The Foreign Service Journal, September 2004

Changing FS Culture Your survey of incoming FSOs was excellent (“Special Report: New Hires and the Foreign Service,” June FSJ ). It would be marvelous if the “newbies” brought about some change. Of course, I heard echoes of things I have been commenting on all these years, as well as the many other “just spouses” I have known. I hope that the influx can bring changes to the Foreign Service culture, just as the mass of baby boomers made changes to U.S. culture in the sixties. Victoria H. Hess Chief Executive Officer Tales from a Small Planet Drumbeat of Indifference I read John Limbert’s June AFSANET President’s Report on the studied indifference by Hill staffers to the Foreign Service, its people and its mission. The same report also noted concern over USAA’s equally studied indifference to our sister agencies —USAID, FAS and FCS. I am saddened but not surprised. While we have always had a prob- lem with visibility and thus credibility, the last few years have seen a steady drumbeat of indifference if not out- right disdain for diplomacy and diplo- mats. In his 2003 State of the Union address, the president declared “the time for diplomacy has passed.” The president tasks the military with the mission of post-conflict reconstruc- tion, after having spent a campaign denigrating “nation-building” as a worthy task of our government and our people. I understand that the same attitude and atmosphere of dis- missal permeate Afghanistan and Haiti. On June 29, Deputy Secretary Richard Armitage came to our defense at a hearing before the Armed Services Committee, but however sincere, it was an aside. In many ways, efforts by Secretary S E P T E M B E R 2 0 0 4 / F O R E I G N S E R V I C E J O U R N A L 9 L E T T E R S 2400 Virginia Ave., N.W Washington, D.C., 20037 Tel: (202) 293-2000 E-mail: leasingoffice@columbiaplaza.net Office Hours: Mon. - Fri. 8:00 AM-5:30 PM Sat 10:00 AM-4:00 PM 24 Hour Front Desk Garage Parking Avaliable Controlled Access Potomac River Views Minutes to Fine Dining Newly Renovated Kitchens Directly across the street from Main State, minutes to Kennedy Center and Georgetown Beautiful and Spacious: Efficiency$1,100 - $1,250 1 Bedroom 1,400 - 1,700 2 Bedroom 2,100 - 2,700 Utilities Included Complimentary Voice Mail Courtyard Style Plaza Polished Hardwood Floors Private Balconies Huge Walk-in Closets Capital Living With Comfort and Convenience 24 Hour Fitness Center columbia plaza apartments