The Foreign Service Journal, July-August 2005

6 AFSA NEWS • JULY-AUGUST 2005 O n an issue of no less importance than the security of the embassy staff and their fam- ilies, Scott Gallo took a brave stand against a bureaucracy that was pushing the community to move into a new residential compound that he believed was vulnerable to terrorist attacks. Gallo has received the 2005 Tex Harris Award for his constructive and principled dissent on this issue. Following a difficult process that threatened Gallo’s career —during which he was viewed by some inWashington as a “problem” and an “obstacle”—his dis- sent proved successful: the necessary changes to address security vulnerabilities were made and embassy personnel moved into the new compound. As regional security officer for Embassy Nairobi from 2001 to 2004, Gallo was responsible for the security of embassy employees and families at a critical threat post, a post still recovering from the deadly terrorist attack on the embassy in August 1998. During the planning phase for the construction of a new residen- tial compound to protect the American embassy community from rising crime, the objective was expanded to include housing more families and addressing the threat of terrorism. However, it became clear to Gallo and members of the community that the compound was vulnerable to possible terrorist attacks because of its location on an exposed ridge above a shopping mall. Gallo did not think the compound was secure enough to warrant immediate occupation by embassy families as Washington was instructing. The ambassador and the embassy staff agreed with his view and supported it. Gallo conveyed his security concerns toWashington, along with spe- cific suggestions for mitigating the problems. An assessment team visited post and determined that the security issues were not sufficient to delay occu- pancy. Gallo did not accept the team’s assessment and was criticized by his superiors inWashington for his dissenting views. Embassy staff were so opposed to mov- ing onto the compound that some said they would curtail their assignments if ordered to move there. In his steadfast attempts to solve the problem, Gallo outlined compromise solutions, worked out budgetary issues and demon- strated how needed security measures could be implemented quickly. The consistent response fromWashington was criticism of Gallo. Yet, ultimately, his view held sway and the appropriate security improvements were made. Embassy personnel are scheduled to move onto the new compound before the end of 2005. The chief of mission described Gallo’s success: “As chief of mission, my primary concern is the well-being and safety of the mission personnel and their families. That I am able to fulfill this goal is a credit to the integrity and the courage shown by Mr. Gallo in sticking to principles and defending the mission’s best interests despite the criticisms made of him personally.” “I’ve never been one who subscribes to self-preservation or maintaining the status quo,” says Gallo, “and therefore, I’ll cher- ish this special recognition. … I’d like to thank Ambassador Mark Bellamy and Deputy Chief of Mission Leslie Rowe for their support in doing the right thing at the right time for mis- sion security, the agencies at post that didn’t waver and a special thank-you to Ambassador Don Yamamoto and his staff in the Africa Bureau.” Scott Gallo and his wife Karin have three children, ages 11, 9 and 5. He began his career with Diplomatic Security in 1985, following seven years with the FBI. He has served in Khartoum, Denver, Washington (Secretary of State’s Protective Detail), Dubai, Cairo, Salt Lake City (Olympic Security Coordinator) and Nairobi. He is currently serving inWashington as DS Special Adviser to the Coordinator of Counterterrorism in S/CT.  AFSA’S 2005 DISSENT AWARD WINNERS Tex Harris Award FOR A FOREIGN SERVICE SPECIALIST F. Scott Gallo Above: Scott Gallo at Lake Natron in Tanzania in April 2004. Below: The Gallo family on home leave at Pebble Beach, Calif.