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COVER FEATURES

Focus ON POLAND CYRUS VANCE, PEACEMAKER / 48 20 / WHY POLAND IS MAKING IT From Panama to Cyprus to Bosnia, the winner of AFSA’s How did Poland become the surprise front-runner in 1999 Award for Lifetime Contributions to American Eastern European economic and democratic reforms? Diplomacy has been the negotiator for all seasons. By Peggy Simpson By Steven Alan Honley

30 / POLAND: A PLUS FOR NATO RACING KING HUSSEIN / 54 Of NATO’s three new members, only Poland will clearly As a young monarch, King Hussein loved flying planes, boost the alliance’s lighting capabilities. driving motorcycles and racing cars with his “set,” By Jeffrey Simon which included an American diplomatic couple. By Louise S. Keeley 35 / KEEPING A DREAM ALIVE America’s work with the Polish opposition in the ’70s and ’80s showed how effective public diplomacy can be. COLUMNS By Dick Virden PRESIDENT’S VIEWS / 5 40 / FROM TRIUMPHALISM TO REALITY AFSA Awards: Dissent and Service When communism fell, Poles hoped for a new Marshall By Dan Geisler Plan. That’s not what they got. By Janine Wedel SPEAKING OUT / 17 Focus When an Assignment Disappears By Stephan J. Helgesen

POSTCARD / 84 Song of the Volga Boatwoman By Nicole Prevost Logan

SCHOOLS SECTION Page 20 EDUCATORS ON THE EDGE / 56 DEPARTMENTS What land of person goes to teach in Outer Incognita? You’d be surprised. 7/LETTERS By Daniel Davis 12 / CLIPPINGS 73 / BOOKS 75 / IN MEMORY Cover and inside illustrations hy Susan Sanford

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4 FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL/JUNE 1999 PRESIDENT’S VIEWS The Foreign Service Tradition of Dissent and Service

BY DAN GEISLER

At the annual Foreign Service Day AFSA gives three additional luncheon at the State Department We don t see annual awards for service. In 1982 last May, Admiral William J. Crowe, the wife of Averell Harriman, former chairman of tire Joint Chiefs dissent as an Pamela Harriman, established the of Staff and former U.S. ambassador Avis Bohlen Award in memory of to die Court of St. James’s, praised option; it is a the spouse of Charles E. Bohlen, the Foreign Service tradition of offer¬ ambassador to France from 1962 to ing constructive dissent. This tradi¬ professional 1968. The award recognizes a tion, he said, made Foreign Service Foreign Service family member for officers invaluable to him as chief of obligation. volunteer service. mission in London. In 1990, Foreign Service office For more than 30 years, AFSA management specialists — then has supported constructive dissent known as secretaries — asked AFSA in the Foreign Service. We don’t see to establish an award. The Delavan dissent as an option; it is a profes¬ posts. He served as ambassador to the Award was created with funding sional obligation. Political leaders Soviet Union and die United from the Delavan Foundation, deserve the Foreign Service’s best Kingdom as well as under secretary of established by the parents of Ann judgment on foreign policy issues, State for Political Affairs. Harriman, Harrop, spouse of Ambassador whether they agree with us or not. In who encouraged career officers to William C. Harrop. this decade alone, Foreign Service offer their frank views, endowed the Finally, Jon Clements, president officers have dissented on policy award through a family foundation. of Clements & Co. Insurance, in issues in countries as diverse as A dynamic lawyer from the 1994 funded a new award for com¬ Bosnia, Cuba and Ireland. Midwest, William R. Rivldn, brought munity liaison officers. The M. During the ferment of the Vietnam passion for truth and fairness to the Juanita Guess Award honors the War years, the Department of State task of representing the United States memory of Jon Clements’ mother, established die Secretary’s Open in Luxembourg from 1962 to 1965 who in her role with the company Forum for discussion of alternative and tiien in Senegal, where he was worked with many CLOs. policy views and the Dissent Channel felled by a heart attack in 1967. The In addition to these awards, each for disagreement with existing policy. Rivkin family provides support for year since 1995 AFSA has given an In the same era, in 1967, AFSA estab¬ die mid-level dissent award, which is Award for Lifetime Contributions to lished three annual awards for junior, presented each year by Ambassador American Diplomacy. This year mid-level and senior officers. Rivkins widow. Cyrus Vance, secretary of State in the The award for junior officers is In 1969 family and friends of Carter Administration, will receive named after W. Averell Harriman, Christian A. Herter, former governor tlie award. A profile of Vance appears whose distinguished career included of Massachusetts and secretary of in this issue; Journal coverage of service as governor of New York and State from 1959 to 1961, arranged other award winners will appear in secretary of Commerce, as well as support for the award to a senior the July-August issue. many high-ranking foreign affairs FSO. The award encourages officers AFSA salutes this year’s winners to speak out with their best and and thanks once again the generous Dan Geisler is president of the Amer¬ frankest advice, regardless of career donors who make the awards ican Foreign Service Association. consequences. possible. ■

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Are FS Deaths “Normal”? fire during the invasion of Grenada, understand and react to the threat or Retired Ambassador Hume has carefully dissected the thousands threats in a timely fashion. Horan has spoken out on the deaths of pages of the official Air Force John Gallup Laylin, Jr. of Foreign Service personnel serving investigation into the causes of the Germ en Louron, France overseas during the last three Iraq accident and the Uniform Code decades, with particular reference to of Military Justice reviews that the bombing of our embassies in followed. Despite subsequent No Self-Satisfaction, Please Nairobi and Dar es Salaam OSI/GAO findings that over 70 indi¬ Mark Sawchuk’s article on former (“Letters,” Oct. 1998). There is vidual errors contributed to this Assistant Secretary of State for another aspect to the accident, Snooks conclusion is Democracy, Human Rights and tragic deaths, whether caused by ter¬ profoundly disturbing. Labor John Shattuck (Dec. 1998) was rorist attack or accident, of these and He writes that he kept looking for disturbing. The Foreign Service other U.S. personnel serving over¬ a smoking gun: “Instead, two years Journal should not be used for uncrit¬ seas. By accident, I mean the missed of inquiry confirmed my original sus¬ ical fluff pieces that lay claim to approach at Dubrovnik and the picions. There weren’t any bad guys; administration legacies in unsettled shootdown of two unarmed U.S. hence, no one to blame. There and controversial areas. There is Army Blackhawk helicopters over weren’t any catastrophic failures of much that is disputable about this northern Iraq on April 14, 1994 by material or equipment; hence, noth¬ administration’s contributions to two U.S. Air Force F-15 fighters dur¬ ing to fix. No gross negligence or act humanitarian intervention. ing Operation Provide Comfort, the of God caused this tragedy. The In Central Africa, for instance, effort to protect the Kurdish popula¬ more I looked for traditional cul¬ what passes for policy is driven tion. In the Iraqi accident 26 military prits, the more I realized that this less by current realities than guilt over and one civilian, my late wife and accident occurred not because past blunders — blunders which con¬ veteran FSO, Barbara Schell, serving something extraordinary had hap¬ tributed to the deaths of hundreds of as the POLAD, were killed instanta¬ pened, but rather just the opposite. thousands of Africans. The after¬ neously. This accident happened because, or shocks of 1994 continue to shake local In a 1996 doctoral dissertation in perhaps in spite of everyone behav¬ communities and compromise our organizational behavior (due to be ing just the way we would expect current peacemaking efforts in the published this spring by the them to behave, just the way theory region. Thanks to our muddle, diplo¬ Princeton University Press), Lt. Col. would predict. ... Indeed, this acci¬ mats who muck this pit of developing Scott Snook, now teaching at West dent was normal. It was normal world “politics” get their professional Point and himself a victim of friendly because it occurred as the result of satisfaction from personal successes normal people behaving in normal counted infrequendy and one at a The Foreign Service Journal welcomes ways in normal organizations.” time. The shoulder-mounted beta- your signed letters to the editor. Please As Snook observes, “There are cams prominent in the Journal’s photo mail letters to the Journal, 2101 E St., some powerful messages” in these of Shattuck in Bosnia are in no ones NW, Washington, D.C., 20037; fax to attacks and accidents for the political work kit here. And no one is basking (202) 338-8244; or send via e-mail to and military leadership: amongst in self-satisfaction either. [email protected]. Letters, which are them the possibility that the complex¬ In “Shattuck’s World” the scattered subject to editing should include fidl ity of these military/diplomatic blood may be weeks old and dry, but name, title anil post, address and day¬ operations exceeds the capacity of here in the real world it’s warm and time telejihone number. individuals, groups or organizations to sticky. At post in Prague, Ambassador

JUNE 1999/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 7 LETTERS

Shattuck will find himself in the same trends from die data streams that The real question is, what are we fix as his chief of mission colleagues flow around us. We don’t just gather going to do with the technology we — already hampered by waning U.S. information, we manage it with an already have? influence and further burdened by eye to developing U.S. foreign poli¬ Note: This letter has been substantially representing an administration which cy.” However, I disagree with the edited due to space limitations. relies on shifting principles. almost generic statement that “the Terrence K Williamson Perhaps unwittingly, Sawchuk Foreign Service lacks modem infor¬ Information Systems summed up this administrations real mation management tools.” Officer legacy in the opening paragraph that Before we start talking about U. S. Embassy Panama described Assistant Secretary better tools for the job, we need Shattuck’s viewing the warehouse in to have a better understanding of Srebrenica widi astonishment. Was the job. Timely, accurate reporting Global Warming Wake-up the astonishment at the killing? comes from the analysis of quality Congratulations and praise for Or that yet another declaration of information gleaned from a vast devoting the March issue to global “profound (fill in the blank)” was pool of sources. The efforts of the warming, and particularly for the insufficient to deter what many department’s field representatives wake-up call from John Holdren, a foretold? — political, economic, EST and great sage in the field. Terry Nickelson others — should be less focused on World success in dealing with cli¬ Foreign Service spouse gathering raw information, and mate change is now extraordinarily Kinshasa more focused on gleaning strategic dependent on how die United States information from this vast pool performs. Apart from general world and using it to develop and imple¬ expectations of leadership from us, How We Use Information ment policy through effective we are both the largest emitter of AFSA President Dan Geisler’s persuasion. greenhouse gases and, through our editorial in the January FSJ, “Two Throughout the department, decision on ratification, we hold an Challenges for Diplomacy,” struck a there is a well-ingrained tendency to effective veto over the Kyoto deeply suppressed thought that I lay the blame on technology. Protocol’s coming into force. The suspect many in my profession Can we use better technology and Clinton-Gore administration and our share. tools to accomplish our mission? executive branch seem to be working As noted in his commentary, the Ol course we can. But do we intelligently for bodi serious mea¬ department has gone through sever¬ even come close to using effectively sures against climate damage and for al iterations of information manage¬ the tools currently available? approaches that will minimize die ment reform with meaningful but An honest reply would be a economic pain of giving up fossil painfully slow results. Whether it be resounding no. fuels. the well-intentioned programs of the If information is so vital to our The Congress is a harder case, as ’80s to put Wang minicomputers in interests, why is it that junior offi¬ attested by the 95-0 vote in favor of embassies around the world or three cers spend more time learning the the 1997 Byrd-Hagel Resolution reorganizations of the Information intricacies of protocol than how to which bars our ratifying Kyoto. In Management Bureau in the depart¬ properly search the Web? Why is it contrast to Europe, die lack of ment or tile latest answer to all prob¬ that we have the potential for a widespread public comprehension of lems: Y2K preparation and modern¬ world-class Intranet but for all prac¬ this admittedly difficult issue in ization under the ALMA programs, tical purposes it still serves as little j die U.S. is what permits this Hill the end product never lives up to the more than window dressing con- j irresponsibility. promise. Despite the long-lasting fined to metropolitan Washington? ] Diplomatic work is important, but improvements of the latter efforts, Why is it that agencies representing even in a world perspective die criti¬ they too will fail as long as we ignore a mission, be they in the office next j cal front now for global wanning is tile core problem: information and door or a few blocks away, cannot bringing the American public up how we use it. communicate and share electronic to speed. Geisler correctly states, “The role information on a real-time basis? Peter Lydon of the Foreign Service today is to We do not need new technology to FSO, retired. fish out the important facts and address any of the above. Berkeley, Calif.

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JUNE 1999/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 9 LETTERS

No Pardon Needed of our strategic approach to managing itself on die cutting edge of society in The editor had no need to ask State-congressional relations. adopting a policy which would provide readers to “pardon our science” for “H” in our day was the pathfinder domestic partner benefits. Employees the articles on global wanning in the and spear-tip, not a policy force. We of no other U.S. government agency, March FSJ. Rather, the Journal did always placed career substantive offi¬ however, face the financial and emo¬ diem a service in presenting a range cers face to face with Congress. “H” tional hardships of a Foreign Service of viewpoints on this important sci¬ was peopled almost exclusively by career. The strains of frequent reloca¬ ence issue in U.S. foreign affairs. FSOs, not former congressional staff. tion are all the more onerous for those FSOs need not weigh all the We maintained excellent credibility of us without the support structure conflicting evidence and decide for vith members and encouraged broad, which die service has developed over themselves whether global warming is not “narrow and controlled,” access die years expressly to preserve and real. (I myself think it is.) But they by die bureaus with Congress. protect FS families. The request for should be aware of some of the We never had access problems equal consideration and treatment is economic and environmental argu¬ for die secretary, Deputy Under not an unreasonable one. ments on this science issue because of Secretary of State for Management By dragging its heels, the service its great political consequence. Larry Eagleburger, Assistant Secretary runs die risk of losing a significant Robert Mo rris of State for Congressional Relations number of dedicated and valued FS Science Officer, Bob McCloskey, or myself. Congress¬ employees. retired ional committees expected substantive David M. Buss Ashland, Ore. assistant secretaries to be in touch Administrative Officer regularly. It helped that with one US Mission, OSCE, Vienna exception, all of Kissinger’s assistant Reinventing Diplomacy, Again secretaries were career FSOs. I commend Peter Galbraith for his State vs. Intelligence: Peter’s insight What Is Marriage? penetrating article on “reinventing into the question of duplicative report¬ I know Manish Mishra as a bright diplomacy again.” ing and unfair criticism of CIA for not and articulate colleague, but in mak¬ As a 30-year career FSO, I fully anticipating international crises is also ing his case for die granting of spousal share his questions about the two absolutely correct. He suggests, but benefits to homosexual couples, “outside studies” and their fascination not strongly enough, tiiat die ambas¬ (“Speaking Out,” March 1999), he with technology in communication sador and his country team must be makes several flawed assumptions. while underplaying the substantive die final arbiter of resource allocation Let’s examine some of diem. and organizational challenges we con¬ and coordination. This authority 1) Marriage is marriage. Mishra, tinue to face. should embrace the sizing of Defense, describing his relationship with his Congressional Relations: Having CIA, Treasury, Labor, AID, and US IA “husband-to-be” as “similar, no doubt, served as principal DAS for “H” staffs in each country. to many of my colleagues,” tells us he through Watergate and our collapse in I believe that if the department, will be married this summer in a Vietnam, I am painfully aware of the with a coordinated interagency blue¬ church ceremony. In what state, may keystone position Congress holds in print in hand, approached Congress I ask? Not one of die 50 states recog¬ foreign affairs. for die resources to refocus our glob¬ nizes homosexual marriage, a senti¬ It is absolutely correct that the de¬ al presence, it would be successful. ment echoed by the U.S. Congress in partment traditionally has been prone Kempton B. Jenkins its Defense of Marriage Act, legisla¬ to regard congressional relations as a FSO, retired tion signed by President Clinton. mysterious “priesthood” (Peters lan¬ Washington, D. C. Mishra demands that the State guage). However, in spite of die implo¬ Department “absolutely must” rec¬ sion of the executive branch’s influence ognize his marriage and extend ben¬ during Watergate and the defeat in Unrecognized Family Members efits to his spouse as if his marriage Vietnam, we were able to maintain an I would like to thank the Jou rnal is no different than diose of his het¬ excellent and effective relationship with for running Manish Mishra’s piece on erosexual colleagues. But a homo¬ Congress — largely because of equal benefits for same-sex partner¬ sexual “marriage” is different; name¬ Secretary Kissingers uncanny sense of ships. For years, management has ly, it is not a marriage in any legal personal political relations and because contended that State cannot place sense of the word.

10 FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL/JUNE 1999 LETTERS

2) Love transcends gender. Citing people. Mishras definition of marriage mitted relationship entitling the par¬ old laws against interracial marriage is reductionist: it’s all about loving and ticipants to, say, “travel, medical, and marriage between slaves, Mishra valuing another person; in other health, and other benefits.” makes the illogical jump to the con¬ words, only two people are involved. Mishra wants the Department of clusion that “definitions of what con¬ He terms as a “myth” the idea that State “to take a principled stand” and stitutes a marriage have changed as spousal benefits, and implicitly mar¬ enact by fiat and bureaucratic regula¬ society has recognized that love tran¬ riage, have anything to do with raising tion a policy that doesn’t come close scends race.” But society’s perception children. The institution of marriage to reflecting the values or interests of of marriage has not changed; the vast between a man and a woman is indeed the American public, the U.S. majority of Americans still define about mutual love and commitment, Congress or the Department of State. marriage as a union between a man but it is also much more than that. Richard G. Miles and a woman. Marriage between men and women Political Officer What changed was society’s per¬ provides for the creation, nurturing, U.S. Embassy Berlin ception of the humanity of black peo¬ and protection of the next generation. ple and the subsequent, albeit slow, Yes, there are heterosexual couples CORKECTION: In a letter in the April extension of rights to a class of people who choose not to have children, but Journal from Smith Simpson on rec¬ formerly defined as not fully human. this does not logically lead to tire con¬ ommended readings for the 75th Would Mishra argue that because for¬ clusion that marriage drerefore is not Anniversary of the Foreign Service, mer slaves were later given the right about creating families. die name of the audior of The Making to own property that the definition of Homosexual marriage would be a of the Diplomatic Mind was mis¬ property ownership has changed? legal recognition tiiat marriage is, in spelled. The author’s name is Robert 3) Marriage is really about two essence, notiiing more than a com¬ D. Schulzinger. ■ You'll Find 100 V\foys To Spend 30 Days At Georgetown Suites Coming t Washington an extended stay? Our oversized, luxurious suites put \ close to th business district and historic sights, world-class dining an eclectic shops that make Georgetown so exception^.

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JUNE 1999/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 11 CLIPPINGS

Kosovo REACTIONS: ALL OVER THE MAP Because the NATO campaign in Yugoslavia has been far and away the number one topic in foreign affairs du ring the past month, the “Clippings” section takes a look at a few of the varied reactions among U. S. commentators.

THERE IS the U.S. military alone has the means to deploy soldiers and equipment on short RADICAL EVIL notice around the globe, coming to the “The Czechs, From what might be called the moral¬ aid of individuals abroad may become Hungarians and ly outraged center, writer and critic critical to respecting ourselves at home.” Poles know exactly Susan Sontag calls on the U.S. for a most Doing otherwise, he writes, means why they want to join forceful response to Milosevics “destruc¬ “weakening [our] own commitment to tion of Yugoslavia and the creation of so the very principles that make liberal NATO. much suffering.” (Sontag’s concern with democracy feasible.” ... For them. the the region runs so deep that she spent alliance is the only much of 1993 to 1996 in war-wracked Sarajevo.) Sontag, in the May 2 New York THE PROGRESSIVES’ organization that has Times Magazine, argues that Kosovo, like ever dealt effectively Bosnia, must be considered pail of our CRUEL CRUSADE with the historic world, of Europe — and therefore worth From the left, Alexander Cockbum, saving. the enfant terrible of The Nation maga¬ German problem and “War is not simply a mistake, a failure zine, takes the West to task for what he the still existent to communicate,” Sontag writes. “There mockingly calls “die Progressives’ War. ... Russian problem. And is radical evil in die world, which is why The tine motives of the United States and there are just wars. And this is a just war. its accomplices” are to demonstrate “that from NATO's point of Even if it has been bungled.” no one had better mess with Uncle Sam.” view, expansion Says Cockbum, “The liberals are on a makes it much more emsade, historically die most merciless WE OWE IT TO of all forms of bellicose engagement, difficult for those in albeit the one most suffused with self- Moscow or OURSELVES serving illusions.” NATO, he says, “had elsewhere to reverse One of the more introspective (some no real interest in a peaceful diplomatic might say touchy-feely) arguments for resolution; otherwise, they would have course on the results going into Kosovo is made by Harvard parleyed further with Milosevic on the qf the Cold li ar. " professor Peter Berkowitz. Writing in the Serbs’ final offer to countenance peace¬ May 10 New Republic, a magazine that keepers hi Kosovo if the latter were

— SMITH nr FORMER has taken a consistently interventionist under the auspices of the U.N.” He also SECRETARY OF S TA TE position on the former Yugoslavia, questions the bona lides of the KLA, ALEXANDER M. Hue JR., Berkowitz says essentially that the U.S. “whose alleged drug-trafficking activities MARCH 18, 1999 must act because “we owe it to ourselves” have been discussed in some detail in to uphold humanitarian ideals. “In an newspapers such as the Times of London, increasingly interconnected world where as have the sympathies of some of the atrocities are reported in real time and KLA’s leaders for Mao.”

12 FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL/JUNE 1999 CLIPPINGS

FUTURE deception and his vicious policies in NATO’s Kosovo. But NATO will have amply Is AT STAKE demonstrated its resolve.” Former national security adviser At the same time, the editorial says, Zbigniew Brzezinski praises the Clinton “NATO must be ready to send in the administration for “keeping NATO troops when it becomes necessary. ... It together” but excoriates its lack of mili¬ was a mistake to rule out their use to tary preparation in the May 3 National begin with.” Review. YEARS AGO Brzezinski writes, “The stakes now involve far more than the fate of Kosovo. They were altered dramatically the day HEROES OR HEROIN? the bombing began. It is no exaggeration A report in die May 5 San Francisco “In the American to say that NATOs failure to prevail Chronicle details charges that there are and British Navies, would mean both the end of NATO as a extensive links between the Kosovo credible alliance and the undermining of Liberation Army and a powerful where selection-out America’s global leadership. And the con¬ European network of Kosovar drug has prevailed for sequences of either would be devastating smugglers. to global stability. “Kosovo Albanians hold the largest some time, we have “What then must be done? Given the share of the heroin market in noticed that the stakes involved, the United States, as the Switzerland, in Austria, in Belgium, in recognized leader of the alliance, must Hungary, in the Czech Republic, in Captains who do pursue a no-holds-barred approach to Norway and in Sweden,” according to a not make Rear winning.” That means, Brzezinski says, November 1997 statement from no compromise with Milosevic and Interpol, the international police agency. Admiral may be “preparation for a possible NATO ground “We have intelligence leading us to disappointed, yes, operation.” believe that there could be a connection between drug money and the Kosovo but certainly don’t Liberation Army,” Walter Kege, head of think of themselves THE CAUTIOUS the drug enforcement unit for Swedish police intelligence, told the London as being labeled CENTER’S OPTIONS Times in March. ‘with the stigma of Representing what is undoubtedly a While there is a history of distrust wide swathe of American opinion, an between the United States and the KLA, failure.” April 26 Christian Science Monitor the militarization of the Kosovo conflict editorial keeps the door open both to has forced NATO to rely on the KLA for — THE EDITORS negotiation and military escalation. intelligence, writes Chronicle staffer OE THE JOURNAL, “Even as the bombing continues, Frank Viviano. The problem, says JUNE 1949, ix NATO diplomats have to be alert for any Viviano, is that the U.S. could once again RESPONSE TO l LETTER movement by Mr. Milosevic on key con¬ find itself allied with a guerrilla group ON THE CONSEQUENCES ditions, such as an armed international engaging in narcotic operations, like the OE BEING force to ensure peace in Kosovo. Future Nicaraguan contras in the 1980s. SELECTED OUT. talks with the Serbian leader may seem a Viviano points out that drug proceeds distasteful prospect, given his record of are by no means the only source of

JUNE 1999/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 13 CLIPPINGS

income for the KLA. “The group is said Executive, the agency’s new independence to be funded by a war tax of 3 percent “will mark a significant victoiy for broad¬ imposed by the Peoples Movement of casting boosters.” Kosovo on the earnings of 500,000 ethnic Kirschten notes that the future of gov¬ Albanian emigrants in Western Europe,” ernment broadcasting looked iffy in the most of whom live in Germany and early ’90s as the Cold War wound down, Switzerland. but strong support both from tire Clinton "7 According to Interpol, while administration and congressional have Albanian-speakers comprise roughly 1 Republicans has let it survive stronger percent of Europe’s population, in 1997 than ever. discovered they accounted for 14 percent of all The BBG’s operating units will European arrests for heroin trafficking. include the Voice of America, the Office Ethnic Albanians became active in traf¬ of Cuba Broadcasting, and the television the art of ficking, the article states, both because and film unit Worldnet. It will also they live in the poorest region in Europe supervise and dispense funds to two pri¬ and because they live at a key location vate entities, Radio Free Europe/Radio deceiving in the Balkan route for bringing chugs Liberty and Radio Free Asia. into Europe. One indicator of (and perhaps a reason As Yugoslav citizens, Kosovars had for) the continued vigor of foreign broad¬ diplomats. greater freedom to travel than citizens of casting is the 1997 appointment of Albania proper. “That allowed them to Thomas A. Dine as president of RFE/RL. I speak establish very efficient overseas networks Dine, whom the article calls “a well-wired through the worldwide Albanian diaspo¬ Washington operator,” had earlier been ra — and in the process, to forge ties with the successful executive director of the the truth other underworld groups involved in the American Israel Public Affairs Committee heroin trade, such as Chinese triads in (AIPAC) from 1980 to 1993. Vancouver and Vietnamese in Australia,” Dine has enlarged RFE/RL’s mission and they said Michel Koutozis, a senior researcher statement to cover the area that stretches at Geopolitical Drug Watch who is “from Central Europe to the Pacific, regarded as a leading expert on the from the Baltic to the Black Sea, from never Balkan drug route. Russia to Central Asia to the Persian Gulf.” In addition, Dine told believe Government Executive that he wants to transform his organization from a short¬ BROADCAST UNIT wave regional broadcasting outlet to “an me. international communications organiza¬ To LEAVE USIA tion that puts out publications and is — CAMILLO The broadcasting operations that active on the Internet.” DI CAVOUR, have long been under the wing of The BBG may very well acquire a new ITALIAN DIPLOMAT the U.S. Information Agency will name and a modified structure when it (1810-61) WHO WAS become an independent agency Oct. 1. becomes independent this fall, Kirschten INSTRUMENTAL IN That’s the day USIA is to merge with suggests. The agency is now directed by a I NITR ATION OF ITALY the State Department, under last year’s part-time board, and previous board IN THE 19 "' CENTt III. Foreign Affairs and Reform and chairman David W. Burke, a former pres¬ Restructuring Act. ident of CBS News, has suggested that The new unit will initially be known the chairman’s job become full time. as the Broadcasting Board of Governors, One task facing the new agency will and will have an annual budget of be to absorb about 80 additional employ¬ over $400 million and more than 2,500 ees who currently support broadcasting employees. Writes David Kirschten within USIA and will be transferred to in the May 1999 issue of Government BBG’s payroll. ■

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16 FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL/JUNE 1999 SPEAKING OUT Assignment: Amembassy Limbo

BY STEPHAN J. HELGESEN

Late one evening in April 1997 I months, until July, trying to con¬ was home when I got the call I had vince him that I was the best person been waiting for from my assign¬ Three weeks for the job. The USFCS assignments ments officer. He congratulated me panel met another time and upheld on being selected for the job I had before 1 was my assignment. Key management most wanted as a senior commercial met with the ambassador, sent him officer in an embassy with which I due to leave, cables and spoke with him on the was familiar. While most other phone. They told him that they were FSOs had known for several USFCS caved prepared to leave the position empty months where they would be post¬ if he would not accept me, but he ed next, I had been waiting to find to pressure was unfazed and wouldn’t change out about my next assignment. The his mind. He didn’t base his objec¬ delay created logistical and other from the tions to me on my readiness to per¬ problems for me, not the least of form the job, he said, and that it was which was not knowing where I ambassador. “nothing personal,” but he wanted would be for the next four years. someone with an FS-01 rank. Still, getting that call made the wait Experienced senior officers and hassle worth it. whom I knew told me not to count This seemed like the ideal assign¬ on my agency backing my assign¬ ment for my abilities. I knew the ment, and they were right. Just country well because I had served three weeks before I was due to there as a junior officer some ten loggerheads with USFCS and turn leave for my assignment, USFCS years earlier. I spoke the language, into a nightmare of frayed nerves caved to pressure from the ambas¬ knew the embassy staff, had good before ending up before a grievance sador and rescinded my assignment. contacts at high levels in the govern¬ panel. I learned that this same ambassador ment and had even received a pro¬ had rejected another candidate for motion for accomplishments on my Assignment Rescinded the job who had been two grades earlier tour. The match was ideal, Although I was aware that a stan¬ below the desired rank. In that except for one detail which didn’t dard cable was sent to every ambas¬ instance USFCS withdrew the offi¬ then seem to be a problem. The sador inviting his or her “comments” cer’s assignment and left the posi¬ position called for an FS-01 and my on new assignments, I never tion vacant for six months. The offi¬ rank was FS-02. This didn’t seem to thought that the ambassador would cer was later given a job as deputy bother my agency, the U.S. and have the power or desire to object to head of section in a large embassy. Foreign Commercial Service. someone with my qualifications Apparently, it was more important Celebrating that evening, I after my assignment had been made. to this ambassador to have no senior couldn’t have predicted that my Still, the ambassador, a political officer than to have one who was ideal assignment would put me at appointee, had reservations. He under grade. wanted to fill the job with a candi¬ In July 1997, as soon as USFCS Stephan J. Helgesen is an FSO with date at die “proper” grade. After I rescinded my assignment, I filed a the U.S. and Foreign Commercial received my assignment, USFCS grievance with the Foreign Service Service in Singapore. lobbied the ambassador for three Grievance Board. I alleged that an

JUNE 1999/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 17 SPEAKING OUT

ambassador does not have the right From the information I’ve been to overrule the decision of an able to gather, it seems an increas¬ assignments panel without cause. ing number of politically appointed Further, I accused USFCS of failing ambassadors are abusing the in its responsibilities to me — and assignments process by overstep¬ thus all FSOs — by giving in to the ping their authority and ignoring capricious demands of an ambas¬ the foreign affairs agencies’ assign¬ Tell Us sador who insisted that he must ments panels. Many are asking that have a more senior (in rank) officer prospective assignees interview rather than accepting an officer of with them before they will accept About Your lower rank with sufficient experi¬ them for jobs and are delaying ence, as selected by an agency accepting officers they have not Travels assignments panel. personally chosen until agencies My lawyer researched every back down and rescind those offi¬ aspect of the assignments process cers’ assignments. The Foreign Service Journals and the rights and responsibilities of Maybe I’m wrong, but I thought "Postcard from Abroad" ambassadors. Months went by in personnel decisions were made by is not your average travel section. the discovery phase of the grievance the foreign affairs agencies and that with me preparing my interrogato¬ ambassadors weighed in on the Readers don't turn to it for ries •— questions about how the number and type of positions an paeans to sunbathing in decision was made — with help agency has at post. In practice, from AFSA lawyers. Once I filed a however, ambassadors are within Sumatra or the cheapest airfares grievance, my agency took its gloves their rights and have the power to to Europe. They will find stories off. They started asking me ques¬ wait an agency out. And if my case that illuminate an aspect of a tions about the assignments process is any indication, ambassadors are foreign culture written by to which I couldn’t possibly have not afraid to challenge agencies’ Americans whose business is known the answers. personnel decisions despite the living in that culture. consequences of being without a Ambassadorial Privilege senior officer at post for nearly a Writing for the postcard section USFCS had the full might of the year. The ironic thing about my should be provocative, detailed system behind it. I had no represen¬ case was that a junior FS-03 officer and convey a sense of place tation beyond AFSA. It seemed far¬ became the acting senior officer at through anecdote, reporting and cical at times, surreal at others, as the post I had wanted for almost a the Washington bureaucracy played year while the ambassador waited keen observation. the game of deny and delay. It was for his FS-01. He had, in effect, Potential writers should refer back my first grievance, but one of many already accepted someone ranked to issues of the FSJ for subjects for them. Fortunately for me, I had two grades below the position. covered and guidance in prepar¬ a number of friends and fellow offi¬ The FS-03 officer, incidentally, cers in this business who gave me did a fine job and was justifiably ing submissions, which should be exceptional moral support and promoted. from 600 to 800 words in length. excellent advice. After 18 months of legal For more information, It seems so simple. Your agency wrangling, the FSGB denied my contact managing editor assigns you. You go to post. If the grievance on all counts. They didn’t ambassador doesn’t like you or your decide the question of an ambas¬ Kathleen Currie performance, you work things out sador’s prerogative in assignments, by fax (202) 338-8244, after you get there. In die very but simply said that an agency has e-mail: [email protected], worst case, he asks you to leave. You the right to rescind an assignment or by mail. at least get the chance to show what even after an assignments panel had you can do. That’s all I wanted, an voted twice to confirm it. even chance. There had been no precedent for

18 FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL/JUNE 1999 SPEAKING OUT

the ruling. Had there been, it would have saved my agency, the FSGB and me a lot of grief. I would have just accepted the fact that my Volvo S80 Sedan agency was too timid to back up its own assignments panel in the face of an ambassador’s intransigence. B, ! ! When my assignment was with¬ drawn, I was offered a tour in what JL/ipomatic r iryilegc. my agency cryptically called the Diplomatic Corps ■ Embassy Personnel • Foreign Service Professionals “training complement,” a Military • World Bank • Inter-American Development Bank euphemism for a limbo-like holding Organization of American States pattern while I waited for them to give me a new assignment. Domestic or Foreign • Active or Retired Foregoing that pleasure, I took the Contact Dana Martens consolation prize of a deputy’s Diplomatic Sales Director assignment in another part of the p-mpiil' IWk 4800 Wisconsin Avc NW world. This job called for someone . , I M Jm DTEMC Washington DC 20016 at my grade, and a year later I was [email protected] I Ell# iono\ coi mnn promoted to FS-01 for my work. website: (202) O3/-3000 Now I have the grade, but my old www.martensvolvo.com VOLVO FAX (202) 537-1826 assignment is gone. There are lessons here for all FSOs. One, you don’t really have an SEVEN MINUTES TO STATE DEPARTMENT assignment until you get to your post. Two, if an ambassador objects to you, don’t wait around. Ask your assignments officer to find you another job immediately; otherwise, you probably won’t make it to your COLUMBIA PLAZA post. Also, contact AFSA so that APARTMENTS they know this is happening. Capital Living Since there are no clear guide¬ With Comfort and Convenience lines about when and how ambas¬ I ; Beautiful, Mfutokmi- Efficiencied-, / and 2 Bedsumni sadors can intervene in the assign¬ ments process, the Foreign Service SHORT TERM FURNISHED APARTMENTS AVAILABLE should push for them and also help Utilities Included 24 Horn- Front Desk develop a set of norms for what con¬ Complimentary Voice Mail Garage Parking Available stitutes adequate agency support for Courtyard Style Plaza Shopping on Site an assignee. Ambassadors should Polished Hardwood Floors Cardkey Entry/Access weigh in with their wishes for a par¬ Private Balconies River Views ticular officer, but before an assign¬ Huge Walk-In Closets Minutes to Fine Dining ment has been made, not after. Oscar Wilde once said that there Walk to the Kennedy Center and Georgetown are two great tragedies in life. The Minutes to Foggy Bottom Metro first one is not to get your heart’s (202) 293-2000 desire and the second one is to get 2400 Virginia Ave., N.W. it. I know all about the first, but I’m Washington, D.C., 20037 still hoping for another chance at Jitancufed !uf. PaluufeA., Shannon £ JiucLi Ga. the second. ■

JUNE 1999/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 19 Focus ON POLAND

WHY POLAND Is MAKING IT

POLAND BEAT THE ODDS AND BECAME THE FBONT-RUNNER IN EASTERN EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND DEMOCRATIC REFORMS.

BY PEGGY SIMPSON

. oland was never expected to be die front-runner among Central European transition countries. The smart money was on Czechoslovakia, with its magical capital city and eloquent playwright- president, or on Hungary, whose “goulash communism” had given it two decades of experience with die West. Gamblers put their bets on young Russian refonners, despite the lack of a legal framework for a market economy. Polands peaceful handover of power from the Polish communists to the Solidarity opposition in mid-1989 after partly free elections marked the first rebuff by a Soviet satellite to the USSR and set the stage for the fall of the Berlin Wall later that year, revolutions that ultimately forced die collapse of the USSR itself. Poland, however, looked ill equipped to capitalize on its success. The economy was in a free fall and many

20 FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL/JUNE 1999 Focus

insiders as well as Western analysts This is a bottom-up “connections.” There are new Polish thought the problems might be insur¬ millionaires, perhaps a handful of bil¬ mountable: raging inflation, a shaky economic expansion, lionaires. There also are tens of thou¬ currency, inefficient, polluting sands of new middle-class Poles, tak¬ smokestack industries with output benefiting millions of ing foreign vacations, buying a first almost entirely going to the Soviet and second car, improving an apart¬ market and massive, unsex-viced people, not only an ment, buying a house and nourishing debts to Western governments and fast-growing private businesses. banks dating from the 1970s. isolated few with How did Poland beat the odds? Politically, Poland didn’t look The reasons are complex and not promising either. Western investors “connections.” well understood, even within Poland. may have applauded Solidarity's role In brief: in upending communism, but few wanted to get in the ■ The right policies were put in place, very early, by middle of what they assumed woxxld be factory-floor Finance Minister Leszek Balcerowicz, who also was showdowns with the Solidarity union about dismantling deputy prime minister in the Solidarity government full-employment socialist policies. formed by Prime Minister Tadeusz Mazowiecki. Today, however, Poland is a pacesetter in both eco¬ Balcerowicz also proved to be a strong manager, nomic and “democratic” reforms. It weathered the orchestrating die enactment of hundreds of economic 1998 buffeting fi-orn emerging-market traumas in Asia, laws and regulations in that first 18 mondis. Russia and Latin America better than most. Its 1999 Subsequent governments headed by ex-communists growth is predicted to drop to between 2.5 percent and kept core policies intact, with virtually no privatization 5 percent, down from its nearly 7 pei'cent growth two reversals as occurred in Hungary when socialists won years earlier, but with solid fundamentals. Inflation has office over the initial team of reformers. dropped to single digits, the currency is stable and the ■ There was broad public support. By 1989, more government has pushed ahead with privatization of tiian half of adult Poles were supporting the Solidarity Polish industrial giants. And, after eight years of delay, movement against die communist regime. People difficult reforms are beginning in mining, with the backed die Balcerowicz reforms, even when diey did¬ industrial landscape changing radically in Polands n’t understand them, because they supported die end Silesian heartland from smokestack polluters to a new goal of gaining Poland its freedom. mix of contemporary manufacturing led by Western ■ The Solidarity union backed the reforms, even carmakers. when they hurt. Lech Walesa, the Gdansk shipyard Foreign direct investment has reflected all these electrician who won the Nobel Prize for his Solidarity i-osy prospects. By the end of 1998, it had risen to a leadership and defeated Mazowiecki for president in cumulative total of $30 billion, up one-third from a late 1990, backed Balcerowicz’ continuation of controls year earlier. Multinationals see Poland as a politically on wage increases, a controversial policy which suc¬ stable and dynamic market of 38.5 million people ceeded in swiftly reducing the inflation diat had soared whose income is low but rising steadily, enabling con¬ to 800 percent. sumers to satisfy a vast pent-up demand. ■ Socialism was discredited and that meant minimal This is a bottom-up economic expansion, benefiting support for massive subsidies and “full employment.” millions of people, not only an isolated few with Poland’s 1989 standard of living was well below pre-war levels and an official “shortage economy” had given Peggy Simpson, who reported on national politics and short shrift to coixsumers. Almost all products taken for economics from Washington, D.C., for 20 years, has gi-anted in the Western world were scarce in Poland. been a Nieman Fellow at Harvard University, a guest ■ Ordinary Poles acted almost immediately on new scholar at the Woodrow Wilson International Center options opened by the reforms. Almost unnoticed, for Scholars and currently holds an Alicia Patterson thousands of enteiprise managers, skilled factory work¬ fellowship to do research on Polish entrepreneurs. ers, research scientists and computer nerds began

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22 FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL/JUNE 1999 Focus

opening their own small firms in Floating the zloty larger stores. In 1990, Warsaw had 1989-90, creating a private-sector only one self-service grocery store base which has propelled Poland for¬ eliminated the currency and carts were scarce. By 1998, Poles ward throughout the 1990s. were flooding into hypermarts built black market, by European firms, with between 50 Shock Therapy to 80 checkout stands each. The Balcerowicz “shock therapy” a lucrative source of The flood of imports cheered policies introduced in January 1990 consumers and confronted state laid the groundwork for Poland’s illicit money for companies with first-time competi¬ dramatic U-turn from near-total tion. It was a catalyst for many to .dependence on the Soviet Union to currency traders. learn the basics of marketing and trade with the Western market distribution. That was the case with a economies. In addition, new laws state-owned meat packing plant in were passed and prewar laws, such as the 1934 com¬ the Mazurian Lake city of Ostroda. Morliny had been mercial code, were dusted off and used when applica¬ built in the 1970s with U.S. technology and loans. Early ble. The government guaranteed the right to private in the transition it avoided taking on debts to make property and reinforced a late-socialist-era policy that payroll by opening retail stores to sell its meat and get lifted barriers to business startups. cash in the door. But then they got clobbered with In addition, debt-restructuring talks led to nearly canned ham imports from Norway that came in glitzy half of Polands debts being written off, first with for¬ packaging. The Norwegian hams forced Morliny eign governments in 1990, then with private banks in to change their own stodgy solid-color packaging and 1994, restoring Poland to financial good standing and find new ways to get consumers’ affection. They freeing up its investment future. developed flashy promotional material, won a national At the heart of the policies, however, was the reform quality award and, in 1998, made it onto the Warsaw package that became known as the “Polish shock ther¬ Stock Exchange. apy.” The reforms probably exceeded what the multi¬ Floating the zloty eliminated die currency black national institutions thought Balcerowicz could accom¬ market, a lucrative source of illicit money for currency plish. Many Western critics, and some in neighboring traders, but was a gamble because diere was so litde con¬ countries, labeled them as Draconian. At home, in the fidence in the Polish money. The long lines, after all, were first year, there was minimal outcry, partly because the not just because of food shortages, but because Poles collapse of markets in Russia posed such a big crisis. bought whenever they found goods available, because The economic tailspin was blamed on that, not on the diey feared die zloty would be worth less tomorrow. Balcerowicz reforms. Talking to U.S. investors last October, Balcerowicz Money, Money said Poland s reformers probably were helped by the fact The United States took the lead in setting up a that Soviet markets collapsed soon after Poland won its $1 billion currency stabilization fund in late 1989. “This independence. “We’re the only (transition) country that was an essential underpinning for Balcerowicz” in mak¬ had our crisis as we started our reforms,” he said. ing the zloty partly convertible, said John Cloud, His reforms lifted price controls, allowed the zloty deputy chief of mission at the U.S. Embassy in Warsaw. to float in-country against Western currencies, opened The zloty stabilized on its own; die fund was never the country to imports, ended government controls on used. In 1993, a Balcerowicz deputy, Stefan Kawalac, exports and privatized small enterprises, including the won approval from Western donor governments to use media, that first year. Ending food subsidies and price the money instead as part of an innovative carrot-and- controls caused hours-long consumer fines to disappear stick plan to force state banks to deal with the bad overnight. Farmers began bringing in more products debts on their books and, once that was done, to then and importers freely sold formerly scarce fruits such as get money from the fund to increase their capital as oranges and bananas. More available products led to they headed for privatization.

JUNE 1999/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 23 Focus

The bank restructuring law stands By early 1999, Capital Markets as a key building block for the finan¬ New institutions, including an cial sector. It provided incentives for there were 2,800 ATMs independent central bank and capital Pohsh banks to remedy past mistakes market structures, were created in and to shape up for the future, as in Poland, up from 1990-91. The emphasis was on emu¬ they sought strategic partners for pri¬ lating Western models in mature vatizations. The law gave bankers about a dozen three markets, not adopting makeshift deadlines to deal with indebted models only for the transition. Pohsh clients and stipulated some options years earlier. Securities and Exchange Commission they could use, including forcing the Chairman Jacek Socha said that in indebted companies into bankruptcy, creating capital markets, a high prior¬ selling assets at auction or swapping debt for equity if ity was set on adopting a clear-cut set of rules for every¬ the bankers thought the company had a future worth one and on a transparent process of collecting and dis¬ investing in. seminating information about companies. Today, the By 1995, all major state banks had been recapital¬ Warsaw Stock Exchange and the Pohsh SEC, which is ized, with the exception of the huge agricultural bank, modeled 100 percent after the U.S. SEC, are credible which was a challenge for reformers because of its ties because of this transparency. Nine companies were fist¬ to the Peasants Party. The banking reforms led to ed when the stock market opened in 1991. By early vibrant financial activity, including expansion into retail 1999, there were 250 fisted companies with market banking and credit/debit card distribution on a mass capitalization of $25 billion, Socha estimated. Sixty per¬ scale, which could not have happened if the govern¬ cent of investors are Poles, giving the WSE a stability ment policy chiefs had not prevented banks from con¬ that other regional markets lack when the bulk of tinuing to supply credit to indebted state enterprises. investors are foreigners who flee at any sign of trouble. By spring 1999, all but the agricultural bank and fire gigantic state savings bank, PKO B.P., were in the final Industrial Restructuring stages of privatization. A handful of state banks had been Even tiiough a huge amount of industrial restruc¬ shut down. Mergers and takeovers occurred which turing has already been done, what remains is located strengdiened the banking sector. Major foreign banks, in the most politically sensitive areas of the economy, led by Citibank and the Dutch bank ING, had been pro¬ including mining, steel mills and power plants. To viding stiff competition since early in the transition. ensure their survival after collapse of the Russian mar¬ Consumer credit took off in a big way by mid¬ kets and after the Solidarity government balked at con¬ decade, driven by automotive dealers desperate to give tinuing subsidies, two of the three major shipyards consumers long-term financing for new cars. Car loans found financing to straighten out their procedures, led to a 40 percent increase in car sales from 1996 to with the help of Citibank and Polish banks who were 1997. By early 1999, there were 2,800 ATMs in Poland financial intermediaries for Eurobond floatations. Only (up from about a dozen three years earlier) and more the politicized Gdansk shipyard remained, slipping dian 35 percent of all Poles had some relationship with ever more toward die brink as managers assumed the banks, up from 7 percent in 1990. central government would never push it into bankrupt¬ Banks also were core partners in the pension cy. That happened, however, in 1997-98, but there was reforms which took effect in April 1999 and which will minimal Polish outcry because odier industries were so create the giant financial institutions of the next cen¬ visibly booming after adopting leaner workforces and tury. An estimated 10 million Poles were expected to procedures. switch their retirement accounts from the state pay- In the highly polluted industrial region of Silesia, in as-you-go program to privately managed pension central Poland, the transition can be seen clearly. In investment funds. The first-year investments were 1990, Western analysts despaired about Silesia’s future. projected to be $1.1 billion, going to $20 billion with¬ Coal mines with conditions not seen in the West since in 15 years. the 19th century had been kept open first by the Nazis,

24 FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL/JUNE 1999 Focus

then by the Soviets. Overall, the coal Silesia looked poised to take to the streets in protest, miners mining sector cost more to operate bought the concept and 22,000 of than was recouped by sales. But mining become a center of them had taken the early-out money reform had been delayed because it by year end. Another 60,000 proba¬ was seen as too hot to handle for the industrial suppliers bly will be laid off in the years to initial Solidarity governments and the come. But Silesia had revolutionized ex-communists. Finally, with Silesia and producers, with itself, with educators, politicians and beginning to boom with new auto¬ union leaders cooperating in shaping industry business, the current unemployment below a package of economic incentives for Solidarity government bit the bullet. A Polish and foreign businesses to mining reform law was adopted in mid- the national average. locate there. This is expected to cre¬ 1998 that would close 15 mines, reduce ate 50,000 new jobs by the year 2001. coal output by 25.8 million tons and cut And, as General Motors opened a the number of jobs by half. This was expected to stem new built-from-scratch auto manufacturing plant in losses that totalled $800 million in 1998 and bring the October 1998, hiring 20 percent of the startup staff of sector to profitability by 2003. A long-pending $1 billion 2,000 from die mines, Silesia looked poised to become a loan was drawn down from the World Bank to buffer center of industrial suppliers and producers, with unem¬ the transition, including bailout packages totaling ployment below the national average, the reverse of what $11,500 per miner (or about three times the average had been forecast in 1990. annual salary) and retraining programs. Rather than Tens of thousands of shops and stores, cafes and

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JUNE 1999/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 25 Focus

pharmacies, as well as the state print The private base was so unions, Poland was having very few media, were privatized from 1990-91. labor troubles. In fact, many multina¬ Cities were given die right to auction widespread and so tional pioneers were setting produc¬ off many state stores. In other cases, tivity and quality records within their managers, or less frequently workers, diverse that it was international network of factories. bought out a store to save their jobs. Stereotypes about sluggish, apa¬ At many medium-sized enterprises, beyond the reach of any thetic workers could apply to some managers or workers “leased” state bureaucrats, but, by and large, or bought a portion of the assets. “mafia.” employers found Poles to be highly It wasn’t always pretty; it favored educated, highly motivated and very existing managers over outsiders. adept at solving workplace prob¬ But, at a time when the collapse of Russian markets lems. The first general manager of Proctor & Gamble, was stranding thousands of state factories without buy¬ Ian Troop, said he thought this was perhaps because ers for their goods, many options for keeping econom¬ they had built cars from scratch during the socialist ic activity going were being tried widiout first screen¬ era; they knew how to take apart and put back almost ing applicants for ideology. Even when die successor anything. They were proving to be savvy consumers, firms didn’t dy, attempts to salvage something activated balancing what they wanted with what they could both managers and workers in coming to grips with afford. They were also what marketing people call realities of life without socialist guarantees. “aspirational.” They wanted a lot and were determined Some huge companies needing major investment to work hard to get it. Decades, indeed centuries, of were sold to Western investors through “capital privati¬ learning to get around barriers put in their way by zation” sales. Investors who came to Poland tins way uninvited occupiers stood them in good stead in a mar¬ included International Paper, PepsiCo, Gerber Foods ket economy. They flourished on the chaos that and Swedish-Swiss industrial giant Asea Brown Boveri ensued when the old system collapsed. Traders had (ABB). This form of privatization was phased out after learned the ropes of Western business by doing it. two years with fewer than 100 sales, but these signifi¬ Poles who had picked apples in Germany, cleaned cant sales led to some of die most profitable companies swimming pools in New York or flipped burgers in in Poland. Chicago had absorbed quite a lot about how a market economy works. Polish Hustle There also is another trait which people ascribe to Business startups were encouraged. Solidarity Poles; pessimism and skepticism, especially about them¬ founder and then-president Lech Walesa made tele¬ selves. Many “elites” led the pack in pessimism about the vised speeches urging people to take their futures in Balcerowicz reforms in 1990-91. That included most their own hands and open their own companies. This economics professors. Ian Hume, then the chief of the was ridiculed by Polish cynics and some Westerners, World Bank office in Poland, was greeted with disbelief but thousands of Poles did just diat. Together, die mas¬ when he made a speech in 1991 to die Warsaw Rotary sive “spontaneous privatization” and the smaller “capi¬ Club about why he thought die reforms would succeed tal privatization,” as well as a rapidly growing presence and Poland would prosper. “You’re joking, aren’t you?” of startup companies, resulted in the creation of more he said more than one member asked him. than two million private companies in the first two In 1990-91, however, while the Warsaw skeptics years of the Solidarity government. This was a private dominated public attention, thousands of people far business base so widespread and so diverse that it was from the seats of power took the reforms at face value beyond the reach of any “mafia” or protection rackets and began acting on them. Balcerowicz knew this was schemes, like those plaguing the new private sector in happening. He persuaded the newly created Polish countries further east. American Enterprise Fund to find a way to get small Belatedly, it became clear to many investors that, loans of up to $20,000 to the fledgling entrepreneurs. contrary to predictions about troublesome labor At the time, almost no Polish banks made loans to

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JUNE 1999/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 27 Focus

individuals. The PAEF set up a Bribery demands are but, after solving that crisis, by mid¬ “windows” small-loan program in decade had 35 full-time staffers, 300 tlae state-owned Polish banks, pro¬ exacerbated by the construction workers on call and such viding initial capital for thousands multinational clients as PepsiCo and of small businesses. Over the many ways government Master Foods. decade, that program loaned more than $250 million as a subsidiary officials control the Crime and Corruption of PAEF. For the most part, these new entre¬ The PAEF in Poland itself went economic process. preneurs were not endangered by on, under the leadership of Barbara demands from criminals for protec¬ Lundburg, to become the most successful of the tion money, as has been the case in countries further venture capital funds in Poland, taking equity stakes east. That is partly because the small business base in Polish state enterprises and helping retool them for exploded overnight, partly because there were so many the stock market. By mid-decade, a second privately legal ways to make money after 1989. Nor has there financed fund had been launched, Enterprise been any pattern of criminal “hollowing out” of compa¬ Investors. Another PAEF effort was a pioneer in nies or of systematic asset-stripping in the guise of pri¬ micro-credit, Fundusz Mikro, that was funneling vatization. Still, the FBI set up shop in Poland to mon¬ small loans of between $1,500 to $5,000 to economi¬ itor problems which include use of the country as a cally energetic small business owners outside the transit point for guns, drugs and prostitutes destined big-city boomtowns. And by 1999, Western venture for Western Europe. Product piracy, especially in com¬ capital companies had invested nearly $1.5 billion in puter software and entertainment CDs and tapes, is a Polish companies. $20 million business. Poles have not been shy to take to the streets to The New Entrepreneurs protest police laxity. When shakedown threats became They came from many quarters. They were state- widespread in the Old Town, restaurant owners enterprise managers who had always wanted to try marched through the square, telling the police not their hand at their own business; traders who had been to wait for a firebombing to start investigating their smuggling in scarce commodities and now set up shop complaints. to do it legally; and computer-literate young Poles who Buying land has been fraught with problems, not saw the virtual absence of computers in industry and just in getting permits but in getting clear title. The the government as a massive opportunity. London department store Marks and Spencer negoti¬ Some were scientists. A Gliwice chemistry ated for a central-Warsaw site for more than three researcher had been applying to open a small business years before settling on a temporary rental. for years, but city bureaucrats told her to stick to sci¬ Bribery demands are exacerbated by the many ways ence. That changed in 1989 and today she is a major government officials control the economic process and exporter of womens blouses to German mail-order the huge gap between state wages and the salaries paid firms and has begun her own line of clothes for the fast¬ in growth-oriented private firms. Average pay for a expanding hypermarts in Poland. government worker — including doctors and profes¬ Others were skilled workers at state factories. A sors — is $345 a month. Warsaw’s young professionals Poznan engineer working for the Ciegelsky engine in law firms, marketing agencies, stock brokerages and plant began making bathroom heaters. A Bialystok banks earn four times that. engineer started producing automatic garage doors Minimizing bribery by huge increases in govern¬ after seeing pictures of them, and today has expanded ment workers’ wages is impossible. Balcerowicz, back to making automatic industrial doors. In Warsaw, eight as finance minister for a second stint after a new sewage-treatment system designers quit a 300-person Solidarity coalition won election in the fall of 1997, is state bureaucracy to create their own shop in 1990. working to reduce corruption by curtailing the bureau¬ They nearly went broke when city clients didn’t pay crats’ sign-off discretion over licenses and permits by

28 FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL/JUNE 1999 Focus

setting out criteria so all who qualify Political leaders are not highways and train tracks to disrupt would automatically get them. agricultural-sector imports. There is a preparing people for dramatic need for far more knowledge Pride and “Attitude” of foreign languages. With Poland Wage disparities will remain for the painful steps ahead going into NATO, generals were being decades to come, complicating getting sent for English-language immersion and keeping good people in govern¬ if Poland is to become to preclude more near misses such as ment, let alone ending bribery those reported from recent NATO requests. In addition, however, strong enough to exercises with British and Polish Poland has many formidable chal¬ troops. lenges ahead. Improving the road and compete within Europe. Poles also have an “attitude,” a pride highway infrastructure, as well as the and patriotism, that is both a catalyst for rail system, is an urgent need. The its success and a cause for grief when state still has a large stake in many core industries and carried to extremes. The EU withdrew major money ear¬ owns 30 percent of shares on the stock exchange marked for Poland after the lead Polish negotiator repeat¬ because of continued holdings in privatized companies edly lectured his EU colleagues about the need to listed there. In many cases, this has thwarted attempts “accommodate” Poland while failing to develop even a to reform large companies because the state is reluctant minimal blueprint on ways Poland will change its laws and to sign off on restructuring that involves layoffs. many practices to conform with the EU framework. Doctors and teachers have been on strike, protesting Poles bristle at being “supplicants,” but the political low wages. Heafth care reforms introduced in 1999 leaders are not preparing people for the painful steps have been criticized as ill-prepared. Far-reaching pen¬ ahead if Poland is to become strong enough to compete sion reform is under way, but there are concerns that within Europe and in the world at large. Polands rela¬ the hidebound government bureaucracy that handles tively lower wages are offset, as a competitive advan¬ retirement plans, ZUS, is unprepared to cope with the tage, by the fact that distribution and transport systems switch from paper to computer transactions for the mil¬ are inadequate, the industrial stock is outdated and lions of individual pension accounts created in the new many factories and mines are overstaffed. Major system. improvements are also needed in health, education and Political stability remains a goal, not a reality. environmental protection. The current coalition is an uneasy, often unhappy one, between the Solidarity reformers led by Balcerowicz Moving West and the Freedom Union party he now heads, and a Poland has a way to go but already has come further, Solidarity Action Alliance (AWS) which was begun faster, than anyone could have imagined in 1989. by tile Solidarity Union, headed by Marion Krzaklewski, Taking tough medicine early has delivered a big payoff who is expected to challenge President Kwasniewski in for the country, giving it fundamentals in the law, in its elections in the year 2000. The AWS itself is a coalition, economic direction and in growth of a diverse and including many right-of-center church fundamentalists increasingly potent private sector. It now appears posi¬ and nationalists as well as the union membership. tioned to deal with many remaining problems, includ¬ Agricultural changes remain challenging, with the ing key parts of its old industrial base that remain state average farm twice as large today as a decade ago but, owned, as it continues to mature as a born-again demo¬ at about 8 hectares, still too small to be viable. The cratic market economy. Its economy should continue to World Bank and the EU’s Phare Fund are planning to expand, wages are increasing slightly ahead of produc¬ put up $700 million to help create off-farm jobs, tivity and foreign investment is picking up. Poland now improve the farm-to-market infrastructure and upgrade appears more of a Western country than part of a “tran¬ rural education. The scarcity of foresighted political sition bloc” and could be a strong global competitor leaders representing rural Poland has opened the door in a growing number of fields if the present growth for skillful demagogues to rally the farmers to blockade continues. ■

JUNE 1999/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 29 Focus ON POLAND

POLAND: A PLUS FOR NATO

OF THE THREE NEW NATO MEMBERS,

ONLY POLAND WILL DEFINITELY BOOST THE ALLIANCE’S FIGHTING ABILITY.

BY JEFFREY SIMON

. n enlarged NATO has become reality. The question now becomes: What will expansion mean in terms of the missions, politics and capabilities of the 50-year-old grand alliance? Will the addition of Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic strengthen or weaken NATO as a defender of European security? Of die diree new NATO members, only Poland is fully prepared to become a real asset to the alliance — to become a “producer” rather than a “consumer” of security. A careful examination of Polish military capabilities, along with a briefer look at the situations in the Czech Republic and Hungary, shows why Poland comes out ahead. As a practical matter, die new members must integrate into NATO militarily. If they succeed, the alliance will

30 FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL/JUNE 1999 Focus

be strengthened and poised for fur¬ Among domestic Polish force structure. But economics ther enlargement. If they fall short of are likely to have a significant effect: expectations on defense contributions institutions the Polish Poland’s strong economy will make it (e.g., meeting target force goals), and increasingly difficult for die Polish mili¬ if NATO concludes that the first armed forces rank tary to attract soldiers. tranche has added “free riders” rather Polish planners recognize that than military producers of security, number one in prestige, even 12-month training is inadequate NATO’s Article 10 commitment to to provide troops with many of the further enlarge will become less cred¬ even higher than the skills necessary to operate a modem ible, and regional security will be military. Hence, in 1994 they intro¬ compromised. Catholic Church. duced extended service contract In assessing whether a new NATO troops (a minimum of an extra 15 member will be a genuine contributor months) which numbered 13,500 in to NATO, we must take quite a few factors into account. 1998 and are to expand to 20,000 by the end of 1999. Among the key variables: the current size, strength and When the program was introduced in 1994 die 600- readiness of the armed forces; national policy on con¬ zloty salary was 130 percent of the average monthly scription; demographics; public and elite support for the salary; hence, there were three applicants per slot. In military; and the state of the nation’s economy (which, as 1998 the 800-zloty salaiy was roughly 80 percent of the we’ll see, can cut both ways). average monthly salary; hence diere was only one applicant per position. Filling the expanded extended Committed to Defense service slots may prove difficult, but is probably Today, Polands 205,000 troops come to roughly 50 manageable, in part, because the military, in marked percent of their 412,000 in 1988, when the majority of contrast to Hungary and the Czech Republic, is such a the armed forces consisted of 24-month conscripts. In popular institution. 1990 Poland reduced conscription to 18 months (which In fact, among domestic institutions the Polish ai med in practice resulted in 15-month terms), and again in forces ranks number one in prestige, even higher than 1998 to 12 months. At present the government has no die Cadiolic Church. This support has been manifest in intention of further reducing the conscription term. Polish defense budgets which have been consistently Twelve-month conscription should be adequate to higher dian in NATO’s odier new (and many old) mem¬ train troops for territorial defense functions and should bers. Since 1989, when the Polish defense budget was not unduly stress Poland’s demographic situation which in 2.5 percent of GDP, it has — with one exception — 1998 included a cohort of 317,000 draft-age men. While remained at roughly 2.3 percent of GDP, slighdy higher tlie cohort will decline gradually through 2003, it is ade¬ than European-NATO’s 2.1 average. quate to produce the roughly 90,000 conscripts diat will be necessary. In the worst case, Poland’s 2003 target force A Growing Economy Competes goal of 180,000 might be slighdy optimistic, and force lev¬ The Polish professional officer corps contracted els more likely will approach the 160,000 troop estimates roughly 25 percent from 112,656 in 1988 to 83,800 in found in some more conservative Polish plans. 1997 (compared to 35 percent in Hungary and the In other words, demographics are unlikely to affect Czech Republic). After bottoming out, the profes¬ sional corps has since begun to rebound, slowly grow¬ Jeffrey Simon is a senior fellow at the Institute for ing to 85,500 in 1998, with plans to increase to 94,900 National Strategic Studies at the National Defense in 1999. Poland has maintained an 800-troop battal¬ University. The opinions and conclusions expressed or ion in Bosnia, and offered a second battalion contin¬ implied here are solely those of the author and do not gent upon outside funding. Their Bosnia peacekeep¬ necessarily reflect the views of the U. S. Department of ing force participation and professional force size Defense or the above-named institutions. make credible their future commitment to provide

JUNE 1999/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 31 Focus

two brigades to NATO’s rapid reaction force and to social support will likely assist Poland in achieving its build combined military units with Lithuania and target force goals. Ukraine. Nevertheless, Poland shares many of the same prob¬ Czech and Hungarian Shortfalls lems faced by the other new-member forces which affect When we compare the new NATO members wfth morale. There is the need to improve social conditions die older ones, Poland’s relative strengtii again stands and housing and to protect many professionals’ pensions. out. Poland, with a population of 38 million, is compa¬ In addition, the robust economy is drawing talent from rable in size to Spain, whose forces and defense expen¬ die professional forces and the extended contract forces. ditures respectively number 197,000 and 1.4 percent of This is particularly tire case in die Polish Air Force, GDP. Both contribute naval forces to the alliance. from which pilots have been departing in droves (e.g., Given Poland’s military commitments and demograph¬ during the spring of 1998 more than one-half of die MiG- ics, it is conceivable that Poland will more than match 29 unit quit). Reasons often cited include concerns about Spain and will become a serious NATO military retirement, low flying hours and pay. For example, a pilot “producer” of security. with 15 years’ experience earns roughly 3,000 zlotys per Hungary and the Czech Republic, each with a popula¬ month, versus 8,000 zlotys on the open economy. tion of roughly ten million, might be compared in size to In sum, while Polands vibrant economy will Belgium, Portugal and Greece. But in both Hungary and complicate the task of budding its armed forces, the Czech Republic, there are factors at work that make it demography will not be a serious problem and strong less likely that the two will augment NATO strength.

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32 FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL/JUNE 1999 Focus

In 1999 Hungary’s 52,200 troops constituted rough¬ agreed when it joined NATO to increase that percent- ly 42 percent of their 122,400 in 1989, when 18-month age by 2001 to 1.8 percent of GDP, that still hills below conscripts comprised the majority (75 percent) of the the European NATO average of 2.1 percent. armed forces. In 1994 Hungary reduced the conscrip¬ The bottom line is that Hungary’s role as a “produc¬ tion term to 12 months, and again in 1997 to nine er” of military security in NATO is in jeopardy. months. The new government program seeks to further In 1999 the Czech Republics 60,880 troops consti¬ reduce conscription to six months. tuted roughly 57 percent of their 106,679 in 1993. Not only does abbreviated military service increase When the Czech Republic separated from the Czech training costs and produce inadequately trained con¬ and Slovak Federated Republic in' January 1993, it scripts, it also requires more conscripts to maintain reduced conscription from 18 to 12 months. existing force levels. But Hungary’s population is The new Milos Zeman government maintains 12- declining. Hungarian demographics are such that in month conscription, but some members of Vaclav the years 2003-2005 the available draft-age cohort will Klaus’s opposition are calling for its total abolition and decline to roughly 55 percent of present levels. The for moving to an all-volunteer force. The Czechs also likely result, of course, will be a total force significant¬ face a demographic problem, but one that is not as ly smaller than the current total of 52,200. severe as in Plungary. Its draft-age cohort will decline On top of that, Hungary’s armed forces are losing about 22 percent between 1997 and 2002, compared to out in the nation’s budget battles. This is perhaps not Hungary’s precipitous 45 percent decline. This means surprising, given Hungary’s low popular support for the that the Czech Republic ought to be able to meet its military (it ranks 23 out of 25 occupations). The planned levels of roughly 23,000 to 25,000 conscripts, Hungarian defense budget declined from 2.8 percent if it maintains twelve-month conscription. of GDP in 1989 to 1.4 percent in 1997. While Hungary The Czech Republic’s 1999 professional corps of

POLISH ARMED FORCES, PAST AND PRESENT

Total Conscripts (mo.)* Career Contract Civilians % GDP

1988 412,000 (24 )• 112,656 116,034 2.50 1989 347,000 234,144 112,656 116,000 1.80 1990 314,000 206,000 (18)° 108,000 113,000 2.50 1991 304,000 192,100 88,150 2.25 1992 296,000 88,800 2.23 1993 225,000 138,000 89,900 89,000 2.47 1994 283,700 151,300 88,700 2.43 1995 251,200 150,000 87,600 84,000 2.31 1996 241,800 85,300 83,500 2.33 1997 210,000 105,000 83,800 82,400 2.30 1998 213,500 115,400 (12)° 85,500 13,500 81,600 2.26 1999 205,000 104,500 94,900 20,000 80,000 2.10 2003 180,000 N/A

Source: Polish Army : Facts and Figures (In the Transition Period) (Warsaw: MOND, 1991); Brief Information on the Armed Forces of the Republic of Poland (Warsaw: MON, January 1995); Mimeo, Ministry of National Defense, Department of Personnel (Warsaw: MON, 27 June 1996); “Army 2012," Rzeczpospolita, 1 April 1998.

JUNE 1999/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 33 Focus

26,163 is larger than Hungary’s by 30 Poland has sent if the Czech Republic meets its com¬ percent, which perhaps helps to mitment to increase its percentage of explain why it has been able to main¬ a peacekeeping GDP spent on defense. tain a 800-troop battalion with vertical lift capability in Bosnia, more than battalion to Bosnia The above comparisons make it twice Hungary’s capacity. It also makes clear why Poland has the greatest credible the Czech goal to provide one and actively supports potential among NATO’s three new brigade to NATO’s rapid reaction members to become a significant plus force. While the Czech military, like NATO on Kosovo. for the alliance. The good news is that Hungary’s, faces serious resource Poland seems to be turning that poten¬ shortages, Czech budgetary support for defense has tial into reality. been consistently stronger. The Polish contribution has been evident in 1999 The 1993-94 Czech defense budget of 2.6 percent during NATO’s involvement in the conflict over of GDP declined to 1.7 percent in 1997. Like Hungary, Kosovo. Politically, Poland has strongly supported die in response to NATO pressure, the Czechs agreed to NATO position. And it has accepted Kosovar refugees. increase defense expenditures to reach 2.0 percent of And it has sent 140 infantrymen on a humanitarian mis¬ GDP by the year 2000. Like Hungary, the Czechs have sion to Albania. increased the military budget each year; but unlike In short, Poland’s participation is providing just the Hungary’s, the Czech economy has been in decline. kind of evidence the allies need to believe that maybe That could mean reduced resources for defense, even NATO expansion was a good idea after all. ■

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34 FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL/JUNE 1999 Focus ON POLAND

KEEPING A DREAM ALIVE

U.S. WORK WITH THE POLISH OPPOSITION IN THE ’70S AND ’80S SHOWED WHAT PUBLIC DIPLOMACY CAN DO.

BY DICK VIRDEN

ew countries have packed as much change into so short a time as Poland in tlie last two decades. In 1980, Lech Walesa jumped over a shipyard gate into history, and he helped create a trade union/political movement that drew ten million members within a year of its inception. After years of soul-stirring, non¬ violent opposition to Soviet rule, the Poles managed to toss aside communism and establish democracy. They did away with the Warsaw Pact and joined NATO. The worlds most famous electrician had also been elected president of Poland. Credit for this transformation clearly belongs to the Polish people. Their courage and imagination, their readiness to risk life and limb, put an independent Poland back on the map. Others were bit players.

JUNE 1999/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 35 Focus

So this article is not meant to stake a claim to Polands Every grant was a struggle in those days. The Party achievement, nor to retell the epic story of Solidamosc. wanted to send trusted Party loyalists and we wanted Rather, the aim is to describe a small part of this saga: that just the opposite. When we invited Tadeusz is, how American programs that we now call “public Mazowiecki, a Catholic intellectual and publisher, on diplomacy” helped keep hope alive and nurture future an International Visitor trip, he was denied a passport. leaders when Poland and other Eastern European coun¬ Some might therefore call our invitation an empty, tries were “closed societies” and the demise of a hated wasted gesture, but 10 years later Mazowiecki was the system seemed only a faraway dream. first post-communist prime minister in that part of the This story bears in an important way on current issues, world. It was his government that set in motion the given diat die U.S. Information Agency is now being inte¬ political and economic reforms that have made Poland grated into the Department of State. As we debate die a stable democracy today and showed the way to others future of public diplomacy, die experience hi Poland in the region. demonstrates diat investments made now can have major Anotiier invitee in die late ’70s was die late Jerzy payoffs in the future, a fact often overlooked in the cur¬ Turowicz, then the editor of die Krakow-based indepen¬ rent emphasis on quick, identifiable results and short¬ dent Cadiolic weekly Tygodnik Powszechny (Universal term policy goals. Weekly) since it began in 1945. Turowicz had been a I first arrived in Warsaw hi August 1977 to serve as friend of Pope John Paul II since Karol Wojtyla was a information officer/press attache. We were called the seminarian. The Party authorities allowed him to go, in press and cultural (P & C) section of the mission tiien, part because they feared an uproar, in part because some since USIA was not allowed to operate as such in that people they favored got to travel, too. part of the world. Because P and C officers were hi touch Around diat time, we also contrived to send one of with lots of people not sanctioned by the ruling Turowicz’s colleagues, Krzysztof Kozlowsld, who was Communist Part)', we were regarded as a threat. Several tiien die foreign editor of Tygodnik Powszechny. In 1990, of us were vilified at one time or another in die press and when die first non-communist government took office, on television. One cultural affairs officer, Dan Howard, he became the Interior Minister: a dissident suddenly in was kicked out of the country in the early ’80s for meet¬ charge of die secret police files. Of course, no one could ing widi someone the autiiorities didn’t like. have predicted such an amazing development when we During one walk in the park — almost everywhere sent Kozlowski to the United States a decade earlier, but else was presumed to be bugged — a young Pole told me his case is not a bad argument for investing in people that ours was regarded as a “hostile” embassy by officials even when direct cost benefits can’t be foreseen. at the Party’s powerful central committee. This was in die It would be absurd to claim that tiieir American trav¬ context of denial of travel documents diat would have el was die principal formative experience for a Turowicz allowed diis particular journalist to accept our imitation or Kozlowski, but it would be equally perverse to deny to spend a year at Stanford studying journalism. A year or that it had an impact. so later, when Solidamosc was at die height of its popu¬ Naturally, some of the individuals we sent happened larity and power, he got his passport and was able to go to to be members of the Communist Party, an unavoidable California. When martial law was declared in 1981, he situation given tiiat a Party card was a requirement for stayed in America; eventually, he went to work for the advancement in nearly every profession. The challenge Detroit Free Press, twice winning nominations for a was to try to identify candidates with bodi ability and Pulitzer Prize. After die 1989 revolution, he returned to independence of mind, or moderate views, rather dian Poland, where he now freely practices his profession. closed-minded ideologues. This was no science. At a Who in 1980 knew the path he would travel? mock Polish election part)' one night, as we waited breathlessly for distant precincts to report whether Party Dick Virden Is an FSO currently assigned as deputy candidate X had received 98 or 99 percent of die votes, I director of USIA’s Office of European Affairs. Fie was given a copy of a book by a communist hard-finer served six years in Poland, from 1977 to 1980 and from who was a journalist for die Party paper, Trybuna Ludu. 1994 to 1997. His book was entitled What I Learned on My

36 FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL/JUNE 1999 Focus

International Visitor Trip to the United Five members Polish revolution turned up for the States. It was blank inside. occasion, which identified the United of Poland’s 1995 States widi Poland’s long struggle for A Cousin in Chicago independence as well as with the per¬ Yet we had our successes. Look, for cabinet, including the sonal values of courage, decency and example, at the makeup of die Polish integrity diat Turowicz exemplified. cabinet during the years 1995-1997. prime minister, were Though the Party authorities regard¬ Though former communists had ed the American embassy as “hostile,” returned to power, they maintained a former Fulbrighters. that was never true of most of the Polish steady course of democratic, market- people. Despite 50 years of anti- oriented reform and made NATO Western, anti-capitalist propaganda in membership the national priority. Five members of the dieir schools and media, Poles remained highly pro- cabinet, including the prime minister, foreign minister American. Those of us who lived there during the Cold and senior economic official, were former Fulbrighters. War knew that from personal experience; that funda¬ And when the economic chief left in early 1997, he was mental orientation was made manifest in the country’s replaced by anodier ex-Fulbrighter. direction after 1989, as well as in public opinion polls In die fall of 1997, when a Solidamosc-led coalition conducted in the ’90s by USIA and others. regained power by winning Parliamentary elections, half The explanations run deep into Polish history. It helps of the 22 Cabinet ministers were alumni of USIA fliat, as the saying goes, every Pole has a cousin in exchanges, as were 44 members of the new Parliament. Chicago. But, I submit, it also mattered diat American However public diplomacy is organized in the future, officials were on the spot during die dark days of the Cold we need to maintain the fiexibility that allows us to work War to offer support, both moral and practical. with those hi die wings and on the ramparts as well as An example of the latter was our distribution of widi those in power. We may have gotten away with it in Newsweek magazine. We cut a deal with Newsweek Poland then in part because we were one remove from International to get copies of the magazine for only the die State Department; die officers administering the pro¬ cost of the air freight. By 1980 we were giving away 500 grams weren’t the same ones calling on Foreign Ministry copies a week to selected friends who had no other way officials to exchange demarches. Lets hope we retain diat to get access to such uncensored news and comment. capacity when we’re part of the same department. It would be difficult to measure the effect of that pro¬ Still, die value of future exchanges may depend less on gram, though I suspect a survey tracking the subsequent organizational charts and more on other things, like the careers of recipients and their children would demonstrate willingness to withstand pressures from those in power at that many played important roles in overthrowing the die moment or die temptation to try to buy their cooper¬ communist system and consolidating political and eco¬ ation with an all-expenses-paid trip to the United States. nomic reform. (Lech Walesa’s name was not on the distri¬ More Foreign Service officers need to acknowledge that bution list. We may have been good talent scouts, but we the great “contacts” they have, the wondrous deeds weren’t that good.) In any case, this modest program was they’re able to pull off, are due to the investments made one way to frustrate Party efforts to restrict information, by their predecessors years or even decades earlier. and it clearly meant much to those who got the magazine. Those friends don’t come out of nowhere. We heard regularly from people wanting to be added to Even when required to do business with regimes we the list, or if copies didn’t arrive on schedule. find unsavory, we can find ways to encourage individuals who are our more natural and lasting allies, as with Jerzy The Polish Pope Problem Turowicz. One of die events diat gave me the most satis¬ When Pope John Paul II returned to his homeland for faction during my second tour in Poland was a 1995 din¬ tire first time in June 1979, fearful officials took great pains ner I proposed and Ambassador Nicholas Rey hosted to to try to limit the political damage. (They had cause for honor Turowicz on the 50th anniversary of his editorship concern. Many observers credit that visit with of Tygodnik Powszechny. Many of the heroes of the beginning the end of communism in Poland and the

JUNE 1999/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 37 Focus

region). A half-year earlier, when the We need to maintain Radio Free Europe and other new pope was chosen, Polish TV includ¬ Western broadcasters. ed a laconic announcement midway the flexibility to work Our libraries in Warsaw, Krakow through the nightly primetime news. It and Poznan played no small role eitiier. went something like this: “In Rome with those on the People came to tiiem to read books and today, Karol Wojtyla of Krakow was magazines and, later, to watch die chosen as the next Roman Catholic ramparts, as well as weekly videotape version of the CBS pontiff. Now on to the news about trac¬ News with Walter Cronkite. They came tor production in Ursus.” Meanwhile, in those in power. even tiiough tiiey knew die militia were Krakow, Polands second city and Karol busy jotting down names of those Wojtylas see, citizens rang the historic daring to consort with the enemy. A Zygmund Bell, which had peeled only once before in this small American Studies Center (ASC) started at Warsaw century, at the end of tire Second World War. University in 1976 provided an on-campus alternative; Television coverage of that 1979 papal visit was tighdy nurtured over the years witii USIA support, die ASC was controlled. Camera angles suggested sparse crowds, to come into its own in the ’90s as a degree-granting when in fact millions were there, and crowd shots institution and one of die leading such centers in Europe. focused mainly on old people. (Polands Warsaw Pact More important than any of diese tools was personal neighbors were not allowed to see even this limited, contact. Edward R. Murrow’s famous comment that its skewed reporting: Polish TV transmitters were adjusted “the final diree feet” that count (i.e., getting close to at that time to make sure there would be no spillover sig¬ people) certainly applied in that environment. Years later nal across the border.) Viewers in the United States and in Romania, a few mondis after dieir December 1989 much of the rest of the world saw the real story in all its revolution, I can remember desperate Romanian drama and emotion, thanks to in-depth reports and academics, journalists, writers, scientists pleading for special programs. contact witii die outside world from which Ceausescu USIA obtained videotape copies of many of the had cut them off. Probably Poland had never been, American network programs and shared them with certainly not in die late 70s, diat isolated. But even in friends in tire church and tire underground opposition. Poland, ordinary people were eager to know what was Maybe the word would have gotten around anyway since going on in die world outside die one concocted for them die Polish church is no slouch at this sort of thing but die by die reigning powers. From die United States and tapes were a huge hit at the time and were received with others, they also wanted reassurance that we did not unbounded entiiusiasm. consider their current fate a permanent one. Our presence and attention helped answer tiiose needs. “The Final Three Feet” So we included people outside die nomenklatura (die We used die tools we had. Exhibits, for example, Party power elite) in our events, sent them on scholarships were important then. Though usually modest and stat¬ or other exchange programs, and invited diem into our ic, they got us into touch witii Poles and dripped away library and our homes. And we showed up at their events, at die Party monopoly on information and images. This like the annual opening of the academic year at die was especially true of the larger traveling shows that Catholic University of Lublin, where each diplomat was included bilingual guides able to correct propaganda- introduced to underline international support for this, the inspired perceptions of America and to cast doubt on only independent university in die dien-communist world. the picture of the world die regime tried to get across. Our distribution of magazines like Dialog and Ameryka New Era, New Goals did diat, too, as government autiiorities indirectly In the ’90s, with die Cold War over, our goals in Poland acknowledged in their fierce negotiation to limit avail¬ had changed as dramatically as had the means available to ability. Shortwave radio was vitally important tiien, also, pursue them. Now we had Internet instead of smuggled as evidenced by the cost and effort autiiorities put into videotapes, a free press to work with instead of censor¬ jamming the transmissions of die Voice of America, ship, American films in nearly every theater, Big Macs on

38 FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL/JUNE 1999 Focus

offer instead of Big Ed (Edward Gierek was the Party first The man who signed into law the legislation that secretary until the rise of Solidamosc). American policy established civilian control over Polands armed forces now was aimed at anchoring Poland in the West, consoli¬ and thereby removed one of the last barriers to NATO dating democracy and continuing economic reforms. acceptance of Poland was Aleksander Kwasniewski, the Much of the focus in tire mid-’90s was on the proper one-time communist who’d defeated the legendary approach to European security, and specifically whether Walesa in 1995, in what another opposition hero, Adam and how to enlarge NATO. Poles were initially skeptical Michnik, called the “velvet restoration.” Kwasniewski of the Partnership for Peace, regarding it as a half¬ had gone to the United States in early 1994 under a USIA measure that did not give them the security and status grant for the parliamentary group drawing up Polands they sought. An intensive public diplomacy campaign, new constitution. calling attention to the reality of growing security coop¬ The Poland of die mid-’90s was not the same country eration with the United States and other Western pow¬ I knew 20 years earlier. American goals there were radi¬ ers, contributed to a Polish turnabout on PFP. cally different, too. But in bodi cases, our information and Our purposes were not simply to have the Poles say cultural programs — public diplomacy — helped advance yes to NATO — they needed no arm-twisting for that — American interests. As we consider die future shape and hut to convince them to make tire reforms and accept the direction of U.S. foreign affairs agencies, it’s worth costs required of members. They did so to such extent remembering American successes in informing and infiu- that by the time NATO made its decision, in Madrid in encing foreign publics. These efforts can and should be a July 1997, Poland led everyone’s fist of candidates. (See vital part of die conduct of U.S. foreign policy in die com¬ article by Jeffrey Simon in this issue, page 30.) ing century, just as tiiey were in years past. ■

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JUNE 1999/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 39 Focus ON POLAND

FROM TRIUMPHALISM To REALITY

WHEN COMMUNISM FELL, POLES HOPED FOR

A NEW MARSHALL PLAN. THAT’S NOT WHAT THEY GOT.

BY JANINE R. WEDEL

n 1989, after eight years of underground struggle in Poland, the commu¬ nists re-legalized the Solidarity movement. In June of that year, Solidarity won by a landslide in the country’s first semi-free vote in half a century. Through the autumn of 1989, one Eastern European communist regime after anoth¬ er fell. The structure of Soviet domination collapsed, remarkably and unexpectedly. A mood of triumph swept West and East alike. The West had won not only a political, but also a moral and ideological, victory. In Poland especially, where the West had supported die spirit of resistance embodied in the Solidarity movement led by Lech Walesa, expectations were high. There were high hopes in 1989 and 1990, hopes tiiat the “transition” to the post-communist future would

40 FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL/JUNE 1999 Focus

be simple and swift. It was a period I call Triumphalism, very heels of communisms collapse. In the last days of and it existed in both the West and the East. November 1989, the U.S. Congress rushed through the The idea that Poland should look to the West not so-called SEED (Support for East European only for financial help and political models, but also for Democracy) legislative package. Championing the two economic strategies and cultural identity, stood nearly nations that had led the revolutions, SEED authorized unchallenged. “Democracy,” “freedom,” “markets,” nearly $1 billion “to promote political democracy and “civil society,” and “return to Europe” became the economic pluralism in Poland and Hungary by assisting bywords of 1989 and the early 1990s. As Poland accept¬ those nations during a critical period of transition.” ed Western models, Poles expected the West to come in President George Bush established “enterprise funds” to with accolades, affirmation and aid. promote the development of the private sector and The Marshall Plan became the reference point for other initiatives that would make American know-how aid to Eastern Europe. Just as after World War II the available to the region. United States had supplied massive capital assistance to Western development agencies were similarly galva¬ rebuild the economies of Western Europe, many hoped nized into action. They reoriented resources and divert¬ that a new Marshall Plan would accomplish similar ed personnel from the “Third World” nations of Africa, objectives in Eastern Europe. Asia and Latin America to the “Second World” of Solidarity leader Lech Walesa, speaking to a joint Central and Eastern Europe. In the U.S. alone, some 35 session of die U.S. Congress on Nov. 15, 1989, pro¬ agencies, including the Departments of Energy and claimed: “It is worth recalling this great American plan Labor and the Environmental Protection Agency, as which helped Western Europe to protect its freedom well as the U.S. Agency for International Development, and peaceful order. ... And now it is the moment when got involved in the aid effort. Eastern Europe awaits an investment of this kind.” Initially, aid to the Second World received more high-level attention and press coverage than traditional Western Aid Gears Up aid programs. USAID official Steve Dean characterized Across the West, governments, agencies, and indi¬ the sentiment at the time: “I don’t think the agency has viduals began to organize assistance to Poland and the done anything like this [before]. Communism doesn’t other Central and Eastern European nations. fall every ten years.” The Group of Seven countries (Canada, France, By the end of 1992, the “G-24” countries (i.e., most Japan, United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, and the United of tiie capitalist West) had committed $48.5 billion in States) convened meetings to organize multilateral aid to the region (including export credits, loans and activities. The European Union established PHARE, rescheduled debt). Of that, $18.1 billion was in grants. tile largest aid program to the region. PHARE stands The United States committed $4.6 billion, followed by for Poland-Hungary Aid for Restructuring the Germany ($3.6 billion), the EC Commission ($3.2 bil¬ Economy and reflects the EU’s initial focus on those lion) and Canada ($1.6 billion). two countries. (After tire first year of operation the PHARE program broadened its target to include other Disillusionment on a Grand Scale countries in the region, but the old acronym was Despite this promising beginning, the first years of retained.) the aid effort proved to be a period of frustration and In tiie United States, legislation was enacted on the disappointment, for Poland and for the other nations of Central and Eastern Europe. Why was this? Janine R. Wedel is the author of Collision and On the donor side, two factors loom large. First, Collusion: The Strange Case of Western Aid to Eastern much of the aid came in the forms of loans or technical Europe (St. Martin’s, 1998), The Unplanned Society: assistance, rather than capital assistance. Second, the Poland During and After Communism (1992), and The United States and its allies had, over the course of Private Poland: An Anthropologist Looks at Everyday decades of Cold War, become accustomed to an aid Life (1986). She is an associate research professor at model directed toward the “Third World.” They George Washington University. were unprepared to address the sociological, political or

JUNE 1999/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 41 Focus

economic legacies of more than four decades of com¬ Bielecki, which he found startling in retrospect. The munism in Poland and elsewhere. fact that nobody “took it into consideration as a neces¬ Complicating the situation was an unrealistic image sary political factor” ultimately “strengthened ex-com¬ in Poland of the West — and America especially — as munist forces in these countries.” Partly as a conse¬ saint or savior. (The fact that the distrusted official quence of this oversight, Bielecki was one of die politi¬ media had portrayed the West in the worst possible cians in Poland and the region to be voted out within a light only strengthened the positive popular percep¬ short time after taking office. tion.) Under a more liberal regime than the rest of the Soviet bloc, many Poles in the 1970s and ’80s had visit¬ No Marshall Plan ed the West and seen its prosperity first-hand. Despite talk of a new Marshall Plan for reviving the During times of martial law imposed in Poland in the economies of the former Communist bloc, few Western early 1980s, millions of households received relief policy-makers advocated a serious commitment on the parcels both from relatives abroad and from religious order of tens of billion s of dollars in capital assistance. A and charitable organizations. And during the late 1970s Marshall-Plan style bailout for Centi-al and Eastern and throughout the 1980s, Western involvement and Europe (implying strategic planning, commitment of financial support had helped to sustain the Solidarity high-level officials and, above all, massive capital assis¬ movement and the Polish opposition. (See article by tance) was not made available. A shorthand phrase Dick Virclen in this issue, page 35). According to one came into common use among aid officials in die early prominent Polish Oppositionist, “The Oppositions main ’90s: “We didn’t do a Marshall Plan.” source of financial support was the West. Donations A huge disconnect emerged between Western plans came from inspired individuals, from subscriptions, and what Central and Eastern Europeans believed was trade unions, social and political organizations, as well as possible. News reports circulating in Poland in 1990-91 from corporations, Polish emigre organizations, and gov¬ diat die West was sending billions of dollars in aid to ernment bodies.” Poland neglected to explain that the aid included export credits and loans diat would have to be repaid. As The Poles are Cousins Poland’s chief coordinator of foreign assistance, Jacek At first glance, the reasons for assisting die “Second Saryusz-Wolsld, explained in 1991, at the height of the World” appeared to be much the same as those for aid¬ country’s frustration with aid efforts, “When people in ing the Third World: to hold communism at bay, to Poland hear that billions of dollars come to Eastern ensure economic and political stability and to create Europe, they expect diat Poland gets one-half or one- markets for the West. But psychology, too, played a role. third of that money. ... Very often people ask us what Westerners tended to identify widi Central and Eastern happened to it.” Europeans more dian with Third World peoples. Poles By 1992, Polish President Lech Walesa articulated were Europeans and aid to Poland presented an historic the growing resentment when he spoke at the opportunity for that nation to join its cousins in the West. European Parliamentary Forum in Strasbourg, charg¬ Poles and Westerners, at least in the early days of ing that “it is you, the West, who have made good busi¬ Polish independence, agreed: The West would help ness on the Polish revolution....The West was supposed Poland and Poland would show its gratitude through to help us in arranging die economy on new principles, quick reform and loyalty. In all the discussion, few alter¬ but in fact it largely confined its efforts to draining our natives to Western models of reform, such as those domestic markets.” espoused by the International Monetary Fund, were There was, in fact, a considerable gap between seriously entertained on either side. Jan Krzysztof donors’ allocations and actual disbursements in the Bielecki, prime minister of Poland during 1991 (and region. In 1992, only an estimated 11 percent of the also a minister in the subsequent government), empha¬ committed monies had actually been disbursed. sized that no one in die relevant policy circles consid¬ Further, before the fall of communism in Poland, ered alternatives: At that time, “nobody [in the donor “help” had meant either tangible goods like relief pack¬ community] raised the issue of a social safety net,” said ages or huge dollar sums to fund Opposition activities.

42 FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL/JUNE 1999 American Foreign Service Association

EIZENSTAT HONORS FS CONTRIBUTION TO BUSINESS

Following are the remarks made by and consular services and established a Governing Board Stuart Eizenstat, under secretary of State career Foreign Service. Prior to the President: Daniel F. Geisler State Vice President: vacant for economic, business and agricultural Rogers Act, our Foreign Service posts USAID Vice President: Frank Miller affairs, at a 75th anniversary event spon¬ were staffed on an aa hoc or a political USIA Vice President: J. Riley Sever CS Vice President Charles Kestenbaum sored jointly by AFSA and the basis. FAS Vice President: Maggie Dowling From those summer days of 1993, Retiree Vice President: Edward Dillery Washington Export Council on March Secretary: Aurelius Fernandez 17. Eisenstat hosted 200 people from as I was preparing to take up my post Treasurer: Thomas Boyatt State Representatives: Natalie Brown, the business community, diplomatic as U.S. Ambassador to the European Marilyn Bruno, Michael Corbett, corps and the Foreign Service to honor Communities, to today, I have spent my Christopher Sandrolini USAID Representative: James Dempsey the contribution of the five foreign affairs working hours in close company with USIA Representative: vacant agencies to American prosperity through America's Foreign Service professionals. Retiree Representatives: Garber Davidson, Willard DePree, William Harrop, their support of U.S. business interests This familiarity has bred in me a deep Clyde Taylor FAS Representative: Evans Browne abroad: admiration and appreciation: I know I CS Representative: vacant could not wish for, nor could I find, a Staff he 75th anniversary of the cre¬ more committed, more talented, or more Executive Director: Susan Reardon O Business Department ation in the United States of a pro¬ civic-minded group of public servants. Controller: David McEvoy Accounting Assistant Jenifer O'Neal fessional Foreign Service is an Hard work, wise counsel, and always a Labor Management General Counsel: Sharon Papp auspicious occasion, and I am happy to can-do attitude are Foreign Service char¬ Coordinator: Richard C. Scissors be marking it among friends and col¬ acteristics I have come to count on and Specialist: James Yorke USIA/USAID Labor Relations Specialists: leagues gathered together by the to depend on. Carol Lutz, Jack Mossop American Foreign Service Association. Fortunately for those of us who have Labor Management Attorney: Zlatana Badrich Indeed, I consider it a great honor to the privilege of representing the United Grievance Attorney: Henry Sizer, have been asked to help AFSA launch States, we find many like-minded inter¬ Law Clerks: Meloay Fowler-Green, Margaret G. Perl with this reception its planned series of locutors coming from all parts of the Office Managers: Karen Batchelder, Naida Harrington events commemorating the 1924 Rogers world. Our work could not bring us the Member Services Act. The Act combined the diplomatic Director: Janet Hedrick continued on page 4 Representative: vacant Administrative Assistant: Thomasina Johnson • AFSA Dateline • Retiree Liaison: Ward Thompson Professional Programs Professional Issues Coordinator: •The Delavan Foundation has donated pleased to announce that management Richard S. Thompson Congressional Affairs Director: $40,000 to AFSA. This generous dona¬ agreed to expand the membership of Ken Nakamura tion will help fund our enhanced outreach the panel and to make the director of Communications Coordinator: Kristina Kreamer activites and the speakers bureau. (See DS the final decision maker on LEAP cer¬ Scholarship Administrator: Lori Dec Corporate Relations: Mark Lore Retiree V.P. Voice, page 4.) tification.

Internet Addresses: [email protected] (Association) •Based on feedback from DS special •AFSA welcomes several new staff [email protected] (President) [email protected] (FSJ) agents on implementation of LEAP (law members: enforcement available pay), a premium Steve Honley will be filling a new AFSA Headquarters: (202) 338-4045 FAX: (202)338-6820 pay available to federal law enforce¬ part-time position as associate editor for State Department Office: (202) 647-8160 ment officers, AFSA told management the Foreign Service Journal. A frequent FAX: (202)647-0265 USAID Office: (202)712-1941 that the final decision maker on LEAP Journal contributor and former FSO, FAX: (202)216-3710 certification should be the Director of DS Steve brings valuable experience to the USIA Office: (202)401-6405 FAX: (202)401-6410 and that the LEAP Advisory Panel should staff. include an 01 special agent. We are AFSA News Editor: Wesley Ann Godard continued on page 6

AFSA NEWS • JUNE 1999 1 ECS Can Help Evaluate - — USAID : Your Child's Learning Problems by Anne Weiss V.P. VOICE ECS Director • BY FRANK MILLER • If you have concerns about your AGE DISCRIMINATION SUIT GOES TO TRIAL child's learning problems, whether you are assigned abroad or in the U.S., the Employee Consultation SAID separated 91 FSOs in efficiency, as these personnel U Service (ECS) can help. a reduction-in-force in already possessed the skills in Early identification of learning September 1996. All but one demand. The agency refused. differences is critical. With accu¬ of those selected for the RIF were The District Court also found that rate information parents and edu¬ 40 years of age or older. Thirty- the plaintiffs had presented evi¬ cators can devise teaching tech¬ seven RIFed employees filed a dence of statements allegedly niques and strategies that address lawsuit in the District Court alleging made by Administrator Brian the child's unique learning style. A that USAID had discriminated on Atwood and other USAID officials comprehensive assessment will also the basis of age. The court has cer¬ that could lead a reasonable jury identify a child's strengths, so tified all 91 RIFees as member of to conclude that these individuals important to build upon in main¬ the class. "had a concern about taining a child's self esteem. AFSA, whose attor¬ the older age of much of "RIFed employ¬ For families bidding on over¬ neys are "of counsel" in its Foreign Service staff, seas assignments, an early evalua¬ the lawsuit, has worked ees filed a as well as an interest in tion is even more important. closely with the law firm replacing these workers lawsuit alleging Educational, as well as medical, of Bell, Boyd and Lloyd with new, younger needs are assessed as part of the and the National Senior USAID had employees." The court medical clearance process. A child Citizens Law Center rep¬ went on to say, "Based discriminated with learning disabilities or devel¬ resenting these employ¬ on this, a genuine issue opmental delays will only be ees to provide back¬ on the basis of material fact exists as cleared for posts that can provide ground and pertinent to whether USAID inten¬ of age." adequate educational or medical documents as the case tionally discriminated support. ECS can help parents has progressed. against the class of for¬ obtain the evaluations that will pro¬ The U.S. District Court for the mer Foreign Service employees vide necessary, detailed informa¬ D.C. Circuit has denied USAID's who had obtained the age of forty tion and the appropriate medical request to have the group's age years or older at the time of the clearance for the child. discrimination claim dismissed on RIF." In addition to getting a thor¬ the grounds that sufficient evidence The court's decision is a signifi¬ ough evaluation, the mobile of such a claim had not been pre¬ cant victory. AFSA believes that this Foreign Service parent can smooth sented. The court found that "the poorly planned RIF, coupled with transitions from post to post by plaintiffs have submitted evidence the agency's lack of workforce keeping detailed records of the from which a jury could reasonably planning, has resulted in a critical child's special learning needs. As find that the RIF disadvantaged the FS employee shortage. Each year Sally Smith noted in "Schooling plaintiffs in favor of younger since the RIF, 50 to 80 FS positions the Learning Disabled Child employees." As evidence, the court go unfilled because of shortages of Abroad" in the December 1998 cited, among other things, the qualified personnel in USAID. To Foreign Service Journal, "Every exemption of the IDIs from RIF and fill this gap, the agency has resort¬ record, every letter explaining the agency's refusal to permit the ed to converting GS employees to how this child learns is golden." transfer of employees from one the Foreign Service even though With this information the Office of area into another. many riffed employees could nave Overseas Schools can help a fam¬ Members will recall that AFSA filled this void. ily determine which schools battled, unsuccessfully, to ensure Since the group has successfully abroad provide special education that employees be permitted to met their burden of making a programs. transfer from skill codes which prima facie case of age discrimina¬ The Employee Consultation were in surplus at that time to tion, they will be given the opportu¬ Service is a free, confidential coun¬ deficit skill codes in which they nity to prove at trial in October seling service available to Foreign were qualified before the RIF. Not 1999 that age was a determining Service and Civil Service employ¬ only would this have spared some factor in the agency's decision to ees and their family members. For employees from separation, it RIF them. We will keep members information call (202) 663-1815 would have promoted workplace posted on developments in the trial. or e-mail: [email protected] state.gov.

2 AFSA NEWS • JUNE 1999 FOREIGN SERVICE DAY OBSERVED

oreign Service Day, celebrated on resources and training they need and Service. No ceremony can rewind May 7 of this 75th anniversary the quality of life they deserve; to history, or undo events so terrible and year, sparkled with luminaries. labor every day to provide the means real. No ceremony can replace a lost Deputy Secretary of State Strobe to make them secure from the enemies parent or sibling or child. No ceremo¬ Talbot spoke at the opening session. of peace, just as their efforts protect ny can restore sight or heal grievous Admiral William J. Crowe, Jr., chair the security of their fellow Americans bodily wounds. These gifts are of the Accountability Review Boards at home and abroad." beyond our power. that investigated the East Africa bomb¬ "But we do have the power — ings, addressed the luncheon hosted the poor power of words — to offer by Director General Edward Gnehm. our gratitude and respect. We have (See box.) Following the afternoon the power and memory to ensure seminars devoted to briefings from the that our comrades' sacrifice, like that regional bureaus, Senator Bob Dole of those before them, will forever be delivered the closing keynote address honored. And we have the power of in which he urged aggressive pursuit action to ensure that their deaths of our goals in Kosovo. and injuries will not be in vain. This was a day to recognize out¬ "... The era of safe diplomatic standing leadership and performance. posts is over for America. The unthink¬ DACOR presented its Foreign Service able act of terrorism must become a Cup to Thomas D. Boyatt, "ambas¬ risk we think about and act to mini¬ sador, businessman and public ser¬ mize every day. We can take nothing vant." The Director General's Cup for granted about embassy security; went to Lawrence S. Eagleburger, the ana in the effort to enhance it, every Secretary of State Madeleine Albright speaking at the first career FSO to become secretary one of us must do our part. That memorial plague ceremony honoring the victims of of State. Six women were honored responsibility begins with me. the embassy bombings in Nairobi and Dar es Salaam. with the Secretary of State's Award "The Accountability Review Boards for Outstanding Volunteerism: In her remarks, Secretary of State ... have urged that we do much Johanna Braden, Riga; Kristina Dodd, Madeleine Albright said: more to improve security at our Caracas; Michele Johnson, Maputo; "It is fitting that today, we honor diplomatic posts. I agree, and I have Cheryl Rose, Bangkok; Eglal the service, sacrifice and patriotism of been advocating strongly, both with¬ Rousseau, Dhaka; and Susan those killed or injured in the embassy in the administration and on Capitol Summers, Rabat; and several high bombings while recognizing, as well, Hill, for the resources that we need. school students represented the 21 the proud tradition of the Foreign Nothing I do is more important." winners of the AFSA/AAFSW Academic Merit and Art Merit Awards Excerpts from Admiral William Crowe's Speech (See next month's AFSA News for full "... In London, I developed a deep ably in a foreign atmosphere, who scholarship winners' coverage.) admiration for the career Foreign can decipher the political signs com¬ On everyone's mind were those Service. I expected them to be articu¬ ing from foreign governments, and missing guests, those Americans and late and have an excellent grasp of who have international negotiating Foreign Service Nationals killed their responsibilities. But they exhibited experience. In other words, competent Aug. 7, 1998 in the embassy bomb¬ a great deal more — dedication, even Foreign Service Officials who will ings in Nairobi and Dar es Salaam. temperament, imagination, coolness assume new responsibilities and share At a noon ceremony, Secretary of under pressure and even a highly them. ... In the next few years, your State Madeleine Albright unveiled developed sense of humor. What environment may undergo some dras¬ two memorial plaques in their honor: more could one ask for? ... At the out¬ tic revisions, but your core skills as the AFSA plaque added the names set let me wish you a happy birthday. analysts, negotiators, interpreters, of the eight direct-hire employees to The Foreign Service is one year older advocates, facilitators and salesmen its long list honoring Foreign Service than I am. I hope it feels better than I will still be in fashion and serving the personnel killed in heroic or inspiring do. republic well, just as they have for the circumstances, and a State ... [The Foreign Service] role in last 75 years. ... This doesn't mean Department plaque dedicated to the building the post war security structure that you won't have to invest some East Africa bombing victims listed all was critical. Achievements like those effort in making your case...Vigorous 56 Americans and FSNs who died. rest not on the efforts of one or few effort will be required to build support President Clinton, in a message leaders, but on the strength and skill both within and outside Washington. delivered by National Security of the foreign policy machinery...... We should never allow budgetary Adviser Sandy Berger, said, "We One thing won't change: the need for considerations to become more impor¬ owe [Foreign Service personnel] and on site expertise; for fluent linguists; for tant than the dedicated Americans their families our gratitude and our representatives who can work comfort¬ who serve our nation abroad." commitment; to give them the

AFSA NEWS • JUNE 1999 3 Eizenstat Honors FS =RETIREE = continued from page 1 satisfaction of maintaining constructive dialogues, were the people across the V.P. VOICE table from us not full partners in these • BY ED DILLERY • dialogues. Let me, then, thank those of you who are diplomats from other countries for joining us for this kick-off AFSA EXPANDS OUTREACH PROGRAMS 75th birthday party of the U.S. Foreign Service. The Foreign Service thrives in s promised, I am continuing have launched a new outreach pro¬ A large measure because it has adapt¬ the discussion of public out¬ gram to highlight the role of the ed to the needs of the time. One such reach from my February col¬ Foreign Service in promoting adaptation has been the Foreign umn. Intervening AFSA News America's interests. In March, we Service's remarkable and productive issues having yielded space to our received a generous grant from the effort to promote trade with the United congressional directory and the Delavan Foundation which will States and investment in the United 75th anniversary of the Foreign give us the resources we need. States. Key to this effort has been the Service. Ward Thompson, AFSA liaison to ever-growing and ever-closer collabo¬ A retired colleague active in individual retired members and to ration with U.S. producers, business¬ public and congressional outreach retiree associations, has assumed es, and banks; with the national and lamented to me the additional outreach local Chambers of Commerce; and, absence of an annual responsibilities, including within our own government, with the report subsection on re-energizing our speak¬ "Retirees are Department of Commerce and with retirees. This is a good ers bureau. Amb. Bill De many activist representatives and sen¬ point, but a separate cat¬ Pree, founder of AFSA's instrumental ators. To give just one personal exam¬ egory no longer does jus¬ successful Elderhostel in our vital ple of many, I will mention the cre¬ tice to the numerous course on the Foreign ation in 1995, when I was still at the retirees who have Service, is overseeing an outreach U.S. Mission to the EU in Brussels, of become so centrally effort to develop a con¬ efforts." the Transatlantic Business Dialogue. involved in the AFSA stituency of "Friends of TAB-D, as we have come to call it, is agenda. In addition to the Foreign Service." representative of the sort of public- those of us in positions As always, we need sector/ private-sector transnational syn¬ reserved for retirees, our retired col¬ your help in reaching out beyond ergy that can arise from diplomats' leagues currently serve AFSA as Washington. While our new working from their privileged position secretary, treasurer and chairs of speakers bureau action plan with all the relevant parties to create includes direct contacts with the committees on insurance, finance, just the right forum for on-going con¬ regional offices of many service awards, elections, education and tact and activity. It increases the organizations like Rotary, we outreach, as well as chairs of the strength and resilience of our relations would appreciate hearing from Journal editorial board and the with the EU and, at the same time, members who can identify a local 75th anniversary committee. promotes business and prosperity on Rotary Club or foreign affairs Beyond AFSA headquarters, both sides of the Atlantic. association chapter which we retirees are instrumental in our vital Making it possible for people to outreach efforts. In February, I should approach about a speaker. work constructively together is essen- Bill De Pree and Amb. Bill Harrop asked to hear from colleagues who n" " what diplomacy is all about. will present our Elderhostel course engage in public speaking inde¬ it was the Rogers Act that creat¬ pendent of AFSA. I heard from in St. Petersburg, Florida next ed the institution that has allowed us many, like Rick Straus in Michigan, February, and will call on the tal¬ to pursue and accomplish our diplo¬ ents of AFSA members in that who programs himself as a speak¬ matic goals. We will continue to area. We are also talking with er to colleges, Rotary clubs and need keen observers of the foreign other groups. Or like Amb. Bob State about increasing the partici¬ Ryan in Florida, who addresses pation of AFSA retirees in Foreign audiences and volunteers to ensure Service recruiting and in State's that visitors from Washington agen¬ regional "town meetings." Foreign Service family cies and think tanks get wide expo¬ Retirees, far more than any members are online. sure in his area. other element of AFSA, can AFSA wants to build on these ensure that the American people Click on achievements by facilitating similar remain aware of the Foreign www.kreative.net/fslifelines efforts in other parts of the country. Service long after the anniversary As part of the 75th celebration, we celebration is past. Now a service of AAFSW

4 AFSA NEWS • JUNE 1 999 scene, strong advocates of U.S. positions, and canny international negotiators. We should, therefore, not just celebrate the Rogers Act but should also work to make sure that V.P. VOICE the Foreign Service remains flexible, • BY RILEY SEVER • vital, ana well-funded to meet the challenges of the new millennium. Permit me to add two additional points which are not part of this AFSA FILES IILP COMPLAINT AGAINST USIA script. First, even in an Internet 21st century, with modern communica¬ On April 16 AFSA filed an the prior documentation. tions, there will still be a need for the Unfair Labor Practice com¬ However, when AFSA requested Foreign Service — indeed even plaint against USIA for the remaining materials, the gen¬ more so. The notion that diplomatic excluding AFSA from formal settle¬ eral counsel of the agency assert¬ business can be done from ment discussions concerning Equal ed that the Privacy Act prevented Washington without people on the Employment Opportunity com¬ USIA from releasing individual around is fallacious. If anything, plaints. After a year of unsuccessful settlement agreements already there will be a greater need for the attempts to negotiate with manage¬ under consideration by USIA and kind of analysis Foreign Service offi¬ ment, AFSA charged USIA with vio¬ bargaining unit members' repre¬ cers are so good at providing in real lation of the Foreign Service Act sentative. The GC's response is in time — the information and recom¬ and federal case law. direct conflict with the mendations necessary for us here to For several years, "USIA took Barstow case and other make the more rapid decisions this USIA has engaged in case law. information age imposes upon us. settlement discussions of the position On March 18, 1999, Second, we should also strongly a proposed class action that AFSA did the GC informed AFSA and sharply oppose those who deni¬ EEO formal complaint in writing that USIA grate our Foreign Service. They are known as the Goodman not have the intendeato continue set¬ ill-informed. We have seen all too case. On numerous right to be tlement discussions with many recent situations — in Bosnia, occasions, AFSA request¬ the individual Goodman in Africa — when our Foreign ed information regarding represented." case complainants' rep¬ Service Officers put their lives on the these settlement discus¬ resentative through fac¬ line. Bob Frasure stayed in our resi¬ sions, including an offi¬ simile, letter and phone. dence in Brussels only a few short cial copy of the Goodman Report USIA took the position that these weeks before he died on that terrible on which the complaints were meetings would be informal and road trying to bring peace to based. USIA postponed or refused therefore AFSA did not have the Bosnia. My wife, Fran, and I to provide these materials. right to be represented. The GC framed BOD'S signature in our guest A fundamental responsibility made it clear that these informal book and sent it to his widow. This of AFSA as the sole representative discussions would take the place of left an indelible mark on me and my of USIA Foreign Service employ¬ any formal discussions and that views toward the Foreign Service. ees is to negotiate impact and AFSA would learn of the settle¬ You are the best we have in this implementation procedures with ment terms only if management felt country; you serve us well. management. A union must be that there was sufficient impact on Thank You. aware of any settlements provid¬ the bargaining unit. This decision ing remedies that affect other prompted AFSA to file the ULP com¬ members of the bargaining unit. plaint. In addition, the Federal Labor While AFSA and USIA man¬ Relation Authority's 1997 Barstow agement have a long history of case decision clearly established mutual respect and significant a union's right to notification and accomplishments in formal and participation in formal EEO settle¬ informal negotiations, the agen¬ ment discussions. cy's refusal to include AFSA in the After AFSA informed agency resolution of EEO complaints, management of the Barstow deci¬ including the Goodman case, has sion and of its desire to exercise its created serious questions as to right to participate in all future EEO why these particular settlements Under Secretary of State for Economic, Business settlements, USIA initially cooperat¬ shouldn't be more transparent. and Agricultural Affairs Stuart Eizenstat (L) and ed by providing AFSA with a copy AFSA is determined to pursue its AFSA Retiree Vice President Ed Dillery at the 75th of the latest draft of the Goodman legal rights to represent its bar¬ anniversary event honoring FS contributions to settlement proposal and some of gaining unit. American business.

AFSA NEWS • JUNE 1999 5 Dateline continued from page 1 1999 AFSA AWARDS ANNOUNCED The Labor Management Office has hired Richard Bernstein as •Lifetime Contributions to American Diplomacy: Cyrus R. Vance the summer law clerk. Richard is a (See article on page 48 of this issue of the FSJ.) third year law student at Catholic University. •Christian A. Herter Award: David B. Dlouhy Most of the summer interns have Runner-up: Alexander Vershbow arrived: •William R. Rivkin Award: Nicholas Hill and Robert Norman Elizabeth Rakocy, the Runner-up: Carol Rodley Legislative Affairs intern, comes •W. Averell Harriman Award: James D. Loveland from Minnesota and is a junior at •Delavan Award: Office Management Specialists serving in Nairobi: Boston University. She is majoring Linda Clark, Linda Coulson, Bonita Estes, Linda in international relations and politi¬ Howard, Carolyn Riley, Jean Shiffer, Vicki Spiers, cal science. Sheila Wilson The Corporate Relations intern is Runner-up: Patricia King Keegan Sara DeForge. Sara just graduated •M. Juanita Guess Award: Patricia Ann Alter from St. Michael's College in Vermont Co-runners-up: Judy Pike and Susan Wiley with a major in psychology. •Avis Bohlen Award: Cherry Gwyn Creagan Beverly Byrd will be the Runner-up Amparo Wing intern for COLEAD (Coalition for •AFSA Achievement Awards: Active Duty Member - Shirlie Pinkham American Leadership Abroad). Retired Member - Herman J. Cohen She has an MA in literature from the University of South Alabama Winners will be honored at a ceremony in the Benjamin Franklin Room of in Mobile and a law degree from the Department of State at 12 noon on Thursday, June 24. (Look for full cov¬ Cumberland School of Law, erage in the July/August 1999 AFSA News.) Samford University in Birmingham. Classifieds TAX & FINANCIAL SERVICES AFSA TAX COUNSEL: Problems of tax TAX PREPARATION: CPA, SPECIAL¬ ATTORNEY, FORMER FOREIGN SER¬ & finance. 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8 AFSA NEWS • JUNE 1999 Focus

The realization that Western “help” By 1992, some Polish Kawalec, had tiiis to say about the now meant people, not cash, hit hard. approach of famed Harvard econo¬ Bilateral donors and the European and Hungarian officials mist Jeffrey Sachs: “There were and Union supplied largely technical still are many question marks [about] assistance through advisers who pro¬ concluded that they how the economy will respond. In vided expertise and training for aid this, Sachs had no knowledge at all recipients. Although some officials were “technically because he was not familiar with and observers argued that there was a Communist economies. He tried to division of labor between the techni¬ over-assisted.” treat this economy the same as Latin cal assistance provided by bilateral American ones.” donors and the capital assistance pro¬ By January 1992, a chorus of vided by the international financial institutions, die lat¬ Polish and Hungarian officials (whose countries at that ter came in die form of loans that had to be repaid point had received the most U.S. aid) had concluded (often not regarded as aid in Central and Eastern tiiat their countries were “technically over-assisted,” as Europe) and there was little coordination between Marek Kozak, a Polish official who monitored foreign loans and technical assistance. aid, put it, and that the assistance was doing more harm The technical assistance itself was often flawed. The than good. Overburdened top-level officials, often “Marriott Brigade” was a term the Polish press coined working without benefit of trained support staff, com¬ early in the process for the short-term, “fly-in, fly-out” plained that they couldn’t do their jobs because they consultants who delivered technical assistance; they had to spend so much time meeting with fact-finders stayed at Warsaw’s pricey new Marriott and hurtled and consultants. Kozak went so far as to suggest that the among five-star hotels across Central Europe. In con¬ main benefit derived from the Marriott Brigades was trast to long-term consultants, who often stayed for six not the expertise they provided, but die hard currency months to two years, members of the Marriott Brigade they contributed to the local economy. visited the region for several days or weeks only. Furthermore, local perceptions of the consultants At first, Central and Eastern European officials, called into question their motives and the motives of most of whom were new at their jobs, had welcomed Western aid in general. High-ranking officials some¬ the Marriott Brigade. Yet after hundreds of “first meet¬ times suspected Western advisers of industrial espi¬ ings” with an endless array of short-term consultants onage or even trying to sabotage Poland’s future eco¬ from the World Bank, the IMF, USAID and other aid nomic competitiveness. The deputy director of NIK organizations, many officials concluded that a certain (the Polish government’s chief auditing agency) degree of skepticism was in order. explained to me in 1994 that “[a] few years ago the [con¬ A good part of the problem was that many of the sulting] firms had an industrial espionage quality to short-term consultants were ill-prepared for their assign¬ them. They came and got all [the] valuable information ments. For example, a GAO report mentioned that one about the enterprises — the state of the firm, the volunteer charged with helping Polish legal associations amount and cost of production, and so on — and after to establish a commercial law library was “an American this they disappeared.” divorce lawyer with no Polish language skills.” As Poles became ambivalent toward and even suspi¬ A related problem was that many consultants applied cious of the aid effort, latent negative images of the assumptions and experience they had gleaned from work West from Communist days began to resurface among in the Third World. These assumptions not only consti¬ some Poles, particularly those facing economic hard¬ tuted a deep insult to a people who considered them¬ ship. In the words of a workers’ slogan that decorated selves exemplars of European culture and civilization, the main entrance to a factory: “A Foreign Elite Steals they also reinforced the widely held view that Western From Us While The Polish People Are At The consultants generally were unfamiliar with the institu¬ Bottom.” All this frustration contributed to the second tions specific to post-communist economies. In 1990, phase of East-West aid relations, which I call the vice minister of Polands ministry of finance, Stefan Disillusionment.

JUNE 1999/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 43 Focus

Despite many early mistakes and Some Poles have been Eventually, Some Success complaints, Polish views about Western Thus, after a period of frustra¬ aid began to change by the mid-1990s. anointed “Westerners” tion and resentment on both sides, Much of the antagonism present in the a phase which I call Adjustment first years of the aid effort dissipated. and serve on aid occurred. In Poland, this could be Recipients adapted as their experience observed around 1994. Donors and with donors grew. After early frustra¬ missions to Ukraine and recipients began to examine their tion and resentment, Polish officials relationships to decide how they became better at identifying their Romania. could best be managed for success¬ needs and more selective about foreign ful aid outcomes, or at least to suit (and local) advisers. As Poles devel¬ their own purposes. During this oped technical capabilities, they concluded in some phase, some helpful programs evolved to support the cases that the costs of working with an aid program, in parliament, small businesses, and nongovernmental time and meeting donor requirements, outweighed the organizations. benefits, and they chose not to do so. In addition, some effective assistance in the form of long-term targeted aid that, importantly, did not favor Beyond Disillusionment one political group over another became available. One result of this evolution was that Poles requested I found that aid must be perceived as impartial and as more capital and less technical assistance. The EU working on behalf of the recipient country generally, especially began to supply capital assistance to finance not as propping up a particular group. One program trans-European network projects such as railway hnes, sponsored by the U.S. Congressional Research Service roads and border infrastructure. As one EU official provided support to the new parliaments of the region, explained, “Investment finance is more visible to the so that they could develop impartial systems of public. That’s one of the reasons we’re going into it.” information that all parliamentarians, regardless of A related development was the blurring of distinc¬ political affiliation, could use. This program was suc¬ tions between donor and recipient personnel. Initially, it cessful and perceived as such, in large part because it had been possible to detect who was who by nationality, was politically neutral. language, style and dress. By the mid-’90s, however, These programs provided information technology many Western consulting groups, including accounting and resources to parliamentary institutions in Central firms, were hiring more local citizens and expatriates Europe, including computers for the Polish Parliament who spoke Polish. Donors also recruited some former and Senate. This enabled them to set up a local-area high-level Polish officials who had served in the first network with local databases and connections to post-communist governments. For example, the Polish- American and European databases. American Enterprise Fund hired a former deputy min¬ Wieslaw Staszkiewicz, director of the Pohsh ister of privatization and a former undersecretary in the Parliaments Bureau of Research, said the U.S. aid pro¬ Ministry of Industry and Trade to be vice presidents. gram provided “very significant help” to his bureau, Marek Kozak, who two years earlier had criticized which supphes information, training and expert opinions Western aid efforts from his vantage point as a recipient on prospective legislation as requested by the parlia¬ official, became head of a private-sector development ment. Poles went to Washington for training in reference initiative for the EU. sendees, making contacts which are still useful and Polish organizations and consultants, now anointed active. Currently, die Bureau of Research is fully funded “Westerners” themselves, serve on EU delegations in by the Pohsh Parliament and is expanding its efforts to Ukraine and Romania. And, more often than not, they help set up similar offices in the nations east and south are treated as partners if not with deference. One EU of Poland. official in Poland explained his reluctance to criticize a One of the watchwords of the early phase of Western particular Polish official: “One day he might be my boss aid to Poland was “civil society.” While much of this [at the EU].” assistance went to political and partisan organizations,

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JUNE 1999/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 45 Focus

after a period of learning on both sides some aid even¬ One factor that may be at work in lessening Polish tually helped to encourage grassroots development and suspicions of the West is the record of Polands econo¬ decentralization of nongovernmental organizations out¬ my in the 1990s. Poland has had the most solid growth side the major cities. of any country in Central and Eastern Europe, with In time, an entire NGO-support industry emerged: sustained growth since 1993. By 1998 Poland was one the Forum of Nongovernmental Initiatives (FIP) was of three countries in Eastern Europe (along witli created in 1993 and the Network of Information and Slovakia and Slovenia) in which GDP was at or above Support Center for Nongovernmental Organizations its 1989 level. (SPLOT) was created in 1994. In a successful connec¬ However, development is regionally based and tion with the business sector, FIP created a “benefactor uneven. While cities such as Warsaw, Cracow, Gdansk of the year” award, given to businesses on the basis of and Szczecin, along with Polands westernmost areas, innovation, staff involvement, sustained effort and, of tend to prosper, eastern and rural areas have tended to course, monetary contributions. languish economically. The favored regions are experi¬ Notes Polish sociologist Jakub Wygnanski, “Now, encing very low unemployment and a high degree of more and more associations and foundations are being private sector development, privatization and invest¬ organized to help or support odiers.” A prime example ment. In other regions, one finds high unemployment, of this is Polish Humanitarian Action, which sent con¬ a virtual stalemate in privatization and the develop¬ voys of relief supplies to war-torn Chechnya and the for¬ ment of business infrastructure, and scant foreign mer Yugoslavia. investment. Foreign assistance helped to shape the standards that were set for management, accountability, disburse¬ Rejoining Europe? ments and transparency. By the mid-1990s, many Polish Currently, U.S. aid programs to Poland are wind¬ NGOs were publishing their findings and their sources ing down. After allocating more than $900 million of funding. The FIP even ran a campaign in 1998 under over the past decade, the Congress appropriated the slogan “Be Transparent: Publish an Annual Report,” just $35 million for fiscal 1998 and $20 million in the to encourage NGOs to disclose their financial and pro¬ current year. gram activities. By early 1999, the State Department reported that At first, Polish NGOs adopted wholesale Western Poland was ready to “graduate” from the SEED pro¬ practices and vocabularies, but that was bound to gram, the biggest U.S. aid program for Central and change. By 1998, Wygnanski noted, they were engaged Eastern Europe. And in fact, the program is zeroed out in “debate about how to build the NGO sector in in the administrations FY2000 budget request. Poland and how to find language and symbols for the “Graduation” implies that the pupils went to our school sector in the Polish framework.” and succeeded on our terms. At the very least, this view To aid small business, a microlending program, a is patronizing and implies that we — die United States subsidiary of the Polish-American Enterprise Fund, got — had more positive influence than the record appears under way in 1995. It appeared to operate at a much to justify. more grass-roots level than its parent fund. Backed by Despite its mixed legacy, aid to Poland and Central tire U.S. Congress, the program was distinctive in that Europe has been part of a broader process of estab¬ the average size of its loans was just $500. The typical lishing “normal” relationships between West and East business funded had one to five employees. Most of the and aid programs have contributed to the interchange firms were involved in trade, services (hairdressing, of people and ideas. That process continues: Poland plumbing, construction) and production (bicycles, car has joined NATO and is engaged in pre-accession parts, toys). Since 1995, the program has given more negotiations with the EU, though that may be a pro¬ than 13,000 loans, operating through 30 branch centers tracted process. It may well be that in the next decade throughout Poland. The European Union also support¬ the deeply felt Polish goal of “rejoining Europe” will be ed a home-grown initiative to aid Polish business in dis¬ accomplished, despite the many difficulties of the post¬ advantaged regions through its Struder program. communist transition. ■

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FROM TROUBLESHOOTING FOR LBJ TO REPRESENTING THE UN IN TAI.ES

WITH SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC, CYRUS VANCE’S FOREIGN POLICY ACHIEVEMENTS HAVE REELECTED HIS HIGH IDEALS.

BY STEVEN ALAN HONLEY

he decision of the American Foreign Roberts Vance. (Note for trivia buffs: his uncle was John T Service Association to confer its annual W. Davis, President Woodrow Wilson’s last ambassador to award for Lifetime Contributions to the Court of St. James’s and the Democratic presidential American Diplomacy on former candidate in 1924.) Vance’s father died when Cyrus was 5, Secretary of State Cyrus Vance, which but left ample resources for his widow to raise the two wall occur on June 24,1999, might strike boys comfortably. Foreign Service officers, at least, as a no-brainer. After all, The future secretary of State’s legal bent was apparent as the June 1980 Foreign Service Journal editorialized after as early as his adolescence. Accordingly, after earning his the Secretary’s resignation: “No one has better represented B.A. in 1939 from Yale University, he went on to receive our high ideals than Cyrus Vance.... In addition to his an LL.B. with honors from the same institution in 1942, foreign policy achievements, the legacy Mr. Vance left us is then immediately enlisted in the U.S. Navy under the offi¬ considerable — open dialogue between department princi¬ cer training program. After duty as a gunnery officer pals and members of the service, commitment to a truly aboard the USS Hale and other destroyers at Bougainville, representative service and a new Foreign Service Act.” Tarawa, Saipan, Guam and the Philippines, he was Nor did he rest on Iris laurels after his tenure as secretary discharged in March 1946 with the rank of lieutenant, of State. Among other assignments, from 1991-93, he toiled senior grade. ceaselessly, along with former British Foreign Minister After the war, Vance joined the Wall Street firm of David Owen, to craft and implement a plan to bring a just, Simpson, Thacher and Bartlett, where he is still a partner. sustainable peace to war-tom Bosnia. He also became active in the Council on Foreign Relations Yet even FSOs and others who pride themselves on their beginning in 1957, just as die Sputnik launch precipitated knowledge of international affairs may be unaware that prior the space race. Then-Senate Majority Leader Lyndon to the Carter administration, Cyrus Vance spent the 1960s in Johnson established a “Preparedness Investigation governmental service, including several sensitive diplomatic Committee” to make recommendations on whether a mili¬ missions undertaken as President Lyndon Johnson’s secre¬ tary or civil agency should have specific responsibility for tary of dre Army and deputy secretary of Defense. Without America’s effort in outer space. Vance was tapped as a spe¬ question, then, his career truly does add up to “lifetime con¬ cial counsel to the committee during 1958 and helped draft tributions to American diplomacy.” its report calling for establishment of NASA. Although this was not a foreign policy question per se, the resulting con¬ Early Life nections with die Kennedy administration eventually led to Cyrus Roberts Vance was bom in Clarksburg, W. Va., Vance’s appointment as general counsel to the Department on March 27, 1917, the second son of John and Amy of Defense in January 1961. There, his first assignment was to obtain the release of Steven Alan Honleij is associate editor of the Foreign Service the Americans captured during the Bay of Pigs invasion Journal. without being seen to pay off the Castro regime. Vance

48 FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL/JUNE 1999 Vance at work in Sarajevo as the U.N. representative to the International Conference on the Former Yugoslavia, a posi¬ tion he held from 1991-93.

arranged for a “ransom” consisting of millions of dollars group of elder statesmen, including fonner Secretary of worth of medicines and tractors, a move that did not win State Dean Acheson, to whom President Johnson turned him any points with the more rabid opponents of all for advice on the war — Vance concurred with “the vast engagement with the Castro regime, but did secure the majority at the meeting [who] felt that the course of the prisoners’ freedom. war had to be changed.” In any case, tire dialogue con¬ tributed at least in part to the presidents decision to ask The Vietnam Morass for a cease-fire on March 31. Vance became secretary of the Army in 1962, and was Three days later, the government of North Vietnam then chosen as Robert McNamaras deputy secretary of offered to begin negotiations in Paris. Vance was named Defense two years later. He was not in the inner circle of deputy chief negotiator under W. Averell Harriman. administration officials who made the decisions that took Ambassador Philip Habib, another member of the dele¬ the country into the Vietnam War, though he generally gation, offered this assessment of Vances diplomatic skills concurred with them. However, he did warn McNamara in a 1982 interview: “Cyrus Vance, for example, is a man in a July 1965 memo that the “overall cost of mobilizing whom I hold in the highest regard, both as a person and a the forces needed to support a 100,000-man army in negotiator. His absolute, total, and complete honesty was Vietnam is likely to be on the order of $8 billion in the always transmitted to the people he worked with.” coming year,” not the several hundred million then being To the American demand that Hanoi take no advantage of talked about. As early as the spring of 1967, he was dis¬ a bombing halt, Hanoi countered with a demand that it be heartened by the mounting casualties and the dimming unconditional. By late July 1968, Vance and his co¬ prospects for military success, but chose to suppress his negotiators had developed a formula to get around the doubts and proceed as if somediing acceptable might still “no advantage” vs. “no conditions” stalemate, but still had to come out of the war — a stalemate if nothing else. But at sell it to the president. Once they overcame Johnsons reluc¬ the famous.March 1968 briefings by the “wise men” — a tance, however, the far greater obstacle to negotiation proved

JUNE 1999/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 49 to be opposition from the government “The president’s conflict between Greece and Turkey in Saigon to negotiating with the over Cyprus. Pressure had been National Liberation Front (the Viet instructions were, mounting for quite some time in Cong’s political wing). Here again simply: ‘Do what you Turkey to challenge Greek violations Vance and his associates figured a way of agreements governing the island out: by simply referring to “two sides,” have to, to stop the war (particularly the 1964 independence tire agreement allowed each side to [with Greece over accords) and especially the rights of work out its own composition. Thus if the Turkish minority. Turkish forces die Hanoi delegation wished to regard Cyprus]. If you need were readied for an invasion, and on the National Liberation Front as a anything, let me know. November 18, 1967, in an ultima¬ separate body, it could do so, while die tum, Turkey insisted on removal of Saigon delegation could pretend die Greek troops. NLF was not a participant. Thus was LBJ’s Trouble-shooter If the United States was not to fashioned die “our side-your side” for¬ On top of dealing with the see two NATO allies at war, prompt mula, which allowed die U.S. to cease Vietnam War and his many other action was called for. Vance was all bombing and shelling of North standing responsibilities, Vance quickly dispatched to Ankara, land¬ Vietnam effective November 1, 1968 became one of LBJ’s regular trou¬ ing at daybreak on Thanksgiving — just before Richard Nixon was ble-shooters. The first crisis he Day. The president’s instructions elected president. helped manage took place in the were, simply: “Do what you have to, After initially accepting diis for¬ Panama Canal Zone, where in to stop the war. If you need anything mula, South Vietnam dien reneged, January 1965, American high school let me know.” Vance responded with possibly in the expectation that the students in die zone, urged on by perhaps the first venture in shuttle incoming administration would their parents, attempted to dy only diplomacy. After two trips between resume a hard line against the North the American flag in violation of a Ankara and Athens, he decided it and spare Saigon from having to standing agreement. Mobs invaded would be impossible to get either make any real concessions at the bar¬ the zone in protest, six Panamanians countiy to agree to the other’s terms, gaining table. “In my mind,” Vance were killed, hundreds more were and he would have to act as media¬ recalled, “this was one of the great wounded, rioting spread throughout tor. With his aide and the two tragedies in history: that die Soudi Panama and portions of the zone American ambassadors, he did just Vietnamese double-crossed the came under attack from snipers. To that, devising a four-point proposal United States, which I clearly feel get control in the Canal Zone, centered on removing Greek Army they did.” Weeks thereafter were President Johnson dispatched Vance troops from Cyprus and guarantee¬ wasted haggling over the shape of the and Under Secretary of State ing the safety of the Turkish commu¬ table that would permit the National Thomas Mann, who reached an nity. After yet more shuttle diploma¬ Liberation Front to be seated witiiout agreement to withdraw U.S. forces cy, he convinced both sides to sign giving it the status Saigon wished to from the border in return for the tile agreement on December 3,1967 deny it. The Russian historian Ilya V Panamanian national guard’s clear¬ and (more or less) honor its terms, Gaiduk quotes the wry comment of a ing tiieir side of snipers and trouble¬ thereby averting a war many Soviet observer: “Meetings of the del¬ makers. Although the United States observers had feared was unavoid¬ egations now resembled classes in still rejected the idea that it should able. The experience undoubtedly geometry rather than serious talks.” renegotiate its lease of the Canal came in handy over a decade later at Vances patience and willingness to Zone, this agreement marked the Camp David when Vance had to use his government’s leverage even¬ beginning of a long process of help mediate between two other tually paid off when Saigon agreed to returning sovereignty to the hard-nosed antagonists. It also join the talks on November 27, 1968, Panamanians: a process that Vance reconfirmed his belief that some but by then, a Republican negotiating made one of his first priorities as problems of American foreign policy team headed by Henry Cabot Lodge, secretary of State and would take had nothing to do with the Soviet Jr. was about to take over, struggling justifiable pride in concluding 12 Union but had other roots. anodier four years only to gain terms years later. no better than those the Harriman- In November 1967, the president The Connection to Carter Vance team might well have asked Vance to take on an even Shortly after the Nixon adminis¬ obtained. greater challenge: mediating the tration took office, Henry Kissinger

50 FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL/JUNE 1999 In 1980, the Iran hostage crisis consumed most of Secretary of State Vance’s attention. approached Vance with a proposal Cyrus Vance, better In the 1976 presidential pri¬ that he go to Moscow to work out an maries, Vance initially supported his informal linkage between negotia¬ known as Cy by his friend Sargent Shriver. Once Shriver tions on a Strategic Arms Limitation host of admirers, is a man withdrew from the race, however, Treaty (SALT I) and Soviet helpful¬ Vance began moving closer to Carter, ness in pressuring Hanoi to end the whose career and persona who asked him to prepare a memo¬ war. The USSR rebuffed the idea of are the very symbols randum in the fall of 1976 setting out linkage at its inception, so the trip foreign policy goals and priorities. never happened, but the fact that of integrity and public This document, as summarized in Kissinger sought Vances good service. Vances 1983 memoir, Hard Choices: offices certainly demonstrates his Critical Years In America’s Foreign high regard for Vances diplomatic Policy, emphasized the need to pur¬ skills. Nevertheless, neither the ship on the Council on Foreign sue policies which reflect the basic Nixon nor die Ford administration Relations and the Trilateral values of the Founding Fathers and showed any further interest in tap¬ Commission. It was in the latter that are understood and supported ping Vances expertise or experience. arena that he first met Georgia by the American people and the During this period (1969-76), Governor Jimmy Carter in 1973. Congress, as well as to manage U.S.- Vance resumed his law practice and While the two men did not have a Soviet relations while also taking into various civic activities (including close relationship and maintained account the changes taking place in reform of the New York City police). only periodic contact during die mid- political, economic and social condi¬ Though no longer a policy-maker, he 1970s, they did have several friends tions around the globe. As Vance put continued his involvement in foreign in common, including Andiony Lake it, “America flourishes in a world affairs, primarily through member- and Richard Holbrooke. where freedom flourishes.”

JUNE 1999/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 51 The Battle Lines are Drawn “I know there is a special Canal treaties; assisting the transition When Carters inner circle started to majority-black rule in Zimbabwe considering Cabinet appointments in place reserved for him in and Namibia; and continuing pru¬ 1976, Chief of Staff Hamilton Jordan the hearts of the career dent efforts to reach verifiable arms remarked, “If, after the inauguration, control agreements with the Soviet you find a Cy Vance as Secretary of and appointed diplomats Union within the overall framework State and Zbigniew Brzezinski as who have had the of detente. In addition, while the head of National Security, then I Soviet invasion of Afghanistan would say we failed. And I’d quit.” privilege of serving helped kill the painstakingly-negoti¬ That combination did come with him.” ated SALT II Treaty, Vance’s basic about. But it was Vance, not Jordan, approach to arms reductions paved who would ultimately quit, of — Former Secretary of State the way for START I. course. Still, Jordan was prescient Warren Christopher Perhaps the greatest legacy of about the personal and conceptual Carter’s foreign policy, ably champi¬ fault line that would eventually oned by Secretary Vance, was its undermine the new administration. Support for Detente Fades strong, public defense of human As David S. McLellan comments in Every American secretary of rights — not just as a convenient his 1985 biography of the secretary, State can be said to serve in difficult weapon with which to bash foes, but Cyrus Vance: The American times, though some are more diffi¬ as an intrinsically valid objective per Secretaries of State and Their cult dian odiers. But as the U.S. and se. As a result of U.S. diplomatic Diplomacy, Vol. 20, “Vance was a world economies sank into recession pressure, wielded both openly and secure person who did not feel and painful memories of the (on occasion) behind the scenes, var¬ driven to self-promotion and Vietnam War faded, the Carter ious authoritarian regimes around conducted himself according to the administration had to respond to the world, from the USSR to South old-fashioned code by which one increasingly strident calls for Korea, Brazil and Argentina, person respected another. In the America to “go it alone” or at least released political prisoners and at face of Brzezinsld’s machinations, pursue a more hard-nosed foreign least paid lip service to the concept this probably saved the administra¬ policy. Compounding its problems, a of human rights. Critics are right tion the spectacle of crude power whole series of dangerously unstable when they point out that the Carter rivalry [but] may have given the situations and setbacks for American administration was not always con¬ impression that the latter’s views interests unfolded abroad, any one sistent in its approach to the issue; were in the ascendancy long before of which could easily have taken up nor should the role Congress and that actually became the case.” Vances full attention. The roll is public opinion played in the process McLellan further observes that grim indeed: Iran, Afghanistan, be forgotten. But the fact remains the Vance-Brzezinsld clash also mir¬ Ethiopia, Nicaragua, El Salvador, that the administration enunciated a rored a larger issue: “Substituting Angola, Cuba, the second major principle so strong that its successor, diplomacy for military power OPEC oil price hike, and the war which came to office determined to involved the risk of appearing weak between China and Vietnam, to revert to the previous policy of and indecisive, vulnerable to upsets name just a few. Consequently, it is focusing more on a regime’s anti¬ caused not by policies but by events understandable, if not necessarily communism than its democratiza¬ over which the administration had lit¬ excusable, that the administration tion, found itself forced to maintain tle control, such as the collapse of the made mistakes, some serious, in jug¬ a focus on human rights. Shah’s regime in Iran or the Soviet gling so many slippery balls. invasion of Afghanistan. Having Yet it is all too easy to forget that The Decision to Resign eschewed a zero-sum, confrontation¬ Carter and Vance achieved enduring Throughout the Iranian hostage al style, tlie administration was more diplomatic successes as well. Even a crisis, Secretary Vance consistently vulnerable to die charge that it lacked partial list of the administration’s opposed the use of force, including a toughness and will. The spectacle of accomplishments would have to blockade or mining, as long as the die embassy hostages [for example] include negotiating tire Camp David hostages were unharmed. A princi¬ was symbolic of the frustration and accord (still tire foundation of peace¬ pled stand, it did not constitute a powerlessness against which many making efforts in the Middle East wimpish fear of confrontation as Americans felt a need to react.” two decades later) and the Panama some have charged, but rather

52 FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL/JUNE 1999 served long-term U.S. interests in Academy of Diplomacy (of which mats formulated a draft constitution not forcing Iran to turn to the Secretary Vance is an honorary mem¬ organizing Bosnia into a decentral¬ Soviets, or worsening U.S. relations ber) told the Journal: “Cyrus Vance, ized federation of ten provinces orga¬ with the Islamic world. Knowing better known as Cy by his host of nized mostly along ethnic lines to Vances staunch opposition, admirers, is a man whose career and minimize strife. This proposal Brzezinski (as he had done numer¬ persona are the very symbols of became known as the “Vance-Owen ous times before) worked behind the integrity and public service. For me, plan.” After heroic efforts (including scenes to convince the president nothing reflects that more than his nearly constant travel) by its authors, that a bold gesture such as a military resignation as Secretary of State the U.S., many other parties, and the operation would rebut the charges because of his opposition to plans to Bosnian Serbs finally agreed to the of indecisiveness and drift that launch the rescue mission of the plan in May 1993. The Serbs, in a ter¬ endangered his reelection. On April American hostages in Iran in 1980. rible echo of the South Vietnamese 10,1980, aware that Vance was leav¬ Fully respectful of the president’s governments backtracking at the ing for a vacation in Florida, decision to go ahead, he made it clear Paris peace talks 25 years earlier, sub¬ Brzezinski gave President Carter a to Carter that he would be resigning, sequently renounced the accord and memorandum entitled “Getting The whatever the outcome of that eventu¬ resisted all efforts to bring them back Hostages Free,” in which he argued al failed effort. He did so — stepping to the table. Nevertheless, the nearly that negotiating had come to an end down from that high office — two years of negotiations which and direct action must ensue. because of the strength of his convic¬ Vance conducted have been hailed as The next day, a meeting of the tion. When as hostages we later instrumental to the signing of the National Security Council decided learned of that decision, and when he Dayton peace agreement in 1995. on a rescue mission. Warren came to the U.S. Air Force Hospital Asked to comment on AFSA’s deci¬ Christopher, Vances deputy, attend¬ in Wiesbaden to brief us on the events sion to confer this award on Secretary ed as acting secretary, but since he of those fateful 441 days, he received Vance, former Secretary of State had not been briefed on the issue, he an emotion-laden standing ovation.” Warren Christopher told die Journal: found himself isolated in arguments “Cyrus Vance has brought rare against it. Christopher told Vance of Life After Foggy Bottom insight, firm direction, and exception¬ the decision taken in his absence. Fortunately, this was far from the al dignity to everything he has Stunned and angry, Vance saw the last of Cyrus Vances contributions to touched in the field of diplomacy. In president the following morning and public life. As he had done over a his early days as secretary of State, he received the chance to present his decade earlier at the end of another had the vision and courage to lead an views to another meeting of the Democratic administration, Vance uphill effort to conclude and win rati¬ National Security Council. His returned to private legal practice in fication for the Panama Canal appeal to reconsider the decision New York in 1981, where he also Treaties. His decision, in April 1980, was of no avail so on April 21, after maintained a strong involvement in to resign the post of secretary on a much soul-searching, Vance handed international and civic affairs. Among matter of principle reflected a Carter his resignation, to take effect many other missions, in 1992 he strength and depth of character that after the mission. On the morning of served as a personal representative of his successors can admire, but rarely April 28, following the foiled April the United Nations secretary- replicate. His willingness in his 79th 24 rescue attempt, Vance met with general both in the Nagorno- year [1996] to undertake die daunting Carter to receive the presidents Karabakh conflict and in South Africa. tasks associated widi organizing and letter accepting his resignation. As a Most notably, he served as UN leading die International Commission last indignity, the president chose Representative to the International on Missing Persons in Bosnia is only Senator Edmund Muskie as his Conference on Former Yugoslavia the most recent example of his selfless replacement, rather than Deputy from 1991-1993. In that capacity, dedication to service. Secretary Christopher, whom Vance Vance collaborated with the “There should be a unique niche had strongly recommended. European Union’s mediator, former for Cy Vance’s picture at the State Asked to comment on AFSA’s British Foreign Minister David Department. I know there is a spe¬ award, L. Bruce Laingen, charge d’af¬ Owen, to help resolve the Bosnian cial place reserved for him in the faires in Tehran when the U.S. conflict in a manner which would also hearts of the career and appointed Embassy was overrun in 1979 and head off odier Balkan wars. To diplomats who have had the privi¬ now president of the American achieve these goals, the two diplo- lege of serving with him.” ■

JUNE 1999/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 53 RACING KING HUSSEIN

As A YOUNG MONARCH, KING HUSSEIN LOVED FLYING PLANES,

DRIVING MOTORCYCLES AND RACING CARS WITH HIS “SET,” WHICH INCLUDED

A YOUNG DIPLOMATIC WIFE AND HER HUSBAND.

BY LOUISE S. KEELEY

y husband, Bob, our two young Ambassador Mills, a wise, experienced and kindly man, M children and I served at our first appreciated that a 24-year-old long would naturally prefer to overseas post in 1958 in Amman, spend his free time among contemporaries rather than amid Jordan, where a young King the pomp and circumstance of the senior diplomatic corps. Hussein ruled. It was a time of He told Bob that he would never ask for reports on what instability in the Hashemite went on at these social occasions, but he expected him to Kingdom, following the assassination of King Faisal, the report if anything of substance came up. My husband quick¬ kings cousin, in Baghdad on July 14, 1958. As a result, the ly assured die ambassador that he doubted he would ever be “Red Devils,” a Britishtcommando battalion, had been flown in a position to speak to his host about anydiing resembling in to assist with calming Jordan and dealing with threats affairs of state, since die king socialized to get away from from neighboring countries. For our young family, however, such matters. these were halcyon days, a time when we were pulled into From that time on we were included in a variety of die King Husseins “social set.” kings parties and outings. King Hussein loved flying planes, It all started when we were invited to join a group of driving motorcycles, racing cars and other dangerous sports. Scottish dancing enthusiasts hosted by an Italian doctor. The He also participated in irregularly scheduled stock car races group included diplomats, expatriates, a few young with his “set” at a track on a nearby airfield. The King invari¬ Palestinians and, occasionally, King Hussein. Eventually, we ably won every race for two reasons: He had a stable of fine were invited to gatherings hosted by tire king at his cottage sports cars — some of them gifts from other chiefs of state in the Jordan Valley. King Hussein was a bachelor following — from which to choose and he was a daring and skillful dri¬ the dissolution of his marriage to his first wife, Queen Dina. ver who loved to take risks. The other competitors raced After we attended our first event at the kings cottage, my inferior vehicles. My husband, driving our nine-passenger husband met with U.S. Ambassador Sheldon Mills to inform Ford station wagon, almost always came in last. him of this very unusual connection for a young diplomat. It The King grew bored with the lack of serious competition, was customary, when the king was either guest or host, to stay so Jock Dalgliesh, the Scot wing commander who had taught at a party until he left. King Hussein liked to stay up very late, him to fly, solved die problem. He suggested diat the com¬ so after we arrived home my husband barely had time enough petitors drive identical go-carts so diat die best drivers, not to shave and shower before leaving for the chancery. Once die best cars, would win. At first the long was skeptical. He there, he met Ambassador Mills with trepidation, because he diought go-carts were for children, but Dalgleish showed didn’t know what the ambassadors reaction would be to a sec¬ him a catalogue featuring the Rolls Royce of go-carts. Made ond secretary socializing with a head of state. in England, they had powerful motorcycle engines and guar¬ anteed formidable speed. The King acquiesced. Louise S. Keeley is the spouse of retired FSO Robert The racing group ordered go-carts from England and a Keeley. She served with him in Amman, Bamako, Athens, track was built for weekly races. The king still won most of Kampala, Uganda, Phnom Penh, Port Louis and Harare. them, but he enjoyed the greater competition more. A few

54 FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL/JUNE 1999 A desert outing with King Hussein’s “set. ” Back row, sixth from left, King Hussein; eighth from left, Robert Keeleij. Front row, second from left, Louise Keeleij; third from left, Toni Gardiner.

wives, including me, occasionally entered womens races, to invite him onto the dance floor, not the reverse. When I along with the king’s pre-teen brother, Prince Hassan. Our first approached the king, I was shy and hesitant, but he timekeeper was a British colonel, Anthony Gardiner. His made it easy. He stood up and moved forward with a wel¬ daughter, Antoinette (Toni), waved the checkered flag at the coming smile. After tiiat it was easy. At all times the king was finish line. simple, charming and friendly. He didn’t insist on his rank as King Hussein loved to fly and would take us on heli¬ king, but he never did anything to discard it. We all respect¬ copter rides over Amman, making an effort to circle our ed him, so we behaved appropriately in his presence while homes in case our children were looking up. He also ferried enjoying ourselves. us to Wadi Rum in Southern Jordan for picnics, flying low One time the king came to a dinner my husband and I and following die Desert Highway as a navigational aid. hosted at die small house we had rented and furnished with When we arrived, the women went ahead, and turning back, no embassy assistance. He brought all the food, no doubt to we could see the king carrying a large cooler in each hand. make it easier for our household, but also because otherwise Since it appeared that our husbands were following empty- he might have had to refuse to eat something being served. handed, we were shocked. When they came nearer, we saw He had been the target of many assassination attempts; that our spouses were toting small, heavy weapons. There among them had been poisoned food. The king was always had been no space on the helicopter for bodyguards. Later, discreetly armed, never stood in front of a window and when British film director David Lean filmed some of the most he drove himself, which was often, he always left his motor spectacular scenes in Lawrence of Arabia at Wadi Rum, the running so the car could not be rigged to explode. site of our picnics. When our tour of duty came to an end in 1960 my hus¬ There were those who were jealous because we were band had to dispose of his go-cart. It was understood tiiat included in the “Kings set.” Some may have even imagined the purchaser would have to be acceptable to the king as a debauchery, but these occasions were chaste, proper and member of the group. Col. Gardiner purchased it for his even sedate. We played parlor games, danced and played daughter, Toni, the flag waver, so she could participate in the charades. The king also liked canasta and other card games. women’s races. Later it turned out that there was more to No one over-indulged in alcohol, behaved badly or created a this purchase than go-cart racing. Toni Gardiner became scene. No one instructed us on how we should treat the king, King Hussein’s second wife. He bestowed on her the name but we agreed that our private, social evenings should not be Queen Mmia al-Hussein and she became the mother of the bilked about with anyone who hadn’t attended. Senior ladies king’s eldest son and successor, Abdullah. of die diplomatic corps were always pressing us for details, Many of the qualities spoken of in King Hussein’s obitu¬ but we said nothing. We were even guarded when arranging aries were apparent in those early days: his courage, his sim¬ activities on the telephone, referring to the king by the plicity, his human touch, his hospitality, his majesty, his cour¬ strange code name others in his set used for him: “Buffalo.” tesy, his love of life, his respect for all no matter what their The king loved to dance, and one of the many advantages station in life. of being a monarch was tiiat married women were required Farewell, Buffalo. I

JUNE 1999/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 55 SCHOOLS SUPPLEMENT

EDUCATORS ON THE EDGE

WHO TEACHES AT AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS? AN INSIDER TELLS ALL.

BY DANIEL DAVIS

he papers for your next posting finally easier to make tire school baseball team or theater produc¬ arrive, and you quickly begin research¬ tion than it would be at a big high school in tire States. T ing your new assignment: Outer Another critical characteristic is small class size: teach¬ Incognita. To your dismay you learn ing becomes a team effort rather than crowd control. that there the locals consider “running (Three of my math classes in Lahore have 10 students water” to be the local stream, and “fast or fewer, and none are over 15.) So it is quite easy for food” is that belligerent yak which is instructors to notice the weaker students and devote the always running ahead of tire herd. necessary time to them. Relations with parents are usually Under such circumstances, how could your children closer as well. possibly receive a good education if they accompany you? Then, consider what kind of teacher would be found in And what self-respecting educator would take a job in this an institution in such a potentially unstable locale. You far-away outpost? You may be surprised. In seven years of might think that you’d need to be an adrenaline junkie to teaching abroad — in Zaire, Romania, and now in contemplate an exotic post. Not true. While I personally Pakistan, I’ve found my colleagues to be engage in extreme sports such as skydiv¬ creative, energetic, resourceful and very The competition ing and bungee jumping, I’m not typical well-qualified. (Come to think of it, they in drat regard. On the contrary, die vast may have a strong resemblance to some is fierce at job fairs majority of teachers overseas are from FSOs you may know.) states such as Oregon, Iowa, or Nebraska, In virtually every country there exists at for teaching and their idea of excitement is a well- least one American or American/ placed shot down die fairway. International school. Most of these positions abroad. The only way in which such teachers schools have been in operation for could be considered risk-takers is in their decades, with all the kinks worked out of their program, choice of assignments. They have simply decided that the run by professional educational administrators backed by potential danger of a “Third World” job is far outweighed credentialed teachers. by the financial and professional benefits. As a parent as If your next assignment happens to be in Western well as an educator I know this scenario well, for I cur- Europe or an English-speaking country such as Australia rendy five in Lahore, Pakistan, with my wife and our two you need not worry, for such places are as modem and full young sons, Mitch (almost 5) and Benji (almost 3). of opportunity as the States, except diat the locals may tend to speak with a bizarre accent. Come to the Fair But suppose your new posting has been in tire State In addition to having an urge to see die world, most Department’s list of hardship locations longer than Kim overseas educators are utterly professional and highly Il-Sungs tenure in office? What of educational opportuni¬ trained. In order to obtain a position, teachers generally ties there? must attend one of die recruitment fairs organized by var¬ Perhaps tire most outstanding features of schools in such ious companies or universities — almost all of which are questionable locations result from their small size. In such based in the U.S. — to interview widi schools anticipating schools it is easy to know all of your peers, and it’s much vacancies in the next academic year. The directors or superintendents of these institutions will seldom even Daniel Davis teaches mathematics at the Lahore grant an interview if die candidate is not certified— American School in Pakistan. (continued on page 58)

56 FOREIGN SERVICE ]OURNAL/JUNE 1999 If only one thing in your child’s life can let it be a be stable, world-class education.

Students from the U.S. and around the We prepare your child for life’s next big world come to Webb for its academic move by offering an outstanding college challenge and stable environment. Diversity placement program. If you find that you’re is a tradition at Webb. Both American and looking for educational options or if international students learn from an your child could benefit from a exchange of knowledge and ideas; boarding school community, they enjoy forming their own little please contact us for more global village in Bell Buckle, information about Webb. Tennessee. In Webb’s small environment, your child will appreciate the personal THE WEBB SCHOOL attention of our intimate Office of Admission classroom setting. Faculty are Highway 82 present not only in the Bell Buckle, TN 37020 classroom, but they build 931.389.6003 relationships with students on the [email protected] playing fields, in the dormitories, www.thewebbschool.com during the week, and all weekend lung.

The Webb School is a non-discriminatory institution. SCHOOLS SUPPLEMENT

Educators on the Edge (continued from page 56)

either by a state, Canada or the United Kingdom. It is also extremely difficult to land a job if the teacher does not have at least two years of experience. The competition at a fair is quite fierce, and long lines form for the preferred locations. The battle becomes some¬ what easier for those teachers with a masters degree, several years of expe¬ rience, an impressive resume listing involvement in various extra-curricular areas and — most importantly — excellent letters of recommendation from directors well-known in the over¬ seas circuit. But no one is ever assured of a job. Once in the overseas circuit, an educa¬ tor cannot relax in a tenured position either, as initial contracts are for two years and are renewed yearly after *r«§edbergh offers acacIJiiC progra#*-for 1 Cfi^stucteglfcrom that. If the new hire then becomes a grajjes 4;tprough 12. The student-teacher ratio is’V:1' anjjrijie poorly-inspired “8 a.m. to 3 p.m.” appge class siz$d!$igjp students. TpcomplemeiMs stroraj? teacher who merely meets his teach¬ academic piggrafo, Sedpgrgh offers/a vigorousfono editing ing load, he or she will find it increas¬ 1 outdoor education and sports,pfogfam that includes a variety of ingly difficult to find a job at the next sports such as kayaking! mountain-biking, cross-country and hiring fair. downhill skiing, rugby, tennis and soccer. Through an While “overseas hires” generally integrated curriculum approach, the outdoor education constitute only about half the faculty program allows each student the opportunity to develop of an American/Intemational school, self esteem, leadership, cooperation and tolerance. the rest of the staff — “local hires,” Sedbergii s mission is to offer the academic, aiiletic and personal either expats whose spouse is already challenges to prepare students for the wider challenges a^ead. in country with an embassy, NGO, or Sedbergh is truly the Education of a Lifetime. ipi ■ private company or locals who are also trained to the same demanding speci¬ fications — have almost invariably been hired only if they meet rigorous qualifications. My first teaching position was at the American School of Kinshasa, Zaire. That first year I was fortunate to become good friends with Doug SEDBERGH Poole, tire upper secondary math and CoetJdlational Residential Schog>| science teacher, as we both shared a zest for exploring new places. Beth Steel, Director of Admissions His ability to take in stride even tire 810 Cote Azelie, Montebelio, Quo..Canada JQV Tel: (819) 423-5523 / Fax: (819)423-5769 most trying circumstances — such as Email: [email protected] when looting broke out in Kinshasa Http/: www.sedbergh.com “ that year and the school was closed for a month — has served him well, and he has since taught in Singapore and (continued on page 61)

58 FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL/JUNE 1999 SCHOOLS SUPPLEMENT

educating the whole person

At Stuart Hall, the emphasis is placed on the whole person...mind, body, heart, and spirit. We have a challenging AP curriculum, Visual and Performing Arts Program, ESL competitive athletics, honor code, and high standards. Students can choose from a variety of clubs and extracurricu¬ lar activities. The School is located in Staunton, Virginia, the Historic Shenandoah Valley, in close proximity to Washing¬ ton, D.C., and Richmond, Charlottesville, and Lexington, Virginia

Formore information: Admissions 888/306-8926 www.stuart-hall.staunton.vaus

When it’s easier for you to teach, MARION MILITARY INSTITUTE

ESTABLISHED 1842

t> Preparatory Program > Two-year Army R0TC (Grades 7-12) Early Commissioning it’s easier for them to learn. Program (ECP) l> Service Academy Every Calvert home schooling course comes Preparatory Program > Summer School complete with everything you need to teach, from lesson manuals to textbooks to l> Junior College Program > Small Classes workbooks — even free education counseling. So you spend less time planning, your children > Inter-Scholastic Sports t> Coed Since 1971 spend more time learning, and you all spend more time experiencing the joys of home schooling. 1101 Washington Street To get your complimentary course Marion, Alabama 36756 catalog, visit www.calvertschool.org or call 1-888-487-4652. 1-800-MMI-1842 http://www.marion-institute.org Calvert School

JUNE 1999/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 59 SCHOOLS SUPPLEMENT

A coeducational, college preparatory school, Northfield Mount Hermon enrolls 940 boarders and 200 day i. students in grades 9-12 and postgraduate. With an innovative educational program (called the NMH Plan), incredibly diverse and talented people (students from more than 40 countries plus the U.S.), and world-class resources - Tuition may be covered (nearly 400 courses, 65 sports teams, eight term-abroad by State Department options, laptops used in classes, and an on-line, 100,000- Educational Allowance volume library system) the school enables students to learn better and grow more as people. - Oceanfront campus Parents of six current NMH students work for the U.S. - Small classes State Department. Head of the School Richard W. Mueller ’62 is the former U.S. Consul General to Hong Kong and a 32- - Leadership training year U.S. Foreign Service officer. - Self-discipline For information, contact: - Comprehensive athletics Pamela J. Safford, Director of Admission - Accredited/APcurriculm - Young men grades 7-12 Northfield Mount Hermon SCHOOL

206 Main Street, Northfield, Massachusetts 01360-1089 413-498-3227 Fax:413-498-3152 E-mail: [email protected] Web site: http://www.nmh.northfield.ma.us

Private School for Boys AD(H)D and LD Classes State Certified in Special Education Boarding and day school, grades 6-12 Year-round Admissions College preparatory curriculum Limited Enrollment Student/faculty ratio 4:1 Stone Mountain School 601 Camp Elliott Rd, Black Mountain, N. C. 28711 Phone: (828) 669-8639 Fax: (828) 669-2521 LINDEN HALL Email address: [email protected] FOUNDED IN 1746 Website = http:Wwww.stonemountainschool.org (800) 258-5778 Lititz, PA 17543 www.lindenhall.com

60 FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL/JUNE 1999 SCHOOLS SUPPLEMENT

Educators on the Edge (continued from page 58) Vv

Switzerland, and is currendy working at the International Community School of Abidjan, Ivory Coast. Here at die Lahore American School, one of our most remarkable WASHINGTON INTE teaching couples is Maura McMillan and Terefe Kerse. They met and mar¬ ried when they were both teaching at the International Community School in Addis Ababa, where she had been > Pre-K through Grade 12 day school recruited from Massachusetts and he > Bilingual and second language programs in was a local hire. Maura keeps her English/French and English/Spanish upper secondary literature students > Advanced math and science preparation > International Baccalaureate Diploma program entranced with her no-nonsense wit, >- Extended day and summer options and has taken her classes downtown to > Selective, competitive admissions see the type of environment which inspired a famous Soudi Asian writer. Terefe, with his seemingly boundless energy, is a perfect model for young¬ sters in his physical education classes. Primary School: Reservoir Road at 36,h Street, NW, Washington, DC 20007 “T,” as he is known, has demonstrated Middle and Upper Schools: 3100 Macomb Street, NW, Washington, DC 20008 his creativity by organizing faculty to Admissions: (202)243-1815 Fax: (202)243-1807 [email protected] play against his soccer team, which was in need of competition. When one looks at the combination of dedicated teachers and exotic loca¬ tions, the possibilities for great educa¬ St. John’s Northwestern Military Academy, an all male boarding school for boys in grades 7-I2, tional experiences emerge. In The four provides a structured environment that fosters Romania, our local native studies the development of the whole person through the four teacher supplemented her lecture on cornerstones cornerstones of success - academics, leadership, the Roman invasion by visiting athletics and values. Trajan’s column and the surrounding of success: Your son will build his self-confidence, self-esteem, motivation, and discipline which will form his founda¬ ruins. My wife’s students in Israel tion for a successful life. were given the opportunity to partici¬ pate in an active archeological dig,and The Academy offers: spent a week in the desert learning • Small classes, an average • Clubs including: Aviation, horseback riding, chess, the ways of the Bedouins. My com¬ of I2 students per class • English as a second and band puter and mathematics classes in ACADEMICS language (ESL) courses • Summer Adventure Camp Zaire were able to put their knowl¬ • 100% of our graduates and ESL Camp edge to use by mapping tire ten-acre have been accepted into jungle on our sprawling campus. college for the past decade Living in a place you may learn about LEADERSHIP • ACT/SAT preparation • Leadership training in your textbooks is certainly prefer¬ through the JROTC able to only reading about it. program The choice is yours, of course, as to • 14 varsity sports including: where your children attend school. ATHLETICS Soccer and football But as someone who lived in a Third ST. JOHN’S NORTHWESTERN World country for eight of his first 15 MILITARY ACADEMY years, I can assure you that tire bene¬ 1101 Genesee Street • Delafield, Wisconsin 53018 fits of acquiring such rich life experi¬ VALUES 800-752-2338 • 414-646-7115 • Fax: 414-646-7128 ences make “education at the edge” e-mail: [email protected] • website: www.sjnma.org fully worthwhile. ■

JUNE 1999/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 61 SCHOOLS SUPPLEMENT

University Prep IN CANADA? Prominent Canadian co-ed high school, grades 7-12

• Founded in 1872 • International student body representing a wide range of cultures • Exceptional university acceptance record both in Canada and the U.S. • Secure, caring boarding environment • Personalized approach to education with classes averaging 12 students • Diversified range of athletic and co-curricular programmes For a video and brochure, call 819-876-2223 or fax 819-876-5891

Stanstead College Stanstead, Quebec, Canada JOB 3E0 www.stansteadc.qc.ca

A FOXCROFT EDUCATION PREPARES YOU FOR A WORLD OF OPPORTUNITY

At Foxcroft, young women prepare for college and for life. They discover and enhance their best academic and personal strengths in this community of learners where 95% of the faculty live on campus. Annual events such as the Goodyear Fellow Program, a two-week Interim Program, and the Poetry Festival enrich the rig¬ orous curriculum. In small classes, the faculty focuses on the collaborative way girls learn best; a Learning Center is available. Outstanding extracurricular opportunities include the Leadership Program, Senior Projects, and eight sports teams—one of which is a Champion Riding Team. Foxcroft’s 500-acre campus provides a beautiful and safe setting located just 50 miles from the cultural and educational resources of Washington, D.C. FOXCROFT -SCHOOL- Foreign Service Scholarships Available Foxcroft is a college-preparatory boarding and day school for girls in grades 9-12. For more information, please contact: The Admission Office Foxcroft School, Post Office Box 5555, Middleburg, VA 20118 1-800-858-2364 • 540-687-4340 • [email protected] www.foxcroft.org

Foxcroft School admits qualified students regardless of race, religion, and national and ethnic origin.

62 FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL/JUNE 1999 SCHOOLS SUPPLEMENT

ScftooCs at a glance Dorms

Schools Tuition Gender phones Percent Percent W/Email- Boarding Common Coverage Enrollment Distance to Int’l Airport Counseling Application Distribution ADD and LD International Int’l Students Holiday Break Levels Offered Accepts/Offers

Admiral Farragut 310 75/25 60 25 **** N N 20 Y N ***** 19000 Academy (M/F) miles American Dept, of International Service - See Website for details University Dept, of Economics - See Website for details Army & Navy 305 All 9 20 7-12 Y ADD 35 ESL N N 18500 Academy boys miles Avon Old Farm 365 All 80 13 9-12, N N 15 N Y N 25900 School boys PG miles Baylor School 807 52/48 30 5 7-12 Y Y/N 15 Y Y N 23300 mins. Bishop's College 180 50/50 99 25 NA Y N 100 Y In Y 23250 miles resid. Can Browne 330 NA NA 30 Pre-8 Y N 15 N N Y 11500 Academy mins. Calvert School Home Schooling program: For more information go to www.calvertsc iool.org Chistchurch 200 85/15 66 10 8-12 Y NA 2 1/2 Y Y N 21250 School hrs. Darlington 480 NA 48 10 AP, Y Acc. 60 Y Y/N N 22775 School honors Some miles Darrow School 95 40/60 98 15 9-12, Y Y 1 hr. Y Y Y 24000 PG Foxcroft School 157 All 85 18 9-12, Y N 30 Y Y Y 25900 girls PG miles Gables Academy 20 80/20 35 15 Ages Y Splty. 30 Y Y N 23500 10-19 mins. Hillside School 90 All 60 NA 9-12 N Y 35 Y N N 25000 boys miles Lawrence School 350 56/44 72 15 9-12 N N 1 hr. Y Y/N Y 24970 Leysin American 300 50/50 100 60 9-13 N N 90 Y Y N 24000 School miles Linden Hall 120 All 75 20 6-12, Y Y 30 NA Y Home 23540 girls PG miles stay Marion Military 299 89/11 90 1 ***** N N 71 Y Wired *** ****** Institute miles on req. Miss Hall School 130 All 70 18 9-12 Y NA 1 1/4 Y N N 25500 girls hrs. New York Military 270 88/12 95 20 6-12, Y N 10 Y Y N 18775 Academy PG miles Northfield Mount 1139 53/47 82 25 9-12, N Lim. 10 Y Y Y 25950 Herman PG Servs. miles Pinecrest School 930 49/51 14 9 7-12, N Y 15-50 V [ V Y 22000 PG mins.

*AppIication process - ** We conduct a New Boy Orientation Program - *** Email: room / Phone: Common areas - **** K-12 day 6-12 boarding - ***** 7-12 Freshman & Sophmore year - ****** Thanksgiving, Christmas and Spring break ****** School: 17581 / College: 10230

JUNE 1999/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 63 SCHOOLS SUPPLEMENT

Schools Airport Gender Tuition phones Percent Percent Boarding Students Common Coverage Enrollment Application Distribution International ADD and LD Holiday Break Levels Offered Accepts/Offers Distance to Int’l Counseling Int’l Dorms W/Email-

Perkiomen School 250 60/40 60 15 7-12, Y Y 1 hr. Y Y Home 24500 PG Stay Pomfret School 300 53/47 75 10 9-12, Y N 60 Y Y N 27200 PG miles Riverside 350 All All 10 8-12 Y N 70 ** *** 12/18 - 15000 Military boys miles 1/9 Academy San Domenico 145 All 45 20 9-12 Y N 35 Y N N 28508 School girls miles Shattuck-St. 300 62/38 80 13 6-12, Y N 45 Y Y N 21100 Mary's School PG mins. St, Andrew's 275 Nearly 100 NA 9-12 N N 60 Y N N 21000 School equal mins. St. John 250 54/46 36 18 7-12, Y N 90 Y boys-N N 17758 Preparatory PG mins. girls-Y St. John 393 All 100 20 7-12 Y N 45 Y Y 21350 Northwestern boys mins. Military Acad. Stanstead 197 54/46 72 36 7-12 N N 90 Y email Y 26300C College miles 17750U Stone Mountain 35 All 100 0 6-12 NA Y 1 1/2 Y Y As 45000 School boys hr. needed Suffield 460 55/45 68 14 9-12 Y NA 7 miles 3 Y Y 25650 Academy days The American 750 50/50 20 10 PK- Y Y 15 Y Y N 28000 School / England 12 mins. The Ethel 195 All 63 14 9-12 Y Y 20 Y Y Home 25600 Walker School Girls mins. stay The Gow School 145 All 100 12 7-12, N All LD 20 Y Y N 28450 boys PG miles The Grier School 163 All 100 40 PK- Y Y/Y 120 Y N Y 20250 girls 12 miles The Hockaday 1009 All 7 3 PK- Y Y/N 30 Y Y Y 24000 School girls 12 mins. The Phelps 40 All 100 10 7-12 Y Y 25 ESL N N 13300 School boys miles The Webb School 270 50/50 50 15 7-12, NA N (in 45 Y Y Y 22000 PG bas) mins. Trinity College 465 56/44 70 27 7-12 N N 60 Y Y N 18000 School miles Washington IntT 745 45/55 0 33 PK- N N 5 N No. N NA School 12 mins. dorm *Application process - ** We conduct a New Boy Orientation Program - *** Email: room / Phone: Common areas - **** K-12 day 6-12 boarding - ***** 7-12 Freshman & Sophmore year - ****** Thanksgiving, Christmas and Spring break ****** School: 17581 / College: 10230

64 FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL/JUNE 1 999 SCHOOLS SUPPLEMENT Wouldn’t it be nice if a prep school A World-Class froze tuition? It’s a novel idea. Once you start at Christchurch Episcopal School, American the tuition stays the same - all the way to graduation. Christchurch knows that a lot of parents want to give their youngsters a leg up - in college and in life - by sending them to a good prep school. But paying for it is a real Education with juggling act. So, Christchurch worked on the problem and came up with a European Style flat tuition so you can plan ahead and give your child the very best. One did* Leysin American School in Switzerland CHRISTCHURCH EPISCOPAL SCHOOL 1-800-296-2306 • www.christchurchva.com • Building a 75 years of College Prep • Grades 8-12 • Boys Boarding & Coed Day Harmonious Community Our campus borders the Rappahannock River near the Chesapeake Bay in Virginia. • Providing Christchurch is non-discriminatory in our admission and financial aid practices. We also offer Coed Boarding & Day Summer Camps and Academic Programs. an Academic Challenge • Offering a Balanced Educational Program • International Understanding MISS Coeducational, boarding, grades 9-12 and PG year. L'S Located in a beautiful & safe Alpine Resort, OOL above Lake Geneva, close to Montreux, Lausanne, & Geneva Excellent US and International university/college placement ® Leysin American School in Switzerland - US Admissions PO Box 7154 (F) Portsmouth, NH 03802 603-431-7654 Fax 603-431-1280 An independent, college preparatory, boarding and day e-mail [email protected] school for girls in grades 9 -12, educating girls since 1898. Visit Our Wellsite 492 Holmes Road, Pittsfield, MA 01201, USA 413.499.1300 * WWW.MISSHALLS.ORG at www.las.ch

JUNE 1999/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 65 SCHOOLS SUPPLEMENT

THE PHELPS SCHOOL 53 YEARS OF CARING STRUCTURED ENVIRONMENT

• Boys boarding / day • Grades 7-12 (Post Graduate) • Emphasis on underachiever • Significant achievements with low self-esteem • Success with learning differences (A.D.D.) • College preparatory • Average class size: 7 • Student body from 20 states & 10 countries • Safe, 110 acre Philadelphia suburban campus • Sports and activities programs • Equestrian programs, outdoor & indoor arenas • Five week summer school program

• Tuition reduction to State Dept. Employees

THE PHELPS SCHOOL P.0. Box 476, Malvern PA 19355 610-644-1754 • Fax 610-644-6679 www.phelpsschool.org

WASHINGTON, D.C. AREA

Foreign Service Journal

brings you boarding school

5 or 7 DAY BOARDING OPTIONS information on-line at: GRADES 9 - 12

Pre-K through 12 Day School www.afsa.org/ads/school_glance

Access the AFSA homepage ■ AP COURSES ■ QUALITY FACULTY ■ SMALT CLASSES ■ QUAKER VALUES www.afsa.org ■ STRONG ARTS, ATHLETICS Go to the index ■ SUMMER FRIENDS CAMPS Click on , 16923 Norwood Road Sandy Spring, MD 20860 Click on the little red school house Phone: (301) 774-7455 Fax: (301) 924-1115 www.ssfs.org

66 FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL/JUNE 1999 SCHOOLS SUPPLEMENT

’s School

Biologist. Actress. Poet. A leading college preparatory school for ADMIRAL girls, grades 9-12 and FARRAGUT Postgraduate, located near Baltimore, MD. ACADEMY St. Timothy's School Coed K-12 Day Stevenson, MD 21153 6-12 Boarding 410-486-7400 ♦ Email & website: Strong College-Prep [email protected] www.sttimothysschool.com Curriculum ♦ Excellent Arts and Sciences Programs ♦ Numerous Competitive NEW YORK MILITARY ACADEMY Sports Teams ♦ Sailing, Flying, Scuba and Climbing available ♦ Beautiful 55-Acre Waterfront Campus

For more information please contact:

Admiral Farragut Academy

501 Park Street North St. Petersburg, FL 33710 www.farragut.org [email protected]

Phone 727-384-5500 Fax 727-347-5160 ★ NEW YORK MILITARY ACADEMY ★

JUNE 1999/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 67 SCHOOLS SUPPLEMENT

STROKES of GENIUS ART of COMMUNICATION Useful Contacts ASSOCIATION OF BOARDING SCHOOLS 1620 L St., NW, St. 1100 Washington, D.C. 20036 (202) 973-9753 www. schools, com

ISS DIRECTORY OF OVERSEAS SCHOOLS BODY of KNOWLEDGE POMFRET SCHOOL International Schools For over a century, we have prepared our Services students for college in an environment P.O. Box 5910 which has enriched them through the arts and Princeton, NJ 08543 sciences, strengthened them through athletic pursuits, and matured them in thought (609) 452-0990 and action. Today, Pomfret still effectively www.iss.edu prepares its students for their futures. e-mail: [email protected]

ECIS DIRECTORY OF SCHOOLS European Council of ■I Pomfret, CT 06258 • (860) 963-6120 International Schools 21 Lavant Street Petersfield, GU32 3 EL, UK teh 44 1730 268 244 A FUTURE OF www.ecis.org e-mail: [email protected] GREAT POSSIBILITIES IECA DIRECTORY Independent Educational Consultants Association 4085 Chain BridgeRd Suite 401 Fairfax, VA 22030 (703) 591-4850 www. educational consulting.org e-mail: [email protected]

PETERSON’S DIRECTORY FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CALL 214 - 360-6522 OF PRIVATE SECONDARY

GIRLS: PRK-K - 12TH GRADE • BOARDING: 8TH - 12TH GRADE SCHOOLS Peterson s Guides THE P.O. Box 2123 Princeton, NJ 08543 HOCKADAY www. petersons. com/ SCHOOL private

11600 WELCH ROAD, DALLAS, TEXAS 75229 • 214-363-6311 Continued on page 70

68 FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL/JUNE 1999 SCHOOLS SUPPLEMENT

Saint John’s Preparatory School Graduate Study in Economics

Founded in 1857 by the American University offers MA programs in Benedictine monks of Saint Johns Abbey, Saint Johns Prep is Economics, Financial Economics for Public well known for its challenging Policy, and Development Finance dr Banking college, preparatory curriculum in a quality, structured environment. and a PhD in Economics.

Academic Excellence Reasons why AU is the best choice: Spiritual Growth • Connections with distinguished faculty

Honors classes; 8 advanced • Evening courses offered placement classes • Policy-oriented programs

Courses for college credit at • International & financial emphasis Saint John’s University and • Financial support available the College of Saint Benedict • Great job potential — graduates of the program Enrolling boarding students are employed at U.S. government agencies, the in grades 9-12 World Bank, the InterAmerican Development

Campus is located on 2,400 Bank, universities, research institutes, and acres of woods and lakes, private consulting firms just 10 minutes west of mm St. Cloud, Minnesota. Contact us today to launch m Saint John’s Preparatory School your career! PO Box 4000 Phone: 202-885-3770 AMERICAN Collegeville, MN 56321 E-mail: econl ©american.edu UNIVERSITY (320) 363-3321 www.american.edu/academic.depts/cas/econ1 ° / E-Mail: [email protected] • Web Site: http://www.csbsju.edu/sjprep eeo/aa

The Grier School f) Boarding Gchool for Girls

E-mail: [email protected] URL:http://www.grier.org phone: 814 684 3000 fax: 814 684 2177

college-prep academics, athletics, arts, dance, horseback riding

JUNE 1999/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 69 SCHOOLS SUPPLEMENT

Students from 34 states and 15 countries Useful Contacts meet at Shattuck-St. Mary’s School Continued from page 68 for an outstanding academic experience FAMILY LIAISON OFFICE in a secure, midwest campus community. Department of State The student-faculty ratio is 7-1 M/DGP/FLO Room 1212A and all teachers live on campus. Washington, D.C. 20520 Other features include: (202) 647-1076 ♦ Grades 6'12 ♦Coed toww. state. gov/www/flo ♦ Boarding and Day e-mail: FLO@perms. ♦ Separate Middle School and us-state. gov Upper School programs ♦ Outstanding coaching in drama, OFFICE OF OVERSEAS music and athletics SCHOOLS ♦ 45 minutes from email: overseasschool@dos. Minneapolis/St. Paul airport us-state. gov www.state.gov/www/ Call 507-332-5618 about_state/'school Fax 507-332-5661 E-mail: [email protected] FLO Links

THE ART OF INTERNATIONAL LIVING www.artintliving.com SHATTUCK-SI MARYS SCHOOL An online bi-monthly FARIBAULT, MINNESOTA, U.S.A. newsletter for international communities living overseas.

EXPAT EXCHANGE www. expatexchange. com DANA HALL SCHOOL An online resource for information, employment, In 1881, Dana Hall's founding was based on a commitment services, and shopping to educating young women for college and beyond... overseas.

FOREIGN SERVICE LIFELINES wiow.kreative. net/ fslifelines Website created by FS spouses.

FOREIGN SERVICE YOUTH FOUNDATION AROUND THE WORLD IN A LIFETIME (AWAL) www.state.gov/www/ ...And The Tradition Continues. flo/fsijf.html Provides information, advoca¬ Dana Hall School is an independent, boarding and day school cy, and activities for interna¬ for girls in grades 6-12, located 12 miles west of Boston. tionally mobile youth. To receive a catalogue, contact the Admission Office. TCK WORLD Dana Hall School www. tckworld. com 45 Dana Road • Wellesley, MA 02482 Support and understanding of (781) 235-3010 • Fax: (781) 235-0577 Third Culture Kids (TCKs).

70 FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNALIJVNE 1999 SCHOOLS SUPPLEMENT

OXFORD ACADEMY

ONE STUDENT, ONE MASTER IN EACH CLASS For boys ages 14-20, of average to superior intelligence who have academic deficiencies; who have lost one or more years of school; who wish to accelerate; or international students wishing to Develop the Strategic Vision improve their English in our ESL program and enter to Make a Difference American universities. Completely individual instruction. Rolling Admissions. Take the next step in your professional development with American University's one-year Summer School executive degree: the Master of International June 20-July 23, 1999: $4,975.00 Service. Design an individual full-time or part-time Boarding and Tuition study program to meet your mid-career September 1999-June 2000: $37,180.00 development needs. EDUCATIONAL PROBLEM SOLVERS SINCE 1906 Call 202-885-1638 or e-mail Dept. FSJ, P.O. Box P, Westbrook, CT 06498 AMERICAN UNIVERSITY WASH INGTON [email protected] Tel: (860)399-6247; Fax: (860)399-6805 for more information. email: [email protected] r eeo/aa

I Phtm fywk[ Pnjwtf M&iAtfimitf Meeting Unique Educational Needs Since 1969! Distance Learning Academic Program Print-Based Courses

▼ ▼

Home school students ▼ V Y Traveling Scholars Accredited by Accelerated pupils North Central Association The Gow School is a college preparatory school for of Colleges and Schools since 1981 young men, grades 7 - postgrad with Contact us online: www.online.phoenixacademies.org Dyslexia [email protected] Free catalog available or Similar Language 1-800 426 4952 Based Learning Differences. Continental U.S. Phoenix Special Programs 8c Academies Call 1-716-652-3450 for a school video 1717 West Northern, Suite 104 Phoenix, AZ 85021-5469 Visit our web site at http://www.gow.org (602) 674-5555

JUNE 1999/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 71 New in paperback Talking to Strangers Improving American Diplomacy at Home and Abroad Monteagle Stearns "An engaging and delightfully written plea for restoring the role of the professional diplomat in American foreign policy." —Foreign Affairs "It would be hard for me to over¬ state my opinion of the book. It is, at least to my knowledge, the best work on this subject ever written by an American, and should become a standard treatment of the subject." —George Kennan A Twentieth Century Fund Book WHAT IF Paper $14.95 ISBN 0-691-00745-4 EVERYTHING WERE AS Princeton University Press EASY** EASVSAVER; Vermont Academy Now saving money can be a whole lot Setting • Size • Spirit easier, thanks to the U.S. Treasury's new EasySaver Plan for U.S. Savings Our well-rounded, college preparatory education Bonds. Sign up once and automatically builds confident, independent learners—for life. purchase U.S. Savings Bonds from your

Grades nine through postgraduate, boarding and day checking or savings account. You simply select the amount, the recipient, and the purchase dates. EasySaver is a safe and easy way to build your savings. And that's as easy as it gets.

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For a Free Brochure & Enrollment Form, Call Toll-Free 1-877-811-7283 (Key Code 010) A public service of this publication

72 FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL/JUNE 1999 BOOKS

TRACKING STALIN’S most of the Soviet agents the theft of Americas atomic secrets, FBI and MI-5 (British counter¬ which gave Stalin information on the AMERICAN SPIES intelligence) arrested between 1948 atomic bomb’s design, assembly and and the mid-1950s. Those included detonation. Consequently, he devel¬ Venona: Decoding Soviet atomic spies Klaus Fuchs, Theodore oped Russia’s nuclear arsenal much Espionage in America Hall and Julius Rosenberg. The sooner and more cheaply than he John Earl Haynes and Harvey authors believe that “Venona otherwise would have. Klehr, Yale University Press, 1999, provide(s) a solid factual basis for Most of the 349 Americans identi¬ hardcover, $30, 487 pages. the widespread public consensus . . . fied by the Venona transcripts as that Soviet espionage was serious, Soviet agents were members of the BY RORIN M. PLATT that American Communists assisted Moscow-controlled Communist Party the Soviets, and that several senior USA, an auxiliary of Soviet intelli¬ Was the Red Scare a fabrication government officials had betrayed gence. Fueled by ideology, these ide¬ of witch hunters like Wisconsin the United States.” alistic Marxist-Leninists betrayed Republican Sen. Joseph McCarthy? The Venona Project started in what they considered a morally illegit¬ Since the collapse of the Soviet 1943, when code breakers in the imate American capitalist system. Union, scholars with access to Signal Intelligence Service (later Few either defected or renounced recently declassified documents the NS A) began analyzing Russian communism, even after Stalin’s from American and Soviet archives cables to verily rumors of secret purges and 1939 pact with Hider. have revisited this and other ques¬ Nazi-Soviet peace talks. After Stalin’s agents in the State tions. The most revealing of these World War II, cryptanalysts docu¬ Department included: Martha Dodd, sources, the Venona Project, was mented that an extensive, “unre¬ daughter of the American ambas¬ concealed within the National strained” Soviet espionage cam¬ sador to Berlin, who passed confiden¬ Security Agency until 1995. It com¬ paign against the U.S. originated tial diplomatic correspondence to a prised nearly three thousand during the war. first secretaiy at the Russian embassy; decrypted telegraphic cables U.S.- The first “shot” of the Cold War Alger Hiss, chief of State’s Office of based Soviet agents sent to Moscow was fired in 1942, when Stalins ide¬ Special Political Affairs; Laurence during World War II. ologically-motivated agents began to Duggan, head of State’s Division of In Venona: Decoding Soviet penetrate nearly every important American Republics and the secre¬ Espionage in America, John Earl agency of the U.S. government, tary of State’s personal adviser for Haynes and Harvey Klehr, pre¬ including high-level positions in the Latin America; and Harold Glasser, eminent authorities on American White House, Congress, Office of vice-chairman of the War Production communism, provide the first Strategic Services, the Manhattan Board and assistant director of the comprehensive examination of these [atomic bomb] Project and the Treasury’s Office of International files, one of U.S. counter- departments of State and Treasury. Finance, who gave the NKVD a intelligence’s greatest achievements. Exploiting the lax internal security of State Department analysis of Soviet Benefiting from Venona as well as the Roosevelt administration, the war losses. material from Soviet archives, this agents sent Moscow vast amounts of While the authors acknowledge detailed, thorough treatment of diplomatic, military, scientific and that there were “sensible [security] Soviet espionage demonstrates how industrial secrets. National security reasons” for keeping Venona secret, the Venona decryptions identified was most severely damaged with the they also argue that if Venona had

JUNE1999/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 73 BOOKS

been made public, government eye, the U.S. is out of the country. to rescue the helicopter crews and investigations and prosecutions of Mark Bowden’s new book on the ended up trapped in urban battle. Communist Party members would incident offers lessons for those Armed with AK-47s, M-16s, rocket have been more defensible. The whose only view of the conflict has launchers and other weapons, just guilt of the Rosenbergs would have been hypothesizing about it from the about every male Somali — from been indisputable, as would the deep comfort of armchairs. greybeards to children — and many innocence of secretaries of State Bowden, a Philadelphia Inquirer women were looking to kill the Dean Acheson and George C. reporter with no military experience, Americans. Untrained, unprofes¬ Marshall. Manhattan Project direc¬ became frustrated when regular sional, but utterly dedicated and tor J. Robert Oppenheimer’s com¬ channels — his Freedom of Infor¬ courageous, they sought not to res¬ munist background and indifference mation Act requests are still pending cue Aidid’s supporters, but to vent to possible Soviet infiltration of Los — didn’t work, so he gained the trust their frustrations at U.S. invaders. Alamos (until 1943) would have of both American and Somali partic¬ U.S. combatants were totally baf¬ been verified, but so would ipants in the debacle. The result fled. It was as if they thought that Moscow’s failure to recruit him as an is a gripping, in-their-own-words the U.S. military was so agent. account about a small combat unit Schwarzenegger-Robocop compe¬ Paradoxically, keeping Venona action that acquired international tent that the Somalis had no right to secret belittled the Soviet threat and significance. be turning on them. For some, this “perpetuated many myths that have This is not a book for those who naive self-confidence did not survive given Americans a warped view of want to explore the nuances of the shock of battle. Others decided the nations history,” according to diplomacy. Instead, Bowden to reenlist in the midst of the fire- Haynes and Klehr. Hopefully, these plunges right into the Oct. 3 assault fight. The result, according to invaluable Venona files will help whose goal was to seize two top lieu¬ Bowden, was a Pyrrhic victory that bring the picture of how Soviet espi¬ tenants of Somali warlord Gen. was not well reported in the media. onage threatened American security Mohamed Farrah Aidid. The per¬ Conservative estimates put casual¬ into focus. spective is that of a combat soldier. ties at 500 Somalis killed and 1,000 The book’s value to Foreign Service wounded. Rorin M. Platt, Ph.D., is a diplomat¬ officers lies in its insights into the Throughout the long Victorian ic historian and professor at Peace strengths and weaknesses of the age, Great Britain, then the world’s College in Raleigh, North Carolina. modem U.S. military. only superpower, sought to keep the U.S. Anny Rangers, helicopter peace and advance civilization by pilots, medics, communicators and engaging in an endless series of “lit¬ intelligence specialists have reached tle wars” against Afghans, Sikhs, A PARABLE OF high technical proficiency through Zulus, Boers, Sudanese and others. MODERN WAR years of training. Personnel of the These battles, with their passions super-secret Delta Force are even and losses, have been forgotten by more technically proficient. The all except those interested in histori¬ Black Hawk Down: problem is they are not always good cal minutia. In the next century, will A Story of Modern War enough to resolve every combat situ¬ Vietnam, Lebanon, Grenada, Mark Bowden, Atlantic Monthly ation. The assault in Somalia was Panama, the Gulf, the former Press, 1999, hardcover, $24.00, similar to a number of other opera¬ Yugoslavia and Somalia have accu¬ 386 pages. tions in which the Rangers reached mulated similar dust? Black Hawk BY DAVID JONES into a hornet’s nest with tweezers, Down provides evidence that this extracted a member of the hive and might happen, along with an impor¬ These are familiar scenes from departed before the rest of the tant reminder about U.S. combat the 1993 catastrophe in Somalia: An swarm knew anything had hap¬ superiority. The cutting edge of our American helicopter is shot down. pened. The mission fell apart finest military tools will not slice Eighteen U.S. Army Rangers and because first one, then a second, through eveiy obstacle. ■ Delta Force members are killed, Black Hawk helicopter was shot their bodies dragged through CNN’s down, giving the hornets their David Jones is a retired FSO and a global village. In a blink of a policy chance. The U.S. military attempted frequent contributor to the Journal.

74 FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL/JUNE 19.99 t

IN MEMORY

John Wendell Anderson, 84, a of the biology department at Boston had a career in banking and worked retired FSO, died April 2 in Gilbert, University, Mr. Byrne moved to for the U.S. Maritime Commission, Ariz. Columbia in 1974 to write the South before joining the Foreign Service. Bom in 1914 in Clermont, Pa., Carolina Commission of Higher His overseas posts included Mr. Anderson graduated from Education’s Five-Year Plan. He Beimt, Karachi and Rome. He also Pennsylvania State University in 1936 remained in Columbia and was active served in the department as the with a degree in mining engineering. in community service organizations. under secretary for administration. As an officer in the Navy’s Civil He had recently served as program He retired as a career minister. Engineering Corps in World War II, coordinator for the International Survivors include his wife Dorothy he took part in the landing at Omaha Visitors. He co-founded the local of Scottsdale, and his son, Robert of Beach in June 1944. chapter of die Explorers Club and Menlo Park, Calif. After a 20-year career in mining was the recipient of its esteemed resource development in the United Sweeney Award. States, he joined USAID in 1965. As Survivors include his wife, an FSO, he brought his mining skills Eleanor of Columbia; two daughters, Christine Louise Daris, 18, to developing countries in Africa, Mary Margaret Alvarez De Toledo of daughter of retired FSO and Mrs. Asia and Latin America. Concord, Mass., and Deborah Babel Charles L. Daris, died April 11 at her Survivors include his daughter, of Clemson, S.C.; three sons, home in Arlington, Va. Lynn of Boston; three sons, Lance, of Beginald Foster Byrne of Laguna Ms. Daris had lived abroad with San Francisco, Neil of Philadelphia, Beach, Calif., Charles Christopher her family in South Africa, Tunisia, and Joel of Tempe, Ariz.; a brother, Byrne of Kensington, Calif, and Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. She was a Marshall of Atlanta; two granddaugh¬ Malcolm Macdonald Byrne of student at Mary Washington College ters; and two grandsons. Washington, D.C.; a brother, Wayne in Fredericksburg, Va. Hanmer Byrne of Plattsburgh, N.Y.; In addition to her parents, she is and ten grandchildren and two great survived by a brother, Patrick Daris. grandchildren. Horace Franklin Byrne, 83, a retired FSO, died March 9 at his home in Columbia, S.C. Thomas P. Hamilton, 55, a Mr. Byrne was bom in Bedford, William J. Crockett, 85, a retired retired FSO, died of cancer March 19 Va., and educated at Choate School FSO, died as a result of complications in Jacksonville, Fla. in Wallingford, Conn., the Ecole following abdominal surgery on A native of Washington, D.C., Mr. Internationale in Geneva and Union March 20 in Scottsdale, Ariz. Hamilton received a BA from College in Schenectady, N.Y. Mr. Crockett was bom in Kansas Amherst College and a Ph.D. in polit¬ His Foreign Service career took in 1914 and graduated with a BS ical science from Claremont him to posts in Tabriz, Baghdad, from the University of Nebraska in Graduate University. Beirut, Khartoum and South Africa. 1942. During World War II, he During his State Department He retired in 1970. served in the U.S. Army and attained career, which spanned nearly three After four years as administrator the rank of captain. After the war he decades, he served in several

JUNE 1999/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 75 IN MEMORY

Southeast Asian posts and in nalism. He went to work as a reporter the Dominican Republic and Colombia. He received the State for die Indianapolis Tunes and later assistant public affairs officer in Department Superior Honor Award. pursued his interest in labor union Rome. He also graduated from die After retirement in 1996, he was development at the Ohio Teamster. National War CoUege. active as a teacher and community In 1946 he moved to the He received US I As Superior leader. Brodierhood of Railroad Trainmen Honor Award and the Santa Cecilia Survivors include his wife, Liliana where he founded and edited die Award from Italian state radio and of Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., and a Trainman News. television. In 1974 Mr. McDonald sister, Ann Ogilvie of Hawaii. In 1951, Mr. Lippe joined the used his knowledge of die Dominican State Department as one of die first RepubEc and his negotiating skiEs as labor attaches. His posts included head of a team to rescue six hostages Havana, Singapore, Brussels, in die Dominican RepubEc. All were Arch K. Jean, 86, a retired FSO, Geneva, Paris and London, as weU as freed unharmed. died March 10 in Baptist Hospital in Washington, D.C. He retired in 1974. Retiring in 1975, he became man¬ Pensacola, Fla. After retirement, he worked as a ager of the International Program of A native of Harrisburg, Pa., Mr. public relations officer for the die BateEe Seattle Research Center. Jean graduated from Gettysburg International Labor Organization in He was a community activist and College in Pennsylvania in 1934. New York and later as a court served as president of the Seattle He entered the State Depart¬ reporter for die Doylestown, Pa., Opera. ment in the mid-1940s in the person¬ newspaper. Mr. Lippe was a member Survivors include his wife, nel division and rose to the position of of the American Newspaper Guild Elizabeth Sharpe McDonald; three special assistant to Assistant Secretary and the National Press Club. daughters, Megan McDonald AvereE Harriman. In the late 1950s Survivors include a daughter, O’Keefe, Melissa Johnson, and he joined the Foreign Service and Laurie of San Francisco; two sons, Rebecca McDonald; and three grand¬ served in Bonn, Ottawa and Madrid Stuart and Michael, both retired FSOs sons, aE of Seattie. as counselor for administration. of Washington, D.C.; five grand¬ After his retirement in 1968, he children; and one great-grandchild. moved to Ormond Beach, Fla., where he was active in civic affairs Charles Donald Parker, 80, a through the United Way, the retired FSO, died April 10 in Bethune-Cookman College Board of James M. McDonald, Jr., 75, a Burdette Tomhn Memorial Hospital Counselors, and several foreign retired USIA FSO, died of cancer in Cape May Com! House, N.J. affairs organizations. April 1 at the Swedish Hospital in Bom in Timonium, Md., in 1918, Survivors include his wife, Barbara Seattie, Wash. Mr. Parker received his BS from of Ormond Beach; a daughter, Mr. McDonald was born in Hampton Institute in 1939. After serv¬ SaUy Leuer of Midland, Ga.; three Chicago, received his AB cum laude ing in the Army in World War II, he grandchildren and seven great¬ from Syracuse University and his MA taught secondary school in Baltimore. grandchildren. from the Johns Hopkins School of In 1949 he received his MA from die Advanced International Studies. University of Pennsylvania. During die During World War II he served in the Korean War he was recaEed to the Pacific as an officer bombardier in Army, serving from 1950 to 1952. He Irvin S. Lippe, 84, a retired FSO, die Army Air Corps. tiien returned to teaching in Baltimore died of kidney failure Feb. 26 in Vero His Foreign Service career began where he was also in die Army Reserve Beach, Fla. in 1950 with tours in Germany and and a member of the Maryland Born in Zanesville, Ohio, and France foUowed by studies at die National Guard. He retired from the raised in Rochester, N.Y., Mr. Lippe Johns Hopkins European Center in army in 1971 with the rank of It. colonel. graduated from the University of Bologna, Italy. He later served as In 1966, Mr. Parker retired from Illinois in 1938 with a degree in jour¬ public affairs officer in Nicaragua and teaching and joined USAID as an

76 FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL/JUNE 1999 IN MEMORY

education adviser and later a program telephone hotline for English speak¬ the Status of Puerto Rico. He retired officer. His foreign postings included ing residents and travelers. in 1968. Saigon, Monrovia and Lagos. After In addition to her husband, sur¬ After leaving the Department of retiring from the Foreign Service in vivors include her daughter, Courtney State, he worked with the Ford 1981, he worked as a consultant for Simon of Bedford, N.Y.; two sons, Foundation, became director of the Parker/Van Rensalier Associates. John Sherman of Columbus, Ohio, Washington office of the W.E. Upjohn He was a member of several orga¬ and Woodson Sherman of Charlottes¬ Institute for Employment Research, nizations such as the Macedonia ville, Va.; and four grandchildren. and served as the administrator of the Baptist Church, the U.S. Reserve Washington office of the Officers Association, the NAACP and Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. He the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity. He was was a senior fellow for the Carnegie buried in Arlington National Ben S. Stephansky, 85, a retired Endowment for International Peace Cemetery. FSO and ambassador, died of lym¬ and co-chair of the Latin American Survivors include his wife, Alma phoma April 17 at his home in task force of the McGovern presiden¬ V. Parker; a daughter, Elizabeth Anne Washington, D.C. tial campaign. In the 1970s he worked Cosby of Baltimore; a son, William V Bom in Kiev, Ukraine (then a part with the International League for Parker of West Cape May; a brother, of the Russian Empire), Mr. Human Rights investigating abuses in Warren W. Parker of Baltimore; and Stephansky was raised in Milwaukee. Paraguay and he monitored an elec¬ four grandchildren. In 1939 he graduated from the tion in Nicaragua in the 1980s. University of Wisconsin in Madison Survivors include his wife, Anne where he received three degrees, Edelman of Washington; two sons, including a doctorate in labor eco¬ Evan of Alexandria, Va. and Tom of Mary Jane Sherman, 75, wife of nomics. After university, he worked Denver; a daughter, Kate, of Olney, retired FSO William Sherman, died as research director for the Central Md.; and two grandchildren. ■ of respiratory failure related to acute Wisconsin Council of the Teamsters leukemia on March 21 at Reston Union, as an economist for the War Have a Bone to Pick? Hospital in Virginia. Production Board and as a consultant Why not write a Mrs. Sherman was born in to an assistant secretary of labor, as “Speaking Out” Louisville, Ky., and attended the well as teaching at Sarah Lawrence for the Foreign University of Louisville, where she College and the Universities of Service Journal? met her husband. They married in Wisconsin and Chicago. “Speaking Out” Boulder, Colo., where he was study¬ Mr. Stephansky joined the is die FSJ s op-ed section, die place ing Japanese at the Navy School of Foreign Service and went to Iris first where writers can express opinions on issues specific to the Foreign Oriental Languages at the University foreign assignment in Mexico City as Service, its employees and its work. of Colorado. After World War II, labor attache in 1952. In 1957 Mr. Writers are encouraged to take when her husband joined the Stephansky worked in the depart¬ strong stands, but all claims must Foreign Service, Mrs. Sherman ment as labor adviser in the Bureau be supported and documented. accompanied him on tours to Korea, of Inter-American Affairs. In 1961 Length of submitted articles should Japan and Italy. he was appointed ambassador to be from 1,500 to 2,000 words. An avid amateur actor, she orga¬ Bolivia. Returning to Washington in nized dramatic groups in embassies 1963, he served in various roles, Ml submissions go to the Journal’s in Japan and Italy, and provided including deputy assistant secretary Editorial Board for discussion. English soundtrack voices for char¬ for Latin America, ambassador to If an article is accepted, writers acters in several Japanese films. She the Organization of American States will be expected to meet the maga¬ was also an acting student at HB stu¬ and to the Inter-American zine’s editorial and style require¬ ments. Please make submissions via dios in N.Y. While living in Japan, Committee on the Alliance for e-mail to [email protected], by fax she served as a volunteer counselor Progress and executive director of to (202) 338-8244, or by mail. for the Tokyo English Life Line, a the Presidential Commission on

JUNE 1999/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 77 REAL ESTATE

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JUNE 1999/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 83 POSTCARD FROM ABROAD Sailing the Volga

BY NICOLE PREVOST LOGAN

For a decade my late husband, unloaded his passengers and tucked Alan Logan, led a lonely crusade to us back into our sleeping berth. open Russia’s inland waterways to We met at the In Purech we found a protected foreign sailboats. Today, the waters mooring next to a drab apartment are open, but bureaucratic obstacles, Yaroslav Yacht building and tied ourselves to a tug¬ boat. Alexander, the captain, joined unreasonable fees and fear of vio¬ , lence have kept all but a few adven¬ Club an enclosure us for drinks and told us of his life on turous and obstinate yachtsmen off scattered with fishing boats from Argentina to them. Senegal. Since leaving Estonia in So, last summer, when I heard wooden cabins 1992, he had supplemented his mea¬ that two Dutch boats were spending ger salary by running a summer row¬ 45 days navigating from the Baltic and rusting metal ing camp for boys and girls. The Sea to the Black Sea, a distance of youths row upstream eight hours a some 1,700 miles, I decided to join debris. day, then eat and sleep in the tug’s them for ten days as a way to cele¬ grim interior. We spent that evening brate Alan’s accomplishments. We downstream at the Nizhny met at the Yaroslav Yacht Club, an Novgorod Yacht Club, which came enclosure scattered with wooden to life as businessmen and civil ser¬ cabins and rusting metal debris 200 vants shed their work clothes, put¬ miles north of Moscow on the Volga. tered on their boats, put up their Five of us settled into berths on middle of an open bay when black sails or sat down for a beer and Lacatrine, a 32-foot sloop, and clouds turned the sky black. As the a chat. Zeewolf, a 40-footer with sails and a wind whistled viciously and hail For dinner that evening we powerful motor. We were joined by dropped, the Lacatrine’s engine stayed on board, where the club’s Vlad, the club’s manager, who failed and her anchor started slip¬ commodore and his deputy joined brought with him white wine, ping. We threw her a line from the us and offered to help plot the jour¬ smoked beef and kvas, a drink fer¬ Zeewolf and motored toward the ney to Saratov and Volgograd. mented from brown bread and main channel. Bobbing up and down “These are too old,” they said, exam¬ spring water. among the Volga's white caps and ining our maritime maps. “There has The Volga’s formidable currents tumultuous waters we saw' two been a shift in the sand banks.” They force sailors to follow well-marked heads, so we pulled two men from produced new charts and offered channels and maneuver among harm. Their crude metal motor boat them to us, an incredible gesture cargo ships, giant tankers and barges had capsized and was rapidly sink¬ since these maps are precious. laden with lumber, cement and ing, leaving the two fishermen strug¬ Nizhy Novgorod was my last stop grain. A savage squall can come up gling in the current. before returning to Moscow. any time, as one did one day after Against Vlad’s warnings, we spent I left Russia three days before the lunch. We were anchored in the the night hitched to a ferry landing. collapse of the ruble last August. My During the night, we felt our boats Dutch friends later wrote me that Nicole Prevost Logan is the widow moving, heard loud voices and saw they did not feel the crisis. Apart of FSO Alan Logan. The stamp is spotlights piercing the thick fog. A from urban centers, the Volga courtesy of the A/\FSW Bookfair ferry was trying to dock at our spot, continues to flow quietly through “Stamp Corner. ” so its pilot had simply moved us, immutable Russia. I

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