CELEBRATING 75 YEARS OF THE U.S. FOREIGN SERVICE

THE ONLY GAME IN TOWN Checkmate: USIA and ACDA Are Merged Into State

ALTERNATIVE EXAMINATION I MARCOS’ FINAL DAYS I INDIA’S LIFE LESSONS Reduced Life Premiums!

DID YOU KNOW..... During World War II the Federal Government would not insure civilian government workers assigned to overseas posts. So in 1943 WAEPA was formed to offer insurance to these individuals as they helped with the war effort. Today WAEPA remains a non-profit association dedicated exclusively to insuring civilian federal employees at home and overseas. COMPARE WAEPA TO FEGLI Please take a moment to compare WAEPA to FEGLI. You will find that WAEPA's premium rates are much more affordable than those of FEGLI. LIFE INSURANCE Additionally, WAEPA offers you COVERAGE FOR FEDERAL EMPLOYEES a much wider choice of benefits. WAEPA FEGLI With WAEPA you select the coverage you want, unlike FEGLI Your annual pay limits which limits your coverage based Coverage $25,000 to $300,000 basic coverage. Optional on your annual pay. WAEPA also For You coverage is available from provides more dependent coverage $10,000 up to 5 times for your spouse (up to 6 times the your annual pay. new FEGLI maximum) and for Dependent your dependent children (double Coverage the new FEGLI maximum). Spouse $10,000 to $150,000 $5,000 to $25,000 Child $ 1,000 to $ 25,000 $2,500 to $12,500

NEW LIFE INSURANCE PREMIUMS RATES (Bi-Weekly rates per $1,000 of coverage) EMPLOYEE COVERAGE DEPENDENT COVERAGE FEGLI FEGLI FEGLI FEGLI Age WAEPA Basic Option A Option B WAEPA Option C 25 2.3C 15.5c 3.0C 3.0C 3.1c 5.4c 30 2.6C 15.5C 3.0 C 3.0c 3.5c 5.4C 35 3.1C 15.5C 4.0C 4.0c 4.6c 6.8C 40 4.3c 15.5C 6.0C 6.0c 6.2C 9.2C 45 6.2c 15.5C 9.0C 10.0* 8.5c 12.0C 50 9.4c 15.5C 14.0C 15.0c 12.3c 18.0C 55 14.3c 15.5C 27.0c 31.0c 18.5C 29.0c WAEPA Coverage continues to age 80

Contact us for a FREE information package Worldwide Assurance www.waepa.org All Active and retired civilian, federal and for Employees of for fastest service! U.S. Postal Service Employees, under age 60, WAEPA Public Agencies Or call 1-800-368-3484 are eligible to apply for WAEPA coverage.

OUR CORPORATE APARTMENT HOMES ARE A MORE SENSIBLE AND AFFORDABLE ALTERNATIVE TO A HOTEL ROOM. ^ g

• Located minutes from • Within walking distance Pentagon, Washington of department stores, DC and National Airport specialty shops and restaurants • Amenities include an outdoor pool, spacious Nautilus fit¬ • Free underground parking ness center and tennis courts and controlled access entry • 24 hour concierge • 2 miles from NFATC Sk. Avalon at Ballston Washington Towers 4650 N. Washington Blvd., Arlington, VA 22201 703-527-4409 or Fax 703-516-4369 E-Mail: [email protected] THE CHASE AT BETHESDA 7500 WOODMONT AVE. • BETHESDA, MD 20814 (301) 654-0694 • FAX (301)-654-0697

• Fully Furnished Studios, 1, 2 and 3 Bedroom Apartments • Fitness Facility

• 2 Swimming Pools • Business Center

• Garage Parking • 25 Steps to the Metro • 2 Lighted Tennis Courts • Just minutes to NIH, 'VORTK. Naval Hospital, World • Washer/Dryer in Each Unit Bank and Embassy Row

Corporate Apartment Homes Avalonnay 5685 Columbia Road COMMUNITIES, INC. Columbia, MD 21044 Tel (800) 890-8706 • (410) 772-3737 • Fax (410) 730-5635 • Locations include: N. Potomac, Columbia and Rockville, MD; and Alexandria and Tyson’s Corner, VA

• Close to Shopping, Business District, and Major Arteries of Transportation

• Various Styles and Sizes of Fully Furnished Luxury Apartments

• Amenities Vary by Location but May Include Outdoor Pool, Tennis and Basketball Courts, Raquetball, Fitness Facilities and Business Centers CONTENTS September 1999 I Vol. 76, No. 9

COVER COLUMNS

Focus ON AGENCY INTEGRATION PRESIDENT’S VIEWS / 5 An Outstanding Precedent 18 / TROUBLED TAKEOVER By Marshall Adair A USIA veteran shares an inside view of his agency’s tense and hard-fought merger negotiations widi State. SPEAKING OUT / 15 By Kenton Keith Changing State s Corporate Culture By John K Naland 24 / A FAREWELL TO ACDA It will take vigilance to make sure that the end of POSTCARD FROM ABROAD / 60 ACDA does not mean a farewell to arms control. All Along die Watchtowers By Thomas Graham, Jr. By Lynn W. Roche

30 / THE DECLINE AND FALL OF USIA Focus Ironically, in the information age, public diplomacy is too important to be left to USIA. By Peter Galbraith

FEATURES 35 / THE FALL OF THE MARCOS REGIME Were Ferdinand and Imelda Marcos tricked into leaving the Philippines? Was there a choice? By J. Michael Houlahan Page 18 39 / LIFE LESSONS FROM RAJAHMUNDRY Twertty-seven years after a Peace Corps stint in India, an DEPARTMENTS ex-volunteer is still contemplating the lessons he taught LETTERS/7 ... and the lessons he learned. CLIPPINGS / 10 By Richard Cole Pittman ROOKS / 45 43 / DUMBING DOWN THE FOREIGN SERVICE? Chinas Brave New World State s new Alternative Examination Program stirs By David Reuther controversy among those who entered the TELEVISION PREVIEW / 50 Foreign Service the hard way. An Ambassadors Return to Hanoi By Jeff Kaplow By David Rabadan

IN MEMORY / 51 INDEX TO ADVERTISERS / 59 Cover and inside illustrations by Marcia Staimer

THE MAGAZINE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS PROFESSIONALS Foreign Service Journal (ISSN 0146-3543), 2101 E Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20037-2990 is published monthly by the American Foreign Sendee Association, a private, Editor Editorial Board non-profit organization. Material appearing herein represents the opinions of the writers BOB GULDIN EDWARD MARKS, Chairman and does not necessarily represent the views of the Journal, the Editorial Board or Managing Editor THE FOREIGN SERVICE - KATHLEEN CURRIE ELIZABETH SPIRO CLARK AFSA. Writer queries are invited. Journal subscription: AFSA Members $9.50 included Associate Editor OF THE UNITED STATES in annual dues; others - $40. For foreign surface mail, add $18 per year; foreign airmail, MITCHELL A. COHN STEVEN ALAN HONLEY $36 per year. Periodical postage paid at Manchester, N.H., and at additional mailing offices. Postmaster: Send THEODORE CRAIG Ail & Circulation Manager address changes to Foreign Semice Journal, 2101 E Street N.W., Washington, D.C. 20037-2990. Indexed by ED MILTENBERCER AURELIUS FERNANDEZ AFSA NEWS Editor Public Affairs Information Service (PAIS). The Journal is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts, photos or WESLEY ANN GODARD KATHERINE INEZ LEE illustrations. Advertising inquiries are invited. The appearance of advertisements herein does not imply the Art Director ROBERTA MAHONEY endorsement of the services or goods offered. FAX: (202) 338-8244 or (202) .'338-6820. E-MAIL: [email protected]. CAKYN J. SUKO Editorial Intern MARK MATTHEWS WEB: www.afsa.org. TELEPHONE: (202) 338-4045. © American Foreign Service Association, 1999. Printed JEFFREY KAPLOW CAROLINE MEIRS in the U.S.A. Send address changes to AFSA Membership, 2101 E Street N.W., Washington, D.C. 20037- Advertising Intern 2990. A Standard A enclosure is being mailed under permit 1926 at Manchester, N.H. 03103. KRISTINE LATRONICA ARNOLD SCIIIFFERDECKER

SEPTEMBER 1999/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 3 How To Buy Auto Insurance Overseas

There's really only one woy. Select the agent who offers broad experience and a high level of repeat business. Experience that helps you avoid the pitfalls of a highly complex business. Repeat business that results from providing what's best for the customer not the agent nor the insurance company.

Since 1969, Harry M. Jannette International has provided dependable coverage with U.S. carriers with a financial rating of A+ or higher to thousands of Foreign Service personnel worldwide. Thus you gain the broadest U.S. terms and conditions and flexible value limits often not available from other insurance carriers. • WORLDWIDE COVERAGE Fire, theft, comprehensive and collision protection are available at foreign posts. • U.S. AUTO LIABILITY Available for short term on home leave change of assignment, and new auto purchase prior to foreign departure. This coverage must be issued in combination with an "Embassy Plan" policy. •OCEAN/AIR CARGO COVERAGE Transit available from U.S. to post, post to post, and post to U.S. • FOREIGN LIABILITY Contact your post for compliance with local laws. Excess Liability limits are available over local liability coverage. • PERSONAL COVERAGE Household Goods and Transit, Valuable Articles, Personal Liability, Life Insurance • EMPLOYEE ASSOCIATION INSURANCE Including Directors and Officers MAJOR CREDIT CARDS ACCEPTED: SEE OUR WEBSITE APPLICATIONS WHILE IN THE WASHINGTON, D.C. AREAI, PLEASE CALL TOLL FREE 1-800-256-5141 Harry M. Jannette International A Wood-Wilson Company 8111 LBJ Freeway, Suite #585 Dallas,Texas 75251-1334 • Telephone (972) 783-4915 FAX (972) 783-0545 Call (800) 256-5141 • [email protected] • www.jannetteintl.com

'~*r> fPersonalized Service in Spacious Apartment-Sized Suites.

Amenities include: • Fully Equipped Kitchens • Dining Area • Living Rooms w/ Queen Sleep Sofa • Master Bedroom • Healthclub w/ Sauna Seasonal Pool (Ari./Aie*o • Free Parking & Shuttle Service • Jacuzzi • No Extra Cost We are a participating FARA Per Person • We accept pets Rosslyn Alexandria (refundable deposit (703)525-2582 (703) 522-2582 (703) 739-2582 & Cleanup fee.)

4 FOREIGN SERVICE J OU RN AL/SEPT EMBER 1999 PRESIDENT’S VIEWS An Outstanding Precedent

BY MARSHALL ADAIR

The first message of a new presi¬ tration. He mobilized widespread dent is usually about the goals of the Dan Geisler public and political support for the new Governing Board, but I would 75th Anniversary events, and enthusi¬ like first to look back at tire contribu¬ brought a astically promoted public outreach, tion which Dan Geisler has made. pragmatic vision securing resources from private Dan s summary in June said very little sources to expand activities such as about himself. His personal touch, to the AFSA the Elderhostel program, and serving though, was very important, and as an outstanding public spokesman I think it made him one of the presidency. for die Foreign Service. He built best AFSA presidents in memory. congressional support for long-term Talking with those who have worked management with the dedicated with him, three of his personal workforce planning language in die characteristics stand out: pragmatism, protracted investigations, but also sup¬ Authorization Bill. inclusiveness and integrity. ported swift and clear discipline for Dans integrity was evident in all he Dan brought to diis job a pragmat¬ infractions. Witii botii management did. He dedicated his efforts to the ic vision of the Foreign Service, its and Congress, Dan relendessly demon¬ service and its people, and did diis job role and its people. He was not strated die paucity of die response to without self-promotion or posturing. constrained by conventional wisdom, last years embassy bombings, and While uncompromising in his defense nor paralyzed by idealism. His clear tiiere is now some hope the adminis¬ of the service, his lack of ego involve¬ concept of what could realistically be tration will improve its proposal. ment allowed him an unusually done enabled him to approach The improvements which he flexible and creative approach to management and the Congress with brought to AFSA itself were essential. problem solving, and won him the confidence, and to make progress on His reforms, including a restructuring confidence of all his interlocutors. He issues which affect us all. of the dues system, have made AFSA brought to bear the most important With management, Dan reassessed a significantiy more stable and effec¬ skills of a modem diplomat on our overseas allowances, walked back a tive organization than it was before. Foreign Service family writ large, and number of administrative actions Dan has been particularly adept at we are all better off for it. which had reduced important medical listening to opinions from all parts of Now, a new Governing Board benefits, and completed negotiations AFSAs membership, and making use takes over. We will continue Dans to simplify the multifunctional promo¬ of contributions both from widiin and work, including pursuit of the recom¬ tion system. On die Hill, he explained beyond the service. Earning die trust mendations made on member benefit tire increasing cost of service overseas of representatives from other agen¬ issues. There is much to do. Our and obtained support for real cies, he made AFSA a constructive service is one of diis nations great improvements such as changes to die player in the difficult integration resources, but it faces modem tax code. Facing revision of the process of the last two years. He also challenges drat will not allow it to rest Foreign Service disciplinary system, provided dynamic leadership to die on its laurels. To continue improving, Dan insisted on improved protections AFSA staff, truly making diem part of it will need more support from the for individuals against unwarranted or the team with a sense of mission and administration, the Congress and the die appreciation they deserve. public tiran it has received in recent Marshall Adair is the newly elected Dans team building went well years. Increasing that support must be president of AFSA. beyond AFSA and even the adminis¬ our foremost objective. ■

SEPTEMBER 1999/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 5 Slip Into Something Comfortable Next Time You’re In Town

Furnished Luxury Apartments Guaranteed To Make You Feel At Home • 30-day minimum stay • Completely furnished apartments • All utilities included • Local telephone sendee with voicemail Fully-equipped kitchens • 25” color TV w/VCR, basic cable, free HBO • No security deposit • Housekeeping and linen sendee

Washington. DC Virginia Arlington Courthouse Plaza Gateway Place Rosslyn Crystal City Lincoln Towers SMITH The Bennington Ballston Corcoran House Crystal City Dupont Circle. D.C. The Ellipse CORPORATE Water Park Towers Faityax/Fair Oaks 2501 Porter Crystal City NWWash. D.C. Charter Oak Call Toll-Free The Parc Vista Reston Pentagon City 1-888 -234-STAY (7829) Reston Landing e-mail: [email protected] The Renaissance Reston ’.smithliving.com Tysons Corner The Westerly at The Oaks of Tysons Worldgafe tii Tysons Corner Herndon

D & M AUTO PARTS CORPORATION 145 WEST JOHN STREET • HICKSVILLE, NY 11801 USA

THE PARTS PROFESSIONALS

Serving the diplomatic and military community since 1972, not only gives us unprecedented refer¬ ences, but the ability to provide you with the service you deserve! Global We accept all Government PO’s, IMPACT cards, personal orders and pay special attention to those Vehicle Supply urgently needed items. Over 600 vehicles available from inventory Visit us on the WEB, use our interactive catalog to for immediate shipment to developing countries identify and receive quotes on thousands of parts. Contact us for your account number and password.

We are here to help. Just ask! BUKKEHAVE 3 Gary Vlahov Vehicle & Parts Supply since 1925

Bukkehave, Inc. Tel. 1800 815 3370 1800 Eller Drive. Suite 420 Tel. +1954 525 9788 www.dmauto.com P.O. Box 13143 Fax +1954 525 9785 (516) 822-6662; FAX: 822-5020; E-mail: [email protected] Port Everglades [email protected] Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33316 www.bukkehave.coni U.S.A. LETTERS

Y2K and Paychecks Further confirmation of our I was pleased to see the Journal progress came widi the Office of sharing some information at last on Management and Budgets ninth State’s and USAID’s Y2K problems. I quarterly report, also released on June was surprised, however, that the 15. Although OMB dropped its three- article failed to address what I assume tier ranking system because most fed¬ is the number one concern of employ¬ eral agencies have completed imple¬ ees and retirees: Will both agencies mentation of mission-critical systems, have their acts sufficiently together by they acknowledged State would have Jan. 1 to get out salary checks and been placed in the top tier had this annuity payments on time? ranking system continued in use. I would hope in a future issue die The department’s Y2K staffs Journal will address that question and deserve credit and appreciation for others re Y2K and give less attention to the long hours spent overcoming the the bureaucratic backing and many challenges of the Y2K bug. ABOUND THE WORLD IN Y2K forthing. Are State and AID Ready for the New Millennium? In addition to die Web sites listed Lois Richards in die Journal, you may find useful USAID, retired information on the department’s Y2K Spokane, Wash. error, we’ll only really know Y2K’s web site (www.statey2k.com) and effect after Jan. 1, 2000. (For anoth¬ diat of the Bureau of Consular Af fairs Editor’s response: As of last May, er view, see the following letter from (http://travel. state. gov/y2kca. html). the State Department reports that all a knowledgeable source at State.) For those with access to State’s 59 of their mission-critical systems, internal intranet, more Y2K inform¬ including those used for payroll and State’s Progress on Y2K ation can be found at benefits, are Y2K-ready. However, as The two articles in die April Journal http://199.77210.33/Y2K. State Department officials are quick were a positive contribution to a broad¬ As your authors noted, it is not to point out, these systems are only er understanding of die Y2K problem. possible to predict everything and the first link in a chain that involves Since dieir publication, however, a there is still much work to do, computer systems of the Treasury great deal of progress has been made, including finishing renovation of Department, telecommunications and the State Department is doing non-mission-critical systems, vigor¬ companies, and the banks that issue much better than portrayed. ous end-to-end testing of the depart¬ checks. With all these chances for One indicator: Rep. Steven Horn, ment’s business processes, and chairman of die House Subcommittee preparing certification packages and The Foreign Service Journal welcomes on Government Management, contingency plans. Nevertheless, the your signed letters to the editor. Please Information and Technology, raised progress acknowledged by OMB and mail letters to the Journal, 2101 E St., the department to an A minus in his Rep. Horn gives us increased confi¬ NW, Washington, D.C., 20037; fax to June 15, 1999 quarterly “Y2K Report dence that the State Department (202) 338-8244; or send via e-mail to Card.” The high rating tiiis time is an wall be ready for the year 2000. [email protected]. Letters, which are important recognition of die depart¬ David E. Ames subject to editing should include full ment’s having implemented 100 Deputy Chief Information name, title and. post, address and day¬ percent of its mission-critical systems Officer for Y2K time telephone number. and of advances in other areas. State Department

SEPTEMBER 1999/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 7 8 FOREIGN SERVICEJOURNAL/SEPTEMBER 1999 Sax (202)432-7320 Phone (2021331-SBOO' E-Mail [email protected]* sis asmst«w Columbia Plazattxsuperstore www.rx world wide. com Washington, DC20037 Orders canbeshipped [vV>1 SecureOrdering DHL, FederalExpress, to OfficeSupplies..We Hardware, OTCDrugs sensitive andpersonal have beenrecognized Our SecuredOrdering Priority Mail(USPS), From Housewaresto can supplyALLyour Links, andCalculate From Televisionto Newspapers...We Drug Info,Disease Your HealthRisks or UnitedParcel for our23yrsof Health andDrug and HealthInfo, unwanted eyes protects your Mailing Center Merchandise Medical Resources order from Service service needs would underminetheauthorityof ticularly when,asinthiscase,it ton isalmostalwaysabadidea,par¬ objected, apparentlydoesn’tgetit. the Juneissueaboutnotgettingan Assignment AmembassyLimbo”in plained in“SpeakingOut: had bothenteredtheircareersinthe immense satisfactionwasthatcirca immune tothesinofpride— which gaveLoyHendersonandBob would havepleasedWilburCarrand celebrating theRogersAct. congratulate youontheMayissue the ForeignServiceJournal,I board andfrequentcontributorto transpires onhiswatch —hencethe that JohnGuthriehadassumed transmitted statingthathehad “wheels up”time—whereuponan phone theembassytogive on anAirForceplaneforWiesbaden, left Moscow’sSheremetyevoAirport ing AmbassadorFoyKohlerwhenhe tire ambassador. escape accountability forwhat captain oftheshipandcannot desirable reality.Theambassadoris sador reflectsanimportantand charge. departed theUSSRathoursand already preparedtelegramwouldbe ever hadthem)sothatIcouldtele¬ I carriedatwo-kopeckcoin(noone assignment becausetheambassador Consular Corps. serving thesecretaryofState.They and mostinfluentialcareerofficers Micromanagement fromWashing¬ Murphy —greatmenwhowerenot Ambassadors andAssignments 1960 theywerethehighestplaced Consular CorpsMakesGood As aformerchairoftheeditorial The pompsurroundinganambas¬ One ofitsconsequenceswhich Stephan Helgesen,whocom¬ As aconsularofficeraccompany¬ John HaleStatesman FSO, retired San Francisco,Calif. LET TERS when hiswatchisinterrupted. wheels-up timetoestablishprecisely with MilosevicbecauseYeltsinno years ofpeace.Allthiswillinevitably Western EuropeanUnionintoa White Housedreams,notyetover. have authoritycommensuratewith home bureaucraciesbutremoval misconduct isnotnit-pickingby the rarecasesofambassadorial wing ofNATO.It isnottoolate. houses. Weshouldhaveimmediate¬ weaken theonlyforuminwhich into gravequestiontirefutureofthe Turkey, andmotivatedFrance the influenceof(relatively) use intheupcomingRussianpresi¬ tion toRussianradicalslikeVladimir term security,whilegivingammuni¬ the highresponsibilityconferred by higherauthority—thepresident. Atlantic Council — thepolitical ly invitedthemtojointheNorth to participateintheG-7(nowG- longer representsagreatpower. has beenweakenedinnegotiating grand alliancewhichhasgivenus50 retary generaltotryturnthe angered NATOalliesGreeceand reformist primeministerofChina, dential elections. Zhirinovsky andAlexanderLebedto ments relatedtoAmericanlong¬ ceeded inalienatingChinaand upon him. 8) andacoupleofotherhalfway Hesitatingly, wehaveinvitedRussia USA hasavoiceinEurope. European mini-NATO—bringing Germany tohireawayNATO’ssec¬ Russia, thetwomostimportantele¬ So far,weseemonlytohavesuc¬ Meanwhile, theambassadormust Russia, NATO,andKosovo What canbedone?Russia’svoice We’ve simultaneouslyundercut The Kosovowaris,contraryto Tlie appropriatesanctionin FSO, retired Dexter Anderson Westerly, R.I. LETTERS

AMERICAN FOREIGN SERVICE PROTECTIVE ASSOCIATION

While leaving them out of the NATO command structure for the TERM LIFE time being, as France has been for the past 35 years, this would give the Russian government and Russian people a sense of stature, feeling LONG TERM CARE that they’ve traded Soviet stalemate for membership in the more vibrant Western community of nations, thus Insurance for today- tying them to the West politically in the only way possible at present. Russia is not yet ready for the EU and tomorrow — or military participation in NATO. But it has already demanded FOR MORE INFORMATION: AMERICAN participation in the peace-keeping AMERICAN FOREIGN SERVICE force for Kosovo. If it were part of FOREIGN PROTECTIVE ASSOCIATION the NAC it would at least be subject 1716 N STREET, NW SERVICE to political pressure from its NATO WASHINGTON, DC 20036-2902 PROTECTIVE (202) 833-4910 - FAX: (202) 833-4918 partners. Let us invite Russia, with¬ E MAIL: afspa @ afspa.org out further delay, to join the political ASSOCIATION WEB SITE: www.afspa.org dimension of NATO. We can then observe whether Russian politics and economics over the next few years permit consideration of full- fledged Russian membership in the EU and NATO. D.B. Timmins FSO, retired Geneva, Switzerland

Kennan’s Challenge In the excellent May ’99 75th Anniversary issue, there is a provocative interview with George Volvo S80 Sedan F. Kennan. Whether one agrees with Kennan’s assertion that “If you’re fiercely ambitious, and you want to get ahead and you’re interested in getting promoted before anyone else, then I wouldn’t join it [the Diplomatic Corps ■ Embassy Personnel • Foreign Service Professionals Foreign Service],” it is indeed con¬ Military ■ World Bank • Inter-American Development Bank troversial, coming from this famous practitioner of foreign policy. As ? Organization of American States such, it merits discussion on the ®}jPfer Domestic or Foreign ■ Active or Retired pages of the FSJ, perhaps as a ISp Contact Dana Martens FJMIM debate on both sides of the issue. Diplomatic Sales Director You could augment the discussion e-mail: _ _ _ 4800 Wisconsin Ave NW by using the Internet and inviting M ApTEMC Washington DC 20016 readers to answer a poll on tire issue. [email protected] (202) 537-3000 Michael S. Zak website: FSO, retired www.martensvolvo.com VOLVO FAX (202)537-1826 Annandale, Va. ■

SEPTEMBER 1999/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 9 CLIPPINGS

SMALL ARMS LIMITS: ulating the activity of arms brokers in Europe, perhaps using a licensing or THE NEXT FRONTIER? registration system. With the convention to ban the use of A major obstacle to disarmament is landmines completed, increasing atten¬ making the populace feel secure enough, tion is being focused on the danger amidst corrupt security officials and posed by small arms — rifles, machine widespread violence, to lay down its guns, grenades and mortars, according weapons, Eavis notes. 7 would argue that to the April 1999 issue of The World this account [derelop- Today, the journal of the Royal Institute men t assistance] of International Affairs. The article her¬ STATE VS. Y2K BUG: alds the May 11 launch of the represents the future, International Action Network on Small PROSPECTS IMPROVE but if you sit at the Arms in The Hague. Fernando Burbano, the State State Department, Small anus “are responsible for 80 to Departments chief information officer, you hare to believe 90 percent of casualties in modern says the department is ready for the year wars,” writes Paul Eavis, director of 2000. In an article by Steven Watkins in the future is now. Safenvorld, an independent think-tank the June 28 Federal Times, Burbano States crisis orienta¬ which focuses on preventing armed con¬ reported that State completed the Y2K tion is natural, but it flict. The simplicity of these weapons fixes on the last of its 59 mission-critical promotes the use of child soldiers in does crowd out the systems May 14. armed conflicts, writes Eavis, and their This is a substantial achievement for more prospective portability causes problems in disarming an agency that had been receiving failing vision. That is why combatants after hostilities have ceased. grades in Y2K readiness last year from an AID sitting in the This leads to increases in violent crime both congressional and executive branch State Department and “the development of entrenched watchdogs. cultures of violence as the demand for Burbano also said the department is would in time find arms rises with communities seeking to crafting a detailed “Day One” plan to itself crowded out. defend themselves.” As a result, the monitor potential problems as Jan. 1, I am grateful to South African death rate from violence, 2000 arrives. “If a Year 2000-related problem afflicts a computer system at Madeleine Albright mostly attributed to firearm injuries, is the highest in the world with nearly 50 the Tokyo embassy, for instance, techni¬ for appreciating this deaths a day, six times the U.S. rate. cians at a situation room at department reality." Nations are beginning to take steps to headquarters could attempt to fix it —Ot TGOIXG USAID counter small arms proliferation, espe¬ remotely while warning embassies in cially in West and Southern Africa. later time zones to take preventative DIRECTOR J. BRIAX “West African governments have recent¬ measures to minimize their computer ATWOOD, IX I Jt XE 29 ly taken the innovative step of establish¬ problems,” the article says. SPEECH AT THE ing a three-year moratorium on the Y2K readiness is only the most urgent of many tasks needed to upgrade the State Ot ERSEAS DE) EEOPUEXT import, export, and manufacture of light weapons in the region.” A new Southern Departments information technology sys¬ Cot XCIL, Africa Action Program on small arms will tems, Burbano admits. There are several WASHINGTON, D.C. try to halt trafficking and control legal projects planned that together would give weapons, and the EU is considering reg¬ State “an electronic diplomacy capability,”

10 FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL/SEPTEMBER 1999 CLIPPINGS

Burbano says. “Now it’s a question of reported that UNESCO’s October whether we get the money to do it.” 1998 World Conference on Higher Already under way is a three-year Education “energized” the U.S. $120 million program to “revamp over¬ education community. seas our unclassified IT architecture,” State sought $22 million in its FY Deputy Chief Information Officer Don 2000 draft budget submission to the Hunter told Federal Times. That would Office of Management and Budget to include installing “new local area net¬ fund American reentry to UNESCO in works, modem office automation soft¬ October 1999. That timing would allow YEARS AGO ware packages, upgraded communica¬ the U.S. to influence the selection of a tions bandwidth, more powerful desktop successor to Mayor (whose six-year term computers and Internet access at more ends that month), a crucial decision than 230 posts worldwide.” since some of the candidates for the job “The Palestine situa¬ hail from countries without a strong tra¬ tion as such cannot be dition of press freedom (one of the shifted on to the shoul¬ U.S. AND UNESCO issues that precipitated American with¬ drawal from UNESCO in the first ders of either the Jews TOGETHER AGAIN? place). or the Arabs, but is Nearly 15 years after the Reagan While Education Secretary Richard without question the administration pulled the U.S. out of the W. Riley warmly endorsed U.S. reentry fault of Great Britain. United Nations Educational, Scientific as a millennium initiative to “demon¬ and Cultural Organization in protest of strate a legacy of continuing support for British policy was so what it perceived as the agency’s leftist such priorities as education, the envi¬ vacillating that one leanings and mismanagement of funds, ronment, cultural preservation, and minute it would back the U.S. is moving closer to rejoining global communication,” OMB has the Arabs, the next the the organization, Zarrin T. Caldwell reportedly denied State’s funding Jews. ... Such a situa¬ reports in the spring 1999 issue of The request. InterDependent Magazine. The Clinton Rep. Jim Leach (R-Ia.) is expected to tion could not afford administration rhetoric has long favored introduce legislation seeking $68 million harmony between the move, Caldwell notes. Back in 1995, for UNESCO membership. However, these parties, but did President Clinton sent Director- Caldwell notes that congressional General Federico Mayor a letter pledg¬ approval for that initiative is unlikely lend confirmation to ing his support for American reentry, until the larger issue of U.N. arrears is ‘the divide and rule’ but he never submitted a funding addressed — even though the U.S. does policy of Great request to Congress. Now, however, not owe any money to UNESCO. Britain.” the administration is finally putting its Whatever the outcome of that money where its mouth is, satisfied that contentious issue, the agency’s relation¬ —FROM A BOOK REVIEW Mayor has used his 12-year tenure to ship with U.S. professional organiza¬ BY ELEAXOR WEST, undertake fundamental management tions will continue. As Wanner told SEPTEMBER 1949 reforms of the type the U.S. has consis¬ The InterDependent, administration FOREIGN SERVICE tently demanded of all U.N. divisions. policy is to “continue to interact con¬ One positive sign: Raymond E. structively with UNESCO with inten¬ JOURNAL Wanner of State’s Bureau of tions to reenter when the budget situa¬ International Organization Affairs tion permits.”

SEPTEMBER 1999/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 11 SHOP IN AN AMERICAN Don’t come home without it! DRUG STORE BY MAIL!

it’s easy! Mortgage An ice cream soda is one of the few items we cannot mail. Drugs> It’s fast! cosmetics, sundries mailed to it’s painless! every country in the world. Application We maintain permanent family If you are moving back to the prescription records. Washington D C. area in the near future, a mortgage loan approval is something you should bring with you, VISA & MASTERCARD not worry about once vou arrive. A pre-approval removes uncertainty, allowing you to focus on find¬ ing the right home. It will also put you in the best position to negotiate and to settle quickly. As a Senior Loan Officer with 13 years experience I specialize in relocation loans. My goal is to make your loan approval smooth, easy, and fast. Contact me today to get pre-approved before vou come liman home! pharmacy stevegar@erols. com Steve Garrett 3001 P Street, N.W. NORTH AMERICAN Washington, D.C.20007 office 800 591 5662 MORTGAGE COMPANY* ft A DIME. COMPANY (202) 337-4100; FAX: (202) 337-4102 703 591 6300 E-mail: [email protected] fax 703 591 6301 The 6th Largest U.S. Lender

You can depend on State Department Federal Credit Union for the ultimate in security and convenience with our new Internet banking service. SDFCU Online. This FREE service allows you to access your Credit Union accounts via the Internet anytime, from almost anywhere in the world. Once you're signed up, simply get online, type in www.sdfcu.org, and click on SDFCU Online. Log in, and you can conduct the following Credit Union business:

• Get Account Balances and Histories • Transfer Funds • Pay Monthly Bills* • And Much More! See just how easy SDFCU Online is! Visit us at www.sdfcu.org, check out our demo, print out the SDFCU Online sign-up form, sign it, and return it to us. If you're interested in becoming a member of State Department Federal Credit Union, give our Member Service Center a call at 703-706-5000, or outside the D C. metro area at 800-296-8882. We can also be reached online at [email protected]. SDFCU Online puts us at your service, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, whenever you need us the most. Sign up today! NCUA *The Bill Payer service is available for a low monthly fee of $3.95 for 12 bills, and 50c for each additional bill.

12 FOREIGN SERVICE J O U RN AL/S EP T EM B ER 1999 CLIPPINGS

STATE: NO BENEFITS tive order banning bias based on sexual “As large orientation in all federal jobs. Secretary of FOR GAY PARTNERS State Warren Christopher had issued a clumsy bodies, In May, FSOs Bryan Dalton and David similar policy for the department in 1994. parliaments DiGiovanna and another State According to one unnamed personnel Department employee applied to have officer at State, the department has been cannot their partners recognized as spouses for known to bend some of the rules overseas, effectively employee benefits purposes. The depart¬ especially regarding shared housing. ment promptly returned their applications “Nobody’s getting thrown out of housing exercise marked “disapproved.” because they have their partner reside initiative But according to a June 4 article by Kai widr them. We’re not taking that kind of Wright in the gay-oriented weekly news¬ draconian approach,” the personnel offi¬ and theiv paper The Washington Blade, this is an cer told tile Blade. participation issue which refuses to go away. At stake is DiGiovanna and Dalton have met with a panoply of benefits and privileges the director general of the Foreign upsets extended to family members — from the Sendee, most recently in January, to dis¬ diplomacy. issuance of diplomatic visas to eligibility cuss the matter, and they said both sides for post jobs to the right to be evacuated agreed to study the question further. But —JOSEPH FRAXKEL. in medical emergencies. State’s hands are tied, one officer said, by BRITISH POLITICAL The denial of benefits appears to some restrictive federal definitions of depen¬ SCIENTIST, 1963 FSOs to be contrary to the spirit (if not tire dents and spouses dictated by the Office letter) of President Clintons 1998 execu¬ of Personnel Management. ■

Looking For An Affordable Alternative?

♦ Private Entrance ♦ Fully Equipped Kitchen ♦ Cable Movie Channel ♦ Well Lighted Work Station ♦ Weekly Housekeeping ♦ Data Port Telephone ♦ On-Site Laundry Facilities ♦ Complimentary Local Calls ♦ Lease Not Required ♦ Personalized Voice Mail

Look no further. Homestead Village offers the best price-value around. Our easily accessible location combines the convenience Homestead of a hotel, with all the comforts of home. So whether you rent for Village Extended Stay Lodging a day, a week, a month, or longer, you’ll be able to relax, work, and even take in some of the nearby points of interest. 200 Bluestone Road Everything you need is close by including grocery stores, Alexandria, VA 22304 renowned restaurants, and shopping centers. There’s no place like (703) 329-3399 / fax (703) 329-2239 Homestead Village.

SEPTEMBER 1999/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 13 Carey Coulter WANTED Retired Sr. Foreign Service Officer asks.,. Your ACAR? Unloved "Our unique ONE PRICE BUYING means you get the lowest possible LPs price from the very start... It’s a MATTER OF RECORDS NO HAGGLING. NO NEGOTIATING. With over 500 new Oldsmobiles A leading international dealer in quality classical and Dodges in stock, we have long-play (LP) records seeks to purchase large quickly become the 1st stop...and private collections. Appraisal services available. last stop... for a growing number Contact: of FSO's. STEVEN L. WILLNER If you're seriousabout saving your time, and your money, Jim C(assica( you need to see me!" Records TEMPLETON Phone: (301) 236-0375 The Regional Dodge/Oldsmobile Superstore 24-hour Fax: 6596 Leesburg Pike Just 2 miles West of 495 (301) 879-1433 (703) 693-6100 • OPEN 5UNDAY5 [email protected] mmt.onepncebuvmg.com

Imagine MCG An international trade association that... FINANCIAL

■ Is at your service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week PLANNING ■ Gives you access to 9,000 members from Former State Department Employee 160 countries Stationed Overseas Understands Unique ■ Offers you valuable contacts in new markets Financial Situation of Foreign Service around the globe ■ Is non-profit and so offers impartial advice Services Include: ■ Offers a free basic membership Retirement Planning ■ Will introduce you to people from around the Tax Preparation and Strategies globe who will become genuine friends Analysis: Insurance and Investments Lump Sum Retirement Options You re imagining AIB MARY CORNELIA GINN The Association for International Business (AIB) is 4630 Montgomery Avenue, Suite 220 the online community that happened when sever¬ Bethesda, Maryland 20814 al thousand people involved in international trade Phone: (301) 951-9160 decided they wanted to work together to make Fax: (703) 938-2278 international trade work for us all. Discover AIB at E-mail: [email protected] http://www.aib-world.org and you’ll meet

9,000 of the finest people you ever met. SECURITIES OFFERED THROUGH NATHAN & LEWIS SECURITIES, INC., MEMBER NASD & SIPC. MCG FINANCIAL PLANNING AND NATHAN www.aib-world.org & LEWIS ARE NOT AFFILIATED ENTITIES.

14 FOREIGN SERVICE J O URN AL/SEPTEMBER 1 9,9,9 SPEAKING OUT Reinventing State: Lessons from U. S. Business

BY JOHN K. NALAND

Secretary of State Madeleine innovative. At General Motors it is Albright has promised Congress and If State is bureaucratic and confrontational. waiy employees of the soon-to-be When Caterpillar took a frank look at “consolidated” USIA that the State to remain the its corporate culture, it saw well- Department will reinvent itself to entrenched characteristics that were improve efficiency and effectiveness. preeminent foreign holding the company back from Unfortunately, State has a poor affairs agency.; adapting to a rapidly changing operat¬ record of self-reform, despite at least ing environment. 90 reports since 1946 recommending it must reform Today, after nine years of reform, changes in the departments opera¬ the results are in. Caterpillar was tions. Recent in-house efforts like the its corporate remarkably successful in driving a Strategic Management Initiative of culture. “culture change” which, in turn, is 1995 have proven no more successful. credited with being a key to the com¬ Some may conclude from this pany’s dramatic return to profitability. record that reform is impossible. I It is this focus on changing the organi- disagree. Last year, while working at a zations culture from which the State Fortune 500 company under the State 66,000 employees and operations in Department could learn die most. Departments Corporate Placement almost every nation. Recently lauded Program, I saw first-hand how a funda¬ by Fortune Magazine as one of the Shared Vision, Values mental reinvention was actually worlds most admired companies, Working at Caterpillar, I saw the achieved at an organization that Caterpillar was in deep trouble a strong emphasis placed on fostering matches the State Department in size, decade ago. Unfavorable global a culture in which employees are complexity, and global reach. While economic conditions, strong foreign given the authority, tools and there are obviously some differences competition, and other factors resources to do their best work. To between the operating environment of combined to produce operating losses promote such a culture, statements a company and that of a federal agency, of a million dollars a day for three of “shared vision” and “common val¬ many fundamentals are tire same — in years running. ues” are explained to new hires and particular, the need to find, motivate Fighting for its corporate life, in posted in all offices. These values are and retain talented employees. 1990 Caterpillar appointed a new not unique to Caterpillar, but are chief executive officer, Donald V exhibited at most other successful Reinvention Fites, who undertook a massive orga¬ organizations, both in the private Caterpillar Inc., the worlds leading nizational transformation. Signifi¬ and public sectors. manufacturer of construction equip¬ cantly, he began with the realization Open Communication. Listen¬ ment and diesel engines, is a that merely rearranging organizational ing to employees was a centerpiece of $21 billion-a-year company with charts would achieve little unless it Caterpillars culture change effort. was accompanied by fundamental Employee satisfaction is measured in John Naland, is an FSO whose post¬ changes in the organizations “corpo¬ twice-yearly surveys. Once a year, ings include Bogota, Managua and rate culture.” employees provide upward feedback the White House Situation Room. He Every organization has a distinct by way of an anonymous survey asking was recently elected AFSA State Vice culture that shapes the work environ¬ 43 questions about their supervisor’s President. ment. At Intel the culture is agile and performance (anonymity is possible

SEPTEMBER 1999/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 15 SPEAKIAG OUT

because results are summarized by staff members using information work group). from other agencies. If State is to Empowerment. Decision-making remain the preeminent foreign affairs Mercedes-Benz at Caterpillar was consistently pushed agency, it must become a more agile down to the lowest possible bureau¬ bureaucracy. cratic rung through decentralizing Service. Like most successful and delayering. This not only encour¬ firms, Caterpillar is “customer- aged employees to develop new centric.” Superior service is greatly expertise and take initiative, but had facilitated by the fact that Caterpillar Diplomacy concrete results as well: I was usually rarely pennits staffing gaps. State, of reimbursed for my business travel on course, has customers too, ranging has its tlie same day tiiat I submitted the from visa applicants to NSC officials voucher. who read our analyses. In addition, Trust. Despite a strong focus on Caterpillar’s employees work just as rewards. the financial “bottom line,” hard at responding to internal “cus¬ Caterpillar does not stand over tomers” in otiier divisions of die com¬ employees’ shoulders when they pany as tiiey do for external customers. At American Service Center, your make long-distance calls (e.g., no Integrity. Cateipillar promotes diplomatic or official passport* phone logs like at many State adherence to sound, ethical work will allow you to purchase a new Department offices) or travel (com¬ practices tiirough such tools as an Mercedes-Benz at dramatic pare my 5x7-inch reimbursement Intranet Web site that explains the form to States multi-page voucher). mles for business conduct and offers savings. Contact Erik Granholm, Continuous Improvement. practical examples. It also puts out a our Diplomat and Tourist Sales Caterpillars management constandy 60-page booklet that explains corpo¬ Manager. A native of Munich, encourages its employees to look for rate travel rules in plain English. In Germany, Erik has been more efficient and effective ways to do contrast, try searching the Foreign their jobs, particularly dirough die use Affairs Manual to find out under what with ASC for 33 years. of state-of-die-art information tech¬ circumstances premium class travel is nology. Robotic carts deliver inter¬ authorized. * Applies only while on official business or diplomatic assignment. office mail at Caterpillars headquar¬ ters, freeing up employees to take on Ci'eating a “New State” more challenging responsibilities. My experience at Cateipillar con¬ Risk Taking. Caterpillar recog¬ vinces me tiiat die current talk by State /iLmencan nizes tiiat tile real risk lies in not Department management about creat¬ challenging and improving processes. ing a “New State” will remain empty Service Center As a consequence, calculated gambles rhetoric unless we focus on reinvent¬ Mercedes. Just Mercedes. are part of the business plan, and mil- ing our culture. I suggest several start¬ lion-dollar business decisions require ing points for our culture change: 585 N. Glebe Road, fewer “clearances” than does die typ¬ Values. The State Department ical morning press guidance state¬ should adopt, disseminate and imple¬ Arlington, VA 22203 ment at the State Department. ment its own list of shared institution¬ Sense of Urgency. In all its oper¬ al values. The reality is tiiat senior 703.525.2100 ations, Caterpillar takes into account managers will only delegate decision¬ the fact tiiat “die competition is com¬ making authority if tiiey are confident Telefax: 703.284.2482 ing.” State would benefit from more that lower-level employees’ decisions of this feeling — working in the will be given focus and discipline by Mobile: 703.405.4018 White House Situation Room in common values. www. j ustmercedes. com 1993. I often saw U.S. Embassy Leadership. Secretary Albright reporting cables on breaking events and otiier department principals must arrive long after we had briefed NSC lead the culture change. Department

16 FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL/SEPTEMBER 1999 SPEAKING OUT Perfect Location, Starting at Perfect Comfort, $58 employees will quickly “get with the nosed on a 30 day Perfect Price. minimum stay program” once top managers make their expectations clear. One small | Not only are we just minutes from but telling example: The percentage National Airport, the National of Foreign Service employee evalua¬ Foreign Affairs Training Center, tion reports being turned in late most government buildings, and Metro-we'O surprise you with just dropped from 60 percent in 1989 to how much you get for so little. nearly zero percent two years later J after management signaled that late ♦ Spacious suites with reports would no longer be tolerated. full kitchens Listening to Employees. State ♦ Pool, sundeck, saunas and should emulate the 80 percent of exercise facilities Fortune 500 companies that measure j ♦ Free Cable TV with HBO employee attitudes and satisfaction. In [ ♦ Free on-site parking the Caterpillar division where I ♦ Free local phone calls worked, the Gallup Organization ♦ Complimentary Continental 1500 Arlington Blv4, Arlington, VA 22209 administers an anonymous 12- Breakfast on weekdays 703-522-9600 * 800-275-2866 question survey about the workplace | ♦ Free shuttle to NFATC Fax 703-525-4462 environment twice a year. After tire sur- I weekdays at 7:30am, E-mail: [email protected] vey, supervisors get scorecards high¬ returning at 4:30pm World Wide Web: www.virginiansuites.com lighting areas that need improvement. Rewards and Sanctions. It is a law of human behavior that you get more of what you reward and less of what you J Students from 34 states and 15 countries discourage. To promote culture | meet at Shattuck-St. Mary’s School change, State should overhaul its sys¬ for an outstanding academic experience tem of rewards and sanctions to help in a secure, midwest campus community. institutionalize its newly identified The student-faculty ratio is 7-1 common values. One stalling point and all teachers live on campus. would be to include those values as Other features include: “competency groups” requiring com¬ ♦ Grades 6-12 ♦Coed ment on employee evaluation reports. ♦ Boarding and Day The State Department should be a ♦ Separate Middle School and great place to work. Its mission gives Upper School programs employees the opportunity to shape I the future of tire world. Its people are ♦ Outstanding coaching in drama, widely recognized as being among the music and athletics most talented individuals that ♦ 45 minutes from America has to offer. Unfortunately, Minneapolis/St. Paul airport as an organization, State sometimes is Call 507-333-1618 less than the sum of its parts. Over the Fax 507-333-1661 years, I have often seen individuals of exceptional ability who were con- | E-mail: [email protected] strained by “the system” from per¬ forming to their full capacity. State can no longer afford to waste person¬ nel resources. The time has come for us to emulate top American corpora¬ SHATTUCK-ST MARYS SCHOOL tions in empowering all employees to FARIBAULT, MINNESOTA, U.S.A. realize their full potential. ■

SEPTEMBER 1999/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 17 Focus ON AGENCY INTEGRATION

TROUBLED TAKEOVER: THE DEMISE OF USIA

UNLESS THE DEPARTMENT CAN REINVENT ITSELF, PUBLIC DIPLOMACY WITHIN STATE MAY TURN INTO A SPIN MACHINE.

BY KENTON KEITH

,s of Oct. 1, 1999, the U.S. Information Agency will no longer exist as an independent agency. Most of its work and people are being absorbed by the Department of State, while tire Voice of America and other broadcasting operations are being spun off as a separate organization. How and why did the demise of USIA come about? As a Foreign Service officer with the agency for 32 years, I got to see its strengths and weaknesses, die ebb and flow of support for an agency that was continually evolving. As a member of the USIA negotiating team in 1997,1 saw die complex and troubling issues diat arose during die integration process, and how diose issues were resolved — or in some cases, left unresolved. To understand the demise of USIA, we have to look at both die long-term trends and die short-term politics diat set die stage for the agency’s merger with State.

18 FOREIGN SERVICE ] O U RN AL / S EFT EM B ER 1999 Focus

Ironically, USIA, while advocating the U.S. point of Nikita Khrushchev took place in tire midst of one such view around the world, almost always lacked tire tools to exhibit. These “political presence” exhibits, so named to fight its own battles at home. Because of legal strictures distinguish them from purely commercial exhibits, could prohibiting propaganda within the United States that often serve policy goals better than any other tool. The were understandably imposed on dre agency from the “Space Lab” and “Moon Rock” exhibits effectively re¬ start, USIA was never able effectively to organize or established an American presence in Damascus after a lobby on its own behalf. seven-year hiatus in diplomatic relations. Willis Conover, the most famous American unknown Hard-Bitten Ex-Journalists in his own country, was the voice of that all-American In 1965 when I entered USIA, we newcomers were music, jazz, to millions of VOA listeners. At an emotion¬ virtually indistinguishable in style and educational back¬ al memorial to this soft-spoken man, a Polish musician ground from our State Department junior officer col¬ recalled that in the dark days of the Iron Curtain he and leagues. But tli e agency we discovered was an exhilarat¬ his friends would tune in to Willis Conover nightly for “a ing collection of characters, both in the field and in the few minutes of freedom.” domestic service. The World War II legacy of die Office As we saw in the months leading to consolidation, one of War Information was still very much alive, with hard¬ area of USIA activity does have a domestic constituency: bitten ex-journalists pounding out policy pieces that exchanges. And if a cadre of true believers ever existed in would add column inches to newspapers around the tire U.S. government, it is the cultural officers and world, “placed” usually by information officers, frequent¬ exchange specialists who maintain an academic exchange ly also ex-joumalists, who spoke the universal language of program based on merit and academic freedom. The journalists. This was the high-pressure world of “fast pol¬ International Visitor program, pound for pound perhaps icy guidance.”, Congress had created USIA in 1953 to the most effective public diplomacy tool ever devised, coordinate U.S. information activities overseas. has reshaped attitudes about America in thousands of vis¬ The agency was a major producer of first-rate media itors who make policy, buy airplanes, write poetry and products. USIA at that time was an award-winning pro¬ make films. ducer of documentary films. Our own studios, run by Cultural diplomacy was serious business in the days people like George Stevens, Jr., made films that com¬ when we could afford to send Duke Ellington and Louis pared favorably to any produced today. USIA produced Armstrong, the New York City Ballet and the ‘Tears of lightning, Day of Drums,” the unforgettable Philadelphia Orchestra all over the globe. Superb USIS homage to John F. Kennedy. It was also the agency that libraries and cultural centers were windows on our soci¬ produced “Night of the Dragon,” the strident Vietnam ety. Frances Socialist Prime Minister in the mid-1980s, propaganda piece narrated bv Charlton Heston. In the who read Hawthorne and Hammett at the famed USIS days when television was a rarity in much of the world, “Rue Dragon” Cultural Center, once asked me how a the impact of these films was incalculable. (Turkey, for country could be so inept as give up a jewel like that example, got television only in the 1970s.) library. Though it may be hard to imagine in todays wired The explanation for the disappearance of much of the world, USIA’s artists and technicians produced major agency’s resources and production must begin with a exhibits that were often the most effective means of general reduction in government spending in real terms, introducing American society to foreign audiences. At but that does not go far enough. Those for whom USIA the height of the Cold War, exhibits arranged under a was a Cold War agency have argued that the demise of U.S.-Soviet cultural exchange agreement reached mil¬ communism at the beginning of the 1990s coincided, lions throughout the USSR. Vice President Richard naturally enough, with cuts at USIA. In fact, USIA was Nixon’s celebrated “kitchen debate” with Soviet leader losing even its modest share of the overseas budget before then. Kenton Keith was a Foreign Service officer with USIA Except for some areas of the exchanges program, from 1965 to 1997. He is now senior vice president at USIA’s activities were meant to be invisible to the Meridian International Center in Washington, D. C. American public. The Voice of America was understood

SEPTEMBER 1999/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 19 Focus

in government circles to be a powerful tool, but it was operations in tire new millennium, but rather making the silent in the U.S. The agency’s leadership has always had best of an imposed situation. Most USIA people believe difficulty getting traction in the struggle for support. consolidation was the price the administration had to pay Edward R. Murrow lent his national prestige to USIA, to gain Senate support for the chemical weapons ban. Charles Wick brought with him a special relationship Recall that only the year before, in response to Warren with the White House. Otherwise, the agency’s leaders Christophers call for absorption of USIA into State, Vice have faced an uneven struggle. At no time was this more President Gore had publicly said it was a bad idea evident than in the months leading up to USIA’s demise. because the two organizations had distinct missions and no money would be saved. A Rocky Road to Consolidation The production of a blueprint for consolidation was If USIA people at home and abroad view consolida¬ arduous. It revealed a surprisingly deep misunderstand¬ tion with State with trepidation, it is as much because of ing of USIA culture, structure and activities by key State the troubled passage as the final destination. Despite the Department officials, especially in the early going. Also, best efforts of the interagency negotiators in tire spring there was a persistent refusal to come to grips with the and summer of 1997, the general perception among basic legislative mandates of USIA: the 1948 Smith- USIA rank and file was that of a hostile takeover. That Mundt Act, which prohibits the use of resources meant attitude was shaped by several factors. for overseas advocacy to influence the American public, To begin with, the psychological atmosphere could and the 1961 Fulbright-Hays Act, the basic law for the hardly have been worse. USIA had just gone through a academic exchange (Fulbright) program. major and traumatic reorganization in its information and Department negotiators held to the view that the con¬ media (I) bureau. A by-product of this process was the gressional action that launched foreign affairs consolida¬ termination of venerable agency magazines and the tion somehow opened the door to replacement, or at exhibits service. Many USIA employees were still adjust¬ least reinterpretation, of these laws and their restraints. ing to new roles within the agency. A prize-winning pic¬ Arguments to the contrary were construed as delaying ture editor, for example, might have become a speaker tactics by USIA negotiators who were accused of hiding recruiter. behind Smith-Mundt to avoid real amalgamation. To make matters worse, the consolidation was not Perhaps inspired by the secretary’s goal of reaching out to seen as integral to administration plans for foreign affairs the American public to make foreign affairs more promi¬ nent in the national agen¬ da, State officials were The Decline of USIA Staff Levels examining ways to beef up the department’s Public Affairs Bureau. USIA’s foreign press centers, tele¬ vision production facilities and personnel trained in media operations must have seemed tempting. Thus, in April 1997, the first major issue for the negotiators was simply establishing that there was indeed a difference be¬ tween public affairs and public diplomacy, in con¬ gressional budget tenns if not in techniques.

20 FOREIGN SERVICE j O U RN A L / S E FT E M B E R 1999 Focus

Interagency Negotiations a State officer, as opposed to a senior USIA professional, The next factor contributing to the concern of USIA was chosen to lead the Public Diplomacy Task Force. people was tire very structure of the interagency negotia¬ USIA had proposed its counselor for diis position. For tions. All affected foreign affairs agencies (State, USIA, many tins arbitrary decision from above was viewed as USAID and ACDA) were supposed to be represented at highly symbolic, a means of keeping control of die four levels. process. Some said the process was damaged beyond At the top was the Steering Committee, comprising repair. The choice did, however, serve to demonstrate a the heads of each agency (tire secretary of State, etc.). public diplomacy deficit in Foggy Bottom. This group was intended to meet periodically to resolve For the record, the task forces overall did a splendid key issues that could not be dealt with at a lower level. I job. Most worked in extraordinary harmony particularly am not aware that this group ever met to discuss reorga¬ die Management group (under the departments able nization issues. and even-handed Genie Norris, senior deputy assistant The next level, the Core Team, in fact attempted to secretary for administration) and its important sub¬ carry out that dispute resolution function. It was com¬ groups. Tensions existed in the Congressional Relations posed of very senior members of each agency, including Task Force where it was suspected that the USIA States overall coordinator, Assistant Secretary for Congressional Liaison office continued to lobby Administration Patrick Kennedy, and USIAs deputy Congress to maintain die Smith-Mundt Act. director. This group met at least once a week and received reports from the full-time negotiating teams. A Blueprint [With Brackets] The next group down was tire Planning Team. It was The Press Task Force and the Public Diplomacy Task this group, on which I was USIA representative, that was Force were essentially combined and comparatively little charged with coordinating the work of six task forces and was accomplished during the negotiating process. For ten major management sub-task forces charged with example, important questions regarding public diploma¬ preparing a consolidation blueprint that was to be deliv¬ cy units at embassies (also known as U.S. Information ered to the secretary for presentation to the president by Service posts) were dealt with by die Overseas Facilities Aug. 15, 1997. Of all these, it was tire task forces and the and Overseas Operations task forces. It was agreed that management sub-groups that actually dealt with tire real- the USIA area offices would be integrated into the State world, practical issues of blending people and programs geographic bureaus, but exacdy how tins would be from drree agencies into one. Significantly, no “State accomplished was not decided. There was some feeling reinvention” task force was ever created, though for a that USIA area directors and State assistant secretaries, time a slot for it remained in the organization scheme. In most with shared experiences at overseas posts, should be addition, no “development” task force was formed, since left to decide how to coordinate their work on a case-by- it was clear that USAID was not going to be integrated case basis. into State. Despite tiiese difficulties, a document was produced on Veteran arms controller James Goodby was brought time. It was the result of thousands of staff hours of debate, out of retirement to head the Anns Control Task Force. analysis, horse-trading and creative thinking. Along the USLA’S Joe Bruns, the agency’s chief information officer, way, from die perspective of USIA participants, tiiere were headed the Information Technology sub-group. That was very positive developments, particularly in the manage¬ in deference to USIAs concerns about States less ment realm. Genie Norris was an outstanding team man¬ advanced infonnation technology. Apart from those two, ager, and in die background there was Skip Gnehm, direc¬ the other task forces and sub-groups were headed by tor general of die Foreign Service, whose steady support State representatives. Task force leaders were decided for a public diplomacy “cone” in die department, and upon, we were told, “at the highest level.” In any case, this whose frequent public assurances that any pain from State Department domination produced another blow to downsizing would be equally shared, were critically impor¬ tlie credibility of the process among USIA rank and file. tant to the forward movement of die process. It was a matter of deep disappointment to USIA that The blueprint went forward to Secretary Albright, on

SEPTEMBER 1999/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 21 Focus

schedule but with “bracketed language” indicating the ject for integrating USIA area offices into States geo¬ issues that had not been resolved by the negotiators. graphic bureaus. As a first step, USIAs Western The negotiators were able to agree on these important European Area Office moved over to State under file points: European Bureau. • A Public Diplomacy cone in the Foreign Service; • An under secretary for public diplomacy with Another Blow to Morale responsibility for three bureaus — Public Affairs, Then came another major blow to USIA morale. Educational & Cultural Affairs, and Information When the final plan was submitted to the president, it Programs; contained a major change: The three bureaus (Public • A Bureau of Educational and Cultural Exchange Affairs, Exchanges and Information Programs) that (E Bureau) with a separate budget allocation; formed the core of the blueprint had been collapsed to • A Bureau of Information Programs (I Bureau); and two, with Exchanges and Information combined under • A system that would respect the open communica¬ one assistant secretary. Exchanges and Information were tions technology applications of public diplomacy. to be run by deputy assistant secretaries. It had been decided separately, in discussions among State s argument that this more closely resembled the Congress, the White House and the secretary of State, time-honored arrangement at field posts (the public that the Voice of America and other broadcasting opera¬ affairs officer being responsible for both sectors) was not tions would become an independent entity'. So VOA persuasive to USIA, to Congress or to the broad array of essentially did not figure into our negotiations. academic and NGO constituencies of the exchange pro¬ In mid-July 1997, tire unresolved, bracketed issues grams. They saw this new formulation as downgrading were: each of the two functions. • Budget structure for the Public Diplomacy function; Eventually, pressures from Congress and the stakehold¬ • I Bureau composition; ers resulted in a partial return to the original design; the E • Placement of USIAs office of Research and Media Bureau would have its own assistant secretary, and an inde¬ Reaction; pendent I Bureau with a coordinator below the level of • A designated Public Diplomacy deputy assistant sec¬ assistant secretary (but presumably with tire rank of ambas¬ retary within States Bureau of Legislative Affairs. sador) would report directly to tire under secretary. Of these four issues, the first two were of primary By then, great damage had been done to USIA confi¬ importance to the USIA negotiators. dence that a new State environment might bring public Debate on tire budget issue centered on future con¬ diplomacy closer to the heart of foreign policy-making. trol of resources for Fulbright-Hays exchanges and tire Either tire negotiated structure was being sacrificed to Smith-Mundt overseas advocacy activities. From early in use an assistant secretary slot for other department prior¬ the process there was consensus that tire E Bureau ities, which was bad enough, or this was simply a decision should continue to receive separate appropriation. to lower public diplomacy’s institutional profile, which Matters were less clear for the I Bureau. was infinitely worse. USIA also sought overall control of overseas public diplomacy operations by the under secretary for public Public Diplomacy Vs. Spin Control diplomacy. State pushed for control by the regional The key to the future of public diplomacy is the rein¬ bureaus. vention of the State Department. Indeed, a fine opportu¬ The blueprint, painstakingly worked out over those nity was lost when it was decided in 1997 not to include months in 1997, was forwarded to tire secretary on sched¬ State reinvention in tire reorganization process. If public ule. However, key decisions on the final shape of the diplomacy is to thrive in State, tire departments focus reorganization were delayed for many months. needs to shift away from the exigencies of the noon brief¬ Congressional action on reorganization was delayed by ing. Otherwise, we risk seeing the public diplomacy func¬ unrelated disputes (principally funding for family plan¬ tion drawn deeply into worldwide, centralized spin control. ning activities in the U.N.). The fact that assistant secretaries of the geographic Meanwhile, State was moving ahead with a pilot pro¬ bureaus, whose daily lives are often dominated by short-

22 FOREIGN SERVICE J O U RN A L / S E P T E M B E R 1999 Focus

range media responses to foreign policy issues, will now I believe the public diplomacy career track, or cone, be responsible for all overseas public diplomacy opera¬ offers the potential for recruiting and training the right tions could lead to an overemphasis on news media people if our examination and recruitment process can requirements at the expense of long-range cultural and be transformed. For that to happen, the PD cone will educational activity. have to be seen as competitive with the political and eco¬ The State-USIA negotiations are notable for what nomic cones. Moreover, there should be a policy requir¬ they did not discuss. Take, for example, States relation¬ ing at least one tour in a public diplomacy job for politi¬ ship to USIAs I Bureau. It has been suggested that I cal and economic officers, whose work increasingly Bureau, because of its management innovations, might involves public outreach and advocacy. serve as a “positive virus” within the department. To be Out there waiting for us are issues of globalization, the honest, the I Bureaus example has not “infected” the rest environment, civil society and information technology, as of USIA despite its laudable reinvention accomplish¬ well as untold others. There are powerful non-state actors ments. But this is beside the point. with whom we will have to interact in this new environ¬ States approach to I Bureau integration has focused ment, on theu own terms, using new tools. Public diplo¬ on such questions as whether it is large enough to merit macy has to play a central role. It must be better under¬ its own assistant secretary, or whether it should “own” the stood by top policy makers, it must be funded adequate¬ press centers. The questions should have been, “Is this ly and it must be allowed to use modem means of open the office that will supply our ‘embassies’ in cyberspace?” communication. The challenges proliferate. We delay at or “How can we best communicate with audiences in the our peril. ■ new millennium?” Whatever the answers, the debate would at least have taken us forward. The Internet is already more than simply an efficient means of transmitting infor¬ mation, and its role in shap¬ ing attitudes can only increase in importance. It has been observed that during the Kosovo conflict the Serbian government Web site was better titan the VO As. True or not, the obser¬ vation points to the reality that diplomacy in the Internet age won’t simply be posting policy statements on the State Web site. Another crucial issue is human resources. Nothing can replace the face-to-face contact provided by the diplomat on the ground. Still, public diplomacy in the future will require people Don’t worry dear, I’m sure that State is thrilled to have USIA and Anns Control with new skills and attitudes. hack in the family. ” (Thanks to S. I. Nadier, co-author of Life and Love in the Foreign Service.)

SEPTEMBER 1999/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 23 Focus ON AGENCY INTEGRATION

A FAREWELL TO AGDA

IT WILL TAKE VIGILANCE TO ENSURE THAT THE DEMISE OF AGDA DOES NOT MEAN A FAREWELL TO ARMS CONTROL.

BY THOMAS GRAHAM, JR.

n April 1,1999, the U.S. Anns Control and Disarmament Agency went out of business. As part of a reorganization of foreign affairs agencies, the main functions of ACDA are now incor¬ porated into the State Department. Was tins a wise decision? Will America and die world be safer with tire amis control portfolio integrated into the vast range of foreign policy concerns that occupies State, rather than constituting tire sole responsibility of a specialized agency? Beginning in 1992, much effort went into formulating a strategy for ACDA’s survival. When, in late 1996, that no longer appeared to be a viable objective, nry colleagues in ACDA and I negotiated the best deal we could for the preservation of the arms control mission.

24 FOREIGN SERVICE ] OURNAL/S EPTEM B ER 1999 Focus

This, then, is the story of ACDAs end, told from the They understood the argument that arms control is just viewpoint of one who believes in arms control as part of one of the tools of national security policy but, neverthe¬ Americas national security policy. less, a separate and distinct arena. It is not an end in itself but it represents one of several alternative paths toward Why ACDA Was Bom solution of national security problems. When President John F. Kennedy signed tire legisla¬ The fundamental rationale for not subordinating the tion creating the Anns Control and Disarmament Agency agency within State was that the pursuit of arms control in September 1961, die time was ripe for the establish¬ and disarmament goals will often conflict witii tire prima¬ ment of such a body. John J. McCloy, dre administrations ry mission of the Department of State, which is to foster sponsor of die legislation, said in effect in his Senate tes¬ good relations witii other countries. For example, to press timony that arms control and disarmament is too impor¬ Pakistan on nuclear non-proliferation issues or criticize tant a subject to be “buried in the State Department.” Russia for perceived arms control treaty violations can be Instead, a new agency should be created with a director contrary to pursuing improved relations witii those coun¬ who would have direct access to the president. tries and will often be opposed by the regional State Previously, in die Eisenhower administration, the Department bureau responsible for relations witii the responsibility for arms control had been placed in the country in question. Most often, in the competition of White House under former governor and frequent pres¬ ideas within State, interests of improved bilateral rela¬ idential candidate Harold Stassen, but tiiis had not tions will prevail over anns control, disarmament and worked well. There were serious conflicts witii the State non-proliferation interests. Department and Secretary of State John Foster Dulles. By 1961, anns control had become a major national A Brilliant Beginning security issue for die United States. In die 1950s, the The early years of the agency in the 1960s were Soviet Union had developed its nuclear weapons and prosperous and successful, as Secretaiy Rusk believed nuclear weapon delivery systems to such a degree that a in and supported the role of ACDA. ACDA was effec¬ nuclear anns race was in full swing. John F. Kennedy, tively led by Director William Foster, a former deputy during the 1960 presidential campaign, had warned of a secretary of defense, Deputy Director Adrian Fisher, possible “missile gap.” As a result of these developments, a former State Department legal advisor, and General Kennedy decided to establish a separate executive Counsel George Bunn, the drafter of the Arms Control branch agency for anns control and disarmament. and Disarmament Act. Kennedy’s secretary of State, Dean Rusk, supported Over strong opposition by State — which was pressing die draft legislation. Rusk testified, “Disarmament is a for the establishment of a multilateral nuclear force with unique problem in the field of foreign affairs. It entails our NATO allies in Europe — ACDA successfully not only a complex of political issues, but involves a pressed for the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, which wealtii of technical, scientific, and military problems is now considered a centerpiece of international security. which in many respects are outside the Departments ACDA almost single-handedly advocated this proposal nonnal concerns and, in many instances, reach beyond within the U.S. executive branch and went on to play the tlie operational functions the Department is designed to leading U.S. role in the complex multi-party negotiations handle.” The legislation received strong support from in Geneva. Indeed, if it had not been for an independent foreign policy leaders in botii the Senate and die House. ACDA, this important agreement might never have come into being. Ambassador Thomas Graham, Jr., during his career at Over the years that followed, the post of ACDA direc¬ ACDA from 1970 to 1997, participated in a leadership tor was filled by a series of distinguished public servants, role in virtually all major U. S. arms control negotiations. and the agency had a number of significant accomplish¬ He was special representative of the president for arms ments. Among the highlights: negotiation of the SALT I control, non-proliferation and disarmament from 1994 to agreements by Director Gerard Smith; the negotiation 1997, acting director of ACDA in 1993, and for 15 years of tire Chemical Weapons Convention under Director before that general counsel of ACDA. Ron Lehman; the extension of the nuclear weapon test

SEPTEMBER 1999/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 25 Focus

moratorium in 1993 (initially and for The initial argument for Office of die Secretary of Defense and a long time advocated by ACDA the Department of Energy supported alone), and the indefinite extension ACDA was that arms the independence and strengthening of the Non-Proliferation Treaty and of ACDA, widi only die Department the negotiation of the Compre¬ control was too important of State dissenting. hensive Test Ban Treaty under But even this changed after the ACDAs last director, John Holum. “to be buried in the 1994 elections. The attitude in the (Holum, for many years a key staffer new Republican-led Congress toward for Sen. George McGovern, D-S.D., State Department.” the independence of ACDA switched had also been on the policy planning from widespread neutrality with staff at State.) These successes all depended to an impor¬ pockets of strong support to outright opposition. Sen tant degree on the existence of an independent arms Jesse Helms (R-N.C.), now chairman of die Senate control agency, with a director who could take contro¬ Foreign Relations Committee, pressed for legislation that versial issues directly to the president and the national would eliminate at least two and preferably all diree inde¬ security advisor. pendent foreign policy agencies — ACDA, the Agency for International Development and the U.S. Information More Controversy Per Capita Agency — and merge diem into State. Director John But there was another side to this history. I often used Holum fended off this effort for ACDA in 1995, with to say that on a per capita basis (ACDA was always veiy support from the president and vice president. small) ACDA was the most controversial government However, in 1996, a new factor entered die equation agency in the history of the world. In the wake of criti¬ — the Chemical Weapons Convention. The U.S. felt a cism by Sen. Henry Jackson (D-Wash.) of the SALT I pressing need to get the CWC ratified by early 1997: diis agreements, the Nixon White House in 1973 cut the was necessary if die U.S. was to be an original party to the ACDA budget by 30 percent and reduced it to, in the convention and thus have maximum influence in shaping words of White House press spokesman Ron Ziegler, “a the treaty’s verification regime. This gave Chairman research and staffing agency.” Helms a significant bargaining chip, as he could hold up Director Fred Ikle effectively restored dre agency in approval of the CWC. Action on the CWC was linked, the middle 1970s but diere were many other attempts to among other things, to merger of die three independent reduce or eliminate ACDAs authority over die years. But foreign policy agencies into State. for many years, the Congress, regarding ACDA as its cre¬ ation, served as die agency’s defender. Gradually, over Negotiate or Fight? time, this support began to cool. So in December 1996, ACDA Director Holum was In 1993, when there was great controversy witiiin die informed by the White House diat the ACDA “indepen¬ executive branch as to whether ACDA should be termi¬ dent box” had to disappear. At the same time, senior State nated and its assets acquired by State, the support for officials as well as some long-time congressional support¬ ACDA in the Congress was not as overwhelming as in ers of the agency told Holum tiiat the political situation prior years. could no longer support an independent ACDA. Why die decrease in congressional support? Many Accordingly, he called ACDA Deputy Director Ralph factors undoubtedly took their toll, including the end of Earle, Executive Secretary Barbara Starr and myself into the Cold War (hence less attention to the nuclear his office and asked whedier we should “negotiate or threat), and a Congress generally less interested in inter¬ fight.” All diree of us supported the concept of negotiat¬ national issues. ing the best arrangement we could, given die strategic Fortunately for ACDA in 1993, there remained sub¬ situation: opposition in Congress, no support in the stantial support in odier government agencies. In an inter¬ White House or elsewhere in the executive branch, and agency exercise on the issue, the White House, die limited interest in the non-governmental community. Central Intelligence Agency and die Office of the Joint Our position was further weakened by the fact that all Chiefs of Staff expressed benevolent neutrality, and the four assistant ACDA directors had left by early 1997, and

26 FOREIGN SERVICE ] O U RN AL / S E FT E M B E R 19 9 9 Focus

there was no prospect of getting replacements named mament functions anywhere in the department should and confirmed. come under the under secretary’s authority: there could I prepared an opening position based on an analysis of be no competition elsewhere in State. ACDAs unique the 1961 Senate Bill which led to tire Arms Control and responsibilities for verification judgments and reporting Disarmament Act. (Unlike tire House version which had to be preserved as well, as did its special legal com¬ eventually prevailed, the Senate bill would have estab¬ petence for arms control treaties and related issues. lished an independent arms control agency within State.) And we were determined that the new State Barbara Starr did the nuts and bolts negotiations, with Department, bolstered by ACDAs expert personnel Director Holum setting overall policy and, advised by resources, should have an enhanced interagency policy Ralph Earle and me, weighing in as needed with role. Thus we argued that the interagency leadership of Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, Deputy Secretary arms control as well as non-proliferation should be taken Strobe Talbott, National Security Advisor Sandy Berger, from the White House and put in the hands of the under and other key officials. secretary. Almost all of the above objectives were achieved during the negotiation which lasted until April Laying Out the Options 18, 1997 but their formal inclusion in the official govern¬ The ultimate decision was to be presented to tire pres¬ ment decision documents took a long time. ident in an options paper. We knew that one option in the There had been strong resistance from the NSC to paper would be to retain an independent AC DA, which moving the interagency chairs of tire arms control and the meant that if a suitable arrangement could not be nego¬ non-proliferation interagency working groups (IWG) tiated with State, we could still make a last-ditch stand. from the NSC to the under secretary. In an arduous Widr that alternative protected, we set out to work with negotiation early in April 1997, this was fought out. We State to make tire merger option as attractive as possible. arrived at a compromise: The Non-Proliferation IWG We wanted to capitalize on what was favorable in tire would go to State, but the Anns Control IWG would negotiating environment — especially Secretary remain at NSC. However, it was agreed that the under Albrights longstanding commitment to arms control, and secretary would share with tire NSC chair the right to call her strong interest in presenting a consensus recommen¬ a meeting and begin inter-agency consideration of a spe¬ dation to the president. cific anus control issue. We all concluded that certain things were absolutely essential to the independent arms control process that we A Presidential Decision Directive sought to preserve. A central concern was that the The question of the under secretary’s right to commu¬ responsible official in State — to be called the Under nicate with the president was a tough one. No State Secretary for Anns Control and International Security — Department official, other than the secretary, has tins had to have the right to attend all National Security right. However, we regarded it as essential to the inde¬ Council meetings in any way connected with anns con¬ pendence of the anns control process. We fashioned a trol, non-proliferation and disarmament, and had to have compromise procedure: the under secretary may com¬ tire right to a vote independent of that of tire secretary of municate directly with tile president through the secre¬ State. That is, his or her lack of consensus alone would be tary' of State, who must forward the under secretary’s sufficient to send an issue to the president. Also, he or she memorandum but may append his or her views. This must have the right to communicate directly with the right is implicit in the frill title of the under secretary, President. namely, “Under Secretary of State for Anns Control and These steps, which Secretary Albright and Director International Security Affairs/Senior Advisor to the Holum resolved positively at the very end of tire negotia¬ President and Secretary of State for Arms Control, Non¬ tions, meant that we could preserve within the State proliferation and Disarmament.” Department tire independent advocacy role which, as in After the agreement on ACDAs future, we pressed to 1961, most studies had singled out as tire main reason have the central elements of it memorialized in a why a separate agency made sense. Additionally, we con¬ Presidential Decision Directive (PDD). The White cluded that all arms control, non-proliferation and disar¬ House replied by asking why an announcement by the

SEPTEMBER 1999/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 27 Focus

president, which had been made, was not sufficient. But dent take on verification and compliance questions. These we believed to the extent possible this arrangement questions have often been hotly argued, not only with for¬ should be established not just for this administration, but eign powers but also as domestic political issues. for future administrations as well. After a long debate, But a separate bureau in State for verification and this was accomplished in PDD/NSC-65 issued on June compliance appeared impossible to achieve in the 23, 1998. It provides inter alia that the under secretary merged entity. The end result was three bureaus report¬ “shall be invited to attend all National Security Council ing to the Under Secretary: Arms Control, Non-prolifer¬ meetings concerning matters pertaining to arms control, ation and Political-Military. So it was decided to insist on non-proliferation and disarmament” and makes identical an Office for Verification and Compliance to be attached arrangements for all NSC Principals Committee meet¬ directly to the Under Secretary, a solution eventually ings, as well as NSC Deputies Committee meetings. included in the final report on State’s reorganization plan. The presidential directive also provides that the IWGs On the question of maintaining a separate legal office on non-proliferation shall be chaired at the assistant sec¬ for the under secretary, we were less successful. What retary level in the Department of State and that the N SC was eventually achieved was that ACDA’s general counsel chair of the arms control IWG shall convene a meeting of would become an associate legal advisor dedicated to the IWG at the request of the Department of State. This arms control and non-proliferation issues under the juris¬ means that the Office of tire Under Secretary shares with diction of the Under Secretary. The under secretary the NSC the authority to introduce an issue into the would be able to draw on the views of the associate legal interagency process — an important right. advisor even where he or she disagreed with the State However, a serious dispute br oke out over conven¬ legal advisor. tional arms control in Europe. The agreement reached Finally, tire official State Department Reorganization between the secretary and the ACDA director provided Plan and Report set out guidelines for the Office of the that all anus control functions in die Department of Under Secretary' emphasizing the objective of preserving State, wherever diey had been located before, would the independence of die anns control, non-proliferation come under die audiority of the under secretary. But and disarmament process. States European Bureau (EUR) strongly resisted includ¬ • The new under secretary will have a “unique” role ing die talks on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe “reflecting authorities transferred from ACDA.” (CFE) in this understanding, because of the close associ¬ • The new structure within State is to “ensure that ation of the ongoing CFE Treaty adaptation process and unique anns control and non-proliferation perspec¬ NATO enlargement. tives will continue to be available at tire highest Eventually, after long negotiations, it was agreed that levels of the U.S. government, including the an exception would be made for CFE adaptation and President.” directly related issues: EUR would continue to lead • An entity will provide “independent arms control under die under secretary’s overall audiority until 1999. and non-proliferation verification and compliance This year, there is to be a review “widi a view to consoli¬ assessments.” dating the lead (for CFE) in die new functional bureau • The new under secretary will “provide oversight for under die Under Secretary at the earliest practicable State’s new' inter-agency leadership role in non-pro¬ date.” In other words, the lead on CFE Treaty issues liferation.” would be transferred to the Office of the Under This report, which implements the law that authorized Secretary. As of July ’99, that transfer had not yet tiie ACDA merger, is authoritative and cannot be modi¬ occurred, though the two bureaus are said to be working fied without further legislation. Combined with together on CFE. PDD/NSC-65, tlie report sets forth as U.S. government Another hard-fought issue was protecting die indepen¬ policy that die independence of die arms control, non¬ dence and integrity of ACDA’s Verification and proliferation and disarmament process is to be strength¬ Compliance staff. That staff had resided, appropriately, in ened and preserved. The anns control alternative in pol¬ a separate bureau at ACDA for the previous 16 years. This icy debates on national security issues will continue to be setup reinforced one of ACDA’s strengdis — its indepen¬ made available at the highest levels of die government,

28 FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL/SEPTEMBER 1999 Focus

including the president, as was the case when there was national security, and if the under secretary in this and an independent ACDA director. future administrations exercises that authority vigorously. In all these ways, I drink we can say that die ACDA But now, there is a difference. Previously, if an inde¬ negotiating team, faced with a less-than-favorable political pendent ACDA was marginalized, the structure was terrain, did a creditable job in preserving an independent solidly in place; therefore die agency could be brought structure for arms control within the U.S. government. back, as Director Fred Ikle demonstrated. But if this new arrangement does not work properly, and, as a The Personal is Political result, arms control, non-proliferation and disarmament The effectiveness of the director of ACDA over the considerations become buried in the Department years always depended on personalities and personal of State bureaucracy, it might not be possible in the relationships. The relationships of the director with the future to resuscitate — at least not in a few years — an president, the national security advisor and the secretary independent voice for arms control. of State have been important to the reality of operating as We must do our best with the new structure. If the an effective independent agency. Director Paul Wamke, arrangement is implemented properly, it is possible that for example, had a close relationship with Secretary of tiie anus control, non-proliferation and disarmament State Cyrus Vance in the late ’70s, and this enabled him process could emerge stronger and more effective than to function far more effectively. before. But, if over the next five to 10 years tiie result is This personal dimension will continue to be important otherwise, then I would hope that some future president in tiie new post-merger anus control arrangement. The and future Congress would reenact tiie Arms Control new order may work well if NSC and State respect the and Disarmament Act and reestablish an independent authority of the under secretary for arms control and inter¬ ACDA. ■

/£) akwood Corporate Housing has 20 Years Of Czoecome the largest and most trusted provider of temporary housing in the Experience. country for two important reasons. We take care of all the details. And we’re completely concerned with the comfort 3.000 of our clients. This degree of customer focus, which includes the industry’s first Professionals. Satisfaction Guarantee, has earned us the business of most of the Fortune 500. We ensure the comfort of more than 100.000 75,000 families each year and find them exactly what they’re looking for. So call Oakwood Corporate Housing Apartments. today and let us find you the accommodations you need. It All Adds Up To Oakwood. The Most Trusted Name in Corporate Housing™

1-703-212-2600 v.oakwood.com 1-800-832-8329

SEPTEMBER 1999/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 29 Focus ON AGENCY INTEGRATION

THE DECLINE AND FALL OF USIA

<>"9

IRONICALLY, IN THE INFORMATION AGE, PUBLIC DIPLOMACY IS TOO IMPORTANT TO BE LEFT TO USIA.

BY PETER GALBRAITH

I lection night 1996: Like many ambassadors, I used the occasion to showcase American democracy. Using Zagreb’s spacious Novinarski Dom (Journalists’ Union), I invited Croatian politicians, journalists, and academics to join the American community in watching the returns as they came in. Live from Washington and on a big screen, USIA’s Worldnet began its election night coverage with — a live tour of its Washington Foreign Press Center. Of doubtful interest even if one worked there, it was of no interest to my guests. Meanwhile U.S. audiences were seeing die early returns from Kentucky, New Hampshire, and Indiana. Moving from the press center tour, Worldnet went to a lengthy interview with Colin Powell, taped months before, who revealed that he was not running for president. By this point Clinton had amassed nearly enough electoral votes

30 FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL/SEPTEMBER 1999 Ameri can Foreign Service Association

AFSA GALA CELEBRATES 75TH ANNIVERSARY

Oeorge Kerman, preeminent scholar Africa, and 1 86 places like that, people Governing Board and member of the second whom we knew and didn't know, but President: Marshall P. Adair State Vice President: John Naland Foreign Service class, Sen. Paul whom we miss greatly and whom we USAID Vice President: Frank Miller Sarbanes (D-Md.) of the Senate Foreign should above all honor here tonight." USIA Vice President: J. Riley Sever CS Vice President Peter Frederick Relations Committee, and Nicholas Albright's keynote address debunked FAS Vice President: Maggie Dowling Bomba, winner of the high school essay the image of diplomat as dilettante: "In Retiree Vice President: Willard De Pree Secretary: Aurelius Fernandez contest, were a few of the notables my travels, I have seen our people at Treasurer: Thomas Tiernan among the 200 guests attending AFSA's work not only in conference rooms, but State Representatives: Marilyn Bruno, Daniel Geisler, Stephen J. Klein, gala celebration of the 75th anniversary in visits to refugee camps, AIDS clinics Lauren May, David Robinson USAID Representative: James Dempsey of the signing of the Rogers Act. Hosted and mass grave sites." USIA Representative: Bruce Byers by Secretary of State Madeleine Albright She stressed that diplomacy helps Retiree Representatives: Harry Cahill, Garber Davidson, George Jones, Robert and moderated by news commentator Americans at home "land a good job; Lamb Cokie Roberts, the gala honored the protect your environment; safeguard your FAS Representative: Evans Browne CS Representative: Eric Sletten establishment of the modern Foreign neighborhood from drugs; shield your Staff Executive Director: Susan Reardon Service. Corporate sponsors for the May family from a terrorist attack; and spare Business Department 24th event were CMS Energy, the Coca- your children the nightmare of nuclear, Controller: vacant Accounting Assistant Jenifer O'Neal Cola Co., ENRON Corp., FDX Co. and chemical or biological war." Labor Management WARNCO. She expressed alarm at additional cuts General Counsel: Sharon Papp Coordinator: Richard C. Scissors In his toast, Under Secretary for under consideration in the year 2000 Specialist: James Yorke Political Affairs Thomas Pickering remem¬ budget allocations. "We have important USIA/USAID Labor Relations Specialists: Carol Lutz, Jack Mossop bered "those who have given their lives interests, face threats to them, and nearly Labor Management Attorney: Zlatana Badrich in the service of their country, in Nairobi everywhere ... Provide us with the funds Grievance Attorney: Henry Sizer and Dar es Salaam, in San Salvador we need to protect our people and to do Law Clerk: Richard Bernstein Office Managers: Karen Batchelder, and Vietnam, in the Middle East and our jobs. Let America lead!" Naida Harrington Member Services Director: Janet Hedrick 1999 AFSA Governing Board Election Results* Representative: Christine Spaulding Administrative Assistant: Thomasina Johnson President Marshall P. Adair State Reps Marilyn Bruno Retiree Liaison: Ward Thompson Professional Programs Professional Issues Coordinator: State VP John Naland Daniel Geisler Richard S. Thompson Congressional Affairs Director: AID VP Frank Miller Stephen J. Klein Ken Nakamura Communications Coordinator: USIA VP Riley Sever Lauren May Kristina Kreamer Scholarship Administrator: Lori Dec Corporate Relations: FAS VP Maggie Dowling David Robinson Barbara Bowie-Whifman FCS VP Peter Frederick FAS Rep Evans Browne Internet Addresses: [email protected] (Association) [email protected] (President) Retiree VP Willard De Pree (write-in) FCS Rep Eric Sletten (write-in) [email protected] (FSJ) AFSA Headquarters: (202) 3384045 Secretary Aurelius Fernandez Retiree Reps Harry Cahill FAX: (202) 338-6820 State Department Office: (202) 647-8160 Treasurer Thomas Tiernan Garber Davidson FAX: (202)647-0265 USAID Office: (202)712-1941 FAX: (202)216-3710 AID Rep James Dempsey George Jones USIA Office: (202)401-6405 FAX: (202)401-6410 USIA Rep Bruce Byers Robert Lamb AFSA News Editor: Wesley Ann Godard *See related article with vote breakdown on page 10.

AFSA NEWS • SEPTEMBER 1999 1 75TH ANNIVERSARY ESSAY CONTEST WINNER

Diplomacy and the Resolution of the Cuban Missile Crisis by Nicholas Bomba

any remember President tional community had to be convinced daunting task of assuring the coopera¬ Kennedy's Oct. 22, 1962, that the crisis was far more than an tion of both allies and neutral states. address to the world as one exercise of American paranoia. With Indeed, President Kennedy was pow¬ of the most terrifying experiences of this goal, the USIA distributed propa¬ erless without the explicit support of their lives. As the presence of medium- ganda leaflets and set up clandestine our Latin American allies, who, Dean range ballistic missile sites on Cuba radio stations that carried Kennedy's Rusk warned, would be hostile if the became certain, the United States and message throughout Cuba. This was United States attacked Cuba without its citizens were thrust onto the brink followed by the televised confrontation warning. With Assistant Secretary Ed of nuclear war for the first time, bring¬ between U.N. Ambassador Adlai Martin at the helm, an entourage of ing to full throttle the fears and uncer¬ Stevenson and his Soviet counterpart American representatives addressed tainties that underscored the Cold V.A. Zorin. Calling the evidence the OAS and gained that body's War. Resolving the Cuban Missile "clear and incontrovertible," approval for the naval blockade; had Crisis will probably be remembered Stevenson used U-2 photographs to this support not been granted, the | as the Kennedy administration's great¬ prove that the Soviets had lied to the USSR would surely have disregarded est accomplishment, but it was not world. As Robert Kennedy put it, the the quarantine. In a single move, the without the work of U.S. diplomats "dumbfounded" expression of Zorin United States was transformed from that the affair was successfully and convinced even the most skeptical of an outlaw acting in violation of inter¬ swiftly ended. Without a doubt, they British newspapers that the United national law to a champion acting in accomplished their obligation under States was not exaggerating. More accordance with 20 allies. This suc¬ the Foreign Service Act of providing importantly, however, the U.N. pre¬ cess followed our ambassadors to the "first line of defense" in safeguard- sentation successfully swayed once- Africa, where they convinced the gov¬ | ing the security of our nation. Through doubtful worldwide popular opinion ernments of Guinea and Senegal to their efforts to influence worldwide solidly to the American side. As a prohibit Soviet cargo jets from refuel¬ opinion and ensure international result of such efforts, the crisis became ing, a remarkable accomplishment I cooperation, they provided the presi¬ not a standoff between two powerful given those nations' sympathy for the dent and his advisors a toehold from states, but rather a fight between a USSR. With startling moves like these, which to act. united front of determined people and American representatives gave their Although the United States was rec- an isolated Communist regime. government's policies the appearance | ognized as the leader of the "free After securing public opinion, U.S. of legitimacy. With political support world," it was evident that the interna¬ diplomats were faced with the more from over 50 nations, the U.S. faced little resistance when it turned to the United Nations for backing. As Kennedy considered the possi¬ bility of removing the Jupiter missiles in Turkey and Italy as a possible com¬ promise with the Russians, the White House desperately needed to know how the affected states would react. Thus, the Foreign Service set out to assess and report on political condi¬ tions in the affected states. The State Department asked the embassies throughout NATO to assure the vari¬ ous governments that the United States was not compromising their security. It was Ambassador Hare's telegram explaining the Turkish gov- erment's anger that convinced the Nicholas Bomba, winner of the 75th Anniversary AFSA High School Essay Contest, receiving his certificate from White House that such a move Secretary of State Madeleine Albright at the 75th Anniversary Gala on May 24 in the Benjamin Franklin Room of the would endanger NATO solidarity. State Department. Bomba, who graduated this spring, competed with over 300 students from Maine to Hawaii. He With such knowledge the negotiators was awarded the grand prize of $2,500 and his alma mater, Loyola High School in Los Angeles, received $500 in honor in Washington and Moscow avoid¬ of his winning essay. Eva Hartman of Lancaster, Pa. placed second and Kristian Dyer of Denville, NJ. placed third. This ed a potential bargain that might year's contest, sponsored by the Una Chapman Cox Foundation, was established to promote interest in the Foreign have backfired strategically if not Service among U.S. high school students. Details for the year 2000 contest will be posted at www.afsa.org. politically as well.

2 AFSA NEWS • SEPTEMBER 1999 Foremost was the diplomatic corps' role as a messenger and a USAID ■== direct mediator between the United States and the USSR. Given the phys¬ ical separation between the key play¬ V.P. VOICE ers and the absence of satellite com¬ • BY FRANK MILLER • munication, the primary role of nego¬ tiation was directed to the diplomats, who facilitated the interchange and allowed the two sides to comprehend Know Your Performance Precepts each other's terms. It was only through the American ambassador's In May 1999, AFSA and the What do you do now? First, frequent "courtesy calls" to the Soviet USAID Office of Human familiarize yourself with the new chairman and his foreign minister, Resources negotiated new pre¬ precepts and actively participate in Andrei Gromyko, that lapses in com¬ cepts for Foreign Service employee the evaluation process. Second, munication and misunderstandings evaluations. These precepts are review your work objectives in light with President Kennedy did not esca¬ being used by rating officers, of the skills required for your grade late into warfare. In addition, unable appraisal committees and selection level under the new precepts. Your to communicate with Castro directly, boards to establish work objectives objectives must at least give you an the State Department arranged to use and performance measures, evalu¬ opportunity to demonstrate that you the Brazilian envoy to Havana as an ate performance, and determine meet the standards of your grade intermediary. In a telegram to the tenure for the current rating season level. If you aspire to be promoted embassy in Brazil, the State which began April 1, 1999. soon, your objectives should allow Department directed American The new precepts integrate the you an opportunity to demonstrate agents to instruct Ambassador Luis six skill areas and five core values that you have the potential to per¬ Batian Pinto to appeal to Castro "in introduced in precepts issued in form at the skill level at the next such a way as to make it abundantly January 1996 and establish highest grade. Third, if you believe clear [the appeal] was a solely detailed, transparent standards for that your work objectives and per¬ Brazilian initiative." Without such six grade levels. formance measures may not give efforts the exchange of letters and The new standards clearly state you the opportunity to demonstrate telegrams between Khrushchev and for employees and rating officers the skills required, bring this to the the American chief executive would which skills employees are expect¬ attention of your rater and never have succeeded so smoothly ed to demonstrate at all grade lev¬ appraisal committee immediately. and with such efficiency. els. AFSA believes that these stan¬ To speed up the process, redraft In the closing remarks of his Oct. dards are less subjective and the objectives yourself. Remember 22 address, John F. Kennedy stated, should result in less guess work on that a work objective is a results- "Our goal is not the victory of might the part of the selection boards in oriented outcome developed for a but the vindication of right — not determining annual rankings for distinguishable task, not a state¬ eace at the expense of freedom, promotion, tenure and other pur¬ ment of responsibilities. It is wise to ut both peace and freedom." The poses. They also enable employees have your rater establish work combined efforts of his administra¬ to determine what skills they must objectives that allow you to demon¬ tion and U.S. diplomats abroad in master in order to move to the next strate progress or mastery in skills resolving the crisis proved that the grade level. that have appeared in prior evalua¬ United States was, indeed, commit¬ Although agency management tions as areas in need of improve¬ ted to preserving its principles while sent out notices announcing the ment. Selection Boards are always defending its people. Although the new precepts in late May 1999, looking for employee growth. threat of nuclear conflict persisted many employees are still not famil¬ For those of you with no work — in fact, the Cold War had bare¬ iar with them. AFSA has been objectives, draft your own in line ly begun — Americans at home informed that many Foreign Service with the new precepts and give were instilled with a feeling of opti¬ officer work objectives established them to your rater ASAP. Follow up mism and confidence that a system for the 1999/2000 rating cycle in a few days and try to come to was in place to provide security in are not based on the new precepts. closure with your rater and get times of heated conflict. Today, as This is easily remedied, since it is approval from your appraisal com¬ the proliferation of weapons of early in the rating cycle. However, mittee in writing. mass destruction and the threat of AFSA has also learned that many AFSA would appreciate feed¬ terrorism in our cities escalate, FSOs in Washington have no back on the new precepts. Also, if Americans still remain committed to established work objectives at all you are experiencing problems preserving our role as leader of the for the 1999/2000 cycle. This is either establishing work objectives "free world" despite the dangers on appalling and should be addressed or getting revisions made, please the home front. Never, since the by HR immediately. bring this to my attention. autumn of 1962, has this determi¬ nation faltered.

AFSA NEWS • SEPTEMBER 1999 3 THIRD-CULTURE KID GIVES ONE-WOMAN V.P. VOICE PERFORMANCE By Kristine Latronica • BY JOHN NALAND • FSJ Advertising Intern

"Sometimes I feel like the ocean — On the Front Lines it's touching so many shores at once that forms tne shape of who I am. We | all take our shape from the lands that During my first month as your includes most regulations having j we touch. That's what home is, I State vice president, I have to do with conditions of employ¬ guess." been impressed by how ment (for example, criteria for Alone on the stage performing her many important issues are on promotion, procedures governing one-act play, /Site, Katie Buck set the AFSA's plate. Here are just some disciplinary action, and policies tone of the Foreign Service Youth of what the AFSA State Labor related to the work environment). Foundation's 1 Oth anniversary cele¬ Management staff is working on Both AFSA and State manage¬ bration on June 19, in the State as I write: ment take this negotiating right Department's Dean Acheson auditori¬ Should overseas tours be very seriously, giving AFSA a um. FSYF sponsored the one-woman lengthened? How can real say in vital issues. | production to honor the anniversary the erosion of benefits "Members AFSA's involvement I and the designation of 1999 as the and allowances be in individual issues "Year of the Foreign Service Child." A stopped? How can are our eyes often begins as a result theater major who recently graduated transparency be and ears for of input from a member from Wesleyan University, Buck wrote increased in the assign¬ or AFSA representative the play this year for her senior thesis. ments process? How what is actually at post. We are current¬ An Arab-American and Foreign can the language incen¬ happening on ly working on several Service dependent who grew up in tive pay program be topics that began as Kuwait, Oman, Iraq, ana Canada, improved? How will the the front lines." "did you know?" calls Buck depicts the life of a third-culture department assign or e-mails to us from kid — a global nomad raised in sev¬ Diplomatic Security spe¬ members. We enthusi¬ eral different countries struggling to cialists this year in view of the astically encourage such input. find an identity. Using recollections shortage of personnel? How can Members are our eyes and ears both humorous and poignant, she the department attract and retain for what is actually happening on weaves together the facets of family highly qualified information man¬ the front lines. life, foreign cultures, home and friends agers? Should the time-in-class Likewise, we highly value that contributed to her development. limit for mid-level FSO generalists members' views on key issues. By donning a head covering or be reduced from 15 to 13 years? For example, I received 112 e- changing a voice inflection, Buck illu¬ What kind of mid-level TIC mails after sending out our mes¬ minates the contrasting images and regime should apply to special¬ sage outlining the Inspector roles of women in Arab countries and ists? Are there ways to mitigate General's proposal to lengthen the U.S. She pays tribute to the brave, the impact of the legislative overseas assignments. Contained strong and diverse women, particular¬ requirement mandating members in those replies were several ly her mother and grandmothers, who low-ranked twice in the last five observations which, believe it or contributed to her understanding of years be reviewed for possible not, appear not to have occurred her own culture and her identity as a selection out? to anyone in Washington. Keep woman shifting between different Add to these AFSA's profes¬ up the good work. | worlds around the globe. sional and congressional issues Being somewhat cynical She also acknowledges her late (for example, funding for over¬ about the possibilities of real grandfather, Jeddo, who instilled in seas security) and you have a reform is easy (and probably her a sense of pride and love of substantial list of things that affect sensible) in our organization. I knowledge. His saying, "I don't just the daily lives of our members But, as I wrote last month in my love you, I adore you," is a source of and their families. first column, I refuse to believe strength for her during times of adver¬ Many of the labor-manage¬ that change is impossible and sity as well as times of joy. ment issues are negotiable — am confident that AFSA can con¬ Changing props, Buck moves meaning that the department may tinue to be a catalyst for action. through her traveling life. Holidays only adopt a new procedure with I hope that we can count on abroad can be difficult for Foreign AFSA's formal concurrence. This your active support. Service families. With a tiny Christmas tree, no bigger than a pot¬ ted plant, she evokes tne challenge of

4 AFSA NEWS • SEPTEMBER 1999 PMA Donation to AFSA Scholarship Fund The Public Members Association of the Foreign Service presented V.P. VOICE the AFSA Scholarship Program • BY RILEY SEVER* with a $3,000 check on Thursday, May 6 at its annual luncheon at the Department of State. This award will be used to help a needy child of a USIA's Legacy to AFSA Foreign Service family meet college expenses this fall. The award is des¬ hen USIA ceases to reduction in force policy; enduring ignated for a college junior or W exist on Sept. 30, a RIF at VOA; struggling with on senior studying foreign affairs under 1999, it will leave to again/off again consolidation; AFSA's Financial Aid Program. AFSA the legacy of a positive and finally, at the end of this PMA, which provides public mem¬ model for constructive labor-man¬ month, adjusting to integration. bers to sit on Foreign Service promo¬ agement relations as well as the While not always in agreement tion boards, has provided an annual policies that have resulted from on the issues, USIA and AFSA scholarship to the AFSA Scholarship this relationship. have set a model for a construc¬ Fund since 1992. USIA and AFSA have a long tive labor management relation¬ In the 1998/99 school year, history. AFSA was the first union ship which is characterized by AFSA gave financial aid grants to to represent USIA transparency, partner¬ 62 Foreign Service children totaling Foreign Service employ¬ "USIA and ship, and creative prob¬ over $1 22,000 funded by perpetual ees, although within a lem-solving. and annual scholarships. The AFSA have set a few years another union From negotiating pro¬ Association of American Foreign won that right. After a model for a con¬ motion precepts and Service Women (AAFSW) ana the long time and the efforts changes in the regula¬ Diplomatic and Consular Officers, structive labor- of many FSOs, both in tions to developing Retired (DACOR) also support the USIA and State, an elec¬ management informal solutions to AFSA Scholarship Program. For tion in 1992 reasserted resolve individual griev¬ more information on the Scholarship relationship." AFSA's right to represent ances, USIA and AFSA Program, contact Lori Dec at 202- USIA. Like a couple that have developed a spirit 944-5504 or [email protected]. has met and drifted of cooperation that has apart only to finally return to each greatly benefited Foreign Service other again, both organizations employees and the work of public ained appreciation of the other diplomacy. In recognition of that Xrough this process.r USIA recog- constructive role, State manage¬ nized- the valueP of a Foreic ment has agreed to maintain the Service-oriented union and AFSA AFSA offices in M-21 of the USIA realized that it couldn't take for building from Oct. 1, 1999 granted an exclusive right to rep¬ through Sept. 30, 2000. resent the Foreign Service. The AFSA office at USIA, or During the last seven years, State Annex 44 as it will be the AFSA presence at USIA has known after Sept. 30, will contin¬ grown from a part-time vice presi¬ ue to assist employees with griev¬ Amb. Edward Dillery, chair of AFSA's Committee on dent with no office to that of a full¬ ances and to identify where USIA Education, listens as Holly Thomas, Public Members time vice president and a labor and State policies or regulations Association of the Foreign Service president (center) relations specialist as well as a differ. In those instances where presents a $3,000 scholarship check in memory of part-time office manager, all oper¬ AFSA believes USIA may have Mary Elizabeth Brown's (right) late husband, William. ating out of a suite of three had the "best practice," we will offices. AFSA's commitment of use the USIA precedent as both One-Woman Show resources to the USIA office and an opportunity and justification to management's provision of ser¬ negotiate with management on recreating an American Christmas as vices to this office made the those points. she draws on fond memories of tradi¬ expansion possible. While the United States tional holidays in different countries. In addition to the usual griev¬ Information Agency may disap¬ A full length mirror, unveiled at the ances and negotiations over con¬ pear as a federal agency, AFSA end of her play, symbolizes reflection ditions of employment, this period will continue to use USIA's labor- and self discovery. ISite is the has seen the challenge of down¬ management legacy for the bene¬ provocative journey of a young sizing at USIA; negotiating a fit of Foreign Service employees. woman with the insight to be comfort¬ able with herself, wherever she is.

AFSA NEWS • SEPTEMBER 1999 5 AFSA FINANCIAL SUMMARY 1999

Assets, Liabilities and Total Net Assets All Funds $7,000,000 $6,000,000 $5,000,000 $4,000,000 $3,000,000 $2,000,000 $1,000,000 $0 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998

■ Assets ■ Liabilities □ Total Net Assets

Revenue, Expenses & Change in Net Assets Net of Scholarship Fund

□ Revenue i Expenses ■ Change in Net Assets

6 AFSA NEWS • SEPTEMBER 1999 AFSA FINANCIAL SUMMARY 1999

7101 Wisconsin Avenue ■ Suite 900 Betliesda. Maryland 20814-4805 301-654-4900- I-800-990-990T Fax 301-654-3567 - www.langcpa.tom

Consultants and Certified Public Accountants

Independent Auditor’s Report

Governing Board of the American Foreign Service Association and Associated Organizations

We have audited the accompanying consolidated statement of financial position of the American Foreign Service Association and Associated Organizations (the Association) as of December 31, 1998 and 1997, and the related consolidated statements of activities and cash flows for the years then ended. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Association’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the American Foreign Service Association and Associated Organizations as of December 31, 1998 and 1997, and the changes in their net assets and their cash flows for the years then ended in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.

0->nr^, .

Bethesda, Maryland April 28, 1999

AFSA NEWS • SEPTEMBER 1999 7 AFSA FINANCIAL SUMMARY 1999

American Foreign Service Association and Associated Organizations Consolidated Statement of Financial Position December 31,1998 and 1997

1998 1997

Assets

Current Assets Cash and cash equivalents, including restricted cash of $212,436 in 1998 and $200,291 in 1997 $ 427,764 $ 362,294 Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $20,000 in 1998 and $5,000 in 1997 108,282 66,817 Contributions receivable 16,500 ... Accrued interest and dividends 12,892 14,586 Prepaid expenses and other assets 48,232 27,070 Total current assets 613,670 470,767

Noncurrent Assets Land, building and equipment, net of depreciation 566,989 616,571 Temporarily restricted investments 4,241,246 3,648,030 Marketable securities 349,519 287,465 Total noncurrent assets 5,157,754 4,552,066

Total Assets $ 5,771,424 $ 5,022,833

Liabilities and Net Assets

Current Liabilities Accounts payable $ 87,605 $ 87,084 Accrued expenses 57,655 72,387 Deferred revenue 233,699 228,910 Current portion of note payable — 17,822 Total current liabilities 378,959 406,203

Commitments and Contingencies - ...

Net Assets Unrestricted 798,268 711,138 Temporarily restricted 4,594,197 3,905,492 Total net assets 5,392,465 4,616,630

Total Liabilities and Net Assets $ 5,771,424 $ 5,022,833

A complete set of the audited financial statements are available at the AFSA office 2101 E. St. N.W. Washington, D.C. 20037

8 AFSA NEWS • SEPTEMBER 1999 AFSA FINANCIAL SUMMARY 1999

American Foreign Service Association and Associated Organizations Consolidated Statement of Activities Years Ended December 31, 1998 and 1997

1998 1997 Temporarily Temporarily Unrestricted Restricted Total Unrestricted Restricted Total

Revenue, Gains, and Other Support Membership dues $ 1,371,069 $ $ 1,371,069 $ 1,359,067 $ $ 1,359,067 Advertising sales 375,132 ... 375,132 344,619 — 344,619 Contributions 44,392 290,610 335,002 90,789 289,646 380,435 Corporate sponsors — ...... 20,000 20,000 Subscriptions 11,852 ... 11,852 10,218 — 10,218 Rental 22,000 ... 22,000 ... — ... Realized and unrealized gain on marketable securities 49,674 629,754 679,428 30,395 750,659 781,054 Dividends and interest 13,260 108,864 122,124 13,280 99,392 112,672 Other 166,025 ... 166,025 86,443 ... 86,443 Net assets released from restrictions: Satisfaction of program restrictions 340,523 (340,523) ... 280,292 (280,292) Total revenue, gains, and other support 2,393,927 688,705 3,082,632 2,215,103 879,405 3,094,508

Expenses Program services Alumni 64,400 ... 64,400 99,074 ... 99,074 Journal 568,476 ... 568,476 504,378 ... 504,378 Membership 104,052 ... 104,052 61,424 ... 61,424 Labor relations 427,140 ... 427,140 431,369 ... 431,369 Legislative action 123,330 ... 123,330 137,963 ... 137,963 Club 29,504 ... 29,504 50,167 ... 50,167 Election 417 ... 417 9,813 ... 9,813 Board and committee 21,140 — 21,140 39,217 ... 39,217 AFSA Fund 103,057 ... 103,057 104,928 ... 104,928 AFSA Fund - Elderhostel 125,545 ... 125,545 71,318 ... 71,318 Corporate relations 23,256 ... 23,256 48,098 ... 48,098 75th anniversary 25,543 ... 25,543 ...... Public affairs 20,984 ... 20,984 12,455 ... 12,455 Diplomats on line 39,969 ... 39,969 5,225 ... 5,225 Scholarship 290,278 290,278 247,868 247,868 Total program services 1,967,091 ... 1,967,091 1,823,297 1,823,297

Supporting services Management and general 204,388 204,388 239,020 ... 239,020 Membership support 126,542 — 126,542 105,465 ... 105,465 Fundraising 8,776 — 8,776 5,279 ... 5,279 Total supporting services 339,706 ... 339,706 349,764 ... 349,764 Total expenses 2,306,797 ... 2,306,797 2,173,061 2,173,061

Change in Net Assets 87,130 688,705 775,835 42,042 879,405 921,447

Net Assets, beginning of year 711,138 3,905,492 4,616,630 669,096 3,026,087 3,695,183

Net Assets, end of year $ 798,268 $ 4,594,197 $ 5,392,465 $ 711,138 $ 3,905,492 S 4,616,630

A complete set of the audited financial statements are available at the AFSA office 2101 E. St. N.W. Washington, D.C. 20037

AFSA NEWS • SEPTEMBER 1999 9 New AFSA Governing Board Takes Office AAFSW's 39th by Richard Thompson, Professional Issues Coordinator Annual Bookfair he Elections Committee tive but a review of write-in votes announced the election of the permitted the committee to announce Oct. 15-24 new AFSA Governing Board. the election of Eric Sletten to that The Professional Slate was successful position. Therefore a complete new 10 am to 4 pm in its campaign to elect Willard De Governing Board took office at the at the State Department Pree to the position of Retiree vice traditional July 15 transition lun¬ president as a write-in candidate. cheon. (A table of numerical results Similarly, there was no candidate follows. * indicates a Professional Proceeds benefit the for Commercial Service representa¬ Slate candidate.)

AFSA/AAFSW 1999 AFSA ELECTION RESULTS 'CONSTITUENCY PRESIDENT SECRETARY TREASURER scholarship program and ‘Adair - 2,255 ‘Fernandez-2,238 ‘Tiernan-2,238 AID 134 13T1 134 local charities. FAS 27 26 26 CS 471 48 47 RETIREE 1,271 1,268 1,257 STATE 654 642 651 Open daily to State USIA 122 123 123

Department pass hold¬ CONSTITUENCY VP REPRESENTATIVE :

ers. Open to the general AID •Miller-143 Dempsey-139 FAS Dowling-37 Browne-36 public Oct. 16, 17, 23 CS Frederick-55 Sletten-2 RETIREE De Pree-134 ‘Cahill-1,233‘Davidson-1,214 ‘Jones-1,231 ‘Lamb-1,245 and 24. STATE *Naland-643 *Bruno-610 'Geisler-637 *Klein-599 *May-610 Robinson-566 USIA *Sever-129 ‘Bvers-123 Classifieds TAX & FINANCIAL SERVICES AFSA TAX COUNSEL: Problems of tax TAX PREPARATION: CPA, SPECIAL¬ ATTORNEY, FORMER FOREIGN SER¬ & finance. Never a charge to AFSA mem¬ IST in offshore U.S. taxpayer issues. 40+ VICE OFFICER: Extensive experience w/ bers for telephone guidance. Bob Dussell at years experience. Tax and estate planning tax problems peculiar to the Foreign Service. tax work both within and without IRS since and TAX RETURN PREPARATION, all fed¬ Available for consultation, tax planning, and ’37. Now solely in practice to assist FS eral and all states. Initial contact - no charge preparation of returns: employees and their families. Bob Dussell or obligation. Absolutely confidential. M. Bruce Hirshorn, Boring & Pilger (804) 550-3439, fax (804) 550-2269. 9058 Special care for delinquent filers, social Suite D, 307 Maple Ave, West Edgewater Circle, Mechanicsville, VA 23116. security acct problems, IRS and state con¬ Vienna, VA 22180 (703) 281-2161 troversies. JOHN D. NEBEKER, CPA 179 Fax: (703)281-9464 e-mail No. Nightfall Ave., Tucson, AZ 85748 Tel. or ROLAND S. HEARD, CPA [email protected] Fax (520) 721-7718, e-mail: 1091 Chaddwyck Dr., Athens, GA [email protected] FREE TAX CONSULTATION: For over¬ 30606 seas personnel. We process returns as Tel/Fax (706) 769-8976 TAX RETURN PREPARATION AND received, without delay. Preparation and rep¬ E-mail: [email protected] PLANNING: Relocation Tax Service, LLC resentation by Enrolled Agents. Federal and • U.S. income tax services (RTS) provides Foreign Service personnel all states prepared. Includes “TAX TRAX” • Many FS & contractor clients with federal and state tax preparation and unique mini-financial planning review with • Practiced before the IRS planning. RTS offers online tax return pro¬ recommendations. Full planning available. • Financial planning cessing as well as traditional paper prepa¬ Get the most from your financial dollar! • American Institute of CPAs, Member ration, and year-round tax hotline with our Financial Forecasts Inc., Barry B. De Marr, FIRST CONSULTATION FREE tax preparation services. Call for a free tax CFP, EA 1001 N. Highland St. #301 booklet explaining taxation of foreign Arlington, Va 22201, Clarendon Metro, (703) PROFESSIONAL TAX RETURN income if a spouse is working on the econ¬ 841-1040, FAX (703) 841-5865, e-mail: omy. RTS employees have over 200 years [email protected] PREPARATION: Thirty years in public tax practice Arthur A Granberg, EA, ATA, ATP. of experience servicing Americans over¬ COMPLETE TAX & ACCOUNTING | Our charges are $55 per hour. Most FSO seas and we believe in personal year- SERVICE: Specialize in Foreign Service returns take 3 to 4 hours. Our office is 100’ round service. Visit our website at and overseas contractor situations. from Virginia Square Metro Station, Tax www.taxmove.com or contact Jane Bruno Virginia M. Test, CPA 2595 Chandler Ave. Matters, Associates, PC 3601 North Fairfax at Relocation Tax Services, 4809 N. 25th # 18, Las Vegas, NV 89120, (702) 795- Dr. Arlington, VA 22201 Tel. (703) 522-3828, St., Arlington, VA 22207. tel/fax (703) 525- 3648, FAX (702) 433-9191, e-mail Fax (703) 522-5726, E-mail: 3327; e-mail: [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

10 AFSA NEWS • SEPTEMBER 1999 Classifieds TAX & FINANCIAL SERVICES II PROPERTY MANAGEMENT FOCUSED ON QUALITY FINANCIAL PLANNING: Investment MANOR SERVICES: FORMER federal WJD MANAGEMENT IS competitively Analysis. Portfolio Management. Help as you law enforcement officer, offers BEST tenant priced, of course. However, if you are consid¬ plan for retirement, children’s educational screening. Frequent inspections. Mortgages ering hiring a property management firm, don’t expenses, home purchases. Fee-only. No paid. Repairs. Close PERSONAL attention. forget the old saying “You get what you pay product sales. Strictly impartial advice. Car¬ We’re small, but VERY effective. FS and Mil. for.” Property management is essentially an ried out by former FSO, MBA, Registered refs. Our rates are lower than anyone on this information management business. There is Investment Adviser. Free Initial consultation. page. And our SERVICE is better, too. Com¬ definitely a proper and an improper way to Michael Hirsh, 9747 Business Park Ave., pare -- you’ll see. We don’t sell, we do manage this information. Without the right Suite 213, San Diego, CA 92131, (619) 689- “HANDS-ON” management only. TERSH staff, the right software, and in particular the 0790, E-mail: [email protected] NORTON Box 42429, Washington, D.C. right attitude, the management of your home ATTORNEY 20015 Tel. (202) 363-2990, Fax (202)363- can easily become problematic for everyone EXTENSIVE EXPERIENCE BEFORE For¬ 4736 E-mail: [email protected] involved. All of us at WJD have worked for eign Service Grievance Board, MSPB, and other property management firms in the past, EEOC. Specializing in Federal employee and we have learned what to do and more grievances concerning performance evalua¬ importantly what not to do from our experi¬ tions, disciplinary actions, involuntary ences at these companies. We invite you to removal, sexual harassment and discrimina¬ explore our web site at www.wjdpm.com for tion based on handicap (including alcohol and more information, or call us at (703) 684-0800. drug addiction). Sam Horn, Tel/Fax (301) PEAKE MANAGEMENT - Do you want to 933-9723, E-mail: [email protected] make sure your house is well managed while FORMER FOREIGN SERVICE OFFICER you're overseas? Call Lindsey Peake and set NOW PRACTICING LAW IN DC/MD. General up an appointment to discuss how we provide practice; estate planning: wills, trusts, living exceptional services to our clients. Want to wills, powers of attorney; probate administra¬ DIPLOMAT PROPERTIES, INC. Were learn more about us first? Visit our new Web¬ tion; domestic relations; FS grievances. Grego¬ proud to provide excellence in property man¬ site at www.peakeinc.co or call for our free, ry V. Powell; Furey, Doolan & Abell, LLP; 8401 agement during your assignment abroad. highly acclaimed Landlord Reference Manual Conn. Ave., #1100, Chevy Chase, MD 20815 Serving No. Va. only. (Owned and operated which walks you through the entire process. (301) 652-6880 fax (301) 652-8972. _ by a former Foreign Service family). We offer Most of our clients are FSOs, so we under¬ WILL/ESTATE PLANNING by attorney the following: highly experienced manage¬ stand your special needs and would love to who is a former FSO. Have your will reviewed ment, quality tenants, superior maintenance, work with you. Friendly, personal, profession¬ and updated, or new one prepared: No charge strong communication, effective advertising at al and knowledgeable. The best combination! for initial consultation. M. Bruce Hirshorn, no extra cost, 24 hour emergency service. Get 6842 Elm Street, McLean, VA 22101. E-mail: Boring & Pilger, 307 Maple Ave. W, Suite D, to know us, a company that cares. For man¬ [email protected]. (703) 448-0212. Vienna, VA 22180 (703) 281-2161, Fax (703) agement services information, contact: Robin H.A. GILL & SON 281-9464 E-mail: [email protected] Gomez, Tel. (703) 522-5900, Fax (703) 525- 4713. E-mail: [email protected] 3900 N. OFFERS THE PROVEN, expert property GRIEVANCES: MANDATORY Fairfax Drive, Suite 204, Arlington, VA 22203. management services that have satisfied hun¬ RETIREMENT OR dreds of FSOs for over 108 years. As a small¬ PROPERTY MANAGEMENT er company we can provide you with the indi¬ SEPARATION? DEFECTIVE EER? FAHEY & ASSOCIATES: Do you want vidual attention and diligent care of your prop¬ ATTORNEY WITH 20 years successful professional and caring property management erty that you deserve when you are overseas experience SPECIALIZING IN FS GRIEV¬ for your select Northern Virginia property? - and at the most competitive rates. We are ANCES will represent you to protect vital inter¬ Expertise and personal attention to detail are completely computerized with easy-to-read ests in these or other career matters including the hallmarks of our established firm. Call monthly and annual statements,. Specializing non-promotion, selection out, non-tenuring, Gerry Romberg for exceptional service. 6842 in the management and sale of fine single disciplinary actions at State, AID, USIA, and Elm Street, Suite 303, McLean, VA 22101 family properties and condominiums in the Commerce. Call Bridget R. Mugane at (202) (703) 691-2006, Fax (703) 448-9652, E-mail: District & Montgomery County. Please call 387-4383 (Farragut Square), or (301) 596- [email protected] John Gill, Jr. at (202) 338-5000, Fax (202) 0175, or E-mail: [email protected] J.P. PROPERTIES, LTD.: Complete pro¬ 338-2545, or E-mail: [email protected] GRIEVANCES & DISCRIMINATION fessional dedication to the management of SHORT - TERM RENTALS can ATTORNEY PRACTICING IN areas of FS residential property in Northern Virginia. Our FOREIGN SERVICE ASSOCIATES grievances at State and Commerce Depts., professionals will provide personal attention to provide fully furnished apartments at River Place just 5 minutes from the new NFATC USAID and USIA; MSPB and Employment your home, careful tenant screening, and Discrimination cases; actions under Title VII video inspections of your property. We are facility and one block from SA-15. We have efficiencies, 1 bedrooms, and some 2 bed¬ and the Rehabilitation Act. Will write and file equipped to handle all of your property man¬ rooms, usually within your per diem. Apts, are your claims, appeals and complaints, repre¬ agement needs. We work 7 days a week! sent you at hearings, and counsel you in chal¬ Over 19 years real estate experience and For¬ fully furnished kitchens, cable TV, telephone, lenging adverse employment decisions. eign Service overseas living experience. linens, and all utilities included. Write: P.O. Offices in VA (N. Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA) JOANN PIEKNEY, 301 Maple Ave. W„ 4-C, FOREIGN SERVICE ASSOCIATES, Box 12855, Arlington, VA 22209 or call: (800) and DC (601 Indiana Ave. NW Ste 504 Vienna, VA 22180. Tel. (703) 938-0909 Fax 993-6997, or (703) 527-0279, Wash., DC 20004). George Elfter at 202 637- (703) 281-9782. E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] 1325, or 703 351-6854. Fax 703 354-8734. www.homes-foreign-service.com

AFSA NEWS • SEPTEMBER 1999 IT ——— Classifieds TEMPORARY HOUSING II FLORIDA II 110 - 220 VOLT STORE MULTI-SYSTEM ELECTRONICS WASHINGTON DC or NFATC TOUR? LONGBOAT KEY / SARASOTA. Beauti¬ EXECUTIVE HOUSING CONSULTANTS ful homes, villas, condos for now and the PAL-SECAM-NTSC TVs, VCRs, AUDIO, offers Metropolitan Washington D.C.’s finest future. Area will exceed expectations. CAMCORDER, ADAPTOR, TRANSFORM¬ portfolio of short-term, fully-furnished and SHARON OPER, Wedebrock Real Estate Co. ERS, KITCHEN APPLIANCES equipped apartments, townhomes and single Tel/Fax (941) 387-7199; E-mail: EXPORTS ELECTRONICS, INC. family residences in Maryland, D.C. and Vir¬ [email protected] 1 (800) 950-3450. 1719 Connecticut Ave. N.W. Washington, ginia. D.C. 20009, near Dupont Circle. Between R & In Virginia: “River Place's Finest" is steps FLORIDA S Streets. Tel. (202) 232-2244, Fax (202)265- to Rosslyn Metro and Georgetown and 15 2435, (800) 513-3907. minutes on Metro bus or State Department NO STATE INCOME tax enhances gra¬ E-mail: [email protected] shuttle to NFATC. For more info, please call cious living in Florida. Former FSO Paul Price quotations for PVOs, NGOs, USG, FS us at (301) 951- 4111 or visit our website: Byrnes specializes in home, villa, and condo Discounts for Diplomats. www.executivehousing.com sales in Sarasota, but also helps anywhere in the State. Ask for Paul at Toll Free (877) 924- BEST RATES IN WASHINGTON: When 9001, use E-mail: [email protected] or BOOKS the need for housing in the DC area arises, try write him at Arvida Realty Services, 100 N. the Newly Renovated Pennsylvania House, Tamiami Tr. Sarasota, FL 34236. ANY U.S. BOOK in print. Send check fully furnished, full kitchen. Minutes from any¬ when books arrive. Salmagundi Books 66 where you need to be in the DC area. One FOR SALE Main St, Cold Spring, NY 10516. E-mail: block from Foggy Bottom/GWU metro line. [email protected] Great for long or short term stays. For more NORTHWEST ISLAND PROPERTY: information please check our website at Spectacular views, mild climate, safe commu¬ www.dcsuites.com or call (202) 331-5000 nity, boating, fishing, hiking, between Seattle BOOKS, BOOKS, BOOKS. We have and ask for our sales department. & Vancouver, B.C. Contact former FSO Jan thousands in stock, do special orders daily, Zehner, Coldwell Banker Orcas Island, (800) search for out-of-print books, large selection 552-7072; Fax (360) 376-5095, P.O. Box 127, of CD's and cassettes; Jazz a specialty. Visa REAL ESTATE Eastsound, WA 98245, E-mail: or Mastercard. THE VERMONT BOOK SHOP [email protected] SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO: Work or retire 38 Main Street, Middlebury, VT 05753. in the City of Enchantment abounding with art, music, spectacular scenery and clean moun¬ AAFSW BOOKFAIR ATLANTIC ISLAND ADVENTURE tain air. Enjoy mild winters and cool summers. ANNUAL AAFSW BOOKFAIR: BOOK- Gerry Arnold, Enchanted City Realty, Tel. FAIR '99, sponsored by the Association of (505)473-7751, E-Mail [email protected] American Foreign Service Women Join Bill Littlewood, FSO Ret. along with (AAFSW) for the past 38 years, weekends of expert naturalist and historical guides on FOR RENT Oct. 16-17 and 23-24. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. cruise ship EXPLORER, from Canary Islands at the U.S. Department of State Exhibition Hall - Cape Verde - down the mid-Atlantic ridge FOR RENT: 3BR/3BA TOWNHOUSE in Washington, D.C. Entrance will be on "C" and to virtually inaccessible islands - Ascen¬ IDEAL FOR DC TOUR: 6 min. walk to Vienna street between 22nd and 23rd streets, NW. sion - St. Helena - Tristan da Cunha - South Metro, parks, school; 20 min. HOV-2 to Main (Open daily to State Department passhold- Georgia - Falkland Islands. Astonishing profu¬ State. Large country kitchen, LR/DR, FamRm, ers). Thousands of used books; art objects, sion and variety of wildlife. Tour begins Oct. 4 W/D, DW, sundeck, Available Sept 1; collectibles, stamps and coins will be avail¬ in Miami with flight to Tenerife, return Nov. 8 $1450/month. Contact John: (703) 683-3515; able. Free admission. Last day everything at from Santiago, Chile to Miami. Some of these or E-mail: [email protected] half price. Visa and MasterCard accepted. For islands have no scheduled air sen/ice. Ask for information, or to arrange donation pickup, Janet Diebenow at LifeLong Learning, Inc. 1 VACATION RENTAL call (202) 223-5796. From overseas: pouch to 800 954-4080 for brochure. AAFSW Bookroom Rm. 1524, Main State. VACATION RENTAL: South Florida Gulf Proceeds from the BOOKFAIR benefit Coast - Marco Island. Anglers Cove resort on D.C. community projects and the AAFSW CALLING ALL EXPATS Marco Bay, 16 mi. so of Naples, 50 min. from Scholarship Fund. In 1998, AAFSW con¬ Ft. Myers. Waterfront 2 BR condo overlooking tributed $35,000 to fund the AFSA/AAFSW ESCAPE, the global guide for the adven¬ Marco Bay, 2 pools, tennis, 5 min. to beaches, Merit Award Competition and Financial Aid turous traveler, is seeking foreign correspon¬ 3 TVs, HBO, VCR, screened balcony. Weekly Program-almost 24% of the Program. dents for its new on-line bulletin board, rentals. Call for brochures (703) 922-5846 Coconut Wireless. It's a chance for you to tell [email protected] PLACE A CLASSIFIED AD IN AFSA the world about your experiences, and offer NEWS. Ad rate: $1/word (10 word min). First tips and advice for travelers heading to your CAPTIVA ISLAND, FL: 1 to 4 bedroom 3 bold words included free, additional bold area. Join a vital community of global travel¬ beach and bayside vacation rentals. Swim¬ text $2/word, Header or box $10. Contact ers. Visit www.escapemag.com and click to ming, shelling, fishing, etc. Walk to shops & Advertising & Circulation Manager by E-mail: the Coconut Wireless page. Then log on to restaurants. Call Pat at 1 (800) 547-0127. [email protected] or by Fax (202) Expats and join the conversation. We look for¬ www.captiva-island.com 338-6820. ward to hearing from you!

1 2 AFSA NEWS • SEPTEMBER 1999 Focus

to be reelected, but Worldnet had yet to report any elec¬ persons, and cultural activities. This is to distinguish it tion news. from traditional diplomacy which concerns state-to-state Fortunately, most of my guests had retreated to the relations and is thought of as more secretive. In the bar. Later, we used the evening to illustrate to tire contemporary world, the dividing hire has become very Croatians our point that state-controlled television — in blurred. any country — makes for bad television. Credit for consolidation (and therefore for USIA’s demise) is substantially due to Sen. Jesse Helms, who was Senatoi* Helms’ Legacy determined to make consolidation of the foreign affairs USIA will not broadcast election night 2000. On Oct. agencies (USIA, the Arms Control and Disarmament 1 of this year, the agency will disappear. The State Agency and the U.S. Agency for International Department will take over its public advocacy functions Development) into the State Department a major legacy and the conduct of educational and cultural exchange of his tenure as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations programs. The Voice of America and similar broadcasting Committee. Although AID remained independent, operations will become independent, subject to the con¬ Helms’ achievement in eliminating two govern¬ trol of a presidentially appointed board of governors. ment agencies is remarkable, perhaps without recent It remains to be seen if the new arrangements will precedent. work better. In some areas, notably television, tire State Helms could not have prevailed without the strong Department could hardly do worse. For the educational support of Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, who exchange programs, the critical question is whether the shrewdly saw consolidation as a means to curry favor with department can maintain the independence and intellec¬ tire powerful chairman while enhancing her own bureau¬ tual rigor that make them worth doing. cratic power. An initial State Department proposal to merge the information (or, less charitably, die propaganda) function Atwood’s Last Stand with the educational exchange programs in a single AIDs survival is almost entirely due to the tenacity of bureau was not encouraging. Faced with strong congres¬ its administrator, Brian Atwood, who called in eveiy chit sional and university opposition, combined with the dis¬ he accumulated through a 30-year Washington career. covery that such a combination was flat out illegal under Although widely considered tire most accomplished the Fulbright-Hays Act, the State Department wisely administrator in AID’s history, Atwoods principled stand changed course. The exchange programs will continue to proved personally costly. In May, he was forced to with¬ be administered by an autonomous bureau as required draw his nomination as ambassador to Brazil when by the 1983 congressional charter. Chairman Helms refused to hold a hearing, a move wide¬ The most important issue is whether the State ly seen as payback for Atwood’s persistence. Department will make good use of the overseas assets, Many USIA partisans blame the agency’s last director, including the Foreign Sendee officers, that are the back¬ Joseph Duffey, for having failed to make an Atwood-like bone of Americas public diplomacy. Over the last two stand in defense of its continuation. I doubt he could decades, USIA squandered much of its overseas have prevailed, even if he had tried. Since 1981, USIA’s resources. Perhaps State will do better. leadership managed to alienate key constituencies for its The essence of the USIA mission has been public programs, including the university and educational diplomacy. A term of art much beloved within the exchange communities, the advocates of radio broadcast¬ agency, public diplomacy is the advocacy of national ing, and those concerned simply with effective use of tax¬ interests by seeking to influence foreign publics and lead¬ payer dollars. As a result, few came to USIA’s defense ers through open means such as the media, exchange of w'hen the consolidation was put forward. If anything, Joe Duffey’s competent and low-key management helped Peter Galbraith, U.S. ambassador to Croatia from 1993 depoliticize USIA, making it less of a lightning rod than to 1998, teaches at the National War College. He was a it had been under his predecessors. senior staffer for the Senate Foreign Relations There was also a strong substantive argument for Committee from 1979 to 1993. AID’s continuation as a separate agency under the

SEPTEMBER 1999/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 31 Focus

general authority of the secretary of USIA’s election night dubbed it “kiddiegate”) not only State. What AID does is different from made the agency controversial, but also what the State Department does, and TV coverage was awful ludicrous. Few things are as fatal there is no reason to believe that the in Washington as becoming an object department has the necessary expertise — it featured footage of fun. to master the intricacies of AID con¬ Early in the administration, Wick tracting. By contrast, USIAs programs that was months old. alienated the educational community (except for the exchanges) have largely first by proposing to slash the outlived their Cold War purposes while Fulbright academic exchange program its advocacy mission has become so central that there is and then by directing exchange monies to fund far- little reason to keep it separate from tire broader conduct right advocacy groups. In one instance, the agency of foreign affairs. used exchange monies to teach Haitian dictator “Baby Charles Z. Wick, Reagans flamboyant choice to head Doc” Duvaliers spokesmen how to improve his image USIA for both his terms, presided over the greatest in the U.S. enlargement of USIAs budget since its inception (a near The upshot was the 1983 law not only prohibiting die tripling in eight years). He also alienated most of its con¬ Bureau of Educational Affairs from engaging in advocacy stituencies and through some of his antics (blacklisting as programs but also inviting die president to move the subversives potential speakers such as Walter Cronldte; Bureau out of USIA. (I wrote the 1983 law and, like many employing tire children of high administration officials so involved in the debate tiien, I would have preferred that extensively that the Senate investigation into the hiring the Fulbright exchanges be administered by a non-polit- VOLVO Need Ault Parts NOW? Factory-Set Discounts To Diplomats State-Side Auto Supply is your world-wide professional Posted Stateside and Abroad supplier of auto parts and accessories for all makes and U.S., U.K., European, or Overseas Specs models of automobiles manufactured for the U.S. market. Overseas and Domestic Deliveries • We will get you the correct part FAST - usually in less than 7 days.

JERRY GRIFFIN • If you are not sure of the exact parts, hardware or DIPLOMATIC SALES SPECIALIST accessories you need, call us for assistance and we 18 YEARS WITH VOLVO will help you place your order.

1231 W. Broad Street • We accept all Government PO’s as well as personal orders, and we give priority attention to urgendy Falls Church, VA 22046 needed items. Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Area • No order is too large or too small! (703) 237-5000 f! State-Side Fax: (703) 237-5028 Auto Supply 211 Southwest Rd., Canterbury, NH USA 03224 • E-mail: [email protected] PHONE: 603-783-9361 • FAX: 603-783-0257 Order forms sent on request We accept VISA and MasterCard Call Bob Chisholm today JbDon Beyer Volvo ^ PHONE OR FAX YOUR ORDER 24 HRS. A DAY. 7 DAYS A WEEK ^

32 FOREIGN SERVICE JO U RNAL/SEPT EM BE R 19 99 Focus

ical entity, such as the Smithsonian or Under Charles Wick, attended public ceremony, to the mem¬ the Library of Congress, with solid con¬ ory of Secretary Ron Brown, nections to the academic world.) The USIA became an object Ambassador Robert Frasure and the danger of moving the exchanges to the 36 others who perished in Balkans State Department is that a future secre¬ of ridicule, which is peace missions. The day after I left tary of State will want to use diem to Croatia, USIA closed the library. Not support some controversial short-term fatal in Washington. only was money wasted; the United policy goal, and thus diminish the States looked ridiculous. Fulbrightprograms reputation. Wick also ignored USIAs overseas operations. While What USIA Forgot the Washington staff grew on his watch from 3,000 to Hopefully, the State Department will learn what 4,200, the number of Americans serving abroad declined USIA forgot: that its most important asset is its people both as a percentage of die total (from one-diird to fewer in the field. Any time the United States needed to than one-quarter) and in absolute numbers. Sadly the speak to die Croatian public, my PAOs used their con¬ decline in overseas presence has continued. tacts and expertise to arrange the most effective way for The agency now operates on the principle that it will me to communicate: an exclusive interview with an minimally staff overseas missions while investing opposition newspaper, a guest appearance on state-run resources in Washington-based products that can be television, a speech at a university, or an extensively speedily deployed to the field at die request of the mis¬ covered ride on a refugee tractor. This low-tech, rela¬ sion. While diese media projects are intended to be tively low-cost approach gave us far more coverage demand-driven, in fact PAOs often feel pressured to use than all the expensive programs coming out of products because they are there. My PAO in Croatia Washington. wasted an inordinate amount of time cajoling a few reluc¬ The State Department must adequately support tant Croatian journalists to attend Worldnet interactive these officers in die field. Their work is the substance programming (where the interviewer can question a of public diplomacy. The department would make an Washington talking head over the phone line and see his excellent start by reversing the trend that favors mar¬ response on a television screen) in our library. Rarely was ginal Washington-based programs to people in overseas there any secondary usage, and diis programming never posts. The department should also ensure that consoli¬ appeared on Croatian television. dation increases the opportunities for USIA personnel. Too often, these products are simply bad. During the In the modern world where public and traditional Kosovo war, I appeared as a panelist on a USIA show to diplomacy are so intertwined, public affairs and politi¬ discuss the conflict. We had to avoid anything time sensi¬ cal officers should not only work closely together — in tive — hai'd to do in the middle of a war — because the many cases their jobs should overlap. show was being transmitted Saturday and the taping was In the end, USIA fell victim to a changing world. on a Wednesday. And this for the administration’s top The end of the Cold War made obsolete many of the public diplomacy priority! programs designed primarily to answer Soviet propa¬ Sadly, USIA has closed most of its libraries — the one ganda. Quality, always a problem, has become a more overseas program that was widely used and appreciated. serious issue when the competition is CNN and the These have been replaced by sonorously-named Internet, and not crude Communist propaganda. “Information Resource Centers” — essentially a comput¬ Fortunately for the State Department, USIAs people er terminal that can help the visitor find stuff mostly have always been much superior to the agency that already available on the Internet. These changes have not housed them or, in many cases, to the products they only reduced patronage, but also have often been very were asked to deliver. wasteful. During my tenure in Zagreb, I resisted these Paradoxically, public diplomacy — USIAs raison trends, keeping the library open, and even securing fund¬ d’etre — has become much more important with the ing for a major renovation. Just before my tour ended, end of the Cold War. In fact, too important to be left to the newly renovated library was dedicated, in a widely USIA. ■

SEPTEMBER 1999/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 33 r V J

If you expect insurance coverage with

CEPTIONS 0 EXCUSES this is your insurance plan.

The "all-risk" AFSA Insurance Plan.

Specifically designed for members of the American Foreign Service Association on active duty abroad. Relocating abroad can be a very traumatic time if you don't have the proper insurance. You could find yourself out of the country, and out of luck. Especially if you are assigned to a developing country or a hazardous territory. Most insurance programs refuse to offer coverage at many foreign posts, or charge excessive premiums if they do. And, if you limit yourself to the protection provided under the Claims Act, you may not be adequately protected. With the AFSA Plan, no matter where in the world you are stationed, your possessions will be covered against virtually all risks, up to the limit of your choice, at the same low rate. No excuses. No exceptions. And, you can get comprehensive moving insurance, theft, fire, excess liability coverage, itemized valuable articles and personal liability insurance. You have enough to worry about. Let us take care of your insurance. Send for your free brochure with built-in application today. Or, fax or call our AFSA Desk for immediate answers to your questions.

AFSA Desk, The Hirshorn Company 14 East Highland Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19118 www.hirshorn.com Phone: 215-242-8200 or 800-242-8221 • DC area: 202-457-0250 • Fax: 215-247-6366 FALL FROM POWER: THE FINAL DAYS OF THE MARCOS REGIME

WERE FERDINAND AND IMELDA MARCOS TRICKED INTO LEAVING THE PHILIPPINES?

WAS THERE A CHOICE?

BY J. MICHAEL HOULAHAN

he excesses of Philippines President stepped onto the tarmac in Manila following his return T Ferdinand Marcos’ regime are well- from exile. The shocking inrage of his body sprawled on documented — First Lady Imelda’s the runway was broadcast throughout the world. Yet at thousands of shoes, lavish parties and the time, Marcos still had every reason to believe that he other personal extravagances; tire many, would continue to enjoy full American support. After all, rarely used palaces the two built all over he had held office since 1965, and had been hailed as a tire country at government expense; and trusted friend and ally by four of the five American pres¬ the millions of dollars a year which mysteriously vanished idents during that period (Jimmy Carter being the sole from the country’s treasury throughout their rule — all exception). As governor of California, President Reagan financed at the expense of desperately poor Filipinos. had visited Marcos, and the two men (and their wives) Likewise, the image of Cory Aquino in her trademark yellow had stayed in close contact ever since. And most impor¬ dress leading tire “people power” movement that ousted the tantly, Marcos had skillfully portrayed himself (albeit in Marcoses in 1986 quickly entered into legend. the face of reality) as a strong anti-communist bulwark But the actual end of the Marcos regime is much less against the National People’s Army (NPA) insurgency, a familiar. What really happened during those fateful days fol¬ role he knew would ingratiate him to the American polit¬ lowing tire snap presidential election of February 1986? ical establishment in the midst of the Cold War. As The story that follows is based on interviews conducted in Imelda Marcos recalled in a September 1997 interview 1997 and 1998 with some of tire main figures in that tense by the author, “We were on very, very good terms — we Philippine endgame. Though some details may never be never had been more close to Washington, the White fully known, it is abundantly clear drat U.S. persuasion and House, than during the term of Reagan. We had very pressure were crucial in convincing Ferdinand and Inrelda good personal rapport.” Marcos to leave. Nevertheless, President Marcos’ declaration of martial But did the U.S. trick tire Marcoses into fleeing Manila? law in 1972 and subsequent crackdown on the democratic U.S. officials deny it, but Imelda swears it’s true. You may opposition only helped tire NPA grow. Worse, die blatant have to judge for yourself: Where does deception end and corruption and incompetence of the Marcos administration self-deception begin? gradually infected governmental institutions including the police and the army, which became less and less effective. As The Snap Election a result, die NPA evolved from a nuisance comprising just With the benefit of hindsight, it is clear that the cata¬ 900-1,200 insurgents in 1972 to an increasingly viable direat lyst for Marcos’ fall was the 1983 assassination of chief ten times that number by 1983. political rival “Ninoy” (Benigno) Aquino just before he Embassy Manila’s reporting of the situation on the ground became increasingly unvarnished beginning around 1982 J. Michael Houlahan is a retired USIA Foreign Service under tiien-U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines Michael officer who served in the U. S. Embassy in Manila from Armacost. The embassy’s skepticism about Marcos’ fitness to 1989 to 1992. He and his wife, a Filipino academic, are rule and long-term prospects grew even stronger under his frequent visitors to Manila. successor, Stephen Bosworth, but took time to filter through

SEPTEMBER 1999/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 35 the bureaucracy back in Washington. I Bosworth s predecessor in Manila, Forces. So Mr. Bosworth sent three Even so, American disillusionment Ambassador Michael Armacost, helicopters: one helicopter with with the pervasive corruption and gen¬ points out that the EDSA Revolution Marcos, the two girls and security, and eral fecklessness of the Marcos was actually the second display of the other helicopter, me and my boy regime, and concern about its ability popular resolve against Marcos’ rule: and 40 others. On the third helicopter to remain in power, were already well “And that was also true at the time were our things. But our tilings and advanced by the time President of Ninoy’s death [in 1983]. The funer¬ our papers went over to die U.S. Marcos rashly called a snap election. al procession provoked a huge crowd Embassy. And then we were tiiere at turnout. There must have been a mil¬ Clark Air Base.” Opponents In The Streets lion or more people stretched out The group was to overnight at Although Marcos claimed victory along the procession route. And, oi Clark Air Base. Then the Marcoses soon after the polls closed on February course, as the revolution unfolded expected to proceed by fixed-wing air¬ 7, 1986, it quickly became apparent [three years later], the degree to plane to Ilocos Norte (Marcos’ home that he had resorted to massive fraud which Marcos was alienating his own province and political power base). to stave off defeat by Ninoy’s widow, people became more and more clear This would allow Marcos to “spend a “Cory” (Corazon) Aquino. Huge num¬ on die streets of Manila. And this was day-and-a-half to assure my friends bers of angry Filipinos took to the all witnessed by the world on CNN.” and relatives that I’m not deserting streets and stayed there. Meanwhile, them,” Allen recalls Marcos insisting. Marcos’ two top military men began to The Regime Collapses After that, Marcos was to select a final plot a coup. Discovered, drey barricad¬ As the situation deteriorated, destination “anywhere in the world.” ed diemselves into a military camp on President Reagan’s advisers realized However, once the group made it die outskirts of Manila. Wfthin hours, that they had to act. Despite the heavy to Clark Air Base, several events ren¬ several hundred diousand civilians, television coverage of events in dered die original plan impractical. mobilized by the Roman Catholic Manila, it took the combined efforts First, one of die two naval vessels des¬ radio station “Veritas”, placed them¬ of all the senior members of his for¬ ignated for the rescue would not fit selves between die loyalist tanks on eign affairs team (relying heavily on under a bridge and the remaining Epifano de los Santos Avenue (EDSA) Manila’s reporting that all responsible ship, unable to rescue some of the des¬ and the lighdy-armed insurgents. (The Filipinos believed that Marcos had ignated evacuees from Malacanang “peoples power” movement is also stolen die election), and the personal Palace because panicky palace guards known as the EDSA Revolution in appeals of congressional leaders, most forced their way aboard, was fired honor of this demonstration of anti- notably Sen. Paul Laxalt (R-Nev.), to upon by the remaining guards as it Marcos sentiment.) change die presidents mind. But in departed. Meanwhile, a people’s After initially threatening to crush time, Reagan reluctantly accepted the power march and a column of tanks “people power” with military force, necessity for his old friends, commanded by a Marcos loyalist were Marcos backed down, dissuaded by Ferdinand and Imelda, to exit the both converging on Clark Air Base at die massive outpouring of civilian stage to avert civil war. dawn, even as the colonel command¬ support for the insurrection, the Accordingly, at 7:00 a.m. local time ing the Filipino air force unit provid¬ reluctance of his troops to fire upon on Tuesday, Feb. 25, 1986, Ambass¬ ing base security announced diat the unarmed civilians and strong U.S. ador Bosworth ordered Lt. Gen. loyalty of his guard force was suspect. government warnings against using Teddy Allen, Commander of the Joint But die crowning blow to Marcos’ force. Ambassador Stephen Bosworth U.S. Military Assistance Group (JUS- hopes of delaying his departure came recalls in a 1998 interview: MAG) in the Philippines, to rescue when Cory Aquino denounced him as “It was not only our warnings [that President Marcos and his immediate a “destabilizing force” and insisted he dissuaded him], but also die fact that family from the palace complex. be removed from the country immedi¬ some elements of his own military Imelda Marcos describes how tense ately. were unwilling to use force, [like] the the security situation was becoming Allen awakened Tommy Manotoc, general who was in command of die there: the husband of Marcos’ oldest child, marines advancing down EDSA in “By this time my children, my Imee, and Marcos’ son, Ferdinand their armored personnel carriers. grandchildren were all in Malacanang “Bong Bong” Marcos Jr., to brief them They basically refused to move for¬ Palace and we were being artaclced on the worsening situation. He ward, as per the famous pictures of the with helicopters with rockets diat did warned them that he could not ensure nuns standing in front of die tanks.” not belong to the Philippine Anned their safety if diey traveled to Ilocos

36 FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL/SEPTEMBER 1999 Norte and suggested an aerial evacua¬ and he would provide a pole of attrac¬ tion to Guam instead. After a short One hot pink tion for a number of people in die family conference, Manotoc acqui¬ military. To be in the country as a focal esced to the revised itinerary. And so, attache case point for resistance to a new regime on Feb. 26, 1986, when it became contained didn’t seem to be a means of stabiliz¬ clear that his situation was untenable, ing the situation. As I remember, Marcos reluctantly accepted the U.S. 21 ingots stamped Laxalt, Shultz and perhaps [special offer of safe conduct and political asy¬ as 24-ccirat gold. envoy Philip] Habib stopped off at the lum hi Hawaii. Ninety people, includ¬ White House...and it wasn’t long ing 41 Filipino security men, were before the conclusion was conveyed flown out of Clark Air Base on two in Iloeos Norte, because die commu¬ to him [Marcos] that, if you either U.S. military aircraft just before dawn nists are waiting to attack, for us to have to fish or cut bait, this was the that day. arrive and land there. So we are going time to cut bait. I regarded tiiat as Not surprisingly, Mrs. Marcos to Hawaii.’” meaning you leave the country. The remembers events quite differendy. For his part, Allen acknowledges offer of safe haven that was reached at In her own interview witii die audior, that “[Marcos] said when we walked the NSC meeting wasn’t an offer of she claims that she and her husband out to get on the airplane, he tiiought safe haven in Iloeos Norte. It was an were deceived into believing their they were going to Iloeos Norte.” But offer to take him to Hawaii.” desrination was Iloeos Norte, Marcos’ he maintains, “In my opinion, Imelda home province and political power and die family made the decision [to Not Exactly Travelling Light base, not Hawaii and exile: leave die country] without disturbing Upon reaching Guam, Gen. Allen “Marcos said tiiat we would go to him to save their own hides.” He also spent 90 minutes on the telephone Iloeos. Then we heard on the radio feels strongly that “we not only saved discussing die rescue mission with Mrs. Aquino ordering Bosworth, ‘You their lives, but we precluded a civil Adm. William J. Crowe, chairman of get that Marcos out!’ We have tapes of war by getting them out of the coun¬ the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Allen recalls this. ‘Get that Marcos out of Clark Air try safely before any shooting started.” that this conversation was interrupted Base! Get him out! Get him out!’ And Ambassador Bosworth sums up three times by Secretary of Defense Bosworth took the orders from a the final evacuation decision: “We Casper Weinberger, “to give me guid¬ usurper. Marcos was still president. tiiought it was time for a peaceful ance, not on what to do about die Because Marcos, before die snap transfer of power and that the condi¬ people, but about the follow-on air¬ election, would have been president tions in Manila were deteriorating to craft with die luggage.” up to ’87, but had succumbed to die the point that he should be concerned Those concerns about the evac¬ request of President Reagan and die about his own safety and that of his uees’ baggage proved to be well- American people through [Sen.] family. ... He in the end elected to go founded. Allen personally supervised Laxalt. And we won in die election, out by helicopter to Clark [Air Base], die opening of several heavy chests but Bosworth listened to her [Cory We made it clear tiiat we would take included in die Marcoses’ luggage, Aquino] and then deceived us out of him to Clark and then would take him which revealed a large quantity of die Philippines. And Marcos, when out of the countiy. We never had any arms and ammunition, which the U.S. Gen. Allen of jUSMAG fame went to obligation or commitment to him to immediately confiscated. As much as us and said, ‘The communists are take him back to his home town in possible, personal effects were sepa¬ going to attack Clark Air Base.’ The Iloeos. That’s all die figment of their rated out from boxes of documents president said, ‘This is ridiculous! active imaginations.” and valuables that did not appear to Lets go right away. If they give us a When President Marcos attempted be private property. This was not plane, if dieres any way, we can go to use Sen. Laxalt as a go-between to always simple: right off to Iloeos.’ arrange his return to Iloeos Norte in “There was one hot pink attache “And so we rode the plane. After return for agreeing to serve as an unof¬ case that opened up and there were 21 three hours, I asked, ‘General Allen, ficial adviser to the Aquino administra¬ ingots of gold stamped as 24 carats. where are we going? I took a heli¬ tion, Ambassador Armacost remem¬ And I had to malm a decision whetiier copter once from Clark Air Base to bers advising Secretary of State it was personal property or belonged to Iloeos Norte. It took me one hour.’ By George Shultz: the treasury of the Philippines. But this time we were landing in Guam. ‘“Its a formula for civil war.’ His there was an inscription on the tiling He said, “We could not land in Paoay, [Marcos’] people would be in place and I thought, well, it was a birthday

SEPTEMBER 1999/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 37 gift. And so I let that pass as personal well-preserved? You’ve packaged property.” yourself. Don’t you see the slums?’ *7 thought that was In the end, U.S. Customs Service Yes, these are our colonial masters’ agents confiscated some $26 million in the greatest moment work. I have to stand tall. I was their newly-printed Filipino pesos, hurried¬ of Ferdinand's life symbol, a standard for dignity. They ly stuffed into “brown paper bags, dia¬ lost dieir standard. They were sup¬ per boxes, and everything else,” Allen — when he did posed to be Filipinos and diey were remembers. Two jewelers had to be not have the revolt ordered to be servants. So as first lady, brought in to appraise everything from I had to be a star for diem to look up 500 Rolex watches (valued at approxi¬ shot down." to. And this was where I was com¬ mately $7,000 apiece) to a 150-carat pletely misunderstood. Burmese ruby ring with the price tag — Imelda Marcos “Marcos was the focus. He set die of $296,000 still attached. The entire vision. He set die goals. He was the jewelry collection, valued at $14 mil¬ logical one and he was the leader. As a lion, was impounded, and its rightful point of her spacious living room was woman, I provided die heart, the soul. ownership is still in dispute today. a shrine to her late husband, featuring It worked so well [diat] when it was a a bronze bust of the former president, choice of save die people or save your¬ The Marcos Legacy his controversial war medals and self, [he chose to] save the people. I In tile weeks that followed his odier mementos of his years in power. thought diat was the greatest moment arrival in Hawaii, Marcos requested In keeping with the spirit of that dis¬ of Ferdinand’s life. When he did not several other overseas destinations, play, and despite a mountain of nega¬ have die people in revolt, actually die including Honduras and Panama; tive publicity concerning what many oligarchy in revolt, shot down.” however, each was foiled by President consider a “conjugal dictatorship,” she Outside observers cannot help but Aquino, who informed the proposed remains resolutely unapologetic for be put off by die almost Orwellian hosts that granting safe haven would dieir years in power: rhetoric (martial law as peace, dictator¬ be considered a hostile act. And so it “When Marcos became president, ship as democratization) with which was in Honolulu that Ferdinand there was nodiing. I had to build Imelda Marcos defends her version of Marcos died in 1989. Malacanang and 17 or 18 hotels. We the legacy created during 20 years in Imelda Marcos returned to the had to ensure our territorial integrity Malacanang Palace. Yet even her Philippines in November 1991 and and sovereignty.... Then Marcos insti¬ harshest critics would surely agree diat quickly reentered politics. In the first tutionalized democracy. He truly die people’s power revolution did not of two presidential bids, in 1992, she fathered democracy. ... That will usher in die hoped-for era of sweeping garnered over two million votes. She never be taken from him. He gave us political reforms. While representative later served as a congresswoman rep¬ identity. ... He gave us dignity. He government has become the norm in resenting her home province of Leyte made us proud of our country and the Philippines (no small accomplish¬ from 1995 until 1998, when she ran for self-reliant. ... We [greatly improved] ment in itself), die interests of the oli¬ president a second time, again unsuc¬ literacy. He built ... roads [and] rural garchy (an elite which encompasses cessfully. Although her legal problems electrification. both the Marcoses and Aquinos, persist, she succeeded in getting a 12- “He had a vision, ideology and among other families) continue to year jail sentence for corruption human compassion. He was a great dominate politics. Similarly, altiiough reversed by die Philippine Supreme humanist, really a man of peace. And the Marcoses’ ouster reduced corrup¬ Court. In addition, her daughter Imee martial law was — whatever they say tion, most Filipinos have enjoyed rela¬ selves in die House of Representatives — an instrument of peace. It was a tively modest improvements (if any) in and her son Ferdinand “Bong Bong” constitutional, peaceful, legal instru¬ dieir standard of living. Marcos, Jr. is currendy governor of ment to control a violent situation. So perhaps it is not so surprising Ilocos Norte Province. He institutionalized democracy after all, diat despite abusing power on Mrs. Marcos exuded total confi¬ despite many historical limitations a scale previously unknown in the dence about the future of her family and deprivations. ... Philippines, Imelda Marcos and in Philippine politics during a “Our colonial masters just took for her family are still beloved by September 1997 interview at her hundreds of years. Suddenly they say, many Filipinos over 13 years after high-rise luxury apartment in Makati, ‘Why are you still poor?’ Then they’re their fall from power and ignoble a wealthy suburb of Manila. The focal saying, ‘Mrs. Marcos, why are you so flight into exile. ■

38 FOREIGN SERVICE J O U RN AL/SEPT EM B ER 1999 LIFE LESSONS IN INDIA

TWENTY-SEVEN YEARS AFTER A STINT TEACHING SCIENCE IN THE PEACE CORPS, A VOLUNTEER IS STILL THINKING ABOUT THE LESSONS HE TAUGHT. AND EVEN MORE ABOUT THE LESSONS HE LEARNED, IN RAJAHMUNDRY, INDIA.

BY RICHARD COLE PITTMAN

ajahmundry, India, 1972. Through the tant government exams. They were indoctrinated into a sys¬ R dust and dung-fire haze, the sun rises tem in which the how of smelting aluminum is taught before grenadine-red, like a tequila sunrise. I the why of rainbows. wake up into this dirty soup, clammy, scratching and yearning for a two-buck¬ My “workshop” is the Science Teacher’s Workshop, et bath. Gazing through the mosquito an extension service program run by the Peace net I see the ceiling fan, motionless. The Corps for experienced teachers. My program is electricity is out again. A quick body check reveals no new one of seven scattered around the state of Andhra Pradesh, bites, so I might be winning the war against the bed bugs, in southern India. I’m quartered at the Government College and the ants haven’t bridged the water traps around the of Education in Rajahmundry, a small, sweaty pilgrimage beds legs. The mosquito net is still tucked in so I must have town in the rice paddies of die Godavari River delta. The slept as dead still as Lenin in his tomb. Without a fan to keep STW’s mission is to improve science education in rural India the mosquitoes stirred up, just rolling against the net results by moving the subject out of textbooks and lecture halls and in a strawberry-like cluster of mosquito bites. While the into life and the laboratory with experiments and demon¬ embassy health officer claims that malaria and filaria are strations. The Indian government thinks we’re doing some unlikely in Rajahmundry, the local elephantiasis beggars good, based on their school inspections and judging of local dragging through the train and bus stations suggest science fairs. I’m hallway through a two-year commitment otherwise. I hope to finish, pending President Richard Nixon’s threat¬ My morning dilemma: Do I lie back a little longer in my ened budget cuts. mosquito net cage or break out to the wicker easy chair by We ask each new class to look at their everyday experi¬ the window? Its a buzzing jungle out there, but the chance ences and ask, “Why is it so difficult to maneuver a slow- of a breeze, a stunning sunrise and tire sounds of the awak¬ moving bicycle, but not a fast-moving one?” Answers are ening city lure me out. Sitting back widi my feet propped on wide of the mark, but the mystery of such common experi¬ the windowsill enjoying the lull between the night and day ence in a society dependent on bicycles hooks my students. biting mosquitoes, I review the day’s lesson plan. “How can That, and their childhood experiences with toy tops, lead to I turn these everyday experiences into science lessons?” a discussion and demonstration of gyroscopic forces and a elbows its way into my droughts. practical application to inertial navigation. Since this topic The local science teachers I coach in my workshops isn’t going to be on any state exam, die back row retires, exhibit a frustrating cultural fatalism, indifferent to the won¬ straining to read the newspapers concealed on their laps. ders and mysteries around them. They’re most comfortable After hours I hang around the teachers. America’s space with a low-effect British lecture style of education, which program is in die news, and the younger teachers are inter¬ focuses on the disembodied facts expected on the all-impor- ested in satellite orbital mechanics, while the older teachers argue tiiat the American space program is a hoax, a Richard Cole Pittman, who has lived in a dozen cities from Hollywood production. They all know about Hollywood the Arctic to the tropics, is a freelance writer in special effects. American credibility, too, is at a low point. It Huntington Beach, Calif. has been since Secretary of State Hemy Kissinger said that

SEPTEMBER 1999/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 39 die U.S. was “tilting toward Pakistan” die tap widi a couple of dozen odier during die 1971 Indo-Pakistan War. / mark the time by water vessels made of cheaper alu¬ I by to demonstrate die kind of role minum or plastic, and waits, a few model diat kids interested in science the labored steps back as befits her age and single need. Being skeptical is okay. Being status. For hauling water and a little uninformed isn’t. The kids tiiat hang breathing and shrill sweeping, I pay her seven rupees a round our workshop — students from week. I diink of it like seven dollars, a die model school in the college — are whistle of the ridiculous amount, though it’s actually small and curious about blue skies, morning steam only fifty cents. That works out to be white clouds and why die dead dog in about five percent of my monthly pay. the road is covered with flies. They’ll local. I get analytical again, looking for a be tough on their teachers, until quiz lesson: “Does die empty water diey’re worn down by die system. urn rotate with her head when she How about the Van Gogh sky I by the labored breathing and shrill turns a comer?” Depends on inertia wake up to as a lead-in for a lesson on whistle of the morning steam local as and friction widi that cloth ring. “Is it light? The electromagnetic spectrum it pulls out of Rajahmundry station. different when she returns with 30 and properties of visible light: reflec¬ Later in die morning it’s the menacing pounds of water in it?” My Telegu, the tion, refraction and colors; frequen¬ grumble and flatulent blasts of the local language, can get me a coffee in cies and wavelengdis; absorption and diesel electric mail train. I tiy to relate a bazaar, but won’t get me very far dis¬ scattering — it’s all here. And why are the speed of sound, the puffs of cussing die subtleties of friction coef¬ there rainbows? I’ve got plenty of smoke, and sounds of the engines to ficients widi my water carrier. I’ll just time to relearn; I won’t be seeing one estimate the distance to die station, put a mark on the uni and observe. for months, during the rainy season. but the puffs and the blasts overlap. The water tap looks like a shoulder- About the bugs I have only a clue. Lightning and thunder in the rainy high concrete headstone with a waist- They’re die curse of eveiy warm¬ season will be easier phenomena to high protruding pipe and stopcock. blooded creature in diis country and observe and time. Most of the time the stopcock is left I’m not sme what the adraction is. Around the time of die whistle open because the water flows inter- Body heat? Odor? Color? Movement? blasts, Lakshmi pads barefoot upstairs mittendy. There’s a catch basin cast I’ll have to check this out at the USIS from her parents’ apartment to fetch into the base of the headstone that library in Madras when I go down for my brass water-carrier urn for the functions during die water-off periods my shots next month. And maybe I’ll morning ritual of topping off die as a watering trough for the local stray have a couple of beers and a steak water storage pot. Water is added dogs and pigs and as a foot wash for with a USAID friend at the Queen’s twice a day, because it sweats and passersby. Hotel. Steak and beer on my now- drips through the unfired clay and In the morning, die plaza around vegetarian stomach is gonna hurt, but small cracks, evaporating, cooling and die water tap is die badi area, latrine, it’ll be worth it. collecting in a puddle on die floor. and community center for the neigh¬ With a soft rush, die ceiling fan Lakshmi gracefully swings the borhood. While die women stand accelerates up to speed, sending a empty vessel up, gendy setting it down, around waiting for the water, children welcome chill over my body and with a slight adjustment, on top of her squat over die sewage ditch under the bringing me back to Rajahmundry. head. A twisted clodi ring cushions and watchful eyes of mom, who is ever From my second floor rooms by balances the load. With arms at her ready to steady a little one about to the college I look over low mud brick sides held slightiy askew, she pivots on tumble backwards into the muck. house fronts on eitiier side and down her toes, steps down two flights of Adults demurely step around a jog in on a small plaza with die communal steps and out die door to the water tap. the wall for privacy. Rounding out tins water tap and sewage ditch. The plaza She’s about diirteen years old, a mem¬ domestic scene is a half circle of below is empty now but for a couple ber of the Dravidian ethnic group, widi mangy dogs and sewer pigs, on point of mangy dogs and a sewer pig rooting waist-lengdi coconut-oiled hair and no and ready to grab breakfast. My role through last nights garbage. In the toe rings, indicating that she has not in this tableau seems to be as a silent distance, beyond the plaza and the been married off yet. An idyllic scene observer and object of attention for walled schoolyard, puffs of black but for the ragged black tobacco che¬ those with nodiing else to look at. smoke and soot add another color to root pursed in her lips. When water finally comes, it will the morning palette. I mark the time Lakshmi places my jug in line by ran strong for half an hour or so and

40 FOREIGN SERVICE J O U RN Ah! S E PT EM B E R 1999 then, just as unpredictably, stop. Same first bucket of water from die pot tells thing in the afternoon. The first water Asking a stranger to me what kind of day it will be. If it isn’t saved, but is brushed around and brings a shiver and eye-popping gasp, into the ditch with a switch broom. I cook plain water it will be comfortable and dry. With learned that when the water isn’t cool water and Third World razor flowing under pressure, contaminated until it bubbles for a blades that shave like they’ve been ground water flows back into the punched out of kerosene tins, I have pipes. The first water out of the pipe while always elicits long since given up on shaving. is deadly. Why anybody thinks that amused looks. On humid mornings, when evapo¬ thirty seconds of flow will flush out ration and cooling are nil, I know I’ll the system, I don’t know. In die work¬ suffer through a sweaty day. A typical shop we use the microscope to com¬ bananas in potassium permanganate, class? Me standing under the one pare die critters swimming around in a Kool-Aid purple disinfecting solu¬ functioning ceiling fan in die front of ditch water with what comes out of tion also used to treat athlete’s foot. I the room and my students huddling in the water tap. suffer for die delights of mango sea¬ scattered groups, wet handkerchiefs son but I can hardly wait for next year. on die backs of their necks, under the During the rainy season, die I now know that tetracycline, available few other functioning fans. “Things water smells fresher over the counter, is a good morning- don’t always work as well anymore because the municipality after pill for suspected contamination. since die British left,” laments an adds laundiy bleach to die system to Bleach, iodine, potassium perman¬ older teacher. disinfect the pipes. It’s this cocktail of ganate and tetracycline: essential ele¬ The first time I demonstrated a disinfected sewage and ground water ments of a healthy Peace Corps diet. lesson on evaporation, cooling and that ends up in my “fresh water” pot. Just behind the water tap runs a relative humidity, I taught “by the I personally oversee the sterilization ditch backed by the dark brick wall book,” an outdated British/Indian of my drinking water every morning, that encircles the schoolyard. The text, using wet and dry bulb tiier- insisting on a timed 10-minute rolling wall, we joke, is a community energy mometers. The next time I started off boil. recycling facility. Stuck to the wall, the lesson with a discussion of wet Sterilizing drinking water and die baking in the sun, are a hundred or so handkerchiefs and a demonstration of skins of raw fruits is incomprehensible fresh cow flop patties, each witii a the difference in water temperature to the locals, who have come to an characteristic palm print and pattern with clay and plastic pots, and tile uneasy truce with their dysentery. of finger pokes to identify ownership. advantages of putting the kuja, the There isn’t even a word in Telegu for A few hours in the sun and tiiey are drinking water jug, in front of an elec¬ “boiling.” Asking a stranger to cook easily popped off, bundled up, and tric fan for a forced convection cool¬ plain water until it bubbles for a while sold for cooking fires. The vacant ing assist. With the scientific facts always elicits amused looks. In cafes, space quickly fills with die morning’s nailed down to common experience, I’m suspicious of lukewarm coffee, fresh droppings. If these patties didn’t the demonstration with the formal and do a ten-minute treatment with have economic value as fuel, India, apparatus was a hit. several drops of iodine. While tiiis is which has about as many catde as neither reliable nor tasty, it is enter¬ people, would have been buried in it Arguments are common at the taining to the locals who intently a long time ago. (Just for die record, I water tap, especially when the watch the coffee and the clock. cook with botded gas.) I wonder, water is late in coming. As the They’re disappointed when die climax though, how to measure the energy sun rises higher over the wall, pave¬ is just a few hurried gulps and a quick content of these patties. If the ment and tempers heat up. Abrupdy, exit. To avoid offending a local head¬ Brahmin teachers get wind of me water spurts from die tap a couple of master I once accepted a lukewarm doing experiments with cow dung in times and a murmur goes up from die cup of tea. A week later I was suffer¬ the school, I’ll be in trouble, or worse crowd. Soon enough, die water pots ing severe cramps and worse. During for a Peace Corps volunteer, labeled are filled, the bucket baths taken and my first six months in Rajahmundry I “culturally insensitive.” the flow slows to a trickle. The days lost a total of 80 pounds due to various My morning ablutions are a couple activities move ahead: tile dogs spread intestinal parasites. of buckets of water and a locally made out, sunning themselves on the warm¬ I draw the line at soaking die won¬ ayurvedic soap tiiat tames the rashes ing pavement as the women gather to derful mangoes, guavas, papayas and I and itches of life in the tropics. The eat, pound rice and pick nits from tiieir

SEPTEMBER 1999/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 41 SEVEN MINUTES TO STATE DEPARTMENT kids’ hair. My cook arrives with break¬ fast from the bazaar: iddlis (steamed rice cakes) and spicy hot coconut chut¬ ney. Water for coffee and the days

42 FOREIGN SERVICE J O URN AL/SEPTEMBER 1 999 DUMBING DOWN ENTRY To THE FOREIGN SERVICE?

STATE’S ALTERNATIVE EXAMINATION PROGRAM STIRS CONTROVERSY,

BUT PERSONNEL SAYS A NEW APPROACH IS NEEDED.

BY JEFF KAPLOW

or many years, the Foreign Service would-be political officers have been waiting more than two F Written Examination has been the pri¬ years to enter the Foreign Service. The State Department mary mechanism for joining the Foreign defends the plan, saying that all AEP applicants must enter Service. For almost as long, outside in the same class so that their progress may be tracked sta¬ detractors have accused it of racial bias, tistically. Since new positions are being created for the AEP subjected it to lawsuits, and compared it applicants, explained John Collins, States director of recruit¬ to Trivial Pursuit. And in-house, State ment, “no one will be disadvantaged by the AEP." Department officials have criticized its failure to bring new The AEP could eventually be given one or more times talented officers into the Foreign Service, especially those each year in addition to the annual written exam, but its with much-needed technical and scientific skills. future depends on the results of the pilot program. How Partly in response to these criticisms, the State will the success of the pilot program be measured? “The Department launched the Alternative Examination first mechanism for evaluating the AEP candidates will be Program. The first pilot version of the AEP was given in the oral assessment,” said Collins. “If the AEP group as a May. State hopes that the AEP, three years in the making whole should be sub-standard, it would be evident by a and an alternative to the written exam rather than a replace¬ high failure rate.' Once in the Foreign Sendee, those ment, can help draw in highly qualified applicants who hired under the AEP would be evaluated in the same way aren’t being reached in the current hiring process. as all junior officers. But not everyone shares States optimism. The American Foreign Service Association has been critical of the new Two Questionnaires, No Test plan. AFSA acknowledges that tire written exam isn’t per¬ The AEP, designed to be taken at home and then mailed fect, but argues the AEP is not the solution to State s recruit¬ to the State Department, begins with two questionnaires. ment problems. Each asks applicants to rate their expertise in various areas The AEP substitutes mail-in questionnaires and essays on a six-point scale, ranging from “No Knowledge” to “Could for tire several hundred fact-based questions in the written Write a Textbook,” and identify tire source of those skills with exam. As with the written exam, those who pass the AEP one of five choices, such as “Reading/Personal Interest” or move on to a full-day oral assessment. From the pilot pro¬ “Graduate Coursework.” The first questionnaire consists of grams approximately 560 applicants in late May, State hopes 12 questions and is intended for applicants of all cones, while to send 200 to 300 into the oral exam from mid-September the second varies in length and is cone-specific (administra¬ to November 1999. Of these, State expects to hire 25 to 30 tive, consular, economic, or political; State intends to add the junior officers, perhaps as early as January 2000. public diplomacy cone in the future). Knowledge areas range This new group of FSOs will leapfrog current waiting from “The impact and interpretation of key historical events lists and enter the Foreign Service as a group. Critics of in world history” to “Concepts of project finance such as the AEP call tins practice unfair, pointing out that some basic rates of return and sources of project finance.” Developed by noted industrial psychologist Frank Jeff Kaplow, a student at Yale University, was the Journal s Schmidt, the accomplishment record requires applicants to editorial intern for summer 1999. document, using 12 one-page essays, their achievements in

SEPTEMBER 1999/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 43 six competency groups: goal setting trying to identify scientific and techni¬ that by asking applicants to provide and achievement, interpersonal skills, cal skills in applicants which go unno¬ references for the essay portion of the problem solving, professionalism, ticed in die current written assess¬ exam and affirm that dieir application oral communication, and written ment. “The cone-specific knowledge is true, they can minimize exaggera¬ communication. Essays are graded questionnaires can be designed to tion. “The references of all candidates on the merits of die accomplishment, assess die level of competence in spe¬ invited to the oral assessment process not on writing skills. Applicants are cific technical areas,” said Collins. will be checked,” Collins is quick to encouraged, but not required, to pro¬ State also hopes to increase the explain, adding tiiat 10 staff members vide references who can vouch for pool of applicants interested in the are currendy working to verify refer¬ their work. labor-scarce administrative and con¬ ences for the pilot program. Some sular cones. In this, the pilot program don’t think this is enough, however. Why an Alternative? appears to have been successful, per¬ “As I am sure many of my colleagues Concerns about effectively com¬ haps because it was open only to cur¬ in die Fraud Office will confirm,” said peting with other employers for a rent federal employees or diose with one FSO responding to the AFSA dwindling supply of skilled labor veterans’ or odier preferences. cable, “the stakes are too high to rely prompted the State Department to Nearly 70 percent of those partici¬ on a belief that ‘most people are hon¬ develop the AEP. “I have been pating in the AEP pilot program est.’ A cottage industry offering ‘assis¬ increasingly concerned by the excel¬ chose die two deficit cones. Of those tance’ for AEP preparation will lent applicants whom the written who take the written examination, undoubtedly spring up.” exam does not identify and select, or however, die vast majority choose the AFSA is also concerned about how perhaps even reach,” explained political or economic cones. State others view die new plan. “It can be Foreign Service Director General warns diat diis trend may not appear easily characterized in public and in Edward Gnehm in a cable announc¬ in future versions of the test tiiat are the Congress as a loose, fuzzy method ing the launch of the AEP. “Many can¬ open to die general public. which allows applicants to claim didates ‘self-select’ out of the process While boosting minority participa¬ knowledge, skills and abilities witiiout when they realize the exam is only tion is not a stated goal of die AEP, ever requiring claimants to demon¬ given once a year, and may not fit into the pilot program did increase minor¬ strate them,” AFSA explained in a their personal timetable for job hunt¬ ity applications. Minorities comprised cable. State prefers to see the AEP as ing.” These problems are compound¬ 29.2 percent of test-takers for die an expansion of the current system, ed by long delays before receiving the pilot program, more than for any writ¬ adding dexibility to the intake results of the written exam and then ten exam in recent years. process. The AEP allows the State before taking the oral assessment. Department a glimpse at die appli¬ Critics of the AEP have charged An Invitation to Cheat? cants qualifications, where the writ¬ that the most obvious means of short¬ For many Foreign Service officers ten exam does not. “No other agency, ening the lengthy application process in die field, die most troubling aspect no matter how competitive, selects is to offer the written exam more of the AEP is its reliance on self-eval¬ candidates without considering edu¬ often: the next test will be given in uations. Said one FSO in response to cational background and work experi¬ November after a 19-month hiatus. an AFSA cable, “The Department is ence,” said Collins. But State Department officials dis¬ being unforgivably naive if it drinks But AFSA doesn’t believe the AEP miss this view. “The Foreign Service that in today’s world a number of will solve States recruitment prob¬ Written Examination costs close to $1 applicants are not going to be tempt¬ lems. Said AFSA President Marshall million each year to develop and ed to cheat (or at least indate their Adair, “We need to be careful not to administer,” explained Collins. “The knowledge).” A Foreign Service use bandaid solutions to complex money is simply not available to con¬ spouse who applied tiirough the AEP problems such as diis one, which has sider offering the examination more agreed, “There is no way for die eval¬ its roots in the shortcomings of State's than once each year.” The AEP pilot uators to verify the applicants’ longterm workforce planning.” program cost only $300,000 to create claimed level of knowledge. Had I Despite this opposition, the State and administer. Because the AEP been aware of this lack of verification, Department is intent on continuing doesn’t need new questions every I would have changed my answers.” to develop the AEP. Said Collins, year, future tests could cost as little as State acknowledges that some “The AEP is a pilot program, a first $75,000 to use. applicants might be tempted to inflate step, and one that will continue to In creating the AEP, State was also dieir knowledge. Still, they believe evolve.” ■

44 FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL/SEPTEMBER 1 9.9.9 BOOKS Chinas Brave New World

BY DAVID REUTHER

Modem China is undergoing Parties, Bruce Dickson, a political cal leaders in both mainland China unprecedented change to its social science professor at George and Taiwan and applying theories of structure and economy, most of it dri¬ Washington University, tackles polit¬ organizational development, Dickson ven from inside die country and out of ical change as sponsored by Chinas speculates about what it would sight of Western observers. Still, the elites. An academic tome, the book require for mainland China to demo¬ opening-up process has benefited examines how, despite their com¬ cratize. He begins by asking why Western academics, giving diem the mon origins as Leninist parties, the Leninist parties respond to pressure opportunity to study Chinas political, Kuomintang, led by Chiang Kai- for change. One way he provides the economic and social environment shek, and the Communist Party, led answer is to retell the story of the more closely dian would have previ¬ by Mao Zedong, evolved down dif¬ Kuomintang’s long road from author¬ ously been possible. ferent political paths. Dickson itarian Leninism to its development Thirty years ago, China watchers recounts how in the 1920s Sun as a democracy in Taiwan. This sec¬ were forced to interview refugees and Yat-sen, then leader of the tion of the book is valuable because parse every word in newspaper arti¬ Kuomintang, joined with the of its detail and because it suggests cles in an attempt to figure out what Chinese Communist Party to form many parallels for the evolution of was going on in the country. In the the United Front and both parties the mainland. For example, Dickson last 10 years Western scholars, were shaped by the Soviets into observes that by expanding member¬ journalists and politicians have Leninist parties. At tire end of World ship to new blood — China’s new collaborated with Chinese col¬ War II, the Kuomintang was given entrepreneurs — the mainland has leagues, used Chinese archives for the Japanese colony of Taiwan, then begun to adapt itself to become more research, traveled in the country the second richest economy in Asia, effective, and is thus opening itself to unhindered, and interviewed both and reconstituted itself along more democratic possibilities. Still, average citizens and political lead¬ Leninist lines. Since the late 1980s he warns that hard-liners are pre¬ ers. The result is a new crop of books Taiwan’s government has been more venting it from becoming truly about China that shed light on that or less democratic. Dicksons theory responsive to its new political envi¬ country’s economic and social evolu¬ is that since there was little differ¬ ronment, thus impeding the turn tion, and particularly on its tentative ence between the Kuomintang and toward democracy. entry into the world economy. the Chinese Communists in style of authoritarian rule, they could paral¬ China’s Provinces in Reform: Democratization in China and lel each other in democratic devel¬ Class, Community and Political Taiwan: The Adaptability of opment. He asks why and how the Culture Leninist Parties nationalist Chinese evolved into a David Goodman, editor, New York, Bruce Dickson, Oxford, Clarendon democracy and concludes that there Routledge, 1997, $27.99, paperback, Press, 1997, $69, hardcover, 276 is hope that mainland China might 278 pages. pages. do the same. Economic prosperity, access to the outside world and bet¬ David Goodman, director of the In Democratization in China and ter education were major factors in Institute for International Studies at Taiwan: The Adaptability of Leninist Taiwan’s democratization, he says, the University of Technology in but, interestingly, human rights Sydney, Australia, leaves Beijing for David Reuther, a retired FSO, protests played an insignificant role. rural China as editor of China’s writes frequently about China, Building on interviews with politi¬ Provinces in Reform. Drawing on

SEPTEMBER 1999/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 45 B 0 0 K s

contributions from his academic col¬ as before reform, he writes that leagues, Goodman argues that a underneath there is new life. For focus on Chinas provinces proves example, in January 1993 the provin¬ that economic reform has spread cial legislature demonstrated its throughout the country, that its independence when it unexpectedly impact is different on each province voted the province’s governor out of and that the result is pluralism. office. Economic reform was driven Goodman’s book is divided into from the bottom up in Zhejiang, seven chapters, for each of the seven often against the wishes of provincial Chinese provinces he studies. Using leadership. Ignored by Beijing for his research as support for his theo¬ years — in part because it was ry, he dismisses Western worries that Kuomintang leader Chiang Kai- decentralization in China will lead to shek’s birthplace — Zhejiang bene¬ political disintegration and notes fited from this isolation during the Visit us at that most often, Western analysts Cultural Revolution of the 1970s. A When Chinese communist leader [www.afsa. miss positive events happening on org]. There the provincial level. He believes that Deng Xiaoping visited the area in you can find: China’s long history of cultural unity 1992 to kick off economic reform, M will keep the country together. the province responded enthusiasti¬ • The latest Feng Chongyi, a colleague from cally. It had few state-owned enter¬ news of what Goodmans institute, covers Hainan prises, but they responded to the we’re doing province, an island in the South new entrepreneurial spirit promoted at AFSA A China Sea. During the early 1990s, in the Town and Village Enterprise • AFSA Book Hainan became host to a Chinese- movement, created to decentralize Reviews style gold rush when it was declared the Chinese economy. The results • Links to a Special Economic Zone. This sta¬ include buds of a civil society: new Amazon.com’s Z tus — and the fact that it had few businesses and professional and pri¬ website state-owned enterprises — promot¬ vate non-governmental groups. ed entrepreneurial fervor in the When you province. Zouping in Transition: link to O In contrast, Liaoning province, I ltc Process of Reform in Rural Amazon.com through our reports Margot Schueller of the North China website, Institute of Asian Affairs in Andrew Walder, editor; Cambridge, AFSA N Hamburg, Germany, is dominated by Harvard University Press, 1998, receives a state-owned enterprises. Early on, $19.95, hardcover, 277 pages. referral fee local political leaders resisted eco¬ (at no cost to nomic reform. As a result, Liaoning Andrew Walder, a noted Stanford you) on sank from fourth most productive University sociologist, and his team every book province in 1978 to 21st in 1992. A of economic, political and educa¬ or CD that drop in revenue and pressure from tional analysts, train a microscope on you buy. C Beijing finally persuaded Liaoning’s Chinese reform in Zouping in leaders to dismantle the command Transition. The group studied economy and allow entrepreneur- Zouping, a county in Shangdong ship, moves that pulled the province province, from 1988 to 1993. The O out of its economic nosedive. book, a collection of articles by vari¬ The lesson of the chapter on ous team members, chronicles the Zhejiang province, written by dynamic change economic decen¬ Australian academic Keith Foster, is tralization has brought to this area. M that sweeping national changes cre¬ Of particular interest is the trans¬ ate strong local eddies. While on the formed attitude of local government surface Zhejiang may seem the same officials. For example, since local

46 FOREIGN SERVICE J OURN AL! SEPTEMBER 1999 Have a Bone to Pick? Why not write a “Speaking Out” for the Foreign Service Journal? “Speaking Out” is the FSJ’s op-ed section, the place where writers can express opinions on issues specific to the Foreign Sen-ice, its employees and its work. Develop the Strategic Vision Writers are encouraged to take strong stands, but all to Make a Difference claims must be supported and documented. Length of ■ rt; 4jj|kyg| submitted articles should be from 1,500 to 2,000 words. Take the next step in your professional development with American University's one-year executive degree: the Master of International Service. Design an individual full-time or part-time All submissions go to the Journal’s Editorial Board study program to meet your mid-career for discussion. If an article is accepted, writers will development needs. be expected to meet the magazine’s editorial and style requirements. Call 202-885-1638 Please make submissions via e-mail to or e-mail [email protected], AMERICAN UNIVERSITY [email protected] by fax to (202) 338-8244, or by mail. H I N G T 0 N D C eeo/aa for more information.

BOOKS FOR OVERSEAS AMERICANS INSIDE SUDAN Political Islam, Conflict, Aletheia Publications specializes in books and Catastrophe dealing with topics of interest to overseas Donald Petterson Americans. Recently published titles are The Accidental Diplomat: Dilemmas of his authoritative the Trailing Spouse, by Katherine account of US Hughes, and Welcome Home: Who Are foreign policy You? Tales of a Foreign Service Familg, toward Sudan offers the by Gene and Kathryn Schmiel. Also avail¬ insights of an experienced able are The Absentee American, by diplomat for greater under¬ Carolyn D. Smith, and Strangers at Home, standing of both past and a collection of essays by various authors. events in Sudan.” JIMMY CARTER For more information or “A compelling entree into the country’s quagmire and offer to order books, contact: a unique glimpse of the inner workings of U.S. foreign

P llCy ° ' MOTHER JONES Aletheia Publications, Inc. 224 pages • $25.00 cloth 46 Bell Hollow Rd, Putnam Valley, NY 10579 USA Available at better bookstores or call -^JVestview Tel: (914) 526-2873 • Fax: (914) 526-2905 1 -800-386-5656, orders only please. E-mail: [email protected] www.westviewpress.com Web Site: http://members.AOL.com/

SEPTEMBER 1999/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 47 B 0 0 K s

government can now retain more of Dickson warns that about the East. Patten’s blunt its tax revenue, officials have assessment of Asian values was so become active promoters of market- hard-liners are controversial that HarperCollins, the oriented reforms, encouraging busi¬ publishing company owned by inter¬ ness creation, expansion and privati¬ preren ting Ch in a national media mogul Rupert zation. While entrepreneurs are not Murdoch, dropped plans to publish as constricted as they were in the from becoming truly the book in order not to offend the former command economy, they are Chinese. The knowledge that not completely free from the control responsive to its new Patten’s honest musings were so of county authorities, either. In addi¬ threatening adds to the book’s allure tion, during the five years Walder political — and marketability. and his team studied Zouping’s economy, it exploded, becoming the environment, thus Big Dragon, China’s Future: home of several light industries, What it Means for Business, the including a brewery and textile impeding the turn Economy and the Global Order plants. As reported in other publica¬ Daniel Burstein and, Arne de tions, business owners in Zouping toward democracy. Keijzer, Simon and Schuster, 1998, have also formed associations to $25, hardcover, 404 pages. press their economic agendas. This type of regional economic diversity, Big Dragon, written by Daniel the authors conclude, might be the British pols and business people Burstein and Arne deKeijzer, two China’s best path to pluralism. who he says were unhelpful in the business advisers with extensive task at hand. experience in China, offers some¬ East and West: China, Power These tidbits are nice, but the real thing for both academics and and the Future of Asia meal is the rest of the book, in which laymen. For academics, there is Christopher Patten, New York Patten adds his voice to the debate on in-depth economic analysis. For Times Books, 1998, $25, hardcover, “Asian values.” The debate centers on laymen, there is a well-told tale, a 304 pages. disagreements between Confucianists readable, accessible primer about and Westerners over which type of China’s economy. Burstein and Chris Patten, the last British gov¬ society provides the best combination deKeijer sort Western China watch¬ ernor of Hong Kong from 1992 to of social values to stimulate ers into two schools: “Hawks” and 1997, has written a witty book with economic progress. Confucianists “Engagers.” The Hawks see China as serious political overtones in East argue for a patriarchal society that cir¬ a revisionist country with an expand¬ and West. Whether quoting sages cumscribes individual freedoms, while ing economy. They argue that China from Confucius to Adam Smith, or Westerners support a more open soci¬ is a threat to world peace, because dishing the dirt on recent events, ety. The extraordinary growth of Asian any economic advancement will be Patten is full of charm. Plis book, economies in recent decades prompt¬ translated into military power. On however, is only tangentially about ed Confucianists to proclaim success, the other hand, Engagers argue that China. Patten devotes two chapters but the recent collapse of those China can be integrated into the to his experiences as the architect of economies provided fuel for Western world economy without friction. Britain’s exit from China. He reports commentators to argue that Asian val¬ Burstein and deKeijzer are criti¬ that dealing with the Anglophobic ues were overrated. cal of both these points of view. They authorities in Beijing was demean¬ Patten says that modernization, note that both the Hawks and the ing and that he had the impression economic progress and business Engagers assume that outside pres¬ the communists feared that Great expansion follow rules that any sures will influence Chinas modern¬ Britain would try to devalue Hong society can understand, so tying eco¬ ization. They, however, conclude Kong’s foreign exchange holdings or nomic process to the way societies that China is so large that its future otherwise “damage the goods” function is a false and misleading rests mainly in its own hands and will before handing them off. Still, he debate that only leads to conde¬ unfold based primarily on dynamics reserves his sharpest criticism for scending, self-defeating attitudes within the country. Even though

48 FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL/SEPTEMBER 1999 B 0 0 K s The Foreign Service Club Managed by 3 Citron Caterers

some commentators claim that in the mid-21st century China’s GNP will match that of other world economies, it will still have a puny economy in per capita terms. Its needs are so vast that conflict with its suppliers and customers is inevitable. For example, from 120 to 150 million Chinese — the entire population of the United States during World War II — will still be living below the poverty level. In addition, China is already feeding special events, luncheons, itself with imported grain and is an oil importer, internal problems that rehearsal dinners & weddings, will have ramifications for world cocktails and dinner parties prices. Since its move from a command Contact: Philippe C. Demol, Catering Director economy to a free market economy is 2101E. Street, NW - Washington DC 20037 - phone 202.37,2.37,00 - fax 202.342.3340 one of the major changes in China, Burstein and deKeijzer also profile E-mail: RudeFrench03citron.com www.3citron.com contemporary Chinese entrepre¬ neurs. These businessmen are taking advantage of reforms to create their own forms of innovative business Foreign Service Journal ownership. One example is Zhang on-line Wei, one of Shanghai's new breed of brings you deep entrepreneurs, who has privatized discounts on hotels in under reform conditions with little most major cities at: legal guidance. He owns stock, along with his employees, other investors, www.afsa.org/ads/classy.html the government and other enterpris¬ Access the AFSA homepage es, in a Japanese-style conglomerate. www.afsa.org His style of murky capitalism is typi¬ Go to the index cal, say Burstein and deKeijzer, Click on because China is still creating the rules of how to organize capital and Click on Hotel Reservations management. Network icon For the second time since the overthrow of its last dynastic monarch in 1911, China is rein¬ venting itself and opening to Western influence in a search for new ways to organize its capital, industry, society and politics. How China develops may well depend on whether and how strongly the West and its Pacific Rim neighbors encourage the types of changes recorded in these books. ■

SEPTEMBER 1999/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 49 TELEVISION An Ambassadors Healing Mission to Vietnam

BY DAVID RABADAN

Pete Peterson’s Mission: and Vietnam. Tins theme is particular¬ booster of American business than Assignment Hanoi ly evident in footage of a long-distance Pete Peterson, a point that Northrup Airs on PBS, Tuesday, Sept. 7,10 bicycle trek held in Vietnam and spon¬ emphasizes by filming him promoting p.m. EDT, (Check local listings for sored jointly by American and the free market at a meeting of other times.) Produced, directed and Vietnamese veterans. Northrup also American businessmen and unenthu- filmed by Sandra Northrup. uses archival footage from the siastic Hanoi political leaders. During Vietnam War era and interviews with four months of filming, Northrup also Ambassador Douglas “Pete” Vietnamese and Americans to illus¬ shadowed Peterson through provincial Peterson is the unlikely American trate Petersons story. She makes the visits and countiy team meetings, all emissary to a land he first came to point that Peterson, a man of charac¬ accurate renderings of day-to-day life know from tire cockpit of an F-4 ter, shows no bitterness toward Iris in an embassy. Phantom fighter-bomber during 67 former enemies. Peterson’s personal story also combat missions. Shot down in 1966, Northrup mentions in passing that receives sympathetic treatment. A Peterson was imprisoned for more Peterson, a former businessman and widower with two adult children and than six years in the “Hanoi Hilton,” member of Congress from Florida, one deceased son, Peterson found the ironic name for Hoa Lo prison. He holds no grudges against Iris captors. romance in Hanoi with Vi Le, a still carries physical seal's from the Others, however, opposed sending Vietnamese-born Australian serving experience. Surviving captivity, any ambassador to Vietnam or with tlie Australian Trade Commission Peterson could not have imagined that improving trade with that country. in Hanoi. Northrup filmed their 1998 he would become the first U.S. The families of Americans still unac¬ wedding in that city. ambassador to the Socialist Republic counted for in the war, anti- Still, Peterson’s story is not the only of Vietnam. Communist Vietnamese-Americans one in Northrup’s film. She also Pete Peterson’s Mission is the hour- and some veterans groups held up follows the 20-year quest of Pham long story of Petersons return to Petersons confirmation for a year. Kim Hv, who, like thousands of Vietnam as ambassador. It was pro¬ While they postponed the inevitable, Vietnamese, can’t locate the remains duced and directed by Sandra they ensured that tire fate of Americas of her soldier son, who died at Dak To Northrup, a self-described “one- MIAs remained high on Petersons in 1972. She unearthed 45 graves, col¬ woman band” who also operated the agenda. Northrup underscores this lecting vials of soil from each one. one hand-held camera. Northrup, with scenes of Peterson at two plane Finally, resigned to her mission’s whose previous credits include crash sites from the war and a futility, she buried the vials in a Hanoi National Geographic specials for PBS, ceremony for the remains of seven military cemetery, which she visits lives in Hanoi. Her text is a story about Americans being returned to the every week. a pragmatic American hero; her sub¬ United States. In the symbolic conclusion of the text is the wider American crucible of For Peterson, however, the past is film, Ambassador Peterson plants a the Vietnamese war and the healing not as important as the future. Today, Banyan tree, a metaphor for the future now taking place between the U.S. some 50 percent of Vietnam’s 80 mil¬ of the Vietnamese-American relation¬ lion citizens are under 25; they have ship, in a park outside Hanoi. “The David Rabadan, an FSO since 1981, no memory of their parents’ U.S.-Vietnamese friendship is fragile, has served in Jeddah, Rotterdam “American war.” This new Vietnam is like the Banyan tree,” he says, “but a and Toronto. He is a U. S. Army vet¬ fertile ground for more than 400 Banyan tree, I am told, can last a thou¬ eran of the Vietnam War. U.S. companies. No one is more of a sand years.” ■

50 FOREIGN SERVICE J OV RN AL/S EPT EM B ER 1999 IN MEMORY

Vaughn Russell DeLong, 96, a in the Army Air Corps. After die war, trustees of the World Population retired FSO, died May 10. he worked as lighting director for Society and chair of Georgetown Mr. DeLong was bom in Coming, WCAU-TV in Philadelphia and Childrens House and a volunteer Ohio in 1903 and received a BA from OGMS-TV at the Ordnance Guided with the DACOR (Diplomatic and Ohio Wesleyan University and an MA Missile School in Huntsville, Ala. Consular Officers, Retired) Bacon from Ohio State University. He began In 1964 Mr. Jones joined the House Foundation. She was also his professional life as a teacher in USIA television service as TV/Film president of the Association of Ashland, Ky. He went on to serve as lighting director. He designed light¬ American Foreign Service Women superintendent of schools in Ellwood ing for presidents and other digni¬ from 1970 to 1972. City, Pa., and Oil City, Pa. In World taries and celebrities appearing in She is survived by a niece, Pamela War II he served as a major in the programs viewed overseas. He also Ann Brody, and several cousins. Army. After the war, he was a cultural seived as a documentary photograph¬ relations officer with the Office of er. He retired from the Foreign Military Government United States in Service in 1982. Hesse, Germany. Survivors include his wife, Marie Robert G. Neumann, 83, a for¬ In 1949 Mr. DeLong joined the J. Grabias Jones of Reading; a daugh¬ mer ambassador to Afghanistan, Department of State in charge of the ter, M. Lynn Louderback of Morocco and Saudi Arabia, died Office of German Cultural and Social Jacksonville, Fla.; a son, Thomas D. June 18 of cancer at his home in Affairs. He also served as chief of the Jones of Medford Lakes, N.J.; a sister, Bethesda, Md. Program Development Staff, before Marion J. Tracey of West Palm Born in Vienna, Austria, in 1916, being assigned as Consul General to Beach, Fla.; six grandchildren; and Mr. Neumann was educated at the Edinburgh from 1956 to 1963. seven great-grandchildren. University of Vienna, the University After retirement in 1963, Mr. of Rennes, France, and the Geneva DeLong worked in several capacities School of International Studies. He for the Department of Health. also earned an MA from Amherst Education and Welfare in the Bureau Naomi Meffert Mathews, 88, College in 1940 and a PhD from the of International Education. wife of deceased FSO Elbert G. University of Minnesota in 1946. He Survivors include his wife, Ilse M. Mathews, died of pneumonia June 21 taught at Oshkosh State Teachers DeLong of Bethesda, Md., a daughter, at Sibley Memorial Hospital in College and was a lecturer at the Gwynne DeLong of Germantown, Washington, D.C. University of Wisconsin. From 1947 Md.; a son, Peter DeLong; his grand¬ Mrs. Mathews was bom in to 1966 he was a professor of politi¬ children; and great-grandchildren. Missouri and educated at the cal science at the University of University of California at Berkeley California at Los Angeles. He and George Washington University. served as ambassador to She served with her husband in posts Afghanistan from 1966 to 1973, as Daniel T. Jones, 82, a retired in several countries, including ambassador to Morocco from 1973 FSRO, died on April 6 of heart fail¬ Turkey, Norway, England, Australia to 1976, and as ambassador to Saudi ure at the Reading Hospital and and Nicaragua, as well as Nigeria and Arabia in 1981. He was also part of Medical Center in Reading, Pa. Liberia, where he was ambassador. the State Department transition Mr. Jones was bom in Peckville, She was active in civic and charita¬ team for the Reagan administration Pa. During World War II, he served ble groups as chair of the board of from 1980 to 1981.

SEPTEMBER 999/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 51 After his government service, Mr. better understanding of the Middle Army and landed on Utah Beach with Neumann became a senior adviser at East. the 51st Combat Engineers on D- the Center for Strategic and Survivors include two sons, Day, June 6, 1944. After the war, he International Studies in Washington, Gregory W. Neumann of Los studied art on the G.I. Bill at D.C. He wrote extensively on Angeles, and Ronald E. Neumann, an L’Academie Julien and produced European and Middle Eastern FSO currently serving in Washington water colors, oils and lithographs all issues in publications ranging from as a deputy' assistant secretary for his life. He worked as staff artist and Foreign Affairs to The Christian Near' Eastern affairs; five grandchil¬ cartoonist at San Franciscos Call Science Monitor. He was decorated dren; and three great-grandchildren. Bulletin from 1950 to 1951. with the Knight Commanders Cross In 1951 he joined the Foreign and Star of Austria; the Knights Service as an information officer with Cross of the French Legion of tlie U.S. Information and Education Honor; the Commander’s Cross, and Howard R. Simpson, 74, a Program, a precursor to USIA. Posted Officers Cross of Germany; the retired FSO and author, died of can¬ to Saigon as public affairs officer, he Order of the Star, First Class, of cer at Iris home in Chew Chase, Md., eventually became US I As war corre¬ Afghanistan; and the Honorary May 3, 1999. spondent to the Franco-Vietnamese Medal of the University of Brussels. Mr. Simpson was born in forces, covering the battle of Dien He served on several boards and Alameda, Calif, in 1925. During Bien Phu and later serving as press traveled extensively to promote World War II, he served in the U.S. adviser to Prime Minister Ngo Dinh

WORLDWIDE INSURANCE FOR FOREIGN SERVICE PERSONNEL SI B HU I I S SS SM S I ■ B as B® ■ ■ » ■ *»» E * * » ■ ■ « « ■ ■ *« ■ ■ * ■ PERSONAL PROPERTY ■ AUTO MARINE ■ MARINE TRIP

Administered by UNIRISC 1120 20th Street, N.W. ■ Suite 720 Washington, D.C. 20036 Telephone (202) 728-4100 Toll Free 1 (800) 424-9500 Facsimile (202) 479-4471

COMPETITIVE RATES ■ Broad BLANKET coverage now available ■ Automatic replacement cost N Automatic coverage up to 10% of total Underwritten by London Insurers insured value for new acquisitions Join the ranks of our satisfied customers. M Foreign comprehensive personal liability Call toll free from anywhere in the United States or write for more information. E-mail us at [email protected]

AS PREVIOUSLY INSURED THROUGH HTB INSURANCE

52 FOREIGN SERF ICE JOURNAL/SEPTEMBER 1 999 Diem. Mr. Simpson went on to serve Tribune, Militanj Review, Common¬ metallurgical engineer up through in Lagos and Marseilles before return¬ weal and the Foreign Service Jou rnal. World War II. In the immediate ing to Saigon in 1964 as press adviser He was also the author of 15 books. He postwar years, he worked for the to Prime Minister Nguyen Khanh. moved to Chevy Chase in 1998. Commerce Department in Germany Other foreign postings included Survivors include his wife, Mary and then transferred to the Military Canberra, Algiers, Marseilles again as Alice Simpson; four daughters, Government in Berlin. consul general and twice to Paris. Shawn, Lisa, Kate and Maggie His Foreign Service career took During a stateside posting in 1968, he Simpson; and five grandchildren. him to posts in Germany, India and graduated from the U.S. Naval War Iran. After retirement in 1970, he College in Newport, R.I., where he became an archaeologist, specializ¬ also taught. Mr. Simpson retired after ing in obsidian hydration dating, and a tour as deputy public affairs officer Fred W. Trembour, 86, a co-authoring many articles on the in Paris in 1979. retired USIA FSO, died of pneumo¬ subject. Moving to Kinsdale, County Cork, nia Feb. 3 at his home in Boulder, Survivors include his wife, Mary Ireland, he continued as a consultant Colo. of Boulder; two daughters, Alice on international terrorism and as a Mr. Trembour was born Trembour and Karla Irvin; two sons writer on defense issues. His articles in Watervliet, N.Y., and was a from his first marriage, Bichard and appeared in publications such as graduate of the Carnegie Institute William; a brother, Max; and six Harper’s, The International Herald of Technology. He worked as a grandchildren. ■

-

. v>‘Grt\> V*' TBE REMINGTON 2 BLOCKS FROM STATE

^ s' Remington Short-Term Housing, offering convenience, elegance and comfort in prestigious Foggy Bottom within walking distance of the Kennedy Center and Georgetown. That Personal Touch, Yoar Home Pknay from HomeI Featuring: • Spacious One-bedroom Condominiums —fully furnished w/balconies • In-Unit Washer/Dryer • Fully equipped kitchens/microwave • Unlimited local telephone service w/ans machine • Extended Cable TV/HBO and Showtime Contact: Rosemary Jarvis or Antoinette Wilson 601 24th Street, NW Suitel02 Washington, DC 20037 Rent by the day, u>eek or month; (800) 225-3847; (202) 223-4512 Small Pets Accepted RAX: (202) 452-9541

SEPTEMBER 1999/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 53 If you had clicked here, you would be home by now! http://www. simunek.com The SimumMt TEAM About Ttx» Simunek Team Send Us ‘■-‘40' E-Mail Get Our Newsletter View Our P Listings Search For Tour A Dream Home Virtual Tours Of Homes Home Buyer & Seller Guides Get A Free % School Report Temporary m Housing Ne ig hborhood # Focus Mortgage Information Property % Management <& Contact Info & HOME Talk to The Simunek Team! Email: Simunek@aol. com D.C.& MD Direct Line: 202-296-4304 Virginia Direct Line: 703-284-9365 Zorita & Richard Simunek, Rochelle Ruffin- Client Care Specialist, Tachiea Roland- Listing Coordinator

NO OBLIGATION FREE PERSONALIZED TDY HOMES FOR SALE MAGA¬ HOME TOUR ZINE

Better than the internet! Internet home sales Coming to Washington? ; Unlike much more expensive home buying guides found in bookstores, this amazing guide provides data are disorganized and not summarized by Let’s visit some homes for sale! : information on Washington, Virginia, and Mary¬ neighborhood and price and often out of date. Sure makes homebuying easier ; land Lenders, contract forms, home inspectors, Detail information is lacking. But not your personalized magazine! later on! community first time home buying programs, inter¬ est saving tips, schools and more.

54 FOREIGN SERVICE ] O URN AL/SEPTEMBER 1999 REAL ESTATE

Visit Our Home 24hrs Coming Home or Going Overseas? a Day 7 Days a Week JoAnn Piekney If you are Broker-Owner Homepage considering moving ww.RIGHTEAM.com and team to the Washington Metro Area Log-on E-Mail Alana Clark to our new home- YRRLTRS@ Traci Jefferson page on the World RIGHTEAM.com Vanessa Hardee, Esq. Wide Web! Sue Malick Ron Daly, PC With more than 30+ Lucille’s Phone Stacey Griffth Garret Piekney years as REALTORS 703-821-7908 ext.326 Diane Gallick or & a lifetime of foreign Hello! service relocating, Joan's Phone 703-821-7908 ext.327 As a Foreign Service Spouse of 32 years and a licensed we understand your Realtor of 22 years, I know what moving is all about! JP needs, can educate Properties lists and sells houses for Foreign Service families you on the home AND provides outstanding PROPERTY MANAGEMENT buying or selling Toll Free 1-800-659-0729 SERVICES for "worry-free’' overseas assignments. process, and will In addition, we provide you with legal and tax services. address all your 703-821-9150 Vanessa Hardee, Esq. and Ron Daly, CPA are members of concerns before the JP Properties' team and have been working with the the big move. Foreign Service community for years. Let JP Properties assist you with all your housing needs. Give us a call or E-mail usi WE CARE!!! CALL, FAX OR E-MAIL US TODAY!!! We look toward to 8100 Boone Blvd.. Suite 120 Vienna, VA 22182 hearing from you! 301 Maple Avenue West 4C, Vienna, VA 22180 @Tysons Comer (703) 938-0909; FAX: (703) 281-9782 E-mail: [email protected] Our Home-Page That Is! Website: www.homes-foreign-service.com

McGrath Real Estate Services RHR PROPERTIES

“THE FOREIGN SERVICE SPECIALISTS” SALES, LEASING & PROPERTY MANAGEMENT Experienced staff providing personalized service in Northern Virginia. From Nairobi to Tokyo to Recife, Foreign Service agents trust their homes to Q ince 1976, McGrath RHR Properties. A/ Real Estate Services has been successfully representing - Experienced at meeting the needs of Foreign Service Officers in every aspect foreign service agents and their families of residential management and sales. - Monthly account statements - Regular inspections Call now to discuss how we can help you - Handyman services in the management or sale of your single family home, townhome, or condominium. Call today to safeguard your most valued asset with a firm dedicated to providing you with the best sendee available 425-B Carlisle Drive Herndon, VA 22070 Office (301) 654-1400 Fax (301) 654-1426 Phone (703) 709-2264 • Fax (703) 709-5230 4405 East-West Highway #306 Bethesda, Maryland 20814 E-mail: [email protected] e-mail: [email protected] Montgomery County, Northwest D.C.,and Northern VA

SEPTEMBER 1999/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 55 REAL ESTATE Diplomat

r Returning „ Please, dend MA ifMiA to Washington? Properties aJA/iedA oMAedAm House Hunting doesn't have to be a Hassle! Work with Anne Gomez ■ 15 YEARS EXPERIENCE ■ KNOWLEDGE OF THE REAL ESTATE MARKET Ajoun, Name: ■ KNOWLEDGE OF YOUR SPECIAL NEEDS ■ MULTIPLE LISTING ftfruiA, New- Add/ie&i: ■ BUYER BROKER OPTION Write or FAX Anne Gomez for a Free Welcome Kit. IjouA Old AddneAA,: Diplomat Properties also Specializes in Personalized Property Management. Owned and Operated by a Former \lfMA PlumeltyAXAa.: Foreign Service Family ^djou/i 0-mail AdcPiedd,: DIPLOMAT PROPERTIES, INC. 3900 N. Fairfax Drive, #204 Mend tfouA addAeAA. awzeciirm to-: AtfSA Arlington, VA 22203 AUeeitkui: MemlenAhla (Near Virginia Square Metro) 2101 0 St. AM Anne Gomez, Broker -A.. ^ /O on, (703) 522-5900 FAX (703) 525-4713

Sales, Leasing and Property Management Stuart and Maury Inc. Realtors

• Hands on management for over 35 years! • We’re not huge, we’re selective, we care! • Personalized guidance for all your real estate needs! • 1031 Tax deferred exchange specialists! • Monthly computerized statements!

Call Susan Bader, property management specialist, for more information

Office (301) 654-3200 Fax (301) 656-6182

4833 Bethesda Ave. Suite 200 Bethesda, MD 20814

Excellent references upon request

56 FOREIGN S ERVICE ] O U RN A LI S E P T E M B E R 1999 REAL ESTATE

REGUARD Property Management Services PEAKE MANAGEMENT, INC. For Homes in Arlington, Falls Church, McLean & Tysons Corner Just property Reliable Services & Reasonable Fees management and leasing. REGITARD’S Fees Include: • Base Management Fee $100/Month • Leasing Fee $250/Lease That’s why • Lease Renewal Fee $ 150/Lease we’re the best With An Emphasis On.... in N. Virginia. LINDSEY PEAKE • Preserving & Protecting Your Home • Dealing Directly With The Property Manager PROPERTY MANAGER • Keeping You Informed Call for my free Landlord Reference Manual! • Working Hard For You, Late Into The

Evening & On The Weekend 703-448-0212 Tel: U.S.A. (703) 841-9446 www.peakeinc.com Fax: U.S.A. (703) 558-9766 [email protected] A Shrewd Choice For a Few Select Homes 6842 Elm St, Ste 303 McLean VA 22101

Executive Housing Consultants, Inc. NORTHWEST ASSET MANAGEMENT, INC.

Residential Property Management Service & Accountability to Leasing and Management of ‘Exceptional "Properties Home Owners in Washington, D.C. in upper Northwest E>C, Chevy Chase, & Montgomery County Bethesda, Potomac and "McLean Since 1980 Andrew J. Fedors, licensed Property Manager 7315 Wisconsin Avenue 3413 Fessenden Street, N.W. Suite 603 East Washington, D.C. 20008 Bethesda, Maryland 20814 Tel: (202 966-7323 (301) 951-4111 Fax: (202) 966-8167 Fax: (301) 907-7329 E-mail: [email protected] www.executivehousing.com “OUR SECRET IS TO DEAL WITH PROBLEMS PROMPTLY.”

SEPTEMBER 1999/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 57 REAL ESTATE

executive Landlord Lifesaver! /Bodging B/Uiern aiiu es

Interim Accommodations for MAN A G EMEN T Corporate and Government Markets . w |)ll

departments, dJowniio uses ds Sinpfe dam tip Jtfomes WJD MANAGEMENT, “FOR THE EXECUTIVE ON THE MOVE” Northern Virginia's premier * Residential Property Management Locations throughout Northern Virginia and D.C. and Leasing Company, Units fully furnished, equipped and accessorized is looking for a few homes Many “Walk to Metro” locations in need of our Pet Friendly professional care! 5105-L Backlick Road Annandale, Virginia Call David Norod at 703-684-0800 or visit our website at www.wjdpm.com Tel: (703) 354-4070 Fax: (703) 642-3619

♦ REGULAR INSPECTIONS ENjOY PEACE OF MIND fiigtoti Management fayfo bo’s taking care of your home while you’re aWay?

dfoone tildes care of your borne like M do!

While you're overseas, we'll help you manage your home without the hassles. No panicky messages, just regular reports. No unexpected surprises, just peace of mind.

Property management is person our full time business. Let us take care p of the details. Unmatched llxpertisc In Pcsidenlial Property Management Dedicated To Protecting Your Investment Desidentinl Property Management Is Our Only Business

2015 O <5>Lrcel, N.W. • Washington, PC’ 20009 Call us today! Phone: 202.46(2.7212 • tax: 202332.0798 (301)657-3210 lrinail: [email protected] 6923 Fairfax Road ♦ Bethesda, MD 20814 WWW.WMSDO.COM

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT FOR FOREIGN SERVICE OFFICERS ♦

58 FOREIGN SERVICE J O U RN AL/SEPT EM B ER 1999 REAL ESTATE

EXPERT PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

Houses and Apartments

Property Specialists. Inc. A professional and personal service tailored to meet vonr needs in: • Property Management • Sales ant 1 Rentals • Tax-deferred Exchange • Real Estate Investment Counseling

Our staff includes: Terry Barker Donna Courtney Seraphin Lease Ginny Basak Sally Duerbeck John Logtens Joan Bready Les Clad Patt Seely MGMB Inc. Realtors Heather Brown Robert Howd Paul Timpane 4600-D Lee Highway Arlington. Virginia 22207 Eoxhall Square 202-362-4480 (703) 525-7010 (703) 525-0000 3301 New Mexico Ave.. N.W. Fax: 202-363-8954 e-mail: [email protected] Washington, D.C. 20016 E-mail: [email protected] Serving Virginia, Maryland and D.C.

Real Estate and Property ADVERTISING INDEX Management Avery Hess / 55 When contacting one of our advertisers, kindly mention you Diplomat Properties / 56 saw their advertisement in the Foreign Service Journal. Executive Housing / 57 Automobiles Housing Insurance Executive Lodging American Service Alexandria Suites/ C - 3 AFSPA/9 Alternatives / 58 Center / 16 Avalon Bay/ 2 Clements & Co. / 1 J.P. Properties / 55 Bukkehave/6 Columbia Plaza / 42 Harry Jannette Long & Foster-Simunek / 54 D&M Auto / 6 Executive Club Suites / 4 International / 4 MGMB/59 Daimler Chrysler / C-4 Executive Lodging The Hirshom Company / 34 McGrath Real Estate Don Beyer Volvo / 32 Alternatives / 58 UNIRISC / 52 Services / 55 Martens Volvo / 9 FARA / 42 WAEPA/C - 2 Meyersori Group / 58 State-Side Auto / 32 Homestead Village /13 Northern Virginia Templeton Tysons Hotel Reservations Miscellaneous Homes & Property Corner / 14 Network / 49 3 Citron Caterers / 49 Management / 56 Oakwood/ 29 Aletheia / 47 Northwest Asset Financial and Remington / 53 Association for Management / 57 Tax Services Smith Corporate Living / 6 International Peake Property MCG Financial The Virginian Suites / 17 Business /14 Management / 57 Planning /14 Carnegie Commission for Property Specialists / 59 North American Prevention of Deadly RHR Properties/55 Mortgage / 12 Conflict / Polybag REguard / 57 State Department Federal Fine Classical Music / 14 Stuart & Maury/56 Credit Union / 12 Morgan Pharmacy /12 WJD Property Shattuch - St. Mary’s / 17 Management / 58 Westview Press / 47 Washington Management Services / 58

SEPTEMBER 1999/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 59 POSTCARD FROM ABROAD All Along the Watchtowers

BY LYNN W. ROCHE

We were driven through the of communications facilities so that night, ending our journey at a bor¬ The outpost a new system could be designed for der outpost nine kilometers from the country under the United States where a corner of Mongolia meets commander Military Assistance Program. As the Russia and China. The next morn¬ embassy’s political officer, I was ing we saw a sentry wrapped in a explained the along to help with the survey work huge sheepskin cape and hood and and to meet with non-governmental wearing felt boots, standing on the seriousness of organizations. roof of the one-story concrete block As our three-jeep convoy headquarters building. He squinted Oguarding O maneuvered from outpost to out¬ into a rising sun that threw a clear post, we conducted our surveys, light over the snowy steppe. It was Mongolia from after which we were without fail still, dr)-; desolate and minus 20 its two giant treated to a meal. The repast was degrees Fahrenheit. always the same: Mongolian tea For the 25 soldiers of the neighbors, Russia with milk and booz, which are Mongolian Border Patrol and their Mongolian dumplings made with families who live and serve at the and China. mutton. Since travel between stops border for two-year assignments averaged only one hour, it was chal¬ life is harsh, especially in winter, lenging to keep consuming the which begins with late October same meal, especially when we frosts and ends with April winds. knew that another one just like it Their food — consisting mostly of would be waiting for us at the next meat and flour — comes to them without coat or gloves, explained stop. Still, courtesy dictated that from the provincial capital, the seriousness of guarding we could not refuse Mongolian Choybalsan, which is located 290 Mongolia from its two giant neigh¬ hospitality. kilometers away over a dirt track. bors. Before 1990, the Soviet Between outposts, we jostled They rely on one Jeep and a half Union controlled this crossing, but along, looking over the Chinese dozen horses for both transporta¬ now Mongolia is in charge and border 10 kilometers away, search¬ tion and patrol duty, A single gener¬ struggling. We noticed a relic of a ing over the low, rolling landscape ator provides electricity and there is Russian tank resting inside its ter¬ for signs of life. The horizon was hardly any fuel, so coal is used for ritory and a two-story, metal empty, except for an occasional heating and cooking. Water is Chinese watchtower standing bird, fox or rodent. Just before we hauled from a nearby lake; in win¬ about a half-mile inside its border. reached our last post of the day, the ter, it is collected from thawed ice. We were the first Americans to sun slid down below the edge of the As we stood at the border, the visit the spot, so we were careful steppe, leaving a thin, brilliant red outpost commander, wearing a not to transgress country bound¬ line of light between earth and sky. simple brown uniform and cap, aries and cause alarm. By the time we finished the survey We had an official reason for v is¬ and were once again sitting down to Lynn W. Roche is the political iting the three-country intersection. tea and booz, darkness had fallen officer in Ulaanbaatar. The stamp is Capt. Jon Edwards, the American and stars danced from horizon to courtesy of the AAFSW Bookfair embassy’s military representative to horizon. A stark beauty covered the “Stamp Comer.” Mongolia, was conducting a survey isolated steppe. ■

60 FOREIGN SERVICE J O U RN AU S E PT EM B E R 1999 Attention: U.S. Foreign Service Officers and Specialists Coming to Town For Training? Alexandria Suites Hotel

♦ Comfortable ♦ Enjoyable ♦ Affordable

♦ Full Size, Fully Equipped Kitchens ♦ Complimentary Deluxe Breakfast ♦ Free Shuttle to Van Dorn Metro ♦ On Site Fitness Center ♦ Pets Accepted 420 North Van Dorn Street Alexandria, VA 22304 Phone: (703) 370-1000 Fax: (703) 751-1467 Convenient to: NFATC (5 Miles) Reservations 1 -800-368-3339 www.alexandriasuites.com Washington, D.C. (8 Miles)

Room & Ride program: studio suite and intermediate size car within your per diem Privilege a right, advantage, favor, or immunity specially granted to one.

1999 Chrysler 300M

As a member of the Diplomatic Corps, you are eligible for special privileges when you order a vehicle through DaimlerChrysler's Diplomatic Purchase Program. They include preferred savings; fast, personalized ordering assistance; and uncompromising service with DaimlerChrysler's worry-free worldwide warranty. Perquisites appropriate to your office. Choose from the full line of 1999 Chrysler products: Chrysler, Plymouth, and Dodge cars and minivans, and Jeep and Dodge trucks. Phone for personalized service. Your Personal Advisor will order the model, color, and equipment you want and quote the official Diplomatic price, including all applicable rebates. Your Personal Advisor can also arrange delivery anywhere in the U.S. or to most overseas locations. We simply set you free of tedious details. If you prefer, just fill out and mail or telefax the card on Page 11. You will quickly receive a catalogue for the vehicle(s) of your choice. The Diplomatic Purchase Program. It's the easy, money-saving way to start enjoying DaimlerChrysler's many advantages. Contact us via: Phone: (U.S.) (516) 496-1806; Fax: (516) 677-3701; E-mail: [email protected]. In the U.S., call 1-800-877-7083. T-, DAIMLERCHRYSLER

See our Web site: www.diplosales.com Expect the extraordinary Jeep is a registered trademark of DaimlerChrysler. Diplomatic Sales