning Chinese, sparked a The son of Vince Brown, a senior and friends with his perpetual willingness lifelong interest in Asia. USAID mission director (one of the first to try new things—even taking up ballet After returning to at development officials appointed to imple- and giving his first (and only) recital at the the end of the war, he changed his major ment the Marshall Plan), and Francoise age of 50. from physics to political science and Asian Brown, a former French citizen, Chris A Christian Scientist, he embraced studies, graduating in 1946. Brown was in many ways born into inter- Judaism as part of faith. Mr. Colm joined the State Department national development. Mr. Brown is survived by his wife of in 1949 and the Foreign Service in 1960. In Mr. Brown was raised in Islamabad and 34 years, Betsey Hulnick Brown, of Lake 1961 he was posted to Taiwan for six years, Kabul, where he learned Urdu and Dari, Placid, N.Y.; his son, Michael Lawrence where he served as supervising politi- as well as French and English. He received Brown of New Orleans, La.; his daugh- cal officer in the embassy in Taipei and his B.A. degree from Occidental College ter, Danielle Raymonde Brown, of New continued his study of Mandarin Chinese and his master’s and doctoral degrees in Haven, Conn.; his mother, Francoise in Taichung. agricultural economics from the Fletcher Brown; his brother, Gregory, and sister, From 1968 to 1978, he worked as School. His doctorate was based on exten- Valerie Brown Ewins; his father and a research analyst for the Institute for sive field work in Liberia. mother-in-law, Don and Barbara Helnick Defense Analyses in Alexandria, Va. He Shortly after graduating from the Tufts of Tupper Lake, N.Y.; and extended family returned to the State Department in 1978 University’s Fletcher School of Law and members in the United States and France. as a political analyst specializing in Soviet Diplomacy, Mr. Brown and his wife, Betsy, In lieu of flowers, the Browns wel- and Asian affairs and Sino-Soviet rela- began a remarkable joint career with come donations to the Rotary Club of tions. From 1980 to 1982, he was chief of USAID. Over the next 20-plus years, they Lake Placed, the of the political section at the U.S. consulate worked in more than 50 countries promot- Afghanistan Scholars Fund (www.AUAF. general in Hong Kong. ing democracy, economic growth, health, edu.af/giving/) or Planned Parenthood On returning to Washington, D.C., in agricultural development and strategic of the North Country New York (www. 1983, Mr. Colm became a senior political planning. ppncny.org). Please note “Chris Brown” in analyst of East Asian, South Asian and Mr. Brown was devoted to educational the subject line for any donations. Soviet affairs, holding that post until his opportunities in Afghanistan, including retirement in 1987. He continued to work the reconstruction of the American Uni- n Peter W. Colm, 90, a retired Foreign part-time for the State Department until versity of Afghanistan (which was built on Service officer who specialized in China, 1992. the rubble of his former high school). One the Far East and Sino-Soviet relations, Mr. Colm was a music lover, and intro- of the highlights of his career was putting died on Jan. 5 at his home in Graham, duced his children to Pete Seeger and the schoolbooks into the hands of millions of N.C., of congestive heart failure. Weavers, Bob Dylan and Louis Armstrong, children across Afghanistan after the fall Mr. Colm was born in Germany on Jan. as well as Beethoven’s late quartets. of the Taliban in 2001. 18, 1924. His father, Gerhard Colm, was an Following retirement, he and his wife, Family members, colleagues and economist and his mother, Hanna, was a Pamela, moved from Washington, D.C., to friends recall his dazzling command of psychotherapist. Shortly after Hitler came Lusby, Md., where they enjoyed enter- seven languages and a zest for life which to power in 1933, the family emigrated to taining grandchildren, catching crabs enabled him to thrive while living with the United States. and kayaking almost every evening in cancer for 23 years. Kind and generous, he During World War II, Mr. Colm served the inlets around Solomons Island. They worked throughout his life to build a sense in the infantry in China, Burma and India also made several long-distance trips, to of community, bringing people together in as a corporal and sergeant assigned to the Hawaii, Cambodia, Germany and China. celebration with food, music and poetry. 124th Cavalry (Mars Task Force) and to In 2010, the couple moved to Graham,

66 MAY 2014 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL N.C., to be closer to his grown children 1969. While serving as deputy chief of Tegucigalpa, NATO headquarters in Brus- from a previous marriage. mission in Panama, he was tapped as the sels, Asuncion, Montevideo, Bern and Mr. Colm is remembered for his wry State Department’s representative to aid . Richard Brown, Thomas Dodd sense of humor and puckish wit, his in the return of the bodies of American Jr. and Timothy Towell were among the encyclopedic knowledge and impeccable victims in the 1979 Jonestown massacre in ambassadors for whom she worked. memory, and his liberal cultural views. Guyana. His last Washington assignment Her Foreign Service travel also took He is survived by his wife of 32 years, was as deputy assistant secretary of State her to Russia, Finland and , and Pamela L. Colm of Graham, N.C.; his chil- for security. she spoke Spanish, Finnish, French and dren from his previous marriage to Sandra Shortly after retiring to Hilton Head, German. Kubat Colm: Janet Colm of Pittsboro, S.C., in 1980, Mr. Dikeos was recruited to After retiring from the Foreign Service, N.C.; John Colm of Lakewood, Ohio; Sara the Multinational Force of Observers, the Ms. Kiuru settled in Merida, where she Colm of Stuart, Va.; and Martha Behnke of international organization whose govern- was vice president of the International Graham, N.C.; four grandchildren: Jackie ments perform peacekeeping responsibili- Women’s Club of Merida. Colm of Lakewood, Ohio; and Daniel ties between and Egypt in the Sinai. Ms. Kiuru is survived by her sister, Fields, Sara Behnke and Lea Behnke of When the first MFO director general, Alma Kiuru Morris of Swampscott, Mass.; Graham; and two sisters, Anne Repaske Leamon R. Hunt, was assassinated in her nephew, Ned Morris (and his wife, of Star Tannery, Va., and Stine Levy of 1984, Mr. Dikeos succeeded him. At the Toni, and daughters Alice and Isobel) of Bloomington, Ill. A brother, Claus H. Colm end of his term with the MFO, he returned Michigan; her niece, Nancy Fleagle Wil- of Lake Bomoseen, Vt., predeceased him to Hilton Head for a time before eventually liams of New Mexico; her nephew, Robert in 2013. settling in Pasadena. Fleagle of Somerville, Mass.; and many A modest, self-effacing person with a cousins in Finland. n Victor H. Dikeos, 90, a retired For- quick wit, Mr. Dikeos could sometimes be eign Service officer, died of cancer on Jan. coaxed into sharing details of the many n Samuel W. Lewis, 83, a retired 14 in Pasadena, Calif. interesting experiences he had during his Foreign Service officer and former ambas- Born in Devils Lake, N.D., on Oct. 15, career. sador, died on March 10 at his home in 1923, Mr. Dikeos graduated from Montana He is survived by his wife, Jo Ann, and McLean, Va., of lung cancer. State University and worked in the private son Gary of Pasadena; his son Mark (and Samuel Winfield Lewis Jr. was born sector for several years before volunteer- his wife, Marilyn) of Lake Oswego, Ore.; on Oct. 1, 1930, in Houston, Texas. He ing for the U.S. Navy’s V-5 program. There and six grandchildren. graduated from Yale University, where he trained as a Corsair aircraft pilot, he became interested in foreign affairs, attaining the rank of ensign. n Aili M. Kiuru, 71, died unexpectedly in 1952. After receiving a master’s degree Following World War II, he spent sev- on Dec. 8, 2013, in Merida, Mexico. from Johns Hopkins University’s School of eral years with the Civil Service Commis- Born in Putman, Conn., on Oct. 29, Advanced International Studies in 1954, sion in its Los Angeles field office before 1941, Ms. Kiuru was the daughter of the he joined the Foreign Service. joining the Foreign Service in 1954. Mr. late Andrew and Johanna Kiuru. A gradu- Mr. Lewis’ first posting was as a Dikeos’ overseas postings included Hong ate of Woodstock Academy in Woodstock, consular officer in Naples. He then served Kong, Manila, Warsaw, Beirut, Mexico City Conn., she studied at the Montessori as a political officer and acting principal and Panama City. School in London, England, and became officer in Florence (1955-1959) and as offi- During his time as a security officer in a Montessori teacher in Merida for several cer in charge of Italian affairs at the State Warsaw, FSO Irwin Scarbeck was uncov- years. Department (1959-1961). From 1961 to ered and later convicted of espionage for She also lived in Spain for 10 years 1962, he served as special assistant to the handing over classified information to before joining the State Department in under secretary of State, and from 1963 to Polish Communist agents. Washington, D.C., and becoming a For- 1964 he was a visiting fellow at Princeton Mr. Dikeos received a State Depart- eign Service office management special- University. ment Superior Honor award in 1966, and ist. For the next 20 years, she was posted In 1965 he was detailed to Rio de attended the U.S. Naval War College in in locations around the world including Janeiro as deputy assistant director for

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | MAY 2014 67 technical cooperation for the U.S. Agency ian issue. Considered one of the foremost Jakarta. He also served in India and Paki- for International Development, and in experts on U.S.-Israeli relations, he was a stan, and had an assignment in Washing- 1966 served as executive assistant to the frequent guest commentator on Middle ton, D.C., as director of the Office of East U.S. ambassador there. Eastern issues for television and radio. Asian Regional Affairs, which involved He returned to Washington, D.C., in Amb. Lewis sat on the U.S. Advisory policy coordination for the entire area. 1967 as assistant director for development Council of the Israel Policy Forum, and Following his retirement from the in the Office of Brazilian Affairs at USAID, was involved in the J Street Project. He Department of State in 1981, Ambassador becoming director of that office in 1968. was also an active board member of the Masters was adjunct professor of Asian He was then detailed to the National Secu- American Academy of Diplomacy. studies at the Fletcher School of Law and rity Council as a senior staff member. He received the Meritorious Honor Diplomacy (1981-1982) and later at the Mr. Lewis served as special assistant Award from the State Department and the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced Inter- for policy planning in the Bureau of Inter- Meritorious Honor Award from USAID in national Studies (2000-2003). American Affairs from 1969 to 1970 and as 1966. In 2011 USIP dedicated the Samuel In 1982 he joined the San Francisco- special assistant to the director general of W. Lewis Hall in its new facility to him. based Natomas Company, a Fortune 500 the Foreign Service from 1970 to 1971. Amb. Lewis leaves his wife of 61 years, energy and shipping firm, as senior vice From 1971 to 1974, he was deputy Sallie Smoot Lewis of McLean, Va.; and president for international affairs. He chief of mission in Kabul, serving as two children: Grace Lewis of Oakton, Va., left the company after a hostile takeover, chargé d’affaires in 1973 when King Zahir and Richard Lewis of McLean. and was elected president of the National Shah was overthrown in a coup. He then Policy Association, a nonprofit organiza- returned to Washington, D.C., to serve n Edward E. Masters, 89, a retired tion that brought together business, labor, as deputy director of the Policy Planning Foreign Service officer and former ambas- agricultural interests and academia to Staff until 1975, when he became assistant sador, died on March 21 at his home in focus on critical national issues in the secretary of State for international organi- Washington, D.C., after a long illness. fields of trade, productivity and interna- zation affairs. Mr. Masters was born in Columbus, tional competitiveness. In 1977 President Ohio, on June 21, 1924, and grew up in In 1994 Amb. Masters founded the appointed Mr. Lewis U.S. ambassador northern Ohio, alternating between his United States-Indonesia Society because to Israel, a position he held until 1985. grandfather’s farm and the small town he felt it was not in the U.S. national Ambassador Lewis played a major role in nearby where his parents lived. He gradu- interest that most Americans knew so negotiating the Camp David peace talks ated from high school in 1942 and started little about Indonesia. His envisioned that that resulted in the historic treaty between college at Denison University, leaving to USINDO would promote mutual under- Egypt and Israel on Sept. 17, 1978. enlist in the army. There he spent the next standing between the two countries and Following his return from Israel, Amb. three years, during which time he became strengthen the bilateral relationship. Lewis served as the second president of interested in foreign affairs. Amb. Masters’ prescription for solving the U.S. Institute for Peace from 1987 to Mr. Masters received degrees from The bilateral problems over the long run in 1992. He left USIP the next year to become George Washington University and the developing countries was through educa- director of policy planning for Secre- Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, tion at all levels. Toward that end, in 2009 tary of State Warren Christopher. In that and was a member of Phi Beta Kappa. USINDO established the Edward E. Mas- capacity he played an active role in the He joined the Foreign Service in 1951, ters Fellows program, which has brought U.S. diplomatic team that helped mediate and during a 30-year career reached the 17 highly qualified Indonesians for gradu- the successful launch of the Oslo Peace rank of career minister, serving as ambas- ate study at top U.S. universities. Accords between Israel and the Palestin- sador to Bangladesh (1976-1977) and Amb. Masters served as USINDO’s ians in 1993 and 1994. Indonesia (1977-1981). president until 2001, then as the orga- After his retirement from the Foreign Other positions included deputy chief nization’s U.S. co-chair, and later as Service, Amb. Lewis taught at Georgetown of mission in Thailand (1971-1975), direc- co-chair emeritus. For his commitment and Johns Hopkins and advised foreign tor of Indonesian affairs at the Depart- and advancement of the U.S.-Indonesia policy think-tanks on the Israeli-Palestin- ment of State and political counselor in relationship, the Indonesian government

68 MAY 2014 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL awarded him the Bintang Jawa Utama, the USAID and its predecessors began in 1952 in Rochester, N.Y., surrounded by family highest award given to a foreigner. and took him and his family to Jordan, members. Mr. Masters is survived by his wife of Iran, Somalia, Vietnam, Bolivia, Pakistan Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., Ms. Meirs was nearly 58 years, Allene; his daughter, Julie and Chile. educated at The Cathedral School of St. Hellman (and her husband, Robert); his After retirement in 1981, he settled in Mary in Garden City, N.Y., received her son, Edward R. Masters; and grandsons Gig Harbor, where he enjoyed boating in B.A. from Wellesley College in 1966, and Nathan and Nicholas Hellman. the San Juan and Canadian Gulf Islands. earned her M.A. from the Fletcher School The family requests that any memorial Mr. Matthias was a member of DACOR, of Law and Diplomacy in 1972. A great contributions be made to USINDO. AFSA, NARFE and the U.S. Coast Guard believer in lifelong learning, she spoke Auxiliary. French, Italian, German and Spanish n Charles Donald (Don) Matthias, He is survived by his wife, Elisabeth fluently. 87, a retired FSO with the U.S. Agency (Betty) Hutchison of Gig Harbor; his Ms. Meirs joined the Foreign Service for International Development, died unex- daughter, Karen Auchter, and grandson, with USIA in 1968, serving overseas and in pectedly on Dec. 31, in Gig Harbor, Wash. Andrew; his son, Patrick Lawson; and a Washington until 1995. She was country Mr. Matthias was born in Bridgeport, brother, Robert. program officer in Mexico and Central Conn., in 1926 and served in the U.S. Army America (1979-1980), cultural affairs during World War II from July 1943 to n Caroline V. Meirs, 69, a retired officer in Peru (1980-1982) and deputy April 1946. Foreign Service officer with the U.S. Infor- policy officer in the Office of the Assistant His career in the Foreign Service with mation Agency, died on Feb. 28 of cancer Director for Africa (1982-1983).

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | MAY 2014 69 She served as a Pearson Fellow in the Elizabeth, Susanna, Mary Anne (Morgan), Monsen, died in 2008. Her daughter Chris- office of Congressman Dante B. Fascell, Abigail and Tara (Meirs); seven grand- tine died in 1996. D-Fla., from 1983 to 1984, and then as nephews; and one grandniece. Survivors include a daughter, Lauren chief of the Latin American branch in the In lieu of flowers, donations may be Monsen O’Donoghue of Bethesda. Office of Research from 1984 to 1985. made in her memory to Christ Church, Ms. Meirs returned to South America 118 North Washington Street, Alexandria n Jack Richard Perry, 83, a retired in 1985 as counselor for public affairs in VA 22314 (www.historicchristchurch.org/) Foreign Service officer, died on Feb. 16, in Bogota, and then moved on to Berlin as or to the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Davidson, N.C. senior branch public affairs officer from Head and Neck Cancer Research, P.O. Box Mr. Perry was born on March 21, 1930, 1989 to 1992. She returned to Washington, 4486, Houston TX 77210-4486, or online at in Atlanta, Ga., the son of William Berrian D.C., as a policy officer in the Office of the www.mdanderson.org/gifts. Perry and Nellie Edwards Perry, both Assistant Director for European Affairs natives of Jackson County. He was edu- (1992-1994). Her last post was in Wash- n Benedicta S. Monsen, 92, the wife cated at the Boys’ High School in Atlanta ington, D.C., as deputy director of USIA’s of the late FSO G. Richard Monsen and and at Mercer University in Macon, Ga., Office of International Visitors. founder and president of an advocacy where he graduated summa cum laude in Following her retirement from the For- organization dedicated to providing 1951. He served for three years in the U.S. eign Service in 1995, Ms. Meirs served as a support for patients with lupus, died of Army, including a year in Japan. spokeswoman for the Federal Emergency congestive heart failure on Feb. 15 at her Following army duty he returned to Management Agency from 1997 to 2009. home in Bethesda, Md. Georgia, where he worked as a newswriter She also worked for the U.S. Agency for Benedicta Quirino dos Santos was born for the Associated Press in Atlanta, as a International Development, served on in Campinas, Brazil, and learned English reporter for The Macon (Georgia) Tele- The Foreign Service Grievance Board of while attending an American school in graph and as director of the news bureau Appeals and was a leader in the Foreign Brazil. She was also fluent in French, Ital- at Mercer. During this time he met and Leaders Exchange Program. ian, Spanish and her native Portuguese. courted Elizabeth (Betsy) Smith, whom Ms. Meirs was chair of the Foreign She attended the University of North he called “the joy and light of my life.” The Service Journal Editorial Board from 2001 Carolina at Chapel Hill in the late 1940s couple married in Macon on June 8, 1957. to 2003. before moving to Washington, D.C., to From 1956 to 1959, Mr. Perry did During her 12-year battle with salivary work as a writer, translator and researcher. graduate study at the Russian Institute of gland cancer, Ms. Meirs participated in After becoming a U.S. citizen in the Columbia University in New York. During numerous clinical trials in the hope of 1950s, Mrs. Monsen accompanied her the first year he was also a newswriter advancing knowledge of this rare and husband on diplomatic postings around for the Associated Press in New York. He stubborn disease. She shared her experi- the world for the next 30 years. She was received his M.A. and Ph.D. in political ence by participating in support groups often responsible for entertaining visiting science from Columbia. and writing a blog on the M.D. Anderson dignitaries in cities like in Paris, New York In 1959 he entered the U.S. Foreign Ser- webpage. and Brussels. vice, serving until 1983. He served at the Ms. Meirs never wavered in her com- After her daughter Christine was diag- State Department and overseas. Following mitment to living each day to its fullest by nosed with lupus, Mrs. Monsen helped postings in Moscow and Paris, Mr. Perry traveling extensively, visiting with friends organize what is now the Washington returned to Washington, D.C., serving on and family, skiing and swimming, walking area chapter of the Lupus Foundation of the Soviet desk in the State Department. her dog and exploring the many America. She served from 1974 to 1977 as An assignment to the Council on cultural opportunities available in the the nonprofit organization’s first president. Environmental Quality in the Executive Washington, D.C., area. For many years, she helped lead fun- Office of the President was followed by two Ms. Meirs was predeceased by her draising, advocacy and public awareness assignments as deputy chief of mission, parents, John and Virginia Meirs. She is efforts on behalf of lupus patients and their in Prague and Stockholm. From Sweden, survived by her sister, Susanna Meirs Mor- families. Mr. Perry returned to the department as gan; her brother, John Meirs; five nieces: Her husband of 54 years, G. Richard deputy executive secretary of State.

70 MAY 2014 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL After serving as ambassador to Bul- Karpenko, Richard Bates and Rebecca In 1960, she joined the U.S. Information garia (1979-1981), he headed the Senior Bates. He is also survived by his sister, Jane Agency, managing cultural exchanges until Seminar in Washington, D.C., and was a Perry Adams, and her husband Gerald, of 1987. Her overseas tours included Brazil, diplomat in residence at The Citadel in Atlanta. Ecuador, Spain, Costa Rica, Argentina, and Charleston, S.C., before retiring from the Donations may be sent to the Jack Perry Peru, with short postings at the United Foreign Service in 1983. Scholarship Fund, Dean Rusk Program, Nations in New York City and in Belgium, In 1985 Mr. Perry went to Davidson Davidson College, Davidson NC 28035 or Zaire and Tunisia, in addition to Washing- College as professor of political science to Crisis Assistance, Ada Jenkins Center, ton, D.C. and the first director of the new Dean 452 South Main Street, Davidson NC Ms. Shelby-Merello translated 12 books Rusk Program in International Studies. 28036. by Brazilian authors of widely differing He retired from that position in 1995, styles (including Jorge Amado, Gilberto although he and his wife continued to n Barbara Shelby-Merello, 81, an Freyre, Antonio Callado, Joao Guimaraes reside in Davidson, moving to The Pines FSO with the United States Information Rosa and Dom Helder Camara) from in 2007. Agency, died on Feb. 14 in Austin, Texas. Portuguese into English for the publisher Mr. Perry also spent two years (1997- Ms. Shelby-Merello was born to Marian Alfred A. Knopf. She was a finalist for the 1999) teaching and administering inter- Eikel Shelby and Robert Evart Shelby on 1968 for her transla- national studies at UNC Charlotte. From June 21, 1932. She grew up in Teaneck, tion of Freyre’s Mother and Son. 1984 on, he wrote numerous columns for N.J., and attended the University of Texas For several years she wrote an interna- the Charlotte Observer. He often said that at Austin. tionally syndicated column in Spanish, being able to express his opinions freely in a newspaper with a fine tradition was one of the great privileges of his later life. After entering his 80s, Mr. Perry wrote: WATCH FOR “I had a three-time blessed life. I was given a wonderful human being as my wife, with all the good things that come from marvel- ous children and a happy family. I was given a diplomatic career which took me to Education Supplement fascinations around the world, and which let me be a part of the great Cold War era Coming in June! in which two nuclear powers proved that by negotiation, not armed conflict, they could keep the peace. And I was given the great gift of teaching a decade at a superb college with inspiring students. I am one fortunate man.” Jack Perry is survived by his wife, Betsy, of Davidson; one son, James William Perry (and his wife, Elizabeth Hanes) of San Carlos, Calif.; three daughters, Leslie Perry Wingate, Jennifer Perry (and her husband, Paul) Karpenko and Laura Perry (and her husband, Brandon) Bates, all Offering You a World of Ideas of Atlanta, Ga.; and eight grandchildren: About Your Child’s Education Ellen Perry, William Perry, Sarah Wingate, Online at: www.afsa.org/schools_supplement.aspx Sydney Karpenko, Emily Wingate, Zachary

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | MAY 2014 71 “América Joven,” about the interests of In Washington, D.C., he served as Born the 11th of 12 siblings on July young people in the United States. deputy director of Japanese affairs (1979- 12, 1929, in the upstate São Paulo city of In 1979, she married Agustin Merello, 1981), staff director of the Kissinger Com- Barretos. Mrs. Trezise became known as an Argentine futurist. The couple retired mission on Central America (1984-1985) “Puzas” as a young child; it was a nick- to Austin in 1987, where they enjoyed and chief of the Department of State’s INR name her father, Dr. Francisco de Assis the Learning Activities for Mature People Watch (1985-1986). Bezerra, gave to her. program at the University of Texas, did As director of the Office of Terrorism She completed her postgraduate stud- mediation and taught adult literacy, and Narcotics Analysis from 1986 to 1990, ies at the Faculdade de Psicologia Sedes and hosted a Tibetan refugee for his first Mr. Sutton’s intelligence analysis led to Sapientiae in São Paulo, later working months in the United States. the apprehension of the hijackers of the there with abandoned children. In 1960, A member of the Foreign Service Achille Lauro cruise ship. As a senior she moved to Rio de Janeiro as an auditor Group of Texas, Ms. Shelby-Merello was a inspector in the Office of the Inspector with the Ministry of Finance. docent for more than 10 years at the LBJ General toward the end of his service, Mr. In 1966 she returned to São Paulo, Library and kept an eagle eye on local and Sutton eventually visited more than 110 where she married Arthur Dayton Trezise national politics. countries. of St. Albans, N.Y., who had been trans- The couple traveled widely, visiting Dr. He received several Superior Honor, ferred to Brazil by his employer, the Merello’s family in Argentina; the North Meritorious Honor and Career Achieve- American Can Company. The couple American Institute in Barcelona, where ment awards from the State Department raised three children in Brazil, where they Ms. Shelby-Merello had served as direc- and was decorated with the National attended American schools. tor; her small medieval house in Tala- Medal of Merit by the Ecuadoran govern- On her retirement from the Finance manca, Spain; and the town of Tregaron ment for his contribution to the transition Ministry, Mrs. Trezise accompanied her in Wales, from which her ancestor Evan from military rule to democracy in the husband in his second career, as a U.S. Shelby emigrated in 1735. late 1970s. Foreign Service officer assigned to São Ms. Shelby-Merello was predeceased In addition to State Department Paulo, Bogota and Paris. by her husband. She leaves a sister, Jane assignments, Mr. Sutton was a member In Bogota, she put her lifelong dedica- Richardson and her family of North of then-Secretary of Defense Richard tion to children and her knowledge of Carolina, and many cousins in Austin and Cheney’s team on the Continuity of Spanish and French to use in counseling elsewhere. Government project for post-nuclear single mothers at a religious shelter. In attack planning. He also served as deputy Paris, she ably complemented her hus- n Gerald M. Sutton, 78, a retired chairman of the Interagency Committee band in his responsibilities as commercial Foreign Service officer, died in Las Vegas, on Terrorism Reporting. counselor. Nev., on Feb. 12. Following his retirement from the Since 1974, the couple resided in both Born in Chicago, Mr. Sutton and his State Department in 1998, Mr. Sutton Fayston, Vt., and São Paulo. family moved to Los Angeles; he later moved to Las Vegas. He was an avid Mrs. Trezise is survived by her hus- graduated from Venice High School and sports fan (backing the Redskins, Lakers band, Arthur, and their children and then UCLA in political science (with hon- and Dodgers) and a collector of modern grandchildren: Bridie Bezerra Musser, her ors) in 1956. He then did postgraduate and folk art. husband, Steven, and their sons Will and work at the National University of Mexico. Mr. Sutton is survived by his devoted Ben of Minneapolis, Minn.; Arthur A.B. During his Foreign Service career, wife, Shigeko Sutton, his son Matthew, Trezise, his wife, Heather, and their chil- Mr. Sutton served in Spain, Jamaica, and his sister Courtney. dren Clara, Macy and Wyatt of Gunnison, Colombia, Cuba, Japan, Nicaragua and Colo; and Patrick Bezerra Trezise and Ecuador. He was chief of the political n Maria Lucia Trezise, 83, the wife his wife, Silvia, of Sant Cugat del Valles, section in Nicaragua from 1974 to 1976 of retired FSO Arthur Dayton Trezise, Spain. She also leaves behind two sisters, and in Ecuador from 1976 to 1979, died on Feb. 26, 2013, in Gunnison, Colo., Silvia Camara and Neuso Reiff, and a where he also served as chargé d’affaires where she had relocated to be with her beloved group of nieces and nephews in in 1979. son’s family. Brazil. n

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His firm can e-file most tax forms, including and intelligence community members in civil and criminal investi- the Report for Foreign Bank and Financial Advisors Accounts (Fin- gations, administrative inquiries, IG issues, grievances, disciplinary Cen114), directly with the U.S. Treasury. investigations and security clearance issues. Extensive State Depart- Tel: (281) 360-2800. ment experience, both as counsel to the IG and in L, and in represent- Fax: (281) 359-6080. ing individual officers. We have handled successfully some particularly Email: info@globaltaxconsult difficult cases confronting Foreign Service and intelligence officers, both Website: www.globaltaxconsult.com before the Foreign Service Grievance Board and in the federal and local courts. We work closely with AFSA when appropriate and cost-effective. FINANCIAL PLANNING FOR FS FAMILIES. Carrington Financial Doumar Martin PLLC. Planning LLC of Arlington, Va., provides financial planning services Tel: (703) 243-3737. Fax: (703) 524-7610. to Foreign Service families worldwide. Principal William Carrington Email: [email protected] is a Foreign Service spouse with 19 years of FS experience. Web-based Website: www.doumarmartin.com process provides customized, collaborative, financial planning services. Specially approved to use Dimensional Funds. Fee-Only, Fiduciary-Stan- n TAX & FINANCIAL SERVICES dard, Registered Investment Adviser (RIA). Licensed and insured. Email: [email protected] DAVID L. MORTIMER, CPA: Income tax planning Website: www.CarringtonFP.com and preparation for 20 years in Alexandria, Va. Free consultation. n APPRAISALS Tel: (703) 743-0272. Email: [email protected] MANDEL APPRAISALS Website: www.mytaxcpa.net Personal property, antique and decorative arts valuation for insurance, estates and charitable donations, including inventories and consulta- IRVING AND COMPANY, CPA: Scott Irving, CPA, has more than 16 years tions. Contact retired FSO Pamela Mandel. of experience and specializes in Foreign Service family tax preparation Tel: (703) 642-2572. and tax planning. Email: [email protected] Tel: (202) 257-2318. Website: www.mandelappraisals.com Email: [email protected] Website: www.irvingcom.com

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | MAY 2014 73 CLASSIFIED ADVERTISEMENTS n TEMPORARY HOUSING DC GUEST APARTMENTS: Not your typical “corporate” apartments— we’re different! Located in Dupont Circle, we designed our apartments DISTINCTIVE FURNISHED RESIDENCES as places where we’d like to live and work—beautifully furnished and fully equipped (including Internet & satellite TV). Most importantly, we AKA BALANCES THE style and hospitality of an intimate hotel with understand that occasionally needs change, so we never penalize you if the space and comfort of an elegantly appointed luxury apartment. you leave early. You only pay for the nights you stay, even if your plans Designed for long-term comfort and value, AKA Virginia Square offers change at the last minute. We also don’t believe in minimum stays or fully furnished one- and two-bedroom suites with exceptional hotel- extra charges like application or cleaning fees. And we always work with style services and such amenities as state-of-the-art kitchens with stain- you on per diem. less steel appliances, HD flat screen TVs, full-size washer and dryer, Tel: (202) 536-2500. housekeeping, in-suite dining and complimentary Wi-Fi. Additional Email: [email protected] complimentary onsite amenities include parking, a business and fitness Website: www.dcguestapartments.com center, 24-hour resident services desk, weekday breakfast and a rooftop garden terrace with spectacular views. FIND PERFECT HOUSING by using the free Reservation Service Located in the heart of Arlington’s educational and cultural center, Agency, Accommodations 4 U. AKA Virginia Square is just steps away from fabulous restaurants and Tel: (843) 347-8900. shopping and a short Metro ride away from Washington, D.C. Email: [email protected] Tel: (703) 294-6415. Website: www.accommodations4u.net Email: [email protected] Website: stayaka.com/virginiasquare SERVING FOREIGN SERVICE PERSONNEL FOR 25 YEARS, ESPE- AKA Virginia Square CIALLY THOSE WITH PETS. Selection of condos, townhouses and 3409 Wilson Blvd. single-family homes that accommodate most breeds and sizes. All within Arlington VA 22201 a short walk of Metro stations in Arlington. Fully furnished and equipped 1-4 bedrooms, within per diem rates. FURNISHED LUXURY APARTMENTS: Short/long-term. Best locations: EXECUTIVE LODGING ALTERNATIVES Dupont Circle, Georgetown. Utilities included. All price ranges/sizes. Email: [email protected] Parking available. Tel: (202) 251-9482. TURNKEY HOUSING SOLUTIONS: Experience working with Foreign Email: [email protected] Service professionals on standard and distinctive temporary housing solutions in the D.C. area’s best locations (NW DC, Arlington, Alexan- CAPITOL HILL, FURNISHED housing: 1-3 blocks dria, Northern Virginia, suburban Maryland). Northern Virginia-based to Capitol. Nice places, great location. Well below company offers local customer service and a personalized touch. per diem. Short-term OK. GSA small business and Tel: (703) 615-6591. veteran-owned. Email: [email protected] Tel: (202) 544-4419. Website www.tkhousing.com Email: [email protected] Website: www.capitolhillstay.com ARLINGTON FLATS: 1-BR, 2-BR and 4-BR flats in 2 beautiful buildings 3 blocks from Clarendon Metro. Newly renovated, completely furnished, CORPORATE APARTMENT SPECIALISTS: Abundant experience incl. all utilities/Internet/HDTV w/DVR. Parking, maid service, gym, working with Foreign Service professionals and the locations to best rental car available. Rates start at $2,600/month. Per diem OK. serve you: Foggy Bottom, Woodley Park, Cleveland Park, Chevy Chase, Min. 30 days. Rosslyn, Ballston, Pentagon City. Our office is a short walk from NFATC. Tel: (571) 235-4289. One-month minimum. All furnishings, houseware, utilities, telephone Email: [email protected] and cable included. We work with per diem. See 2-BR at website: www.dropbox.com/sh/6mkfwnz2ccrubv7/ Tel: (703) 979-2830 or (800) 914-2802. Fax: (703) 979-2813. FSM8fkHZz_ Email: [email protected] Website: www.corporateapartments.com GREAT DC B&B. Visit www.bedandbreakfastdc.com. Otis Place NW, 4 minutes walk from Metrorail. PIED-A-TERRE PROPERTIES, LTD: Select from our unique inventory of completely furnished & tastefully decorated apartments & townhouses, THE REMINGTON at Foggy Bottom will accept per diem. Pet friendly. all located in D.C.’s best in-town neighborhoods: Dupont, Georgetown, Contact: Rosemary at [email protected] Foggy Bottom and the West End. Mother-daughter owned and operated. Tel: (202) 462-0200. Fax: (202) 332-1406. LUXURY 2-BEDROOM, 2-bath home for rent in The Atrium, with gor- Email: [email protected] geous view of Georgetown. Walking distance to Rosslyn Metro station Website: www.piedaterredc.com and FSI Shuttle stop. Use of swimming pool, tennis court, gym, Internet, cable and parking included. $4,800/month; six months min., per diem SHORT-TERM RENTALS • TEMPORARY HOUSING accepted . Sorry, no pets or smokers. Tel: (703) 395-8683, (202) 679-0800. WASHINGTON, D.C., or NFATC TOUR? EXECUTIVE HOUSING Photos available at: [email protected] CONSULTANTS offers Metropolitan Washington, D.C.’s finest portfolio of short-term, fully furnished and equipped apartments, FOR RENT, NORTH ARLINGTON. 3 bedrooms, 1 bath, garage, fenced townhomes and single-family residences in Maryland, D.C. and yard, pets OK. 1 mile to FSI and Ballston Metro; 2 blocks to Safeway, res- Virginia. In Virginia: “River Place’s Finest” is steps to Rosslyn Metro taurants and bike path. Furnished. $3,100/month, incl. utilities, TV and and Georgetown, and 15 minutes on Metro bus or State Depart- Internet. Available August; short-term lease negotiable. ment shuttle to NFATC. For more info, please call (301) 951-4111, or Email: [email protected] visit our website at: www.executivehousing.com.

74 MAY 2014 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL n VACATION/HOME LEAVE ADVANCING TO MAIN STATE OR FSI? I offer FS personnel 28+ years of experience providing Exclusive Representation. My focused approach to UMBRIAN VILLA: Lovely 3BR/3BA stone country house with pool home buying/selling makes the transition easier for you and your family. located 1-1/2 hour’s drive north of Rome. Contact www.casa-sirena.com FS references gladly provided. for info and rates. Contact Marilyn Cantrell, Associate Broker, licensed in VA and DC. McEnearney Associates n PROPERTY MANAGEMENT 1320 Old Chain Bridge Rd., Ste. 350 McLean VA 22101 NORTHERN VIRGINIA PROPERTY MANAGEMENT. Are you look- Tel: (703) 860-2096. ing for a competent manager to take care of your home when you go to Email: [email protected] post this summer? Based in McLean, Va., Peake Management, Inc. has Website: www.MarilynCantrell.com worked with Foreign Service officers for over 30 years. We are active board members of the Foreign Service Youth Foundation and many WHAT ARE YOUR RETIREMENT/2nd HOME PLANS? We have a large other community organizations. We really care about doing a good job in buildable lot below market price for sale on the 15th hole of a Champi- renting and managing your home, so we’re always seeking cutting-edge onship Golf Course at The Resort at Glade Springs, W.Va. technology to improve service to our clients, from innovative market- Ray & Laurie Meininger. ing to active online access to your account. We offer a free, copyrighted Email: [email protected] Landlord Reference Manual to guide you through the entire preparation, rental and management process, or just give our office a call to talk to the FOR SALE: Elegant Lakefront Chalet, Lake Lure, NC (near Asheville). In agent specializing in your area. Peake Management, Inc. is a licensed, Golf Resort w/private dock on mountain lake, entertainment decks with full-service real estate broker. crafted stone outdoor fireplace, screened porches & gazebo-hot tub, 6842 Elm St., Suite 303, McLean VA 22101 landscape lighting; furnished (or unfurn.); 3BR, 2BA. Rental options until Tel: (703) 448-0212. sold. $429K. Email: [email protected] Contact/Realty info: Website: www.peakeinc.com Tel: (828) 980-1535. Email: [email protected] n REAL ESTATE Website: www.vrbo.com/96742 ; www.tinyurl.com/kde26

LONG-DISTANCE REALTOR will make technology work for you when SARASOTA, FLA. PAUL BYRNES, FSO you’re ready to buy or sell a home, even from overseas. retired, and Loretta Friedman, Coldwell Foreign Service spouse. Licensed in DC, MD & VA with Real Living at Banker, offer vast real estate experience in Home Properties, 11 Dupont Circle, Tel. (301) 652-0643. assisting diplomats. Enjoy gracious living, no Mary Lowry Smith, REALTOR® state income tax and an exciting market. Cell: (202) 247-5077. Tel: (941) 377-8181. Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] (Paul) or [email protected] (Loretta) Website: DCRedLineHomes.com Visit DC Red Line Homes Real Estate on Face Book BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY HOME SERVICES FLORIDA REALTY. If you’re considering retirement in the Sarasota area, contact LOOKING TO BUY, sell or rent property in Northern Virginia? This Marian Walsh, Realtor and FSO spouse. former SFSO with 12 years of real estate experience understands your Tel: (941) 483-0803. needs and can help. References available. David Olinger, GRI Long & Email: [email protected] Foster, Realtors. Tel: (703) 864-3196. n HOME REPAIRS Email: [email protected] Website: www.davidolinger.lnf.com NOW IS THE TIME to think about getting your home in NORTHERN VIRGINIA ready to occupy or put on the market. Whether it’s a fresh coat PROFESSIONAL REAL ESTATE services provided by John Kozyn of of paint or a bathroom and/or kitchen remodel, Door2Door Designs will Coldwell Banker in Arlington, Va. Need to buy or sell? My expertise will do the work for you while you’re away. We specialize in working with serve your specific needs and timeframe. FSO references gladly pro- Foreign Service and military families living abroad, and have many won- vided. Licensed in VA and DC. derful references from happy families. Contact Nancy Sheehy. Tel: (202) 288-6026. Tel: (703) 244-3843. Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Website: www.cbmove.com/johnkozyn Website: www.DOOR2DOORDESIGNS.COM

DC METRO AREA: Whether you’re buying, selling or leasing, Jack n INTERNATIONAL ADOPTION Croddy, a former Senior career FSO, will help you achieve your real estate goals. An expert negotiator, Jack is affiliated with W.C. & A.N. ADOPT WHILE POSTED OVERSEAS! Adopt Abroad, Incorporated was Miller Realtors, a Long & Foster Company and exclusive affiliate of created to assist expatriates with their adoption needs. U.S.-licensed and Christie’s Great Estates. Hague-accredited, we conduct adoption home studies and child place- Tel: (301) 229-4000, ext. 8345. ment services, using caseworkers based worldwide. Cell: (301) 318-3450. Adopt Abroad, Inc. Email: [email protected] 1424 N. 2nd Street, Harrisburg PA 4213 Sonia Ct., Alexandria VA Tel: (888) 687-3644. Website: www.adopt-abroad.com

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | MAY 2014 75 CLASSIFIED ADVERTISEMENTS n PHARMACY

SHOP IN AN AMERICAN DRUG STORE BY MAIL! Morgan Pharmacy 3001 P St NW Washington DC 20007 Tel: (202) 337-4100. Fax: (202) 337-4102. Email: [email protected] Website: www.carepharmacies.com n PET TRANSPORTATION

PET SHIPPING WORLDWIDE: ACTION PET EXPRESS has over 44 years in business. 24-hr. service, operated by a U.S. Army veteran, associate member AFSA. Contact: Jerry Mishler. Tel: (681) 252-0266 or (855) 704-6682. Email: [email protected] Website: www.actionpetexpress.com n ADVERTISE YOUR PRODUCT OR SERVICE

PLACE A CLASSIFIED AD: $1.45/word (10-word min). Hyperlink $11 in online edition. Bold text 85¢/word. Header or box-shading $11 each. Deadline: Five weeks ahead of publication. Tel: (202) 944-5507. Fax: (202) 338-8244. Email: [email protected]

76 MAY 2014 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL REAL ESTATE & PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | MAY 2014 77 REAL ESTATE & PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

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78 MAY 2014 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | MAY 2014 79 REAL ESTATE & PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

ADWhen contactin g oneINDEX of our advertisers, kindly mention you saw their advertisement in The Foreign Service Journal.

CLASSIFIED ADS Classifieds / 73, 74, 75, 76

FINANCIAL, LEGAL AND TAX SERVICES David L. Mortimer, CPA / 62 MCG Financial Planning / 61

HOUSING AKA, Flexible Stay Hotel Residences / Inside Front Cover Arlington Court Suites / 43 Attaché Corporate Housing / 49 Capitol Hill Stay / 59 CAS–Corporate Apartment Specialists / 29 Pied-a-Terre Properties Ltd. / 42 Residence Inn / 11 Signature Properties / 29 SuiteAmerica / 49 TurnKey Housing Solutions / 63

INSURANCE Clements Worldwide / 4 Embassy Risk Management / Inside Back Cover Federal Employee Defense Services / 15 The Hirshorn Company / Back Cover

MISCELLANEOUS AFSA Bookstore / 80 AFSA Resource Marketplace / 76 AFSA Scholarships / 50 Change of Address / 42 Diplomatic Automobile Sales / 3 Foreign Service Youth Foundation / 76 Fund for American Diplomacy / 69 Inside a U.S. Embassy / 64 Marketplace / 14 Social Media / 76 Truman Group, The / 18 Vonage / 69

REAL ESTATE & PROPERTY MANAGEMENT Cabell Reid, LLC / 77 Executive Housing Consultants, Inc. / 77 McEnearney Associates, Inc. / 79 McGrath Real Estate Services / 77 Meyerson Group, Inc., The / 78 Peake Management, Inc. / 78 Promax / 78 Property Specialists, Inc. / 79 Washington Management Services / 80 WJD Management / 79

ANNOUNCEMENTS AFSA’s 90th Anniversary / 25 FSJ Education Supplement in June / 71

80 MAY 2014 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL REFLECTIONS

On the Eve of Independence Day

BY JENNIE WILLSON

emember to eat beforehand, And what about the rest of the guests? shrubbery-hidden stairs. We file down and drink lots of water. We The 1,000-plus not-quite-as-important into the basement of the residence, the “ don’t want anyone passing people who managed to score an invite? volunteer “war room.” Ro u t .” “To the right. And don’t let them stray An old table and a few beat-up chairs My group of badge-wearers nods in up the stairs!” sit under fluorescent lights. Well, at least agreement. Even in the palatial gilt foyer To the right: directly out onto the it’s cool. And there’s plenty of space to of the American ambassador’s residence sunlit terrace. From there we see workers store our munitions: extra water, Band- in Paris, there’s no air conditioning. But installing Route 66 signs along the garden Aids for blistery feet, Powerbars. there’s no time to worry about the unusual path. On the manicured lawn sit a dark We get a brief look at the one avail- heat. This is the official Fourth of July blue Harley Davidson and a creamy white able volunteer restroom and then exit party, and there are major logistics to vintage Pontiac convertible, ready for a down a long hallway. To the left, a flo- consider. A reputation to uphold. Expecta- très Americaine photo op. It’s important rist’s workshop overflows with arrange- tions to surpass. that guests get a little piece of Americana ments while a woman makes last-minute The volunteer coordinator quickly with their canapés, after all. They need stem adjustments. To the right, an moves on with the briefing, ticking off a some shiny reminders of why they love— industrial-size kitchen bustles with a subgroup of people: the few, the proud, and should want to work with—the good team of sous chefs. The air hums with the fluent French-speakers. They will have old U.S. of A. the sound of 10 or so extra refrigerators the honor of welcoming guests through Our leader snaps his volunteer corps lining the wall. the front doors and quickly herding them back to attention. The terrace is where the Pushing past a few caterers, the group out to the back garden. ambassador will give his opening remarks marches up the back staircase, arriving The rest of us embassy spouses and at precisely 19:10, or so the plan goes. once again in that opulent foyer. As the interns sag a bit, as if we didn’t make That means the terrace needs to be closed volunteer coordinator reviews arrival varsity. But not to worry: there’s plenty off no later than 18:50. (The party starts at times and gives his final orders, BlackBer- of guest-wrangling responsibility to go 18:00.) rys are pulled out. He’s about to confirm around. Group B will cover the terrace. The group stands silent, doing the a critical detail when the florist staggers Group C will hand out gift bags. math. A hand shoots up. “So you’re saying in, lugging a huge box of what looks like Our volunteer coordinator pushes we have about 50 minutes to get 2,000 wheat. ahead. people through the door?” Of course. The Amber Waves of Grain. “Now, the VIPs will have stickers on “That’s right.” Our leader jumps into action, making their invitations. All VIPs go to the left.” Just a beat passes before the troops space for the burgeoning arrangement Left: through the stunning teal salon, regain confidence. “Eh, we invaded Nor- and offering to go grab the next box. with enough gold molding to make Louis mandy. We can handle it.” “You see, you guys really need to be XIV stop and gape. But there’s no time It seems the American spirit is alive ready to help with anything. Whatever for admiring the architecture. Volunteers and well, even in the surreal realm of might arise!” have got to keep those 300 or so Very diplomatic party planning. The group The group nods, stands a bit straighter. Important People moving toward the pushes onward, descending briefly to the For this party, we’re ready to be all we can receiving line at all costs. lawn before turning sharply toward some be. n

Jennie Willson is a writer currently posted in Vienna with her FSO husband, Nate Adams. They spent their first tour in Paris, which is a tough act to follow. You can follow her (mis)adventures abroad at www.unlikelydiplomat.com.

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | MAY 2014 81 LOCAL LENS

BY RON SAVAGE n HAITI

n a recent trip to visit a USAID soil and water conservation project in southeastern Haiti, I lagged behind the group to take a few pictures of the landscape. Within a few seconds, I happened to notice a couple of young girls collecting firewood as they walked toward me. I asked them if I could take their picture, and they politely smiled Enter your favorite, recent O photograph to be featured in for me. I rewarded them with a pack of chewing gum. As a result they followed us around for Local Lens. Images must be the next hour or so, attempting to get into as many pictures as they could. Despite the hardship high resolution (at least 300 dpi at 8 x 10”) and must not imposed by collecting firewood, they were very spirited and photogenic. n be in print elsewhere. Please submit a short description of the scene/event, as well as Ron Savage, who calls the southwestern United States home, is the deputy office chief with USAID’s -Of your name, brief biodata and fice of Food for Peace in Haiti. He has worked in 10 different countries and finds Haiti to be among the the type of camera used, to most photogenic. He took this picture with a Canon 60D, Canon 28-135, F 8 1/200 at IS 200. [email protected].

82 MAY 2014 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL