U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE

MAGAZINE

Make You r Move Introducing the Mid-Level Civil Service Rotation Program

JUNE 2007 CONTENTS STATE MAGAZINE + JUNE 2007 + NUMBER 513

Virtual Connections 07 Technology creates a unique public diplomacy tool. *

Department Inner-View Director General George Staples goes on the record 14 with State Magazine. *

Walk on the Wild Side 40 Rescued cheetah becomes environmental ambassador. *

ON THE COVER Pilot program encourages Civil Service employees to explore other professional fields. Photograph by Corbis POST OF THE MONTH:

Ulaanbaatar Modern Nomads and Vast Horizons Mark U.S. ‘Neighbor.’ 18

10 First Response Unconventional missions support transforma- 32 Special Report: tional diplomacy in Darfur. Rotating CS Assignments Pilot program gives a taste of career diversity. 26 By Any Other Name 34 Outside the Comfort Zone Residence’s new name honors the ‘flowery flag.’ 35 Connecting the Dots

28 Of Human Dignity Secretary Rice confers the first International 36 Office of the Month: A/EX Women of Courage awards. Shared services lead to better diplomacy.

COLUMNS 2 FROM THE UNDER SECRETARY 44 SAFETY SCENE

3 READERS’ FEEDBACK 46 OBITUARIES

4 IN THE NEWS 46 RETIREMENTS

43 STATE OF THE ARTS 48 THE LAST WORD UNDER SECRETARY HENRIETTA FORE

IRM Begins Deployment of SMART with Instant Messaging

In November 1866, Secretary of State • Several people can join in a single con- piece will be SMART messaging, designed William Seward sent an encrypted versation; you can efficiently clear a to integrate cables, e-mails and memos on a message through Atlantic Cable to U.S. cable or memo. common user-friendly platform. minister to France, John Bigelow. The • You can decide with whom you will While IM is making its way around the cost: $19,540.50. communicate; you can avoid being globe (deployed to 38,000 desktops and On March 21, 2007, Under Secretary soon to be everywhere), the SMART team Henrietta H. Fore conducted an instant has been hard at work on the next elements message exchange with the ambassadors of SMART. Gartner Consulting recognized to Athens and Belgrade. The cost: the internal progress by giving high marks a few cents. to the team’s completion of its Critical Resistance to the introduction of the Design Review, the blueprint that will be telegram was fierce in the 19th century, used to build the messaging portion. And ambassadors saw as a loss of autonomy. the Office of Management and Budget also When e-mail was introduced to the expressed support for Information Resource Department 120 years later, passive resist- Management’s management of SMART. ance initially relegated its use to a small The next application to be offered will be coterie of adventurous and restless a collaboration tool called SharePoint, employees. But after a few years, e-mail scheduled to be piloted from June to August. surpassed cables as the preferred mode of In September, SMART messaging will be communication. Its volume in the State piloted in Belgrade, Stockholm and Muscat. Department now exceeds cables by a ratio At the same time, SMART will be piloting of more than sixty to one. additional collaboration applications as well Three months ago, the Department as a search and interest profiling service. By introduced instant messaging as the first January 2008, nine more overseas posts will application of SMART—State Messaging be added for the second pilot iteration of and Archive Retrieval Toolset. I am SMART messaging. Worldwide deployment pleased that it has been greeted with such pestered by a flood of incoming is scheduled to begin in September 2008. enthusiasm as well as a healthy skepti- messages. I have urged the SMART office to cism. It is not a substitute for cables, • It is a real-time medium; you can be advance the piloting of SMART messaging, e-mails or phone calls—but is an addi- assured that you will not find a queue but integrating cables, e-mail and memos on tional tool to ensure rapid worldwide of unread messages when you sign on a common platform tied to a search capabil- communication. in the morning because they arrive ity, with connectivity between ClassNet and What will instant messaging give our only when you are signed on. OpenNet, is not easy. I am assured, however, workplace? My staff thought that my first IM experi- that it can and will be done—and deployed • IM allows real-time communication; ence—with Ambassadors Charles Ries and worldwide after we have thoroughly tested it unlike e-mail or cables, you can have Michael Polt—might require a rehearsal or for usability, security and stability. These a quick question answered immedi- hands-on training. I took the plunge with tools will transform how we do our work. ately by a colleague. neither, while my staff held their breath in Transformational diplomacy requires • IM is secure on ClassNet; you can front of the 20 members of the SMART state-of-the-art messaging systems that are have a classified conversation steering committee. It worked exactly as simple, secure and user-friendly. When fully between continents without a secure promised. So, if it takes you more than a few deployed by 2009, SMART will set a new telephone. minutes to adopt IM, call home for help. standard for the digital support of America’s • It is quiet; you can have a privileged I am delighted that we have introduced diplomacy. It remains the Department’s conversation with someone in the this technology to the Department—and highest IT priority. next office without being overheard look forward to other collaboration tools Stay tuned, as overseas piloting of SMART by colleagues. being introduced by SMART. The center- messaging begins in a few months. ■

2 | STATE MAGAZINE | JUNE 2007 READERS’ FEEDBACK Belize’s Boston Whaler I enjoyed reading about the wooden Belize consulate general/embassy building (March issue). In 1972, our concern there was not hurricanes, but the real danger of fire. Several rope ladders were installed to allow escape. They might even still be there. Also, we bought ConGen Belize a Boston whaler for possi- ble evacuation needs. As with the motor launch “Hiawatha” in Istanbul, which you also featured in March, it was carried as part of the motor pool. Either there was a regulation at the time against boat ownership by the State Department or we thought Congress might object—or both. Post was told not to requisition pro- pellers, and the staff was encouraged to take the boat out to the cays on week-ends “to make sure everything worked.”

Stuart Lippe Retired FSO

Haiku Contests Good Work Reading the cartoon on the inside back During my 27 years of active duty in the cover of the April issue—The Poetic Diplo- Foreign Service, I always enjoyed the fine macy Initiative—inspired me to share with writing, reporting and organizational out- you something with which any site officer reach State Magazine provided to all Let Us Hear from You for a VIP visit can relate. employees, no matter On a previous assignment their status, rank or post in Tokyo, I often served as of assignment. There was Mailing Address control officer for VIP visits. always something for State Magazine To keep spirits bright among everyone. 2401 E Street, NW all involved, I would hold These excellent quali- HR/ER/SMG, SA-1, Room H-236 haiku contests through which ties continue. Moreover, Washington, DC 20522-0108 site officers and others could the magazine has even vent frustrations and share improved, showcasing funny anecdotes related to stronger reporting, more E-mail the visit. I would collect them stylistic formats [email protected] as we went along, and we and richer articles about would hold a live reading at the people and organiza- the wheels-up party. One tions making up the State Phone memorable haiku from such a contest: Department and the many challenges (202) 663-1700 The map says turn left American diplomacy faces in the future. But the driver just turned right Superb job! Letters should not exceed 250 Again we'll be late Living in rural Thailand, with perhaps words and should include the I would not be surprised if other posts only one other American in the general writer’s name, address and daytime are in cultures that have some form of area and possibly two or three English- phone number. All letters become expression suitable for this sort of diver- speaking individuals residing within a sion. Keep your eyes out. 20-mile radius, I expect that State Magazine the property of State Magazine. will become one of my closest friends. Letters will be edited for length, Aaron Held accuracy and clarity. Only signed American Consulate General Tim Lawson letters will be considered. Monterrey, Mexico Senior Foreign Service (Retired)

JUNE 2007 | STATE MAGAZINE | 3 (NEWS) FSOs Donate Equipment to Haitian Volleyball Team

As a community service project in Port-au-Prince, 15 Foreign Service offi- cers in the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy donated equipment valued at more than $300 to a local girls’ volley- ball team. Sports are a preferred pastime for the disadvantaged children of Haiti, yet there are few public teams with suffi- cient funding and equipment. The team’s assistant trainer, who works as a security guard at the Consular Section, alerted Consul General Jay Smith to the need for equipment, and the American officers responded. “The spirit of competition the girls enjoy during the matches will serve them well for the rest of their lives,” said Consul General Smith during the presentation of the equipment on Feb- ruary 7. “Learning to apply yourself fully and work cooperatively in a sports setting will also help you excel in all The volleyball team aspects of life, whether as a student or and its trainers pose as an involved citizen,” he told the girls. with Embassy officials. The team was given a tour of the Consular Section and introduced to Dominique Gerdes, a senior neighborhood off-limits to American officers unless they are trav- local staff member in the Immigrant Visa Unit who once played on eling in lightly armored vehicles or have special permission to the Haitian national volleyball team. cross the area in caravans. The volleyball players all reside in Carrefour, an area of the To permit officers to watch the girls play, the team’s trainers capital marked by high crime and extreme poverty. It is so danger- have scheduled a match at a school in an area not off limits to ous that the regional security officer has declared the U.S. personnel.

4 | STATE MAGAZINE | JUNE 2007 BULGARIA NAMES LAB FOR U.S. DIPLOMAT A new diagnostic laboratory on the Black Sea coast has been named for Brian Goggin, former agricultural attaché in Bulgaria. The Foreign Agricultural Service/Sofia was honored by the Bul- garian Ministry of Agriculture for its important contributions to the prevention and control of avian influenza in Bulgaria. FAS/Sofia provided significant resources to create the new facility and train laboratory staff. This year, FAS is training 11 local experts in the United States. At the opening ceremony, current Agricultural Attaché Susan Reid extolled Goggin’s work. A marble plaque with his name in gold letters is mounted at the entrance to the lab. The U.S. Agency for Interna- tional Development has also provided support for the labo- Under Secretary for Management Henrietta Fore demonstrates the new ratory and Bulgaria’s effort to Instant Messaging technology in front of 20 members of the State prevent avian flu. Messaging and Archive Retrieval Toolset steering committee. The new technology allows real-time, secure communication within the same office or with colleagues on another continent. FAS specialist Brian Goggin Embassy Auction Helps Mexican Children What can you do with a velvet portrait of tion for ill children and their families in 20 To respond to this need, embassy junior Elvis and a foosball table? states throughout Mexico. officers and specialists organized the “Give Junior officers at the U.S. Embassy in In 2005, while donating hundreds of Your Heart to a Child with Cancer” cam- Mexico City recently used these items and Christmas toys to various children’s chari- paign, which culminated an auction that more to raise money for the Asociación ties in the Mexico City area, the embassy raised more than $15,000 from embassy Mexicana de Ayuda a Niños con Cáncer— staff became aware of AMANC’s work and employees and their families. AMANC, the Mexican Association for learned that the association was in great Items to be auctioned were solicited from Assistance to Children with Cancer. need of an industrial-sized washer and the embassy community and American cor- AMANC provides care, lodging and educa- dryer for its center for sick children. porations in Mexico. Donations ranged from handmade quilts to dog-training lessons to a dinner with the ambassador, and the bidding was fierce. U.S. companies Church and Dwight, Coca-Cola, Continen- tal Airlines, Marriott and Maytag also donated to the cause. The campaign resulted not only in a new washer and dryer for AMANC, but also a year’s supply of laundry detergent and an additional $10,000 for medication and other items the charity might need. On Valentine’s Day, Ambassador Garza, junior officers and public affairs officials from the embassy delivered the donation, along with clothes and toys for the children, to Señora Guadalupe Alejandre, founder and presi- dent of AMANC.

Embassy staff and families participate in the “silent auction” held at the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City.

JUNE 2007 | STATE MAGAZINE | 5 MAGAZINE STAFF

Rob Wiley EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Bill Palmer WRITER/EDITOR

Jennifer Leland WRITER/EDITOR

David L. Johnston Mission staff wore Tech colors orange ART DIRECTOR and maroon to show their support.

ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS Mission to NATO Honors Hokie Hope Day Maurice S. Parker EXECUTIVE SECRETARY The U.S. Mission to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization participated in Hokie Hope Day on April 20 to honor the lives lost during the April 16 shooting on the Virginia Tech Kelly Clements University campus in Blacksburg, Va. Tech alumnus Lt. Colonel Patience Larkin, a member Annette R. Cocchiaro of the mission’s Office of the Defense Advisor, organized the event. Margot A. Sullivan “It is difficult being so far away from the U.S. when tragic events occur at home,” said Lt. Col. Larkin. “I wanted to show our support to the Virginia Tech community and was very proud and grateful to the mission for participating and wearing the Hokie colors.” State Magazine (ISSN 1099–4165) is pub- lished monthly, except bimonthly in July and August, by the U.S. Department of Fair Teaches Thais about Consular Work State, 2201 C St., N.W., Washington, DC. Periodicals postage paid at Washington, In celebration of Consular Leadership agencies and the private sector, colleagues D.C., and at additional mailing locations. Day, Jan. 26, staff from the U.S. Embassy in from the public affairs section, the Foreign Bangkok and the consulate general in Commercial Service and Citizenship and CHANGE OF ADDRESS Chiang Mai organized an open house and Immigration Services were invited to join Send changes of address to State Maga- fair in Bangkok to give contacts and col- in the festivities, along with corporate part- zine, 2401 E Street, N.W., SA-1, Room leagues a behind-the-scenes look at their ners such as Citibank, CSC and Teletech H-236, Washington, DC 20522-0108. You consular sections. may also e-mail address changes to Employing the Thai concept [email protected]. of “edutainment” to make learning fun, teams of local SUBSCRIPTIONS staff and officers from Bangkok State Magazine is available by subscription and Chiang Mai’s consular through the U.S. Government Printing units manned booths with Office by telephone at (202) 512-1800 or names such as “The Wacky on the web at http://bookstore.gpo.gov. World of Biometrics,” “ACS: Cradle to Grave” and “Famous SUBMISSIONS Immigrants in the U.S.” For details on submitting articles to Interactive tools and games State Magazine, request our guidelines, were used to teach guests “Getting Your Story Told,” by e-mail at about consular work. The [email protected]; download fraud unit had by far the most them from our Web site at www.state.gov; popular booth, where players Embassy employees employed the Thai concept of “edutain- or send your request in writing to ment” to make learning about the embassy’s consular sections State Magazine, 2401 E Street, N.W., competed to “spot the a fun outing. imposter.” Patriotic decora- HR/ER/SMG, SA-1, Room H-236, Washington, DC 20522-0108. tions, balloons, prizes, costumes, music and and Thailand Post. And because a fair is refreshments all added to a fun, laid-back not complete without souvenirs, the Ameri- The submission deadline for the Septem- environment for the 600 attendees. can Community Service Association sold ber 2007 issue is July 15. The deadline Since consular sections in Thailand rely pens, mugs, key chains and other items for the October issue is August 15.

heavily on support from other government emblazoned with the embassy logo. AFFAIRS AND CULTURAL BUREAU OF EDUCATIONAL PHOTOGRAPH: (OPPOSITE PAGE):

6 | STATE MAGAZINE | JUNE 2007 These teachers were part of a group from Bangladesh, Tajikistan and the Palestinian territories who were visiting the United States on an exchange through the Global Connections program. Virtual Connections TECHNOLOGY CREATES A UNIQUE PUBLIC DIPLOMACY TOOL BY ANNA MUSSMAN

The Bureau of Educational and Cultural methodology in their classrooms. In Tajik- enthusiastically remain at the centers for Affairs has unleashed the power of technol- istan, Ibrahim Rustamov helped create for long hours with the hope that they will be ogy through the Global Connections and Tajik students an online English Club that able to use newly found skills in their Exchange program to create a unique and includes lesson plans, resources and educa- future careers. unprecedented public diplomacy tool. tional games. In Bangladesh, four GCE Through virtual linkages with teens and schools are participating in NASA’S “Global Across Borders educators in the United States, this tool Learning and Observations to Benefit the Students visiting Internet Learning enhances America’s presence in more than Environment” program in which they col- Centers expand their immediate environ- 1,000 schools worldwide. Using state-of-the laborate with scientists and students around ment as geography melts away and notions art technology, GCE not only conveys the world to analyze and compare data of borders become secondary. America’s values and traditions to the most about forestry, conservation, weather pre- In Central Asia, programs such as the remote areas of the world, but also empow- diction, disaster mitigation, global warming award-winning “Tech Age Girls” give young ers American and foreign youth by giving and ecotourism. girls self-confidence as they learn advanced them a voice in their communities and Teachers throughout the GCE network Web design techniques such as CSS, PHP channeling their energy to help their home have reported that the program has signifi- and Javascript, then begin internships at communities. cantly affected retention rates, encouraged high-tech companies. One Tech Age Girl GCE trained 1,500 teachers to use inter- young girls and increased motivation for said the program helped her become a active approaches and project-based youth at risk. Many students willingly and more serious person.

JUNE 2007 | STATE MAGAZINE | 7 “I now realize that I shouldn’t play with children at earthquake Democracy” project, an eighth Top: Bangladeshi students and teachers rally in Chittagong in question my ability to do some- relief camps in Jaba, Basiaan and grade class at the Maryland favor of universal education. thing, but should simply do it Kushtra, while girls at Chowara School for the Deaf filmed Bottom: Young Bangladeshi women from Joydebpur Govt. with confidence,” she said. High School in Bangladesh monuments in the Washington, Girls High School gathered at Teachers and students no applied online and then received D.C., area and explained their Rani Bilashmoni Govt. Boys High longer need to travel to the a grant to print leaflets about significance through sign lan- School in Gazipur to celebrate International Women’s Day 2007. United States to collaborate the adverse impacts of early guage and subscripts. After with Americans on virtual proj- marriages. their Armenian partner school ects that bring their worlds Empowered by technology, watched the video, student closer. In Afghanistan, students Global Connections youth discussions jumped from the created a blog project focused produce innovative digital meaning of democracy to a on human rights, while on the stories, Web logs and multime- comparison of U.S. and West Bank, Dina, a student at dia presentations to gain a Armenian policies regarding the Al Naja Secondary School in dynamic voice in their commu- the rights of people with Ramallah, posted an essay about nities as they convey their disabilities. the challenges of universal edu- aspirations for a better future In the “Two Rivers One cation. She noted that “students and expose others to the bene- World Project,” New York City can start acting internationally fits of an open, civil society. and Egyptian students tested by establishing networks and water content of the Hudson lobbies to influence government Virtual Linkages and Nile rivers, visited water policies.” Linkages with U.S. schools treatment plants and discussed Global Connections projects involve interactive discussions, water supply and pollution steer overseas students to discuss debates, research and informa- with scientists and teachers. Six environmental issues with tion sharing. Students explore American students then trav- Americans, children’s rights with themes that range from interna- eled to Cairo to join their students in another village and tional arts and music to ethnic Egyptian peers to present their civil obligations with adults and foods, fashion, world religions, findings to Egyptian and Amer- children in yet another country. youth service and more. ican scientists. In Pakistan, teachers and stu- Using video technology to Teenagers also talk about

dents traveled long distances to produce their “Symbols of matters that are important to LEFT): BANGLADESH; (OPPOSITE PAGE PHOTOGRAPHS: (ABOVE): RELIEF INTERNATIONAL, AFFAIRS AND CULTURAL BUREAU OF EDUCATIONAL (RIGHT): EGYPT; iEARN

8 | STATE MAGAZINE | JUNE 2007 them personally. Discussing to different cultures and have GCE merges virtual and physi- Above left: Egyptian students conflicts in their daily lives with expressed an increased interest cal exchanges to offer foreign participate in the Art Miles Tajikistani students, an Ameri- in foreign travel and languages. partners the 21st century skills Project as part of the Global Connections program adminis- can student wrote, “I would needed to improve their soci- tered by the International have to agree that some conflict Transformational Diplomacy eties. Similarly, it extends Education and Resource is good in our lives. I agree that Born with computers at their opportunities for Americans to Network. Right: Through technol- ogy and the Global Connections it isn’t good to fight with your fingertips, America’s teenagers learn about other cultures, reli- and Exchange program, these family and friends, but you increasingly rely on e-mail, Web gions and ways of life. As the young Tajikistani women can can’t learn about someone if chats, instant messages and only program of its kind, hold open and frank discussions about their daily lives with you don’t argue sometimes.” social networking sites for their GCE has evolved into an effec- American counterparts. A recent project merged communication. Comfortable tive public diplomacy program virtual discussions with Digital in a virtual environment, they that reaches thousands of Video Conference technology enthusiastically discuss their hearts and minds virtually to that allowed students at Wilson lives and values with foreign give mutual understanding a High School in Washington to peers. It is no longer surprising new meaning and infinite collaborate with students in to hear students living in rural dimension. Azerbaijan on a Model United villages discussing U.S. presi- Additional information Nations project that focused on dential candidates, freedom of about GCE can be found at: HIV/AIDS in Botswana. speech and volunteerism. http://exchanges.state.gov/ Communicating in English The program not only helps education/citizens/students/ with Americans has helped narrow the digital divide, but worldwide/ connections.htm. thousands of international stu- also places overseas youth on You can also contact the dents and teachers improve equal footing with their Ameri- program officer directly via their English language skills. can partners. The two groups e-mail at MussmanAP@ Many have attributed their par- come together as collaborators, state.gov for details. ■ ticipation in the program to discussing similar concerns and their qualifying for exchange working together on the same The author is a program special- programs to the U.S. and other project. ist in ECA’s Youth Programs countries. American teachers In harmony with transfor- Division, Office of Citizen and students have been exposed mational diplomacy principles, Exchanges.

JUNE 2007 | STATE MAGAZINE | 9 Soldiers from Minni Minawi’s Sudan Liberation Army faction board one of their “technicals” in Umm Baru, North Darfur.

first response

There are few better places in the world to Response Corps, composed of first respon- “I would define the objective of see the potential for transformational diplo- ders who support stabilization and transformational diplomacy this macy than in El Fasher, a dusty frontier reconstruction efforts in conflict-affected garrison town with only a few paved roads regions. Corps members are Foreign Service way: To work with our many part- and scant amenities that serves as the capital and Civil Service personnel who specialize in ners around the world to build and of Sudan’s North Darfur state. For the past unconventional field missions, often in year, a team of diplomats from the U.S. remote and hostile regions, to support sustain democratic, well-governed Embassy in Khartoum and the Department’s embassy and Department initiatives. states that will respond to the needs Office of the Coordinator for Reconstruc- The need for a diplomatic presence in tion and Stabilization has been working North Darfur arose in the aftermath of the of their people—and conduct along with US Agency for International Darfur Peace Agreement signed in Abuja, themselves responsibly in the Development field staff to stabilize the polit- Nigeria, on May 5, 2006. The agreement ical, security and humanitarian crisis and its sought to end Darfur’s political and eco- international system.” impact on the people of Darfur. nomic marginalization by the authorities in —Secretary Rice, January 18, 2006 CRS is represented by members of its Khartoum and was initially signed by the Active Response Corps and Standby government of Sudan and one of three rebel Transformational Diplomacy in Darfur | By Eythan Sontag and Keith Mines PHOTOGRAPHS: (ABOVE): EYTHAN SONTAG; (OPPOSITE PAGE TOP): (OPPOSITE PAGE PHOTOGRAPHS: (ABOVE): EYTHAN SONTAG; CHARLIE WINTERMEYER; (BOTTOM): KEITH MINES

10 | STATE MAGAZINE | JUNE 2007 Left: School tents at the Oure Cassoni refugee camp in eastern Chad wear out in three to four months because of the con- stant sand and wind. Below: Author Eythan Sontag, front left, sits with African Union peacekeepers and Justice and Equality Movement rebels in Jebel Moon to discuss the peace process.

factions. Persuading the outlying rebel rebel factions that signed the peace agree- FLUID SITUATIONS groups, which have proliferated since the ment or the Declaration of Commitment, ARC members adapted to the fluid cir- agreement was signed, to join the peace an agreement to commit to the Darfur cumstances as the mission and security process remains a key diplomatic priority. Peace Agreement, to help those groups conditions in Darfur evolved. To help facili- U.S. efforts have also focused on improving transition from military organizations to tate the peace process and ensure the political conditions to help alleviate the political entities. protection of millions of displaced Darfuri- humanitarian crisis in Darfur and facilitate In addition to establishing the Peace Sec- ans, ARC officers served as U.S. observers to the return of more than 2 million internally retariats, the ARC was tasked with creating a the African Union Mission in Sudan Cease- displaced persons. forward platform in Darfur where U.S. gov- fire Commission, which monitors, reviews To help achieve these objectives, the ernment officials could live and work. CRS and reports on violations of the peace agree- Department’s Bureau of African Affairs and worked with the Bureau of African Affairs ment. In this capacity, they conduct outreach USAID’s Office of Transition Initiatives and the U.S. Embassy in Khartoum to estab- to rebel signatory and nonsignatory factions provided funds for Peace Secretariats—also lish two residences/work facilities on the alike, looking for common ground that will called DPA Implementation Offices—in outskirts of El Fasher. The houses were reinforce the cessation of hostilities. Khartoum and El Fasher. A small ARC refurbished, fortified to meet security stan- ARC officers have participated in hands- team developed these secretariats into dards, furnished and equipped with very on missions to such places as the centers for dispensing information about small amerture terminal (VSAT) technology mountainous Jebel Marra and Jebel Moon the peace agreement and for coordinating, to provide Internet connectivity. The areas to engage rebel movements, gain first- hosting and encouraging activities related outpost is supported by a seven-person field hand information about armed to the peace process. The Peace Secretariats staff of local drivers, custodians and inter- confrontations and, where appropriate, also provide office space, logistical support preters who were recruited and hired by participate in African Union or UN media- and communications assistance to those ARC and embassy officers. tion efforts.

JUNE 2007 | STATE MAGAZINE | 11 Children from one of the local internally displaced persons camps collecting firewood and fodder pass in front of an African Union Mission in Sudan camp.

In addition to cultivating a wide network PUBLIC OUTREACH rebels located in Chad to reinforce U.S. of contacts within the UN, humanitarian The Department’s El Fasher presence policy points and escorted delegations communities, AMIS, civil society and local has also provided enhanced outreach from Congress, USAID and the Depart- government, ARC and embassy officers con- opportunities for the U.S. Embassy in ment’s Bureau of Population, Refugees tinue to assess the progress of UN support Khartoum. The embassy public affairs and Migration. to AMIS. The ARC presence in Darfur has officer recently made the first public CRS and the ARC, in collaboration with provided ground-level visibility and report- diplomacy trip to El Fasher in many the U.S. Embassy in Khartoum, the Bureau ing of policy implementation, including years, visiting the University of El Fasher, of African Affairs, USAID and other part- progress on the peace agreement, for deci- the local radio station and the town’s ners, continue their work in Darfur as an sionmakers in Khartoum, Washington, New only museum. example of innovative and flexible trans- York and other diplomatic centers. For six months, the ARC and SRC also formational diplomacy in action, where As one of the U.S. government’s highest deployed officers to Chad, serving primari- bringing the right assets and people foreign policy priorities and the subject of ly in the eastern part of the country together at the right time may help make a intense public and media focus, the situa- bordering Sudan. These officers met regu- difference in this troubled region. tion in Darfur has attracted numerous larly with the UN High Commission for high-level delegations, ranging from presi- Refugees and nongovernmental organiza- Eythan Sontag is a Foreign Affairs officer on dential special envoys to movie stars to tion officials supporting Darfurian detail to the Office of the Coordinator for congressional delegations. ARC officers have refugees and internally displaced persons, Reconstruction and Stabilization and a played a key role in coordinating and receiv- both at the hub of operations in Abeche member of the Active Response Corps. Keith ing these visitors to the field, providing and at the many refugee camps and dis- Mines is a political officer at the U.S. briefings, arranging meetings and organiz- placed person sites in eastern Chad. ARC Embassy in Ottawa and a member of the

ing security measures. and SRC personnel also engaged Sudanese Standby Response Corps. (OPPOSITE PAGE PHOTOGRAPHS: (ABOVE): EYTHAN SONTAG; TOP): CHARLIE WINTERMEYER; (BOTTOM): CRS

12 | STATE MAGAZINE | JUNE 2007 Left: Camps in eastern Chad fill quickly with young Darfur refugees. Below: Active Response Corps officer Eythan Sontag, sec- ond from left, and Standby Response Corps officer Keith Mines, far right, meet with the head of the Legislative Council in El Fasher, North Darfur.

ON SHORT NOTICE By Ambassador John E. Herbst In my 10 months as coordinator for We must also draw on the expertise of interagency conflict assessment tool that reconstruction and stabilization, S/CRS the American public, which is why the are now in use for U.S. planning efforts for has experienced inevitable challenges, President called for the creation of a Civil- Kosovo. In Haiti, a team from multiple U.S. but also tremendous progress. The office ian Reserve Corps in his most recent State agencies in Washington and the field was created to organize the U.S. govern- of the Union address. Secretary Rice is designed an innovative initiative to ment’s reconstruction and stabilization leading this effort, and tasked my office enhance security and economic opportuni- efforts for countries that have fallen into with standing the CRC up. The CRC will ties in one of Port-au-Prince’s most chaos, and build the civilian planning and expand the pool of civilian experts such troubled neighborhoods. response tools to staff these operations. as law enforcement specialists, public Weak and failing states pose critical An important part of what we are administrators and engineers who can national security challenges. By better trying to do is create a civilian surge support critical areas of reconstruction organizing how we respond and ensuring capability. To that end, the members of and stabilization work. we have the necessary civilian resources our Active and Standby Response Corps To get our civilians on the ground, our to do so, we give ourselves the best are truly on the cutting edge of transfor- government must support them with chance for success in future crises. We mational diplomacy. They can be proper planning, coordinated operations owe it to our country and to those deployed on short notice to unconven- and training. We have agreed on an inter- around the world struggling to emerge tional, challenging environments. And agency management system that will be from conflict. ■ they have begun to do so in Sudan’s used to address future reconstruction and Darfur region, eastern Chad, Lebanon, stabilization crises. As part of this, we have The author is the coordinator for recon- Haiti, Kosovo, Iraq and Nepal. developed a planning process and an struction and stabilization.

JUNE 2007 | STATE MAGAZINE | 13 Department “Inner View” Q&A WITH DIRECTOR GENERAL GEORGE M. STAPLES BY ROB WILEY

To Director General George Staples, the many crucial and sometimes difficult deci- his way through the FS ranks with posts in key word in Foreign Service is the first sions, but his guide throughout has been an Bahrain, Zimbabwe, The Bahamas and one—Foreign. When he joined the Depart- unwavering focus on supporting Secretary Uruguay. He spent his Washington tours in ment in 1981, he understood the Rice’s vision of today’s diplomacy and ful- the Department’s Operation center and in rewards—and the potential drawbacks—of filling the Department’s mission to help the Bureau of European Affairs. He reached a life dedicated to serving the interests of build and sustain a more democratic, secure the peak of Foreign Service as U.S. Ambas- the United States and fulfilling the country’s and prosperous world. sador to the Republic of Rwanda and to diplomatic mission. Today’s world is more volatile than when Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea. To the young ex Air Force officer, it the Foreign Service welcomed newcomer His last post before assuming duties as meant a life full of professional commit- Staples 26 years ago. Transformational Director General was as Political Adviser to ment, personal sacrifice and unimaginable diplomacy asks diplomats to spend more the Supreme Allied Commander Europe at satisfaction in serving his country through time in that world and less time in their North Atlantic Treaty Organization head- good times and not-so-good times. His offices. The Director General’s office has quarters in Belgium. career spanned the end of the Cold War and been the eye of the storm for most of the To help explain the magnitude of the the start of several hot ones, including the changes that had to be made as the Depart- changes and the reasons they had to be current conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan ment transitioned from an earlier, less made, Ambassador Staples met with State that are taxing his beloved Foreign Service. dangerous era into the modern world. Magazine editors for an extensive overview During his 13 months as Director Ambassador Staples began his Foreign of the modern Foreign Service and why it

General, Ambassador Staples has made Service career in El Salvador, and he made must adapt to a rapidly changing world. ROB NOLAN L. JOHNSTON; (OPPOSITE PAGE): PHOTOGRAPHS: (ABOVE): DAVID

14 | STATE MAGAZINE | JUNE 2007 SM: We couldn’t help but notice the just done the assignment business in the past. I to serve in perhaps one of these hardship released “Best Place to Work” survey in which made numerous trips to the field and con- positions but there would not be too many the Department did very well. Could you ducted town meetings abroad as well to requirements for family separations. comment on those rankings? explain the changes, and I’m pleased to say Director General Staples: I’m very that the system has worked. SM: Some of the recent changes have been pleased with the announcement that the Looking at summer 2007 assignments, perceived by some as a step backward in the Department was recognized within the we are about 98 percent staffed in Iraq, 100 Department’s on-going efforts to be as family Federal government as the No. 6 Best Place percent or close to it in Afghanistan and friendly as possible. How would you respond to Work. We’re up from No. 10 in 2005. close to 100 percent staffed in our other to this particular perception? In particular, we were ranked No. 1 by hard-to-fill posts in South Asia and the Director General Staples: I sometimes women. If you remember where we were 26 Middle East. hear that when I’ve gone overseas and years ago when I came into the Foreign The challenge will be how to sustain this talked in town meetings. But when I Service, this recognition is quite significant. in terms of 12-month tours. We have a huge explained the full range of the challenges we It reflects very well on all of our employees turnover at these posts every year, and we face, when I reemphasized that we are now and on what the Secretary and many others do not have a large Foreign Service. Even in a Foreign Service in which the median have done to make the State Department a people who are not currently Fair Share hardship differential is 15 percent and every good place to work. have to serve more often in hardship posts. year we have to fill between 500 to 700 posi- We live in one of the SM: State did well across many areas— most challenging No. 2 among males, No. 4 among African periods that I can Americans, etc. remember in the Director General Staples: And we were Foreign Service, but I’m ranked No. 3 in effective leadership. You can pleased to see that the add to this latest survey the recognition we challenge is recognized received in BusinessWeek magazine on the and we have filled our results of surveys of college undergraduate positions with volun- students, it speaks well of our efforts to not teers. Thus far, we have only serve the American people, but to also not had to do a single ensure that our efforts are recognized and directed assignment. appreciated among a broad cross section of observers. I believe BusinessWeek noted SM: To what do you that the Department finished No. 3 behind attribute the success of Walt Disney and Google on the 2006 Most the new assignments The Director General enjoys an informal lunch for embassy employees Desirable Undergraduate Employer ranking process? at the Deputy Chief of Mission’s residence in Pretoria. and No. 4 behind Google, Disney and Apple Director General on the 2007 ranking. Staples: I think the recognition on the part tions that are unaccompanied or limited of our people that we are facing challenging accompanied, people understand. SM: Last August, you introduced changes times and that more service in hardship The point we make is that we are to the assignments process, from the order in assignments is expected. Our people recog- meeting these staffing challenges and doing which assignments are made to changes to nize that service in the world has changed. all we can to support families and to Fair Share rules and the elimination of Our median hardship differential is 15 support our personnel. The Iraq service fourth-year extensions at posts with less than percent, and that’s just extraordinary. I package alone should indicate how we have 15 percent differential. What necessitated believe more than a fifth of our posts are 20 gone out of our way to take into account these changes? to 25 percent differential or higher today. those who are serving in our most difficult Director General Staples: As I’ve And that’s not just terrorism; that’s crime, foreign policy environments. Between three explained in town meetings and in numer- climate, health issues, schooling, cost of regional rest breaks and two R&Rs, we were ous messages to the field, the changes were living, etc. All of those things go into the able to add a home leave and to increase made because we had a serious problem: we hardship differential. both the hardship and danger pay differen- didn’t have the people that we needed to tial. Those serving in PRTs have been able staff our most difficult positions. In the SM: Is it difficult to make changes to the to leave their families behind at the post past, people just bid and went pretty much assignments process? from which they left. Their families do not where they wanted, and extensions were Director General Staples: It is difficult, have to move while the children finish granted liberally. I have made the point that because we are really dealing with a change school. On a voluntary basis, we expanded no organization would allow itself to be in a in culture. When I came into the Foreign that by asking posts wherever possible to position where its most difficult, critical Service, many of us knew about the dangers support those who would also like this positions were not filled first. in Beirut. I started my career in San Sal- benefit if they are going to Embassy We changed the rules, if you will, in con- vador, which was a danger-pay post and Baghdad or another location. sultation with the American Foreign Service unaccompanied for most of my time there. The response has been extremely positive Association, recognizing that this was a But for the most part, everyone recognized around the Foreign Service. If possible, marked departure from the way we had that at some point in time, you would have posts have worked out arrangements in

JUNE 2007 | STATE MAGAZINE | 15 which the family could stay while the this building and elsewhere have served on Today, I’m telling the members of the member served anywhere in Iraq. These are Provincial Reconstruction Teams in Iraq A100 classes and our mid-level officers that just some of the things we have been able to and Afghanistan. these kinds of separations may be more do in this regard. And let’s not forget the largest number of common in a career. They may have to face We also developed recognition awards for our employees, our almost 37,000 Locally it two, three or even four times, so plan children of those serving at unaccompanied Employed staff, who are what Secretary Rice accordingly. This is a huge and increasing posts. Medals and certificates have been sent calls the Crown Jewels of the State Depart- number, and that’s just another example of to the child’s school for presentation as a ment. They often serve at very difficult how the Foreign Service has changed. You thank you for the service of the parent, positions and often risk their lives to add onto that the requirements for service and that has been very beneficial for family perform their duties and, on occasion, keep in the hardship-danger pay posts, and it’s a morale. It also increases public awareness us safe. They, too, are doing a marvelous significant change. around the country about what our person- job, and should be commended. We try to do our best to assign people nel are facing and where they are serving together. We certainly take in consideration overseas. SM: Do you anticipate any other changes the requirements for adequate schooling. to the assignments process? We’re very strict on everyone meeting their SM: So the Department is really one Director General Staples: We are negoti- Fair Share requirements, but we’ve gone out big family? ating with AFSA for a couple of other of our way with the bureaus to take care of Director General Staples: We are a changes, and we’ll have to see where that those who have come out of posts like Iraq, family. And that’s not just the Foreign comes out. Afghanistan and Pakistan. We have succeed- Service; it’s also the Civil Service, as well. One would strengthen the minimum ed because of the support we’ve had in this We just instituted a pilot Civil Service rota- standard for hardship service to recognize building from the Secretary, Assistant Secre- tion program which for the first time will the 15 percent median in terms of positions taries, and others who value that service. allow Civil Service personnel of the same around the world. And the other issue I am I would also like everyone to know that grade and doing the same type of work to personally pushing is to change the 6-8 rule in these circumstances we still consider switch between Bureaus for a year or two to back to 5-8, with five years the maximum ourselves to be as family-friendly as possi- gain some career-broadening experience. number of years any FSO can serve in ble. I have approved every single request It’s a pilot program, but I hope we can Washington. This was the policy before that crosses my desk for a waiver based on 1997, and given the medical condition or special needs for a challenges overseas and child, 100 percent. Our Family Liaison the staffing require- Office has established a special position ments we have to meet, for a coordinator who does nothing but I think it’s important work with our unaccompanied families in that we go back to that the U.S. while the member is serving an standard. unaccompanied tour. We have more than The point I want to 200 such families in the U.S. today. Who make is that this is the could have imagined something like that Foreign Service, and I years ago? strongly believe that the We also contracted for a service that pro- bulk of one’s career vides 24-hour counseling, financial should be spent over- planning, and other guidance to our per- seas. It’s very important sonnel. So we have any number of benefits to serve in Washington, and efforts underway to look after our to understand how we people and their families as much as possi- The Director General poses with Peach Corps volunteers and staff operate here in the ble. You can add to that the wonderful work members outside their offices in Maseru, Lesotho. interagency process and they’ve done in FSI to expand training expand it. We in the Foreign Service get how policy is made here at the senior levels opportunities and the huge increase in these rotations every two or three years, but in this building. But the bulk of one’s career online courses that are available to family our Civil Service colleagues often spend should be spent in overseas service. members and employees overseas. We’re their entire careers in the same office at the doing what we can in today’s circumstances same desk. Why not offer the opportunity SM: What else has changed? to really take care of our people, provide to switch for those who don’t want to stay Director General Staples: Another good training, watch out for families and at at that same desk for 25 years? Why not give example of how things have changed today the same time meet our responsibilities to them the chance to do something else and vs. 26 years ago—we have almost 600 do the work of diplomacy. gain exposure to the broader work of the tandem couples in the Foreign Service Department? today. That’s 1,200 people that we try to SM: How helpful has AFSA been? Through our assignments procedures, we assign together. We used to tell our tandem Director General Staples: We have a have also allowed close to 200 Civil Service couples that because of various reasons, good relationship with AFSA. In accordance personnel to serve overseas, where they are when they reached more senior levels they with the Foreign Service Act, they are the performing with distinction in hard-to-fill might have to face a leave without pay situ- official bargaining unit of the Department. I

positions. Many Civil Service personnel in ation or even serve at different posts. am an AFSA member, as are many of the L. JOHNSTON DAVID PHOTOGRAPHS: (ABOVE): ROB NOLAN; (OPPOSITE PAGE):

16 | STATE MAGAZINE | JUNE 2007 “We are a family. And that’s not just the Foreign Service; it’s also the Civil Service, as well.”

personnel in the Bureau of Human ALDAC messages to the field to get the Anyone else who would be the DG right Resources. We have frequent meetings with word out. We have a deputy chief of now would do the same thing. the members of the AFSA leadership, the mission collective email that my Principal If you explain the situation and ensure president and the board to discuss issues Deputy Assistant Secretary Heather Hodges that the steps you take are fair and transpar- and negotiate. While AFSA has not agreed uses to raise specific issues. I speak at all ent, then you will have the support of the with us on all of the new policies we have chief of mission meetings; I also speak at people who have come into this business to had to implement, I think there is an all ambassadorial and DCM seminars to carry out public service. That is what we understanding within AFSA that times have encourage our senior leaders when they get have seen here. It is a tribute to the men changed and that all of us in the Depart- to post to recognize that our people are and women and the families of all of our ment face extraordinary challenges. serving in difficult times. I ask them to be people—Foreign Service, Civil Service, especially aware of the need for outreach Local Staff—to work today on behalf of our SM: Is there anything else you are working and to take the steps necessary to maintain government and to meet our diplomatic on with AFSA? good morale at post and to help all of the responsibilities. It is not easy to face separa- Director General Staples: We will later officers who are going to serve at these tion, to see your children graduate without this year begin regularly scheduled negoti- hardship posts develop strong leadership you. It is not easy to work overseas in ations on precepts for 2008, but otherwise and management skills. embassies that face threats and in which our I don’t anticipate being involved with I think the word is out. The bottom line access and our openness to the general AFSA in any other groundbreaking initia- is simply this: these are the requirements public overseas is more restricted because of tives. We have been keeping AFSA abreast that we must fulfill to carry out our the security requirements. of changes in the Foreign Service intake nation’s foreign policy. We have done it And yet our people do this every day, and process, the new procedure to replace the successfully with these changes, and in I’m extremely proud of that. I’m extremely Foreign Service examination, and we have the process done all that we can do to proud of their service and deeply apprecia- briefed the president and senior AFSA offi- support our families and our personnel tive of their sacrifices. cials on a regular basis and they have been who are working under incredibly difficult I say this on behalf of the Secretary and fully supportive. circumstances. all of the senior leadership of this building If we were not able to do what we have and myself—a sincere “Thank You” to all of SM: You say that when you personally done this year voluntarily, we would have our personnel who work for the United explain the policy to FSOs, they understand, done it through identification, or directed States Department of State. You have our but you can’t go to every single post. assignments. One way or the other, we are deepest respect and admiration. ■ Director General Staples: No, I can’t, but going to put people where they are needed we use BNet, we use town meetings, we use to carry out our diplomatic requirements. The author is the editor of State Magazine.

JUNE 2007 | STATE MAGAZINE | 17 Men and children ride along the Mongolian prairie during an annual festival. PHOTOGRAPH: TRAVEL ALBERTA PHOTOGRAPH: TRAVEL

18 | STATE MAGAZINE | JUNE 2007 <<< POST OF THE MONTH

Ulaanbaatar Modern Nomads and Vast Horizons Mark U.S. ‘Neighbor.’

By Patrick J. Freeman and Alexei Kral

JUNE 2007 | STATE MAGAZINE | 19 The Amarbayasgalant monastery, located in the Iven Gol River Valley on the foot of Burenkhan Mountain, is a landmark of Mongolia’s cultural memory and rich Buddhist heritage.

In January, the United States and Mongolia marked the 20th anniversary of diplomatic ties. The landlocked country’s only geo- Imagine conducting diplomacy graphic neighbors are Russia and China, but during his November 2005 visit to Ulaanbaatar, President George W. Bush embraced Mongolia’s characterization of the United States as its “third in the homeland of Genghis Khan neighbor.” The United States established an embassy in Ulaanbaatar in 1988 and the first resident American ambassador arrived in July 1990. Just a few months earlier, Mongolians had peacefully dis- and bolstering a developing carded socialism and begun transforming their nation into a democracy with a market-oriented economy. When it opened, the embassy had three local employees and country’s transition from social- three American officers. Today, 135 Locally Employed staff and 27 direct-hire Americans grapple with a wide and growing range ism to free-market democracy, of issues. INTERNATIONAL PRESENCE Defense cooperation is especially strong. Nearly 900 Mongolian while spending weekends enjoy- soldiers have served in Iraq and Afghanistan since 2003, and 250 Mongolian soldiers guard the United Nations war crimes tribunal in Sierra Leone—visible signs of progress toward establishing ing stunning natural beauty. Mongolia as a major international peacekeeping troop contribu- tor over the next few years. In August, for the second year in a row, Mongolia will host a major U.S.-supported multinational peacekeeping exercise for Asian nations. A Millennium Challenge Account compact with Mongolia, That is Mongolia. expected to be concluded in 2007, will represent a major expan-

sion of U.S. assistance and engagement. Vocational training, PHOTOGRAPHS: U.S. EMBASSY IN ULAANBAATAR

20 | STATE MAGAZINE | JUNE 2007 health, property rights and railway proj- ects are being considered for inclusion AT A GLANCE: MONGOLIA in the compact. The U.S. Agency for International Development launched its first program in Mongolia in 1991 with a grant of $10 million to provide emergency supplies for the country’s failing power plants. The aid is gratefully remembered. Today, USAID still provides technical assistance to strengthen the energy sector, but it pursues a much broader agenda. Under ongoing programs, every court in the country has been automat- ed and every judge trained, an umbrella group of women’s political groups swiftly won favorable changes in the parliamentary election law, protections are being enhanced for endangered wildlife species, and a popular television series promotes greater awareness of HIV/AIDS. Most USAID programs encourage faster economic growth and support policy reforms like the major tax changes enacted by the State Great Hural (Mongolia’s parliament) in 2006. Other programs support entrepreneur- ship and are helping to lower Mongolia’s 35 percent poverty rate. Capital Per capita income The embassy’s economic and com- Ulaanbaatar $2,000 mercial focus is to encourage a business climate that fosters free enterprise and Total area Population below poverty line foreign investment and to promote U.S. 1,564,116 square kilometers 36.1 percent trade and investment in a growing economy with world-class mineral Approximate size Import commodities deposits just beginning to be developed. Slightly smaller than Alaska Machinery, fuel, automobiles, food More than 125 American businesses are products and industrial goods active in Mongolia, with mining-related Government firms especially well represented. Mixed parliamentary/presidential Import partners Russia (34.5 percent), China (27.4 VAST CONTRASTS Independence percent) and Japan (7.1 percent) Nearly half of Mongolia’s 2.8 million July 11, 1921 (from China) people live in the capital, but business Export commodities trips take embassy employees to the Population Copper, apparel, livestock, cash- Gobi Desert, mining towns, the ethnic 2.95 million mere and wool Kazakh region in the far west and provincial trading centers. Many in the Ethnic groups Export partners countryside continue to lead a nomadic Mongol (mostly Khalkha) and China (48.1 percent), United States existence, but even herders are connect- Turkic (mostly Kazakh) (14.2 percent) and Canada (11.6 ing with the outside world. It is not percent) unusual to see a ger (a round tent used Languages as a portable home) on a broad, empty Khalkha Mongol, Turkic and Russian Internet country code steppe with a satellite dish, outside the .mn door, powered by a solar panel. More than 100 Peace Corps volun- Currency teers work in communities across Togrog/tugrik (MNT) SOURCE: CIA World Factbook 2007 Mongolia. While most teach English,

JUNE 2007 | STATE MAGAZINE | 21 others are engaged in health education and other areas, and are active on projects ranging from combating trafficking in persons to setting up a tourism Web site. The Mongolian government declared English the second offi- cial language in 2004. The embassy’s Public Affairs Section provides scholarships to high school students for after-school English classes. Until the schools graduate a generation of English speakers, most embassy employees find it helpful to learn some Mongolian through the Foreign Service Institute or the post lan- guage program to shop and get around town. Until 2002, embassy staffers lived mainly in a Communist-era apartment block near the chancery affectionately known as “Faulty Towers.” Today, almost all staff members live in Czech- designed townhouses or apartments in a modern, gated housing compound 15 minutes from the embassy. In warmer months, children ride bicycles and use the com- pound’s playground equipment. They play in the community room during the winter. The 200-student International School of Ulaanbaatar is building a new campus nearby that will open in September. Ulaanbaatar has a surprising variety of restaurants—American, French, Italian, Indian, Chinese and Korean—as well as pizza delivery. PHOTOGRAPHS: U.S. EMBASSY IN ULAANBAATAR

22 | STATE MAGAZINE | JUNE 2007 Opposite page top: Ambassador Mark C. Minton, left, participates in a 4-year-old child’s first hair cutting cere- mony with a Peace Corps volunteer’s host family. Bottom: Ambassador Minton reviews an honor guard before his credentialing ceremony in September 2006. Above: About 80 kilometers northeast of Ulaanbaatar, Terelj National Park’s 1.2 million acres are inhabited by a few nomads and farmers and several species of pro- tected animals. Left: Recreational opportunities abound, like this rafting trip on the Tuul River.

JUNE 2007 | STATE MAGAZINE | 23 Left: Following an awards ceremony, General Services Officer Dale Lawton, center, joins some of the Locally Employed staff, dressed in traditional clothing, to note the Lunar New Year. Below: USAID advisers to Zavhan Aimag visited sites for Gobi II and judicial reform projects.Opposite page top: One of the local voters in the September 2006 by-election in Khuvsgul Province parked his trans- portation just outside the polling sta- tion. Bottom: Convoy training exercis- es were intense during Exercise Khaan Quest in 2006. PHOTOGRAPHS: U.S. EMBASSY IN ULAANBAATAR

24 | STATE MAGAZINE | JUNE 2007 The real attraction of Mongolia, though, is the scenery. The Tuul River is a short distance from the housing compound and convenient for picnics. On the weekends, SUVs are the vehicle of choice to navigate potholes and off-road segments of trips to the countryside. Landscapes range from rocky mountain ranges to broad plains and sand dunes. An hour and a half from Ulaanbaatar, Terelj National Park is a popular outing. It features a rare prehistoric species of wild horse and Neolithic deer stones: 3,000-year-old carved stone plinths etched with pictures of deer. Mongolians and foreign tourists alike throng Buddhist monas- teries from the Tibetan tradition in scenic settings like the former Mongol Empire capital of Karakorum. Under an embassy cultural preservation grant, a nongovernmental organization is document- ing monasteries that were destroyed during the socialist period. There aren’t many other posts in the world where you can see the sun rising on a vast, serene horizon as untended horses amble by, then load up the car for the trip back to another busy week at the office. ■

Patrick J. Freeman is chief of the Economic and Political Section and Alexei Kral is public affairs officer at the U.S. Embassy in Ulaanbaatar.

JUNE 2007 | STATE MAGAZINE | 25 By Any Other Name PHOTOGRAPHS: (ABOVE): CORBIS; (OPPOSITE PAGE): U.S. EMBASSY IN GUANGZHOU PHOTOGRAPHS: (ABOVE): CORBIS; (OPPOSITE PAGE):

26 | STATE MAGAZINE | JUNE 2007 When newly arrived Consul General Robert Goldberg moved into his home in Guangzhou, China, last summer, he noticed that all the other houses in the area had plaques on the front gates with three-character Chinese names. Most of the names were of an aus- picious nature that suggested that those who lived inside dwelt in tranquil harmony with nature or had achieved an exalted status. While not certain that these qualities were necessarily appropri- Zhu Jin Ta 塔, or “Pearl Gold Tower,” which incorporated the ate for the consul general’s residence, Goldberg thought employees “pearl” of the Pearl River and the “gold” of Goldberg, a Foreign could come up with a name befitting America’s presence in Service National employee quickly pointed out that that name in Guangzhou. His “Name the CGR” contest turned out to be Cantonese was a homonym for the urn where a deceased person’s extremely popular with both Chinese and American employees. ashes are kept. He further suggested that any name incorporating Americans were often mystified by the names suggested by the Chinese word for pearl should be avoided, since it was a Locally Employed staff—and vice-versa. For instance, the Chinese homonym for pig and might be misinterpreted. Qu Yu Ju —“a place of reducing stupidity”—was meant to Some of the suggestions were intentionally humorous—the convey humbleness and intelligence and to indicate that Americans Chinese equivalent of “Bob’s Place” or “McDonald’s”—while others and Chinese were intent on eliminating mutual misunderstanding. sounded nice in both Chinese and English. For instance, Ya Mei Ge Su Fang Yuan —“walking or floating in a fragrant pond 阁 not only means “elegant beauty residence,” but also sounds area”—gave a sense of harmony, beauty and freshness and seemed to like the word “America.”

RESIDENCE’S NEW NAME HONORS THE ‘FLOWERY FLAG’ BY KATHY GELNER

describe the environment of the island in the Pearl River where the Some entries were appropriate to the consulate’s location. “Hai residence is located. Even more important, the words have the same Rui House” honors famous local official Hai Rui of the pronunciation as another phrase that would have resonance for Ming Dynasty, whose name has come to be synonymous with those interested in rule-of-law matters. Another nomination—Ting honesty and integrity in office. Yue Ju , or “residence where you can hear the moon”— After receiving about thirty entries, Consul General Goldberg evoked a place so peaceful that the only “noise” is moonlight. narrowed the field to five and asked each employee to cast a single Americans found out that a name that sounds fine in Mandarin vote. (Some were better at “one person, one vote” than others.) Chinese might not be acceptable when spoken in the local Can- My entry, Hua Qi Yu , which means “Flowery Flag Resi- tonese dialect. For instance, when an American suggested the name dence,” was the winner. This name is especially appropriate for the CG’s residence in Guangzhou because “Flowery Flag Country” was the first name given to the newly independent United States by people in Canton (now known as Guangzhou). They came up with this name after seeing the Stars and Stripes flying on the Empress of China, the first American ship to sail into a Chinese port. With Captain John Green at the helm, the Empress arrived in Huangpu, 12 miles south of Canton, on August 28, 1784. Many pieces of early Canton export-ware polychrome porcelain have pictures of ships or trading houses in the harbor in Canton flying the banners of the countries that traded there, including the “Flowery Flag.” The State Department diplomatic reception rooms have several good examples of this type of Canton porcelain. Come visit the “Flowery Flag Residence,” which is the home of all Americans in Canton.

Consul General Robert Goldberg and the author stand next to the The author is chief of the American Citizen Services and Adoption “Flowery Flag Residence” plaque. Units in Guangzhou.

JUNE 2007 | STATE MAGAZINE | 27 ★★★★★

28 | STATE MAGAZINE | JUNE 2007 ★★★★★

Today, we celebrate the courage of 10 extraordinary women…. They’re from nearly every region of the world, women who not only make their fellow citizens proud but who are the international defenders of what President Bush has called the nonnegotiable demands of human dignity. —Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, March 7, 2007

Of Human Dignity

In celebration of International Women’s ment. Representing Afghanistan, Argenti- Bottner, senior coordinator for interna- Day 2007, Secretary of State Condoleezza na, Indonesia, Iraq, Latvia, Maldives, Saudi tional women’s issues. “Though their Rice established the annual Award for Arabia and Zimbabwe, the honorees are backgrounds are diverse, they share a International Women of Courage. The transforming their societies and serve as common trait of courage and a willingness award program, administered by the Office inspiration to the international communi- to demand more from society on behalf of of the Senior Coordinator for Internation- ty. They are among more than 90 women everywhere.” al Women’s Issues, recognizes women exceptional women of courage who were At the awards presentation, Secretary around the globe who have shown excep- nominated by U.S. embassies worldwide Rice congratulated the women for their tional courage and leadership. for their diverse contributions to freedom, “dedication, commitment and passion.” On March 7, 2007, the Secretary of State justice, peace and equality. She said their work is transforming soci- paid tribute to 10 Women of Courage in “These women are true leaders in their eties and serving as an inspiration to the an awards ceremony at the State Depart- respective communities,” said Andrea international community.

Secretary Rice Confers the First International Women of Courage Awards By Orna Blum

JUNE 2007 | STATE MAGAZINE | 29 ★★★★★

The 2007 International Women of Courage gather around Secretary Condoleezza Rice, center: from left, Jennifer Williams, Dr. Siti Musdah Mulia, Dr. Samia al-Amoudi, Mariya Ahmed Didi, Susana Trimarco de Verón, Mary Akrami, Aziza Siddiqui, Dr. Sundus Abbas and Shatha Abdul Razzak Abbousi. Not pictured is Ilze Jaunalksne. Dr. Siti Musdah Mulia death threats and condemnation, Dr. of Indonesia is the first woman to earn a Mulia continues to educate Indonesian Ph.D. in Islamic thought from the State women about their rights. Islamic University. A prominent Muslim 2007 feminist, Dr. Mulia has used her extensive knowledge of the Quran and hadiths to Jennifer Williams advocate for women’s rights. She was part is the founder and inspirational leader of Women of of a team of experts that produced a WOZA—Women of Zimbabwe Arise— Counter Legal Draft of Indonesia’s Islamic one of the most active civil society legal code. Team recommendations includ- organizations in protesting government Courage ed prohibiting child marriage and allowing abuses in Zimbabwe. Ms. Williams has suf- interfaith marriage. In the face of violent fered arrest, harassment, physical abuse protests, the Minister of Religious Affairs and death threats, but remains undeterred. canceled the project. Though faced with By uniting women of all races and ethnic

30 | STATE MAGAZINE | JUNE 2007 ★★★★★

backgrounds in Zimbabwe to advocate for response to plainclothes police arresting a zation. She travels into Afghanistan’s issues directly affecting them, she has female activist at her home late at night. greatly underserved countryside to brought social, economic and political Ms. Didi has faced physical harassment conduct firsthand research on the condi- issues to national attention. and arrest, yet remains tireless and tena- tion of rural women. Despite personal cious in her efforts to promote democracy threats against her for her groundbreaking and women’s rights in a political scene research on gender, Ms. Siddiqui forges Ilze Jaunalksne dominated by men. ahead with her investigation into the lives is a journalist and anchor of Latvia’s top of women around the country and uses current affairs TV program, “DeFacto.” She that information as a platform to draw is a trailblazer in the fight against political Susana Trimarco de Verón attention to the needs of women in corruption in Latvia. In March 2006, Ms. has faced danger in her efforts to combat Afghanistan. Jaunalksne broke the story of a vote- human trafficking and to find her daughter, buying scandal involving prominent who was kidnapped by traffickers in national political leaders from several Argentina. Desperate to find her missing Dr. Sundus Abbas parties. Her report led to the indictment of daughter, Ms. Trimarco put herself in dan- is the executive director of the Women’s several high-ranking political figures. In gerous situations, disguised as a prostitute, Leadership Institute in Baghdad and an the face of harassment by public figures trolling bars and alleys in search of anyone activist for women’s rights in Iraq. attempting to discredit her and, by exten- who might know her daughter’s where- Despite several obstacles, she has worked sion, her work, Ms. Jaunalksne took the abouts. Despite false leads and death tirelessly to improve the capacity of Iraqi government to court and sued for defama- threats, she has uncovered evidence of traf- women to become involved in the Iraqi tion of character. Her case was the first of ficking networks throughout the country. political process; to play greater roles its kind in Latvia. Thanks to Ms. Trimarco’s work, human within their political parties; to take part trafficking is now gaining public and gov- in local and national politics, the consti- ernment attention in Argentina, and victims tutional drafting and amending Dr. Samia al-Amoudi are being encouraged to report the crime. process and in national reconciliation; is an obstetrician-gynecologist and former and conflict resolution efforts. vice dean of the College of Medicine and Allied Science at King Abdulaziz University Mary Akrami in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. She diagnosed her is the director of the Afghan Women Skills Shatha Abdul own breast cancer at a very advanced stage Development Center, a women’s shelter in in March 2006 and struggled to get confir- Kabul, Afghanistan. Women come to the Razzak Abbousi mation of the diagnosis and treatment shelter to escape domestic violence or is an Iraqi Islamic Party member of the options—despite her own medical posi- forced marriages. Shelter staff members Iraqi Council of Representatives, where tion. Dr. Al-Amoudi was the first Saudi to provide legal advice, literacy classes, psy- she also sits on the Human Rights Com- share her personal battle with this disease, chological counseling and basic skills mittee. Ms. Abbousi is a prominent Iraqi breaking the silence to speak out about its training. Under Ms. Akrami’s leadership, activist for reconciliation and for women’s impact and raising public awareness for several women at the shelter have made rights and a member of The Pledge for Saudi women and families across the the virtually unprecedented move of Iraq, a women’s rights activist group. kingdom and throughout the region. denouncing their abusers publicly and Through her work both within and filing court cases against them. Notwith- outside parliament, she has courageously standing threats she has received, Ms. fought for women’s rights and has set an Mariya Ahmed Didi Akrami refuses to be intimidated and example for young Iraqi women who are interested in taking an active role in their is one of six women in the 50-member remains dedicated to her work. nation’s political process. ■ parliament of Maldives, and one of only two elected women (the other four were appointed by the president). Ms. Didi Aziza Siddiqui The author is a Foreign Affairs officer in the organized the first-ever women’s rights is women’s rights coordinator with Action Office of the Senior Coordinator for rally in Maldives in March 2006, in Aid, an Afghan nongovernmental organi- International Women’s Issues.

JUNE 2007 | STATE MAGAZINE | 31 Make Your Move PILOT PROGRAM GIVES A TASTE OF CAREER DIVERSITY BY PAUL N. LAWRENCE

The implementation of the pilot Civil Service Mid- As the program sponsor, Director General George Level Rotation Program represents an exciting new Staples launched the program in February. He welcomed career development opportunity for Civil Service the Initial Seven—Tijen Aybar, Stuart Denyer, Catherine employees. While Foreign Service colleagues regularly Kuchta-Heilbing, Barbara Quirk, Mary Ellen Sariti, rotate among assignments throughout their career, Jonathan Thompson and Rachel Waldstein—as inaugu- similar career mobility opportunities do not formally ral pilots for the ambitious program. Ambassador exist within the Civil Service. Staples stressed the need for the Department’s future The Bureau of Human Resource Management’s leaders to be able to adapt, lead change, manage a multi- deputy assistant secretary, Linda Taglialatela, and the cultural workforce and achieve results. Foggy Bottom Society recognized the need for such a program to expand individual job knowledge, increase NEW GROUND networking relationships and enhance personal and pro- He noted that each participant was breaking new fessional growth. ground for the Department. Along with their managers, The pilot Civil Service Mid-Level Rotational Program the group exchanged laughter over the “chessboard” was designed to provide developmental assignments for nature of the transition. Conversations and logistics were employees at the GS-12 and GS-13 grade levels, specific under way to transfer portfolios and responsibilities. Par- to Foreign Affairs officers or their equivalents. The ticipants were getting to know each other as well as their underlying philosophy was to develop a culturally new supervisors. They studied new work requirements, diverse group of highly qualified visionary and strategi- new expectations and perhaps even a new commute or cally-thinking individuals as future Department work schedule. Candidates experienced the full range of leaders. Though a one-year developmental assignment, emotions inherent in starting a new job—from excite- participants would gain a broader understanding of the ment, enthusiasm and an adrenaline rush to panic, State mission through assignments that cross Depart- apprehension and the proverbial white-knuckle “What ment organizational lines and gain additional have I got myself into?” knowledge and experience of major functions and the Ambassador Staples challenged the group to be interrelatedness of the agency components. proactive and entrepreneurial and to bring their past work experience and expertise to the new assignment. SELECT GROUP He acknowledged that change can be both exciting and The program was designed to exchange positions scary, but also noted the unique opportunity the within the pool of selected candidates. The process was program provided to expand their professional network facilitated through a bidding-type activity and final and create a whole new set of first impressions. Review Board assignment. The resulting candidates The Director General expressed confidence in their represent a select group. In addition to impressive ability. He expressed hope that the success of the pilot resumes and individual accomplishments, each of the program would lead to the establishment and expansion candidates was recommended based on past perform- of similar programs. ance and future potential. A senior-level board of The candidates also spent a day of training at the executives competitively evaluated and selected those Foreign Service Institute. Dr. Ruth Whiteside, director candidates who best fit the program criteria. of the Institute, welcomed the group to the center and Getting the program up and running had its growing expressed her support for the program and their indi- pains. A steep learning curve affected participants, man- vidual career development. FSI’s Leadership School, agers, offices and bureaus. Portfolios and responsibilities represented by Alyce Hill, Chris Powers and Joan Yen, had to be shifted. Computer access and logons had to be partnered with the Bureau of Human Resources to adjusted. Program managers had to consider individual provide a course of instruction preparatory to the new and unit preferences, academic backgrounds and experi- assignments. ences, career aspirations and even current security clearances. It took a lot of communication, negotiation The author is chief of career development in the Office of and accommodation to make it all come together. Civil Service Personnel. JUNE 2007 | STATE MAGAZINE | 33 candidates led me to the realization Outside the Comfort Zone that we each had our own reasons ROTATING FROM REFUGEES AND MIGRATION TO EAST ASIA for participating in the pilot program. My BUSINESS AFFAIRS BY JONATHAN THOMPSON objective was to have an experience fairly different from my assignment in PRM, I first considered a career at the State Mid-Level Rotational Program. The which would help broaden my understand- Department while pursuing an undergradu- program would allow me to gain new expe- ing and experience in the foreign policy ate degree in political science. I continued to rience, knowledge, contacts and maybe even arena and within the Department. entertain the idea in the years that followed. new skills; it would also provide me the After exploring the positions that inter- Then, as my graduate studies came to a challenge of working on new U.S. foreign ested me, I submitted my top three choices. close, the idea blossomed into a firm desire. policy priorities without the risk of perma- Candidates were assured that every effort I was determined to land a job at State, nently severing ties with the bureau, would be made to accommodate their pref- and in the fall of 1999, I was hired by the colleagues and work I enjoyed. erences. I remained concerned but hopeful, Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migra- I pursued the opportunity. Fortunately, and determined that I would need to be tion. I didn’t know much about refugees, my supervisor and bureau supported the selected for one of my top choices if I was but I was willing and eager to learn. I soon idea. I was accepted into the program, but I to continue. discovered how fascinating and challenging still had to overcome one of the biggest PRM issues were. hurdles—land a rotational assignment in Top Choice For the next seven-plus years, I helped which I was interested. I was excited—and relieved—when I was manage PRM’s relationship with its largest I had envisioned fairly broad participa- informed that I had been selected for my partner—the UN High Commissioner for tion in the program by the Department’s top choice, Advisor for East Asia in the Refugees. UNHCR has offices in approxi- bureaus and assumed that some 20 or 30 Office of Commercial and Business Affairs mately 120 countries, with a mandate to officers would be selected for the pilot. This in the Bureau of Economic, Energy and protect and provide solutions for the mil- would provide candidates with many inter- Business Affairs. I saw the assignment as an lions of refugees worldwide. Because of esting opportunities. However, far fewer opportunity to expand my existing knowl- UNHCR’s critical role in addressing refugee bureaus and officers decided to participate. edge of Japan and U.S. economic interests needs, the U.S. government’s overseas, especially since success in meeting its I had lived in Japan. I humanitarian objectives was also expected to gain closely tied to the UN experience and under- agency’s success. The United standing of U.S. States provides the UN business interests refugee agency with $300 in the other East Asian million or more a year to countries. carry out its work. It was my I have not been dis- responsibility, as well as that appointed. My first of many others in PRM, to couple of months in ensure that UNHCR per- CBA have been very formed well. interesting. I still face a The work was interesting, steep learning curve, but challenging and rewarding. I anticipated stepping Yet, after serving in the same out of my comfort zone position for several years, I when I decided to par- started looking to broaden The first class of the pilot Civil Service Mid-Level Rotation Program includes, from left, ticipate in the program. Catherine Kuchta-Helbling, Rachel Waldstein, Mary Ellen Sariti, Jonathan Thompson, my experience. Since I Tijen Aybar and Stuart Denyer. Class member Barbara Quirk is not shown. Fortunately, my new col- enjoyed my job, I took a leagues in EEB and casual approach to hunting and was selective While disappointed, I nonetheless pressed especially in CBA have been great to work in the positions I considered. I pursued a on with the thought that things would work with. I am gradually getting up to speed on couple of particularly interesting openings in out as long as a handful of the positions the issues of the office and hope by the end PRM and, on occasion, considered positions were interesting. of the rotation to have contributed in a very outside the bureau. Fortunately, a number of the assignments significant way to the work of EEB. did sound intriguing and continued to Opportunity Knocks interest me after I spoke to the officers The author is currently serving as a Foreign Then, last fall, my interest was piqued by rotating out of the positions, as well as to Affairs officer in the Office of Commercial

an advertisement for the pilot Civil Service their supervisors. Conversations with other Business Affairs. PHOTOGRAPH: BOB KAISER

34 | STATE MAGAZINE | JUNE 2007 at this moment. And I did make my share of mistakes during my first week. I took Connecting the Dots water from the “wrong” watercooler, and I sent a document for clearances in the ROTATING FROM CULTURAL AFFAIRS TO DEMOCRACY, HUMAN wrong order. Fortunately, no diplomatic crises resulted, and I realized it was okay to RIGHTS AND LABOR BY RACHEL WALDSTEIN make mistakes. After seven years and two jobs in the their home offices at the end of the cycle, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, the networking opportunities could perhaps Initial Experiences I was ready to broaden my horizons, learn open doors later if I want to make a more Starting at DRL as the annual Human about other aspects of the Department and permanent change. Plus, in addition to the Rights Report was about to be released was either brush up on skills I hadn’t used in a on-the-job training of working in my new like being dropped into the lions’ den just while or learn new ones. The pilot Civil bureau, the program—and a supportive in time for dessert. Six months or more of Service Mid-Level Rotational Program supervisor in DRL—encourages me to take hard work were about to culminate in a offered a way to explore new areas, with the courses at FSI in areas of professional inter- whirlwind period of printing deadlines, safety of knowing I would come back to est, not just those pertaining to the work I high-level announcements of publication, ECA afterward. It was only one year—if I am doing this year. press briefings and Hill testimony. liked my rotation assignment, great, and if On my second day, I observed a “murder it turned out not to be a good fit, how Concerns board,” a goulish nickname for the meeting much damage could I do in 12 months? Naturally, I had several concerns about at which DRL staffers prepare the Assistant At ECA, we tend to interact only with the participating in the program. My assignment Secretary to answer questions about the regional Public Diplomacy offices. And for the year depended on who else applied. report from the media and members of since ECA is located in SA-44, across town What if none of the positions in the pool Congress. Out of that came assignments to from the Harry S Truman building, we appealed to me, or what if several applicants write extra briefing papers on issues for often feel physically isolated. My yearlong wanted the same position? However, the which I had little or no background. I assignment in the Bureau of Democracy, program coordinators did an excellent job of cobbled together information from existing Human Rights and Labor is about as close matching all of us to jobs in which we had at documents, and in the clearance process to the action as you can get—on the 7th least some interest and background. other people made sure the papers were floor of Main State. I haven’t exactly ECA’s focus on exchange programs and accurate and useful. bumped into the Secretary in the hallway, grants is specialized, so I was also con- My new colleagues are incredibly colle- but the proximity to senior-level decision cerned about whether my knowledge and gial, always willing to help and assure me makers makes for a palpably more charged skills would be transferable to the work of that they went through the same period of atmosphere than at SA-44. other bureaus. Still, writing and critical dazed confusion I am now experiencing. After just a month in my new assignment, thinking skills are needed in both jobs, and After one month, I can see that the pieces my experience at DRL has already helped the bureau where I am doing my rotation are beginning to fall into place, but there is me connect the dots between ECA’s pro- also manages grants. My new DRL col- definitely a steep learning curve to this job. grams and the work of other bureaus. For leagues were eager to utilize my grants Still, as a career counselor said to me the example, the 2006 DRL publication Support- management expertise. other day, if it were easy, this wouldn’t be a ing Human Rights and Democracy cited The rotational program would be a new learning experience. numerous ECA exchanges, including a Uni- adventure for me as a participant, but what As the first “class” of the Civil Service versity Partnerships Program in Uzbekistan would it mean for my supervisor and col- Mid-level Rotational Program, we seven that promoted religious tolerance through leagues in both my home office and my new knew we would be guinea pigs. There were development of a curriculum on compara- office? Would people be supportive? Would definitely hitches and delays in getting the tive religious studies and a Fulbright my ECA co-workers be annoyed at having program up and running. We hope our pos- conference in Turkmenistan that focused on to train my replacement? What if that itive experiences will encourage more the rule of law and criminal justice. person didn’t do a good job—I might have people to apply next year. And we really While the Rotational Program affords me to pick up the pieces when I returned to my hope more bureaus, especially regional the professional development opportunity I home office. And how would people in my bureaus, will encourage their staff to apply. was seeking, it also gives me a chance to new office see me—as a “temp,” only there It may be hard for managers to think about inform others about ECA, a bureau at times to observe, or as a functioning, contributing losing their employees for a year, but those overlooked in the Department. Many State member of the team? employees will come back reenergized and employees have never heard of Educa- My last major concern goes to the heart with new knowledge that will surely benefit ■ tionUSA, the program to which I devoted of the program’s purpose: I wanted to the rest of the team. four years. Check out www.educationusa. stretch myself intellectually, but worried state.gov to learn more about that program. about going back to rookie status in a new The author is currently serving as a Foreign Although the Rotational Program is office. The interns in my new office are Affairs officer in the Bureau of Democracy, structured so that participants return to experts on human rights compared to me Human Rights and Labor.

JUNE 2007 | STATE MAGAZINE | 35 OFFICE OF THE MONTH

From left, Training Officer Rob Hansgen, Executive Director Peggy Philbin, Chief of Management and Planning Ana Larkin and Acting Chief of Financial Management Amelia Sligh plan their work.

BETTER DIPLOMACY THROUGH SHARED SERVICES BY ANA V. LARKIN

A/EX“Transformational diplomacy” is Secretary Rice’s vision that is noting that they eliminated costly duplication and increased effi- leading the Department into the 21st century. The Bureau of ciency while improving service. Administration Executive Office is making strides to meet this A/EX benchmarked with private sector companies and govern- challenge through a new delivery model of administrative services ment agencies currently using the shared services model and —shared services. Shared services combine the best features of a added the Office of the Coordinator for Reconstruction and Sta- centralized model—efficiency and standardization—with a strong bilization to its list of customers in early 2006. In October 2006, commitment to customer service and continuous improvement. A/EX assumed most of Information Resources Management’s The result is a high-performing and -quality support organization executive office functions, doubling the number of customers it focused on the customer’s needs. supports from 2,500 to 4,500. At the same time, IRM began its A/EX began providing shared services in 2004 when it joined desktop consolidation by taking over control of much of the with the Bureaus of Oceans and International Environment and A Bureau’s information technology infrastructure and support. Scientific Affairs and Democracy, Human Rights and Labor to Shared services falls in line with Under Secretary for Manage- provide human resources support. In 2005, the Office of the ment Henrietta Fore’s goal of providing world-class services to the

Inspector General cited these shared services as a best practice, Department’s global customers. Bureau of Administration Execu- PHOTOGRAPHS: MARK STEWART

36 | STATE MAGAZINE | JUNE 2007 tive Director Peggy Philbin sees a win-win situation for bureaus and their customers. At a Glance “By allowing each bureau to focus on our core competencies, we can leverage our expertise while eliminating areas which consume resources but do not enhance our respective missions,” Office name says Philbin. “We continue to build a culture where both customer Bureau of Administration Executive Office service and efficiency can coexist to provide valuable services. The array of services offered by A/EX is extensive and meeting the Symbol changing demands around us is challenging, but we are proud of A/EX our success stories.” A/EX now offers several major services. Office Director Peggy Philbin HUMAN RESOURCES Staff size The Human Resources Division provides a comprehensive portfolio of services, including staffing and recruitment, retire- 145 ment, employee benefits, awards and employee relations. HRD Office Location has been designated as one of five candidate Centers of Excellence by the Director General. The DG’s initiative will consolidate many SA-27, Arlington, VA HR functions within a smaller number of high-performing Web site(s) bureaus, and, for the first time, has established standardized http://www.a.state.gov metrics and benchmarks against which each COE must perform. Full delegation of authority comes with the COE designation, http://ssc.a.state.gov which allowed A/EX to assume HR responsibility for four bureaus http://bnet.state.gov and two offices. HRD continues to help lead the Department COE http://pts.state.sgov.gov (available only initiative in developing a new approach to human resources man- through a ClassNet account) agement delivery.

INFORMATION RESOURCES MANAGEMENT The Procurement and Administrative Services Division does a big job with As you walk down the Harry S Truman building hallways, the a small staff: from left, Robert L. Morgan, Clarence Cunningham, Chief Tammy Journet, JoeAnne Myers, John S. Young, Lisa Rowe, Melvern handiwork of A/EX’s Information Resources Management Divi- Favors, Brian A. Robinson, Karen Smith-Morgan, Leia Mason, Jackie M. sion is visible on every TV, through BNET’s “Diplomacy Jones and Margarett Baltimore.

JUNE 2007 | STATE MAGAZINE | 37 OFFICE OF THE MONTH

Executive Director Peggy Philbin and Acting Chief of the Information Management Division Duke Kelly share a moment at Customer Appreciation Day.

Channel.” Reaching most domestic sites and 185 overseas posts, fund includes more than 200 authorized positions and an annual BNET keeps customers up to date on breaking news and Depart- budget of more than $300 million. ment events. With video on demand and a large library of productions, customers are plugged in at all times. During the PROCUREMENT AND ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES past year, the division created two key Bureau Web sites: the In the complex world of procurement, it helps to have an A Bureau page at www.a.state.gov and a new Presidential travel expert at a manager’s side to guide and interpret the many Web site. requirements. The Procurement and Administrative Services Divi- IRM also provides configuration management, technology sion provides just that, offering pre- and post-award procurement studies, workflow and organizational analyses, project planning support to IRM program offices and working closely with the and management and document digitizing solutions. IRM suc- Office of Acquisitions Management. PAS assists offices in writing cessfully deployed more than 40 Web sites within the Department acquisition plans, statements of work and independent govern- on OpenNet Plus, Classnet and Extranet. ment cost estimates, and in developing source selection criteria for the procurement of supplies and services. FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT This division provides purchase card oversight for the A and The Financial Management Division manages more than $470 IRM purchase card programs. Finally, it ensures cost-effective and million in direct and reimbursement funds, the Department’s efficient use of resources in support of facilities and space man- Working Capital Fund, budget execution services for IRM and agement, mail rooms, property management, general support financial management services for the A Bureau. Through its services, vehicles and parking. oversight of the Working Capital Fund, FMD supports the Department’s 22 cost centers, including mail and pouch service, MANAGEMENT AND PLANNING printing services, transportation, warehousing, language services The Management and Planning Division develops submissions and fleet management. for the Federal Activities Inventory Reform Act and the Depart- The Working Capital Fund’s primary objective is to foster cost ment’s Domestic Staffing Model for A and its customer bureaus.

consciousness and efficiency for users and service providers. The These bureaus and offices also count on the training staff to MARK STEWART E. HOOKER; (OPPOSITE PAGE): BRYAN PHOTOGRAPHS: (ABOVE):

38 | STATE MAGAZINE | JUNE 2007 ensure continuous career development and training to develop a highly skilled workforce. The division coordinates the preparation of A’s performance planning documents, performs liaison activities with the Office of the Inspector General and supports the A Bureau domestic emer- gency preparedness program. The travel staff supports A Bureau employee travel and IRM employees’ travel associated with training. “In addition to shared services, A/EX has the honor of counting the President of the United States, the Vice President and the First Lady as our customers,” says Philbin. The Presidential Travel Support Division plans, coordinates and executes all administrative and logistical aspects related to over- seas missions and travel of the President and Vice President and their spouses. In the course of a single year, PTS supports more than 80 White House-directed missions. The Division recently took over logistical and administrative oversight of Public Diplo- macy funds and White House press corps reimbursements associated with international travel by the President, Vice Presi- dent and First Lady. Within the next year, A/EX plans to move toward tiered service delivery, which will allow for quicker, more efficient and increas- ingly standardized levels of service. “Our customers can look forward to many powerful tools being made available to assist them in getting the answers they need,” says Deputy Executive Director Kathleen Zweig. Whether filling mission critical positions, funding daily opera- tions, serving the President in his travels around the world, broadcasting key programs to posts worldwide or supporting training, A/EX touches the Department of State family. Because of what we do behind the scenes, our people make a profound dif- ference in what others accomplish on the world stage. ■

Above: HR’s Sharyn Jordan, left, and Renee Hunter check files in the The author is the chief of the Management and Planning Division, secure file room. Below: Financial Management Division’s Lynn Mims- A/EX. Jones, left, and Debbie P. Jones consult on budget matters.

JUNE 2007 | STATE MAGAZINE | 39 Walk on the Wild Side

RESCUED CHEETAH BECOMES ENVIRONMENTAL AMBASSADOR

BY KIMBERLY FLOWERS

Sheba suffered from a broken leg and severe nutritional problems, but is now in good health. PHOTOGRAPHS: (ABOVE): DR. KEVIN RUSHING; (OPPOSITE PAGE): DEBORAH SINGISER PHOTOGRAPHS: (ABOVE): DR. KEVIN RUSHING; (OPPOSITE PAGE):

40 | STATE MAGAZINE | JUNE 2007 A young Ethiopian cheetah named cub, former U.S. Ambassador Vicki ensuring that he received a nutritious Sheba is making a significant impact Huddleston offered to help with his diet and appropriate medication. As a on his country, thanks to the com- rehabilitation. The cheetah was taken cub, the cheetah peacefully played mitment and compassion of a U.S. to the home of Dr. Rushing, a trained with their two children, 18-month- embassy couple. veterinarian, for proper care and old Robin and 3-year-old Evelyn The wild animal, found in poor treatment. Ann, and eventually became friends condition in illegal captivity in a with local helpers. private home not far from Addis Donated Services As Sheba got stronger and his Ababa, was nursed back to health by “My experience in zoological med- health improved, it became clear that Kevin A. Rushing, the U.S. Agency for icine has given me tremendous a residential backyard was not the International Development’s deputy opportunities to help endangered ideal space for a growing wild animal mission director, and his spouse, animals across the world, while still and that a long-term solution was Deborah Singiser. Their efforts have serving as a Foreign Service officer,” needed. The Rushing-Singiser family renewed interest within Ethiopia to Dr. Rushing said. He has donated his organized an informal dinner at their halt illegal trafficking of endangered veterinary services throughout his home with interested stakeholders— animals. 27-year career with USAID. including Ethiopian wildlife experts, Now in good health, Sheba is the While serving in the Philippines, international and local NGOs, and country’s first environmental educa- Dr. Rushing helped raise three Siber- other concerned U.S. embassy per- tion ambassador for Omo National ian tiger cubs, a Bengal tiger cub and sonnel—to discuss Sheba’s future and Park, demonstrating that endangered an African lion cub in his home. In ways to address the broader issue of animals are not a threat to local live- Cambodia, he provided veterinary endangered animals in captivity. stock but a national treasure to be services to an international non- That dinner conversation led to protected. governmental organization, the first-ever consultative meeting on When Ethiopian government offi- WILDAID, to help stop the illegal captive wild animals, sponsored pri- cials rescued Sheba in July 2006, he trafficking of endangered species marily by USAID, held in Addis suffered from a broken leg and nutri- such as elephants and tigers. Ababa in December 2006, to discuss tional problems due to neglect and Dr. Rushing and Ms. Singiser, who ways to halt the illegal practice of abuse by his illegal owners. After also works for USAID, cared for capturing, holding and selling hearing about the orphaned cheetah Sheba in Addis Ababa for six months, wildlife in Ethiopia. U.S. Ambassador

Dr. Kevin Rushing uses his veterinary skills to care for a wild cheetah rescued from illegal captivity.

JUNE 2007 | STATE MAGAZINE | 41 The Rushing-Singiser family: Dr. Kevin Rushing, spouse Deborah Singiser, son Robin and daughter Evelyn Ann—and Sheba.

Donald Yamamoto delivered opening remarks and continues to Namibia and South Africa, but it is a new concept in Ethiopia. provide his personal and professional support to the issue. Vanessa Bouwer, a regional wildlife expert who works with De The consultative meeting received local press coverage and Wildt Cheetah and Wildlife Centre in South Africa, said Sheba, brought attention to the increase in captive wild animals in with his gentle and responsive temperament, would make a won- Ethiopia and the desire of local NGOs to reverse this trend. derful ambassador for his species. “I am confident that our joint effort will be a step forward in After receiving support from the Ethiopian Wildlife Department, finding a solution to the captive animal problem in Ethiopia,” African Parks submitted a proposal to USAID to use Sheba as an Ethiopian Wildlife Association President Dr. Assefa Mebrate said. environmental education ambassador. A USAID grant was awarded to African Parks to cover the cheetah’s transportation, shelter, medi- Ambassador Sheba cine and food for the next year in his new home. Sheba joined Omo Meanwhile, Sheba gained attention from African Parks PLC, a National Park on January 7. Dutch-based wildlife foundation working throughout Africa. The efforts of Dr. Rushing and Ms. Singiser not only saved African Parks, which manages Omo National Park in southwestern Sheba’s life, but also sparked public interest, involvement and Ethiopia, has a community partnership program to teach the commitment to stopping illegal trafficking of endangered animals various ethnic groups living around the park that wild animals can in Ethiopia. coexist with domesticated cattle, sheep and goats that use the same Meanwhile, Ethiopians near Omo National Park are learning grazing lands and watering holes. When African Parks’ staff met about Sheba and the importance of protecting the cheetah in the Sheba, they saw the potential to use him to communicate their wild for future generations to enjoy. ■ message to local communities. Wildlife education using cheetahs has successfully changed atti- The author is a development outreach and communications officer

tudes toward the environment in other African countries, such as with USAID in Ethiopia. CORBIS (OPPOSITE PAGE): TAYE; PHOTOGRAPHS: (ABOVE): SISAY

42 | STATE MAGAZINE | JUNE 2007 STATE OF THE ARTS

BY JOHN BENTEL

Moscow Orchestra Commemorates U.S.-Russia Relations The Foreign Affairs Recre- active and retired, from bureaus the San Francisco Global Trade soprano Marnie Breckenridge ation Association and the State throughout the Department. Council. His son, Constantine provided a moving rendition of of the Arts Cultural Series Their concert “Billings, Orbelian, has held the position Rachmaninoff’s Vocalise and fol- recently presented concerts fea- P.D.Q. Bach, Mozart, and a Bit of music director and conduc- lowed with Can’t Help Loving turing the vocal talents of the o’ the Irish” helped prepare the tor of the orchestra since 1991 Dat Man of Mine from Porgy Department’s own choral audience for St. Patrick’s Day. and has brought it into a new and Bess. Sensational violinist ensemble, The T-Tones, and the Their fine harmony is a tribute era of international activity Ripsime Airapetyants offered a orchestral talents of The to their leader, Kathryn Schultz. and acclaim. dazzling Tsigunerweisen (Gypsy Moscow Chamber Orchestra. State of the Arts joined forces The orchestra began with a Airs) for Violin and Orchestra by The T-Tones originated in with the Secretary’s Open rousing selection of Edvard Pablo de Sarasate. As a goodwill the mid 1990s to sing for Arms Forum to present the dynamic Grieg’s Holberg Suite, Prelude, gesture, the concertmaster per- Control and Disarmament Moscow Chamber Orchestra in Aria and Rigaudon. Gifted 19- formed Yankee Doodle Dandy. ■ Agency holiday celebrations. commemoration of 200 years of year-old Andre Gugnin played The group has expanded to U.S.-Russia diplomatic relations Mozart’s Concerto for Piano and The author is a computer include Civil Service and and in memory of Harry Orbe- Orchestra E-Flat KV 449, Allegro specialist in the Executive Foreign Service personnel, both lian, founder and president of with great sensitivity. American Secretariat.

JUNE 06 Aug.08 Spirituals—Sam Brock, piano, Renaissance Baroque Music— and Natalie Carter, voice Countertop Quartet

JUNE 20 Aug.22 Piano Prodigies Barbara Dahnman, classical pianist

JULY 11 Sept.05 Antonio Adams, dramatic tenor Music in the Parlor—Carol Weiss Riches, mezzo soprano JULY 25 sept.19 Winner of the Young Artists International Piano Competition Second Annual Talent Show Performances are on Wednesdays at 12:30 p.m. in the Dean Acheson Auditorium.

JUNE 2007 | STATE MAGAZINE | 43 SAFETY SCENE

Vision Quest

PROTECT YOUR SIGHT AGAINST EYE INJURIES BY KATE BRADFORD PHOTOGRAPH: ???

44 | STATE MAGAZINE | JUNE 2007 Ever wondered what would happen if you lost your Keep toys intended for older children away from younger sight? So much of our existence depends upon our ability children. Beware of items in playgrounds and play areas to see the world around us. Vision is the most important that pose potential eye hazards. Use safety gates at the top sense for navigating through life. While many blind people and bottom of stairs. Leave personal-use items such as cos- lead happy, successful lives, sight is a precious ability which, metics and toiletry products, kitchen utensils and desk if lost, alters one’s existence drastically. supplies where they are not easily accessible to children. Eye injury is the second-leading cause of visual impair- Provide lights and handrails to improve safety on stairs ment after cataracts. According to Unite for Sight, a and pad or cushion sharp corners and edges of furnishings nonprofit organization founded to improve eye health and and home fixtures. Protect eyes from chemical injuries eliminate preventable blindness, approximately two million by wearing chemical splash goggles or face shields when people in the United States sustained eye injuries that using hazardous solvents, cleaning products, fertilizers required medical treatment in 2001. Approximately 100,000 and pesticides. of these occurred as a result of sports or recreational activi- Read and follow all manufacturer instructions and ties. Experts estimate that more than 90 percent of these eye warning labels. Do not mix cleaning agents. Keep paints, injuries were completely preventable, and more than 55 pesticides, fertilizers and similar products properly stored in percent of eye injuries happen to people under the age of 25. a secure area. In certain professions, especially trades and manufactur- When doing yard work, inspect and remove debris from ing, eye injury risks are well-known and documented. lawns before mowing and wear safety glasses or dust OSHA requires training, safe work practices and the use of goggles to protect against flying particles. If you work with safety equipment and protective eyewear to prevent eye power tools or equipment, wear safety glasses any time injuries in the workplace. there is a risk of generating dusts or debris. But what can you do about the risk of eye injury in your Wear chemical protective goggles or a face shield to home and during recreational activity? Can you identify the protect against battery acid during battery maintenance or greatest risks to your sight outside of work? servicing. Keep your tools in good condition. Damaged Based on U.S. Eye Injury Registry data from 1988 to tools should be repaired or replaced. 2000, 40 percent of serious eye injuries occur in the home, Eye injuries also result from motor vehicle accidents. with another 13 percent occurring during sports and recre- Always use occupant restraints such as infant and child ational activities. Risks to the eyes around the home include safety seats, booster seats, safety belts and shoulder harness- household chemicals, yard maintenance, workshop and tool es in cars. parts, battery acid, fireworks and the unsupervised use of Avoid using fireworks and go to the professional displays toys and games. instead. There is no safe way for nonprofessionals to use How can you protect those baby blues (or browns) from fireworks, including sparklers. Using any type of fireworks injury? Prevention is the key, and this is particularly impor- is strongly discouraged because of the high numbers of eye tant if you already have lost vision in one eye or have a injuries caused by these devices. degenerative condition that impacts your sight. If you spend significant time outdoors, invest in a good As a start, parents can set a good example for children pair of sunglasses that block both UVA and UVB rays to by wearing protective eyewear when using power tools or prevent radiation injury from the sun’s ultraviolet light. Sig- mowing the lawn. Eyewear is specialized and must meet nificant exposure to these UV rays can damage your retina very specific standards. Safety glasses that meet American and cornea and can cause cataracts or macular degenera- National Standards Institute Z87.1 standards provide tion. The highest levels can be reflected from snow, sand the best protection; they have plastic or polycarbonate and water, and damage can occur at high altitudes and low lenses and are designed to protect against impact and latitudes. UV radiation is highest during the day from 10 chemical splash. a.m. to 4 p.m. Always wear special goggles when using a Use eyewear that meets the American Society for Testing tanning bed. and Materials standard F803 for selected sports—racquet For more information on protecting your sight, visit the sports, baseball, basketball, women’s lacrosse and field following Web sites: hockey. Other sports require specialized eyewear such as Prevent Blindness America paintball, ASTM standard 1776; youth baseball batters and www.preventblindness.org base runners, ASTM standard 659; and ice hockey, ASTM standard F513. The American Academy of Pediatrics and American Academy of Ophthalmology the American Academy of Ophthalmology strongly recom- www.aao.org mend that children wear protective eyewear when playing Unite for Sight sports if there is a risk of eye injury. www.uniteforsight.org Prevent Blindness America recommends the following strategies to guard against eye injuries in your home. University of Michigan Kellogg Eye Center Protect children against eye injury risks by avoiding toys www.kellogg.umich.edu/patientcare/conditions/ with sharp or rigid points, shafts, spikes, rods and danger- eye.injuries.html#home ■ ous edges as well as flying toys, projectile-firing toys and BB guns. These pose a danger to all children, particularly to The author is an industrial hygienist with those under five years of age. the Safety, Health and Environmental Management Division.

JUNE 2007 | STATE MAGAZINE | 45 OBITUARIES

William Walton Duffy II, 64, a retired Foreign Service sulting company involved with USAID-sponsored training pro- officer, died April 7. He lived in Oxford, Pa. He served in the grams. She was an expert cook, an artist, collector and promoter Army and worked for several federal agencies, including the U.S. of Palestinian needlework. Information Agency. His overseas postings included Poland, Argentina and Uruguay. At the time of his death, he worked for the Department of Social Services in Cecil County, Md. He was a dedicated patient advocate for persons diagnosed with chronic Reynold A. Riemer, 68, a retired lymphocytic leukemia. Foreign Service officer, died Dec. 11 in Paris, France. An economic and financial officer, he served overseas in Upper Volta (now Burkina Faso), Vietnam, Paris and Beverly S. Gerstein, 77, a retired Bogotá. After retiring in 1987, he lived in Foreign Service Reserve officer, died Paris, where he was vice chair of Democ- April 9 in Scottsdale, Ariz. As a cultural rats Abroad. presentation exchange officer for the Department and the U.S. Information Agency, she arranged exchanges of renowned performing artists and groups, Elliott Percival Skinner, a former ambassador, died including Paul Taylor, Martha Graham, April 1 in Washington, D.C. He served with the Army during Alvin Ailey, the National Theatre of the World War II. In 1966, he was named U.S. ambassador to Upper Deaf and the Philadelphia Orchestra. After her retirement in 1994, Volta. An anthropologist, he taught at New York University and she was actively involved in cultural activities and volunteered at Columbia University and authored many books and articles, the Kennedy Center. mostly on Africa. He was a Fulbright distinguished fellow and a member of the Council on Foreign Relations.

Esther Rykken Holland, wife of retired Foreign Service officer Harrison Holland, died March 28 in Burlingame, Calif. She Ernest Guest Wiener, 91, a retired accompanied her husband on assignments abroad. Her hobby was Foreign Service officer, died April 10 of painting portraits and landscapes. liver cancer in Riverside, Calif. A native of Czechoslovakia, he served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II. He joined the U.S. Information Agency in Ihsan Leila Mogannam, 83, a retired Foreign Service 1948 and served overseas in Berlin, Frank- officer, died Feb. 23 of kidney disease in Takoma Park, Md. She furt, Bonn, Vienna, Geneva, Moscow and lived in Falls Church, Va. She worked for the U.S. Agency for Brasilia. After retirement, he worked in International Development and served as a training officer in Rio de Janeiro. He retired again to Florida, where he was active in Iran, France and Tunisia. After retirement, she worked for a con- the Institute for Retired Professionals at the University of Miami. retirements *FOREIGN SERVICE >>> CIVIL SERVICE >>> Ames, Stephen H. Muller, Bruce T. Alt, Maryann F. Frymyer, Marianela G. Moss, Frank E. Brundage, Stephen G. Nichols, Sharon D. Bacon, Barbara Ann Gross, Marjorie S. Mulenex, Elana Bruno, Marilyn Joan Oakley, Carol Virginia Blumberg, Robert Iszkowski, Marie- Ng, Betty Callahan, James Joseph Ortega, Peggy Ann Clayton Charlotte Peterson, Steven Lee Cavness Jr., William D. Pascoe, B. Lynn Bolton, John R. Jackson, Aaron T. Ritchie, Steven R. Hameed, Philomena S. Ruff, Gale L. Brooks, Kenneth G. Jones, Mary Jacquelyn Torrence, Carolyn R. Joria, Gerard J. Stewart, Joseph M. Chesman, Barbara M. Joseph, Robert G. Walston, Alva A. Knotts, Bruce Fred Thomas, Mary Jane Ciaffa, Monica Janzer Lears, Michael F. Workman, Carol A. Morton, Joe D. Clarke, Jimmy Nolan Leiser, Elisabeth Young Jr., Watt Sylvester Dudley III, John B. Montgomery, Faith Freeman, Patricia Fay Kendall

46 | STATE MAGAZINE | JUNE 2007 M. Paul Claussen, History’s Friend OFFICE OF THE HISTORIAN SUFFERS A BIG LOSS Paul Claussen, chief of the Policy Studies and Outreach By 1980, Dr. Claussen had adopted an activist approach to Division of the Office of the Historian, died unexpectedly on the Office of the Historian’s internal research program, reach- April 21, 2007. He was 65 years old. Dr. Claussen was known to ing out to Department officers to better understand their many throughout the Department of State for his exuberant needs for historical research. He then devised diverse and advocacy of the relevance of history to today’s diplomacy, and imaginative means of meeting those needs. He first sought for his warm personality. He was a salesman of history who funding for historical research from outside the Department believed in his product. in the mid-1980s, when he convinced the Defense Department Dr. Claussen was born in the District of Columbia and to fund the publication of an update of Documents on raised in Northern Virginia. He studied Russian history and Germany, a collection of public and previously classified doc- language at George Washington University, where he wrote a uments of importance to the military and diplomatic doctoral dissertation on Soviet-American relations and the authorities in Berlin. Russian famine. He received his doctorate in history in 1976. He worked closely with the leadership of the Bureau of He joined the Department of State Historical Office in 1972 Public Affairs over the years, providing historical data to as a member of the division that prepared the official docu- amplify the Bureau’s message to the public. He always consid- ered history to be supportive of policy and had the courage to take a position on sensitive political issues, as he did in 1985 when he and his staff politely supplied the White House with factual reasons indicating why it would not be a good idea for the Presi- dent to visit Bitburg. During these years, budget constraints and lack of bureaucratic support caused the Office’s policy-supportive research program to be more reactive than proactive. Dr. Claussen’s efforts to reinstate a dynamic historical research program responsive to the Department’s needs came to fruition in the 21st century Paul Claussen – 1942-2007 with the infusion of new human resources to the office. He understood how mentary series, Foreign Relations of the United States. Working current and past bureaucracies operated and integrated that closely with former Historical Office Director William knowledge into his work. Franklin, Dr. Claussen did the final editorial work on the Dr. Claussen’s interest in the Department’s history and the series’ 1948 volume on U.S. diplomacy and the birth of role of historical precedent in foreign policy developed into an Israel. He also contributed to the expansion of the scope of expertise that he made readily available to those both inside foreign relations coverage by locating a collection of National and outside the Department. He taught about Department of Intelligence Estimates in the Department’s files and advocating State history at the Foreign Service Institute, represented the their inclusion in the series. Department on interagency groups dealing with major histori- Beginning in 1976, Dr. Claussen supervised historians cal questions, appeared on the Discovery Channel to speak organized along geographic lines and assigned to simultane- about the Great Seal and, most recently, sought new ways to ously prepare the Foreign Relations series and respond to spread the historical word on the role of U.S. foreign policy Department and public requests for historical information. His through the Internet. responsibilities covered primarily the Middle East, Africa and The Department of State has lost a unique asset. He shall be South Asia. sorely missed. ■

JUNE 2007 | STATE MAGAZINE | 47 THE LAST WORD

Career Diversity, Hardship Posts and Courageous Women The sage who wrote “There’s nothing specific to Foreign Affairs officers or their program, ECA provides virtual linkages new under the sun” obviously didn’t work equivalents. between teens and educators in the United for the State Department. The Department Long championed by Deputy Assistant States with more than 1,000 schools world- has seen plenty of change in these first Secretary Linda Taglialatela, the pilot wide, including schools in hard-to-reach years of the 21st century. This issue high- program will test the feasibility of offering Tajikistan, Bangladesh, Azerbaijan and lights some recent innovations designed to Civil Service employees career mobility Afghanistan. Participants deal with real keep our colleagues and us in the vanguard issues; students in New York City and of modern diplomacy. Egypt, for example, collaborated on the Although he has been Director General “Two Rivers One World Project” in which for little more than a year, Ambassador they tested water content of the Hudson George Staples has made many crucial and and Nile rivers and discussed water supply often difficult decisions on staffing hard- and pollution with scientists and teachers. ship posts in an increasingly dangerous Courage is where you find it, and on world. With the median hardship differen- March 7 Secretary Rice honored 10 extraor- tial at a startling 15 percent, the dinarily courageous women with the first Department has to fill each year between annual Award for International Women of 500 to 700 unaccompanied or limited Courage. Administered by the Office of the accompanied positions. In an exclusive Senior Coordinator for International State Magazine Inner-View, he explains Women’s Issues, the award recognizes the extensive changes the Department women from around the world who have made to the Foreign Service assignments shown exceptional courage and leadership. process and the reasons those changes had Last but never least, a final salute to our to be made. colleagues en route to their final posting: On the Civil Service side, the Director Paul Claussen; William Walton Duffy II; General launched a pilot program this year Beverly S. Gerstein; Esther Rykken Holland; that will give CS colleagues a taste of pro- Ihsan Leila Mogannam; Reynold A. Riemer; fessional diversity in their careers. Under opportunities similar to those available to Elliott Percival Skinner; and Ernest Guest the guidance of the Office of Civil Service their Foreign Service colleagues. Wiener. Personnel’s career development division, Technology can be a boon to those seven GS-12 and GS-13 employees joined willing to use it, and the public diplomacy the Civil Service Mid-Level Rotational professionals at the Bureau of Educational Program in February and went from their and Cultural Affairs have turned the Inter- regular jobs to other agencies and year-long net into a unique PD tool. Through its Rob Wiley developmental assignments with duties Global Connections and Exchange Editor-in-Chief COMING IN JULY/AUG

• Transformational Diplomacy in Liberia • Foreign Affairs Day 2007 • Inside the Ops Center • Cultural Diplomacy in Cote d’Ivoire

... and much more! Questions? Comments? [email protected]

48 | STATE MAGAZINE | JUNE 2007

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