The Foreign Service Journal, October 2006

true of many other countries around the world. Panama, after all, has a rel- atively tiny Muslim population. Taking Corrective Action Beginning in 2005, Embassy Pana- ma took some important steps to cor- rect a perceived imbalance in relations with local Muslims. The ambassador hosted Iftar breakfasts marking the end of the Ramadan fasting period, and other meals on religious holidays, for the local Muslim communities. These simple acts of kindness generat- ed a large amount of good will, as par- ticipants noted that no U.S. ambas- sador had ever before invited them to the official residence. Woody Allen once remarked that 90 percent of life is just showing up. Well, sometimes 90 percent of diplomacy is just being polite. The embassy has been focusing attention on individual cases of Muslims turned back at the border to discover what remedies, if any, can be found. It also began a series of frank discussions with local Muslim groups to explain the complexities of visa issuance, in close consultation with State and DHS. More attention is being placed on evaluating informa- tion in the National Tracking Center database. The public affairs section has aug- mented its speakers program; for instance, the ambassador has made a point of meeting frequently with members of Muslim communities in Panama. The embassy is also playing an important part in the mission’s out- reach by donating books to local mosques and seeking Muslim partici- pants in the International Visitors Program. I am sure that Embassy Panama is taking additional steps, for several months have passed since I left post. As the greatest nation in the world, our power does not come from instill- ing fear. Rather, the strongest weapon in our arsenal is the power to per- suade. And we have that power because people admire our values as a nation: because we are champions of human rights, because of our sense of O C T O B E R 2 0 0 6 / F O R E I G N S E R V I C E J O U R N A L 17 S P E A K I N G O U T Sometimes 90 percent of diplomacy is just being polite.