The Foreign Service Journal, September 2004

Foreign Service, he noted that “our value- added is our expertise, and we do it better than anyone else in theU.S. government.” He pointedout that the efforts inwhichhe was involvedwere collective, and thehonor should be shared with colleagues in Israel and Iraq. Keith W. Mines was awarded the William R. Rivkin Award for his dissent- ing view on Iraq policy. In his acceptance remarks, Mines warned that Iraq’s future is “too important to allow ideology to O n June 24, AFSA held its annual awards cer- emonyhonoring those within the Foreign Service rankswhohave the courage to dissent andwho exemplify the verybest ofAmericandiploma- cy. The ceremony, held in the ornate Benjamin Franklin DiplomaticReceptionRoomat the StateDepartment, was offi- ciated by Director General of the ForeignServiceW. Robert Pearson and AFSA President John Limbert. Amb. Richard B. Parker, a three-time ambassador and the first non-native speak- er of Arabic to achieve a 4/4 rating in the spoken and written language, was recog- nized for his 31-year career in the Foreign Service and outstanding achievements in retirement with the award for Lifetime Contributions to American Diplomacy. Amb. David Newsom (the 2000 lifetime contribution winner) accepted the award on behalf of Amb. Parker, calling him a “pioneer in understanding the (Middle East) region.” He expressed their shared concern thatMiddleEast Studies programs in the U.S. have been criticized as being unpatriotic at a time when government experts in the field are in short supply. Four awards were given for construc- tive dissent. DeputyAssistant Secretary for Near EasternAffairsDavid Satterfieldpre- sented Senior Foreign Service officer Ronald L. Schlicher with the Christian A. HerterAward for his service as consul gen- eral in Jerusalem and later as a provincial coordinator in Iraq. Schlicher acknowl- edged that he was surprised to win a “dis- sent” award for doing his job; for honest reportingandanalysis, and forusinghisbest judgment. Praising the work of the American Foreign Service Association • September 2004 Inside This Issue: BRIEFS: FAS SCHOLARSHIP...............2 IRAQ TO PARIS? .................................3 FCS: MEETING EXPECTATIONS? .......4 CANDIDATE FOR DIPLOMACY............5 AFSA ACHIEVEMENT WINNERS.........6 BILL GOING NOWHERE FAST ............8 Q&A: INVENTORY...............................9 AFSA NEWS 2004 AFSA AWARDS CEREMONY AFSA Recognizes Courage and Excellence BY KRISTOFER LOFGREN, EDITORIAL INTERN Continued on page 9 AFSA President John Limbert and FSO Beth Payne hold a June 17 AFSA press briefing to present views on Foreign Service work in Iraq and to urge passage of the State authorization bill. Story on page 4. Mikkela Thompson Amb. Parker (left) receives the Award for Lifetime Contributions to American Diplomacy from Director General W. Robert Pearson. AFSA Press Conference on Iraq Service Jay Mallin