The Foreign Service Journal, May 2003

M A Y 2 0 0 3 / F O R E I G N S E R V I C E J O U R N A L 3 T HE M AGAZINE F OR F OREIGN A FFAIRS P ROFESSIONALS Foreign Service Journal (ISSN 0146-3543), 2101 E Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20037-2990 is published monthly by the American Foreign Service Association, a private, non-profit organization. Material appearing here- in represents the opinions of the writers and does not necessarily represent the views of the Journal, the Editorial Board or AFSA. Writer queries and submissions are invited, preferably by e-mail. Journal subscription: AFSA Members - $9.50 included in annual dues; others - $40. For foreign surface mail, add $18 per year; foreign air- mail, $36 per year. Periodical postage paid at Washington, D.C., and at additional mailing offices. Postmaster: Send address changes to Foreign Service Journal , 2101 E Street N.W., Washington, D.C. 20037-2990. Indexed by Public Affairs Information Service (PAIS). The Journal is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts, photos or illustrations. Advertising inquiries are invited. The appearance of advertisements herein does not imply the endorsement of the services or goods offered. FAX: (202) 338-8244 or (202) 338-6820. E-MAIL: journal@afsa.org. WEB: www.afsa.org. TE LEPHONE: (202) 338-4045. © American Foreign Service Association, 2003. Printed in the U.S.A. Send address changes to AFSA Membership, 2101 E Street N.W., Washington, D.C. 20037- 2990. Printed on 50 percent recycled paper, of which 10 percent is post-consumer waste. J O U R N A L OREIGN ERVICE S F Editor S TEVEN A LAN H ONLEY Associate Editor S USAN B. M AITRA Business Manager M IKKELA V. T HOMPSON Ad & Circulation Manager E D M ILTENBERGER AFSA News Editor S HAWN D ORMAN Art Director C ARYN J. S UKO Editorial Intern S TEPHEN E. M ATHER Editorial Board A RNOLD S CHIFFERDECKER , C HAIRMAN J UDITH B AROODY M ARK W. B OCCHETTI E LIZABETH S PIRO C LARK T ATIANA G FOELLER -V OLKOFF C AROL A. G IACOMO L AURIE K ASSMAN C AROLINE M EIRS H OLLIS S UMMERS W ILLIAM W ANLUND T ED W ILKINSON F O C U S O N F A S 24 / T HE F OREIGN A GRICULTURAL S ERVICE T ODAY The outlook for the Foreign Agricultural Service is generally positive, but there is no shortage of issues for it to address. By Bob Guldin 32 / L IFE IN THE FAS L ANE Precisely because FAS is such a small agency, achieving success requires dedication and coordination from all personnel, Foreign and Civil Service alike. By Ed Porter 36 / A N U NAUTHORIZED H ISTORY OF FAS In a tradition dating back to the American Revolution, the Foreign Agricultural Service has dedicated itself to improving market access for U.S. agricultural products. By Allan Mustard 44 / H IGH S TAKES , H IGH H URDLES : U.S. F ARM T RADE P OLICY While FAS still carries out its “traditional” functions, including reporting on local agricultural conditions, its activities are increasingly focusing on trade policy and export promotion. By Eric Trachtenberg C ONTENTS Ma y 2 0 0 3 Vo l ume 8 0 , No . 5 F E A T U R E S A PPRECIATION : A RNIE S CHIFFERDECKER , 1935-2003 / 51 By Susan Maitra P LAYING D IPLOMACY / 55 An FSO and his children get entangled in more than the game of Diplomacy. By Larry Lesser C O L U M N S P RESIDENT ’ S V IEWS / 5 What Next? By John K. Naland L ETTER FROM THE E DITOR / 7 Steven Alan Honley S PEAKING O UT / 15 Toward a True Israeli-Palestinian Peace By Max M. Kampelman FS F INANCES / 20 A Retroactive Windfall for Home Sellers By Edward J. Michal R EFLECTIONS / 68 By Kathy Uphaus D E P A R T M E N T S L ETTERS / 9 C YBERNOTES / 12 B OOKS / 6 O I NDEX TO A DVERTISERS / 66 AFSA N EWS / C ENTER I NSERT Cover and inside illustrations by Kevin Rechin Page 24