The Foreign Service Journal, November 2007

TAKING A STAND AFSA Calls on State IG to Step Down O n Sept. 19, AFSA issued a press release calling for StateDepartment Inspector General Howard J. Krongard to step down, the day after Rep. HenryWaxman, D-Calif., released a letter to the IG listing numerous allegations of interference with investigations. AFSA spoke out after numerous current and for- merOIGemployees stepped forwardwith detailed allegations that questioned the integrity of the current inspector general. Several came toAFSAwhile a larger num- ber approached the relevant congression- al oversight committee. The Waxman letter to the IG stated: “Officials fromyour office toldmy staff that youhave consistently failed topursue alle- gations of wasteful spending or procure- ment fraud in any contract involving Iraq andAfghanistan.” AsAFSAPresident John Naland explains, “Of particular concern to AFSA are allegations that he blocked investigations into possible substandard construction at the new U.S. embassy in O n Sept. 19, the AFSA Governing Board approved plans for the ren- ovation of AFSAheadquarters. In late October, the building was closed so work could begin. If the schedule holds, employees will be back at work in the new and improved building by May 2008. TheAFSAbuilding, located at 21st and E Streets NW, across from the State Department, is one of AFSA’s most valu- able financial assets: prime real estate in downtownWashington, owned debt-free by the association. But the physical plant is in dire need of renovation, both for cos- metic and structural improvements and for safety and energy-efficiencyupgrades. The 26-person staff working in the headquar- ters building has been squeezed into tiny workspaces, including closet-sizework sta- tions. No major work has been done on the building since itwaspurchased in1968, and it shows. Fromthe squirrels buildingnests in the bathroom window to the electrical hazards from old wiring, no one who has visited headquarters in the last few years could deny the need for a major upgrade. Until now, we have spared you the details of the multi-year quest by succes- siveGoverningBoards todetermine exact- “The fact of thematter is this Foreign Service needs more dissenters, not fewer. And it needs to encourage —not discourage—them.” Former Secretary of State Lawrence Eagleburger Call to Honor Dissenters Do you know anyone in the Foreign Service who deserves to be recognized for con- structive dissent? Let AFSA know. Look for the official call for nominations for the AFSAConstructive Dissent Awards in the next issue of AFSANews and on ourWeb site at www.afsa.org/awards/index.cfm. American Foreign Service Association • November 2007 UNDER CONSTRUCTION AFSA-HQ Relocates During Renovation BY SHAWN DORMAN In This Issue: BRIEFS: FS BOOK NEWS....................56 STATE VP: TIME TO MOBILIZE...........57 RETIREE Q&A: SURVIVOR ANNUITIES .......................58 VP FCS: DOMESTIC TOURS................59 MILESTONES: ED MILTENBERGER.....62 CLASSIFIEDS .......................................62 AFSA NEWS Continued on page 60 Continued on page 61 NOV EMB E R 2 0 0 7 / F OR E I GN S E R V I C E J OU R N A L 55