The Foreign Service Journal, December 2011

L E T T E R S 8 F O R E I G N S E R V I C E J O U R N A L / D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 1 supposed to notice such differences of emphasis, though the clues are not re- ally very evident. The more explicitly FSOs (and hopefully the military) are made aware of these differences, the better. George B. Lambrakis FSO, retired London Unwarranted Criticism of the TIP Report The column in your September issue by Editorial Intern Asa Maclay Horner criticizing the 2011 Trafficking in Persons Report pays woefully short shrift to the report, the methodology used to compile it, and the overall pub- lic reception of this year’s installment. Quoting one critical academic, Mr. Horner alleges that TIP Report rank- ings “align more closely with U.S. for- eign policy considerations than actual trafficking problems,” but then cites a senator who feels the report is “com- promising diplomatic relationships.” Neither of these contradictory criti- cisms is accurate. The report is a thor- ough and honest assessment of what governments are doing to fight traffick- ing, one that our counterparts around the world have cited as an impetus to strengthen anti-trafficking efforts. The TIP Report reflects a yearlong collaboration within the State Depart- ment, with civil society worldwide and with foreign governments. TIP report- ing officers and trafficking office staff craft a product that sometimes occa- sions criticism because it contains hard truths. It is unfortunate that Mr. Horner’s piece did not reflect that. Luis CdeBaca Ambassador-at-Large to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons Washington, D.C.