The Foreign Service Journal, November 2008

N O V E M B E R 2 0 0 8 / F O R E I G N S E R V I C E J O U R N A L 7 Fortresses or Embassies? During a recent visit to Armenia in support of the Future Leaders Ex- change Program, I had the opportuni- ty to drive by the new fortress-like facility that is now the American embassy in this historic country. A more intimidating and unwelcoming, yet high-profile, presence is hard to imagine. This surprisingly large facil- ity sits alone on the outskirts of Yerevan surrounded by high walls. Its design warns all who might consider approaching to keep their distance. Armenians I spoke with who have had the occasion to actually visit the embassy told me that the lengthy physical screening process for entry can be as intimidating as the building itself. While the formula we have used in Armenia may be understandable from a pure security perspective, I could not help but be troubled by the image of America that this facility creates among the impressionable population of this developing democracy. It can- not be helping to win hearts or minds for us. I also noted that other major embassies in Yerevan, such as those of China and the U.K., have managed to retain accessible locations that do not scare away the locals. As one who spent a good deal of my career serving behind the former “Iron Curtain” during some of the prime years of the Cold War, I can recall the time when our embassies were a beacon of hope to the peoples of those countries. When planning our future embassies, we must do a better job finding a balance that will produce facilities that reflect our country’s basic values while dealing with the inevitable security concerns. While I realize that Embassy Yerevan is unlikely to be abandoned, perhaps it can provide useful service as an example to be avoided. Donald Kursch FSO, retired Washington, D.C. Qualifying and the QEP The June article, “Who Is the ‘To- tal Candidate’? FSO Hiring Today,” discussed new elements of the For- eign Service generalist selection pro- cess. The article pleaded for the fair- ness of one new aspect — the Quali- fications Evaluation Panel — that is a new step between the written exam and the oral assessment. Based on personal experience, I have doubts that the QEP portion is as fair as it might be. I took and passed the written exam in March, but a few weeks later received a let- ter that said “a review of your file does not allow us to continue your candidacy.” I wrote a short note to HR/REE asking if there had been a mistake. You see, I’ve been a direct-hire Office Management Specialist for almost five years. I am serving at my third post, Toronto, after full tours in Kabul and Guangzhou. I have a 2/0 in Mandarin Chinese that I earned at FSI in June 2004. I also hold a mas- ter’s degree and served seven years as an active-duty officer in the U.S. Army. I mentioned all these facts in my e-mail to HR. In return I got an e-mail that was unsatisfying. Parts of the message were addressed to me (it mentioned my already being in the Foreign Service), but the rest was obviously cut-and-pasted with advice on how to pass the QEP next time. Such advice included getting involved with the local immigrant community and eat- ing at their restaurants, the impor- tance of writing a stellar personal nar- rative, and (most perplexing) seeking out the advice of a Diplomat-in- Residence. Thanks! I followed up my inquiry with an e- mail to DG-Direct, which elicited an even more unhelpful reply. The gist of it was, “We can’t offer you an expla- nation about why you weren’t chosen for the oral examination, but better luck next time.” If continuous overseas service since June 2004, a master’s degree, prior service in the U.S. military and my personal narrative are not enough to get a person’s foot in the door to the oral assessment, what is? On the other hand, if all of the applicants who passed the written exam are indeed more qualified than I, then the Foreign Service can look forward to a generation of diplomats who have spent several years overseas, have advanced degrees, speak one or more critical languages and can write an outstanding personal narrative when- L ETTERS