The Foreign Service Journal, March 2004

MARCH 2004 • AFSA NEWS 11 V.P. VOICE: STATE BY LOUISE CRANE Our Abusive Ambassadors R ecently three political ambassadors “fired” their career ForeignServiceOfficeManagement Specialists. In two cases, the OMSs were locked out of their embassies, deniedaccess todepartment e-mail, refusedadmittance to their offices, andotherwise humiliated. In the third case, theOMS begged to serve in another OMS slot within the embassy in an effort to save her family fromhaving tomove and change schools once again. She evenvolunteered togoon leavewith- out pay to stay in the country so that her husband couldkeep his assignment topost. Her request was curtly rejectedon the ground that the ambas- sador didn’t want her or any member of her family around. Her husband’s assign- ment was cancelled along with hers. Despite such abuse of authority, I have nothing against political ambassadors. I haveworked formanyand found theyallmadedistinguishedcontributions toAmerican diplomacy. In fact, they can be good leavening for the career Service. They taught me greater respect for lawmaking and the role of the Congress. Among those who headed embassies where I was stationed were Edward Korry (Chile), Otto Reich (Venezuela), Michael J. Mansfield (Japan), Walter F. Mondale (Japan) andThomas S. Foley (Japan), gentlemen all. Not one of them ever spoke in a disrespectful tone toward any member of his staff. I remember meet- ingAmb. Reich’s elderlymother and congratulating her on her son’s good manners. He spoke as gra- ciously to the chambermaidashedid to theFirst Lady. But Imust speakout about those political ambas- sadorswhodonot treat employeeswith respect, the oneswho are apparently not con- cerned about the disruption involuntary curtailment causes to the lives of employees and their families, not to mention the department and the personnel system, much less the financial cost to the department and ultimately the taxpayers. AFSA protested each of these involuntary curtailments. We have urged the depart- ment to tighten the training it provides political appointees, to remind themof the ethics rules,advisethemtotreattheircareerstaffwithrespect,warnthemofthecosttothedepart- ment and the governmentwhen staff are curtailed for reasons noweightier thanwhimsy. AFSArepresented theOMS employees in these three cases, helping to ensure good onward assignments. It wasn’t always possible toprevent a damagingEER frombeing filed, and in one case, it proved impossible to get any EER at all. But to its great cred- it, the department did move quickly to prevent long-term damage to the careers of these OMS employees. What is the point of these horror stories? They are meant as a cautionary tale for those of youwho are ina leadershippositionat an embassy or hope tobe inone. Treat all employees with respect. If your ambassador doesn’t, seek a solution that will be better than an involuntarily curtailment. Apersonnel systemthat does not help those subjected to capricious firings is not a systemthat engenders devotionand loyalty. The ForeignServiceneeds loyal anddevotedmemberswho subscribe to the creedofworld- wide service: We will go where we are needed and once there, we will do our best to serve this great nation. ▫ Foreign Affairs Day Set for May 7 Foreign Affairs Day, the annual home- coming for retired State Department employees, will be held this year on Friday, May 7. As is customary during this event, there will be a brief ceremony at the site of the AFSA Memorial Plaques to honor those members of the Foreign Service community who have lost their lives overseas in the line of duty or under heroic or inspirational circumstances. The event offers a great opportunity to see old friends and catch up on doings at Foggy Bottom. Mark your calendars now so you can join AFSA for this important event. AFSA Foreign Affairs Day Reception AFSA plans to hold its annual reception during this year’s Foreign Affairs Day. More details will follow in the April AFSA News. AFSA invites all participants to enjoy another opportunity to relax and mingle with former colleagues at the conclusion of the day’s events. AFSA’s Day on the Hill On May 6, 2004, AFSA will again lead a group of retired Foreign Service personnel to visit their senators and representatives on Capitol Hill. Please join AFSA to sup- port the Foreign Service, our foreign affairs agencies and American diplomacy. Look for more information in next mon- th’s AFSA News and in your Foreign Affairs Day mailing. Briefs • Continued on page 12 AFSA NEWS BRIEFS Continued from page 9 A personnel system that does not help those subjected to capricious firings is not a system that engenders devotion and loyalty. JOSH