The Fashoda Syndrome \ % oreign Service Joui % % 1.25 APRIL 1982 w Defend n Professionalism T.pttJ) 82 AMB. MALCOLM TOON SEN. CHARLES MATHIAS 'Slam a Door’ 'Pass a Law* Feel at home with security... AFSA Group Accident Insurance for Loss of Life, Limb or Sight. “Make yourself at home.” How often is heard that warm invitation to share the comfort and security of a friend's home. And though the surroundings may be unfamiliar, they somehow seem less foreign and more secure because your host is there to help protect you. Home is where the security is! Similarly, AFSA Group Accident Insurance for loss of life, limb or eye¬ sight provides that added security to make many of our members feel at home anywhere they happen to be. This AFSA program provides financial protection against accidental loss of life, limb or eyesight 24 hours a day, the year round, anywhere in the world. You and your family can be covered ACT NOW! 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Address MUTUAL OF OMAHA INSURANCE COMPANY HOME OFFICE: OMAHA, NEBRASKA City State ZIP Code FILL OUT AND MAIL TODAY! COVER: Ambassador Malcolm Toon and Senator Charles McC. Mathias (R.-Md.) rush to the defense of a professional Foreign Service with the aid of artist Tom Reed. In this issue, Mathias discusses his proposal for a legal limit to the percentage of non-career ambassadors. Toon, in an interview with the Journal, calls for strong action on the part of senior Foreign Service officers to preserve the professionalism of the Service and the interest of the nation. Officers and Members of the The Fashoda Syndrome 18 Governing Board In the nineteenth century, imperial rivalries were a CHARLES S. WHITEHOUSE, President ANTHEA DE ROUVILLE, Vice major source of conflict between great powers. Today President WILLIAM SCHOUX, Second Vice the Third World is still the root of many tensions, President this time between the United States and its NATO JOSEPH MCBRIDE, Secretary MICHAEL SPEERS, Treasurer allies. By Robert K. Olson. WILLIAM MCKINNEY, RALPH BARNETT, In the National Interest 22 AID Representatives STEPHEN M. CHAPLIN, ICA Ambassador Malcolm Toon, in an interview with Representative the Journal, discusses current dangers to the Foreign THOMAS MILLER, DONALD K. HOLM, IRVING WILLIAMSON, Service and the importance of a career Service to the State Representatives SPENCER KING, THOMAS national interest. CORCORAN, Retired Representatives Staff Politics or Merit? 28 ROBERT M. BEERS, Executive Senator Charles McC. Mathias (R.-Md.) outlines Director SUSAN HOLIK, General Counsel the reasoning behind legislation he recently introduced SABINE SISK, Members’ Interest! to limit the percentage of non-career ambassadorial Grievance Representative PAT GUILD, Executive Secretary appointments. CECIL B. SANNER, Membership and Circulation Journal: International Pecking Order 34 Scholarship Programs DAWN CUTHELL In wartime, loose lips may sink ships, but on the diplomatic circuit, puckered lips may be an even greater danger. By Jim Slack. Editorial Board H. KENNETH HILL, Chairman Editorial 17 Association News 20E STEPHEN CHAPLIN FRANCIS X. CUNNINGHAM AFSA Elections Section 20A DONALD MACCORQUODALE JAMES L. ROUSH Upcoming AFSA Referendum 20D JOHN D. STEMPEL DAVID WILSON The Foreign ServiceJournal is the magazine of profes¬ Association is open to the professionals in foreign Staff sionals in foreign affairs, published 11 times a year affairs overseas or in Washington, as well as to STEPHEN R. DUJACK, Editor by the American Foreign Service Association, a persons having an active interest in, or close associ¬ FRANCES G. BUR WELL, Associate non-profit organization. Material appearing herein ation with, foreign affairs. Membership dues are: Active Members—Dues range from $52 to $104 Editor represents the opinions of the writers and does not necessarily represent the official views of the De¬ annually. Retired Active Members—Dues are $40 LINDA J. LAVELLE, Ed. Asst. partment of State, the International Communica¬ annually for members with incomes over $20,000; tion Agency, the Agency for International Devel¬ $25 annually for less than $20,000. Associate Advertising Representatives opment, the United States Government as a whole, Members—Dues are $25 annually. All dues pay¬ JAMES C. SASMOR ASSOCIATES, or AFSA. While the Editorial Board is responsible ments include $7.50 allocation for the Journal and 521 Fifth Ave., Suite 1700, for general content, statements concerning the Association News, per AFSA Bylaws. New York, N.Y. 10017. policy and administration of AFSA as employee Subscription to the Journal', one year (11 issues), representative under the Foreign Service Act of $10.00; two years, $18.00. For subscriptions go¬ (212) 683-3421 1980 on the editorial page and in the Association ing abroad, except Canada, add $1.00 annually. ALBERT D. SHONK CO., News, and all communications relating to these, Second-class postage paid at Washington, D.C. 3156 Wilshire Blvd. are the responsibility of the AFSA Governing and at additional post office. Los Angeles, CA 90010 Board. Microfilm copies of current as well as of back ©American Foreign Service Association, 1982. (213) 388-2981 issues of the Foreign Service Journal are available 2101 E Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. JOSHUA B. POWERS, LTD., through the University Microfilm Library Services, 20037. Telephone (202) 338-4045. Offices in 46 Keyes House, Dolphin Sq., Ann Arbor, Michigan 48106, under a contract State Dept.: 632-8160/2548 London SW1. 01-834-8023/9. signed October 30, 1967. April 1982. Volume 59, No. 4. ISSN 0015- International Representatives. Membership in the American Foreign Service 7279. A prestigious board could be of great AUTHORIZED EXPORTER support to both the president and the na¬ tion by offering unbiased and unintimidat¬ GENERAL ELECTRIC ed opinion on ambassadorial nominations. In the beginning the board might send -U.S.A.- suggested nominations to the White LETTERS House for appropriate ambassadorial va¬ cancies. If these suggestions are bypassed for nominees of lesser quality, the board GENERAL ELECTRONICS should take public issue on each case with INC. AFSA and Appointments the White House. While it probably would not be easy for I was greatly interested in Charles Foster’s the board to force its views on the White REFRIGERATORS • FREEZERS thoughtful article “Appointing Ambassa¬ House, after experience in working with RANGES • MICROWAVE OVENS dors” in the November Journal. His idea it, the White House would probably come AIR CONDITIONERS • DRYERS for a permanent presidential advisory to realize its value and be willing either to WASHERS • SMALL APPLIANCES board with a secretariat to pass all candi¬ submit nominations to its judgment or ac¬ AUDIO EQUIPMENT • TELEVISION dates for ambassadorial appointments is cept nominations emanating from it. DISHWASHERS • TRANSFORMERS excellent, but it displays a slight naivete in I urge AFSA’s consideration of this sug¬ assuming any administration will willing¬ gestion. Certainly Mr. Foster has touched Available for All Electric ly give up power. The article touches on on an important subject, and one on which Currents/Cycles this, mentioning the steps taken by the our organization should take action. last administration in establishment of Immediate Shipping/Mailing such a board, and goes on to note it was JULIUS W. WALKER JR. From our Local Warehouse largely ineffective, as the White House ig¬ Ambassador nored it. Ouagadougou, Upper Volta We Can Also Furnish Any such organism created by the chief Replacement Parts for executive and beholden to him can only Uncle Sam’s ‘Cousins’ Most Manufactures have limited value and success, as it is his creation and serves at his will. To have true The Journal and author Marjorie Smith de¬ SHOWROOM value, the presidential advisory board serve the thanks of all Foreign Service members — active and retired — for the General Electronics, Inc. must be independent and institutionalized 4513 Wisconsin Avenue, N.W. outside the White House structure. February article “Working for Cousin Washington, D.C. 20016 Foster also touches on this solution with Sam.” I think it was time someone spoke Tel. (202) 362-8300 passing reference to the American Bar As¬ out for the 10,000 local nationals who TWX 710-822-9450 sociation Committee on Judicial Appoint¬ make up the “other half of the work force. ” GENELECINC WSH ments. The power of this group has grown They are indeed indispensable to U.S. over the years to such an extent that presi¬ government operations at posts abroad, dents are loath to make appointments and their dedication, skill, and continuity without ABA approval. This seems a func¬ cannot be replaced by any other group, tion which AFSA can and should provide. including Americans who live abroad. I <o T3 The establishment of a permanent secre¬ have two further comments: © o tariat by AFSA for such duties should not First, when the Foreign Service Act of be too difficult or costly. It could be done 1980 was being drafted, re-drafted, and S= > o ® within the existing AFSA organizational negotiated, the American Foreign Service © ~ framework.