The Foreign Service Journal, March 2007

not nailed down, it’s ours,’ because we filched stationary, pens, chairs, whatever. Also, we have no project money, so we must search for money in order to do anything, and it is very difficult to obtain resources for projects in a time- ly manner. I have been forced by our bureaucracy to join the long list of Americans who promised things to Iraqi contacts but never delivered.” Angela Williams, at PRT Anbar, among the most dan- gerous neighborhoods in Iraq, tells us that her PRT cur- rently has no locally engaged staff and they are very much on their own: “You have to make everything happen your- self; it’s almost as if you have to make even the paper.” She remains optimistic about the team’s role in Anbar, but would like to see more support by way of public diploma- cy resources that she believes can make a difference. Stephenson says that the department is working on a “lessons learned” paper that can be shared with anyone heading out to a PRT. It would start with “How I Got Pencils.” These lessons will continue to be needed, given that the rollout phase is going to be in play for months to come as the PRT program is expanded and new teams are established. The Baghdad Disconnect Foreign Service PRT members express serious con- cern— and in some cases, anger — over the lack of a sen- sibly structured and sustained connection between Embassy Baghdad and the PRTs. The helpful links to Baghdad have tended to come from personal connections rather than through the institutional support system, sev- eral PRT members assert. “There is a huge disconnect between Embassy Baghdad and the field,” says an FSO currently serving at a PRT, who asked not to be identified, “and an even larg- er disconnect between Washington and the field.” Another officer who served at a PRT and declined to be identified says, “I felt like I was completely left off the face of the earth when trying to work with Baghdad and Washington.” According to several PRT members, the embassy has F O C U S M A R C H 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 33 Home Suite Home The next time you’re going to be in DC for an extended stay, make yourself at home at Georgetown Suites. With our discounted monthly rates and large, comfortable suites, you’ll feel right at home. Plus we’re near the State Department. Call today! Georgetown Suites the fun place to stay in DC 1-800-348-7203 www.georgetownsuites.com sales@georgetownsuites.com