U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE

NOVEMBER 2011

TEL AVIV 24/7 November 2011 Contents Issue Number 561

28 Solemn Ceremonies Missions worldwide commemorate 9/11. 10 Prosperity Partnering U.S. hosts Asia-Pacifi c Economic Cooperation meetings. 12 Incident Management Partnering for emergency preparedness. 14 32 12 22

14 Battling Mercury OES fights dangerous metal’s spread. Columns 2 From the D.G. 43 Appointments 16 Academic’s Year Science fellow looks back on time with the Department. 3 In the News 44 Obituaries 9 Diversity Notes 47 Retirements 18 High Stepping 40 Safety Scene 48 The Last Word Dance program in Algeria fosters cultural exchange. 42 Education & Training

20 Syracuse Program National security knowledge pays dividends.

22 Post of the Month: Tel Aviv High-profile post boasts high quality of life. On the Cover 32 Blackhawk Up Night-time traffic flows past skyscrapers Ex-Marine DCM in Mexico returns to the cockpit. in Tel Aviv, Israel. Photograph by Noam Armonn/Corbis 36 Tighter Focus IIP expands its reach with social media and video. Direct from the D.G.

HR’s Role in the QDDR In issuing the first Quadrennial Diplomacy and Development Review last December, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton asked, “How can the State Department and USAID do better in delivering results for the American people—protecting our interests and projecting our leadership in the 21st century?” The question is a challenge and particularly important at a time when our resources are tightening and our missions and responsibilities are growing in number and complexity. For the Bureau of Human Resources, the Secretary’s challenge begins, of course, with our people. We must build and maintain the human capital to lead through civilian power. We must recruit, even in tough budget times. We must train and make the best use of all our people, Foreign Service, Civil Service and Locally Employed Staff, to ensure we have the right people who are fully prepared, where they are needed, when they are needed.

The challenge we face is captured in a phrase from the will further develop our Locally Employed Staff, training for QDDR, “Ambassadors as CEOs of multi-agency Missions.” leadership and expanding a cadre of experts able to deploy To the traditional tasks of diplomacy have been added the where needed in crises. complexities and numbers of a proliferation of agencies, The Department must embrace and foster innovation, from the Centers for Disease Control to the Federal Aviation entrepreneurship and appropriate risk taking. As a starting Administration and Homeland Security, all serving the point, we are looking at ways to adjust the Foreign Service common mission of protecting our national interests and Officer Test process to more fully capture the qualities of security. Nearly 40 U.S. federal agencies now have repre- innovation necessary today and in the future. sentatives overseas. Except for those under the command HR is directly responsible for four of 19 tasks in this of the U.S. military, all report to the ambassador, who is phase of the QDDR, but we are deeply involved in many accountable for their performance and the results of their other tasks as well. In particular, we provide advice and programs. In implementing the QDDR, we seek to reinforce technical support as the Department stands up new bureaus the authority—and accountability—of our ambassadors for and makes other structural changes. The character of the the people and activities at their posts. new bureaus—Energy Resources, Counterterrorism, Conflict The ability to lead a multi-agency, whole-of-government and Stabilization Operations—reflects the growing need approach to diplomacy is a Department-wide requirement. for specialized knowledge in key areas of global civilian The Foreign Service Institute is increasing training at all power. Developing specialization in the service of our global levels to strengthen our capacity to lead through civilian diplomatic mission is a key HR challenge of the QDDR. power. We also plan to increase the number of details and I encourage all of you to take a look at the QDDR to see rotations with other agencies to build interagency experience. the direction the Department is moving in. To access the A key area in which we can do better is taking full report and related material, please see the following Web advantage of the talents of all our people. The Department sites: www.state.gov/s/dmr/qddr and http://qddr.state.gov. has differing personnel systems for Civil Service, Foreign As always, if you have any general comments or sugges- Service and Foreign Service National employees. To tions on this or any other topic, please feel free to drop me a maximize our effectiveness, we must increase our flexibility line via unclassified e-mail at DG Direct. to deploy employees where most needed and where their expertise can be properly leveraged. We are seeking new opportunities for CS employees to deploy overseas on limited-term FS appointments and ways to make it easier for Nancy J. Powell FS employees to serve in CS positions in Washington and Director General

2 State Magazine November 2011 In the News

From left, Hamburg State Representative Michael Sachs, Consul General Inmi Patterson and Tashi Takang, general manager of the Hyatt hotel, cut the anniversary cake.

‘Little White House’ Consulate Celebrates Birthday In August, the U.S. Consulate in of the first U.S. consul to Hamburg, John personal contacts to diplomacy and the Hamburg, affectionately known by locals Parish (1790–1796), attended the celebration consulate’s role in Hamburg, Germany’s as “the little White House on the Alster” along with 200 other guests, including Ingrid second largest city, its media capital and River, celebrated its 60th anniversary in its Jessen, who worked for the consulate when home to Europe’s third-largest port. Several present building. The event was attended it moved to what is known as the “White U.S. companies have operations in Hamburg, by representatives of the Hamburg city House” in 1951. including Google, Caterpillar, Honeywell, government, all five German political parties, At the celebration, Consul General Inmi Johnson & Johnson and Exxon Mobil. leaders of the city’s Muslim community Patterson highlighted the bonds linking To cap the celebration, pianist Susanne and organizations associated with the city’s northern Germany with the United States, von Laun played Johann Pachelbel’s “Canon 20,000 Americans. including the more than five million in D” on a piano that Steinway Hamburg The consulate building is a beautiful Germans who emigrated to the United States had restored just in time for the occasion. The classical structure and houses a U.S. mission through the port of Hamburg. birthday cake, which featured a rendering of established in 1790 by President George Hamburg State Council Deputy Michael the consulate building, sparked the guests to Washington. Peter Boué, a direct descendant Sachs spoke of the indispensability of sing “Happy Birthday, dear White House.”

November 2011 State Magazine 3 ‘Boot Camp’ Boosts Fitness at Embassy La Paz Twice a week at 6:30 a.m., the Marine Marines and embassy staff we decided to give be strong today?” said Madelaine Vargas of Detachment commander at the U.S. Embassy it a shot,” Reyes said. “Now, I am extremely the consular section. “Th anks to the Marines in La Paz shouts to a group of exercisers, pleased. Th ese women did not just receive a and my workout buddies, I can honestly “Pain is weakness leaving the body” as he good workout but created a bond with each answer ‘I’m strong.’” leads them in a fi tness regime. other, similar to a Marine Corps unit’s esprit “Sometimes, when you work out by Th e program run by Staff Sergeant Jose de corps. Th is program instilled teamwork, yourself, you fall into a comfort zone where Reyes Jr. began as a six-week women-only self-discipline and camaraderie. Th e Marines you can’t or don’t want to push yourself,” said “Marine Boot Camp” in and I were extremely grateful for the Daniela Orrico of the fi nancial offi ce. “Boot August after several female opportunity to train these wonderful women camp with the Marines encouraged me to give employees at Mission Bolivia and help them achieve a healthier lifestyle.” the extra mile that helped me get fi t.” expressed interest in having a Participant Megan Gallardo said, Th anks for the boot camp go to Reyes, high-altitude fi tness training “Breathing at high altitude is hard enough, Staff Sergeant Anthony Eldridge, Sergeant Bolivia program designed for them. but keeping fi t is even harder. Th ank John Collins, Corporal Sunly Pheakra, Eleven women signed up, goodness we have the Marines to help us Corporal Geoff rey Gonzales and Corporal and the program has since become co-ed due acclimate and get healthy.” Tom Fischetti of the embassy’s Marine to its popularity. “Boot camp was and still is a big question Detachment. Th ey’ve given the post a fi tness “At fi rst I was doubtful, but after receiving mark for me that is there every day, asking: regimen just in time for the post’s Marine the encouragement and support from the Am I going to be a wimp or am I going to Ball this month.

Under the direction of Marines, boot camp attendees do abdominal crunches.

4 State Magazine November 2011 In the News New Deputy Emphasizes Lessons Learned At his Sept. 8 swearing in as Deputy Secretary of State, William He acknowledged that he was standing in the very room where, nearly Burns, formerly Under Secretary for Political Affairs, recognized 30 years earlier, he stood to be sworn in with his A-100 class. A classmate “all those who have gone before us, the generations of extraordinary was his future wife, Lisa Carty, “who through the miracle of alphabetical American diplomats on whose efforts we build.” Burns is only the second seating sat next to me that first day, and has both stuck by me and been serving Foreign Service officer in history to become Deputy Secretary. stuck with me ever since.” He said the honor of becoming Deputy Secretary was “really He also spoke of the lessons he has learned in 30 years with about honoring the Foreign Service, in which I have been proud to the Department, including that “there is no substitute for strong represent our country for nearly 30 years,” and about honoring the American leadership in the pursuit of our interests and values,” and State Department family and “those who serve with me today, whether that “a little humility often goes a long way in the application of standing together in this room, or doing the hard work of our profession American power and purpose.” in hard places around the world, from Baghdad to Kabul to Tripoli. Burns, who was sworn in by Secretary of State Hillary Rodham “It is about honoring the next generation of Foreign Service Clinton, also said he’s found “there is still no good alternative to carefully officers,” he continued, and honoring Civil Service professionals, office matching ends to means, to setting clear priorities, to pursuing disci- management specialists, Foreign Service Nationals and “Foreign Service plined strategies,” and that “diplomacy, defense and development cannot families, whose sacrifices and devotion are as remarkable as they are be viewed as isolated ingredients in our national security, but must be underappreciated.” seen as vital parts of an integrated whole.” Burns said he learned the importance of good partnerships among people at every level of government, and that he looked forward to working alongside Deputy Secretary for Management and Resources Tom Nides, his counterpart on management and budget matters. Burns thanked his parents, wife and children, Secretary Clinton and his “extraordinary mentors, colleagues and friends—people who showed me the value of honesty, loyalty, compassion and good humor alongside professional skill; people who enriched my life professionally and personally; people who made me look far better than I ever had any right to look. “At every step along the way,” he said, “I have learned from people who taught me to share credit and take responsibility… people who taught me that you have to pick yourself up after you make mistakes, learn from them and move on… people who taught me that staying in the arena, in good moments and in bad, is the only way to make a real difference.”

Deputy Secretary Burns is sworn in by Secretary Clinton.

HR Unveils Electronic Official Personnel Folder Responding to an Office of Management and Budget mandate to • Changes to the employee’s view of the eOPF and the autho- all Executive Branch agencies to eliminate paper copies of employees’ rized user console. official personnel folders by December 2013, the Bureau of Human • Minor changes to layout/navigation. For example, Resources’ Executive Office has released the Enterprise Human Notifications of Personnel Actions (SF-50s) can now be Resources Integration electronic Official Personnel Folder. accessed by clicking the “Admin” button on the navigations To support this initiative, HR coordinated with OPM to convert panel and selecting “SF-50/Notification of Personnel Action more than 5.4 million pages of documents to electronic images. Documents” from the drop-down menu. “Our team spent thousands of hours converting these documents • Changes to OPM document titles. Some document listings and preparing for the integration,” said HR Records and Information now use the official name, as defined by OPM, and are indexed Management Chief Pam Bundy. “This e-government initiative gives individually by their effective date. These include the Thrift Savings domestic and overseas employees the capability of viewing and printing Plan Election Form, Ethics Pledge, Transcript of Service History their personnel records at their desktops 24 hours a day.” and Health Benefit Election Form. She congratulated her staff and the employees of HR’s Systems • Authorized users now must select or enter a reason for viewing Development, Systems Oversight and Enterprise Systems divisions. She admin/performance documents. said employees like the eOPF, seeing it as easy to use and intuitive. As the Department moves from paper-based processes to electronic After completing a pilot test and launching the EHRI eOPF in ones, EHRI will streamline HR business processes, eliminate the phases, HR has made the eOPF available to all Department employees. need for paper files and cut costs, giving HR personnel more time to Now, employees’ entire OPFs are online, including images of all paper focus on employee career counseling and development. Questions or documents formerly maintained in the hard copy folder. concerns regarding EHRI eOPF may be directed to the eOPF Team Among the eOPF features are: at [email protected].

November 2011 State Magazine 5 Supervisory Special Agent Richard Lin, right, keeps an eye on the media as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge arrive at Los Angeles International Airport in July.

DS Protects Royal Newlyweds During L.A. Visit To protect England’s royal newlyweds City Police Department, Los Angeles Airport Visiting foreign VIPs protected by DS in Prince William and Kate Middleton during Police and other law enforcement agencies and 2010 included His Holiness the Dalai Lama, their three-day visit to Los Angeles in July, the the British government, and assigned dozens Prince Harry and Prince Andrew of Great Bureau of Diplomatic Security planned and of additional special agents from DS field and Britain, U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon, managed a sophisticated protective security resident offices across the region. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud operation involving dozens of special agents and Part of the DS mission is protecting foreign Abbas, Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr half a dozen other law enforcement agencies. government officials below the level of head Mottaki and former British prime ministers DS special agents spent four weeks of state and other high-profile VIPs. In 2010, Tony Blair and Gordon Brown. preparing. They reviewed every venue to be DS provided 178 protection details in 259 DS protected some participants at the visited, including each site’s entrance and exit, U.S. cities for visiting foreign dignitaries. In annual U.N. General Assembly and is and identified chokepoints on the travel routes the first six months of 2011, DS conducted 74 protecting foreign dignitaries at the Asia-Pacific and potential on-site safe havens. DS worked protective details for foreign dignitaries who Economic Cooperation meeting in Honolulu with the California Highway Patrol, Culver visited 133 cities. this month.

6 State Magazine November 2011 In the News Strong-Man Match Strengthens U.S.-Russia Ties In August, the U.S. Consulate General in Vladivostok co-hosted a strong-man competi- Andy Vincent, left, tion called “Pacifi c Strong: Russia vs. USA” and Travis Ortmayer in which some of the strongest men of both celebrate their victory. nations competed in several challenges before more than 500 people. Acting Consul General Jason Sheets welcomed the media to a press conference that took place two days before the event and participated in the event’s opening ceremony. Th e post’s public aff airs offi ce provided logistical support for the event. Teams from each nation lifted 200-kilogram stones and 300-kilogram logs and cars, and pulled tractor-trailer trucks. Th e American delegation, headed by the president of America’s Strong Men Corporation, Dione Wessels, included U.S. athletes Russia Travis Ortmayer and Andy Vincent. Th e Russian team was headed by the president of the Far Eastern Federation of Body Builders, Mikhail Pogodaev. Russia’s current strongest man, Mikhail Koklyayev, was the master of ceremonies but could not compete due to an injury. Th e American team won despite arriving in Vladivostok mere hours prior to the event’s start, after a grueling fl ight from New York. In a display of international sportsmanship, Russian spectators warmly greeted and supported them.

Performance Management Process Improved As the Department approaches the end Th e Foreign Service Institute’s distance of the Civil Service rating cycle and the learning course Performance Management midpoint of the Foreign Service cycle, the and Evaluation Process (PA495) provides CS Bureau of Human Resources has improved employees and their supervisors an overview of its performance management tools by the regulations and procedures on managing adding dashboards and ePerformance e-mail performance and emphasizes the importance notifi cations. of clear supervisor-employee communication. Th e dashboards, available to authorized Registration is available at www.fsi.state.gov. managers via Employee Self-Service in the HR Although the FS appraisal cycle does Portal/HR Online, provide a high-level visual not conclude until April 15, 2012, many summary of ePerformance activity for the career candidate generalists whose annual current rating cycles and display ePerformance rating cycle began on their arrival in their metrics, including the percentages of complete current post/position may soon be receiving and incomplete performance documents such Employee Evaluation Reports. Supervisors as appraisals that are due from a bureau, offi ce of FS employees must provide at least two or post. Managers can access reports that show management and help ensure timely comple- counseling sessions, at least one of them the status of their performance documents for tion of performance appraisals,” said Ruben documented on the DS-1974, during any each employee and applicable rating offi cial in Torres (above), HR’s executive director. “With rating period of one year and at least one their bureau. the dashboards alone, bureaus know exactly documented counseling session for shorter In addition, ePerformance e-mail reminders which employees are still due appraisals and rating periods. Th e dates of counseling sessions are now automatically sent each week to rating where they are at in the process.” should be added promptly in ePerformance offi cials (supervisors) and employees when Th e CS annual performance appraisal and verifi ed by the rated employee. performance documents are past the required cycle ends on Dec. 31. By Feb. 17, 2012, CS Additional information on the performance initiation or completion date in ePerformance. employees must have a 2011 rating of record evaluation process is on HR/PE’s or HR/ “Th ese tools assist with performance in ePerformance. CSHRM’s Web sites.

November 2011 State Magazine 7 MAGAZINE

Acting Editor-in-Chief Change of Address Ed Warner Send changes of addresses to our staff using the contact [email protected] information at left. Please remember to include your previous mailing address. Writer/Editor Bill Palmer Subscriptions [email protected] State Magazine is available by paid subscription through the U.S. Government Printing Offi ce by telephone Art Director at (202) 512-1800 or on its Web site, David L. Johnston http://bookstore.gpo.gov. [email protected] Letters to the Editor Letters should not exceed 250 words and should include the Contacting Us writer’s name, address and daytime phone number. State Magazine All letters become the property of State Magazine. 301 4th Street, SW Letters will be edited for length, accuracy and clarity. Room 348 Only signed letters will be considered. Washington, DC 20547

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American Indians and Alaska Natives: History and Current Engagement Here at the Department of State, history is an ever-present part of our daily operations: long-standing rivalries ignite conflict, economic policies enacted 30 years ago influence tomorrow’s trade treaty. The Office of Civil Rights is also guided daily by the historical significance of the civil rights movement, and strives to echo its message of diversity and inclusion. Part of doing so is helping the Department celebrate America’s diverse history. During November, the federal government recognizes the contributions of American Indians as part of American Indian Heritage Month. The month’s designation dates to the early 1900s when Dr. Arthur C. Parker, a Seneca Indian and Director of the Museum of Arts and Science in Rochester, New York, persuaded the Boy Scouts of America to reserve a day of acknowledgment for the “First Americans” in May. In 1914, Red Fox James, a Blackfeet Indian, rode on horseback through several states, garnering support for an American efforts to attract a diverse workforce, recruiters and Indian Day, and in 1915, he presented the White House Diplomats in Residence visit colleges and universities with with the endorsements of 24 state governments. However, significant American Indian enrollment. The goal is to it was not until 1983 that Congress designated an American attract strong American Indian candidates to the Pickering Indian Day. Finally, on August 3, 1990, Congress designated and Rangel fellowships; encourage internships; increase November as National American Indian Heritage Month. personalized contact with candidates through career fairs, American Indians’ influence is intricately woven into information sessions, conferences and direct counseling; American history, and that is how many people think of and effectively target communities of diverse candidates, today’s American Indian tribes—historical. Yet, American including American Indians, through the Internet and social Indians and Alaska Natives are very much active in current media. We must continue this outreach. events and even foreign affairs. In 2010, the Office of Special The President’s support of the U.N. Declaration and Representative for Global Intergovernmental Affairs, created collaboration with tribal leaders, complemented by Secretary by Secretary Clinton to work with state and local officials Clinton’s stance on progressive partnerships with Indian in the United States and led by Reta Jo Lewis, coordinated nations, has placed the Department in a great position to meetings between American Indian and Alaska Native tribal fulfill the proposition of partnering with American Indians leaders and government agencies that contributed to the and Alaska Natives on all levels. decision to support the U.N. Declaration on the Rights of American Indian history is American history, and as Indigenous Peoples. The Declaration addressed the rights of current events demonstrate, American Indians play a key indigenous individuals and groups in the areas of culture, part in foreign affairs. This November, we celebrate American identity, language, employment, health and education. Indian Heritage Month. We can all agree that it is an On Dec. 16, 2010, President Obama reiterated his improvement from one day in May. position on the Declaration, saying, “It’s a resolution I fully For more information on the Office of the Special supported—recognizing that no statement can undo the Representative for Global Intergovernmental Affairs, visit damage that was done; what it can do is help reaffirm the http://www.state.gov/s/srgia. principles that should guide our future.” There is no way to erase the transgressions of history. However, as America goes forward, the Administration is working to partner with the American Indian community at all levels. The Department of State has also continued to engage the John M. Robinson American Indian community. As part of the Department’s Office of Civil Rights

November 2011 State Magazine 9 With Big Sky, Mont., as a backdrop, U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk, center in blue suit, welcomes his APEC counterparts to the Meeting of Ministers Responsible for Trade.

Prosperity Partnering U.S. hosts Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meetings By Medora Brown

The Asia-Pacific region is a event, saying the regional trading a seamless regional economy. goals for the year are achieved. leader in global commerce, but environment must be open, The United States has been a “Hosting APEC is a superb the contours of the region have free, transparent and fair, with member since APEC’s inception opportunity to set the economic not been defined. The United economic partnerships governed in 1989, and seven of the top policy agenda for the region,” States has an opportunity to help by reasonable, rules-based 15 U.S. trading partners are Ambassador Tong said. “We shape the region for the 21st approaches that give businesses APEC members. Trade with have pushed APEC to produce century, and the United States a fair chance to compete and APEC economies accounts for concrete, tangible results and has reaffirmed its commitment rely on shared principles. She 58 percent of U.S. goods exports demonstrate it is an organization to the Asia-Pacific by hosting emphasized that APEC is the and 43 percent of world trade. that gets stuff done.” the Asia-Pacific Economic best forum for pursuing the As chair of APEC this year, Cooperation meeting this year. desired economic architecture in U.S. Host the United States has focused on The meetings, hosted by the Asia-Pacific region. U.S. Ambassador for APEC strengthening regional economic the United States for the first Comprising 21 member Kurt Tong is the host for the integration and expanding trade time since 1993, began in economies, including all of 2011 APEC meetings. He and by addressing “next-generation” March with the first Senior North America, APEC aims to his office, the Economic Policy trade and investment issues. Officials’ Meeting of APEC strengthen regional economic office within the Bureau of East These include promoting 2011. Secretary of State Hillary integration by reducing trade Asian and Pacific Affairs, have nondiscriminatory, market-

Rodham Clinton spoke at the barriers and moving toward worked to ensure U.S. policy driven policies to foster trade in CHERNIS SCOTT TOP): (OPPOSITE PAGE KENE SPERRY; PHOTOGRAPHS:

10 State Magazine November 2011 technology; reducing the time, cost and uncertainty of moving goods through the region; and making it easier for small and medium-sized businesses, the main creators of jobs, to trade in the region. Green Emphasis The United States has sought to promote environ- mentally sustainable growth by working to reduce barriers to trade in environmental goods and services, reducing and eliminating inefficient fossil fuel subsidies and expanding the market for Secretary Clinton delivers the green vehicles and remanufac- keynote address tured products industries that at the APEC create American jobs. Women and the The United States has also Economy Summit worked with its APEC partners in September in San Francisco. to better align the region’s regulatory systems to reduce burdens on businesses seeking to trade in the region. To achieve this, EAP/ international delegates and to establish the APEC 2011 “We’ve used APEC this year EP worked with a several members of the press. Cabinet- Logistics Planning Team, which to advance our economic agenda bureaus, especially the Bureau level officials hosted eight of includes members from the in the region, and each member of Economic, Energy, and these meetings. The United States bureaus of Administration and on our team has succeeded in Business Affairs; the White has provided extensive logistics Overseas Buildings Operations, this objective,” said EP Director House; the Office of the U.S. support for meetings, including among others. Louis Bono. “We’ve launched Trade Representative; and meeting space and setup, delegate To reduce costs, the United efforts to increase the role of other agencies. transportation, hotel rooms, States grouped meetings around women in the economy, set In preparation for President security, press, credentialing and five Senior Officials’ Meetings, lower carbon emission strategies Obama’s meeting with APEC document preparation. including a kick-off session and reduce barriers to trade leaders in November, the United To lead this effort, the Bureau at the East-West Center in in health services—raising the States has hosted more than of International Organization Honolulu, Hawaii, and meetings standard for all economies to get 100 working group meetings, Affairs coordinated with the in Washington, D.C., in March; stuff done in APEC.” involving an estimated 10,000 under secretary for Management Big Sky, Mont., in May; San Francisco, Calif., in September; and Honolulu, just prior to the leaders’ meeting. “Our team has worked tirelessly for almost two years to create conference infrastructures that have provided the President and his policy makers with the support they needed to fulfill one of his top priorities for economic engagement in the Asia-Pacific region,” said Lynwood Dent, coordinator of logistics for APEC 2011. Ensuring APEC 2011’s success has been a government-wide effort, and all the hard work put into it has demonstrated that the United States is an Asia-Pacific Ambassador Kurt Tong, left, listens power, helping to shape the as U.S. SOM Chair Michael Froman, future of the region. n center, deputy national security adviser for international economic The author is a foreign affairs affairs, offers a comment. officer in the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs.

November 2011 State Magazine 11 Discussing situation reports in the Emergency Management Center during Hurricane Irene are from left IMT Incident Commander Thomas Sgroi, Acting Office of Operations Director Keith D. Miller, IMT Planning Section Chief Kristina Mattice and Office of Emergency Management Director Robert Becker. Incident Management Partnering for emergency preparedness By Kristina R. Mattice

When a domestic incident Once activated, the IMT centers, including the National and scalable framework for threatens Department personnel manages the command, logistical, Response Coordination Center preparing for, responding to and or facilities, the Incident fiscal, planning, operational, safety of the Federal Emergency recovering from any incident, Management Team is activated and community relations issues Management Agency and the regardless of its size, nature, to coordinate response efforts associated with an incident. The National Operations Center of duration or complexity. The latter between Department bureaus and team provides information and the Department of Homeland dates to 2004 and is a national work with local, state and federal coordinates resource support to the Security. They provide situation framework for governmental and governments to ensure a rapid and Department’s domestic facilities reports to bureaus, the Secretary nongovernmental agencies for effective response. and operations before, during and of State, Department principals, all types of incidents, allowing The IMT is led by an incident after the incident. It also coordi- overseas missions and inter- emergency managers and commander from the appropriate nates with other entities, such as agency partners. responders to work together more office or bureau and works with the Bureau of Diplomatic Security effectively. Homeland Security a Unified Command made up of or Department task forces, that Response Language Presidential Directive-5 requires qualified individuals representing are activated by the Executive The IMT uses the Incident all federal agencies to adopt NIMS a variety of functional capabilities. Secretariat to address international Command System under the for their individual domestic The IMT is supported by subject aspects of a domestic event. National Incident Management incident management and matter experts drawn from The team also assigns liaison System. The former provides a emergency prevention plans.

throughout the Department. officers to national command functionally based, standardized The directive gives the Secretary MANAGEMENT OFFICE OF EMERGENCY PHOTOGRAPHS:

12 State Magazine November 2011 of State responsibility to protect deployable teams were needed for national security; coordinate such crises. DS Aids Consulates in Tornado’s Aftermath international activities related Theory became practice By Barbara Gleason to the prevention, preparation, when, on May 22, a tornado response and recovery from a decimated the town of Joplin, Because Joplin, Mo., has a sizable population of foreign domestic incident; and protect Mo. The Department deployed nationals, a Bureau of Diplomatic Security assessment team was on U.S. citizens and interests response teams to the area, since the scene shortly after a powerful tornado struck the city May 22, overseas. The directive calls on the the disaster potentially affected killing 152 people and destroying an estimated 8,000 structures. secretaries of State and DHS to foreign nationals and Department Within 48 hours of the storm, DS had an emergency “establish appropriate relationships employees (see sidebar). response team in place from its Office of Foreign Missions and mechanisms for cooperation and Diplomatic Security Service to assist foreign consulates and coordination between their in accounting for and identifying their citizens affected by the Hurricane Response tornado. The team’s deployment to Joplin marked the first time two departments.” Recently, Hurricane Irene that OFM personnel had responded to the scene of a natural tested the IMT’s capability on disaster affecting foreign nationals. a larger scale than ever. Daily 2011 Actions OFM/Miami Program Manager Mike Morales, OFM/Chicago In March, the IMT communication was carried Program Officer Kevin Olbrysh and St. Louis Resident Office participated in an exercise that out via Centralized Emergency Special Agent Kemmi Sadler (below) worked with the OFM/ simulated a 7.3-magnitude Notification System messages, Chicago Regional staff in identifying key local and emergency earthquake causing destruction situation reports and teleconfer- response agencies in Joplin. The OFM/Chicago staff also contacted throughout the Charleston, S.C., ences with more than 130 the closest consulate, the Mexican Consulate in Kansas City, and area. The team addressed issues Department offices located in the Missouri Southern State University to determine the size and such as the safety and well-being hurricane’s path, from Puerto Rico location of Joplin’s international community. of Charleston Regional Center to Vermont. Daily status updates The team learned that most of the foreign students had departed employees, facility damage and the were collected, briefed and the previous week after final exams. impact on Department functions monitored by employees in the Working from the university’s campus, which was undamaged and communications. field and National Capitol Region. by the storm, the DS team fielded inquiries from regional The timing was fortuitous. By the time the hurricane had consulates via the DS Command Center and OFM/Chicago Within 36 hours of the exercise, dissipated, the IMT had initiated Regional office. Consulates with large numbers of constituents in the team was recalled to the communications and support to the immediate area sent representatives to Joplin to identify and Department’s Emergency more than 22,000 people and assist their citizens. Management Center to respond helped relay the Department’s “Being on the ground in Joplin and working on-site with key to potential domestic impacts of operational status via the emergency response agencies was the best way for the Department the Japan earthquake and tsunami. Department’s public Web site. to serve foreign consulates seeking their citizens in the tornado’s The exercise meant the team was The team’s assistance was aftermath,” Morales said. “Information on casualties and survivors prepared to respond. It main- especially appreciated by the could best be confirmed only by having personnel on the scene.” tained communications with all Department’s passport agencies. Four days into the DS operation, OFM Deputy Regional potentially affected Department “Having such an organized Director for Los Angeles Shelley Pate arrived and continued employees and relayed informa- team up there is very comforting working the disaster scene during President Barack Obama’s visit. tion to Department bureaus. to all of us as we get into the more By the mission’s end on June 1, DS had helped 10 consulates Team members said they felt active hurricane season,” said Ryan account for their citizens. more confident of their response Dooley, director of the Miami capabilities, having gone through Passport Agency. the exercise. “Even with a few speed bumps The author is a writer in DS Public Affairs. In May, the IMT and along the way, using CENS to get a Department task force the word out was a definite plus,” participated in the White said Orlando Rivera, regional House-sponsored National Level director of the Philadelphia Exercise 2011, which tested the Passport Agency government’s ability to implement The IMT’s biggest benefits response and recovery plans in are analyzing response strategies, the aftermath of a catastrophic capturing lessons learned, creating earthquake. The team identified plans to improve future response the status of all employees in capabilities and keeping the the affected region, coordinated Department’s domestic personnel assistance to affected facilities and property safe and functional and aided the task force in in crises. For more information, responding to foreign government visit http://eprepare.a.state. requests to locate and assist their gov/ or contact me in the Office citizens. Though the team and of Emergency Management’s task force each had separate goals Planning and Preparedness and responsibilities, they shared Division at (202) 776-8993. n resources and information that made both more effective. From The author is the IMT planning this exercise, team members said section chief and an emergency they learned small, self-sustaining, management specialist.

November 2011 State Magazine 13 Small-scale mining is an important livelihood in many developing countries. Battling Mercury OES fights dangerous metal’s spread By Jane Dennison

In the early 1960s, high levels States joined global efforts to U.S. support of the negotiations plastics manufacturing, dental of methylmercury in industrial address mercury at the United garnered positive press coverage, amalgams and extracting gold wastewater accumulated in Nation’s Environment Program’s enthusiasm from a range of from ore. shellfish and fish in Minamata Governing Council, which is domestic stakeholders and Mercury exposure can lead to Bay, Japan, and were eaten leading efforts to negotiate a new support from other governments. such neurological problems as by local people. The resulting legally binding mercury treaty to The Bureau of Oceans and Minamata disease, alter fetal brain “Minamata disease” shocked reduce the use of mercury and its International Environmental development, harm learning and the Japanese people and release into the environment. and Scientific Affairs is leading reduce the IQ of children. It can highlighted for the world the U.S. participation in the treaty’s permanently damage the brain devastating effects of mercury Leading Role ongoing negotiations, which are and kidneys, and certain mercury poisoning. Minamata victims “U.S. leadership in forging this expected to conclude in 2013. compounds have been linked with suffer from tremors, abnormal landmark decision demonstrated Mercury, the only metal that cancer in humans. Its accumula- eye movements and other severe the importance the Obama is a liquid at room temperature, tion in fish and shellfish has in neurological impairment. administration places on efforts is best known for its uses in some cases reached levels deemed With the mercury levels in to protect people all over the thermometers, barometers and hazardous to human health. seafood increasing worldwide, world from the harmful effects old-fashioned blood-pressure Since 2004 the Environmental mercury poisoning is now a of mercury,” said Assistant gauges. It’s also used in thermo- Protection Agency and Food and

global threat. In 2009, the United Secretary Dr. Kerri-Ann Jones. stats, compact fluorescent lights, Drug Administration have issued A. CAMACHO; TOP): SCHEIN; (OPPOSITE PAGE PATRICK (ABOVE): PHOTOGRAPHS: IN MANILA EMBASSY U.S. (BOTTOM):

14 State Magazine November 2011 consumer advisories, especially global negotiations and funds a directed towards child-bearing variety of strategic projects that women and young children, contribute to the host country’s recommending they restrict and international community’s intake of certain species of fish understanding of the mercury and shellfish. problem. “These activities are Mercury can enter the intended to reduce mercury use environment through various and its release into the environ- routes and is now a common ment and to be a catalyst for pollutant. Burning coal can further activities on the environ- release substantial quantities of mentally sound management of mercury into the atmosphere, mercury,” said John Thompson, where it is carried great distances deputy director of the bureau’s before it’s deposited in oceans, Office of Environmental Policy. lakes and on land—a key reason Working with the U.S. why an international treaty is Embassy in Lima, OES’s Peru needed. It can escape into the project, run by the Keevil Mining air when used by artisanal gold Institute at the University of miners and, when breathed in, British Columbia, promotes cause health problems. more efficient gold mining so “Because of the dangers to that small-scale gold miners people at home and abroad, can recover more gold from the reducing mercury’s presence ores they process and use less in our environment is an mercury. It also features awareness Administration priority,” said campaigns to educate miners and OES Principal Deputy Assistant mining communities about the Secretary Dan Clune. In 2008, hazards of mercury exposure. then-Senator Barack Obama A similar project is gearing sponsored a bill to ban the export up in Francophone West Africa, of mercury from the United States where small-scale gold mining Above: When a person manually “recycles” a compact fluorescent light bulb to by 2013. The bill, signed into plays a large role in the local and recover the copper, mercury can be released into the air. Below: Deputy Chief law by President Bush in October national economies of several of Mission Leslie Bassett, center, gathers with representatives of the Philippine 2008, requires the Department countries. national and local governments and the nongovernmental group Ban Toxics! at the announcement of a project on national strategic approaches to storing mercury. of Energy to designate a national mercury storage site to hold Storage Needed excess mercury. As countries reduce the use mercury securely. An OES project The United States is also of mercury in products and gold in the Philippines and Indonesia conducting mercury emissions Projects Funded mining and begin recovering supports the development of reduction activities through In addition to leading mercury in industrial processes national strategic approaches the Regional Development interagency negotiating efforts, and recycling mercury products, to storing mercury, rather than Mission for Asia Environmental OES supports mercury-related they will need somewhere to store exporting or using it. Cooperation-Asia Clean Development and Climate Program. This U.S. Agency for International Development program includes a policy dialogue on reducing mercury in Asia’s energy sector, the design and implementation of a pilot compact fluorescent lighting recycling program and a workshop to promote standards for mercury in all types of fluorescent lamps. “The Department’s bilateral and multilateral efforts to reduce mercury in the environment will have long-term benefits to protecting the health and welfare of people at home and around the world,” said Assistant Secretary Jones. n

The author is the mercury program officer in the OES Office of Environmental Policy.

November 2011 State Magazine 15 The author, far right, joins International Energy Office staff for breakfast at the Founding Farmers restaurant in Washington, D.C.

Academic’s Year Science fellow looks back on time with the Department By Suresh V. Garimella

Working as a Jefferson Science in 2004, thanks in part to the and Technology Adviser to the academic year. The 13 fellows Fellow at the State Department vision of George Atkinson, then Secretary and administered by the for 2011–2012 will form the has been fascinating and deeply science and technology adviser National Academies. largest group so far seen in the rewarding. Over the course of the to the Secretary of State. The program, bringing the cumulative year, I learned—and promoted program established a new model Bringing Expertise total to 66. Upon completing learning—about policy issues for engaging experienced and Jefferson Science Fellows the program, the fellows will surrounding supply disruptions of accomplished university profes- lead research programs at return to their universities to rare earth elements, Middle East sors in the foreign policy world. their home institutions while serve as science and engineering uprisings and their influence on Paid by the home universities, concurrently maintaining their “ambassadors” to academia and energy access and the Fukushima the fellows serve for one year at professional responsibilities at global research networks. earthquake and its effect on the Department or U.S. Agency the Department or USAID. They Because my background global nuclear policy. for International Development bring expertise in a wide array of includes work on thermal Recognizing the critical as advisors for scientific and fields, including women’s health, management of electronics and role of science, technology and engineering issues, followed by at biotechnology, food security, computers, nanotechnology, engineering in the formulation least five years during which they energy and climate change, energy efficiency and waste and implementation of policy, are available as consultants. The geology and seismology and heat recovery, and renewable the Department initiated the program is hosted and overseen space. I was one of 12 fellows energy, I spent my fellowship Jefferson Science Fellows program by the Office of the Science who served in the 2010–2011 with the International Energy

16 State Magazine November 2011 and Commodity Policy Office energy policy equities of each of the Bureau of Economic, agency. While I was initially Energy, and Business Affairs. tempted to search for technical I hosted bi-weekly brownbag solutions, I quickly learned to lunches for a Clean Energy look at the diplomacy and policy Futures Working Group that angles in discussions. featured expert speakers, and My experience was particularly coordinated the March 2011 fruitful because my host, Peter three-day Washington Energy Secor, saw me as someone who Seminar, which briefed officers could serve as an in-house across the U.S. government technology expert. Jefferson on energy issues. I was also Fellows are only useful if their a member of the science and hosting office values the fellows’ technology working group of the experience and connections to the U.S–Russia Bilateral Presidential global scientific community. Commission and served as a It is crucial for the fellow and delegate to the Committee on the hosting office to identify Energy Research and Technology issues to which the fellow can The author, first row second from left, gathers with his research group at a goodbye of the International Energy contribute. One challenge is party held before he left to begin his fellowship. Agency. As a member of the that the scientific and academic interagency roundtable working world rewards factual detail and three-year chunks of time. While to the mix. Building stronger group, I helped formulate thoroughness of analysis, whereas FSOs cannot study issues in bridges between America’s diplomatic and policy solutions the diplomacy and policy worlds detail, they are adept at cutting universities and the government to address the recent supply must take positions and make through the fog and identifying brings fresh perspectives to shortages of rare earth elements, pronouncements on short notice, the critical issues that affect and Washington and expands the pool which are used in a number and often on unfamiliar topics. I dictate policy. of young scientists and engineers of technologies such as wind marvel at the skill involved with During my time as a Jefferson interested in public service, and turbines and cellular phones. making these kinds of decisions. Fellow, I asked questions and that’s what the Jefferson Science Despite constantly dealing with contributed comments and advice Fellow program is all about. n Different Worlds transitions, rotations and the from a scientific perspective. To complete this work, I uprooting of families, Foreign I believe my Department and The author is a distinguished needed to learn about interagency Service officers gamely take interagency colleagues found this professor of engineering at operations and the different on new portfolios in two- or a unique and valuable addition Purdue University.

Oisin Lyons, center, is introduced at a Fulbright ceremony at the residence of Embassy Dublin Deputy Chief of Mission John Hennessey-Niland, far right. Oisin joined Purdue University as a Fulbright scholar in September.

November 2011 State Magazine 17 Algerian Dancers Farid Haouch, second from left, and Ahcene Kaci Aissa, at center right, dance with their American counterparts in a specially choreographed production in Battery Dance Company’s 35th anniversary gala in New York City.

High Stepping Dance program in Algeria fosters cultural exchange By Emad Salem and Lawrence Randolph

When the U.S. Embassy the program’s Algerian partners, Public Affairs Officer Lawrence of dancers. Some of the Algerian in Algiers, Algeria, wanted an which are now considering their Randolph, Cultural Affairs Officer dancers were trained in traditional, innovative way to engage youth next steps for collaboration. Marissa Scott and Foreign Service hip-hop and break-dancing and promote U.S. cultural “Working with the Battery National Fatma Souidi. techniques, and BDC led the interests, it turned to the Dance Company changed my life “Modern dance is not the most dancers in creating their own Battery Dance Company, whose and helped me become a more obvious art form to present in a choreography. The dancers then programs have been called “the professional dancer,” said Farid socially conservative North African performed their own work and new face of cultural diplomacy” Haouch. He said he’d always country, so we decided to start oversaw the technical aspects of the by The New York Times. dreamed of dancing in New York small,” Randolph said. performances in Algiers and the The resulting bilateral exchange and the dance program let him western Algerian city of Oran. was built on the dance company’s realize his dream. 10-Day Program The program played to packed arts education program, Dancing The dance diplomacy initiative Working with the dance audiences in both cities and to Connect, in which experienced was funded by the Bureau of company, the public diplomacy received positive newspaper and novice dancers gain the tools Near Eastern Affairs’ Office of team designed a 10-day program reviews. It was also featured on to create and perform their own Press and Public Diplomacy and in which two of the company’s a morning TV show, where the choreography. In Algeria, a strongly launched with a pilot program teaching artists, Sean Scantlebury American dancers spoke of how hierarchical society, the program in February 2010. Its organizers and Robin Cantrell, each taught much they learned about Algerian

built strong bonds with youth and included the post’s former two separate mixed-gender groups dance and music. COMPANY; DANCE BATTERY TOP): RICHARD TERMINE; (ABOVE): (OPPOSITE PAGE PHOTOGRAPHS: STEELE BARRY (BOTTOM):

18 State Magazine November 2011 Two-Week Program Company members that “cultural The next step was creating cooperation is the best coopera- a 14-day set of Dancing to tion possible.” Connect workshops and Building on these successes, performances that emphasized the embassy funded the travel youth engagement and outreach of six dancers from the national to underserved rural Algerian dance company of Algeria to communities. Those activities come to New York City in April occurred in October in Algiers to collaborate with Battery and the regional cities of Dance Company. It was the first Annaba and El Eulma, which U.S. visit for all six, and two of are not usually on the cultural the dancers, Farid Haouch and diplomacy map. In El Eulma, Ahcene Kaci Aissa, came early many attendees had never seen to rehearse and participate in a modern dance performance Battery Dance Company’s 35th and had no previous exposure to anniversary season performances. Americans. High school students To keep costs low, the visiting participating in a U.S.-sponsored dancers stayed at the Brooklyn English language program said Heights home of two Battery they were thrilled to meet the Dance Company board members. American dancers and practice Despite intensive rehearsals, the speaking English. dancers had time to explore New Ambassador David Pearce York and said they found Times attended the final show in Algiers Square at night to be dazzling. and told the cast of 60 Algerian Four colleagues, including the dancers and the Battery Dance Algerian company Director Abdelkader Khimda, arrived in

Above: Members of Battery Dance Company gather with PAO Lawrence Randolph at their hotel. Left: Algerian Dancers Farid Haouch, left, and Ahcene Kaci Aissa visit the Brooklyn Bridge.

time to see Haouch and Aissa Battery Dance Company is perform with their American now working on Dancing to counterparts and to join the Connect Programs with U.S. visiting dancers at New York diplomatic posts in Israel, tourist sites, such as the Museum Spain, Malaysia, Singapore, of Modern Art. Indonesia and Brazil. After The dancers said they gained their Algeria performances, the a better idea of how culture Africa Resource Service under in America is presented to the the leadership of Donna Winton American people: not through a created and funded offshoots of centralized ministry, but through the dance diplomacy program the artists and organizations that in Ghana, Uganda, Kenya, fund them. Tanzania, Democratic Republic Khimda thanked BDC’s of Congo and Namibia. n artistic director and the embassy’s public affairs section for the Emad Salem is the deputy director exchange, which he called a for International Programs for successful first effort. “This has the Battery Dance Company, and had an extremely beneficial Lawrence Randolph is a special impact on the artistic, choreo- assistant in the Office of the Under graphic and even personal plans Secretary for Public Diplomacy and for me and my dancers,” he said. Public Affairs.

November 2011 State Magazine 19 The 2011 program’s opening speaker, Tom DeFrank, discusses his years as a long-time White House correspondent.

Syracuse Program National security knowledge pays dividends By Tony Fernandes

One way the Department From April 25 to May 6, members and outside experts. Case studies and small-group prepares employees for the I participated in the course The 42 guest speakers of the latest decision-making develop national security challenges titled “New Threats—New course had extensive experience the ability to lead small, facing the United States is by Thinking.” It addressed such in government, private industry, multidisciplinary strategy and sponsoring two slots in the issues as intelligence, terrorism journalism and other professions decision-making teams, a critical two-week National Security and counterterrorism, foreign related to national security. They skill for security-related work. The Management Course, part of policy, management, leadership, included the vice chair of the small-group case-study discussions the National Security Studies homeland security, global Joint Chiefs of Staff, a former and assignments allowed me to program at the Maxwell School economics, world trouble spots NBC News foreign correspon- consider and practice analytical, of Citizenship and Public Affairs and U.S. challenges, and aimed dent, Deputy Secretary of State management and leadership skills. at Syracuse University. to address lessons of history and William Burns, Atlantic Magazine The course’s simulations The National Security Studies issues of contemporary relevance National Correspondent James promote thinking that goes Program, launched in 1981, serves to national security. Fallows, CNN National Security beyond attendees’ current work as a developmental opportunity The course’s teaching Analyst Peter Bergen and environments and lets them for Foreign Service officers methodology blends theory Deputy Director of the Central examine the decision-making and those in the candidate- and practice with substantive Intelligence Agency Michael process in planning and crisis development programs of the content. Participants hear from Morrell, who spoke just days after management. Many simulations

Senior Executive Service. and interact with Maxwell faculty Osama bin Laden’s killing. integrate all of the analytical ORR PAT PHOTOGRAPHS:

20 State Magazine November 2011 and managerial techniques press briefings that were recorded, remarkable short home video of and one GS-15. That means discussed in the course and focus letting us review some of our less- her last Space Shuttle mission. selection is highly competitive. on the interorganizational and than-smooth appearances. It was The program helps the Candidates are nominated by the institutional dynamics that shape also great training for handling Department shape national organization employing them strategic plans and long-range the media on topics in which one security policy development and should currently be dealing resource considerations. Working may not be an expert. and illustrates National Security with national security issues. The closely with my classmates gave My 51 classmates represented Professional Development call for nominations for the 2012 me invaluable insight into how several U.S. agencies, including Program’s aim of building a course is planned for December. other agencies and departments the Department of Defense, cadre of experts across agencies The 2012 NSMC runs from understand and tackle challenging National Aeronautics and who have shared training April 22 to May 4. Information security issues. This training Space Administration, National and, therefore, can further is at www.nss.edu or from NSS helped me better do my job in Geospatial-Intelligence understanding and collaboration. Director Bill Smullen (bsmullen@ Ankara in my work within the Agency and the Government The course is also an excellent maxwell.syr.edu), former chief of interagency community regarding Accountability Office, as well as companion to the Foreign staff to Secretary of State Colin bilateral and multilateral Turkish private companies and the nations Service Institute’s National Powell; or from Administrative political-military issues. of The Netherlands and United Security Executive Leadership Supervisor Sue Virgil (smvirgil@ The simulations allow students Arab Emirates. Seminar (State Magazine, maxwell.syr.edu). n to examine national security In this dynamic, not-for- December 2010). decision-making in crises. In attribution setting, participants The Department has only The author is a political-military an intense two-day off-site talked about a host of issues—I two slots per year in the course, officer at the U.S. Embassy in exercise, participants assessed a found I learned as much from typically filled by one FSO-01 Ankara, Turkey. rapidly evolving situation that my classmates as I did from the threatened U.S. national interests speakers. Participants were at least and challenged U.S. foreign at the 06/GS-15 or FS-1 levels, policy. It required them to plan and also included members of for diplomatic and/or military the SES, general-ranked military responses, and address the officers and non-Defense staff interplay of political, institutional, having equivalent status. They organizational and interpersonal were friendly, dedicated to their dynamics that influence policy work and open to my opinions, and strategy. and I will definitely stay in touch The media sessions in the with them. I found them to be simulations were especially highly motivated and experienced enjoyable. Each of us was security professionals. One, an unexpectedly assigned to give astronaut, showed attendees a

Right: The author mulls a fascinating presentation during the program. Below: The program’s 2011 class gathers outside a university building.

November 2011 State Magazine 21 Post of the Month through thecloudsassunset The finalrays oflightsneak (Photo by Ron Shoshani/ falls onTel Aviv, Israel. Ronsho Visual Art) Tel Aviv High-profi le post boasts high quality of life // By Jennifer McAndrew Post of the Month

It’s 5 a.m. in Tel Aviv as a consular officer climbs out of bed. The sun hasn’t yet risen, but she’s on duty this week, and there’s an American citizen in need. More than 200,000 Americans reside in Israel, and the U.S. Embassy’s American citizen services unit is constantly on call to meet their needs.

So begins a typical day at Embassy Tel Aviv, where for more than And the bilateral relationship remains remarkably close, said Political 60 years American diplomats have served on the front lines of one of Counselor Bob Silverman. “It’s extremely collaborative.” the United States’ most complex and enduring bilateral relationships. After a quick change of clothes, bike commuter Silverman and his The latest addition to this long and distinguished roster is Ambassador team will head out for a full slate of meetings, including a briefing Daniel Shapiro, who arrived in July. with Combatants for Peace, The more-than-50-year-old embassy building and six annexes present a group of ex-Israeli and a challenge to the U.S. government agencies present in Tel Aviv, but no Palestinian fighters, and a Clockwise from top left: Sri Kulkarni, director of the American Center in one complains about the panoramic ocean views or the proximity to lunch date with a Druze Jerusalem, greets students at the embassy’s dozens of cafes serving delicious Mediterranean fare of hummus, olives political leader in Nazareth. “America Day” outreach program at and tahina. The embassy is cultivating Hebrew University in March (Photo by Many employees take advantage of Israel’s temperate climate and stronger ties with minority Matty Stern); Ambassador Daniel Shapiro bike to work. Their picturesque route begins in the northern suburb of communities in Israel, submits his credentials to President Shimon Peres in August (Matty Stern); Local olives Herzliya where many embassy families live, winds southward along the including Bedouins and are sold in this open-air market (Jen coast and ends at the oceanfront chancery in the heart of Tel Aviv. Israeli Arabs. The public McAndrew); Children enjoy vegetables Despite being just a 45-minute drive from Jerusalem, modern and affairs counselor leads a grown in a greenhouse provided by USAID, diverse Tel Aviv couldn’t be more different from the ancient holy city. vibrant minority outreach which supports food security and family Often called the Miami of the Middle East, Tel Aviv was chosen by program using public livelihoods in Gaza (USAID); American dancers from Pilobolus Dance Theater the editors of Lonely Planet as one of their “Top 10 Cities for 2011.” diplomacy grants and Middle demonstrate their unique style for Israeli They highlighted the city’s nightlife, cultural offerings and welcoming East Partnership Initiative students at the Jerusalem Academy of atmosphere. funding, and conducts Music and Dance (Matty Stern); Bedouin Deputy Chief of Mission Tom Goldberger agreed that you can’t beat cultural and educational women from the Negev desert hone their language skills in an English Access Tel Aviv for quality of life but also cited another benefit: Washington’s programs reaching Scholarship program sponsored by the intense focus on the embassy’s work. From water rights and refugee throughout the country. embassy (Pamela Huyser). issues to efforts to bring the Israelis and Palestinians back to the Also traveling today is the negotiating table, the embassy is at the epicenter of U.S. engagement in embassy’s Naval attaché. He’s the Middle East. heading to Haifa, a prized destination in the Mediterranean for the U.S. “Tel Aviv is the single best combination of high-profile policy issues Navy’s Sixth Fleet. The Defense Attaché Office handles numerous ship and high quality of life—there really is no better combination in the visits each year, highlighting the strong military cooperation between Foreign Service,” he said. the United States and Israel.

24 State Magazine November 2011 November 2011 State Magazine 25

Post of the Month

Back in Tel Aviv, it’s nearing lunchtime as an economic officer briefs a trade delegation on Israel’s economic condition. The United States is Israel’s largest trading partner and a significant terms. For a behind-the-scenes look at the production, read the feature investor. Both the embassy’s commercial and economic sections stay busy story on DipNote, the Department’s blog. working to remove barriers to free trade. Back at the embassy, a press officer answers a few questions on the They also work closely with their colleagues at the Consulate General embassy’s Facebook page before heading home. The big dilemma for the in Jerusalem and the U.S. Agency for International Development, weekend: whether to check out the poetry slam at the American Center whose mission to the West Bank and Gaza is based in Tel Aviv, in Jerusalem or gear up for a late night at Tel Aviv’s annual Layla Lavan on development efforts in the Palestinian Territories. Since 1994, (“White Night”), the festival celebrating Tel Aviv’s UNESCO designation Palestinians have received more than $3.4 billion in U.S. economic as “The White City,” a name inspired by the modern Bauhaus style that assistance via USAID projects. defines the city’s architecture. During the all-night party, thousands of Most days find USAID Mission residents pour into the streets for concerts, theater performances and free Clockwise from top: This beach and promenade can be seen from the Director Mike Harvey in an armored entry to museums and art galleries. embassy (Photo by Michael Hahn); vehicle on his way to the West Bank. For other employees, the day isn’t over until “wheels up” is called for Israeli and American soldiers bike Today he’s visiting Bethlehem’s Holy a visiting congressional delegation. Veteran local employee Gai Stier across Israel for the 2010 Wounded Family Hospital to celebrate the staffs the Jerusalem-based control room of a CODEL, waiting for word Warrior Project, which empowers disabled veterans (Matty Stern); birth of the 50,000th baby delivered that another successful visit has concluded. The embassy hosts several Israeli and Arab drama students there. The hospital is home to a thousand high-profile visitors each year, ranging from Vice President Joe perform in Peace Child Israel’s USAID program that trains Israeli Biden and Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton in 2010 to then-Secretary production of “West Side Story” and Palestinian doctors to improve of Defense Robert Gates and Senate Foreign Relations Committee (Matty Stern); Lieutenant General pediatric care. Chairman Senator John Kerry this year. Gabi Ashkenazi, chief of defense of the Israeli Defense Force, and U.S. “Helping to build the institutions Against the backdrop of the waves and the familiar tap-tap of matkot, Navy Admiral Mike Mullen, chairman of the Palestinian state ultimately a popular Israeli paddleball game played on the beach, several employees of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, lay a better prepares them for indepen- hop on their bikes for a sunset ride home. It’s the perfect way to unwind wreath by the eternal flame at the dence,” Harvey said. “Programs like after a long day. Yad VaShem Holocaust Memorial these provide essential support to For the nearly 200 Americans assigned to Embassy Tel Aviv, it’s a Museum (Chad J. McNeeley). the movement toward a two-state privilege to serve in a country whose friendship with the United States is solution and to Israel’s security.” unshakable. Like any long-term relationship, there are ups and downs, USAID also collaborates with the embassy on reconciliation efforts but the strong ties of shared history, interests and values remain, said within Israel via Conflict Management and Mitigation grants directed Ambassador Shapiro. by the public affairs section. One of this year’s CMM grant recipients is “Israel is one of the most pro-America places in the world,” he Peace Child Israel, a nonprofit organization that uses theater to teach the observed. “The Israeli people trust us; they want to work with us. And values of coexistence across ethnic divisions. that makes the experience of serving here deeply rewarding.” n CYPRUSLife in Israel may be full of drama, but for Jewish and Arab students performing in “West Side Story,” the drama they create is on their own The author is a vice consul at the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv.

LEBANON At a Glance >>> Israel

Government type: Parliamentary Export commodities: Machinery Nahariyya • SYRIA democracy and equipment, software, cut Haifa • diamonds and agricultural products Area: 20,770 sq. km. Netanya • Export partners: United States, WEST Tel Aviv-Yafo • BANK Comparative area: Slightly larger Hong Kong and India • Jerusalem than New Jersey

GAZA STRIP Import commodities: Raw ma- Population: 7.59 million terials, military equipment, invest- Dimona • JORDAN ment goods and rough diamonds Languages: Hebrew (official), CYPRUS Arabic (official), English and Russian Import partners: United States, China and Germany EGYPT LEBANON GDP – per capita: $29,800 Internet country code: . il Currency (code): New Israeli shekels (ILS) Source: Country Background Notes

Nahariyya • SYRIA Haifa • November 2011 State Magazine 27

Netanya • WEST Tel Aviv-Yafo • BANK • Jerusalem

GAZA STRIP

Dimona • JORDAN

EGYPT SEPTEMBER 11, 2001 ★ SEPTEMBER 11, 2001 ★ SEPTEMBER 11, 2001

Solemn Ceremonies Missions worldwide commemorate 9/11 By Karyn Posner-Mullen, Alexander Daniels, Sam Werberg, Sirli Hill, Lovette Singleton and David Machak

SEPTEMBER 11, 2001 ★ SEPTEMBER 11, 2001 ★ SEPTEMBER 11, 2001 SEPTEMBER 11, 2001 ★ SEPTEMBER 11, 2001 ★ SEPTEMBER 11, 2001

U.S. missions the tide of grief has in locations as never ebbed,” said diverse as Ireland, Ireland’s President Switzerland, Mary McAleese. Azerbaijan, Th e “Ireland stood Gambia, Trinidad then, as we stand and Tobago, and today, shoulder to Morocco engaged shoulder with our in activities friends and family commemorating the in the United 10th anniversary States.” of the deaths and destruction infl icted Other speakers in the Sept. 11, included Prime 2001, attacks. Minister Enda Kenny and retired One of the largest New York Police events was held Lieutenant William Sept. 11 by the Cosgrove, one of U.S. Embassy in the fi rst responders Dublin, where at the World Trade Ambassador Daniel Center. Cosgrove M. Rooney hosted a was joined onstage Commemoration of by several New Peace and Refl ection York fi remen who that was broadcast were at Ground live on Ireland’s Zero that fateful national television day, and his and moderated remarks received a by Ireland’s most standing ovation. important TV and Roughly 1,000 of radio broadcaster. the almost 3,000 “Th e television people who died in pictures are etched the attacks were of on our minds, and Irish descent.

SEPTEMBER 11, 2001 ★ SEPTEMBER 11, 2001 ★ SEPTEMBER 11, 2001 SEPTEMBER 11, 2001 ★ SEPTEMBER 11, 2001

Bern Commemorates Azerbaijan Memorializes Another large event, held at the U.S. Another commemorative outreach event Embassy in Bern, also commemorated those occurred in Azerbaijan, where more than lost in the recent mass killing in Norway. Th e 120 volunteers from the U.S. Embassy in embassy planted a tree for the Sept. 11 victims Baku and the American community, plus and for the Norway victims. At the ceremony, U.S. educational exchange program alumni, attended by several hundred, Ambassador pitched in at three Baku locations: the Don Beyer called for hope. Ramani Orphanage, Jeyranbatan Internally “From Bali to London, from Mumbai Displaced Persons Camp and a shelter for to Madrid, from Moscow to Norway, the undocumented street-children. Th eir activities senseless barbarism of terrorists must be met included unloading vans full of clothes, with the compassion of the great-souled,” toys and books collected by the American he said. community, and playing American games and Deputy Chief of Mission Susan Elbow reading “Th e Wizard of Oz” in Azerbaijani spoke of her own experiences in Hamburg, to the orphans. Th e post’s entire Marine Germany, where “for an entire year, I collected detachment cleaned up rubbish at the IDP tributes and donations from shocked and camp and then engaged in arm-wrestling with grieving Germans. Th ey gave millions of local children. Th e post’s excess furniture was dollars for the victims.” donated to the IDP school and the street- Th e ceremony, covered by Swiss televi- children’s shelter. sion, concluded with a musical rendition of At the IDP camp, Ambassador Matthew “Th e Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi” sung by Bryza said, “Th e spirit of unity visible here American operatic baritone Randall Turner. today refl ects the important cooperation Th ree days earlier, the mission hosted a Azerbaijan off ered the United States Clockwise from above: From left, New York Fire picnic with the theme “Th e American immediately after September 11, and which Department Battalion Chief Dan Daly, Fire Fighter Spirit Renewed,” the fi rst of its several continues. Th e United States remains First Grade Michael O’Rourke, retired Fire Fighter commemoration activities. A bluegrass extremely grateful to our Azerbaijani friends.” First Grade Thomas O’Rourke and retired New band performed “Where Were You When A visiting band from U.S. Naval Forces- York Police Lieutenant William Cosgrove flank the commemorative glass sculpture presented to the World Stopped Europe performed Embassy Dublin; mission staff hear community Turning.” along with young liaison off ice Coordinator Lovette Singleton speak at Meanwhile, in Watch the video musicians from a local the Embassy Banjul event; Embassy Port of Spain’s Balloon Release Ceremony takes place on the steps Morocco, a strong U.S. at www.state.gov/ orphanage. Th en, the partner in combating Navy band’s rock-n- of the National Academy for the Performing Arts; statemag. U.S. Ambassador to Switzerland Don Beyer begins violent extremism, roll group blasted out planting of one of the two trees; as part of Embassy the U.S. Mission tunes that got local Baku’s activities, Health Unit Specialist Azad commemorated the children dancing. Mahmudov teaches orphans good dental hygiene. attacks by refurbishing a multipurpose room At the embassy on Sept. 12, Azerbaijani in a Rabat primary school and cleaning and offi cials, peacekeepers who serve with U.S. landscaping the grounds at a primary school troops in Afghanistan, diverse religious leaders Organization, Imam Haji Abzal Mohammed, in Casablanca. and diplomats from countries contributing opened the event with a prayer, and the Community Liaison Offi ce Coordinator in Afghanistan joined together to honor the nation’s foreign aff airs minister and Chargé Anne-Marie Ford organized more than 50 global cooperation that arose from Sept. 11 d’Aff aires David Wolfe each spoke. embassy volunteers, including many children, and remember those who perished. “Let us grieve for those we’ve lost, honor to paint the room, make and hang its curtains, those who have sacrifi ced and do our best to purchase and assemble a full classroom of The Gambia Honors live up to the values we share on this day and furniture and stock the shelves with Arabic In Th e Gambia, the U.S. Embassy in every day,” Wolfe said. language materials from the embassy’s Banjul’s ceremony, offi ciated by Deputy Th e ceremony concluded as victims’ Information Resource Center. Chief of Mission Cynthia Gregg, celebrated relatives and other dignitaries released white In Casablanca, more than 40 volunteers, the spirit of service that engulfed the United balloons outside the venue. A video is at including students, parents, administrators, States in the attacks’ aftermath. A memorial http://trinidad.usembassy.gov. n consulate employees and their families, evergreen was planted that organizers said cleared a neighborhood schoolyard of weeds, symbolizes American resilience and will stand Karyn Posner-Mullen is the public aff airs offi cer rocks and trash and created a garden that for years as a remembrance. Th e tree stands on at the U.S. Embassy in Dublin. Alexander features an olive tree planted by Consul the embassy grounds beside the American fl ag. Daniels is public aff airs offi cer at the U.S. General Brian Shukan. Th e U.S. Embassy in Port of Spain Embassy in Bern. Sam Werberg is the deputy “Th e U.S. will continue deepening a commemorated the Sept. 11 events with cultural aff airs offi cer at the U.S. Embassy centuries-old friendship with Morocco, a ceremony at the Trinidad and Tobago in Rabat. Sirli Hill is vice consul at the U.S. a country that is an ally of the U.S. in National Academy of Performing Arts where Embassy in Baku. Lovette Singleton is Com- combating terrorism,” Ambassador Sam the more than 100 guests included members munity Liaison Offi ce coordinator at the U.S. Kaplan said at the Rabat event. He and his of victims’ families; 14 Trinbagonians lost Embassy in Banjul. David Machak is director wife then answered questions about Sept. 11 their lives in the New York attack. Th e of the Information Resource Center at the U.S. for more than 50 students. fi rst vice-president of the Inter-Religious Embassy in Port of Spain.

SEPTEMBER 11, 2001 ★ SEPTEMBER 11, 2001 ★ SEPTEMBER 11, 2001 SEPTEMBER 11, 2001 ★ SEPTEMBER 11, 2001 ★ SEPTEMBER 11, 2001

SEPTEMBER 11, 2001 ★ SEPTEMBER 11, 2001 ★ November 2011 State Magazine 31 The author takes the helicopter’s controls. PHOTOGRAPH: NICOLE ROUECH-ALABRE PHOTOGRAPH:

32 State Magazine November 2011 Blackhawk Up Ex-Marine DCM in Mexico returns to the cockpit /// By John Feeley

Former ABC News commentator Harry a Blackhawk helicopter provided to Mexico’s primarily at the capture of high-value targets Reasoner once said a helicopter is different Federal Police under the Mérida Initiative, a in Mexico, the initiative has evolved from its from an airplane in that the latter “by its $1.6 billion effort to strengthen Mexico’s law October 2007 start into a broader strategy nature wants to fly” and the former does not, and order institutions and support Mexico in for disrupting organized criminal groups, being “maintained in the air by a variety of its fight against transnational crime. institutionalizing reforms to sustain the rule forces and controls working in opposition to of law, creating a 21st century border and each other.” Confronting the Threat building strong and resilient communities. He went on to assert that this difference I have been DCM in Mexico City since Together, these objectives will strengthen both explains why a helicopter pilot is so different 2009, proving wrong the clichéd Foreign our societies in the fight against organized from an airplane pilot: The latter “are open, Service dictum that one should never return crime and violence, and help transform our clear-eyed, buoyant, extroverts;” the former to a post a second time because it will never bilateral security relationship. “brooders, introspective anticipators of be as good as the first. Few U.S. embassies The combination of advanced technology trouble.” or missions are bigger than Mexico and few and sustained training that are crucial to the As DCM at the U.S. Mission to Mexico, it bilateral relationships as complex or strategi- initiative can perhaps best be observed via the strikes me that if you replace “helicopter pilot” cally important. aviation program of the new Federal Police, with “deputy chief of mission,” Reasoner’s Mexico confronts an extremely serious or SSP. That agency, which began in 2006 comment reflects the daily existence of those threat to its prosperity in the form of powerful, with only 5,000 men and women—those of us who manage large, interagency teams in transnational criminal organizations. Violent who remained after a wholesale review of the foreign cultural and political contexts. deaths associated with these groups have previous federal law enforcement agency—has We’re always aware that if something bad topped 40,000 in the past four years. The focused on systematic vetting, education and hasn’t yet happened, it’s about to. President and Secretary of State have acknowl- training of its workforce. It also developed core This analogy has special meaning for me, edged our share of responsibility for Mexico’s institutional principles and practices, and the since I was a Marine Corps helicopter pilot—I violence, candor as refreshing as the results of results have been compelling. The agency now got my wings in 1985 before becoming a our bilateral cooperation have been impressive. has more than 35,000 members and has taken diplomat. Recently, some 20 years after I left At the core of this cooperation is the Mérida down more cartel leaders than the nation’s active duty in the Corps, I got to fly a heli- Initiative. Initially seen as a way to provide army or navy, or any state or local police force copter again. This time, I was at the controls of technical assistance and equipment aimed in Mexico.

November 2011 State Magazine 33 Aviation Division where surprise access to hilltop hideouts can So on a July morning, as Mexico City’s Remarkably, the agency has built an be achieved only by helicopter. In a running, rain clouds dispersed, I eagerly accepted an aviation division from scratch in less than four two-day battle, several helicopters were shot invitation to accompany an instructor pilot of years. It bought seven UH-60L Blackhawk up, and several pilots and crew members Mexico’s Federal Police while I flew one of that helicopters, and the United States provided wounded. The choppers received battlefield agency’s UH-60L Blackhawks. three UH-60M Blackhawks. repairs and were back in action within hours. It is a truly marvelous machine, powerful Aircrews in their Blackhawks shuttled and nimble; the helicopter equivalent of a in fresh troops, and they evacuated finely tuned Porsche crossed with a Hummer. It is a truly wounded policemen to safety. It was It was amazing how well the bird handled at the first coordinated helicopter-borne altitude, on a hot day, with a heavy load. marvelous machine, assault in Mexico’s history, and the The pilot geek in me could rattle off stats results were impressive. and flight characteristics to bore all but the powerful and nimble; I know the leadership of the most diehard rotary-wing enthusiasts. But Federal Police and have heard suffice it to say the investment made in the the helicopter the stories of their victories in aviation capabilities of the Federal Police Michoacan, Ciudad Juárez, Veracruz, through the Mérida Initiative is a worthy down Guadalajara and elsewhere in payment in the fight to disrupt and dismantle equivalent of a Mexico’s “narco-landscape.” I have Mexico’s violent transnational organized spoken at training courses, watched criminal syndicates. Porsche crossed the progress of their college-educated After my flight, I recalled another investigators and attended Mexico’s description of rotary-wing aircraft and the with a Hummer. first National Police Day in June. men and women who fly them, one I much There, I sensed the same pride among prefer to Harry Reasoner’s: “To fly is human; Last December, the Federal Police the Mexican women and men in their starched to hover divine.” n conducted an operation against the La blue parade uniforms that I felt in Pensacola, Familia cartel in the western Mexican state Fla., more than 25 years ago when I received The author is deputy chief of mission at the U.S. of Michoacán, a rugged, mountainous place my wings. Embassy in Mexico.

Captain Eduardo Laris, center, director of SSP Aviation; the author, second from right; and the SSP crew stand before a UH-60L Blackhawk. Opposite page: The author readies the Blackhawk for takeoff. PHOTOGRAPHS: (LEFT): NICOLE ROUECH-ALABRE; (OPPOSITE PAGE): DAVID SUAREZ DAVID (OPPOSITE PAGE): (LEFT): NICOLE ROUECH-ALABRE; PHOTOGRAPHS:

34 State Magazine November 2011 November 2011 State Magazine 35 TighterIIP expands its reach with social media, videoFocus /// By Michael Jay Friedman

Recently, Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer had no sooner Elsewhere in the building, IIP is laying plans for a new book, poster finished speaking from the Harvard Law School to a rapt gathering show or online “eJournal.” The bureau produces the IIP Digital Web of Tunisians drafting a new constitution when discussions about his site, uses social media to engage with its online communities and recruits remarks were on U.S. Embassy Web pages and social media outlets world-class experts to visit posts. throughout the Middle East. “We see IIP as supplying places for conversations, products for This remarkable reach was thanks to the Co.Nx web conferencing conversations and the infrastructure to support it all,” said Principal team and reflects how the Bureau of International Information Programs Deputy Coordinator Maureen Cormack. has refocused itself to emphasize new media and video. The places can be physical or virtual. The former include the 700 Co.NX is used to support post programming for at least four events IIP-supported oversea American Spaces that host English conversation each day. “Not every event features a Supreme Court justice,” said IIP programs, offer information about U.S. study opportunities and afford Coordinator Dawn McCall, “but each one empowers posts to have 6.3 million annual visitors access to U.S. publications. In virtual space, sustained and meaningful conversations with foreign publics.” the Co.Nx team conducts more than 1,000 live post-sponsored web-chat On a typical day at IIP’s base in State Annex-5, several U.S. experts events per year, and IIP “community managers” engage with Facebook, are engaging overseas audiences via Co.Nx video conferences while IPP’s Twitter and blog communities an audience of more than four million growing video staff is editing the latest “quick-take” or longer feature. and growing.

IIP’s Co.Nx Web conferencing team supports more than 1,000 live post-sponsored

Web chats each year. KEN WHITE PHOTOGRAPHS:

36 State Magazine November 2011 Program Manager Dominique Sullivan monitors the Embassy Damascus homepage.

“People are increasingly heading to social media, and we need to meet IIP’s video team fields more than 1,000 annual service requests them there,” said Nicholas Namba, IIP’s acting deputy coordinator for from within the Department. Its video feature depicting American Content Development. life reaches 15 million annual visitors to consular waiting rooms IIP, McCall said, offers overseas public diplomacy officers a range and American Spaces. A recent offering depicting Ambassador of materials with which to foster local conversations. This “menu” of David Shear preparing for assignment to Vietnam shows him offerings might look something like this: brushing up on his language skills, exploring Vietnamese cuisine and describing his vision for a closer bilateral relationship. Placed on Build a post event around an IIP sends more than 600 speakers local television, the video has reached an estimated one-quarter of expert speaker explaining the to more than 5,400 post events Vietnam’s population. U.S. electoral system each year Global conversations require a robust communications infrastructure. IIP’s Content Management System underpins all 450 Deliver to a local newspaper IIP translates more than U.S. embassy and consulate Web sites. Working with posts, IIP can a translation of the Secretary’s 10,000 documents for remotely manage and update pages during local emergencies. In latest speech posts’ use annually recent months, the bureau responded to requests from hard-pressed Place video content on Embassy IIP delivers dynamic video Department staff in Egypt, Libya, Syria and Japan. Facebook page or local television content to posts daily McCall came to IIP from the Discovery Channel, where she led its push to develop content for overseas audiences and learned Visit a school and leave IIP publications range from “measurement is absolutely crucial.” She therefore is establishing a behind printed materials college-level texts on U.S. history state-of-the-art research unit headed by Dina Suggs. By 2012, Suggs to a colorful book debunking said, posts, regional bureaus and IIP itself all will receive country- mass media images of American and region-specific data to better evaluate and shape their programs. life—and reach 48 million “It’s all about trying to get very focused,” McCall said. “If the data international readers annually do not support a program, IIP won’t do it.”

November 2011 State Magazine 37 Above: The IIP video office delivers dynamic video content in multiple languages. Empowering Posts Opposite page top: IIP publications reach an estimated 48 million international On arrival in 2010, McCall launched a bureau-wide business review readers annually. Bottom: Coordinator Dawn L. McCall, second from right, honors and restructuring. U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, a frequent participant in “I knew we were producing first-rate products,” she recalled, “but all public diplomacy programs. Looking on are, at left, Mary McLeod, the Department’s too often posts weren’t using them or didn’t even know about them.” principal deputy legal advisor, and Hon. Diarmuid F. O’Scannlain of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. As a result of the bureau’s refocusing, every PD officer worldwide was assigned an IIP maitre d’ to the bureau’s content menu. Dedicated regional teams now offer posts a single point of contact, said Michelle For posts just starting out, IIP dispatches onsite trainers and supplies Logsdon, deputy coordinator for regional coordination. “An IIP downloadable training materials. A daily social media feed offers posts regional officer works with the post, identifies relevant existing page-ready Facebook and Twitter items, and platforms such as the content, shapes a plan for new IIP materials and works with content eJournal USA Facebook page (1 million followers) rebroadcast items providers in every part of the bureau to deliver what the post needs,” from post pages, attracting new fans to a post’s social media efforts. she said. “The new IIP is more focused,” said McCall. “We’ve always Other recent initiatives help posts plan programs around IIP programmed world-class traveling speakers. Now we offer integrated content. A new thematic calendar lists IIP themes for the coming programming: that speaker might do a web chat, stop by next door to year and links directly to monthly content packages, advancing those work with our video team and write a self-print article for distribution themes. IIP’s publications team now offers “self-print” materials: flyers, at post or a guest blog entry—in Arabic. This tighter focus helps posts brochures and pamphlets that posts can customize by adding trans- engage in deeper conversations and we’re just getting started.” n lated text or a photo of the ambassador. IIP’s social media professionals amplify conversations on post platforms. The author is director of IIP’s Office of Text Content. KEN WHITE PHOTOGRAPHS:

38 State Magazine November 2011 IIP Has Eye on Video In 2008, IIP launched a multimedia video production facility that now produces 300 videos annually. Each video can be made available in Arabic, Chinese, Russian, French, Portuguese and Spanish, and broadcast-quality versions are available for TV placement or for posts to use in social media outreach efforts. Among the office’s recent videos are: • “Stand With Japan,” a short video on the compassion of the ordinary American after the Japanese earthquake and tsunami that was tweeted and blogged by the White House (http://goo.gl/g0FZa); • An outreach video for the President’s Forum for Young African Leaders (http://goo. gl/5NpCw); • “Space Camp: Teamwork,” which highlights an exchange program in which five Pakistani and five Indian youths achieve cultural understanding through science (http://goo.gl/TdaPf), and • “Ambassador David Shear’s Introduction to Vietnam” (http://goo.gl/Y3a3B).

November 2011 State Magazine 39

Safety Scene Wash Up! Clean hands can keep you healthy /// By Edward Zehler and Michael Quinlan

Do you know where your hands have been today? The reality is that you’ve been exposed to countless germs by touching people, surfaces and objects throughout the day. Although you may be unaware of the germs, you can actively prevent the spread of disease by frequent hand washing. Without realizing it, people spread numerous diseases from their contaminated hands. Disease can occur through fecal contamination (salmonellosis, shigellosis, hepatitis A and giardiasis), indirect contact with respiratory secretions (influenza) or contact with individuals whose hands are contaminated with urine, saliva or other body substances (cytomegalovirus, typhoid, staphylococcal organisms and Epstein-Barr virus). Additionally, workers’ contaminated hands can cause toxic materials to be ingested or absorbed through the skin. This is especially hazardous in the case of pesticides and heavy metals such as lead and cadmium. Some materials can penetrate the intact skin. While we would not consciously eat a hazardous material, we can ingest it if our hands are contaminated when we handle our food. To significantly reduce your chances of exposure, wash your hands frequently. This includes: • Before, during and after preparing food; • Before eating; • Before and after caring for someone who is sick; • After using the toilet; • After touching your nose, coughing or sneezing; • After touching an animal or animal waste; and • After removing protective gloves or handling toxic materials While hand washing seems self-explanatory, it is important to be familiar with the correct method. You should wash your hands with soap and running water. Warm, clean water is best. Rub your hands together to make the soap lather and thoroughly scrub all parts of your hand. Typically, we miss the areas around the nails and between the fingers. You should rub your hands together for about 20 seconds to ensure adequate scrubbing. Rinse your hands thoroughly and dry them using a clean towel. If soap and water are not available, you can use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol. Apply the sanitizer to your palm and rub over all parts of both hands until dry. Hand washing can offer great rewards in terms of preventing illness. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: • Washing hands with soap and water could reduce diarrheal disease-associated deaths by up to 50 percent. • Hand washing can reduce the risk of respiratory infections by 16 percent. • London researchers estimate that if everyone routinely washed their hands, a million deaths a year could be prevented. Remember, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. This old adage is still quite true when we consider the impact of proper hand washing on our health. n

Certified Safety Professional Edward Zehler and Certified Industrial Hygienist Michael Quinlan work in the Office of Safety, Health and Environmental Management in the Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations.

November 2011 State Magazine 41 Education & Training

New Classroom Course! Online Registration link found on virtually • Creating and submitting your Individual AR 160—Mexico Border Issues every course description or the External Development Plan/Work and Development If you are assigned to one of our Mexico Training Web page. Plan for Locally Employed Staff. border posts, this new five-day course is for • Training Continua: Road maps to help you • Retrieving your FasTrac password. you. Designed to familiarize personnel with the effectively plan your training for the year or For more information and to establish your unique characteristics of service in border areas, beyond. logon, visit the Web site at https://fsiapps.fsi. the course will include key historical, political, • About FSI: A snapshot view of FSI’s history state.gov/fsirecs/Login.aspx. economic and sociocultural aspects of life on the and enrollment statistics. United States/Mexico border. It will highlight • Links to training resources: Information Ask FSI the important work done in our Mexico border on specific countries, language learning Looking for information on a specific posts in furtherance of bilateral U.S.-Mexico and testing, and myriad helpful reference course, training location or distance learning? relations and overall U.S. policy in Mexico materials. Experiencing a problem with registration, and the region. The course will also examine accessing a course or technical issue? “Ask government-to-government liaison on border Student Records Online FSI” is your answer! Found on the homepage matters at the national, regional and local levels; Located on the FSI Web page, Student of FSI (http://fsi.state.gov), “Ask FSI” allows operational responsibilities at border posts; and Records Online is a secure, password-protected you to review frequently asked questions or such issues as narcotics, weapons-smuggling and site that provides access to all FSI training submit your own inquiry. Questions are routed illegal migration. It will help you build resilience information. Features include: quickly for prompt response. to the unique pressures and challenges of work • Reviewing and printing your training For information on all the courses available in these posts, as well as take full advantage of schedule. at FSI, visit the schedule of courses on OpenNet the opportunities of working along the U.S.- • Reviewing and printing your student at http://fsi.state.gov. See Department Notices Mexico border. CS employees can apply online transcript. for announcements of new courses, new course at http://fsi.state.gov/admin/reg/default.asp? • Tracking the status of your training request. dates and periodic announcements of external EventID=AR160&filterlocation=. FS employees • Canceling an already-scheduled FSI course. training opportunities sponsored by FSI. For may contact HR/CDA. • Requesting changes or canceling an External additional information, contact the Office of Training registration. the Registrar at (703) 302-7144/7137. n PA495—Civil Service Performance Management and Evaluation Process Security Dec Jan Length This course provides supervisors of Civil Service employees as well as Civil Service MQ911 Security Overseas Seminar 12,19 9,23,30 2D employees and HR Specialists with an overview of the various Civil Service human resource regulations and procedures as they pertain to Foreign Service Life Skills Dec Jan Length completing Civil Service performance appraisals MQ104 Regulations, Allowances & Finances and managing performance throughout the in Foreign Service Context 1 2D rating period. The various modules emphasize the importance of clear communication MQ116 Protocol and the U.S. Representation Abroad 3 21 1D between supervisors and employees, discuss distinctions between performance issues and MQ302 Transition to Washington for Foreign-Born Spouses 7 4H those involving conduct, and provide resources MQ703 Post Options for Employment & Training 9 1D for additional information. Employees can apply online at http://fsi.state.gov/admin/reg/ MQ802 Communicating Across Cultures 10 1D default.asp?EventID=PA495&filterlocation=. MQ803 Realities of Foreign Service Life 7 1D FSI Web Page MQ853 Managing Rental Property Overseas 11 2.5H Find everything you need to about FSI and its training opportunities at http://fsi.state. MQ950 High Stress Assignment Outbriefing Program 2 6 4H gov! This site is constantly updated to give you just-in-time information on services such as: • Online Catalog: Up-to-the-minute course Career Transition Center Dec Jan Length schedules and offerings, from live classroom training to distance learning. RV10 Retirement Planning Workshop 5 4D • Online Registration System: Training RV103 Financial Management & applications for classroom, distance learning Estate Planning Workshop 7 1D and even External Training, using the RV104 Annuities, Benefits & Social Security Workshop 6 1D

H=Hours D=Days W=Weeks Upcoming Classes

42 State Magazine November 2011 Appointments

U.S. Ambassador to U.S. Ambassador to Fiji, Guyana Nauru, Tonga, Tuvalu and D. Brent Hardt of Florida, a career Kiribati member of the Senior Foreign Service, Frankie Annette Reed of Maryland, a class of Counselor, is the new U.S. career member of the Senior Foreign Ambassador to the Co-operative Service, class of Counselor, is the new Republic of Guyana. Previously, he was U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of chargé d’aff aires in Barbados and the Fiji, Republic of Nauru, Kingdom of Eastern Caribbean. He was also chargé Tonga, Tuvalu and Republic of Kiribati. and deputy chief of mission in Nassau and the Holy See. Earlier Previously, she was deputy assistant secretary in the Bureau postings include Berlin, Th e Hague and Bridgetown, where he of East Asian and Pacifi c Aff airs. She was Consul General in worked on developing and implementing a Caribbean-U.S. Strasbourg and also served in Conakry; Apia, Samoa; Dakar; summit agenda. He is married and has three sons. Nairobi; and Yaounde. Before joining the Department, she was a Peace Corps volunteer.

U.S. Ambassador to U.S. Ambassador to Moldova Macedonia William H. Moser of North Carolina, Paul D. Wohlers of Washington, a a career member of the Senior Foreign career member of the Senior Foreign Service, class of Minister-Counselor, Service, class of Counselor, is the new is the new U.S. Ambassador to the U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Republic of Moldova. Previously, he was Macedonia. Previously, he was deputy deputy assistant secretary for logistics executive secretary of the Department management. His overseas postings and director of the Offi ce of Caucasus include Kiev, Almaty, Paramaribo, Cairo, Bonn and Bamako. Aff airs and Regional Confl icts. He was deputy chief of mission Th is year, he was awarded the Secretary of Defense’s Medal and chargé d’aff aires in Skopje and also served in Bucharest, for Distinguished Civilian Service. He is married and has Moscow and Nicosia. Before joining the Department, he three children. served as a fl ight offi cer in the Navy.

U.S. Ambassador to Egypt U.S. Ambassador to Qatar Anne Woods Patterson of Virginia, a Susan Laila Ziadeh of Washington, a career member of the Senior Foreign career member of the Senior Foreign Service, class of Career Ambassador, is Service, class of Counselor, is the new the new U.S. Ambassador to the Arab U.S. Ambassador to the State of Qatar. Republic of Egypt. Previously, she had Previously, she was deputy chief of been ambassador to Pakistan, Colombia mission in Riyadh. Before that, she was and El Salvador. She has also served the offi cial spokesperson at Embassy as deputy permanent representative Baghdad and DCM in Bahrain. Prior to the United Nations, assistant secretary for International assignments include Riyadh, Kuwait, Amman and Jerusalem, Narcotics and Law Enforcement and deputy inspector general as well as Washington assignments in the Bureau of Near of the Department. She won the Ryan Crocker award for Eastern Aff airs. expeditionary diplomacy in 2010.

November 2011 State Magazine 43 Obituaries

Virginia T. Babin, 76, a retired John R. Dobrin, 68, a retired Foreign Service officer, died Sept. 2. She Foreign Service officer, died Aug. 4 from lived in Alexandria, Va. She joined the complications related to bladder cancer Foreign Service in 1961 and served in in Washington, D.C. He joined the Rome and Aden before marrying Joe Department in 1972 and served in Paris, Babin and resigning. She accompanied her Warsaw and Cape Town. He received the husband to Lahore, Aden, Kuwait, Prague, Director General’s award for reporting in Cairo, Tegucigalpa and Beijing. After he 1976. After retiring in 1999, he enjoyed retired, she rejoined the Foreign Service opera and studied physiology. and served in Dhahran and Guatemala. After she retired, she volunteered at the Capitol Hospice Thrift Store.

Patricia M. “Pat” Casey, Glen Fisher, 88, a retired Foreign 68, a retired Foreign Service specialist, Service officer, died April 9 in Monterey, died Sept. 26 of complications from Calif., after a stroke following heart cancer in Roswell, Ga. Her postings surgery. Beginning in 1953, he was a included Norway, Nassau, Iceland, staff sociologist and Latin American area Afghanistan and Poland. She especially specialist at the Foreign Service Institute loved the Middle East and served six and dean of the Center for Area Studies years in Muscat, Oman. She retired in at FSI. His overseas assignments included 2001. She enjoyed visiting friends and Venezuela, the Philippines (Cebu and family, playing with her dog, following Manila) and Bolivia. In retirement, he the Boston Red Sox and working on was a professor-diplomat at the Monterey needlepoint. Institute of International Studies in Monterey.

Ernest B. “Eb” Dane III, a retired Jeanne Francis Griffin, 81, Foreign Service officer, died Aug. 8 of wife of retired Consul General Philip complications from ALS (Lou Gehrig’s J. Griffin, died Aug. 29 at her home in disease) at his home in McLean, Va. He Rockville, Md. She accompanied her joined the Department in 1961 and served husband on postings to Germany (three in Conakry, Chennai and Port-au-Prince. tours), Lebanon, Jordan, Saudi Arabia After retiring in 1983, he was an active (three tours), the United Arab Emirates environmentalist, working on wildlife and Kuwait. They enjoyed socializing and habitat campaigns and promoting with family and friends of many fuel-efficient stoves in developing countries nationalities while living overseas for 36 and the cleanup of the Potomac River and years. Her most passionate hobbies were Chesapeake Bay. He was an avid birder and her cat, gardening and cooking. disarmament advocate.

44 State Magazine November 2011 Obituaries

Arthur S. Hoffman, 84, a retired Howard H. Lange, a retired Foreign Foreign Service officer, died March 3. He Service officer, died Sept. 15 of prostate served in the Army during World War cancer in Arlington, Va. He served in the II and later joined the U.S. Information Air Force before joining the Foreign Service Agency. He was posted to Fukuoka, in 1969. His postings included Vietnam, Vienna, Prague, Bordeaux, Ankara, the Philippines, Taiwan, China, Poland and Saigon, Paris and Brussels. He retired Malta. After retiring in 1998, he worked in 1984 as associate director for Policy part-time with the Department’s Freedom and Plans. He founded the Edward R. of Information office. His numerous Murrow School of Public Diplomacy at interests included sailing, tennis, family Tufts University and was a guest lecturer history and antique maps. or professor at many universities in the United States, Europe, Africa and elsewhere. He had a passion for tennis.

William Frederick “Fred” William F. Livengood, a retired Johnson, 96, a retired Foreign Foreign Service specialist and deputy Service officer, died Nov. 23, 2010, of controller, died April 8 of esophageal natural causes at his home in Rockville, cancer in Arlington, Va. He was a Vietnam Md. He served in the Army during World veteran. His postings included Quito, War II. He was an agricultural economist Sana’a and Pretoria. He retired in 1996. with the U.S. Agency for International He was a National Parks supporter and Development and served in Liberia, extensive world traveler. Tunisia and Vietnam. After transferring to the Civil Service, he continued working on agricultural development programs until his retirement in 1997. He was a conservationist and enjoyed tennis, downhill skiing, playing the piano and traveling.

Jack W. Juergens, 90, a retired LaRue Robbins Lutkins, 92, Foreign Service officer, died April 20 a retired Foreign Service officer, died of emphysema in Falls Church, Va. He Aug. 26 of coronary artery disease at his served in the Army Air Corps in Italy home in Washington, D.C. He joined the during World War II. He joined the U.S. Department in 1942 and was given leave Information Agency in 1961 and served in to serve in the Army during World War Addis Ababa; Ibadan, Nigeria; Freetown; II. His postings included Havana, Beijing, and Bangkok. He retired in 1983 and Kunming, Malaya, Japan, Hong Kong, continued to consult with USIA. He Ceylon and Johannesburg. He retired in also acquired a patent for an automotive 1975. He served on the board of Arena invention. Stage for 20 years. He was active in Meals on Wheels and many other clubs and societies. He loved Shakespeare, hiking, music, reading, traveling and food and wine.

November 2011 State Magazine 45 Obituaries

Karen G. Malinowski, 63, Joseph Novak Jr., 87, a retired wife of former Ambassador Michael E. Foreign Service officer, died Aug. 4. He Malinowski, died Sept. 3 of cancer in lived in Martinsburg, W.Va. He was an Washington, D.C. She accompanied her aerial acrobat, trapeze artist, research husband on postings to Mexico City, where chemist, TV set designer, scenic artist she worked in the consular section; Kabul with the Metropolitan Opera and World and Colombo, where she was community War II Army veteran before joining the liaison officer; Peshawar, where she taught U.S. Information Agency as a technical English to Afghan girls; Nepal, where she supervisor for cultural exchange exhibits led a large nongovernmental organization; worldwide. After retiring, he was active in Manila, Venezuela and Swaziland. She the Martinsburg community, especially was interested in social issues and women’s as a theater scenic artist. He loved education. gardening.

Clare M. McGlade, 83, a retired Marvin F. Smith, 79, a retired Foreign Service employee, died Nov. 10, Foreign Service officer, died July 23 2010, of pancreatic cancer. She joined following a long battle with cancer. He the Department in 1959 and served in worked with the Army Audit Agency and Panama, Helsinki, Paris, Rome, Beirut, Defense Audit Service before joining the Madrid, Ethiopia, Morocco and other Department in 1971 as assistant inspector African posts. She retired to Wellington, general for audits. He was comptroller Fla., in 1981 and continued to travel of the Bureau of Refugee Programs and around the world and the United States. deputy director for the Office of Foreign She was an avid gardener and cook, and Buildings. He retired in 1984. loved to entertain.

In the Event of a Death... Questions concerning employee deaths should be directed to the Office of Casualty Assistance at (202) 736-4302. Inquiries concerning deaths of retired employees should be directed to the Office of Retirement at (202) 261-8960. For specific questions on submitting an obituary to State Magazine, please contact Bill Palmer at [email protected] or (202) 203-7114.

46 State Magazine November 2011 Coming In Our Retirements December Issue Foreign Service

Chick-Bowers, Donna Ann Lantner, Louis P.

Coates, Joyce E. Lavelle Jr., John D.

Coughlin, Ann Stephens LeBaron, Joseph E.

Culver, Jeffrey W. Ley, Audrey J.

Dinger, Larry Miles Maerkle, Frederic W.

Doucette, James E. Mates, Michael John

Douglas, Margie Jeanne Nelson, Karen G.

Earle, Renee Olesen, Linda Diane

Ferenchak, Cyril M. Page, Diana P.

Fleury, Michael Peters, Alene M.

Gayle, Everett E. Quinn, Martin R.

Girone, Theresa S. Simons, Paul E.

Hamilton, James K. Troje, Michael Thomas

Irvine, Ellen P. Tunis, Jeffrey Stewart

Kleinfelt, Ruth Ann CG Toronto’s FSNs Know Immigration First Hand Civil Service

Barton, Paula J. McGrath, Thomas Gerald Bond, Paul A. Mobley, Willie J. State Puts Burke, Catherine I. Morse III, Asa C. Wounded Warriors to Work Carter, Leticia I. Prosper, Sybil T.

Eastman, Phyllis D. Quirk, Barbara J.

Evans, Madelyn Jeanne Rogers, James S. Need Guidance? Favors, Melvern V. Sardinas, Martha Seek Mentoring Goode, Martha K. Thomas, Susan Drew

Kelley, Mary Rose West, Jeannette E.

MacCragh, Adolfo P. Wood, Susanne E. ...and much more! Malinoff-Kamide, Jane

November 2011 State Magazine 47 The Last Word

Seeking a Safer World Several of this issue’s stories, taken together, serve as a reminder of the Department’s significant role in providing for the security of its staff and the wider world. They run the gamut from a profile of the emergency-ready Incident Management Team and the Department’s response to the disaster in Joplin, Mo., to highlighting a two-week university program that trains senior Foreign Service officers regarding homeland security, intelligence and counterterrorism. And, reflecting that the world’s security is our security, we also highlight the Mérida Initiative, doing so through a story about a mission flown by Embassy Mexico’s deputy chief of mission at the controls of a Mexican Federal Police helicopter. The four-year-old initiative provides technical assistance and equipment to help Mexico disrupt organized crime, sustain the rule of law and create a 21st-century border, strengthening both nations and their security relationship.

In the United States, when a domestic incident One of the largest was held at the U.S. Embassy threatens Department personnel or facilities, the in Dublin. Speakers included Ireland’s president Department activates the Incident Management Team and prime minister, and a retired New York Police to coordinate response efforts between Department Lieutenant who was one of the first responders to the bureaus and with local, state and federal governments. World Trade Center attack. He was joined onstage by The team ensures readiness through exercises, such several New York firemen who were at Ground Zero as one in March that simulated a 7.3- magnitude that day, and his remarks received a standing ovation. earthquake causing destruction in Charleston, S.C., Several posts held tree-plantings, and at the U.S. the location of the Charleston Regional Center. Embassy in Bern, Switzerland, two trees were planted; Within 36 hours, the team was responding to the the second was to remember the victims of this year’s real thing: the potential affect on the United States of mass murder in Norway. The several hundred attendees Japan’s earthquake and tsunami. heard U.S. Ambassador Don Beyer call for hope in the In May, the Department again responded, this face of “the senseless barbarism of terrorists.” time in a domestic disaster, when a tornado struck Lastly, we commemorate the Department personnel Joplin, Mo., killing 152 people and destroying an who have passed on in recent months. They include estimated 8,000 structures. Because the city has a Virginia T. Babin, Patricia M. “Pat” Casey, Ernest B. sizeable population of foreign nationals, a Bureau of “Eb” Dane III, John R. Dobrin, Glen Fisher, Jeanne Diplomatic Security team was on the scene within 48 Francis Griffin, Arthur S. Hoffman, William Frederick hours to assist foreign consulates in accounting for and “Fred” Johnson, Jack W. Juergens, Howard H. Lange, identifying their citizens. William F. Livengood, LaRue Robbins Lutkins, Karen G. Sadly, some disasters are man-made. This year Malinowski, Clare M. McGlade, Joseph Novak Jr. and marked the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, Marvin F. Smith. n terrorist attacks. Nearly 3,000 lives were lost in New York City, Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C., and in remembrance of those losses, U.S. diplomatic posts in Ireland, Switzerland, Azerbaijan, The Gambia, Trinidad and Tobago, Morocco and elsewhere held Ed Warner commemorations. Acting Editor-in-Chief

48 State Magazine November 2011

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Health Benefits Open Season Arrives Employees may enroll or change their health, vision and/or dental insurance during the 2012 plan year’s open season, Nov. 14 through Dec. 12. Benefit fairs featuring health insurance representatives will be held this month at the Harry S Truman Building and Foreign Service Institute and will be announced in Department Notices.