18 SEPTEMBER 2024 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL July 17 finding that two of five State Department bureaus did not properly vet partner organizations in Afghanistan. SIGAR reviews evaluate the State Department’s adherence to vetting policies for implementing partners in Afghanistan. The audits are intended to ensure that U.S. funds do not inadvertently benefit terrorist organizations. The report found that three out of five State bureaus with active awards in Afghanistan from March 1, 2022, through Nov. 30, 2022, demonstrated compliance with the State’s vetting requirements. The Bureau of Political-Military Affairs (PM/WRA), the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (PRM), and the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs (SCA/PPD) all provided sufficient documentation to show adherence to vetting policies. However, the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (DRL) and the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) lacked adequate documentation for many programs, failing to comply with federal document retention requirements. In response to these findings, SIGAR has recommended that the Secretary of State take immediate action to ensure all bureaus comply with federal and Foreign Affairs Manual (FAM) partner vetting and document retention requirements. State officials acknowledged the compliance gaps and committed to ensuring all program offices adhere to the required standards. The full report can be found at https://www.sigar.mil/pdf/audits/ SIGAR-24-31-AR.pdf. n This edition of Talking Points was compiled by Mark Parkhomenko. Getting Out From Behind the Wall You’ve heard me say over and over again, we aren’t going to out-compete China with our personnel sitting behind embassy walls. They need to get out. As part of this effort, I wrote and got enacted the Secure Embassy Construction and Counterterrorism Act to help the department open new diplomatic spaces quicker and cheaper and to advance our diplomatic interest. —Sen. Jim Risch (R-Idaho), during a May 16 Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing “Modernization and Management: Building a Department to Address 21st Century Challenges.” A Rare Breed So, you’re a rare breed having served three times as ambassador. You’ve served at a very difficult time in the Foreign Service. A moment when American foreign policy changes very quickly from administration to administration. It is just an absolute marvel to me, the quality, and commitment of the people who work in our embassies, despite the fact that they may be running one mission before an election, and asked to do something fundamentally different thereafter. —Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), addressing Ambassador Tracey Ann Jacobson, nominated to be U.S. ambassador to Iraq, during a June 13 Senate Foreign Relations Committee nominations hearing. Thank You for Your Service I am such a big fan of our diplomatic corps, and these interagency teams that I encounter when I travel, and I just thank all of you again for your service, and your families as well. I know you make some sacrifices, and I appreciate it. —Sen. Todd Young (R-Ind.), during a June 13 Senate Foreign Relations Committee nominations hearing. A Show of Appreciation As governor, I had a chance to take a number of trade missions around the world, and meet with our embassies, and I just can’t say enough about the Foreign Service people, who sacrifice time away from your friends and family here in the United States to represent our country overseas. I really appreciate the efforts that you all make to do that. —Sen. Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), during a June 13 Senate Foreign Relations Committee nominations hearing. Heard on the Hill: Centennial Edition JOSH
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