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A Family Affair Eligible Family Members Contribute at AIP Posts Tapping into Tech Conferences Promote state.gov/statemag Innovation Initiatives June 2012 Calypso Culture Celebrating Diversity in Trinidad & Tobago Special Insert 2011 FS Promotion Stats June 2012 // Issue Number 568 Special Insert: 2011 Foreign Service Promotion Statistics 10 Features 10 Museum Tour Smithsonian Detail Opens Doors 12 Idyllic Islands Exploring Trinidad & Tobago 18 Meeting of Minds Forum Combats Global Terrorism 20 Informing Immigration Posts Clarify Consular Practices 21 Ready to Serve Madrid Summit Focuses on Service 22 Side by Side EFMs Serve at AIP posts 22 25 Going Mobile Post Develops Unique App 26 Tech@State Conference Highlights Innovation 28 Newsmakers Swap Jobs Journalist Exchange Brings Insight Columns 2 Post One 3 Inbox 4 In the News 8 Diversity Notes 9 Direct from the D.G. 29 Active Years 30 In Brief 26 34 Medical Report 35 Lying in State 36 Appointments 38 Retirements 39 Obituaries 40 End State On the Cover A masquerader from the band ‘On the wings of...’ prepares to compete at Red Cross Kiddies Carnival in Port of Spain, Trinidad, Feb. 11, 2012. Getty Images photo Post One Editor-in-Chief Isaac D. Pacheco // [email protected] Deputy Editor A Heart Ed Warner // [email protected] Writer/Editor of Steel Bill Palmer // [email protected] I remember the fi rst time I heard the Art Director David L. Johnston // [email protected] rhythmic chorus of a steel drum during a high school humanitarian trip to Grenada. Contacting Us Th e instrument’s metallic melodies drifted SA-44, Room 348 up from a beachside concert, each cheer- Washington DC 20547-4403 ful note fl oating through the early evening [email protected] on the warm island breeze. Th e gentle surf Phone: (202) 203-7115 washing ashore in the distance served as the Fax: (202) 203-7142 perfect accompaniment to the hammered chords, and the music enhanced the scents Change of Address of a dozen diff erent spices wafting up from Send changes of addresses to our food stalls along the beach. staff using the contact information More appropriately known as steel pan, above. Please include your previous this signature instrument of the Antilles, mailing address. whose dulcet tones bring to mind idyllic Queen by taking to the streets in elaborate sunsets over distant shores, was actually and colorful costumes. Many of the revelers Submissions don ornate character costumes like the one For details on submitting articles to born out of turmoil on the neighboring State Magazine, request our guidelines island nation of Trinidad and Tobago. After featured on the cover of this month’s issue. by e-mail at [email protected] or percussion instruments brought to the In the midst of this vibrant society, the download them from state.gov/statemag. islands by slaves were banned following the U.S. Mission in Port of Spain serves to State Magazine does not purchase Canboulay festival riots in 1880, creative maintain and enhance the relationship be- freelance material. musicians began exploring nontraditional tween our two nations through economic, materials from which to fashion their security and social development projects Deadlines drums, including discarded oil barrels. Th e (pg. 12). In a country where calypso is The submission deadline for the resulting instrument has come to signify the king, the voice of the people still resounds September issue is July 15. The deadline for the October issue is August 15. rich and varied cultures of the islands that the loudest. Trinidad and Tobago’s thriving democracy has created an environment rich have adopted it as their defi ning sound. State Magazine (ISSN 1099–4165) is Today, Trinidad and Tobago residents with ideas and ripe for cultural exchange. published monthly, except bimonthly in proudly incorporate steel pan, an instru- State Department employees work to July and August, by the Bureau of Human ment born of dissent, into a distinctive strengthen these bilateral ties through Resources at the U.S. Department of State. musical bouillabaisse that brings people partnerships that focus on humanitarian It is intended for information only and is together. Calypso, a unique intertwining of assistance, disaster relief and counternarcot- not authority for offi cial action. Views and ics, as well as through creative programs opinions expressed are not necessarily sounds and rhythms from diff erent cultures, those of the Department of State. The is the country’s hallmark musical genre, re- that use art, sports and music to promote editorial team reserves the right to select fl ecting its colonial ties to Spain, the United healthy lifestyles. and edit all materials for publication. Kingdom, France and the Netherlands, as In the process, they also experience well as the infl uence of thousands of Afri- the islands’ wealth of natural and cul- Follow Us Online cans brought to the islands as slaves. tural off erings. Whether exploring dense state.gov/statemag Calypso is also the centerpiece of the na- green jungles, shimmering beaches or city tion’s most vibrant celebration, Carnival, a markets, Department employees are always facebook.com/statemagazine months-long festival season that culminates surrounded by the nation’s pulse, a steady in a series of parades in the nation’s capital, steel pan rhythm beating inside the hearts of @statemag Port of Spain, on the Sunday, Monday and the Trinibagonian people. state.gov/rss/channels/ Tuesday before Ash Wednesday. During statemag.xml the parades, bands and their supporters compete for the title of Carnival King and fl ickr.com/statemagazine 2 STATE MAGAZINE // JUNE 2012 Inbox CORDS Footnote and subsequently with Philip Habib and While avidly reading “Th e CORDS William Leonhart, who held the Vietnam of War” by Bruce Kinsey (May 2012, portfolio as Deputy Assistant Secretaries. pg. 16), I called to my wife saying, “I Paul Hare eventually served as Ambassador knew I was only a footnote to Vietnam/ to Zambia and William Harbin was W. CORDS history, but somebody has even Averell Harriman’s staff assistant during the eliminated my footnote.”Along with the non-proliferation talks and agreement. “few FSOs tasked as political reporters Th is is my footnote to an excellent in regional hubs throughout Vietnam” recounting of the FSOs at war in the Well Done referred to in your article, three of us— fi eld days. My State Magazine arrived today and then young FSOs—were sent to Vietnam prompted me to write a long overdue in 1964 for fi eld assignments at the Fredrick C. Ashley (Ret.) compliment to you and your forerunner province level with USAID or USOM/ Foreign Service offi cer for the quality displayed in each and every Rural Aff airs, later CORDS. copy you produce. I read and appreciate Circa August 1964, FSOs Paul Hare, Attention Grabber the articles. My sincere thanks for a job William Harbin and I were issued orders Th e Invasive Species article (May 2012, pg. well done. to travel posthaste to Saigon. Th e three 30) looks fantastic! It jumps off the page and of us had one thing in common, French grabs the attention beautifully. Th ank you Arthur J. “Tim” Tangeman (Ret.) language skills. Th ere was no need for for your patience and diligence in making Civil Service employee stateside Vietnamese training apparently. I this article happen. Nixon and China served for thirty months from 1964-67 as I am so impressed with your team’s work a Deputy and sometimes Acting USOM Becky Owen and so proud to have my name associated Provincial Representative, largely in Tuyen OES/PPO - AF with it. In my six months with the State Duc Province (Dalat) but also in Quang Famous! Department, I have not seen a higher quality Duc Province (Region II). While the bulk I can assure you the publication is well read production, or a better use of visuals to draw of my fellow offi cers were diligently learning because people I pass in the halls frequently attention to our bilateral relationship with Vietnamese stateside, I was using my French stop me to pass on very favorable comments China and all the aspects of our policies extensively, traveling by International Scout about the article (“Diplomatic Security and societies that it has encompassed over throughout the provinces. Salutes Nonagenarian,” April 2012, pg. 6). You’ve made me famous! the years. Th e video and article (May 2012, It was diffi cult shaking the Vietnam pg. 20) is fi tting for the 40th anniversary of reputation. I returned to the Department John E. Weston former President Nixon’s trip. from 1967 to 1969, to succeed Tony PSC Coordinator Rennie A. Silva Lake as staff assistant to Leonard Unger Bureau of Diplomatic Security Presidential Management Fellow Going Green-er In keeping with the Department-wide mandate to eliminate waste and conserve natural resources, we have reduced our print distribution to overseas posts and Stateside offi ces by 5 percent. Contact us at [email protected] if you would like to add your name to the growing list of subscribers who are going green by reading State Magazine exclusively online at state.gov/statemag! STATE.GOV/STATEMAG // STATE MAGAZINE 3 Students at the Saint André Primary and Nursery School show their appreciation for the post’s efforts. Photo by Bahruz Agayev Embassy Launches Clean Water Project In March, Deputy Chief of Mission Lisa for the $18,000 project, which entails At the A-WASH launch ceremony, Peterson Peterson of the U.S. Embassy in Cameroon the construction of a borehole to provide said the availability of clean and accessible launched the fi rst project of the Ambassador’s potable water, boys’ and girls’ latrines and facilities at the school and a community water Water, Sanitation and Hygiene in Schools hand-washing stations.