The Foreign Service Journal, June 2009

J U N E 2 0 0 9 / F O R E I G N S E R V I C E J O U R N A L 7 licly recognize and support the unsung heroes and heroines who serve Amer- ica so well. Vernessa White-Jackson Hyattsville, Md. Remembering Lockerbie I would like to thank Mitchell Cohn for his Reflections column in your April issue about the 20th anniversary of the Lockerbie tragedy. I arrived at the con- sulate general in Scotland the following summer, but my experiences were sim- ilar to his. Emotions were still at high pitch among the family members of the vic- tims as we started returning the posses- sions of their loved ones. I listened as they cried and reminisced, and when they shouted with anger and frustration. I remember well the cold, damp police warehouse in Lockerbie where I spent hours ticking off personal property on an inventory for each American passen- ger. Each one of them was an individ- ual to us. We knew them all by name, we knew their families, and we knew what they packed in their suitcases that fateful day. As Mitch said, there was a pervasive sadness that surrounded our work, but sometimes the relationships that evolved gave us peace. I still recall the mother of a Syracuse University student who came to the warehouse to look for some of her daughter’s possessions. She was such a kind person and brought great warmth and love to the experience. We ended up exchanging Christmas cards over the years, until last year, when my card was returned. I eventually found out that she had passed away and, for the first time in many years, I sat down and cried. I was crying not just for her, but for everyone who had been touched by this terrible event. It broke the heart of everyone who had to deal with it. Julie Rethmeier Moyes FSO Arlington, Va. Medical Exams Having retired 10 years ago, I was quite surprised to learn that the Office of Medical Services has stopped per- forming full examinations prior to over- seas transfers (March President’s Views, “To Your Health”). In 1989, MED’s examprobably saved the life of my hus- band, FSO Douglas Van Treeck. Very early colon cancer was detected, a golf- ball sized mass was removed without complications and, other than required screenings every three years, he lives quite normally. Had he gone to Niger for two years without treatment, his life would probably be over by now. Maybe State has a plan: reduce MED’s costs and reduce pension pay- ments. Marie-Elena Van Treeck FS specialist, retired Carson City, Nev. The Freeman Appointment The discussion of Ambassador Charles “Chas” Freeman’s withdrawal from consideration for the position of chairman of the National Intelligence Council drew attention to the role of National Intelligence Estimates in the formulation of U.S. foreign policy. But I found Susan Maitra’s analysis in the April Cybernotes (“Controversy Points to Foreign Policy Dilemma”) more of an op-ed than straight news reporting. The implication was that the neocon- servative cabal did Freeman in. Regarding the “vitriolic campaign,” no mention is made of the role of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and Representative Frank Wolf, R-Va., in this short-lived appointment. The article also does not spell out Amb. Freeman’s position on the board of the China National Offshore Oil Corpora- tion and why this matters. Arthur Green USIA FSO, retired Boynton Beach, Fla. Enjoying FSJ Access Thanks for making the Journal so accessible on the Internet. We are posted overseas and I really enjoy being able to read current information. The articles in the March focus, “Going It Alone,” were timed perfectly because we, along with many other families, are beginning to think about the next bid- ding cycle. We now have a better idea of how to prepare for and handle a sep- arate assignment. Renee Atkinson FS spouse Embassy Canberra Any New Ideas? Some time ago, you published a let- ter from me which proposed a radical departure in U.S. relations with Russia. As I recall, it received no reaction what- soever (perhaps an indication of its worth). I reworked my proposal and sent it to Secretary of StateHillary Clin- ton. The reply from one “IK” (Ivan Knishknif?) was an underwhelming form letter addressed in a Dostoevsky- an fashion to “Dear Interested Citi- zen!” Perhaps I need to work harder to appreciate the utter disdain in which my suggestion of policy change is held. Reading the April FSJ , which again addressed the role of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and related issues, I felt that the three authors approached relations with Moscow in a traditional fashion. Isn’t there a new idea in our house? Is everything about adjust- ments? Is an adversarial relationship, L E T T E R S