The Foreign Service Journal, January 2005

J A N U A R Y 2 0 0 5 / F O R E I G N S E R V I C E J O U R N A L 5 Colin Powell has been a remarkable leader of the Depart- ment of State. On his first day on the job he promised he would lead, and would expect excel- lence from those who worked for him. He would, in return, make the well- being and safety of his employees his top priority. Many other Secretaries of State have promised this; few have done it as well as this one. He understood the importance of tone and symbols. For example, he made a point of swearing in every new ambassador and every new class of Foreign Service generalists and spe- cialists. Small things? Perhaps, but hardly trivial; and, when compared to the actions of his predecessors, acts of great symbolic importance by expressing publicly his trust in the Foreign Service professionals who work for him. He understood the operational and symbolic importance of material sup- port. He well understood the corrosive effect of the notorious “do more with less” mantra, which had let our mis- sions and bureaus sink below critical mass and prevented us from perform- ing like the professionals we are. If anything typified our department and our service in the 1990s, it was demor- alized people coping with long staffing gaps, personnel shortages in key posi- tions, antiquated equipment, and unsafe and dilapidated buildings. The tragic events of 1998 in Nairobi and Dar Es Salaam evoked not only hero- ism, but also a depressing round of fin- ger-pointing about why our missions, despite warnings from the ambas- sadors and others, remained danger- ously exposed to terrorist attacks. For years the prevailing message to the Foreign Service, to paraphrase the famous 1974 New York Post headline, had been: “Drop Dead.” Secretary Powell’s departure, and Dr. Condoleezza Rice’s nomination as his successor, have provoked bizarre commentary from pundits on both left and right. On one side has appeared a “woe is us” message, warning that the last bastion of rationality will soon fall to rampant ideologues. On the other side has appeared an “it’s about time” message that urges “taming,” “bringing to heel” and “reining in” some kind of rogue agency. Judging by these messages, the State Department in general, and the Foreign Service in particular, are nothing more than dens of rebellious and fractious liberals who need to be taught who’s in charge. Both the wailers and the gloaters are wrong. Secretary Powell had the affection and devotion of his employ- ees because he was a leader. He put into practice the maxim, “Take care of your people, and they will take care of you.” He understood that he had working for him a group of uniquely talented and skilled men and women, who willingly went into harm’s way to serve our country in the most difficult and dangerous conditions. Dr. Rice can count on the same from the professionals of the Foreign Service, who will serve her with the same measure of loyalty, dedication and self-sacrifice that they offered her predecessor. She deserves no less and, as professionals, we will provide no less. AFSA says a fond farewell to Secretary Powell and thanks him for all he has done to rebuild the service and restore the pride of our profes- sion. He departs with our best wishes for the future. We also say “welcome” to Dr. Rice and look forward to work- ing with her in representing the American people and advancing American interests overseas. She can count on our complete support in her mission.  P RESIDENT ’ S V IEWS Hail and Farewell B Y J OHN L IMBERT John Limbert is the president of the American Foreign Service Association. The professionals of the Foreign Service will serve Dr. Rice with the same loyalty, dedication and self-sacrifice that they offered her predecessor.