The Foreign Service Journal, September 2016

48 SEPTEMBER 2016 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL The party chief’s visit to the United States and Oval Office meeting with President Barack Obama in July 2015 greatly boosted our chances of success, because it gave our partners in Vietnam’s leadership much more room for collaboration with us. At another workshop in October 2015, we decided to be ambi- tious, and settled on 12 concrete “joint endeavors” to pursue as a mission. We assigned action officers to each, challenging them to develop strategies that would bring their actions over the fin- ish line in time for a possible presidential visit. Action Officers Take Ownership In most cases, other U.S. agencies had a leading role provid- ing budget or policy guidance, and their role in these endeavors was invaluable. Throughout the mission, our action officers had the responsibility to take ownership of their issues, keep the country team updated and be constantly on the lookout for opportunities to further the initiative, as well as for bureau- cratic obstacles that could sink it. They were responsible to the country team for ensuring success. They became our experts and my chief advisers on how to achieve our goals. When State and another agency don’t agree on an aspect of the visit—especially if it’s a presidential visit—the National Security Council plays ref- eree. In this case, all agencies involved were on the same page. In the field of joint prosperity, second-tour Foreign Service Officer Joe Narus took the lead on demonstrating U.S. readiness to assist Vietnam in implementing its commitments under the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement, particularly regard- ing workers’ rights, environmental protection and intellectual property rights. Working closely with the U.S. Agency for Interna- tional Development, he pulled colleagues together to brain- storm, drafted a strategy linked to a timeline and reported to the country team each week on progress achieved. He deployed senior officials regularly to engage counterparts, host events with private-sector partners and continually reviewed and revised his strategy. We contributed to and were guided by Joe’s vision. In the security realm, mid-level FSO Adam Davis pursued three courses of action: a maritime security assistance package, an enhanced humanitarian assistance and disaster relief access arrangement for the Pacific Command, and training for Vietnamese peace- keepers. As most of Vietnam’s military leaders fought us during what they call the “American War,” we had to overcome deep suspicions. The pol-mil cluster led by our defense attaché served as a weekly forum for debate and refinement of strategies, and Adam also updated the country team regularly. Crowds wave as President Barack Obama’s motorcade passes through Hanoi. COURTESYOFU.S.EMBASSYHANOI Amb. Ted Osius and Consul General Rena Bitter of U.S. Consulate Ho Chi Minh City at the Trieu To Temple on April 29. Support from the U.S. Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preservation helped restore part of the temple complex in Ho Chi Minh City. COURTESYOFU.S.EMBASSYHANOI