The Foreign Service Journal, April 2018

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | APRIL 2018 61 DEFINING DIPLOMACY for YEARS Above inSILVERFOILonCover FSJ April 1993 The Clinton Administration and the Foreign Service The coming of a new administra- tion inWashington inevitably raises concerns in the Foreign Service; the advent of the Clinton administration is no exception. …For foreign policy generally, a new decision-making process has been created, centered in theWhite House, reflecting the presi- dent’s interests and the multidimen- sional nature of today’s problems. …Conscious of over-sized State representations in policy committees in past administra- tions, the new teamwill limit State attendance to the relevant assistant secretary, one other officer and a rapporteur. Transi- tion planners believed that the effectiveness of the department in the new policy process would be enhanced by streamlining the structure. –David D. Newsom, retired FSO and former under secretary for political affairs FSJ April 1993 Helping Russia Reform In a myriad of small ways, the Clinton administration has an opportunity to try and convince the Russian leaders and people that America is, indeed, a good neighbor, and would like to help Russia become, in [Russia’s ambassador toWashington, Vladimir] Lukin’s words,“an integral member of the demo- cratic community.” Cooperative relations should not be postu- lated, however, on Russia’s becoming in our lifetime a western- style democracy.We should be content to watch the yeast of democracy and freedomwork slowly, in its Russian way. –Thompson R. Buchanan, retired FSO and Russia specialist FSJ March 1995 Negotiating the Information Speedway FSJ June 1995 U.S. Policy Toward Africa What about those African countries that are suffering from political blockages and cannot move ahead at this time? Should the United States ignore them until such time as they join the mainstream? In terms of development assistance and trade and investment promotion, the answer is yes. Scarce resources have to be utilized only where there is a decent possibility of achieving positive results. However, there is another dimen- sion of national security policy that needs to be consid- ered when we look at that part of Africa that is stagnating, unstable and dangerous. As the only superpower and as the world’s most vibrant democracy, the United States is condemned to be a leader in maintaining barriers against world disorder. –Herman J. Cohen, retired FSO and former assistant secretary of State for African affairs FSJ April 1996 Staying Sane Abroad Mental health services are available to all agencies’ employ- ees and their families in the overseas community as a recog- nized component of the medical program. Psychiatrists are assigned to geographic bureaus with regional responsibilities. …Medical supports are changing, and other benefits are threatened. Personnel cuts mean high workloads and fewer people to do the work. Changes have been so sudden that families who committed themselves to the lifestyle under one model find themselves living under another. A very realistic anxiety arises. –Virginia L. Foley, FS spouse and former mental health coordinator at Embassy Lima FSJ July 1996 Dissent in the Foreign Service To be truly useful and heeded, the [Dissent] Channel should not become a vent for the employees’ discharge of hot air. It shouldn’t become the sole possession of those who can’t see the forest for the trees, for the intellectually self- righteous, or for those swept along by the strong emotional currents produced during highly visible crises. Accordingly, proper use of the dissent channel requires intellectual honesty and objectivity; it also requires that bosses apply similar standards to themselves. They should presume the dissenter is acting in good faith and in the service of his country and should respond promptly and directly to the issues raised. –Hume Horan, Career Minister and diplomat in residence at Howard University in Washington, D.C.