The Foreign Service Journal, October 2018

10 OCTOBER 2018 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL LETTERS Civil Society Credibility Gap How ironic that the authors of “Supporting Civil Society in the Face of Closing Space” (May FSJ ) referenced a CIVICUS report that identi- fies 13 countries as having fully open civic space—but did not identify those countries or note that the United States is not one of them. While they prescribed ways to open civic space, their own country shamefully is closing it. Why would we be surprised that other countries look askance when poli- cies the United States promotes abroad are not being exercised at home? I’m disappointed that the FSJ’ s editors did not challenge such blatant hypocrisy. Rex Moser FSO, retired Santa Barbara, California Shortcomings in DS Remain On June 15, the Government Accountability Office reported thus: “At the request of Congress, GAO reviewed the status of all open recommendations we made to the Department of State … in 2015 and 2016. During that period, we made 132 recommendations to State and USAID. As of June 7, 2018, of the 82 recommendations made to State, 37 (about 45 percent) were still open, and 10 of those were priority recommenda- tions. “Of particular concern are: GAO-15- 700, Diplomatic Security: State Depart- ment Should Better Manage Risks to Residences and Other Soft Targets Overseas; and GAO-17-124, Diplomatic Security: State Should Enhance Its Management of Transportation-Related Risks to Overseas U.S. Personnel.” The full report can be viewed at: www.gao.gov/ assets/700/692560.pdf. While AFSA’s push for added State funding may be commendable, experi- ence has shown that the case must first demonstrate that the existing funding is being both effectively and effi- ciently utilized. The long-outstanding GAO findings and recommendations suggest otherwise. Since the department accepted the findings and recommendations for implementation, an earlier AFSA delegation that met with senior DS staff was surprised to hear them deny that the GAO findings existed and show no interest in acting on the recommenda- tions. In December 2014, an AFSA update cable reported: “Most strikingly, six out of seven survey respondents noted that it is important for AFSA to be at the table when the department makes decisions that impact employee security or exposure to risk.” Unfortunately, that has not taken place. AFSA has among its “Labor Manage- ment Responsibilities” (for details visit www.afsa.org/afsa_labor_management_ responsibilities.aspx) at least two significant options to follow in formally raising the matter of diplomatic security as it pertains to GAO findings and rec- ommendations. The first and most important option is to raise the GAO recommendations as a “Mandatory Bargaining Subject,” which covers such items as “policies related to the work environment.” Under this category, respective agencies must negotiate with AFSA, thus enabling the employee representative to fulfill its fiduciary responsibilities. The second intervention option could come through AFSA’s Consulta- tion Rights and Request for Information Privileges. In both these instances, “As the exclusive employee representative, AFSA may request information from agencies which is necessary for full and proper understanding of subjects within the scope of collective bargaining.” The time is past for AFSA to be sitting on the sidelines. It should promptly fulfill its fiduciary responsibilities by actively raising these DS shortcomings with the department and demonstrate to all, including Congress, that the requests for added department funding are truly justified. James (Jim) Meenan FSO, retired Ashburn, Virginia The Passing of Donna Hartman I read with regret of the passing of Donna Hartman, widow of Ambassador Arthur Hartman, who served with her husband at Embassy Moscow from 1981 to 1987 (In Memory, July-August FSJ ). Ambassador Hartman passed away in 2015. While Ambassador Hartman’s brilliant service in Moscow has been well-documented, Donna Hartman’s contributions were also remarkable. The Hartmans’ long tenure in Moscow was notable in many respects, including an intense focus on human rights. For many years the Hartmans hosted an open house on Saturday afternoons. The program often included the show- ing of an American film in the ambas- sador’s residence, the spacious Spaso House. The event drew dissidents, artists and others. Soviet personnel were often posi- tioned outside Spaso House to intimi-