THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | DECEMBER 2024 11 urging that we examine the pros and cons of reopening a consulate. On May 9, I wrote Secretary Antony Blinken with the same request—just four days before the worst violence in decades erupted between extremist Kanaks and the settler population, and it is ongoing. We need our own eyes and ears on the ground, but in the absence of a substantive response to my missives, I do not know whether my urgings have made any headway. Christopher Ross Ambassador, retired Washington, D.C. Remembering the MDBs After a more than 40-year career at USAID and the World Bank, I welcomed the FSJ focus on foreign assistance in the October 2024 edition. I was struck, however, by the lack of reference to multilateral development banks (MDBs), the largest and most technically endowed institutions delivering long-term financial support, technical assistance, and training in emerging markets. My surprise is compounded by the fact that the U.S. is often one of the largest shareholders in many of these critical development organizations. Much of this disconnect stems from the fact that management of the U.S. relationship with the MDBs rests with the U.S. Treasury rather than USAID. Nevertheless, I’ve seen firsthand how the development agencies from other major donors successfully collaborate, cooperate, and strategically influence the MDBs, while USAID often appears disengaged or uninterested. USAID, and U.S. foreign assistance programs overall, would certainly benefit from a more strategic review of how they could more effectively cooperate and utilize these major financiers of development assistance. Joel Kolker FSO, retired Falls Church, Virginia The Best Recruiting Tool Having skimmed the article “Foreign Service Proud: 100 Words for 100 Years” when it appeared in the May 2024 centennial edition of the Journal, I just now had a chance to read it more carefully and wanted to write to you immediately. I think it is the best recruiting tool for the Foreign Service that I have seen in a long time! I wonder if you might publish it in pamphlet form and make it available to recruitment offices at State and the other Foreign Service agencies, including the Diplomat in Residence program. The stories are truly inspiring and, for me at least, would be even more effective than our classic Inside a U.S. Embassy among the American students interested in diplomatic careers whom I have taught over the years. Ken Moskowitz Senior FSO, retired Yokohama, Japan, and Arlington, Virginia n Share your thoughts about this month’s issue. Submit letters to the editor: journal@afsa.org
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