U.S.DEPARTMENT OF STATE

MAY 2009

Bringing Diplomacy to Life MAY2009 STATE MAGAZINE | ISSUE 5 3 4 12 Warm Welcome Presidential visit engages the U.S. Embassy in Ottawa. 22 Post of the Month Peshawar, Pakistan: The Place at the Frontier. 30 Front Window Consular officers touch people’s lives. 36

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FEATURES COLUMNS

10 Breaking the Cycle 20 Business Case 2 From the D.G. Consulate works with NGO to battle Embassy-created partnership In the News traffi cking. spurs economic growth. 3 7 Diversity Notes 38 Medical Report 14 Coming Attraction 28 Shared Dreams New center will tell the story of U.S. India’s children brighten consulate 40 Education & Training diplomacy. walls in Chennai. 41 Appointments 41 Retirements 16 Jobs Wanted 32 Offi ce of the Month 42 Obituaries Department helps spouses fi nd work Population and International Migration at overseas posts. addresses sensitive issues. 44 The Last Word ON THE COVER The soon-to-open U.S. Diplomacy 18 Diplomacy 3.0 36 After Hours Center will tell the story of HR launches its biggest hiring effort PAO spares the time to sustain an American diplomacy. in years. ancient art. Photograph by Ed Warner D.G. HARRY K. THOMAS

Office of Casualty Assistance— The Small Office with a Big Heart This month, I would like to let you know immediately by the management officer about a small but important office within or duty officer through the Operations Human Resources that works assiduously Center. In the event of a death in the United to help employees and their families in the States, the employee’s bureau should notify event of a death or severe injury— Casualty Assistance as soon as possible. If the Office of Casualty Assistance. you need to speak to office staff personally, Ably led by Office Director Kirk Leach, the office is located in Harry S Truman who came to us from the Peace Corps in 1241, right next to the Family Liaison October of 2007, Casualty Assistance is a Office. You may also contact the office three-person office that provides admin- at (202) 736-4302 or by e-mail at OCA@ istrative assistance and ongoing support state.gov. following the death of direct-hire U.S.- Examples of Casualty Assistance support citizen Department of State employees or in the past year include the following: their family member(s) serving abroad, or • An LE Staff member who had suffered of Department of State employees serving an injury in the line of duty and needed in the United States. The office, which also specialized surgery in the United States includes Deputy Director Ginny Boncy was supported by the office throughout and Program Assistant Tonyia Warren, the visit. Casualty Assistance helped also offers support to all U.S. government with the logistical arrangements, made employees serving under Chief of Mission personal visits to the employee and saw authority and their family members, includ- to special needs that arose. Casualty Assistance also interfaces with ing Locally Employed Staff, and Department • The office offered support in several other government agencies to share best employees in the United States who are instances when an employee sustained practices regarding assistance in small and victims of terrorism, a mass casualty or an injury in the line of duty and needed large casualty incidents. It is working to certain other critical incidents, whether the special assistance with benefits, leave or become better known, particularly among victims are killed, injured or impaired. worker’s compensation issues. the mission staff, as the office can and The office also trains and manages the 60 • When a Department employee tragically should play a central role when there is a Bureau of Human Resources employees who lost his life last summer in an act of serious incident at post. comprise the crisis support teams. These terrorism, Casualty Assistance was the For information on contingency plan- teams are ready to be mobilized in the event principal point of contact for the family, ning, death benefits, stages of grief, etc., of a mass casualty event to provide support providing support and assistance with please go to the following Intranet site: to injured employees and their families and a variety of issues, attending his funeral http://hrweb.hr.state.gov/prd/hrweb/ the families of deceased employees. and helping his bureau plan a memorial oca/index.cfm. In the event of a death or severe injury service here in the Department. The If you have any general comments or of any U.S. government employee at post, office maintains contact with the family suggestions, please feel free to send them to Casualty Assistance should be notified for as long as needed. me via unclassified e-mail at DG Direct. n

2 State MAY 2009 news

HR Improves Travel Order Processing The Bureau of Human Resources is reengineering the Permanent Change of Station travel process to provide one-stop, comprehensive travel resources for employees and their families during the assign- ment process. A cornerstone in this effort was the 2007 transfer of the Human Resources technician functions to the bureau’s Executive Office, which separated the two primary functions and assigned staff to each. Thus, the Assignment Support Unit’s staff issue travel authorizations, and personnel staff process certain Foreign Service personnel actions. Over the past two years, this separation allowed the bureau to focus on timely processing of travel orders and personnel actions. In 2008 alone, nine Human Resources travel technicians issued 12,741 original and amended travel orders. These technicians recently received a Meritorious Honor Award for making tremendous strides with the issuance of timely travel orders and providing greater customer service. Their efforts, and the goal of issuing travel orders 60 to 90 days prior to an employee’s planned departure, improved customer service and significantly decreased criticism of travel order processing. To keep this momentum, the bureau recommends employees submit their proposed travel itineraries online through HR Online’s My Itinerary link as soon as they receive their assignment notification or TMONE. By taking advantage of the automated self-service tools the bureau provides, stakeholders will benefit from faster travel order processing and improved customer service.

MAY 2009 State 3 Secretary Hillary Clinton fields a question at a joint press conference held with Dutch Foreign Affairs Minister Maxime Verhagen.

Secretary Clinton Visits Holland Secretary of State Hillary Clinton visited the Netherlands in March Secretary of State for European Affairs Daniel Fried, Assistant Secretary for the first time in her capacity as Secretary to attend an International of State for South and Central Asia Richard A. Boucher and Deputy Conference on Afghanistan and meet with embassy personnel. Assistant Secretary of Defense for East Asia David S. Sedney. At the U.S. Embassy in The Hague, the Secretary was cheered Supporting this visit of so many principals required immense enthusiastically by the staff and their families. She talked about the assistance and coordination by the embassy and tremendous support challenges facing the United States, thanked the embassy community from colleagues in Washington. for its hard work and promised to return. At the conference of nearly 90 countries and international organiza- The Secretary was accompanied on the trip by a phalanx of senior tions, U.S. representatives presented the findings of a strategic review officials that included Acting U.S. Agency for International Develop- on Afghanistan, and the Secretary conducted several bilateral meetings ment Administrator Alonzo L. Fulgham, Special Representative to with partner nations. Her delegation also held numerous bilateral Afghanistan and Pakistan Ambassador Richard Holbrooke, Assistant consultations in support of the President’s agenda. Disability Consortium Hears About Accommodations The Department’s Office of Employee Relations hosted the February 19 meeting of the Federal Disability Workforce Consortium at Main State. The 500-member consortium seeks to improve conditions for people with targeted disabilities within the federal workforce and to expand this talent pool by improved recruiting, hiring, retention and advancement. Dinah Cohen, director of the Computer/Electronics Accommodations Program at the Department of Defense, spoke to the group about disability as a diversity issue in federal agencies. The program supplies free equipment to provide job accommodations to persons with disabilities. Cohen said consortium members need to do better marketing of the services they offer to those with disabilities.

4 State MAY 2009 news

Posts Celebrate Consular Leadership Day Among the Department’s posts celebrating Consular Leadership Day in January were those in Kingston, Jamaica and Cape Town, South Africa. Consular Leadership Day, launched in 2000, involves consular sections worldwide engag- ing in activities that focus on leadership and management and underscore the Bureau of Consular Affairs’ leadership tenets, such as “build great teams” and “learn constantly.” In Cape Town, the consular section’s two Foreign Service officers, three eligible family members and five LE Staff practiced the leadership tenet of “360-degree diplomacy” with the community by going to a local orphanage, The South Africa Children’s Home. It is a 200-year-old church-run facility serving 44 children, ages 7 to 18. The facility has a swimming pool, garden and assistance from clinical psychologists, guidance counselors and a doctor, and provides outside activities and tutoring. The section’s staff helped the children plant a new garden, gave them small mirrors, made nameplates for each child’s door, assisted several children with homework and took photos to put into frames that the team provided. In the afternoon, the team held a cookout. In Kingston, the six consular staff teams created mantras, raps and songs representing their teams. Each team had personalized T-shirts and redecorated Cape Town’s consular section Chief Brian the section’s consular workspace and brainstormed ideas to improve the section. McInerney gets a haircut inspection from one of the children at the South Africa Children’s Home. The day ended with a competitive game show, an awards ceremony and a reception at the consul general’s residence.

Participants prepare for the start of the 2006 Race for the Cure in Washington, D.C. Bureau to Participate in Fundraiser A team from the Bureau of Diplomatic Security will again participate in the annual Susan G. Komen National Race for the Cure in Washington, D.C., in June. This year’s team for the five-kilometer run/walk is from the bureau’s Countermeasures Directorate. Staff, friends and family members may donate or register for the event at http://st.ds. state.gov/komen. Komen for the Cure is the world’s largest grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and activists. It serves underinsured individuals and funds cancer research.

MAY 2009 State 5 news

MAGAZINE Magazine Staff

Rob Wiley Editor-in-Chief

Ed Warner Deputy Editor

Bill Palmer Writer/Editor

David L. Johnston Art Director

Advisory Board Members

James A. Forbes Executive Secretary

Kelly Clements

Annette R. Cocchiaro A woman has her blood pressure taken at Embassy Bamako’s health fair. State Magazine (ISSN 1099–4165) is published monthly, except bimonthly in July and August, by the U.S. Depart- ment of State, 2201 C St., N.W., Washington, DC. Periodicals postage paid at Washington, D.C., and at Embassy Activities additional mailing locations. Change of Address Send changes of address to State Magazine, 2401 E Street, Promote Health N.W., SA-1, Room H-236, Washington, DC 20522-0108. You may also e-mail address changes to The U.S. embassies in Bamako, Mali, and Brasilia, Brazil, both hosted health [email protected]. activities in February. The U.S Embassy in Bamako hosted a health fair featuring 25 local contribu- Subscriptions State Magazine is available by paid subscription through the tors and 17 health care presenters and attended by more than 300 embassy U.S. Government Printing Office by telephone at employees and family members. The fair featured booths offering information on (202) 512-1800 or on the Web at http://bookstore.gpo.gov. health promotion and disease prevention. Submissions The health unit provided information on health and nutrition, including tips For details on submitting articles to State Magazine, request on local cooking oils, and Peace Corps volunteers conducted education on infant our guidelines, “Getting Your Story Told,” by e-mail at nutrition and family planning. There was also information on tuberculosis, [email protected]; download them from our Web site at www.state.gov; or send your request in writing to pandemic preparations, HIV/AIDS counseling and dental screening. State Magazine, 2401 E Street, N.W., HR/ER/SMG, SA-1, The fair included a raffle of prizes donated by local sponsors and free testing Room H-236, Washington, DC 20522-0108. and screening for blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes and hepatitis, plus body mass index testing, vision exams, fitness-screening and HIV/AIDS testing. The Deadlines The submission deadline for the July/August issue is Malian National Blood Bank collected 48 units of blood, setting a record for the May 29. The deadline for the September issue is July 15. most collected at a health fair. The U.S. embassy in Brasilia celebrated Heart Health Awareness Month with Environmental Notes State Magazine is printed in the USA using a nutritionist speaking on healthier eating. The post provided a cholesterol soy-based inks on recycled paper that contains screening, a cardiologist and a pediatrician spoke, and a personal trainer and a 10% post-consumer waste and is SFI-certified. psychologist discussed stress management. In addition, the post offered training in Portuguese and English on cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and tested blood pressures at employees’ desks. On the Get Fit Afternoon, health providers mea- sured and weighed children, who participated in relays and other fitness activities. The embassy has challenged other embassies in Brasilia to see whose employ- ees can lose the most weight or lower their cholesterol the most.

6 State MAY 2009 The global benchmark for responsible forest management. The FSC Logo identifies products which contain wood from well managed forests certified by Bureau Veritas Certification in accordance with the rules of the Forest Stewardship Council.

The (SFI®) program is a comprehensive system of principles, objectives and performance measures developed by foresters, conservationists and scientists, that combines the perpetual growing and harvesting of trees with the protection of wildlife, plants, soil and water quality. www.sfiprogram.org DIVERSITY NOTES From John Robinson

Department Uses Alternative Dispute Resolution The Office of Civil Rights receives so if there isn’t a resolution both parties can more than 400 conflict-related inquiries, walk away with a better understanding of questions and problems in the course of each other’s position, which can help the a year—far more than the number that parties work together better than they did eventually result in formal complaints before the ADR session. (requiring investigation and resolution) or Sitting down and having a discussion court cases. Our goal is to resolve problems with a mediator and the person with as early as possible in the process and at the whom you have a disagreement may not lowest level. The key to doing so is Alterna- be a welcome thought, but ADR takes less tive Dispute Resolution—ADR. time than our formal Equal Employment ADR includes any dispute-resolution Opportunity process and costs less in many process or procedure outside of formal ways. Since many EEO complaints arise administrative proceedings or litigation in from disparate expectations, miscommuni- which a neutral third party assists those in cation and correctible misunderstandings, conflict to resolve a dispute. ADR encom- ADR may be the only way to get a tailored passes a number of processes including and appropriate resolution. mediation, negotiation, facilitation, fact- The Office of Civil Rights asks that all finding and conflict coaching, to name a parties set aside four hours for the media- few. At the Department of State, mediation tion, although it can take longer or require is most frequently used. more than one session. We also use video The mediator works with both parties and teleconferencing. to file a formal complaint. If you are in the to assist them in gaining an understanding In fiscal year 2008, there were 12,254 formal process, the process will continue of each other’s position. The mediator is EEO mediations conducted across the fed- at the point it ceased for ADR. Your rights completely neutral and works with the eral government. According to the EEOC, remain intact and nothing is lost utilizing parties to craft a resolution that will meet the resolution rate for mediation in fiscal ADR. It is critical for supervisors, manag- both of their needs. One of the benefits year 2008 was 72.1 percent. If ADR does ers and senior officers to understand that of ADR is it allows both parties to express not yield a resolution, as a complainant engaging in ADR is in no way considered an themselves to each other in a confidential you have lost nothing. If you believe you admission of culpability. Rather, it indicates setting. The neutral mediator is there to have been discriminated against, you can your willingness to listen constructively to ensure that the parties hear each other. continue within the EEO process. If you are the concerns of another person. ADR often keeps conflict from spreading or in the informal process, the Office of Civil If you have any questions about ADR or escalating. ADR also helps the parties work Rights’ EEO/ADR staff will issue you the wish to discuss that option further, feel free to improve the relationship between them, notice of right to file, which will allow you to contact the Office of Civil Rights. n

MAY 2009 State 7 Justice Reform PARTNERSHIP PROMOTES RULE OF LAW IN AFGHANISTAN BY TEMIM H. NUSRATY

Launched in December 2007, profession, local bar associations public awareness of the needs in other training-related expenses the Department’s Public-Private and legal aid organizations, and Afghanistan’s justice sector. donated by U.S. businesses Partnership for Justice Reform professional development of Since its inception, the and educational institutions. in Afghanistan is an innova- Afghan judges, prosecutors and partnership has received more The fi gure doesn’t include the tive initiative of the Bureau of defense attorneys. Through the than $1.3 million in monetary thousands of hours of work International Narcotics and Law partnership, the Department and and in-kind contributions. This donated by volunteers or the Enforcement Affairs, which leads the American legal community includes fi nancial donations travel expenses covered by the U.S. justice-sector reform efforts have promoted lawyer-to-lawyer by major law fi rms and private private sector to participate in in Afghanistan. dialogues, conducted training individuals, tuition waivers the partnership’s activities. Bureau Assistant Secretary programs in the United States provided by more than a dozen David T. Johnson co-chairs and provided fi nancial assistance U.S. law schools, U.S. Agency the partnership with Robert C. to Afghan law schools. for International Development Workshops O’Brien, a partner at the law Additionally, the partner- funding of the travel and lodging Held fi rm Arent Fox. The initiative’s ship has organized events expenses of those studying for The partnership has planned founding members include U.S. in the United States to raise a Master of Law degree and and implemented two major District Court Judge Stephen G. Larson of the Central District of California, U.S. District Court Judge David O. Carter of the Central District of California and former Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts Dr. Kerry Healey. The partnership is a non- partisan initiative that seeks to involve American judges, lawyers and representatives of business and academia in U.S. efforts to develop the rule of law in Afghanistan. By bringing Afghan lawyers into the larger inter- national community of legal professionals, the partnership helps the people and govern- ment of Afghanistan establish a fairer and more transparent justice system. High

Impact Members and supporters of the public-private partnership The partnership also funds pose with former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, low-cost, high-impact projects center, at a reception at a Washington law offi ce.

that support women in the legal AFFAIRS ENFORCEMENT LAW AND NARCOTICS INTERNATIONAL OF BUREAU PHOTOGRAPHS:

8 State MAY 2009 Secretary of State Hillary Clinton meets at the Department with 14 prominent female Afghan judges, prosecutors and defense attorneys who were in Washington for a training program arranged by the public-private partnership. workshops in the United States. of law to the Afghan people.” events in several U.S. cities, the public and private sectors The fi rst was a 21-day intensive The third workshop, planned placed its fi rst Afghan judge come together.” summer program at the Univer- for this summer, will focus on into a master of laws program One of the greatest chal- sity of Utah Law School for 16 Afghan defense attorneys. Each in California and secured lenges facing the Afghan Afghan prosecutors, including workshop enlists experts from commitments from more than government in restoring the three women. The second was the American legal community a dozen American law schools rule of law is the lack of trained a 14-day program in Riverside, to provide hands-on basic and to provide a year of tuition-free legal professionals. Through its Calif., and Washington, D.C., cross-national training on insti- legal training to Afghan lawyers. legal education programs and for 14 prominent Afghan tutional justice reform, Islamic This year, the partnership lawyer-to-lawyer dialogue, the women judges, prosecutors and law, comparative constitu- is preparing to endow a law partnership plays an important defense attorneys. Among the tional law, criminal procedure, professorship at a university in role in helping Afghanistan workshop’s speakers was former mediation, domestic violence Afghanistan. rebuild a society based on the U.S. Supreme Court Justice and international human rights. Assistant Secretary Johnson rule of law. Sandra Day O’Connor. The lessons taught are already said he is amazed at the com- To learn more about the The Afghan women also met bearing fruit in Afghanistan. mitment and dedication shown partnership, visit http://www. with Secretary of State Hillary by the private sector. state.gov/p/inl/partnership/ Rodham Clinton, who praised “It is an inspiration that so index.htm. n their bravery and courage and Afghanistan many U.S. lawyers and judges said, “It is your work for women Visits have rallied to support this The author is senior rule of lawyers in the tough environ- In addition, the partnership initiative,” he said. “The success law advisor in the Bureau of ment of Afghanistan that will has conducted two assessment of the partnership is a testament International Narcotics and Law bring real reform and the rule visits to Afghanistan, sponsored of what can be achieved when Enforcement Affairs

MAY 2009 State 9 Breaking the Cycle CONSULATE WORKS WITH NGO TO BATTLE TRAFFICKING BY LYNNE GADKOWSKI

Founded in 1986 by husband-and-wife as well as the U.S. Agency for International award at the Cannes Film Festival in 2005. team Pravin and Priti Patkar, the non- Development, have been involved with Other Department grants to Prerana governmental organization Prerana fights Prerana through funding, program steward- have helped children affected by AIDS and human trafficking and provides alternative ship, sharing American policy best practices supported an anti-trafficking center that livelihoods for trafficked women and their or visiting with the organization’s directors does training, research, documentation children. The U.S. Consulate in Mumbai, and the children receiving services. and networking. One grant funded Pre- India, and the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi rana’s development and coordination of a have worked alongside Prerana since its Supportive Relationship computer-based victim tracking registry. inception through public affairs programs, Prerana has become a regional and world Prerana’s anti-trafficking center program funding and championing its leader in protecting women and children hosted Chargé d’Affaires Steven White issues in political reporting. and fighting commercial sexual exploitation, and Consul General Paul Folmsbee in late The relationship caused former U.S. Chief and the consulate and the Department 2008, and Priti Patkar expressed the group’s of Protocol Ambassador Nancy G. Brinker have become its strong supporters. The appreciation. to remark on a trip to India, “The effective Patkars have participated in exchanges “We have had more support from work of Prerana needs to be recognized sponsored by the Bureau of Educational America for this cause than from our own worldwide; it is truly life-changing.” and Cultural Affairs. Priti took part in a government,” Priti Patkar said. The Department’s relationship with Pre- regional International Visitor Leadership During his 2007 visit, Ambassador Mark rana, which means “inspiration” in Hindi, Program on women and child trafficking in Lagon, head of the Office to Monitor and started when both the organization and the 1998, and Pravin participated in a seminar Combat Trafficking in Persons, said he was issue were new to policymakers in India at on community leadership and policy change interested in public-private partnerships large. Since then, such Department units as sponsored by the bureau in 2001. The for his office’s projects in India. Prerana’s the bureaus of International Narcotics and American Center in Mumbai helped fund an leaders introduced him to several corporate Law Enforcement Affairs and Population, audio recording of anti-trafficking music in partners, including a luxury hotel chain Refugees and Migration and the Office to Hindi that was used in schools and several where some Prerana beneficiaries work as

Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons, awareness-promoting TV spots that won an housekeeping and catering staff. MUMBAI IN GENERAL CONSULATE U.S. PHOTOGRAPH:

10 State MAY 2009 Pravin Patkar, left, and Priti Patkar show children a film on health awareness.

“Prerana’s work is just amazing, consider- economic section chief at Mumbai, Michael prostitution, even going inside brothels to ing the challenges and environment in which Newbill. “They are a true partner on a shared see where young victims are hidden during it operates,” said Chargé d’Affaires White. policy objective to end human trafficking police raids. Prerana has established a field Prerana worked with the embassy to with the U.S. Mission in India.” service operation, the Night Care Center, in help shape the policy of Lagon’s office on Prerana’s principal office is in the heart of the heart of this red-light district to protect legal issues and discussed the long-term Kamathipura, Asia’s largest red-light district. children from the traumatic nightlife of the effort to amend the Immoral Trafficking “We had to be located where victims brothels. It has also launched an educational Prevention Act. were working and living to raise awareness, support program that enrolls the red-light provide service and break the cycle of multi- district children in school. Open Door generational trafficking,” Pravin Patkar said. For more information about Prerana, visit “Prerana keeps an open door to mission Ambassador Lagon toured Kamathipura www.preranaatc.com. n visitors and helps many of our other non- in 2007 with Prerana representatives and governmental organizations and partners saw the living conditions and environment The author is cultural affairs officer at the U.S. improve their programs,” said the political/ in which young girls are trafficked into Consulate General in Mumbai.

MAY 2009 State 11 Warm Welcome PRESIDENTIAL VISIT ENGAGES EMBASSY OTTAWA /// BY JOAN B. ODEAN

The staff of the U.S. Embassy in Ottawa, Canada, was filled Travel Support, Office of the Chief of Protocol and Bureau of with excitement as it prepared for the Feb. 19 visit of President Western Hemisphere Affairs, as well as an enthusiastic Canadian Barack Obama, his first trip outside the United States since government contingent. taking office Jan. 20. The staff especially appreciated the collegial approach of the Along with the prestige of this first visit came the responsibility 10-member White House advance team. All were campaign of making it smooth and successful. From the day the visit was veterans familiar with the President’s preferences, but they were announced to the President’s arrival, staff worked closely with the first to admit they were new at working with the large number White House offices and the Department’s Office of Presidential of players involved in an official overseas visit.

The President is greeted at the airport by the Governor General of Canada, Michaëlle Jean. PHOTOGRAPHS: THE WHITE HOUSE WHITE THE PHOTOGRAPHS:

12 State MAY 2009 The President meets with Canadian Prime Minister Stephen J. Harper.

Two Venues Even though press releases stated that Canadian-themed products. As with any such visit, a variety of the President had no plans to greet the There, the President received an Ottawa venues were reviewed and discussed before public, hundreds of Canadians lined the specialty, a “beavertail,” presented by being narrowed to two: Parliament and the motorcade route and the Parliament’s 17-year-old Jessica Milien, who works at a VIP Terminal at Ottawa’s airport. grounds, hoping for a glimpse of him. They stand that sells them. She later said meeting The morning of Feb. 19 was a typical were rewarded when he emerged from his the President was the thrill of her life. overcast, wintry day in Ottawa—cold with limousine at the door of Parliament, turned Meanwhile, more than 500 members of light snow—but excitement ran high. After and waved to the wildly cheering crowd. the embassy family, joined by staff from the Air Force One landed, President Obama U.S. consulates in Toronto and Montreal, was met on the tarmac by Governor Climate Addressed waited patiently at the airport to greet the General Michaëlle Jean, Foreign Minister The President met privately with Prime President before he returned to Washing- Lawrence Cannon, U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Minister Stephen Harper, who later hosted ton. Chargé Breese thanked the embassy Terry Breese and Michael Wilson, Canada’s a small working lunch. At a joint press staff for its hard work to make the visit a ambassador to the United States. The conference, President Obama emphasized success and said the embassy looks forward falling snow made a dramatic contrast to the two nations’ commitment to peace, to the President’s next—and hopefully the bright red serge uniforms of the Royal prosperity and human rights and to ad- longer—visit. Canadian Mounted Police honor guard. dressing climate change, which he termed President Obama responded with his The embassy’s visit control officer, “a worldwide issue that we’re going to have megawatt smile and assured Mission David Hopper, said his favorite moment of to confront.” Canada staff and Canadian officials that he the visit came as the President’s motorcade After the President’s motorcade would definitely return—perhaps when the drove along the frozen Rideau Canal and departed Parliament for the airport, it weather is warmer. n one skater there held up a “Welcome made an unscheduled stop near the U.S. President Obama” banner as he skated embassy at a historic farmers market that The author is office management specialist past. Few other capitals could offer a is popular with tourists and residents for to the chargé d’affaires at the U.S. Embassy greeting on skates. its picturesque shops, French bakeries and in Ottawa.

MAY 2009 State 13 Ambassador Stephen Low and his wife admire the rendering of the flag-lined walkway that will lead visitors into the U.S. Diplomacy Center. Coming Attraction NEW CENTER WILL TELL THE STORY OF U.S. DIPLOMACY /// BY PRISCILLA R. LINN Imagine a family of tourists visiting the careers and cultivate stronger American experience. Viewing a piece of the Berlin Wall Department of State to explore exhibits and support for diplomacy. or the blindfold worn by an American hostage engage in activities focused on the history, The center’s director, Stephen Estrada, said in Iran while hearing from the diplomats who practice and challenges of U.S. diplomacy. the center “will bring diplomacy to life and re- experienced these historic events will give This scenario will be a reality within the veal its importance to every citizen it touches. visitors a new understanding of diplomacy. not-too-distant future. To show how, the U.S. Paying tribute to our diplomats, illuminating Kathryn Speckart, the center’s collections Diplomacy Center, is exhibiting a preview of U.S. diplomatic history, preparing the next manager, said the center has developed three its new home. generation of leaders and diplomats—these traveling exhibits since 2002. One, “After The preview exhibit is in the newly are the goals.” 9/11: Messages from the World and Images renovated second-floor gallery overlooking of Ground Zero”, toured eight sites across the 21st Street lobby of Main State. The Collection the country and, she said, “communicated The new center will be on the first floor The U.S. Diplomacy Center’s collections heartfelt sentiments left at U.S. missions of the Harry S Truman Building’s northeast play an essential role in telling American worldwide after the attacks.” corner and financed partly by donations. It diplomacy’s story. The collection was once Another exhibition, “Celebrating the 225th will help visitors better understand the role just a few lone pieces sitting in a filing cabinet. Anniversary of the Great Seal of the United of diplomacy in the 21st century. It also aims Today, its 2,500 artifacts fill a 1,500-square- States: Past, Present and Future”, recently

to attract talented individuals to diplomatic foot storage space and offer a unique learning opened at Harriton House, the Pennsylvania WARNER ED PHOTOGRAPHS:

14 State MAY 2009 U.S. Diplomacy Center Curator Priscilla Linn shows the center’s director, Stephen Estrada, a part of the exhibit previewing the center’s design. home of Charles Thomson, the designer of Ambassador Stephen Low, Senator Charles History,” where exhibitions will recreate the Great Seal. “This exhibit allows us to talk “Mac” Mathias and a group of retired the dialogues, challenges and successes of about how the Seal embodies national ide- diplomats formed the nonprofit Foreign diplomacy and pay tribute to those who als—independence, strength and unity,” said Affairs Museum Council when the center was played a central role in U.S. diplomacy. Program Coordinator April Cleary. launched in 2000, and have since raised an ini- Diplomats, either virtually or in person, will tial $1.25 million in private funds for the first recount their experiences, and visitors will Diplomatic Simulations stage of the new center’s development. Now, as explore simulated versions of U.S. embassies, The U.S. Diplomacy Center, which already public awareness of the importance of diplo- consulates and residences. Visitors will creates education programs, is becoming a macy and demand for international education learn the importance of diplomacy to virtual as well as physical center for learning programs grow, the center is launching the American security and prosperity, how the about diplomacy. Lauren Judith Krizner, next phase of its campaign to raise $50 million Bureau of Consular Affairs helps Americans the center’s education officer, said one of for construction and endowment. The U.S. overseas and what life is like for diplomats and its most important projects is conducting Diplomacy Center has been actively recruiting their families. diplomatic simulations with high school and volunteer leaders for its capital campaign with “Advancing Diplomacy: Connecting to the college students. For a role-playing exercise the help of former Secretaries of State Henry Future,” the area housing the center’s educa- on the Darfur crisis, students represented A. Kissinger, Madeleine K. Albright and James tion institute, will provide classrooms and the governments and organizations involved. A. Baker III, ambassadors and others. space for new programs. Using technology, the After studying background information, they center’s educational materials and programs engaged in discussions and tried to find a Preview Under Way will bring visitors and thousands of students compromise to bring peace. The preview exhibit at the 21st Street around the world virtually face-to-face to “The students are often amazed how hard it entrance features an image of the proposed learn the inner workings is to reach a diplomatic solution,” she said. Allée of Flags along 21st Street, N.W., leading of diplomacy. In February, the Carnegie Corporation of visitors to the center’s glass atrium entrance, Building on its accomplishments of New York awarded the center a $25,000 grant where they will pass through airport-type the past eight years, the U.S. Diplomacy to support its third annual George C. Marshall security. From there, guides will whisk them Center is developing a virtual and actual Conference on diplomacy, which attracted 250 behind the scenes of diplomacy through an gathering place for diplomacy education students and teachers. area called “America Engaged: Around the with new exhibits and engaging education The center, through the use of digital World with U.S. Diplomacy.” There, interac- programs. Soon the center will become the technology and Internet delivery systems, will tive stations around a giant map will bring destination in Washington where diplomacy expand its outreach to teachers and students. to life current events and the work of U.S. education thrives. n The center’s Web site, http://diplomacy.state. diplomats worldwide. gov, introduces visitors to the significant col- Next, visitors will enter a hall entitled The author is curator of the U.S. Diplomacy lections, exhibitions and education programs. “Diplomacy in Action: a Guide to Diplomatic Center.

MAY 2009 State 15 DEPARTMENT HELPS SPOUSES FIND WORK AT POST

BY JIM HAEFELE WARNER ED (BOTTOM): FULLER; MELISSA TOP): PHOTOGRAPHS: (OPPOSITE PAGE PAGE (OPPOSITE PHOTOGRAPHS:

16 State MAY 2009 Arriving at a new post can be disorienting increasing number are now working outside for family members. Unlike direct-hire em- the mission. Before they can work in the ployees, who have a built-in network, family local economy, however, they need work members are usually more isolated and have permits, which are facilitated by a bilateral difficulties in a number of areas, particularly work agreement or de facto work arrange- employment. What is a spouse or partner, ment with the host nation. often leaving a career in the United States, Outside-the-mission employment can to do in a new country where that career is be fulfilling if the circumstances are right. usually not an option? Jennifer Petro, an international health The Family Liaison Office’s 2008 statistics professional, said she found no shortage for Eligible Family Member employment of work in three tours in Africa. Her skills worldwide show that, of the almost 10,000 are uniquely suited for a career in Africa, spouses worldwide, most who work are but she said it hasn’t been easy. She and her employed at post. A full 24 percent of spouse “chose countries where I could find spouses work inside the mission, compared meaningful work, and I am thriving in my to 13 percent working outside the mission. career,” she said. While that tactic can’t work The other 63 percent are not employed. for everyone, many Foreign Service families Clearly, many family members find choose posts cooperatively. work inside the mission. One, Lesya Cely, worked in the community liaison office A SNAP at the U.S. Embassy in Addis Ababa, The Family Liaison Office said the Global Ethiopia, for two years. While she had Employment Initiative/Strategic Network limited background in that type of Assistance Program is the best resource work, she found it fulfilling. for family members seeking outside-the- “Knowing the community and mission employment. The program’s meeting new people was great,” she Above: Lesya Cely, an eligible family member, worked in in-country and regional offices worldwide said. She noted, however, that her the community liaison office in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, assist spouses and partners with identifying situation was atypical of spousal and is now posted to Zagreb. Below: Leslie Teixeira is the work with multinational companies or jobs, many of which struck her as director of the Family Liaison Office. nongovernmental organizations, and the less interesting and challenging. office’s global employment advisors help “Of all of the spousal with identifying jobs, shaping resumes jobs,” she said, “the and career planning. Teixeira said family community liaison office members looking for work should contact job seems to be the best her office for information. for me.” An increasing number of family mem- bers choose instead to develop home-based COMPLAINTS businesses, Teixeira said. In addition, other Not all jobs inside the spouses choose to not work for income, mission are an ideal fit. staying at home with family or volunteering Leslie Teixeira, director of at post. Anita DePree worked as a com- the Family Liaison Office, munity liaison office coordinator in earlier said comments about the tours before opting to stay at home with quality of embassy jobs are her children. She said she enjoyed that job common. and “felt very in tune with the embassy “There are not enough employ- community.” Now in Baku, she said she ment opportunities within the feels no regret about staying home with embassy, and most are clerical and her children. Since the majority of spouses support positions by nature,” she said. overseas are unemployed, it is impossible Furthermore, limited budgets mean that to say how many of them are unemployed many positions go to local nationals, who by choice. are paid on a local scale. Employment is likely to remain a top issue The Department has programs to help. for family members abroad. While many are The Family Liaison Office’s five-member sure to find good jobs, some may remain employment team provides resources and frustrated. Missions help where they can, support for those seeking employment but can’t always solve the problem. Family inside and outside the mission and in been assigned. During this pilot year, the members, therefore, must remain flexible, Washington. Another Department initia- program permitted 105 spouses to apply for plan ahead and look for opportunities— tive, the Expanded Professional Associates jobs previously designated as Foreign Service which may arise in unexpected places. n Program, permits U.S. citizen-spouses positions, Teixeira said. to apply for designated Foreign Service Many missions also make a concerted The author is an Eligible Family Member positions at posts where the employee has effort to find jobs for family members, and an and stay-at-home dad.

MAY 2009 State 17 With the Department having won congressional funding to hire at least 2,300 new employees over the next year, 1,200 above the rate of employee attrition, the Bureau of Human Resources has launched its biggest hiring effort since early in this decade. DIPLOMACY

Diplomacy, Development and Defense /// By Ed Warner PHOTOGRAPH: ED WARNER ED PHOTOGRAPH:

18 State MAY 2009 Named “Diplomacy 3.0: in human resource work. focused advertising banners, he said, the computerized Diplomacy, Development and Williams, who was director of which appear in several places systems at Recruitment, Ex- Defense”, the initiative will im- the bureau’s Office of Recruit- on careers.state.gov. amination and Employment and plement a number of tech-savvy ment, Examination and The careers site also discusses Diplomatic Security can more means to attract these potential Employment, said he was chosen how Foreign Service testing has easily flag those with needed employees. The outreach effort for his new role because “I’m changed and includes a link to skills and track them, helping will continue to emphasize the familiar with this…flower from register for the test, which is now ensure they move through the social networking technologies many different angles.” given several times a year. approval system quickly. popular with younger workers, Another way the Department “You have to make [taking Recruitment, Examination as well as the http://careers.state. will target hiring is by adding the test] more palatable and and Employment, he continued, gov recruitment site. pop-ups to http://careers. understandable,” Williams said. is also doing a better job of Plans include having the state.gov that tell about the keeping in touch with applicants Department’s Diplomats in work involved in a needed job as they move from their Foreign Residence, senior officers who category. The Bureau of Human Civil Service Service written exam to the recruit on college campuses and Resources is in the process of Although much of the new oral exam and onward to their local communities, contribute to having Foreign Service manage- hiring will focus on Foreign security and medical reviews. the Department’s DipNote blog ment and consular officers and Service positions, Civil Service Those changes, he said, and encouraging Department others make video clips discuss- employees will be hired, too, arose from the hard look the employees to talk online about their work.

Needed Specialties The recruitment outreach will continue to aim to attract those with career specialties the Department especially needs, said Nicholas Williams, a retired Foreign Service officer whom the bureau asked to coordinate the challenge of finding and hir- ing an unprecedented number of people in a short period. Williams said the Department learned several important lessons from the Diplomatic Readiness Initiative, its big hir- ing push of 2001–2004. For instance, the Bureau of Diplomatic Security and Office of Medical Services are better positioned to hasten the process- ing of clearances for those receiving job offers as consular or management officers, two Foreign Service career tracks where he said the Department Nick Williams is coordinating particularly needs qualified Diplomacy 3.0 hiring. candidates. The Department also needs more qualified candidates to become facilities managers and security engineering officers. ing their work and its rewards. since they are needed in stateside Department took at its earlier Another improvement since Already, the careers site has security, information technology hiring initiative. To keep those the earlier initiative is that Dip- a link on its opening page that and other domestic program lessons coming, the task force lomatic Security does clearances leads to a screen about the support and policy development convened for the earlier initia- faster for all new hires. management officer career track. positions, Williams said. tive still meets monthly— “People need to know that “Could you run a U.S. embassy?” Another improvement over standing ready to help with the we’re hiring and we’re a bit faster the link asks. Additionally, the earlier hiring initiative, latest initiative. n now in processing those hired,” Recruitment, Examination and Williams said, is that the Depart- said Williams, who spent half of Employment created its own ment is now acutely attuned to The author is deputy editor of his 27-year Department career management and consular- what its needs are. Furthermore, State Magazine.

MAY 2009 State 19 Business Case EMBASSY-CREATED PARTNERSHIP SPURS ECONOMIC GROWTH /// BY RICHARD BOLY

Mission Italy’s Partnership for Growth think tanks and universities, and fireside Foundation in Kansas City. These investors seeks to stimulate Italy’s economic dyna- chats with recent university graduates. then formed the Italian Angels for Growth, a mism by sharing with the Italian business The mission settled on the objectives of Milan-based network that makes early-stage community relevant U.S. experience with creating and promoting Italian entrepreneur- seed investments in Italian start-up compa- entrepreneurship. If Italy’s economy grows, ial role models, moving research innovations nies. That group now has nearly 40 members, Italy will have the resources to partner with into marketable products and services, and its committed amount of capital has the United States on such issues as global growing the amount of early, or “seed-stage,” increased the amount of private, early-stage warming. Italian growth is being advanced by investment capital and the venture capital investment available in Italy by 10 percent. the Partnership, which has for the past three market generally, and spurring innovation by The Partnership also helped launch the years helped young American and Italian strengthening intellectual property rights. “Mind the Bridge” business plan competi- executives and other leaders to connect. tion in 2006 with a video presentation by The Partnership arose from a Mission Italy Partnership Born then-Ambassador Ronald Spogli on the planning exercise (see related story, opposite The resulting Partnership has organized competition’s Web site. Mind the Bridge was page). The mission first reviewed govern- hundreds of activities, and its partners open to all Italian entrepreneurs, and its five ment, business and think-tank white papers spawned hundreds more. For instance, 20 finalists won a week’s trip to Silicon Valley to on strengthening the Italian economy, focus- prospective investors participated in a two- meet with potential investors and strategic ing on where local initiatives could bear fruit. day meeting with the Golden Angel Network, partners. In late 2007, Mind the Bridge held Next came a day-long brainstorming session based at Marquette University in Milwaukee, a two-day Venture Camp in Venice, where 14 with leaders from business, government, and a two-day meeting at the Kauffman semifinalists made presentations to Euro-

The embassy team celebrates the launch of a 40-episode Web-based seminar, Face2Face: Capturing Creativity, that allows potential Italian entrepreneurs to hear from successful ones. PHOTOGRAPHS: MARCO IACOELLA MARCO PHOTOGRAPHS:

20 State MAY 2009 pean early-stage investors. Seven finalists came to Silicon Valley in April, and several received seed During his tenure, former funding. ambassador to Italy Ronald Spogli urged In another case, a National Sci- embassy staff to identify ence Foundation/Department of the mission’s five chief State Embassy Fellow undertook challenges. an intensive three-month nation- wide evaluation of the “ecosystem” for innovation in Italy. Also, on three occasions, successful U.S. entrepreneurs spent a week or more holding meetings nationwide with Italian entrepreneurs, research universities and investors. All visiting entrepreneurs paid their own expenses and provided the mission with concrete recommen- dations to make the Partnership more effective. The Partnership has also helped Mission-Wide Planning Effort Leads to Partnership broker an agreement to make a By Hugo F. Rodriguez leading Italian university the first non-U.S. institution to participate To promote strategic thinking in an environment of nonstop taskers, reports and short-fuse in the Kauffman Foundation’s emergencies, Mission Italy in 2005 set forth a program of goal-setting and then gave staff time to iBridge, a kind of eBay for implement the goals. technology transfer. The planning effort got under way when, shortly after his 2005 arrival, former Ambassador Ronald Spogli asked mission leadership to identify the five greatest challenges facing the mission Independence community and the bilateral relationship. The projects identified were large. They included launch Reflecting how the Partnership of the Partnership for Growth, a project to improve America’s image among the Italian youth and is becoming independent of con- Muslim communities, and work on security issues, achieving state-of-the-art mission support tinuing support from the mission, services and building mission cohesion. Given the already heavy workload, some staff were skepti- in May 2008 15 partner organiza- cal of taking on more. tions made presentations at the Staff found their portfolios adjusted to support these goals. For instance, the political officer Partnership’s summit meeting, five with the labor portfolio received responsibility for developing an exchange program for young Ital- of which had been started after the ian entrepreneurs, and an economics officer was able to focus strictly on building venture-capital Partnership’s launch. The meeting and technology-transfer capacity in Italy. featured an audience of more than The program also led to such lessons on leadership as “be passionate” and “share information— 300 policymakers, entrepreneurs obsessively.” To promote information-sharing, offsite meetings were held with mission constituen- and journalists and showed how cies and staff, and guest speakers from academia, the private sector, media and government. Project the Partnership is now a point- team leaders spoke of their groups’ accomplishments and challenges. to-point network in which the At one meeting an information management officer spoke of the difficulties in finding a supplier partners directly organize their of cellular phones, and another officer responded by suggesting an Italian telecommunications activities. provider that, within months, signed a deal to provide the mission with free BlackBerry devices. In addition to the tangible To improve communication, project teams were encouraged to incorporate employees from economic gains from the Partner- around the mission, ignoring job titles and specializations. Thus, Locally Employed Staff from the ship, there was a public diplomacy information resource center served on the Partnership for Growth team and suggested inviting Ital- dividend. Although a 2007 survey ian executives to discuss business-related topics and turning these conversations into Web chats for found 71 percent of Italians Italian university students. Three years later, the post had produced 45 Web chats on topics ranging believe success is determined by from entrepreneurship to the 2008 U.S. presidential elections, reaching nearly half a million viewers. factors outside of their control, the Project teams were also encouraged to think big, and the Partnership for Growth team did, Partnership provides a message of identifying young Italian entrepreneurs and connecting them with internships at high-tech self-reliance and a positive view of companies in Silicon Valley, an effort the Fulbright Commission has recently begun to co-sponsor. entrepreneurship that is especially The Partnership team also raised awareness within Italy’s academic community about the value of important during the current moving Italian university research to market as innovative products. world economic crisis. The success of the goal-setting has made Mission Italy more cohesive, collaborative and agile because it learned how to communicate and brainstorm solutions to the thorniest problems. n The author is a Foreign Service officer on Senior Training as a fellow The author is chief of the visa unit at the U.S. Embassy in Rome. at the Hoover Institution.

MAY 2009 State 21 Post of the Month

PeshawarOld city sits on the frontier | By Merry Miller and Lynne Tracy A teenage boy sells vegetables at a market in Peshawar.

MAY 2009 State 23 Post of the Month

When springtime flushes the desert grass, Our kafilas wind through the Khyber Pass. Lean are the camels but fat the frails, Light are the purses but heavy the bales, As the snowbound trade of the North comes down To the market square of Peshawar town. — The Ballad of the King’s Jest (1890) Rudyard Kipling

of the Pashtuns, imposes three obligations. Nanawatai is the right of asylum and compels one to provide shelter and protection even to an enemy if he asks for it. Peshawar,capital of Pakistan’s Northwest Peshawar during the “Great Next are the wide and Mailmastai requires hospitality Frontier Province, has been Game,” when the British and orderly avenues of Peshawar’s to all who demand it, even a known by many names, includ- Russian empires contested for cantonment, established by the non-Muslim. Badal, the necessity ing “City of Flowers” and “The influence in the region. British and home to provincial for revenge by retaliation, may High Fort,” but perhaps most The legacies of these civiliza- government and military offices. be the strongest obligation in apt is “The Place at the Frontier.” tions mark modern Peshawar, Further west are contemporary Pashtun culture. A Pashtun Throughout Peshawar’s 2,000 a city of nearly three million residences and a refugee must exact revenge, at any risk years, the city has stood as a people. The “Old City” has camp—an enduring reminder or cost, for an insult or injury gateway between east and west. winding, narrow streets and of the 1979 Soviet invasion of to himself or his family, clan or Located at the foot of the rug- bazaars crammed with copper, Afghanistan. At the far western tribe. Women, gold and land are ged Spin Ghar mountain range’s gold, textiles and spices. At its edge of the Peshawar district on the source of most blood feuds, Khyber Pass, Peshawar has seen heart is the 16th-century Mughal the border with Khyber Agency, and the enmity often continues waves of invaders from many Muhabbat Khan Mosque. This part of Pakistan’s Federally long after the origin of the feud empires. Persians, Greeks, Bud- popular shopping district sits in Administered Tribal Areas, is is forgotten. dhist Kushans, Huns, Mughals, the shadow of Bala Hisar Fort, a sign marked “No Foreigners Sikhs and the British passed whose foundations are as old Beyond This Point.” 50 years on the frontier through Peshawar in a bid to as Peshawar and whose impos- The region’s 23 million Against this rich tapestry of control the Indian subcontinent. ing brick walls are as recent as Pathans, the predominant ethnic history and culture, the U.S. The Northwest Frontier has the British Raj. Nearby is the group of this corner of Pakistan, Consulate in Peshawar celebrat- long been the scene of intrigue Peshawar Museum and are intensely independent. A ed its 50th anniversary in 2008. and a source of inspiration for its extensive collection of popular local proverb says, The U.S. diplomatic presence diplomats, soldiers and journal- Gandharan art, reflecting the “Order a Pashtun to go to in the province grew out of the ists. “Every rock, every hill has its glory of the Buddhist kingdom heaven, and he will fight you to Badaber airbase near Peshawar, story,” Winston Churchill wrote that ruled in the Peshawar valley the death. Invite him to ac- which supported U-2 flights in 1897 while posted from the 6th century B.C. until company you to hell, and he will during the Cold War, including

as an army officer north of the 11th century A.D. go gladly.” Pukhtunwali, the code that of Francis Gary Powers, PESHAWAR IN CONSULATE U.S. PHOTOGRAPHS:

24 State MAY 2009 Clockwise from above: Bala Hisar Fort, headquarters of the paramilitary Frontier Corps, sits on the highest point in Peshawar. It was used as a garrison by invaders from Central Asia. Its current walls were built by the British in 1849, but its foundations are 2,000 years old; Principal Officer Lynne Tracy poses with Col. Khushwaqt-ul-Mulk, 97, the first Foreign Service National employee of the U.S. Consulate in Peshawar, in front of a plaque of the consulate’s principal officers; Ambassador Anne W. Patterson shakes the hand of a child from the tribal areas during her visit to a camp for internally displaced persons outside of Peshawar; When jingle buses—also called rocket buses— get too full, passengers climb up on the roof. The paintings, poetry and slogans reflect the drivers’ attitudes and make each bus unique.

MAY 2009 State 25 Clockwise from above: Khashayar Ghashghai, public diplomacy officer at the consulate, talks with graduate students about the U.S. elections at the Lincoln Corner, Peshawar University; Horse-drawn carts are popular as an inexpensive means of transportation; Management Officer JoEllen Gorg, Office of Transition Initiatives Deputy Country Representative Leah Werchick and Public Diplomacy Officer Ryia Miller look over some brass works at a bazaar on the consulate grounds; Built in the 1670s, Mughal Muhabbat Khan Mosque is a rare specimen of Mughal architecture. In 2001-2002, the Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preservation funded a restoration of part of the mosque; Frontier Corps soldiers perform a martial dance at the Khyber Rifles Mess in Landi Kotal, the border town between Pakistan and Afghanistan. PHOTOGRAPHS: U.S. CONSULATE IN PESHAWAR IN CONSULATE U.S. PHOTOGRAPHS:

26 State MAY 2009 Post of the Month

who was shot down over the round of post closings nearly beckoned friends of the consul- Pashtu-speaking Foreign Service Soviet Union in 1960. brought the consulate’s history to ate to drop by for a cup of tea in officers are expanding contacts Gordon King, the first of the an end. Only the lack of an em- the shade of a chinar tree. with tribal leaders, adding consulate’s 19 principal officers bassy in Kabul, which had closed more texture to reporting on to date, hired Colonel Khush in 1988, preserved the consulate, Wide-ranging interests an incredibly complex political Waqt-ul Mulk, a member of the which became an observer post Despite the physical landscape. The Defense Depart- ruling family from the former for developments in Afghanistan. limitations and an increasingly ment is training the Frontier princely state of Chitral, north of The post contracted to a dangerous environment, the Corps, the Northwest Frontier’s Peshawar, as the first local staff 10-officer State and Drug post’s American and Pakistani historic Pashtun border force, member and political advisor. Enforcement Agency presence— employees actively represent a and the Department’s bureaus King penned Ameri-Khan in until September 11, 2001. wide range of U.S. interests in a of International Narcotics and 2006, a lightly fictionalized Today, the consulate has region that is the focal point of Law Enforcement Affairs and account of the first years of more than 60 Americans and the fight against al Qaeda and Diplomatic Security are helping the consulate. 125 Locally Employed Staff and its supporters. USAID, the U.S. the civilian police. The public Only a flagpole remains from continues to grow. U.S. Agency military and the Deparment affairs section and USAID have the consulate’s original Old City for International Development are jointly implementing a a partnership to reach Pakistan’s office, which fronted on the and Department of Defense col- five-year, $750-million pack- next generation through an New Delhi-Kabul Grand Trunk leagues have joined the consulate, age of assistance programs to “Experience America” exchange road. In the 1960s, the consulate which has re-oriented its focus strengthen Pakistani efforts to program. moved to its present location in on the Northwest Frontier Prov- counter a growing insurgency in At age 50, the consulate is tak- the cantonment. ince and Federally Administered the province and tribal areas. ing U.S. diplomacy in Peshawar The consulate’s size has waxed Tribal Areas. A growing staff and USAID’s Office of Tran- into the 21st century. n and waned. Its role in support deteriorating security have led sitional Initiatives provides of the Afghan mujahideen in to a search for new office and development assistance in the Merry Miller is the public affairs the 1980s was a boom time in residential facilities. Long gone tribal areas that is linked to officer and Lynne Tracy is the consulate staffing, but in the are the days when the principal good governance practices such principal officer at the U.S. following decade a worldwide officer’s unwalled front lawn as sealed bidding for contracts. Consulate in Peshawar. At a Glance Country name: Pakistan Religions: mainly Muslim (Sunni CHINA and Shia) Capital: Islamabad Peshawar Export commodities: textiles, rice and Government type: parliamentary leather goods AFGHANISTAN Islamabad democracy Import commodities: petroleum, Area: 803,943 sq. km. machinery and plastics IRAN Area - comparative: almost twice the Major trading partners: United States, size of California United Arab Emirates and Afghanistan

INDIA Population: 167 million Currency (code): Pakistani rupee (PKR)

Languages: Although Urdu and English Internet country code: .pk are official languages, Punjabi is the most commonly spoken.

GDP - per capita: $2,600 Source: Country Background Notes

MAY 2009 State 27 Shared Dreams INDIA’S CHILDREN BRIGHTEN CONSULATE WALLS /// BY RAGINI GUPTA Thanks to local children, the children and refl ects how did E-TV, which broadcasts in mural based on creative input a renowned artist and a children everywhere share the all regional languages and has from the children and sketched bureaucracy whose creative spirit same dreams. Taking advantage hundreds of millions of viewers. its outline on the wall in the surprised everyone, the U.S. Con- of the consulate’s prime location The mural came to be when week between Christmas and sulate General in Chennai, India, at one of the city’s busiest inter- the consulate’s public affairs New Year’s Day. The 30 children has a new and brighter look. In sections, the mural has become section teamed with Thota from the NalandaWay Founda- January, some 30 underprivileged a new landmark in Chennai’s Tharrani, an internation- tion—most of whom are the children helped paint a colorful cityscape. Thousands of cars, ally acclaimed artist and former victims of traffi cking, forced or mural on the outer wall of the buses, rickshaws, hawkers and International Visitor Program bonded labor and/or physical or consulate, making the facility an pedestrians pass it daily, as do the grantee. Tharrani designed the sexual abuse—lent their energy, inviting and cheerful refl ection of more than 1,200 visa applicants the United States. entering the consulate for their Against a backdrop of famous visa interviews. American and Indian landmarks, Local reaction has been the mural portrays the chal- appreciative. Every major Indian lenges, hopes and dreams of newspaper covered the event, as PHOTOGRAPHS: U.S. CONSULATE GENERAL IN CHENNAI IN GENERAL CONSULATE U.S. PHOTOGRAPHS: Clockwise from lower left: The fi nished mural is Chennai’s newest landmark; NalandaWay children pose with Consul General Andrew T. Simkin, in the green shirt, and, to his right, NalandaWay Founder Sriram Ayer after completing the mural; Simkin and his wife examine one of the mural’s details with Thota Tharrani.

the task of getting the reactions of the regional security offi ce and management section. But the bureaucratic obstacles proved less daunting than expected when Regional Security Offi cer Matt Perlman and Management Offi cer Juliana Ballard were intrigued by the idea. After the proposal was tweaked based on their input, they worked the request up through the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi and with relevant parties in Washington, D.C., including the Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations. The state government of Tamil Nadu was also helpful—both in granting permission to put up the mural and in having local police block off a lane of traffi c while the children were painting on a narrow sidewalk. The attitude of every bureaucracy involved was best summed up by the fi nal approval received from Consul General Simkin: “I approve and I applaud!” One delicate challenge remained: A local jewelry company’s advertisements on a pedestrian railing obscured the view of the mural from the street. spirit and exuberant color to the Andrew T. Simkin. General Services Offi cer Gregory mural. The foundation helps No one at the consulate Campbell approached the jeweler disadvantaged children from the imagined that the project—the on a neighbor-to-neighbor basis, poorest districts in seven states in highlight of NalandaWay’s annual and the placards were removed. India express themselves through children’s art festival—would be As a fi nal touch, the general music, theater, fi lms and art. such a success. When the idea services offi ce applied a protec- The children all received a for the mural was fl oated during tive coating to the mural— concept of what their assigned a meeting with NalandaWay on preserving the event, the mural sections of the mural should look their children’s festival, the con- and this tremendous outreach to like when fi nished and applied cept brought skepticism over the the people of India for the next themselves with gusto. They left many approvals and clearances 10 to 20 years. n a lasting legacy of their participa- needed. To give it a try, the public tion by signing the mural at affairs section assigned Consular The author is deputy public affairs a ceremony presided over by Offi cer Ariel Howard—who was offi cer at the U.S. Consulate Tharrani and Consul General there on a one-week rotation— General in Chennai.

MAY 2009 State 29 Foreign Service Career Cones Front Window CONSULAR OFFICERS TOUCH PEOPLE’S LIVES /// BY MICHELLE BERNIER-TOTH

Consular service in the Department has a long history. Congress abroad encounter regularly, The Window appointed the first consul, William Palfrey, nine years before George highlighting the important The visa interview window Washington took office. Palfrey unfortunately was lost at sea en route public diplomacy role of the is usually the first exposure that to his assignment in Paris. consular section. most Foreign Service officers Then as now, the consul’s primary role was the protection of U.S. “Consular officers should con- have to consular work. It’s where citizens abroad, which typically meant assisting ships’ captains and sider that they affect the tone and all those skills that got someone crews. As more Americans traveled overseas, the role expanded. Today, quality of the assistance we give to into a Foreign Service career are consular officers provide “cradle to grave” services to Americans American citizens and foreign- tested daily. Interpersonal skills? abroad and adjudicate nonimmigrant and immigrant visas; that is, de- ers,” said Michele Thoren Bond, Interviewing officers are the termine if the applicants are qualified to receive them. They respond deputy assistant secretary for “face” of the U.S. government to Americans’ personal emergencies and to crises affecting dozens or Overseas Citizens Services. “This for millions of foreigners each even thousands of Americans. experience conveys, in almost a year. Consular officers know that Bureau of Consular Affairs Assistant Secretary Janice L. Jacobs put visceral way, what America is all how they treat clients reflects on it succinctly when she said: “Consular officers touch people’s lives. We about. It’s not just the treatment themselves, their Mission and the serve people during their most important moments—births, deaths, consular section clients receive United States. Communication disasters, arrests, medical emergencies, study abroad and immigration. but what they observe while skills? Consular officers must We make a difference.” waiting—how we talk to people, explain complex citizenship and The public aspect of consular work puts officers on the front lines accommodate those with special immigration laws—often in a of American diplomacy. Consular officers may be the first or even the needs or help someone needing foreign language. Analytical skills? only U.S. government employees that many foreigners and Americans special attention.” Consular officers learn early the importance of adjudicating visas or resolving Americans’ problems Consular cone based on officers’ knowledge officer Greg Segas interviews Libyan of U.S. law and regulation and visa applicants at how they apply within the host the U.S. Embassy country’s political, economic and in Tripoli. social conditions. Consular officers are taught to observe visa applicants’ “microexpressions” to spot facial indicators of fraud and to review applicants’ documentation and to know when a lie is material to visa adjudication. The interview window also affords interviewing officers a unique perspective on that country. Through interview- ing visa applicants, officers learn what it’s like to be a citizen of their host country—how much people earn, what they pay in rent and what their values are. Helping Americans solve their problems

often requires officers to interact KONDAPALI SHIRIN TOP): PAGE (OPPOSITE ABUZEID; HANA (LEFT): PHOTOGRAPHS:

30 State MAY 2009 with a broad range of host-coun- try authorities and players, and gives those officers further insight into how the country functions. Consular work provides a unique opportunity to observe, interact with and report on just about any sector of a country’s society. Americans Abroad Providing consular assistance to Americans abroad is among the Department’s highest pri- orities. The Bureau of Consular Affairs estimates that five million Americans reside abroad, while many more make short trips each year for tourism, business, study or family visits. Now that international travel is so com- Above: From left, vice consuls Kalpana Murthy, mon, the diversity of Americans Pamela Pontius and Janice Anderson, along with Locally Employed Staff Chitra Sanam and Sarah abroad has grown—from youth Kallem at the U.S. Consulate General in Hyderabad, groups to Elderhostel tours, India, conduct American citizens services training. risk-seeking adventure tourists to Left: Conducting an inventory of a deceased American’s belongings are, from left, Katharine patients seeking medical care, and Bernsohn, a junior officer at the U.S. Consulate everyone in between. Americans in Johannesburg, South Africa; and Charmaine are going to places they rarely Redman, the American citizens services assistant at ventured before—places where the U.S. Consulate in Durban, South Africa. services and infrastructure make providing assistance more communications, an increase in standard- difficult or to locales such as ized procedures and greater oversight and Antarctica where the United guidance provided from Washington all States has no consular presence mean that there is now far more unifor- within thousands of miles. mity in how posts process visas, as well as With new challenges come closer connections between Washington new opportunities for innovation government’s “secure borders, and overseas posts. A consular officer in Mumbai, India, in the process in how consular officers provide open doors” policy, a policy that of interviewing an applicant can now check case notes taken from an services to Americans. The consular officers strive to balance interview conducted of the same individual in London—something Internet is now one of Consular by using all the tools and re- that would never have been possible a decade ago. Affairs’ most important tools: sources available. Technology has Americans now go online to become increasingly important— Best Stories register with the embassy, obtain long gone are the days when Consular officers have the best stories because consular work travel information, schedule consuls personally signed visas involves people and their problems. Those same factors give consular appointments for routine services or peered at outdated microfiche officers a great sense of fulfillment, while the blending of policy and and learn how consular officers to conduct name checks. Since operational responsibilities inherent in the work makes consular can help in emergencies. the 2001 attacks, the Department officers increasingly strong candidates for roles as principal officers. But the bottom line has not shares enhanced data with other People drawn to the consular career track typically enjoy hands-on changed. U.S. government agencies, which problem solving, grappling with real-life issues and the diversity and “In American Citizen Ser- means consular officers have unpredictability of their jobs. vices work, you start from the access to far more information on Ambassador Jacobs, now retired and serving Consular Affairs as a assumption that people need our individual applicants than ever. senior advisor, put it best: “You never knew what the day will bring.” help,” said Tony Edson, former At the same time, new At the end of that day, however, consular officers know they’ve deputy assistant secretary for Visa processing requirements—taking made a difference. n Services. “10-print” fingerprints, for Consular officers have example—have introduced great- Since joining the Department as a consular officer in 1987, the author provided that help for more than er complexity and added time to has served consular tours in Damascus, Doha and Abu Dhabi. She 200 years. the adjudication of visas. Officers converted to a Civil Service position in 2003 and is director of American must use these new resources Citizens Services and Crisis Management in the Bureau of Consular Visa Challenges efficiently to improve decision- Affairs. This is the third in an occasional series of State Magazine articles The visa window has always making and minimize the burden on how the career cones are changing. Future articles will look at the been the front line of the U.S. on posts and applicants. Better political and management cones.

MAY 2009 State 31 Office of the Month: Population and International Migration

Strong Advocates OFFICE ADDRESSES POPULATION AND MIGRATION MATTERS

BY BETH SCHLACHTER AND SONIA DENTZEL PHOTOGRAPHS: ED WARNER ED PHOTOGRAPHS: tions or outcome documents. The outcome n March, the United Nations convened its document from the Commission on the annual two-week session of the Commis- Status of Women, for example, required end- less negotiation and horse-trading. sion on the Status of Women, which has The offi ce’s staff participates in many such meetings throughout the year, includ- since 1946 discussed gender equality and ing those of other U.N. governing bodies the advancement of women. It draws dele- such as the Commission on Population and Development and the U.N. Population gations from all U.N. member states and Fund’s Executive Board. It also provides input to other processes, such as the health- several nongovernmental organizations. related initiatives of the United Nations, World Health Organization and the Group of Eight nations. Staff of the Bureau of Population, in confl ict or disaster zones, where women Refugees, and Migration’s Offi ce of Popula- have special reproductive health needs and Migration Team Ition and International Migration were key are also highly vulnerable to the forces that The offi ce’s migration team is the Depart- members of the U.S. delegation, which result in migration.” ment’s lead on international migration negotiated resolutions and outcomes. In developing policy positions on popula- discussions and related programs for vulner- During a typical day at the conference, tion issues, the Department coordinates with able migrants. To advance migration goals, Department offi cials participated in bilateral many other entities such as the U.S. Agency staff members encourage collaboration and meetings, shared policy objectives with other for International Development, the Depart- sharing of best practices, and participate in delegations, spoke with nongovernmental ment of Health and Human Services and the regional migration dialogues and facilitate organizations and hammered out draft National Security Council. Staff of the Offi ce discussion on topics such as women and resolutions. Countless competing interests of Population and International Migration migration, traffi cking in persons and the were in play, including politically sensitive take part in international meetings and repatriation of unaccompanied minors. issues such as reproductive rights. conferences to promote U.S. views and press The migration team also participates in the for their inclusion in the resulting resolu- yearly Regional Conference on Migration; Two Teams Back in Washington, the Of- fi ce of Population and Interna- tional Migration is made up of two teams. Its population team is the Department lead on policies related to maternal and repro- ductive health, family planning policies and programs, and the migration of health care workers. Its international migration team develops policies and programs to promote orderly and humane migration—that is, to encourage and facilitate immigration poli- cies that address illegal migration and protect asylum seekers, refugees, stateless persons and victims of traffi cking. Offi ce Director Suzanne Sheldon said the population team works to ensure that all women have broad access to reproductive health care and family planning options, while the migration team assists Administrative Assistant Nora Day, left, the world’s most vulnerable and Program Offi cer M. Cristina Novo migrants. pose in the Offi ce of Population and “The two focuses often International Migration. intersect,” she said. “For example,

MAY 2009 State 33 Office of the Month

the Intergovernmental Consultations on concerned that the new arrivals threaten ing the World Health Organization. There is Asylum, Refugee and Migration Policies; and its national security? Several times a year, a massive global shortage in all categories of other international meetings. members of the migration team travel to medical professionals, one the World Health Other regional fora with which the office such places as Bangkok, Dakar, and St. Lucia Organization estimates at around four mil- is involved include the Migration Dialogue for government-to-government discussions lion people. The migration of health workers for Southern Africa and the Bali Process. on these questions. from poor to rich countries weakens the Consultations and sharing best practices at For the past decade, news reports have health care systems in the developing world, the regional level can help address migration told of migrants dying while being smuggled and that must be balanced against the right challenges such as human smuggling and from West Africa to Europe or from Somalia of individuals to emigrate. The Depart- trafficking, and the human rights of mi- to Yemen. To address these problems, the ment’s involvement has focused on defining grants. The Bali Process was recently chosen bureau funds the International Organization standards for the ethical recruitment of to discuss international solutions to the for Migration to implement programs that health workers and mitigating the negative plight of the Rohingya—a stateless popula- help governments deal more humanely effects of migration on heath care systems. tion from Burma’s Northern Rakhine State. and effectively with mixed migratory flows. The office is united in its dedication Many of the Rohingya have sought refuge The bureau also works with the Interna- to maintaining U.S. leadership on issues in the neighboring countries of Bangladesh, tional Organization for Migration and the affecting millions of individuals, and it will Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia. Office of the U.N. High Commissioner for continue to engage in regional and inter- The Rohingya case reflects the complex Refugees to help overseas victims of human national discussions and programs aimed challenges the office’s staff face regarding trafficking, who may face persecution upon at moving the world in more humane and the “mixed flows” of migrants. How does a repatriation, apply for asylum and possible productive directions. government protect, assist, process or return resettlement to a third country. each migrant when it first must distinguish Beth Schlachter is a population program who they are—economic migrant, asylum Major Issue officer and Sonia H. Dentzel is a migration seeker or stateless person? Which persons Another current concern, the issue of policy officer in the Bureau of Population, are smuggled, trafficked or unaccompanied health worker migration, is under discussion Refugees, and Migration’s Office of Population

minors? What if the country of refuge is at several multilateral organizations, includ- and International Migration. WARNER ED PHOTOGRAPHS:

34 State MAY 2009 TEAM TRAVELS TO ADDRESS MIGRANTS’ NEEDS BY SONIA DENTZEL In fiscal 2008, the Office of Population and International Migration programmed nearly $9 million through the Inter- national Organization for Migration for migration-related activities. These programs help governments manage migration and assist the most vulnerable migrants, such as the victims of human trafficking. The office’s migration team travels to program sites throughout the world to monitor and evaluate bureau- funded programs, meet with government officials and program implementers, and speak with the survivors of human trafficking. “For our staff to see firsthand the impact of our programs can be a life- altering, inspirational experience,” said Office Director Suzanne Sheldon. On one such trip to Indonesia, I spoke with a very young woman who held her baby girl tightly while recounting how she was forced to work as a prostitute to Clockwise from left: The authors, Sonia Dentzel, left, and Beth Schlachter, stand together repay a never-ending debt to her brothel’s in their office’s hallway; B. Glenn Griffin is the deputy director; Suzanne A. Sheldon is the office’s director. madam, who charged her for room, board and basic necessities. One day, the madam told her she could give up her baby to pay off her loan and leave. But, when she did, the madam kept her baby—and sold the woman to another brothel. Eventually, she and her baby were rescued and placed in a shelter. The woman, still too traumatized to smile, spoke of a determination to rebuild her life little by little. In a bureau-funded project, she receives assistance and medical and psychologi- cal care. When she recovers, she will be trained to engage in income-generating activities to prevent her from again being victimized. In the Dominican Republic, I met a brave and dynamic young woman who had been trafficked to Latin America. Through our program, this 22-year-old single mother of a five-year-old child learned to manage accounts and established a cart selling baby clothes outside a maternity hospital. She proudly recounted to me how she had opened her first bank account and planned to expand her small business. There are many such stories in our office—many with happy endings. n

MAY 2009 State 35 The author helped establish this basement paper mill in Tallinn’s Old Town.

Pulp Fiction PAO SPARES THE TIME TO SUSTAIN AN ANCIENT ART BY ERIC A. JOHNSON

The idea for the book The Poetics of poems. As a growing number of visitors Developed by the Chinese more than Endangered Species was simple: What would to his beautiful church fell in love with the 2,000 years ago, the process of papermaking the world’s threatened animals and plants combination of images and words, Ljutjuk by hand remains largely unchanged. Plant say if they could speak? Convinced that these realized that he needed to convert this fi bers such as linen, cotton and fl ax are used, creatures would choose poetry over prose, creation into a more accessible form— but the fi bers must be broken down. I use a I and the book’s other developers searched hence the book. “beater” machine that was built in Brooklyn for simple yet profound poems, hoping But fi rst he needed to fi nd someone who but is based on a Dutch design from the this apparent paradox would cause readers knew how to make paper by hand. 1600s. When mixed with water, these fi bers to consider the poems and refl ect on their create a pulp from which the papermaker world. Thus, the book became a literary The Papermaker pulls sheets of paper by using molds that sanctuary giving voice to the voiceless. That would be me. While serving as a capture the tiny fi bers but allow the water The Poetics of Endangered Species was the U.S. Information Agency Library Fellow in to pass through. The wet sheets are then brainchild of Anatolij Ljutjuk, director of Tallinn in 1993, I wrote a series of original pressed between two pieces of felt—wool the Ukrainian Cultural Center in Tallinn, fairy tales—two of which were published doesn’t stick to plant fi bers—and then dried. Estonia. Ljutjuk is also a State Artist of by Estonia’s largest press. But when I gave Ukraine, an award-winning Estonian a copy of my fi rst book to the six-year-old Useful Instruction designer, the builder of Estonia’s Ukrainian daughter of the U.S. Embassy in Tallinn’s By 1994 I was back in Washington, D.C., Catholic Church and a Benedictine monk. most senior Foreign Service National, the working at the Library of Congress and Kay Phillips, wife of former U.S. Ambas- precocious girl was unimpressed. She said, studying at the Corcoran College of Art + sador to Estonia Dave Phillips, called him “It’s very nice that you write books, but Design, where I learned to make handmade “Estonia’s Leonardo da Vinci.” can you make your own books?” She then paper and books. I took time off work to Work on Poetics began in 2000 when showed me her books—made out of scrap spend part of one summer studying under Ljutjuk created a series of icons featuring paper, held together by tape and string and one of America’s leading papermakers. Estonia’s endangered species. These icons illustrated with colored pencils and crayons. Along the way, I joined the Friends of Dard inspired a young Estonian poet, Timo As my ego defl ated, I still managed to Hunter, a group of artists and craftspeople

Maran, to write a series of accompanying think: “What a brilliant idea.” dedicated to preserving the skill of mak- SHKURAT LESIA PHOTOGRAPHS:

36 State MAY 2009 After Hours

ing paper by hand. An activist of the Arts and Crafts movement, Hunter revived papermaking by hand in the United States, and succeeding generations of Friends have helped return the craft to countries as far apart as Spain and Australia. I joined the U.S. Information Agency in 1999, and when it was merged with the State Department later that year, I was posted to the U.S. Embassy in Moscow. There, I tried but failed to get Russian artists interested in establishing a mill to make handmade paper. In the process, I met several artists who worked with paper, including one with Ukrainian roots, Igor Zadera. After exhibiting our paper at various universities and libraries around Moscow, we were invited to do a small show in Tallinn at a gallery owned by the illustrator of my second book. One day in 2002, Ljutjuk saw the show, tracked me down and recruited me as his At the presentation of the new volume of the Poetics papermaker. of Endangered Species, Ukraine’s First Lady Kateryna While still in Moscow, I helped design Yushchenko thanks St. Petersburg’s Public Affairs Offi cer Eric A. Johnson, far right, and Kyiv’s Public the fi rst paper mill in the Baltic States since Affairs Offi cer Chris Fitzgerald.Below: To make paper Estonians had stopped making handmade by hand, a screen is used to press water from the pulp. paper in 1913. Shortly after I became the public affairs offi cer in Estonia in 2005, I did what any Friend of Dard Hunter would to life there. Located in the basement of a Old Town, this paper mill is another living do: I helped bring the handmade paper mill 14th-century building in Tallinn’s medieval example of Ljutjuk’s art. My volunteer work on this project has since expanded to include assignments as translator and editor—and showing Estonia’s President Toomas Hendrik Ilves and his wife how paper is made from cotton, linen and rags. Together with a growing team—in- cluding Ljutjuk’s talented sons Nestor and Bogdan, and Estonia’s top calligrapher, Heino Kivihall, I produced the handmade original for The Poetics of Endangered Species: Estonia, published as a facsimile edition in 2007. When Ukraine’s First Lady, Kateryna Yushchenko, visited Tallinn, she was so impressed she decided to sponsor The Poetics of Endangered Species: Ukraine. And so on Feb. 17, the First Lady unveiled our new book, which aims to reconnect people with the world around them. Thanks to massive media coverage of this event, an entire nation learned what threatened plants and animals might tell them if they could speak. n

The author is public affairs offi cer at the U.S. Consulate General in St. Petersburg, Russia.

MAY 2009 State 37 PHOTOGRAPH: FOTOLIA Medical

Heart Disease CONTROL OF RISK FACTORS IS THE KEY///BY JOSEPH A. ROMEO

Heart disease, the leading killer of Americans, is responsible for one gency angioplasty, a procedure that opens a coronary artery with a of three deaths—nearly 900,000 yearly—in the United States. Despite balloon-like device and usually uses a metal tube called a stent to the Department’s relatively younger, better-educated workforce and keep it open. These can save lives and minimize the amount of heart its access to good care and health insurance compared to the overall muscle damage, but they must be administered in the first few hours population, a surprising number of employees have heart problems after onset of symptoms. and many more have a high risk of developing them. You should not drive yourself to the emergency room. If you are Most significant is coronary artery disease, in which plaque in an area where emergency medical transportation is inadequate or obstructs the pencil-sized blood vessels that supply the heart muscle, nonexistent, then having a spouse or neighbor drive you may be the leading to angina, heart attack and sudden death. Cigarette smoking, only choice. You should chew an adult aspirin (not enteric-coated) or high blood pressure, diabetes and high levels of LDL (“bad” choles- four 81-mg “baby” aspirin at once if you are not allergic to them. If terol) are major risk factors. Other important factors include low you are discharged from the hospital without a clear diagnosis, notify HDL (“good cholesterol”), obesity and a sedentary lifestyle. Age and your primary care doctor or Foreign Service medical provider and family history of heart attacks, especially premature ones, are two risk arrange for follow-up and possible further testing. factors that cannot be controlled, but all the others are modifiable. Preventive measures are important, especially for people with one A newer risk factor is the metabolic syndrome, a cluster of factors or more risk factors. Exercise is very important. Moderate activities that includes abdominal obesity, low HDL and elevated triglycerides, are recommended, such as brisk walking, biking or swimming 30 blood pressure and blood sugar. This syndrome is associated with a minutes a day, five times a week. Even walking up one or two flights much higher incidence of heart disease than usual. Recent studies of stairs instead of taking the elevator, walking to work or parking have shown that inflammation of blood vessels in people with a high farther from the entrance have been shown to be beneficial. level of C-reactive protein in their blood is a powerful risk factor for Maintaining ideal weight and eating a heart-healthy diet are coronary disease and stroke, even in the presence of normal choles- essential. A low-fat diet is important if you have elevated cholesterol. terol. Another study showed that the incidence of these conditions, as Recent studies suggest that the Mediterranean diet, consisting of fish, well as mortality from heart disease, can be reduced nearly 50 percent olive or canola oil, vegetables, fruits and grains and very little red by treatment with cholesterol-lowering drugs called statins in persons meat may be best for preventing heart disease and losing weight. Fish- over the age of 50. Other emerging risk factors for coronary artery oil supplements or eating cold-water fish twice a week may be helpful, disease include depression and low levels of vitamin D. especially for people who have high levels of triglycerides. The U.S. In addition to risk factors, it is important to know the symptoms Preventive Services Task Force recently recommended that all men of a heart attack. Generally, the main symptom is mid-chest pain, ages 45 to 79 and women 55 to 79 take a low-dose 81-mg aspirin daily which may be severe, but is occasionally experienced as tightness or if they are not at high risk of gastrointestinal bleeding. Always check heavy pressure that lasts more than a minute or two. The pain may with your primary care provider before taking any supplement. radiate to the neck, jaws, shoulder, back or arms, usually the left arm. Mortality from cardiovascular disease in the United States has Accompanying symptoms may include shortness of breath, weakness, fallen in the past few years after a steady rise in previous decades. fatigue, sweating or nausea. While women having a heart attack often Better drugs, angioplasty and bypass surgery play some role, but have similar chest pain, they experience a very high incidence of preventive measures account for at least half of the improvement. atypical symptoms without chest pain, such as sudden shortness of Contact your regional medical officer or Foreign Service health breath, weakness and extreme fatigue or severe nausea. They may have practitioner for more information or assistance in reducing your risk arm or back pain instead of chest pain. Sudden, severe indigestion in for heart disease. someone with risk factors and without a history of upper gastrointes- To calculate your risk for a heart attack using information easily tinal disease is a common symptom of a heart attack. available from your MED clearance exam or your personal physician, If you experience these symptoms, call 911 in the United States or go to www.framinghamheartstudy.org/risk. n Canada or the local medical emergency number in other countries. Modern medicine has tools such as clot-busting drugs and emer- The author is chief of the cardiology section, Office of Medical Services.

MAY 2009 State 39 Learn

FSI Web Page Dates for FSI Transition Center Courses are shown below. Find everything you need to know about FSI and its training For information on all the courses available at FSI, visit the Schedule of Courses on OpenNet at http://fsi.state.gov. opportunities at http://fsi.state.gov. This site is constantly updated See Department Notices for announcements of new courses to provide just-in-time information on services such as: and new course dates and periodic announcements • Online Catalog: Up-to-the-minute course schedules and offer- of external training opportunities sponsored by FSI. ings from live classroom training to distance learning. For additional information, please contact the Office of the Registrar at (703) 302-7144/7137. • Online Registration System: Submit your training application for classroom, distance learning and even external training, Security June July Length using the online registration link found on virtually every course description or the external training Web page. MQ911 Security Overseas Seminar 1,15,29 13,27 2D • Training Continua: Road maps to help you effectively plan your training for the year or beyond. MQ914 Security Overseas Seminar, Youth 16,30 14,28 2D • About FSI: Get a snapshot view of FSI’s history and enrollment statistics. • Links to training resources: View information on specific Foreign Service Life Skills June July Length countries, language learning and testing and myriad helpful reference materials. MQ104 Regulations, Allowances & Finances in the Foreign Service Context 25 1D Student Records Online Located on the FSI Web page, Student Records Online is a secure, MQ116 Protocol and the U.S. Representation Abroad 6 25 1D password-protected site that provides access to all FSI training information. Features include: MQ703 Post Options for Employment • Reviewing and printing your training schedule. and Training 4 1D • Reviewing and printing your student transcript. • Tracking the status of your training request. MQ803 Realities of Foreign Service Life 18 1D • Canceling an already-scheduled FSI course. • Requesting changes or canceling an external training MQ950 High Stress Assignment registration. Outbriefing Program 12,26 10 3H • Creating and submitting your Individual Development Plan/ Work and Development Plan for Locally Employed Staff. Career Transition Center June July Length • Retrieving your FasTrac password. For more information and to establish your logon, visit the Web RV101 Retirement Planning Workshop 8 27 4D site at https://fsiapps.fsi.state.gov/fsirecs/Login.aspx. RV103 Financial Management and Ask FSI Estate Planning 10 29 1D Looking for information on a specific course, training location or distance learning? Experiencing a problem with registration, ac- RV104 Annuities and Benefits and cessing a course or technical issue? “Ask FSI” is your answer! Found Social Security 9 28 1D on the homepage of FSI (http://fsi.state.gov), “Ask FSI” allows you to review frequently asked questions or submit your own inquiry. Length: H = Hours, D = Days, W = Weeks Questions are routed quickly for prompt response.

PN113 Introduction to Working in an FasTrac Distance Learning Program Embassy Learn at your own pace, when and where you want! All State Newly updated, this course introduces employees of U.S. govern- Department employees, FSNs and eligible family members are ment agencies and their eligible family members to the structure eligible. With your FasTrac password, you may access the entire and function of United States embassies and consulates overseas. It FasTrac catalog of more than 2,500 courses, from home or office. is designed to assist them in working successfully in a diplomatic To view the complete FasTrac catalog, visit the FasTrac Web site at environment. With MQ911 Security Overseas Seminar, this course http://fsi.state.gov/fastrac. fulfills the security requirement for individuals on a first-time For more information on all of our distance learning opportuni- overseas assignment lasting 30 days or more. Not appropriate for ties, visit the FSI Web site at http://fsi.state.gov and click on Department of State Foreign Service generalists or specialists. “Distance Learning.” n

40 State MAY 2009 Appointments

Deputy Secretary for Man- Deputy Secretary agement and Resources James B. Steinberg of Texas is the new Jacob J. “Jack” Lew of New York is the Deputy Secretary, serving as the principal new Deputy Secretary for Management deputy to Secretary Hillary Clinton. and Resources. Previously, he worked as Previously, he was dean of the Lyndon managing director and chief operating B. Johnson School of Public Affairs. officer for Citi Alternative Investments and Before that, he was director of Foreign Citi Global Wealth Management. Before Policy Studies at the Brookings Institution. that, he was executive vice president and During the Clinton Administration, he was chief operating officer of New York University. He served as President deputy assistant secretary in the Bureau of Intelligence and Research, Bill Clinton’s director of the Office of Management and Budget. chief of staff and director of the policy planning staff in the Depart- Earlier in his career, he was a domestic policy advisor to House ment, and deputy national security advisor. Earlier, he was a senior Speaker Thomas P. O’Neill Jr. analyst at the RAND Corp. He is married and has two daughters.

U.S. Permanent Representa- tive to the United Nations Susan E. Rice of the District of Columbia is the new U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations. Previously, she was a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution and senior advisor for national security affairs on Barack Obama’s presidential campaign. During the Clinton Administration, she was senior director for African Affairs at the National Security Council and then assistant secretary of state for African Affairs. Earlier, she was a management consultant for McKinsey and Company. She is married and has two children. retirements

FOREIGN SERVICE CIVIL SERVICE

Davis, Ruth A. Smith, Byron D. Casale, Francis A. Gralnek, Wendy R. Stockdale, Kim P. Coleman, Anne Christine Lange, John E. Tuttle, Robert H. Giamporcaro, Jeanne S. McLaurin, Hermenia I. Weinz, Thomas E. Magill, Diane

MAY 2009 State 41 Obituaries

Jimmie Ray Black, 70, Charles W. Grover, 80, a a retired Foreign Service specialist, died retired Foreign Service officer, died Feb. Dec. 22 of a heart attack at his home in 26 of cancer in Charleston, S.C. He joined San Antonio, Texas. He served in the the Department in 1956 and served in Air Force for 20 years before joining the Spain, Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Chile and Department as an information manage- Ecuador. After retirement, he also served in ment officer in 1981. His postings included Equatorial Guinea, Haiti and Antigua and Brazil, Thailand, Cape Verde, Denmark and Haiti. He retired in 1997. became a program officer at Meridian House International. He was an avid amateur genealogist and historian, and wrote a book based on the Civil War letters of New Hampshire volunteers.

Roger E. Burgess Jr., 67, a Patricia Henneberger, retired Foreign Service officer, died March 78, a retired Civil Service employee and 3 of lung cancer in Washington, D.C. He wife of retired Foreign Service officer served in the Air Force Security Service Thomas Henneberger, died Dec. 13 of lung during the Vietnam War. He joined the cancer. She lived in Charlotte, Vt. She began Department in 1974 and served in Laos, her career as a Foreign Service secretary in China, the Soviet Union, Denmark, Costa Frankfurt, where she met her husband. She Rica and Nicaragua. While detailed to the Organization of American later worked as a Civil Service secretary and administrative assistant States, he created an award-winning Web site about antique carousels. in the Department. After retiring in 1996, he worked for charitable organizations as a Web designer. He loved jazz, ballet and photography.

Edward E. Keller Jr., 79, George A. Ellsworth, a retired Foreign Service officer, a retired Foreign Service officer, died Feb. 11 died Sept. 24 at his home in San Pedro, Calif. He joined the Depart- from complications of Parkinson’s Disease ment in 1942, entered the military in 1945 to serve in Korea, then in Washington, D.C. He served in the Navy rejoined the Department in 1947. His postings included Santiago, and joined the Department in 1956. His Guayaquil, London, Vientiane, Bogotá, Manila, Saigon, Tehran and postings included Algeria, Belgium, Brazil, Paris. He retired in 1975. He was a consummate storyteller in English, Jordan, Morocco, Switzerland, Turkey and Spanish and French. Yemen. He retired in 1986. He endowed the chair of Edward Keller Professor of North Africa and the Middle East at Tufts University.

42 State MAY 2009 Obituaries

William “Bill” Thomas R. Reynders, 71, a McCollough, 84, a retired Civil retired Foreign Service officer, and his wife Service employee, died Nov. 9 at his home Joyce Mercer Reynders, in Maryland. He served as a fighter pilot in 66, died recently. Mr. Reynders died the Army Air Force and joined the Depart- Feb. 1 in Kabul, Afghanistan, where he ment in 1958. He retired in 1988 as assistant was visiting projects implemented by a director for building design and construc- consulting company he worked for. He tion in the Office of Foreign Buildings Operations. served in the Army in Korea and joined the Department in 1967. His postings included Jakarta, Hamburg, Rome, Paris and Amsterdam. After retiring, he managed legal-development and institutional-reform projects in Cambodia, Afghanistan, Indone- sia, Madagascar, Montenegro and the West Bank/Gaza. Mrs. Reynders died March 8 of lung cancer in Maryland. She accompanied William D. Morgan, 83, her husband on his assignments and a retired Foreign Service officer, died March worked in Washington at the American 11 from a post-surgical infection in Fairfax Academy of Diplomacy, Worldwide Associates and Weichert Realty. County, Va. He served in the Army during She was an avid gardener. World War II and joined the Department in 1954. His postings included Paris; Moscow; Birmingham, England; Beirut and Montreal. He co-authored The U.S. Consul at Work and co-edited an oral history of the Foreign Service. After retiring in 1987, he traveled, George B. Sherry, 81, a retired Foreign Service officer, wrote and volunteered at an elementary school. died Nov. 24 of lung cancer at his home in Tucson, Ariz. He served in the Army during World War II and joined the Department in 1953. His postings included Italy, Germany, Nigeria, Guyana, Ethiopia, Indonesia and Burma. After retiring in 1983, he and his wife spent many years traveling across the United States and around the world. He was a volunteer naturalist with the National Park Service and an avid reader, cook, poet and historian.

Mary “May” Nolan, 85, widow of Foreign Service officer Bernard Nolan, died Jan. 9 of a stroke in Philadelphia, Pa. She accompanied her husband on assignments to Kenya, Parker Drummond Sierra Leone, Cyprus and Yemen, where Wyman, 86, a retired Foreign Service he died in 1973. Then she worked at the officer, died March 3 of cancer in Chevy Philadelphia Passport Agency. The mother of two Foreign Service Chase, Md. He served in the Army and officers, she attended their recent swearing-in ceremonies: Robert B. joined the Department in 1946. He was Nolan as ambassador to Lesotho and Stephen J. Nolan as ambassador posted to Berlin, Cairo, Dusseldorf, Milan, to Botswana. She was passionate about politics and world events and Vietnam, Addis Ababa and Lagos. After loved caring for stray animals. retiring in 1984, he designed computer software and developed a program for managing the Department’s expendable property. He enjoyed tennis, genealogy, chess, mountain hiking and skiing. He volunteered for Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic.

MAY 2009 State 43 THE LAST WORD

Diplomacy 3.0 Ready to Roll potential employees, and hiring efforts will stage in U. S. diplomatic efforts, colleagues emphasize social networking technologies at the Bureau of International Narcotics and popular with young workers and college Law Enforcement Affairs are ahead of the students. While much of the Diplomacy 3.0 curve in at least one area—justice-sector effort focuses on Foreign Service positions, reform efforts. The bureau launched its the initiative also includes robust recruiting Public-Private Partnership for Justice Reform for Civil Service positions. in Afghanistan in December 2007 as a non- It’s hard to know where you’re going if partisan effort to involve American judges, you don’t know where you’ve been. That’s lawyers and representatives of business and the basic premise behind the soon-to- academia in helping develop the rule of law open U.S. Diplomacy Center, previewed in Afghanistan. The partnership helps the in an exhibit in the second-floor gallery Afghan people and government establish a overlooking Main State’s 21st Street lobby. fairer and more transparent justice system The Center, financed in part by private by bringing Afghan lawyers into the interna- donations, will feature exhibits and engage tional community of legal professionals. in activities focused on the history, practice With more than $1.3 million in contribu- and challenges of U. S. diplomacy. It is also tions since its inception, the partnership also designed to appeal to talented individuals funds low-cost, high-impact projects that considering diplomatic careers. support women in the legal profession, local The center’s 2,500 artifacts will tell bar associations and legal aid organizations. When the U.S. Congress authorized American diplomacy’s story and, according Last but never least, a final salute to our funding for the Department to hire more to director Stephen Estrada, “bring diplo- colleagues en route to their final posting: than 2,000 new employees over the next macy to life and reveal its importance Jimmie Ray Black; Roger E. Burgess Jr.; George year, the Bureau of Human Resources had its to every citizen it touches.” The center will A. Ellsworth; Charles W. Glover; Patricia shovel-ready hiring initiative ready to roll. pay tribute to U. S. diplomats, illuminate Henneberger; Edward E. Keller Jr.; William Called “Diplomacy 3.0: Diplomacy, Develop- U. S. diplomatic history and prepare the “Bill” McCollough; William D. Morgan; Mary ment and Defense,” the initiative includes next generation of leaders. “May” Nolan; Thomas R. Reynders; Joyce a number of tech-savvy methods to attract With Afghanistan moving closer to center Mercer Reynders; George B. Sherry; and Parker Drummond Wyman. n Correction In the April 2009 issue of State Magazine, the U.S. Mission in Geneva was incorrectly identified as the U.S. Embassy in Geneva.State Magazine regrets the error. Rob Wiley Editor-in-Chief

Coming in June • FSOs Monitor Peace in the Sinai • REE: The First Face of the Foreign Service • FSI Boosts Management Training ... and much more!

44 State MAY 2009

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