FSO Flap at the US State Department…
Regarding a post made November 6, 2007 on the U.S. State Departments official Blog, written by Foreign Service Officer John Matel. Mr. Matel is the team leader of the Provincial Reconstruction Team embedded in Al Asad, Al Anbar Province in Iraq. John Matel diplomatically (What else) chided (As he should have) fellow FSO’s at home. (In America) It seems fellow FSO’s were ruffled and dismayed by the idea of seemly forced duty in Iraqi provinces, as the need might arise. I’ve noted the post below for your enjoyment or distaste, pending your view.
John Matel reminded these volunteered FSO’s of their commitment to peace and building democratic infrastructures in foreign lands. Including the privileged life FSO’s live, as FSO’s, commenting how embarrassed they should be. This post written by John is on the heels of Secretary of State Rice’s own memorandum to all staff and personnel at the State Department after an emotional town hall meeting held at the Department last week. Secretary Rice noted all staff is subject to redeployment at anytime, and at the Departments discretion. No exceptions, as it should be.
One comment on the Blog from Charles in Tennessee cited the death tolls in Iraq per month Vs that of Washington D.C. and Charles is right. The death toll by homicide and extreme violent crime, is higher in Washington D.C. than Iraq and as Charles suggests, perhaps the U.S. should leave Washington D.C. not a bad idea. Not.
In my life, I have never witnessed more tattle tailers, whistle-blowers, whinny babies, arrogance and mutineers, than I have seen during the Presidency of G.W. Bush. While this speaks badly of the leadership of President Bush (After all he is where the buck stops.) I believe it speaks more of the sign of the times (Pardon the cliché) we live in than Bush alone. The Democratic lead Congress hasn’t done much to improve matters, and Congress’s approval ratings have slumped even lower than they were under the republicans (10) months ago. Go figure.
I don’t fault Secretary Rice, rather Congress and the White House for their poor example, job record, constant whining and arrogance with a whole lot of partisan stubbornness. All that and more, putting us as a Nation on the path to hell (So to speak) unless. We boot the whole lot out of Congress, with, the good old White House want-to-be’s out of the running in the 2008 elections. We can do better as voters, and we must. It’s not too late to regain our pride and integrity as Americans living in the greatest Nation on earth. I believe that, and will do all I can to keep it the greatest Nation. What about you? Of course this only My humble Opinion.
I’m Dr. Quack with the harsh cry of reason. 110707
A Letter From Iraq to My Overwrought Colleagues
Posted By: John Matel on Nov 06, 2007 – 11:20 AM
In his first posting, John writes an open letter to his Foreign Service Officer colleagues about the controversial issue of directed assignments in Iraq. The issue raises an interesting question, “Should diplomats and other non-military personnel be forced to work in an active war zone”?
John Matel is a career Foreign Service Officer (FSO) who is currently serving as the team leader of the Provincial Reconstruction Team embedded in Al Asad, Al Anbar Province.
I just finished reading a news article discussing some of my FSO colleagues’ vehement and emotional response to the idea that a few of us might have directed assignments in Iraq . To my vexed and overwrought colleagues, I say take a deep breath and calm down. I have been here for a while now, and you may have been misinformed about life at a PRT.
I personally dislike the whole idea of forced assignments, but we do have to do our jobs. We signed up to be worldwide available. All of us volunteered for this kind of work and we have enjoyed a pretty sweet lifestyle most of our careers.
I will not repeat what the Marines say when I bring up this subject. I tell them that most FSOs are not wimps and weenies. I will not share this article with them and I hope they do not see it. How could I explain this wailing and gnashing of teeth? I just tried to explain it to one of my PRT members, a reserve LtCol called up to serve in Iraq . She asked me if all FSOs would get the R&R, extra pay etc. and if it was our job to do things like this. When I answered in the affirmative, she just rolled her eyes.
Calling Iraq a death sentence is just way over the top. I volunteered to come here aware of the risks but confident that I will come safely home, as do the vast majority of soldiers and Marines, who have a lot riskier jobs than we FSOs do.
I wrote a post a couple days ago where I said that perhaps everyone’s talents are not best employed in Iraq . That is still true. But I find the sentiments expressed by some at the town hall meeting deeply offensive. What are they implying about me and my choice? And what do they say to our colleagues in the military, who left friends and family to come here and do their jobs? As diplomats, part of our work is to foster peace and understanding. We cannot always be assured that we will serve only in places where peace and understanding are already safely established.
If these guys at the town hall meeting do not want to come to Iraq , that is okay with. I would not want that sort out here with me anyway. We have enough trouble w/o having to baby sit. BUT they are not worldwide available and they might consider the type of job that does not require worldwide availability.
We all know that few FSOs will REALLY be forced to come to Iraq anyway. Our system really does not work like that. This sound and fury at Foggy Bottom truly signifies nothing. Get over it! I do not think many Americans feel sorry for us and it is embarrassing for people with our privileges to paint ourselves as victims.
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