A letter in response to my earlier post:
Like many members of the Foreign Service, I’ve been embarrassed by the statements of a few of my colleagues regarding service in Iraq. I’d also agree that the latest poll continues to put our diplomats in a bad light. Nevertheless, I’d point out that the actual numbers aren’t all that conclusive. According to the article, only 37 percent of diplomats answered this survey. Of those, about 64 percent were opposed to a mandatory Iraq tour. And of that subtotal, 61 percent–or 1694 respondents–listed security concerns as a reason. That figure is comparable to the 1500 diplomats that have already served in Iraq and just under 15 percent of all Foreign Service employees. Of course there shouldn’t be anyone in that category, but I would like to conclude from these numbers that at least 85 percent of those in the Foreign Service are not “cowards” and willing to serve (and have served) their country in some pretty tough places. Regards, Richard Miles Foreign Service Officer National Security Council (enroute to a Provincial Reconstruction Team in Iraq later this year)
