The Foreign Service Journal, February 2007

Adopting “Butterfly” I recently had the privilege of see- ing and hearing Puccini’s opera “Madame Butterfly” at the Kennedy Center. I enjoyed it greatly and learn- ed much from it, and would suggest to your worldwide FSJ audience that they take any opportunity to attend this opera. It lays bare the virtues of beauty, truth and emotion, but it also contains a lesson for our beloved Foreign Service. Most of us in the FS family have been imbued with the conventional wisdom that political and economic officers do “substantive” work, while consular and management officers perform “non-substantive” work that is only valued for its contribution to the support and success of the sub- stantive functions. Butterfly offers us a different view. Butterfly makes enormous sacri- fices. She gives up everything for her love, for her beloved husband, a U.S. naval officer (read: substantive per- son). For him she abandons her home, faith and family. She even gives up her child, and finally her life. The husband, Lt. Pinkerton, ad- mits to the American consul, Sharp- less, that he does not regard his up- coming marriage contract to Butter- fly as permanent — he is en- chanted with Butterfly, but knows not whether it is love or merely a whim. Sharpless is appalled, and tries to warn Pinkerton of the possible tragic consequences of his selfishness. After Pinkerton leaves (for several years) Consul Sharpless maintains supportive contact with Butter- fly, who is certain Pinkerton will return as he promised. When he finally comes (with his American wife!) to take Butterfly’s baby back home with him, it is the consular offi- cer who reproaches him for his vile, heartless behavior. Notice who is shocked, enraged and disgusted at the naval officer’s behavior. It is the (non-substantive) consular officer — not the political counselor or economic counselor, or even the ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary (what impressive titles our substantive people bear!). I guess they were too busy doing their substantive work. Butterfly deserves to be adopted as the Foreign Service’s own, for its demonstration of the courage and virtue of consular officers everywhere. Francis Xavier Cunningham FSO, retired Arlington, Va. F E B R U A R Y 2 0 0 7 / F O R E I G N S E R V I C E J O U R N A L 11 L E T T E R S The Janne t t e Embassy P l an Overseas Insurance for Personal Auto & Contents Coverage Each policy is backed by the expertise and dedicated support of our customer service team. To learn more about the specific coverages offered by the plan, please visit our website at www.jannetteintl.com. The Janne t t e Embassy P l an Administered by Clements International One Thomas Circle NW, 8th Floor, Washington D.C. 20005 (800) 256-5141 (202) 478-6595 Fax (202) 466.9069 jannetteplan@clements.com www.jannetteintl.com Your Reliable Choice Since 1969, the Jannette Embassy Plan has provided dependable coverage to thousands of Foreign Service Personnel throughout the world. Our plan provides U.S. and Canadian personnel working at embassies and consulates insurance protection for their personal property, including automobiles and household effects. WORLDWIDE COVERAGE Fire, theft comprehensive and collision protection are available at foreign posts U.S. AUTO LIABILITY Available for short-term on home leave, change of assignment, and new auto purchase prior to foreign departure. This coverage must be issued in combination with an Jannette Embassy Plan FOREIGN LIABILITY Contact post for compliance with local laws, excess liability limits over local liability coverage PERSONAL COVERAGE Household goods, transit, valuables, personal liability and life insurance EMPLOYEE ASSOCIATION INSURANCE Including directors and officers