The Foreign Service Journal, December 2019

10 DECEMBER 2019 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL Reporting, Then and Now Thanks for publishing an excerpt from my 1969 article, “Communication and Controversy: The Future of FS Reporting” (October Talking Points, 50 Years Ago). Some readers may find it difficult to imagine that everything was done on typewriters in those days. Revisiting that article today, I real- ize that political pressures now are a potential problem for those advocating nonconformist ideas. Nonetheless, it is still important to be advocates in some situations—making judgments and rec- ommendations rather than being passive observers. Foreign affairs professionals in Washington will always need thoughtful, stimulating reports from the field. In some cases, that may mean using back chan- nels. There also should be significant rewards for bold, innovative reporting officers whose ideas have an impact in Washington. My essay was stimu- lated by two factors that were new 50 years ago: a younger genera- tion of officers likely to insist on more open reporting and policy processes, and the impact of electronic media on tradi- tional Foreign Service reporting. I suggested the then-futuristic idea of all reporting officers having access to the keyboard of an on-line teletype that enabled them to send direct electronic communications to specific addressees in Washington who have printouts near their desks. There would be no clearances and no machine work for the embassy’s com- munications unit. The officer would not be inhibited by the law of anticipated negative reactions. LETTERS If only I had thought of calling it “the internet”! Michael A.G. Michaud FSO, retired Founding editor, Open Forum journal Lawrence, Kansas Explaining Resignation I am sympathetic to Andrew Kelly’s view (October Speaking Out, “There Is No ‘Complacent State’”) that one shou ld not generalize about the decisions of FSOs to stay or remain in the face of for- eign policies with which they disagree. However, I believe the public is well served when FSOs explain their rea- sons for resigning or offer respectful and informed critiques of current foreign policies. I do not regard such contributions as inconsistent with the “emeritus status” of former FSOs. And by the way, we are not “required by Con- gress to spend the bulk of our career overseas.” In my case, for example, I spent 10 years (and four post- ings) abroad out of a 25-year career. Greg Thielmann FSO, retired Arlington, Virginia Let Actions Speak for Themselves I wish to commend Andrew Kelly for his Speaking Out piece (“There Is No ‘Complacent State’”) in the October i ssue of The Foreign Service Journal . Mr. Kelly placed FSO Charles Park’s resignation in proper perspective, one with which I completely agree. I have always admired those who act on principle and let their actions speak for themselves. I find less admirable those who claim to act on principle and trumpet their acts by attempting to demonstrate their moral superiority and criticizing those who don’t follow suit. Mr. Park appears to be of the lat- ter persuasion, as demonstrated by his swipe at those who remain at their jobs as representing the “complacent state” and his immediate, post-resignation op-ed in The Washington Post and appearance on CNN. Some have called Mr. Park “coura- geous” and praised his “integrity” in deciding to resign from the Foreign Service. He is no more courageous and has displayed no more integrity than those who have chosen to remain in the Foreign Service to perform the myriad tasks—from political/economic report- ing to assisting American citizens—that must be accomplished if the United States is to remain a force in the world, regardless of the administration in office. Fortunately, there are many FSOs who take their oath of office seriously and remain at their desks. William H. Barkell FSO, retired Arlington, Virginia Thank You, Foreign Service Professionals I want to express my gratitude to the professionals in the Foreign Service who have upheld the high principles of American diplomacy at a time of extreme duress in domestic politics. The facts are damning: There have been unprecedented efforts, instigated by President Donald Trump, his politi- cal diplomatic appointees and Rudy Giuliani, potentially aided by Attorney General William Barr, to circumvent professional diplomatic channels so the WHAT DOES NORTH KOREA WANT? PUBLISHED BY THE AMERICAN FOREIGN SERVICE ASSOCIATION OCTOBER 2019 BACK TO BRAZZAVILLE FS AUTHORS: IN THEIR OWNWRITE