U N I T E D S T A T E S D E P A R T M E N T O F S T A T E

November 2001

StateStateM a g a z i n e

Blair HouseBlair HouseWhere Hospitality and Diplomacy Meet

StateState

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31 3 President Praises Employees, Outlines Afghan AidEmployees welcome President Bush warmly.

6 Detour to KindnessThis unscheduled stop touched many lives.

10 Welcome Home, RetireesRecord turnout underscores Foreign Affairs Day.

12 Post of the Month: CopenhagenDenmark is a stalwart and forward-looking ally.

17 Office of the Month: Office of Foreign MissionsThe office works to level the playing field.

20 Having a BallThe Marine Ball is the event of the year.

22 Blair HouseOn this tour you’ll meet the President’s innkeepers.

27 Secretary Pushes Net-Based DiplomacyIn a wired world, State sees the future.

30 Department Helps Lost BoysRavaged refugees make it in America.

ContentsD e p a r t m e n t o f S t a t e • U n i t e d S t a t e s o f A m e r i c a

Magazine

November 2001No. 451

C O L U M N S

2 From the Secretary

8 Direct from the D.G.

D E P A R T M E N T S

3 In the News

4 Letters to the Editor

9 Short Takes

31 People Like You

32 Medical Report

34 Appointments

36 Personnel Actions

37 State of the Arts

38 Obituaries

On the CoverBlair House

Illustration by Paul Soma

The Dominos in Panama.

Secretary of State Colin Powell, right,welcomes President George W. Bushto his second State Department visitin less than six months.

2 State Magazine

FROM THE SECRETARYSECRETARY COLIN L. POWELL

Great News from theRecruitment Front

The Bush Administration’s new DiplomaticReadiness Initiative is designed to help theState Department attract the talent our countryneeds to meet the foreign policy challenges ofthe 21st century.

We are proud to report to you that the initiative hasalready achieved a major turnaround in our recruitmentefforts. Here are some highlights:

We exceeded our FY01 hiring targets of 225 juniorForeign Service officers and 300 Foreign Service special-ists. The “standard” A-100 class now numbers more than90 junior officers.

To handle the influx, we now must book our A-100classes and specialist orientation classes four to sixmonths in advance.

More than 23,500 candidates registered for the Sept. 29Foreign Service Written Exam—more than twice thenumber in 2000. In fact, we haven’t had this kind ofresponse since the 1980s. And, as a result of targetedminority recruitment efforts, minority registrantsaccounted for approximately 35 percent of the total—thehighest percentage of minority registrants in the historyof the Foreign Service. The number of African Americansregistering to take the exam—over 3,000—was nearlytriple last year’s count, while Hispanic registrants dou-bled to more than 2,000.

More than 800 applicants have opted for an alterna-tive exam pilot program this year—50 percent higherthan last year. This program specifically targets thethree deficit career tracks: administrative, consular andpublic diplomacy.

We got a strong response, especially from the military,to our mid-level alternative exam entry program. This isthe first time since the 1980s that we are hiring ForeignService officers at the mid-level. Our target is 30 new FS-03 officers.

We have also reduced the average time for clearingnew hires to fewer than 80 days, so that they are less like-ly to be snapped away by competitors at the last minute.

For the same reason, we will compress the current oralassessment cycle into a 90-day period. Our current objec-tive is to reduce the time it takes to bring a prospectiveemployee on board from 27 to close to eight months, andwe want to reduce the wait even further than that.

In August, we launched our Diplomacy FellowsProgram. We are calling for applications from PMIs andBoren, Fascell, Pickering and AAAS Fellows, and makingit possible for them to advance directly to the oral assess-ment phase of the application process. The program aimsto recoup the U.S. government’s substantial investmentin this particularly rich and diverse talent pool.

Today’s best and brightest are used to conducting theirbusiness over the Internet. Our recruitment process mustbe state-of-the art and user-friendly if we are to capture andhold their interest. Hence, our new web site (www.for-eignservicecareers.gov). Currently, 87 percent of our appli-cants apply online. We have begun work on a counterpartWeb site for Foreign Service specialists. We have alsolaunched a hotline to our recruitment counselors ([703] 875-7490). From within the Department, dial 57490.

We have implemented a new salary policy that willallow qualified junior officer applicants to enter at the FS-04 level. This will help us match the current salaries ofmid-level military and Civil Service colleagues seeking tojoin as junior officers.

On Foreign Affairs Day, we launched a “RecruiterEmeritus” program that will help us unleash the energiesof experienced retirees in the search for talent. We willprovide retired and current employees with attractivepresentations they can use to recruit in their communities.

We are well on the way to hiring 1,433 new career per-sonnel for Foreign Service and Civil Service positions inFY02.

Thank you for helping us send the message far andwide to the most talented young Americans of all back-grounds that exciting, challenging, rewarding careersawait them at the Department of State. We are countingon you to keep spreading the good word. ■

I N T H E N E W S

President Thanks Employees,Announces More Afghan Aid

r-in-chief commendedworking to build an oalition to fight terrorism.

By Paul Koscak

President George W. Bush received arousing welcome Oct. 4 during anunexpected State Department visit,assuring employees they’re fight-ing a war between good and evil as

they work to forge an international coali-tion against terrorism.

“I want to thank you for all your longhours in building the coalition,” thePresident told the overflowing crowd inthe Dean Acheson Auditorium. “TheState Department has been on the fore-front of battling terror.”

Even with just a few hours’ notice, the868-seat auditorium quickly filled up.Employees also watched the President’sspeech on closed-circuit television in theadjoining Loy Henderson ConferenceRoom, on monitors throughoutWashington, D.C. and at posts worldwide.The visit marked the second time in lessthan six months that President Bush visitedthe Department and spoke to employees.

The President, along with Secretary ofState Colin L. Powell, used the occasionto announce a $320 million humanitarianaid package to Afghanistan, sayingAmerica opposes the Taliban regime butsupports the Afghan people. He remind-ed the hundreds of cheering employeesthat Americans are “a compassionate people.”

The coalition, the President said, is already takingaction. Suspected terrorists throughout the world havebeen arrested, questioned and jailed. “The first shot ofthis war has already been fired,” he said, implying moreforceful action is expected. “We’re freezing their money.”

He characterized the fight against terrorism as “a warbetween good and evil. We will stand strong on the sideof good and expect other nations to join us.”

Employees reacted positively to the President’s remarks.“I thought it was a good message,” said Charles

Hughes of legislative affairs. “He’s assuring people thatwe have an approach that’s defensible. We’re not singlingout people, just the criminals.”

The commandeemployees for international c

Mr. Hughes’ wife, Harriet, who works in the Bureau ofAdministration, also supported the President. “He’sassuring the people that they’re [the Administration]doing everything possible. That they’re on top.”

“He did an excellent job of thanking people for theirovertime,” said Angie Piscitelli, an intern in internationalorganizations. “It was critical to come here.”

Jeff Rusinek, a Diplomatic Security agent trainee,thought the President’s remarks had a moderate tone.

“It sounded more like a law enforcement problem thanwar,” he said. “He also stressed the humanitarian aspects.” ■

The author is a writer-editor for State Magazine.

Photo by Michael Gross

November 2001 3

4 State Mag

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Reflections on Sept. 11

Alastair Grant/AP PhotosAmit Bhargava/AP PhotosWilliam Alix/AP Photos

Paris

New Delhi

London

‘Unspeakable Horrors’By Howard Kavaler

The unspeakable horrors thatbefell America that fateful Tuesdaymorning of Sept. 11 evoked for merather vividly many painful imagesand emotions that I had thoughtwould attenuate with the passage oftime. The television footage of thecascading twin towers, the panic-stricken pedestrians racing to safetyand the valiant firefighters searchingin vain for possible survivors tookme back to the immediate aftermathof the Aug. 7, 1998, bombing of ourembassy in Nairobi as I searchedvainly for my wife, Prabhi. Theclouds of dust, the dangling wires,the invisible cries for help muffled bymounds of concrete and twisted steelwere front and center in my mind asif they had happened only yesterday.

In reliving the events of Aug. 7, Iimmediately began to mull overwhat for me have become more thanrhetorical questions: Why did it takethe carnage of Sept. 11 to galvanizethe body politic to muster the will toeviscerate the scourge of terrorism?Why are American lives lost in thehomeland seemingly more preciousthan those taken in Lebanon, Kenya,Saudi Arabia and Yemen? I am still

azine

grappling for answers. I fear thatabdication, expediency and amorali-ty will feature prominently in what-ever conclusions I ultimately reach.

I grieve for the surviving widowsand widowers and urge them to seethe goodness of their lost spouses inthe faces and souls of their children. Icry for the latter, who number in thethousands and who, like my twoyoung daughters, will never be ableto bid farewell to a loving parent. Iimplore them to hold dear the memo-ries of their mothers and fathers andtake comfort in the fact that the imme-diate pain will ease over time eventhough the scars that blemish theirpsyches may never completely heal.

I support unequivocally thePresident’s aim in rooting out thepure evil that bin Laden and otherdepraved apostles of terrorismembody. While one part of me praysthat they suffer the same painfuldeaths that befell their victims,another part of me hopes that theywill be captured and their hatredexposed to the light of justice thatonly a trial can bring.

The author, a Foreign Service officernow serving in the Bureau of ConsularAffairs, was the new U.S. representa-tive to the U.N. environment programin Nairobi when terrorists bombed the

U.S. Embassy in Kenya, where his wife,Prabhi, worked and died. He lives inMcLean, Va., with his two daughters,Tara, 13, and Maya, 8.

‘Another Harvest ofthe Innocent’By Lucien Vandenbroucke

Watching aghast as the pictures ofthe Twin Towers’ attack flickeredacross the television, I was transportedin my mind’s eye to the U.S. Embassyin Nairobi, Kenya, after a terroristbomb destroyed it on Aug. 7, 1998.The shots of tortured steel and pulver-ized masonry in New York were,albeit on a frightfully larger scale, theimages I will forever remember of thewreckage in Nairobi three years ago.Far more devastating than the sight ofthe ruins, however, was the thought ofthe shattered bodies and lives that laybeneath. In one fell swoop, the bloodyscythe of terrorism had reaped anoth-er harvest of the innocent. Like somany others, I felt a rush of rage.

I then reminded myself, however,that blind fury was precisely whatthe terrorists sought to cause. Theywanted the United States to lash outindiscriminately and create innocentvictims in the Islamic world, from

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which the terrorists came. The ter-rorists’ ultimate goal was to stokethe flames of conflict between Islamand the West, a conflict someextremists desperately seek.

At a moving interfaith ceremonyin Nairobi after the bombing to com-memorate the more than 200 fatali-ties of the attack, one of the clericsofficiating was a Muslim imam. TheKoran, he emphasized, teaches thatthe taking of one innocent life is asabhorrent as the killing of all ofhumanity and terrorism is as anath-ema to Islam as it is to all other reli-gions. And in Nairobi, as in NewYork, the victims of the terroristattacks included members of manyfaiths, including many Muslims.

As President Bush has stated, weare at war with an evil, terrorism, notwith a religion, even though somewill occasionally try to twist Islam—as others do at times other religions—to justify their darkest deeds. As whatpromises to be a difficult, protractedwar against international terrorismbegins, this is a distinction we mustalways keep uppermost in our minds.

The author, currently a faculty adviser atthe Naval War College in Newport, R.I.,was acting deputy chief of mission at theU.S. Embassy in Nairobi in August 1998.

‘A Special Bond’By John E. Lange

Adm. William J. Crowe Jr., whochaired the Accountability ReviewBoards, came to Dar es Salaam inNovember 1998 and told the assem-bled American staff that we should

Jose Luis Magana/AP Photos

Mexico City

recognize we would be viewed in theUnited States as “experts” on terror-ism: we were among the very fewAmericans who had actually endureda terrorist attack. Alas, the magnitudeand the media coverage of the Sept.11 terrorist attacks mean that“experts” on terrorism now includetens of thousands more individualsand, in many respects, all Americansas well as people around the globe.

A few weeks after the events, theNew York Times reported that “Thosewho escaped from the World TradeCenter on Sept. 11 will never get thatday entirely out of their heads.” Sadly,one can insert locations of numerousother deadly attacks—the Pentagon,the U.S.S. Cole, the U.S. Embassies inNairobi and Dar es Salaam, OklahomaCity and more—and the sentence stillrings true. The September attacksbrought back vivid memories to thesurvivors of the bombing in Dar andafforded us the opportunity, yet again,to watch CNN videotape of ourembassy engulfed in fire and smokeminutes after the blast on Aug. 7, 1998.

One of our means of coping withthose memories is an annual rite inearly August when we send “think-ing of you” e-mails to each other.This year, one Dar veteran wrote,“That day is still as vivid as ever. Itwill probably always be that way. Ifeel fortunate to be able to reach outand touch all of you. Please be safeand take care. We all share a specialbond that will bind us forever.”

The memories linger, but our sup-port network helps us to consoleeach other. I can only hope that suchsupport networks are established forthe thousands of survivors of theSept. 11 attacks and the many othersaffected by the tragedy.

The author, currently U.S. Ambassadorto Botswana, was chargé d’affaires atthe U.S. Embassy in Dar es Salaam inAugust 1998.

‘More Pain Lies Ahead’By Charles Slater

The events of Sept. 11 brought backmany memories for my wife and me,

memories that we hoped and thoughtwere long erased. As painful as the pic-tures of New York and the Pentagonwere, our experience suggests thatmuch more pain lies ahead than peo-ple realize. The friends and co-workersand rescue personnel will suffer thistrauma for many months and indeedyears, and I fear the families will forev-er suffer this loss without reason. Thepain in Dar es Salaam and Nairobi wasmore than we on the ground couldabsorb; the loss of more than 5,000people, with the tens of thousandswho have lost a loved one, is just morethan we can get our minds around.

I hope that time will bring allAmericans a better realization of ourposition and responsibility in theworld. While we are indeed lucky tobe world leaders in many fields, itcomes with a responsibility that cannot be avoided. My Americanfriends often ask me why we haveembassies in the many developingcountries where my family hasserved. One need only look to thecountries where our attention is nowfocused to see, perhaps, the cost ofour non-presence. Isolation comes ata cost that we can ill afford.

The author was the financial manage-ment officer at the U.S. Embassy inNairobi when it was bombed. His wife,Elizabeth, an information managementspecialist at the U.S. Embassy in Dar esSalaam at the time, narrowly escapedserious injury. They are both based inPort Louis, where he is the administrativeofficer and she is an information programofficer. Their son Forbes, 8, is with them.

November 2001 5

Some of the more than 35 jumbo jetsgrounded at Gander Airport when U.S.airspace was closed in the aftermath ofthe Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

A Detour to Kindness:Delta 15 in Newfoundland

IA Detour to Kindness:Delta 15 in Newfoundland

noa

IStory and photos by Peter Kaestner

t all began with a subtle turn halfway through DeltaFlight 15’s nine-hour flight from Frankfurt to Atlanta. Atfirst, I didn’t think too much of it, until I realized that wewere going right, not left. “We have an indicator prob-lem,” the captain soon explained, “and we’re diverting toGander, Newfoundland, to have a mechanic take a look.”

Uncertain about the plane’s condition, we held ourbreaths for the landing. After a perfect touchdown, wetaxied for several minutes to aremote part of the airport. Oncewe had parked, Captain MikeSweeny announced that terroristshad attacked the United States.They had commandeered threecommercial aircraft and flowntwo of them into the World TradeCenter towers in New York andone into the Pentagon. He saidU.S. airspace was closed and thathe had no idea how long wewould be on the ground.

Stunned, we soon formed smallgroups throughout the plane.People who had just flown sixhours together without speaking toeach other were now drawn togeth-er by a compelling, invisible force.

Stranded for three days in Gaon Delta Flight 15 wait to rebto Atlanta.

6 State Magazine

We sat patiently on the plane all day and all night. Withlittle food and no entertainment, everyone talked quietlyor slept. The next morning, we were greeted with a wel-come breakfast of chocolate bars, potato chips and warmPepsi Cola. Shortly afterward, there was great news—wewere going to leave the aircraft! We drove across the hugeGander facility in school buses, past three dozen inter-continental jumbo jets sitting silently on the tarmac.

After stringent but polite security checks we woundour way through the north woods on a 45-minute driveto Lewisporte, a sparkling little town with immaculate

homes, lovely gardens and quaint lawnornaments proudly proclaiming that“The Smiths” lived there. As the yellowbuses pulled up to St. Matthew’s UnitedChurch, Pastor Lee Michelin and volun-teers from his congregation greeted us. Inthe hall there were two televisions. Morethan 24 hours after it had happened, wefinally saw the horrific images that hadgalvanized our nation and the world.The heinous acts, which had seemed sodistant and unreal while we were on theplane, suddenly touched our hearts.

To deal with the tragedy, most peoplesought companionship. Four women,including one who was to be married onSaturday, formed a cohesive group wedubbed the “Four Musketeers.” SeveralGerman businessmen formed another

der, passengersrd their flight

The sanctuary of St. Matthew’s UnitedChurch becomes a makeshift dorm,while generous volunteers from theLewisporte church prepare and servemeals for the waylaid passengers of

association, as did sev-eral U.S. military fami-lies with small and amazingly well-

behaved children. Other passengers were connecting withour generous hosts. Several were invited to people’shomes for tea and others were taken sightseeing. One cou-ple on the plane knew someone who worked at the WorldTrade Center. They were offered an apartment for much-needed solitude. The volunteers gave us everything: toi-letries, phones, Internet connections, hot showers, even theclothes off their backs! Since we only had our carry-onbags, almost everyone needed something.

At 5 p.m. sharp, an enthusiastic army of ad hoc wait-resses served us dinner.

Realizing that no one had spoken during the meal, Igot up. I tried to comfort the crowd by making someobservations about what waslikely ahead of us. I thankedthe church, the volunteers andthe community for their kind-ness. Then I told them that wehad another reason to beproud Americans: The UnitedStates has the best neighbor inthe world, Canada. After-wards, people from severaldifferent nations thanked mefor expressing their privatefeelings publicly.

Delta Flight 15.

Delta employees greetFlight 15 in Atlanta.

Thursday morning, I awoke before dawn and walkedthe mile or so to Woolfrey’s Pond.

The warm water and cold night air combined to form adiaphanous fog that shrouded the surrounding blackspruce forest like an Impressionist painting. The contrastbetween the death and destruction in the United States andthe beauty and tranquility of the pond was overwhelming.

Friday dawned cold, gray and wet. As we ate anotherabundant breakfast, Pastor Michelin had a surprise—thebuses were already coming to pick us up. There was emo-tional confusion as we left the wonderful people who hadshared their town, church and hearts and prepared toreturn to our former lives. Back on the plane, one passen-ger gathered more than $15,000 U.S. in pledges for aLewisporte scholarship fund.

Delta Airlines employees greet-ed us in Atlanta waving flags andpatriotic signs. But the nearlyvacant Hartsfield Airport behindthem poignantly reminded us thatthe United States would never bethe same. We realized, too, that wewould never be the same, touchedas we had been by the extraordi-nary kindness of the citizens ofNewfoundland. ■

The author is the consul general atthe U.S. Embassy in Guatemala City.

November 2001 7

8 State Magaz

DIRECT FROM THE D.G.AMBASSADOR RUTH A. DAVIS

Remembering Sept. 10

No, the headline on this column is not a typo.

And no, I have not been living on a dif-ferent planet. I know full well what hap-pened at 8:45 a.m. on Tuesday morning,Sept. 11. The images of that day have beenseared into all our brains. I’m old enoughto remember the day President Kennedywas assassinated and can recall exactlywhere I was and what I was doing. I feel certain Sept. 11 is going to have thesame impact.

The deaths of our fellow citizens have saddened us all.We also realize that many of our colleagues’ lives havebeen disrupted, and some will now face even greaterdanger representing our great nation overseas. Weshould not forget, however, that the victims of Sept. 11include the citizens of literally dozens of countries. Theterrorist attack was aimed directly at the United States,but its victims were from all continents.

I’m sure you also know that events of Sept. 11 havetouched off a display of fierce patriotism the likes ofwhich I have never seen before except on the Fourth ofJuly. I had occasion to drive up Connecticut Avenue fromdowntown the other day and was struck by the numberof American flags flying: big expensive ones, small onesclipped out of the Washington Post and even ones drawnby hand. Whether it has been the long lines to donateblood or the huge surge in charitable contributions,Americans have also demonstrated that their rush to careis far faster than their rush to retaliate.

So why, then, am I asking you to remember Sept. 10? Igrant you, it was the last “normal” day in America beforethe terrorists struck. In future years, we may have occa-sion to look back with nostalgia at that date. That alonemight be a good reason to remember it, but there isanother reason as well.

Sept. 10 was Foreign Affairs Day. It was our annualhomecoming for retired State Department alumni, theday on our institutional calendar when we pause to rec-ognize the contributions of our retired Foreign Serviceand Civil Service colleagues.

ine

My Human Resources staff went all out tomake this a really wonderful day for every-one concerned. We advertised early andoften, and the results were dramatic: Afterseveral years of declining participation, wemore than doubled attendance this year.

Secretary Powell was our keynote speaker.Getting him was not a hard sell, either. Heagreed to speak in June and throughout thesummer expressed his interest. When he wascalled to the White House early on the morn-

ing of Sept. 10, I held my breath. But at the appointedhour he was in the Dean Acheson Auditorium, greetingthe attendees and briefing them on the challenges we face.

At lunch, DACOR presented former Secretary ofDefense Frank Carlucci with the Foreign Service Cup. Ipresented the Director General’s Cup to Ambassador EdPerkins and Ken Hunter, former principal deputy assis-tant secretary in Consular Affairs, on behalf of the ForeignService and Civil Service, respectively. Following thelunch, Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs MarcGrossman spoke about the challenges of 21st centuryAmerican diplomacy. His remarks on the dangers of ter-rorism and proliferation could not have been more timely.

Sept. 10 was also a day for solemn remembrance. TheSecretary, together with AFSA President John Naland andActing Deputy USAID Administrator Janet Ballantyne,dedicated a plaque honoring 10 employees who died inthe service of their country. I thought it was a movingtribute, and I have to tell you that one of my first reac-tions when I heard the news of the Sept. 11 terroristattacks (and was evacuating the building) was to praythat we would not have to add any more names to thatplaque. Thankfully, we did not. Not on that day, anyway.

So as you go about adjusting to the stresses, demandsand possible dislocations caused by Sept. 11, I hope thatwherever you are you will also take a brief moment toremember a good thing that happened the day before theterrorists struck. And I hope the sense of purpose, thefeeling of family and the strong surge of patriotism thatwe felt on Sept. 10 will be a real source of satisfaction andpride to you all. ■

S H O R T T A K E S

Remembering Their ColleaguesAs the flag is lowered to half staff, State Department

employees pause outside the Harry S Truman Buildingon the morning of Aug. 8 to remember U.S. and FSN col-leagues killed and injured in the bombings of the U.S.Embassies in Kenya and Tanzania. In Nairobi, a park wasdedicated on the site of the former U.S. Embassy.

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Award Recognizes Employee’s ActionsWorley Lee Reed, center, security engineering officer,

receives the Secretary’s Award from Ambassador Delano E.Lewis Sr. for injuries he received as the search and rescueleader after terrorists bombed the U.S. Embassy in Nairobion Aug. 7, 1998. Lacking equipment, he tore muscles andtendons in his shoulders lifting heavy debris and carryinginjured colleagues from the building filled with toxic airand dust. His wife, Joyce Ann, an embassy employee, wasat his side.

New Access Control System Under Way A new access control system will soon be installed throughout the

Harry S Truman Building and up to 30 annexes. The system hingeson SmartCard technology, jargon for identification badges outfittedwith integrated circuit chips. The project, to be completed by 2003, isexpected to improve security and speed visitor processing.

The Bureau of Diplomatic Security’s Office of Domestic Operationsis introducing the new technology with help from the Volpe Centerat the Department of Transportation.

The existing system is used by an estimated 16,000 employeesand visitors to the Truman Building and 101 other facilities.

The new system will be more user-friendly than the existing onewith its 16-year-old equipment, according to Donald Blake, officedirector. The single-card design will be simpler and more functional. Itwill identify clearance levels, remove the birth date and Social Securitynumber from the face of the card, confirm an employee’s identity andprevent unauthorized access to controlled areas, he said.

The technology will automate visitor processing, doing away with the handwritten sign-in roster. The system allowsa receptionist to simply enter the visitor’s information on an electronic form. Visitors can also be signed in ahead oftime using the same Intranet form.

SmartCard technology permits the card to store information such as travel orders, training and medical records,property accounts, vehicle authorization and computer access. The chip protects this information, which can only beaccessed through user codes, Mr. Blake said.

The Bureau of Information Resource Management will also use the card in developing software that providesauthentication and privacy for data sent from one location to another. The security software and SmartCard technolo-gy may be combined to control computer access, he added.

For more information contact Ms. Lolie Kull, at 663-3354 or kulllw@state.com.

November 2001 9

Secretary Powell: Welcome Home, Retirees

Edward J. Perkins, a former ambassador anddirector general of the Foreign Service whoretired in 1996, now teaches at the Universityof Oklahoma.

Retirees file into the DeanAcheson Auditoriumalmost nonstop.

By Paul Koscak

Arecord 500 retirees—double last year’s turnout—attended September’s Foreign Affairs Day toreconnect with friends, former colleagues and cur-rent issues. And they weren’t disappointed.

“We want you to feel reconnected,” said DirectorGeneral Ruth Davis, who called the retirees mentors andrespected colleagues. “As far as we’re concerned, this isyour home.”

Secretary of State Colin L. Powell underscored thedirector general’s remarks by sharing his vision of trust-ing and empowering employees to make decisions aswell as building a tightly knit organization that can com-pete with private industry in attracting the best people.

“I feel strongly about stewardship—taking care of thepeople and resources given to us by Congress,” said theSecretary, who changed the event from Foreign ServiceDay to Foreign Affairs Day to reflect the Department’scommitment to Foreign Service and Civil Serviceemployees. “It also means fighting for what we need.”

10 State Magazine

Seth John FotiBahrain 2000Philip Thomas Lincoln, Jr.China 1996J. Kirby SimonTaiwan 1995Nancy Ferebee LewisEgypt 1993Pasqual MartinezRussia 1991

Robert B. HebbHonduras 1989Edward R. CheneyPhilippines 1976Garnett A. ZimmerlyPhilippines 1976Bruce 0. BaileyVietnam 1972Luther A. McLendon, Jr.Vietnam 1972

We remember with heartfelt gratitude ten colleagues who have lost their lives in the

line of duty while serving overseas.

Secretary Powell told the retirees that Congress and thePresident are supporting his efforts. He cited as exampleshis hiring of former Army Corps of EngineersCommander Charles E. Williams to improve buildingsand other facilities and Grant Green, another retiredArmy commander, to streamline personnel practices.

The results are striking. The Department has slashedthe time it takes to test, interview and hire new ForeignService officers from 27 months to eight. It also reducedsecurity-clearance processing from six months to 80 days,according to the Secretary. All employees, he pledged tothe retirees, will have Internet access at their desks. Inaddition, “floating” positions are being created to back-upemployees involved in training or other professionaldevelopment.

“We’re very pleased at our first year’s results,” he said.Secretary Powell said the “Department’s new energy”

and beefed-up advertising attracted a record 23,500applicants for the Sept. 29 Foreign Service test.

“The embassy is always right,” proclaimed theSecretary, illustrating the Department’s new outlookwhere employees are encouraged to act. “We here on the7th floor are always wrong.”

The crowd roared with applause.“I want to connect this family in a powerful way,” said

the Secretary. “Take the message of the importance of adiplomatic career across the country.”

Although the gathering was upbeat, the event had asomber moment when Janet Ballantyne, acting USAIDadministrator, joined the Secretary in placing a wreath onthe memorial plaque honoring those employees whodied abroad serving the nation. The American ForeignService Association sponsored the tribute.

Later, former Defense Secretary Frank Carlucci deliv-ered keynote remarks at the Foreign Affairs Day lunch-eon. The afternoon featured retirement workshops andforeign policy briefings.

For some, the welcome seemed warmer than at pasthomecomings, where policy rather than people and man-agement dominated the agenda.

Albert Papworth, a retired British civil servant, and wife, Texanna, aretired Foreign Service secretary, are still all smiles after driving 2,500miles from their home in Lake Havasu City, Ariz. The couple met in aLondon pub when Texanna was assigned to the U.S. Embassy.

“It’s right on time,” remarked Paul Washington aboutthe Secretary’s presentation. “The last Secretary of Statewho paid attention to grounds and personnel was Vance.”

Mr. Washington, who retired in 1991 as chief of pub-lishing services, praised the Secretary’s decision to bringmore employees together by renaming the annual event.“I recall from my earlier years some folks felt excluded,”he said. “Powell is putting the Department back in order.”

Mary Dougherty, a secretary whoserved in Romania, Egypt, Germanyand Vietnam before retiring in 1973,offered a pragmatic view.

“I think it’s going to be good,”she said of the new priorities. “Itcan’t be worse. Before, we couldn’teven get into the building.”

Former economics officer CarlMahder, who retired in 1968 fromhis post in Turkey, also liked thenew name. “I thought it was goodto bring in the Civil Service people,”he said. “It’s something he’s[Powell] learned from his militaryexperience. I saw it in Germanyduring the occupation. The militarydevelops relationships with peoplethey associate with.”

Mr. Mahder’s wife, Audrey, aretired Foreign Service officer her-self, enjoyed what she heard. “I felthe was speaking to us,” she said.

Roberta Bruce, who retired in 1970 and is now presi-dent of the Foreign Affairs Retirees of New England, tooka similar view.

“Secretary Powell gave us a great feeling of cama-raderie,” she said. “He sounded genuine.” ■

The author is a writer-editor for State Magazine.

William D. Calderhead retired in1978 after a 33-year career. Hewas an executive director forthree regional bureaus.

November 2001 11

CopenhagenPost of the Month:

12 State Magazine

Sailboats dock along one ofCopenhagen’s historic canals.

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By Sarah F. Drew and Sara Wray

In the land of the Little Mermaid,Tivoli and open-faced sand-wiches, 12 agencies worktogether at the U.S. Embassy in

Copenhagen wrestling with theregion’s bigger issues: peacekeepingin the Balkans, ice storms inGreenland and a collision betweenan oil tanker and a passenger ferry inthe Baltic. It’s all part of theembassy’s workday.

The only country in northeasternEurope that is a member of NATOand the European Union, Denmark isa stalwart contributorto both organizations.But its people stillcherish being Danish.They recently voted tokeep their currency,the Krone (Crown), inlieu of the Euro.Queen Margrethe IIgoverns and is be-loved as the countryflourishes economical-ly and culturally.

As a mid-sized mis-sion responsible forrelationships in Den-mark and theautonomous territo-ries of its realm,Greenland and the Faroe Islands, theembassy in Copenhagen employs 58Americans and 75 nationals. Theembassy represents the Departmentsof State, Defense, Agriculture,Commerce and Justice—all workingto improve cooperation and advanceU.S. foreign policy in the Nordic-Baltic region.

The Danes are committed andenergetic NATO allies who havecooperated in peacekeeping activi-ties throughout the Balkans. Theycontributed a fighting force toKosovo in 1999, helping the UnitedStates achieve its foreign policygoals in that region.

The mission has a strong commit-ment to cooperation and communica-tion within the region. Most missionelements work not only with the

The “LittleMermaid”keeps pensivewatch overCopenhagenharbor.

Photo by Richard So

Danes but also with other states inthe region to develop cross-boundaryunderstanding.

For instance, since becoming oneof the “Schengen” region nations,Denmark no longer requires pass-ports at its borders from citizens ofmember states. This ensures contin-ued controls for those entering fromnon-Schengen countries. The INSoffice at Copenhagen has led train-ing sessions for police and airlinepersonnel to help them recognizeproper documentation and combatfraud. This has proved an effectiveway of enhancing law enforcementthroughout the Nordic area. TheDEA and FBI also do extensive train-

ing on trans-bordercrimes, helping secu-rity personnel toadopt proven tacticsto combat organizedcrime, drug traffick-ing, terrorism, coun-terintelligence andviolent crime.

Last May, theembassy co-hostedwith the Council ofBaltic Sea States aconference on com-bating human traf-ficking. More than120 delegates from 12countries attendedthe two-day event

and discussed everything from gov-ernments’ acknowledging the prob-lem and strengthening cross-bordercooperation to granting residencypermits to encourage victims to testi-fy against traffickers.

With a high standard of living,growing incomes and proximity tothe mature economies to the southand the emerging markets of theBaltic basin, Denmark is an attrac-tive market for U.S. companies. InMay of 1999, the U.S. Chamber ofCommerce in Denmark waslaunched. Membership grew to 100companies within two years, fuelinga phenomenal increase of directinvestments between the two coun-tries. From 1997 to 1999, U.S. invest-ment in Denmark and Danishinvestment in the United States

ersby/PictureQuest

November 2001 13

On a warm day in Thule, PoliticalCounselor Francis “Paco” Scanlanstands near Greenland airbase’spermanently frozen runway.

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Deputy Chief of Mission Lawrence Butler talks with co-author Sara Wray.

quadrupled to more than $1 billion. U.S.investments in Denmark made up morethan a third of all foreign investment. U.S.companies are the largest foreign investorsin Denmark.

To maintain this burgeoning economicrelationship, the embassy convinced theDanes to support the Treaty of Friendship,Navigation and Commerce. The accordallows nationals of either country to residein the other country and to start and devel-op a business. Without this support, Danishinvestors were operating at a disadvantagewith their European Union co-members andthe United States was missing out on valu-able Danish partnerships. Surging Danishexports and investment in the U.S. markethelped spur the government to act, and theprotocol was signed by the ambassador andthe Danish foreign minister last spring.

14 State Magazine

The State Department selected Denmark as one of itsregional environmental offices to help build an environ-mental alliance among the Baltic States, northwestRussia, the Nordic countries, Poland and Germany. LastJune, the embassy hosted a multi-government–U.S. Armyprogram to assist Lithuania in an emergency response toa mock ship collision and oil spill. The program provid-ed computer hardware, software and training to help inrelief efforts. The final exercise involved 80 civilian andmilitary officials from Russia, Poland and the BalticStates and per-sonnel from theU.S. embassiesin Denmark andLithuania. Thew o r k s h o pallowed officialsin these coun-tries to worktogether. Shoulda real disasteroccur, thesecountries wouldnow be betterable and morewilling to com-municate andcoordinate arapid response.

The U.S.Embassy inDenmark is the Department’s only overseas acquisitionoffice. It procures all supplies for the U.S. air base inThule, Greenland. Two airmen and nine nationals staffthe procurement office, which supports Thule’s 800 per-sonnel with $55 million worth of food, clothing, machin-

U.S. and Danish officials sign the Investor Visa Protocolin the spring of 2001. From left are Danish ForeignMinister Mogen Lykketoft, Ministry of Foreign Affairsrepresentative Sven Gad and former U.S. AmbassadorRichard Swett. Photo courtesy of Danish MFA

The tall stone towers ofRosenborg palace rise highinto the sky.

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ery and equipment. Their job is complicated by the base’sextreme climate. Ships sail only two months of the year,when sea ice is mildest. Thule’s airport has a permanent-ly frozen runway. The base, which serves as an early mis-sile launch warning and satellite tracking station, recent-ly gained press coverage as a possible site for the BushAdministration’s missile defense program.

Copenhagen, Denmark’s capital, has more than a mil-lion inhabitants. Its relatively small size and culturalriches attract tourists and diplomats alike. It’s famous forthe century-old amusement park, Tivoli, located in the

A vendor sells fruits and flowersin downtown Copenhagen.

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rayGuarn Whitaker-Nissen, left, Peter Gibbons,

regional security officer, and co-author SarahDrew confer on a building project.

Photo courtesy of Sarah Drew

heart of the city. The city is Europe’s jazz metropolis,hosting world-famous musicians and festivals.Copenhagen has retained its intimacy and charm whilehelping Denmark evolve as a formidable player in inter-national affairs.

The Danes love their country, their high quality of life,their freedom and their peaceful ways. It all means“cozy,” a cherished Danish concept that permeates home

November 2001 15

Copenhagen’s Main Square.

Photo by Ann Purcell/PictureQuest

and work. The Danish people have a strong sense of fam-ily and community. They seize every chance to celebrate.While they have their own Nordic language, which chal-lenges even the most gifted foreign linguists, most Danesspeak excellent English.

For more than a thousand years, kings and queenshave ruled this enchanted land. Quaint towns filled withcastles and thatched-roof cottages dot the countryside.The national flag is proudly displayed and the peopleexude happiness and peacefulness. They also have the

16 State Magazine

The chancery ofthe U.S. Embassyin Copenhagen.

Maria-Jose Diderichsen, American citizen’s assistant, and Simon Weeks,consular administrative assistant, take a break for a photo near thecashier’s window in the consular section.

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highest number of computers per capita in the world andeagerly embrace the newest technologies. AlthoughDenmark has maintained its beauty and charm, it’s nottrapped in the past. The nation looks to the future, work-ing side by side with its neighbors, the United States andthe rest of Europe as a valued partner and friend. ■

Sarah F. Drew is the administrative officer at the U.S. Embassyin Copenhagen. Sara Wray, a student at Drexel University inPhiladelphia, was a summer intern at the embassy.

Office of the Month:

Office Of Foreign Missions

Story and photos by Paul Koscak

Call it the 51st state.Diplomatic Motor Vehicles operates

much like the other 50 state motor vehicledepartments, without the long lines, ofcourse. But the clientele is different: foreigndiplomats and their families.

Although motor vehicle services are onlypart of what the Office of Foreign Missionsprovides to the more than 10,000 foreign con-sular officials living in the United States, it’sperhaps the most visible.

When it’s not issuing plates, licenses and regis-trations, the office advises foreign diplomats, their fami-lies and their staffs about U.S. law. It also championsreciprocal rights for U.S. diplomats overseas, based onthe freedoms and privileges given to foreign diplomatsliving in America. And for Americans at home, the officeworks to ensure that diplomatic privileges aren’t abused.

“Some countries are less sensitive to the treatment oftheir diplomats,” said Ted Strickler, the office’s deputyassistant secretary, in explaining some of the challengesof reciprocity.

Stacey Wiley processestax exemption cards.

Reciprocal rights figure into just about everything theoffice accomplishes, applying to everything from taxrelief to automobiles.

“If their diplomat drives a Cadillac and we can’t, thenwe tell him to get a small car,” he said. “If we can ownonly one car, they can own only one.”

But it’s not all that simple.The department registers more than 12,000 vehicles

every year, processes photographs for licenses andensures that foreign drivers carry insurance, said JackieRobinson, who supervises the motor vehicle operation,located at 350 International Place, about a block from the

University of the District of Columbia.“Some diplomats think they should auto-

matically get a license,” she said. “We look atwhat a citizen needs to get a license in thatcountry. Are the standards lower than, equal toor greater than they are here? There’s no reci-procity if the standards are less.”

If their skills fall short of U.S. standards diplo-mats are routinely referred to their respectivestates to take the written and road tests beforebeing issued a license and the trademark red,white and blue diplomatic plates.

There’s a perception that foreign diplomatsdrive with impunity. Not so, said Ms.Robinson. If a diplomat receives a violation, themunicipality must report it to the Department.Like U.S. drivers who incur violations, thediplomats are penalized with points. If thepoints add up, the Department can suspend thelicense and revoke the diplomat’s driving priv-ileges, she said.

November 2001 17

The Diplomatic MotorVehicles division shares itshilltop at 350 InternationalPlace with embassies andnearby University of theDistrict of Columbia.

Bernadette Moss servicesdiplomatic customersdiplomatically.

Serious offenses, such as drunk driving, result in a one-year license suspension. After a second offense the diplo-mat is deported.

“We expel three to four diplomats per year for DWI,”said Mr. Strickler. “This includes dependents. We’retougher than most municipal jurisdictions.”

Reciprocity plays an important role in property transac-tions, too. Foreign missions wishing to buy, lease or mod-ify property must obtain office permission, said RichardMassey, who supervises the office’s property division.Only those foreign governments that offer ownershiprights to the United States are allowed topurchase property here.

In 1999, according to an office report, theDepartment constructed new offices andresidences in Rio de Janeiro and São Pauloin exchange for allowing Brazil to relocateits consulate to New York. Last year, Qatarwas granted permission to buy U.S. proper-ty after it permitted the U.S. Embassy inDoha to purchase buildings and land.Although for years Tajikistan wanted topurchase property in the District, thatnation was just granted permission last yearafter signing an agreement giving the U.S.equivalent purchase rights in Tajikistan.

Purchase requests can take up to 60days, said Mr. Massey. Before authoriza-tion is given, the Department reviews howthat country handles similar requests fromU.S. diplomats. “We’ll farm it out to thepolitical desk, Diplomatic Security andother intelligence agencies.” he said.

18 State Magazine

The office can seize illegally purchased properties.When the Chinese news agency Xinhua purchased abuilding near the Pentagon without permission, theoffice forced the Chinese embassy to sell it, theWashington Times reported in June 2000.

Foreign taxes and customs heavily affect the cost ofoperating U.S. embassies and consulates. Taxes on per-sonal purchases end up in higher allowances for U.S.diplomats and, ultimately, higher costs for U.S. taxpay-ers. A major function of the office is to negotiate for taxexemptions, said Mr. Strickler.

Clay Hays, motor vehiclessupervisor, inspects asight-testing machine.Josephine Garcilazo, dataprocessor, looks on.

Mike Mulvin, driver serviceschief, handles insuranceissues and violations.

Among the nations offering tax exemptions to theUnited States are Austria, Denmark, France, Ireland, Italy,Lithuania, Malta, Panama, Romania and Switzerland.Meanwhile, the missions of Belgium, Brazil, China,Ethiopia, Ghana, Russia, Slovenia, Uruguay and Vietnamlost some of their tax-exemption privileges because thosegovernments continue to tax U.S. diplomats.

“In Tel Aviv and Warsaw our embassies saved $3 mil-lion because of these tax agreements,” he said.Interestingly, Mr. Strickler added, Cuba offers thegreatest tax breaks; Britain, none.

The same negotiations are carried out with cus-toms. Last year, the office successfully expanded theagreements for American diplomats to ship personalgoods duty-free. Some nations, such as Bosnia,Portugal, Burma and Iceland, offer unlimited duty-free entry privileges. Others offer the privileges dur-ing certain months or just for diplomatic officers,rather than all workers assigned to a U.S. mission.

To better serve the growing foreign consulate com-munity, the office has six stateside locations: New York,Chicago, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Honolulu and—its newest site set to open in November—Miami. AHouston location is currently under discussion.

Still, two of the office’s biggest challenges are clos-er to home. Plans call for authorizing foreign con-sulates to move further from the downtown area.“We have an issue with the huge number of con-sulates in the District,” said Mr. Strickler. “We’relooking to relax that. The neighbors don’t like them

because of the traffic. Third World nations are payingFirst World prices.”

He also called for better use of technology, particularlyin the motor vehicle division, where many functions areperformed manually.

“We’re all struggling,” he said. “It all takes time,money and staff.” ■

The author is a writer-editor for State Magazine.

November 2001 19

20

The meet-and-greet line atthe Embassy in Haiti.

Let’s HaveA Ball!Let’s HaveA Ball!

Elegance, fun—and an upbeat tune—at the Marine Corps birthday ball.

By Paul Koscak

It’s been a tradition since 1775.And at many U.S. Embassies, it’s an event where tick-

ets sell out in a few days.It’s the annual Marine Corps ball.The birthday of America’s premier military organiza-

tion is a mainstay at Marine Corps installations through-out the world. The celebration ranges from a simple cakecutting by a handful of remotely deployed Marines to aformal reception with dinner, music and a high-profilespeaker at larger venues.

No matter where—either on land or at sea—Nov. 10 isan important day on any Marine’s calendar, said StaffSgt. Cory Knox, the operations chief at Quantico MarineCorps Base near Washington, D.C.

At embassies, the celebration is mostly a traditionalmilitary ball, where diplomats, spouses and dates revelwith the Marine detachment.

“At the embassies, the detachment plans the event,”Sgt. Knox said. “They promote it with brochures and e-mail.”

Although the Marine Corps was founded on Nov. 10,the celebrations are held anywhere from October toDecember—sort of a ball season.

State Magazine

To keep the yearly event affordable, it’s customary forembassy Marine detachments to hold Friday night happyhours at Marine House, the embassy military quarters, toraise money, according to Maj. Tim Sullivan, who alsoworks at the Quantico operations center.

It’s time-out for this group toshow its true colors.

“I’ve been to balls for $10 perperson or $25 per couple,” saidSarah Genton, of the FamilyLiaison Office. “In Europe tick-ets could cost $100.”

At embassies, the ball is a wayfor the entire diplomatic com-munity to get together, she said.“The military of the host countryis also invited,” Ms. Gentonsaid. “In terms of all the uni-forms, it’s like a pageant.”

The Burkina Faso ball was alow-key event at the ambas-sador’s residence, she said. Butin San Salvador, it was a high-energy affair where more than300 people packed a hotel com-plete with a band and dancefloor that resembled a disco.“The ball varies depending onthe politics,” she said. “But it’ssuch a morale booster. Everyonelooks forward to it.” ■

The author is a writer-editor forState Magazine.

November 2001 21

10 State Spouses Become U.S. CitizensTen foreign-born spouses of State

Department employees raised theirright hands and recited their alle-giance to the United States ofAmerica during a naturalization oathceremony Aug. 7 at the Immigrationand Naturalization Service’sWashington District Office inArlington, Va.

Before swearing in the new citi-zens, Robert Schofield, acting assis-tant INS district director, told themthat while America can promiseequality of opportunity, it cannotpromise wealth or wisdom. It canpromise the pursuit of happiness, hesaid, but it cannot promise happi-ness. It can promise liberty but it can-not guarantee peace, only the oppor-

tunity to work with us to secure that peace. The INS official said, “In short, you are now among us to share in our successes and our failures, in good

times and in bad.” Since August 2000, the Family Liaison Office has assisted 81 foreign-born spouses of State Department

employees with expeditious naturalization, according to Vanja Huth, the specialist in charge of the program.About 50 others are waiting in line for naturalization, she said.

State Department spouses Tatiana Whatley, left, Caroline Schroeder and Martina Heartneytake the oath as new U.S. citizens.

W

22 St

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lair Houselair House

eets Diplomacy eets Diplomacy Andrew Jackson was thefirst President to use thismarble floor entrance.

Where Hospitality MWhere Hospitality MStory by Monique ArmstrongPhotos by Kathleen Goldynia

here do the President’s guests stay?If you guessed the White House, then you’re close. Just

diagonal to the White House is Blair House, the President’sofficial guesthouse for visiting heads of state, royalty andother VIPs.

Built in 1824, the cream-colored residence, managed bythe State Department, maintains a low profile among thecolonial-era brick townhouses that line PennsylvaniaAvenue across from the White House.

A small staff of Department employees runs Blair House,a 70,000 sq. ft. complex that includes several additions. It’sactually larger than its neighbor across the street, the WhiteHouse, not including the offices in the West Wing.

“All this is made possible because the staff loves whatthey do,” said Randy Bumgardner, the Blair House’s newmanager. “From the laundry service to security, everyoneaims to please.”

ate Magazine

The Blair Drawing Room ismore like a 19th centuryliving room.

Since Blair House isn’t a hotel, the approach is to

make guests feel like they’re staying in a personal res-idence. In a way they are, because nobody stays atBlair House—not even former Presidents—unless thePresident invites them. Exceptions are made for thePresident-elect and family to stay before theInauguration. At the death of a former President, fam-ily members are invited to stay before the funeral.

The staff spares no effort in offering the best incomfort and hospitality. With its own chefs, mainte-nance staff, beauty salon and florist, the house is trulyself-sufficient so guests don’t have to look far for lux-urious treatment.

Despite the accent on service, staff also are con-cerned about costs. Mr. Bumgardner said that by buy-ing items wholesale, they’re able to eliminate costlymarkups and get better deals on finer-quality staples.A dozen roses, for example, cost just $25 wholesale,but up to $100 retail. Wholesale flower purchases andin-house arrangements now keep decorating costs inthe hundreds, not thousands, of dollars every timethere’s an official event.

November 2001 23

Typical period guest room.

24 State Magazine

Ian Knox, executive chef,smokes salmon.

Randy Bumgardner, left, generobserves as head housekeepeRennie and curator Candace Sreplace a lampshade.

Historic dinnerware adorns the Curio Room.

The home’s history is rich withwell-known names and promi-nent events. Francis Preston Blair,a publisher from Kentucky, pur-chased the house in 1836, and hisdescendants continued to live inthe house for more than a centu-ry. Mr. Blair’s publication, TheCongressional Globe, survivestoday as The Congressional Record.President Truman and his familyresided in the house for almostfour years while the White Housewas being renovated. Anattempted assassination ofPresident Truman also happenedat Blair House.

The Blair House interior is aneclectic mix of antique and mod-ern décor. Features include asleigh bed, said to be PresidentLincoln’s favorite resting place;

Meet The Team That Runs the President’s Guest House

The perfect visit.That’s the aim of Blair House staff for every

Presidential guest.But keeping the linens clean, fluffing the pillows,

stocking the pantry, mending the drapes, creating a pre-cise table setting or basting the turkey in herbs and bour-bon sauce isn’t a 9-to-5 job.

So most Blair House staff—all State Departmentemployees—have built careers in the hospitality busi-ness. For them, making people feel at home away fromhome is a calling, not a job.

For instance, when the guests arrive, the staff is on call 24hours. In fact, many staff remain in the historic residence toavoid trekking back home in the middle of the night onlyto return in a few hours.

al manager,r Jemmahireman

Assistant chef Paul Akerboomprepares Chilean sea bass.

State-level visits usuallylast four days. Working visitslast three days, said directorRandy Bumgardner. Timebetween visits, usually a fewweeks, gives staff an oppor-tunity to work regular busi-ness hours preparing for thenext round of guests.

Tth

The Garden Room hostshigh-level luncheonsand dinners.

an original 19th century chairwith needlepoint designdonated by the Rooseveltfamily; and wall paintings by President Dwight D.Eisenhower. Antiques includea colorful collection of theBlair family’s glassware thatcreates a rainbow of elegance.

The mastery of Americanand international cuisine byDepartment executive chef IanKnox adds to Blair House’sappeal. Mr. Knox crafted histrade in Europe and laterserved as chef for the late KingHussein of Jordan. He has amental recipe for every-thing—from marinades to icecream—giving guests home-cooked meals with every stay.Preparing up to 500 meals and

Magna Cajina, chambermaid,attends to every detail.

heresinha Dias, parlormaid, ensuresere’s never a towel shortage.

With that kind ofintensity, tasks must bedone right the first time,every time. The proper-ty’s meticulous upkeep,from the perfectly mani-cured courtyard to thethoughtful arrangementof furniture, fixtures andflowers, radiates pride ofworkmanship.

“We’ve had very littleturnover,” Mr. Bumgardnersaid about his staff’s stay-ing power.

Take José Fuster.Originally from Spain

and now Blair House’s

head butler, Mr.Fuster has waited onPresidential gueststhere for 13 years.He once waited onan elderly WinstonChurchill at theBritish Embassy.

Another 13-yearveteran is TheresinhaDias. A parlormaid,Ms. Dias handles avariety of domesticchores, even ensur-ing the bedcovers arecrisp and tight.

While MagnaCajina, a chamber-maid, has beenwith the Depart-ment five years, she brings 30 years’ experience in thecatering business to the job. An added bonus—Ms. Cajinais also a seamstress.

Other employees who maintain the Blair Houseinclude Paul Akerboom, assistant chef; Frank Blair,doorman; Tabitha Bullock, administratve assistant;Velma Davis, maintenance; and Brent Hancock, engi-neer. Also, Lionel Harrison, maintenance; Sean Irby,houseman; Ian Knox, executive chef; Jemma Rennie,head housekeeper; Antonio Rodriguez, assistant butler;Candace Shireman, associate curator Rod Waters, secu-rity manager; George Wilks, facilities manager; and VelXirocostas, laundress.

José Fuster, headbutler, does afinal check beforethe luncheon.

November 2001 25

State business is conducted in theEmbassy Conference Room.

snacks a day, Mr. Knox and his staff have made more than150,000 dishes in the 13 years he’s been at Blair House.

During that time Blair House has welcomed a host ofdignitaries and managed numerous special events. Blair

26 State Magazine

House has been honored with the presence of 16 guestsso far this year, including the king of Morocco, the kingand queen of Spain, the prime minister of Japan and thepresident of Mexico. Approximately 300 official meet-

ings, 50 briefings, 400luncheons and 130 dinnershave taken place at BlairHouse since 1988.

Mr. Bumgardner said thatthe first year of a President’sterm is usually the busiestfor the house. He expectsthe guest list to exceed the200 mark since the 1988reopening.

If you haven’t guessed, atBlair House, diplomacy is apleasant stay and a meal toremember. ■

The author, a senior majoring in communications at MorganState University in Baltimore,was an intern with StateMagazine this summer.

The library offers scholarshipand solitude.

Secretary Endorses Net-Based Diplomacy Secretary Endorses Net-Based Diplomacy

By Howard Cincotta

Secretary of State Colin L.Powell gave a rousing endorse-ment of net-based diplomacybefore an assembly of enthusi-

astic employees at a recent conferenceon the Internet.

“I am determined as Secretary ofState to get an Internet-accessiblecomputer—with pipes to support it,at the level we need it—on everydesk in the State Department andevery embassy around the world,”the Secretary told some 500Department employees and othersattending NetDiplomacy 2001.

The Secretary challenged thoseassembled in the Harry S TrumanBuilding Sept. 5 to 7 to take the mes-sage back to their colleagues thatthey must use the Internet to com-municate not only U.S. foreign poli-cy but also democratic values ofopenness and freedom.

Five days later, when terroristsattacked the World Trade Centerand the Pentagon, the Secretary’smessage took on an even greatersense of urgency.

The Office of InternationalInformation Programs sponsoredthe conference, attended by morethan 200 Foreign Service officers andForeign Service National employeesfrom embassies around the world, todemonstrate new electronic tools forinformation delivery and addresscritical issues involving diplomacyand the Internet.

The conferees glimpsed theInternet’s role as an essential tool ofthe diplomat. In panel discussionsthey focused on the Internet inembassy management and consularoperations and the daunting, prac-tical demands of managing staffand resources to fully exploit these tools.

While digital technology remainscentral, the NetDiplomacy challenge

is not only a technical one. “Our jobremains the same—to tell America’sstory—and today in the informationage that story is as rich and challeng-ing as it has ever been,” explained IIPcoordinator John Dwyer.

Featured industry leaders alsovoiced challenges. Steve Hayden,vice chairman of the advertisingfirm Ogilvy and Mather Worldwide,discussed the role of branding andthe Internet with examples from thecelebrated 1984 Orwellian TV ad forApple computers and the transfor-mation of IBM’s troubled image into“the third most valuable brand” inthe world after Coca-Cola andMcDonald’s.

The lesson for the State Departmentcould not have been more pointed.“As stewards of the biggest brand ofall,” Mr. Hayden said, pointing to theGreat Seal of the United States, thechallenge is to counter the perceptionof hegemony. “People like leadership,but not dominance.”

November 2001 27

NetDiplomacy 2001 convenesin the Loy HendersonConference Room.

y Fitzgerald

Branding can refer to something assmall as proper handling of the GreatSeal or as practical as achieving a cor-porate look for U.S. official web sitesworldwide, or as far-reaching as “ashift in political paradigms, a movefrom the modern world of geopoliticsand power to the postmodern worldof images and influence,” as Dutch

28 State Magazine

Sen. George Allen (R-Va.) calls for export lawreform to reduce outdated restrictions ontrade in technology.

David Lee, standing, information officer at theU.S. Embassy in Beijing, chats with PierreShih, information resource center assistant at

scholar Peter van Ham wrote recentlyin Foreign Affairs magazine. Confereesexplored how to create a consistentnavigation, organization and graphiclook and feel for mission web sites.

Michael Paige, vice president anddirector of the Xerox Palo AltoResearch Center in California, saidthe center’s research demonstratesthe importance of building web sitesaround the fundamental needs, pri-orities and interests of users—notaround organizational structures orabstract categories. The most pro-found technologies are those thatdisappear, he said, because theyweave themselves into the very fab-ric of everyday life.

Carl Yankowski, CEO of Palm, Inc.,demonstrated that handheld devicescomprise far more than handy elec-tronic organizers. The wireless revo-lution is opening up a vast newonline world of applications.

In his address, Republican SenatorGeorge Allen of Virginia called forchanging export law governinghigh-tech exports and making

Internet-related technologies moreaccessible worldwide. “Totalitarianregimes want to keep the Internetgenie in the bottle,” the senator said.

Photos by Barr

the American Institute in Taiwan.

Charlotte Beers, the new under secretary forPublic Diplomacy and Public Affairs, and JohnDwyer, coordinator for International InformationPrograms, chuckle at a remark made from thepodium during the NetDiplomacy conference.

Conference participants checkout an exhibit of OpenNet Plus,the Department’s proposedinformation system that willinclude Internet access.Phot

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Dav

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ecke

Marc Grossman, under secretaryfor Political Affairs, said, “Withoutthe capacity to manage and masterIT, we will not succeed.” He notedthat diplomats in the 21st centurymust be highly skilled and mustunderstand the role that publicdiplomacy will play in U.S. relationswith both the established and emerg-ing democracies around the world.

During the conference, IIPunveiled the “Liquid State” initia-tive, based on the notion that digitalinformation should be fluid and

Photo by Barry Fitzgerald

managed according to the dictum ofthe “4Rs: Right Content, RightFormat, Right Audience, RightNow.” IIP demonstrated a databasemanagement system to be deployedon its web site (usinfo.state.gov) andthen adapted for use by overseasmissions. Bureau of Public Affairsrepresentatives discussed their expe-rience with a similar content man-agement system used since January(www.state.gov).

A series of panel sessions concernedwith the role of the Internet and inter-national exchanges highlighted hownew technologies can enhance tradi-tional human exchanges and demon-strated new databases for alumni ofeducational exchange programs(http://statexchange.state.gov) andthe International Visitor Program andNational Council for InternationalVisitors network (https://65.113.70.41/ivprograms/ivord/).

Other panels grappled with onlineinformation resources, the future ofcomputer networks and streamingmedia on State web sites, theDepartment’s knowledge-manage-ment initiative, managing embassyweb pages, web security and thearcane art of interpreting web pageusage statistics.

Ernest Kiazolu, an FSN and infor-mation assistant at the U.S. Embassyin Liberia, said, “Our job is to help the

Photo by Michael Gro

U.S. information officer communicatewith the local press, and the Internetis a good tool in that effort. With theclick of a button we can know whatWashington is thinking.” ■

Before retiring in September, theauthor was director of electronic mediain the Office of InternationalInformation Programs.

November 2001 29

Present for the official inauguration ofthe Diplomatic Readiness Task Forcewere, from left, task force membersMichelle Mathai and David Dlouhy;Grant Green, under secretary forManagement; Carolyn Torrence, regis-trar, HR/REE; Niels Marquardt, specialcoordinator; Bruce Cole, deputy direc-tor, HR/REE; Secretary Powell; DianeCastiglione, chief of recruitment; taskforce member Stacy Williams; BeaSmotherman, HR/REE; Ruth A.Whiteside, acting director general;and task force members ThomasJefferson Jr. and Patrick Truhn.

ss

CuttingRed Tape

Department Helps Lost BoysFind New Home in America

Between November 2000 andSeptember 2001, the StateDepartment and United NationsHigh Commissioner for Refugees

helped some 3,800 Sudanese refugees finda new home in the United States.

The resettled youth were among agroup of children who braved gunfire,wild animal attacks, thirst and faminewhile traveling hundreds of miles on footto flee Sudan’s civil war during the late1980s. The displaced youngsters, mostlyboys and young men known as “LostBoys,” moved through Ethiopia, findingtemporary shelter at the Kakuma RefugeeCamp in Kenya.

In 2000, the Department began formallyprocessing the group for movement to andplacement in the United States. Since then,resettlement agencies have placed hun-dreds of children and young adults inrefugee care programs in 28 states.

During an event in June for the firstWorld Refugee Day declared by the UnitedNations, Secretary Powell met with six

30 State Magazine

Above, State employees host reception for sixSudanese youth placed in the Washington,D.C., area, while (below) Secretary Powellcongratulates them on having found hopeand a future in the United States.

Photo by Michael O’Keefe

Photo by Michael O’Keefe

Sudanese youths placed in theWashington D.C. area. Now in theirlate teens and early 20s, theythanked the U.S. government for itshelp. Secretary Powell said theywere no longer “Lost Boys” nowthat they have found hope and afuture in the United States.

For more information onSudanese refugees, visit the cultur-al orientation web site at www.cul-turalorientation.net or contact theBureau of Population, Refugeesand Migration. ■

People Like YouPeople Like You

MBT = Mo’ Better Taste

Cynthia Farrell Johnson,deputy director of theOffice of Public Diplomacy

and Public Affairs in the Bureau ofWestern Hemisphere Affairs,remembers her first art lessons sit-ting on her mother’s lap in church.Her mom would go to churchequipped with paper, pencils andcrayons and would sketch little sto-ries to keep her four-year-olddaughter from fidgeting during thesermon. The Brooklyn-born artistreceived more formal training laterat New York’s High School of Artand Design, the city’s commercialarts magnet school.

“Make sure you get a good dayjob, too,” her father replied, whenshe told him she wanted to be anartist. Taking his fatherly advice, shestudied art history as an undergrad-uate and considered a career as anart teacher. While she was working

on her master’s degree, acolleague persuaded herto check out an overseasposition with the U.S.Information Agency. Shehad studied in Germanyas a college student andwas fascinated by theprospect of working andpainting abroad.

During the interven-ing 20 years, serving inpublic affairs positions inAfrica, Latin Americaand Washington, D.C.,Ms. Johnson has cap-tured those cultures inbright tempera colors asuplifting as the lives ofthe people she paints.Most of her tableaus are

Postcardsto Herself

Cynthia Farrell Johnsonpaints in her home studio.

Photo by Rosemary Crockett

small, not much larger than oversized postcards. “Whenyou’re as itinerant as I am,” she says, “it’s much easier towork small.”

Her paintings evoke the style and feel of the work ofJacob Lawrence, the renowned 20th century artist whoalso painted with tempera. But Cynthia Farrell Johnson isno artistic imitator. Each of her paintings is a lyrical gemthat carries the viewer to a lively scene, reduced to itsbare essentials and frozen by her vivid imagination.

In the flyer for her recent one-person show atGeorgetown’s Parish Gallery in Washington, D.C., sheexplains, “In 1980, as I prepared for my first diplomaticassignment in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, a friend warned thatno matter where I went, it would be smart to ask permis-sion before taking someone’s picture. Not wanting tobother anyone, I did little sketches that eventually devel-oped into paintings. Eventually, this became a habit—visual diaries, or postcards to myself.”

Her mother’s sketches did more than momentarily set-tle the young Cynthia in church. They inspired a creativetalent that brings enjoyment and cultural insight to any-one lucky enough to see Ms. Johnson’s work. ■

November 2001 31

Coping with TerrorMedical Report

By Dr. Fred Summers and Dr. Steve Schoen

Terrorists, the villains ofthis young century,have forced us to con-front our fears. Anxiety,stress, grief and anger

are normal emotional re-sponses to the events of Sept.11. Everyone reacts, but notall reactions will cause prob-lems for individuals or families.

To help employees cope, theDepartment has an activemental health program withpsychiatrists, psychologistsand social workers inWashington, D.C. and 11regional psychiatrists cover-ing overseas posts. In addi-tion, information is readilyavailable on stress, grief, anxi-ety, post-traumatic stress dis-order and coping with trauma.

It’s normal to have intru-sive thoughts or other trou-bling symptoms after such acatastrophe. People need timeto process events that seemedinconceivable just a fewweeks ago. As we think aboutthe common symptoms ofstress in adults or children,we should be aware of thehuman tendency to identifywith those responses and possibly overreact. In doing so,we unintentionally increase our own anxiety.

Sleeplessness, lowered tolerance of frustration, moodswings and difficulty concentrating are all symptoms ofdepression that often follow traumatic events. Some peo-ple become depressed almost immediately. For others,the onset of these symptoms may be delayed. Still othersmay never become depressed. An increase in emotionaldiscomfort that doesn’t interfere with one’s daily func-

32 State Magazine

tioning is a normal response. The best way to predict howpeople may react to a traumatic incident is to recall howthey responded to previous loss or grief.

Television, newspapers, magazines and the Internetremind Americans of all ages of the horrifying details ofthe Sept. 11 attacks. We should be aware that childrenmay be the most vulnerable to psychological and physi-cal symptoms in response to threats. Parents shouldensure that their children are not overwhelmed by this

u

s

coverage. According to the NationalCenter for Post-Traumatic StressDisorder, “more severe reactionsare associated with a higher degreeof exposure, closer proximity to thedisaster, history of prior traumas,female gender and poor parentalresponse.” While terrorism hasbeen a fact of life for Foreign Servicefamilies for years, the evacuation ofthe Truman building and surround-ing annexes brought the threathome to most Civil Service employ-ees for the first time.

According to the Department of Health and HumanServices, “Children between the ages of one and fivehave not yet developed their own coping skills, so theymust depend on parents and family members.” Olderchildren, between the ages of five and 11, “may withdrawfrom play groups and friends, compete more for theattention of their parents, fear going to school and allowschool performance to drop.” From ages 12 to 14, chil-dren may exhibit “vague physical complaints whenunder stress,” and responsibilities previously handledwell may be neglected. “Older teens may deny the extentof their emotional reactions to the traumatic event.”Many symptom checklists are available via the Internet.

Parents shoitor changeschildren’s beand acknowthat they, toaffected by catastrophic

◆ www.ncptsd.org/facts/disasters/fs_childreThis site offers a seven-page document, “Terr

◆ www.mentalhealth.org/schoolviolence/parThis Dept. of Health and Human Services weParents and Teachers.”

◆ www.apa.org

◆ www.apa.org/practice/ptresources.htmlThe American Psychological Association has “What to Expect After Trauma: Possible Reac

◆ www.fema.gov/kids/feel.htmThis is a good site for younger children to vie

◆ www.trauma-pages.com/pg5.htmThis site has 15 pages of links relating to ad

◆ http://wellness.uwsp.edu/Health_Service/seUniv. of Wisconsin Health Services identifies s

For additional visit the followi

Parents should monitor changes intheir children’s behavior and acknowl-edge that they, too, are affected by suchcatastrophic events. They need tomaintain a nurturing and safe familyenvironment. One way is to insist thatchildren continue to do their school-work and chores. Because children areoften more sensitive to emotional expe-riences than adults, they need the kindof reassurance and encouragementoffered by parents who listen. Theywill often talk about their concerns andeven suggest how parents can help

them. If the concerns persist, particularly if they’re harm-ful, don’t hesitate to seek assistance. Parents should berole models and give their children healthy examples ofcoping skills.

If you or someone you love needs assistance in workingthrough reactions to recent events, reach out. Overseas,contact your health unit or community liaison officer. Allemployees can contact the employee consultation service,part of the Office of Medical Services, at (202) 663-1815. ■

Dr. Fred Summers is director of mental health programs andDr. Steve Schoen is chief of alcohol and awareness programsin the Office of Medical Services.

ld mon- in theirhaviorledgeo, areuch events.

November 2001 33

n_disaster.htmlorism and Children.”

ents.htmb site includes “After a Disaster: A Guide for

a number of articles of interest, includingtions in Elementary School Students.”

w for themselves.

ults, families, children and disaster workers.

rvices/stress.htmources and symptoms of stress.

information, ng web sites

34 State Magazine

A P P O I N T M E N T S

U.S. Ambassador to Denmark.Stuart A. Bernstein of the District ofColumbia is the new U.S.Ambassador to Denmark.Previously, he chaired theBernstein Companies, a firm thatowns and manages properties inthe Washington, D.C., metropolitanarea. Appointed a trustee of theJohn F. Kennedy Center for the

Performing Arts in 1992, Mr. Bernstein co-chairs the cen-ter’s development committee. From 1991 to 1992 he wasa commissioner for the International Cultural and TradeCenter Commission. He is a past member and vice chair-man of the board of trustees of American University andis currently a member of the board of the Anti-Defamation League of B’nai B’rith. He and his wife,Wilma, have three children and 10 grandchildren.

U.S. Ambassador to Bosnia andHerzegovina. Clifford G. Bond ofNew Jersey, a career member of theSenior Foreign Service, class ofMinister-Counselor, is the new U.S.Ambassador to Bosnia andHerzegovina. He has served inBelgrade, Stockholm, Prague andMoscow. From 1998 to January2001, Mr. Bond headed the Office of

Caucasus and Central Asian Affairs and then assumedthe position of acting principal deputy to the specialadviser for New Independent States. Before joining theDepartment, he worked at the Federal Reserve Bank inNew York and served with the U.S. Army in Germany.He and his wife, Michele, also a career Foreign Serviceofficer, have four children.

U.S. Ambassador to Hungary. Nancy Goodman Brinkerof Florida is the new U.S. Ambassador to Hungary. She isthe founder of the Susan G. Komen Breast CancerFoundation, named after her only sister, who died of can-cer in 1989. The foundation is one of the largest grass-roots organizations in the nation, with more than 70,000volunteers and affiliate groups in more than 110 cities inthe United States and three countries. She has served onhealth advisory boards under three U.S. Presidents. In1986, President Reagan appointed her to the NationalCancer Advisory Board. In 1990, President George H.W.Bush selected her to run the President’s Cancer Panel tomonitor the progress of the National Cancer Program. In2000, she was appointed to the steering committee for theNational Dialogue on Cancer. A business woman, con-

sultant, health care advocate and philanthropist, Ms.Brinker has received countless awards and has authoredtwo books on health issues. She has one son.

U.S. Ambassador to Angola.Christopher W. Dell of New Jersey,a career member of the SeniorForeign Service, class of Counselor,is the new U.S. Ambassador toAngola. From 2000 to 2001, he waschief of mission of the U.S. Office,Pristina, Kosovo. Before that hewas deputy chief of mission at theU.S. Embassy in Sofia, Bulgaria. He

was deputy director of the Office of Regional PoliticalAffairs in the Bureau of European and Canadian Affairsfrom 1994 to 1996 and deputy chief of mission at the U.S.Embassy in Maputo, Mozambique, from 1991 to 1994. Hehas also served in Portugal and Mexico. Mr. Dell is mar-ried and has one daughter.

U.S. Ambassador to Ireland.Richard J. Egan of Massachusetts isthe new U.S. Ambassador toIreland. He is the founder and chair-man emeritus of EMC Corp., a lead-ing supplier of storage and retrievaltechnology to banks and financialservices corporations. Mr. Egan hasbeen a director of the firm since 1979and served as president and CEO

until 1992. He began his career as a computer engineerwith Honeywell Inc. in the early 1960s. In 1963 he joinedthe Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s DraperLaboratory as part of the team that developed the Apolloguidance computer. Later, he worked with LockheedElectronics Co. and Intel Corp. before founding EMC.

U.S. Ambassador to the UnitedKingdom of Great Britain andNorthern Ireland. William S.Farish of Texas is the new U.S.Ambassador to the UnitedKingdom of Great Britain andNorthern Ireland. He was presi-dent of W.S. Farish and Co., a trustand management firm in Houston.Mr. Farish was chairman of

Churchill Downs Inc., home of the Kentucky Derby. Hebegan his career as a stockbroker at Underwood,Neuhaus and Co. in Houston. Later, he was president of

Navarro Exploration Co. He was a founding director ofEurus, Inc., a New York bank holding company, and ofCapital National Bank in Houston. Mr. Farish helpedorganize the National Urban League’s Houston chapterand chaired the Houston Parks board.

U.S. Ambassador to Belize.Russell F. Freeman of North Dakotais the new U.S. Ambassador toBelize. Before then, he was a seniorpartner with Nilles, Hansen &Davies, Ltd., a Fargo law firm,where he practiced for more than30 years. Mr. Freeman has repre-sented and negotiated trade andcommercial agreements on behalf

of a wide variety of clients and is experienced in eco-nomic development. He is former president of the FargoSchool Board and director of the Children’s VillageFamily Services Foundation. He served as a judge advo-cate in the U.S. Army. Mr. Freeman and his wife have twochildren and three grandchildren.

U.S. Representative to the UnitedNations for U.N. Managementand Reform. Patrick F. Kennedy ofIllinois, a career member of theSenior Foreign Service, class ofCareer Minister, is the new U.S.Representative to the UnitedNations for U.N. Management andReform, with the rank of ambassa-dor. From 1993 to July 2001, Mr.

Kennedy was assistant secretary for Administration,serving concurrently during portions of that period asacting under secretary for Management, acting assistantsecretary for Diplomatic Security and coordinator for thereorganization of the foreign affairs agencies. He hasserved in Africa, Paris and Cairo. He is married to Mary Elizabeth Swope, U.S. Consul General inGuadalajara, Mexico.

U.S. Permanent Representative tothe United Nations. John D.Negroponte of the District ofColumbia is the new U.S.Permanent Representative to theUnited Nations, with the rank ofambassador. From 1960 to 1997, hewas a career member of the ForeignService, serving at eight differentForeign Service posts in Asia,

Europe and Latin America. He was U.S. Ambassador toHonduras from 1981 to 1985; assistant secretary for Oceansand International Environmental and Scientific Affairsfrom 1985 to 1987; deputy assistant to the President for

National Security Affairs from 1987 to 1989; U.S.Ambassador to Mexico from 1989 to 1993; and U.S.Ambassador to the Philippines from 1993 to 1996. Mr.Negroponte and his wife, Diana, have five children.

U.S. Ambassador to Bahrain.Ronald E. Neumann of Virginia, acareer member of the Senior ForeignService, class of Minister-Counselor,is the new U.S. Ambassador toBahrain. Prior to his appointment,he was deputy assistant secretary forNear Eastern Affairs. From 1994 to1997, he was U.S. Ambassador toAlgeria, and from 1991 to 1994,

director of the Office of Northern Gulf Affairs. Mr.Neumann served as a U.S. Army infantry officer inVietnam from 1969 to 1970 and earned a Bronze Star. Hisfirst Foreign Service assignment was in Senegal from 1971to 1973. He then specialized in the Middle East, serving inTabriz, Iran, from 1973 to 1976, in Yemen as deputy chief ofmission from 1981 to 1983, in the United Arab Emirates asdeputy chief of mission from 1987 to 1990 and inWashington, D.C., as deputy director of the Office ofArabian Peninsula Affairs from 1983 to 1987. Mr. Neumannand his wife, Margaret Elaine, have two children.

U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See.R. James “Jim” Nicholson ofColorado is the new U.S.Ambassador to the Holy See. Priorto his appointment he chaired theRepublican National Committeefrom 1997 to 2001. He had been aRepublican National committee-man from Colorado since 1986. Agraduate of the U.S. Military

Academy, Mr. Nicholson served eight years as an officerand paratrooper with the U.S. Army Rangers. He earneda Bronze Star, among other honors, in Vietnam.Following his military service, he earned his law degreeand practiced law in Denver, making partner in only twoyears. He left the practice of law and founded NicholsonEnterprises, Inc., a developer of residential communities.In 1987, he bought Renaissance Homes, a builder of cus-tom homes. Mr. Nicholson earned a reputation for com-munity service as chairman of the Volunteers of Americain Colorado and as chairman of the community concernscommittee of the Denver Bar Association. Mr. Nicholsonand his wife, Suzanne, have three children.

November 2001 35

U.S. Ambassador to Australia. J.Thomas Schieffer of Texas is thenew U.S. Ambassador to Australia.At the time of his appointment, hewas president of J. Thomas SchiefferManagement Co., a financial man-agement firm, and Pablo OperatingCo., an oil and gas investment firm,in Dallas. Elected to the TexasHouse of Representatives at the age

of 25, he served three terms in the state legislature. He wasan investor in the partnership led by George W. Bush andEdward W. Rose that bought the Texas Rangers BaseballClub in 1989. He was designated partner-in-charge of ball-park development, president and then general partner ofthe Texas Rangers Baseball Club. Mr. Schieffer was a mem-ber of numerous charitable and civic boards, including thePenrose Foundation, the Dallas 2012 Olympic Committeeand the Executive Committee of the Dallas Chamber ofCommerce. He and his wife, Susanne, have one son.

U.S. Ambassador to the CentralAfrican Republic. Mattie R.Sharpless of North Carolina is thenew U.S. Ambassador to the CentralAfrican Republic. Prior to herappointment, she was acting admin-istrator of the U.S. Department ofAgriculture’s Foreign AgriculturalService. She was responsible for pro-grams to expand export opportuni-

ties for U.S. agricultural, fish and forest products and topromote food security. From 1999 to 2001, she served asspecial envoy to emerging economies and, periodically, asacting associate administrator. She joined FAS in 1965, serv-ing with the U.S. Delegation to the Kennedy Round oftrade negotiations in Geneva; with the U.S. Mission to theOrganization for Economic Cooperation and Developmentin Paris; with the U.S. Mission to the EuropeanCommunities in Brussels; as leader of the European Groupfor International Trade Policy in Washington, D.C.; as agri-cultural counselor at the U.S. Embassy in Bern,

36 State Magazine

PERSONNE

Brooks, AnnemarieBruno, James LouisCadogan, Thomas A.Carpenter, Paul S.Farsakh, Andrea MorelGarrison, Mary Lee K.Greenfield, Walter

Hambley, Mark G.Jazynka, Mary,Johnson, Robert A.Kata, Edward T.Kavaler, Howard C.Langston, Raymond C.Lopez, Alphonse

Lysyshyn, Susan M.Milam, William B.Milford Jr., Norman D.Mueller, William A.Murphy, Richard A.Parker, Dolores E.Plummer, William Max

PR

SSSW

Foreign Service Retirements

Switzerland; and as agricultural counselor at the U.S.Embassy in Rome.

U.S. Ambassador to the OrientalRepublic of Uruguay. Martin J.Silverstein of Pennsylvania is thenew U.S. Ambassador to theOriental Republic of Uruguay. He isthe founder of Martin J. Silverstein& Associates, a Philadelphia lawfirm specializing in business andtort law. An active contributor tomany nonprofit and charitable

organizations, Mr. Silverstein has lent his expertise to theHeritage Foundation, the American Enterprise Instituteand the Foreign Policy Research Institute. In 1999, heserved as an accredited delegate on the Ukraine presiden-tial election observation mission. He is a member of theFederal Judicial Nominating Commission ofPennsylvania, which screens and evaluates candidatesfrom both parties for the federal court system. He and hiswife, Audrey, have six children.

U.S. Ambassador to Slovenia.Johnny Young of Maryland, acareer member of the SeniorForeign Service, class of CareerMinister, is the new U.S.Ambassador to the Republic ofSlovenia. Prior to this appointment,he was U.S. Ambassador toBahrain, from 1997 to 2001. Beforethat, he was U.S. Ambassador to

Togo from 1994 to 1997. He directed the Office of CareerDevelopment and Assignments in Washington, D.C.,from 1992 to 1994. He was U.S. Ambassador to SierraLeone from 1989 to 1992. In a Foreign Service career thatbegan in 1967, Mr. Young has served in Antananarivo,Conakry, Nairobi, Doha, Bridgetown and Amman, inaddition to his ambassadorial postings. He and his wife,Angelena, have two children.

Civil Service Retirements

L ACTIONS

ratt, Genevieve J.abens, Ronald

Benjaminnider, Roger Glenntader Jr, Donald E.ubirias Jr., Simonilson, Sheila P.

Aragon, Myrna M.Beckett, Stephen M.Cincotta, Howard A.Cocke III, William T.Coran, Paul MichaelDiekmann, Eva MariaGurvin, Peter E.Hand, Judith C.Jackson, Ramona

Lewis, Edward P.Monroe, Jean P.Rock, Royce A.Sander, John RobertSheehan, Gerard CharlesValentiner, BenedicteWerksman, Richard S.Zerbe, Ellen C.

Quick steps and whirlingcolors are part of the show.

STATE OF THE ARTS

◆ Nov. 14 Ukranian Music, Bandura Ensemble with Alla Kutsevych And Ludmyla Hrabovsky

◆ Nov. 21 NO CONCERT—(Carlos Molina, Cuban Guitarist, has been cancelled)

◆ Nov. 28 Premiere of “Lenoriana”, Original composition by Benjamin Boyle,Pianist, with James Rogers, Baritone

◆ Dec. 5 Marcos Galvany, Pianist/Composer, and Carla Rivera, Soprano,“Orignal Compositions by Marcos”

◆ Dec. 19 Nick Greanias and Friends, Christmas Music

Performances are on Wednesdays at 12:30 p.m. in the Dean Acheson Auditorium.

Upcoming Calendar

Peruvian Dance Tops Arts Lineup

By John Bentel

The State of the Arts Cultural Series and the ForeignAffairs Recreation Association recently concludeda series of concerts that included an eclectic mix of

dance, piano, jazz and violin. Our Peruvian dance recitalfeatured performers from the community-based DancingSchool Matices of Virginia, including a five-year-oldnational champion dancer. A description of the perfor-mance preceded each selection, adding for more enjoy-ment. The dancers colorful costumes and especially joy-ous and lively choreography made a delightful feast forthe eyes. Hats and handkerchiefs weaved delightfully

with the choreography. Through this charming perform-ance, the audience went away with a greater appreciationfor the color, sounds and dance of Peru.

Pianist Li-Ly Chang was featured in a recital entitled“Music Around the World.” Li-Ly’s carefully crafted pro-gram led the audience on a musical journey beginningwith Manuel de Falla’s Andaluza (Four Spanish Pieces). Li-Ly Chang’s original composition, Dragon Boat Festival,reflected her superb sensitivity and creativity both as amusician and as a composer. The energized audiencerewarded Ms. Chang with prolonged applause.

The husband-and-wife team of Dona Carter,pianist/composer, and Charles McGee, trumpeter/arranger, presented a jazz performance. Charles’ soaring

trumpet blends and complements Dona’s lyricalpiano style. Their music is a mix of swinging jazzwith contemporary soul. These talented musiciansplayed their composition entitled DC Jazz and TheLighthouse. Their closing song, Black Orpheus,depicts a day in the life of a fool.

Finally, Minjae Kim, violinist, presented a relax-ing and soothing concert with selections by JohannSebastian Bach, Sonata for Solo Violin in G Minor,BMV 1001, and Nicolo Paganini’s Nel Cor Piu NonMi Sento, Introduction, Theme and Variation. Minjae’splaying brimmed with virtuosity. A relaxed audi-ence offered resounding applause. ■

The author is a computer specialist in the ExecutiveSecretariat.

November 2001 37

O B I T U A R I E S

Lucy Briggs, 98, the wife of deceased Ambassador Ellis O.Briggs, died Sept. 2 in Hanover, N.H. She accompaniedher husband on postings to Lima, Havana, Santiago,Santo Domingo, Montevideo, Prague, Rio de Janeiro andAthens. She was an active leader in volunteer workwherever they served. Mrs. Briggs and her husband wereparents of two Foreign Service officers: Lucy TherinaBriggs, deceased, and Everett Briggs, retired.

L. Dean Brown, 80, a retired Foreign Service officer, diedMay 2 at a hospital in Washington, D.C. In a 29-year careerwith the Department that began in 1946, he rose to becomeU.S. Ambassador to Senegal, The Gambia and Jordan. Mr.Brown served as deputy under secretary for Managementfrom 1973 to 1975 and as special envoy to Cyprus, afterAmbassador Rodger P. Davies was killed during an anti-American demonstration there. Only two weeks after Mr.Brown retired, Secretary of State Henry Kissinger askedhim to oversee the successful airlift of thousands ofAmericans and South Vietnamese trapped in the south asthe country fell to the communists. He served for a decadeas president of the Middle East Institute, a research centerin Washington, D.C. In 1976, President Gerald Ford choseMr. Brown as his special envoy during the crisis inLebanon. An infantryman in the U.S. Army during WorldWar II, he received a battlefield commission while partici-pating in the Normandy landing.

George N. Butler, 88, a retiredForeign Service officer, died ofacute renal failure July 5 in BocaRaton, Fla. In a 19-year career withthe U.S. Information Service, heserved in El Salvador, Venezuela,Chile, Guatemala and Somalia. Hewas chief of the Latin Americadivision of the Voice of Americaand deputy director of the U.S.

Information Service’s International Television Service.

Dorothy C. Catherman, 73, a Foreign Service Staff officerand wife of deceased Foreign Service officer TerrenceCatherman, died of leukemia Aug. 31 at GeorgetownUniversity Hospital in Washington, D.C. She served withher husband in Bonn, Vienna, Moscow, Tel Aviv, Berlin,Belgrade and Paris until their retirement in 1990. TerryCatherman died in 1999.

38 State Magazine

Maurine Crane, 81, a retired Foreign Service officer, diedMay 26 in Gunnison, Utah. In a 30-year career that beganin 1947, Ms. Crane served in Brussels, Paris, Saigon,Tangiers, Manila, Rangoon and Seoul, two tours. DuringWorld War II, she served as a U.S. Navy Lt. in charge ofcommunications and cryptography.

Howard Elting Jr., 94, a retiredForeign Service officer, died July 1at his home in San Rafael, Calif.After joining the Department in1930, he served in Germany,Turkey, Indonesia, the Netherlands,Switzerland, Egypt and Greecebefore retiring in 1964. While serv-ing as vice consul at the U.S.Consulate General in Geneva in

1942, Mr. Elting received a visit from a representative ofthe World Jewish Congress with convincing evidence thatHitler had recently ordered the extermination of all Jews inoccupied Europe. Mr. Elting is credited with drafting thefirst cables to Washington informing disbelieving authori-ties of the Nazis’ “Final Solution.”

Sarah L. Fagan, 71, a retired Foreign Service secretary, diedMay 9 of a heart attack in Alexandria, Va. She servedabroad in London, Rome and Tokyo.

Edna Tillie Flach, 89, a retired Civil Service employee, diedJan. 10 in a hospital in San Antonio, Tex. She served in thebudget office during a lengthy career with the Department.

Jacqueline H. “Jacqui” Hartman, a Civil Service employee inthe Bureau of Diplomatic Security, died of cancer Aug. 20. Acomputer specialist, Ms. Hartman lived in Frederick, Md.

John H. Holdridge, 76, a retired Foreign Service officer,died July 12 of pulmonary fibrosis at Sibley Hospital inWashington, D.C. He joined the Foreign Service in 1948after serving two years as a U.S. Army artillery officer inSouth Korea, beginning a distinguished 38-year career inwhich he specialized in Chinese affairs. As a senior mem-ber of the National Security Council staff, Mr. Holdridgeaccompanied National Security Adviser Henry Kissingeron his first secret mission to Beijing in July 1971. The nextyear, he was a member of President Nixon’s party on the

O B I T U A R I E S

historic Feb. 1972 visit and helped draft the ShanghaiCommunique, which normalized relations between thetwo nations. Mr. Holdridge served as U.S. Ambassador toSingapore from 1975 to 1978, as assistant secretary forEast Asian and Pacific Affairs from 1978 to 1983 and asU.S. Ambassador to Indonesia from 1983 to 1986.

Freddie J. Hughes, 74, a retired Foreign Service employee,died July 8 in Richmond, Va. After serving 22 years in theU.S. Navy, he joined the Department in 1967 and wasposted to Ethiopia, Morocco, Zaire, South Africa andWashington, D.C., before retiring in 1986.

Ridgway Brewster Knight, 90, a retired Foreign Service offi-cer, died of heart failure Aug. 14 in France, where he livedwith his wife, Christine. He joined the Foreign Service in1945 and was U.S. Ambassador to Syria from 1960 to1965, to Belgium from 1965 to 1969 and Portugal from1969 to 1973.

Alexander Maxwell, 82, a retiredCivil Service employee, died May27 at George WashingtonUniversity Hospital inWashington, D.C. Mr. Maxwelljoined the Office of PassportServices as a file clerk in 1955,shifting later to the budget office.When he retired in 1980, he wasthe office’s budget officer. During

World War II, Mr. Maxwell served as a supply officer inthe U.S. Army Quartermaster Corps. Mr. Maxwell’s wife,Carol, is also a retired Passport Services employee.

John Hayden Moore, 71, a retiredForeign Service officer, died Aug.11 of complications fromParkinson’s disease in Eliot,Maine. He joined the Departmentin 1957 and served in Norway,Pakistan, the United Kingdom(twice), the Philippines, Canadaand Australia. He was Consul gen-eral in the eastern Canadian cities

of St. John’s and Halifax.

Irene C. Neal, 90, wife of retired Foreign Service officerJack D. Neal Sr., died Sept. 5 at their home in VirginiaBeach, Va.

Leonard Rochwarger, 75, U.S. Ambassador to Fiji, Kingdomof Tonga, Republic of Kirbati and Tuvalu from 1987 to1989, died March 11 in Stuart, Fla. Before his appointment,he was chief executive officer of Firstmark Corp., an inter-national financial services company. Mr. Rochwargerserved in the U.S. Army during World War II, earning aBronze Star and the Conspicuous Service Cross.

Susan Tait, 79, a retired ForeignService Reserve officer, died April10 of lung cancer at her home. Shejoined the Department in 1955 asan intelligence analyst in theBureau of Intelligence andResearch and transferred to theOffice of the Director forManagement Operations in 1976.She continued working in that

office part-time after retiring with 36 years of govern-ment service in 1980. Later, she worked in the historicaldocuments review division. Mrs. Tait’s governmentcareer began in 1942 with the Department of CivilDefense. Following World War II, she served as an intel-ligence analyst with the Department of the Army inTokyo from 1946 to 1955.

Patricia Davidson Thurston, 77, a retired Foreign Serviceofficer, died July 28 in Walnut Creek, Calif. She served inMexico, Venezuela, Vietnam, Afghanistan, Bolivia andChile. During World War II, Ms. Thurston served as areserve officer in the U.S. Marine Corps.

Philip H. Trezise, 89, a retired Foreign Service officer, diedof pneumonia Aug. 26 in Bethesda, Md. He retired in 1971after serving as assistant secretary for Economic Affairsand U.S. Ambassador to the Organization for EconomicCooperation and Development. Mr. Trezise joined theDepartment in 1946 and the Foreign Service eight yearslater. He worked in the Office of Intelligence and Researchuntil 1955, serving as deputy director of the office from1953 to 1955. During a four-year tour in Tokyo, he focusedon trade disputes with Japan in his position as ministerfor economic affairs. He was chief U.S. negotiator of the1965 Canadian-American automobile agreement, precur-

November 2001 39

O B I T U A R I E S

sor of the North American Free Trade Agreement. Afterretirement, he was a senior fellow at the BrookingsInstitution. During World War II, Mr. Trezise was aresearcher in the Office of Strategic Services.

Charles S. Whitehouse, 79, a retiredForeign Service officer, died of can-cer June 25 at his home in Marshall,Va. He served as U.S. Ambassadorto Laos and Thailand and servedtwo tours in Vietnam, as deputychief of mission in the U.S. Embassyin Saigon and as deputy director ofCivilian Operations RevolutionaryDevelopment Support in military

40 State Magazine

Department Opens Mini Shopping Mal

The State Department’s new shopping plaza, The FogBottom, opened for business in August.

Now employees can access services from banking to fitnessone centralized location at the Harry S Truman Building.

The mini mall features many of the Department’s prishops and services, once scattered throughout the buildinwith some additions, namely a café, deli and ice cream bar.

“The only thing left to include is a drugstore,” said WHemployee Will Ostick.

Located on the lower level of the building, beneath the cateria, the plaza can be accessed via a new stairway in the cateria and designated elevators and stairs in the building.

“Everything I need is right here,” said IRM employee LydTyler. “I’ll definitely be back again.”

region II. He was acting deputy assistant secretary for FarEastern Affairs in 1971 and was a member of the U.S. dele-gation to the Paris Peace Talks. He held other positions inBelgium, the Belgian Congo, Turkey, Cambodia andGuinea. Following his retirement in 1978, Mr. Whitehousewas president of the American Foreign Service Association.He was called back to government service from 1988 to1989 to serve as assistant secretary of Defense for SpecialOperations and Low Intensity Conflict. He was a U.S.Marine Corps bomber pilot during World War II, earning21 Air Medals and seven Distinguished Flying Crosses.

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Beirut MemorialOn Oct. 23, 1983, an explosion destroyed the building

housing many of the Marines of the 24th AmphibiousUnit deployed in peace enforcement near the BeirutInternational Airport in Lebanon. To honor the 241 mem-bers of the U.S. Marines, Navy, Army and civilians killedon that date, and other Americans who died restoringpeace to Beirut, the U.S. Embassy is constructing a per-manent memorial on the compound. Funding for thisproject is by individual donors only. To contribute, makechecks payable to the U.S. Department of State, with thenotation for Beirut Memorial, and mail to Donna Bordley,FMP, Room 7427, Department of State, Washington, DC20520. Contributions to the State Department qualify forthe federal charitable contribution deduction in accor-dance with 26 U.S. Code, Section 170 (c).