The Foreign Service Journal, March 2007

plains that being embedded with military units “is the only way we can function, as they have all the assets — Humvees, helos, security, etc. Otherwise, we have no way to engage with the locals.” IPAO Jennifer Mergy, who spoke with the FSJ from Erbil several weeks before the Feb. 2 official opening of the Regional Reconstruc- tion Team there, describes a close working relationship with the military’s civil affairs team and corps of engineers to identify and implement essential infrastructure pro- jects. First Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armor Division Commander Colonel Sean MacFarland in Al Anbar offers his thoughts on the civilian/military differences in cultures and work styles. Since forming the PRTs, he says, “things have gotten better, but there is still a long way to go. … Even at full manning, this organization [PRT Anbar] does not suffice for such a large province.” The State Department “needs to work with the military at every level down to brigade,” he adds. “State should help form a clear strategy for the war, which POTUS [the president] approves and then resources with con- gressional approval. Then we execute.” There has been major progress in settling interagency differences over the PRTs, according to Stephenson, and there has now been “buy-in” from the Department of Defense for the PRT program. One solid accomplish- ment Stephenson points to is the Security Supplemental Agreement, signed in November 2006, which gives DOD responsibility for protection of civilians serving at PRTs based on Forward Operating Bases. Sec. Rice has asked Congress for new funding to support the activities and the security for the PRTs. Who Gets the Security Detail? Apart from the broader civilian-military issues, day-to- day operations on the ground for PRT members are com- plicated by the reality of an increasingly dangerous envi- ronment. “The unstable security environment in Iraq touches every aspect of the PRT mission,” the Special IG for Iraq Reconstruction’s report says. “Because of security concerns, face-to-face meetings between provincial gov- ernment officials and PRT personnel are often limited, and in some cases do not occur. PRT members are at particu- lar risk when traveling to and from their engagements with their Iraqi counterparts, as are provincial government offi- cials and local Iraqi staff working with the PRT. If identi- fied as cooperating with the U.S. government, all are at risk of threats and attacks by anti-coalition elements. Despite these conditions, some PRTmembers frequently find ways to interact with their Iraqi counterparts.” Unlike most of their colleagues at the PRT, Foreign Service members who are not from the Diplomatic Security Bureau are not authorized to carry weapons. No F O C U S 30 F O R E I G N S E R V I C E J O U R N A L / M A R C H 2 0 0 7