The Foreign Service Journal, April 2003

mendation 12. In addition, State is already doing its part to speed and streamline the presidential appointment process (Recommendation 5) for ambasadors, particularly on the security side. More could be done, although many of the current delays are outside the department’s control in the White House and on Capitol Hill. But what of the other proposals? By far the most sweeping, and hence the most difficult, is the com- mission’s first recommendation: that the federal government be reorga- nized into a limited number of mis- sion-related executive departments. In the foreign affairs arena, the frag- mentation of authority is quite extra- ordinary. The Foreign Service is divided among the Departments of State, Commerce and Agriculture, USAID, and the International Broad- casting Board. All five branches of the Foreign Service are governed by the Foreign Service Act of 1980. Beyond consolidation of person- nel systems comes the more difficult issue of how to create a single depart- ment whose mission encompasses the vast array of foreign affairs func- tions. Take economic, trade and development policies, for example. Four of the five foreign affairs agen- cies have officers engaged in those activities. Should they be consolidat- ed under a single agency? If so, should the U.S. Trade Repre- S P E A K I N G O U T 14 F O R E I G N S E R V I C E J O U R N A L / A P R I L 2 0 0 3 The State Department has been struggling with the need for reform for much of the last 20 years. TEN TOP REASONS TO JOIN DACOR (Diplomatic and Consular Officers, Retired) 10. Guest rooms at less than half of per diem 9. Sunday musicales with rising stars 8. Annual conference on key issue or country 7. Receptions for A-100 classes and new ambassadors 6. Scholarships for Foreign Service dependents 5. Top lecturers on foreign affairs and culture 4. Reasonable dues half off for active duty personnel 3. Memorable venue for private or representational functions 2. Five blocks from State 1. Congenial collegiality in an elegant, historic home Richard McKee, • Executive Director 1801 F St., NW • Washington, DC 20006 202-682-0500 dacor@dacorbacon.org • www.dacorbacon.org