State Department spokesman John Kirby said Friday that the 50 U.S. diplomats who signed a cable dissenting from the Obama administration’s policy in Syria will not get in trouble, and won’t be subject to retaliation in any form, including by denying them a promotion.
“I think it’s safe to say that Secretary [John] Kerry would absolutely find abhorrent any intent or desire by anyone in this department from holding against someone for purposes of promotion or advancement their right to use the dissent channel,” Kirby told reporters. “I mean, that’s absolutely abhorrent. It’s not only against the foreign affairs manual, it’s against all standards of ethics, conduct and integrity.”
More than 50 diplomats signed an internal State Department cable calling for a tougher stance in Syria, and warning that the Obama administration’s current policy isn’t working.
The cable, sent through the department’s “dissent channel,” warned that U.S. policy in Syria is being “overwhelmed” by the violence President Bashar Assad is visiting upon his own people. To fight back, it calls for the “use of stand-off and air weapons, which would undergird and drive a more focused and hard-nosed U.S.-led diplomatic process.”
Kirby was told that there is already some angst in the department now that the cable has been made public, especially in light of how past users of the dissent channel have been passed over for promotions. But Kirby said that would not happen this time.
“Not one bit,” he said when asked if Kerry would tolerate retaliation. “I can assure you that no one has risked anything by submitting a dissent message with respect to Syria or any other policy that the State Department pursues.”
Kirby had no comment about whether the cable would end up changing the Obama administration’s policy in Syria, but did indicate that no immediate changes would be made.
“Obviously, our focus remains on the three big muscle-movers in front of us,” he said as he outlined the current strategy. “Getting the political talks back on track, getting the cessation of hostilities to truly be accepted and enforced and adopted nation-wide, and getting more people … more of the aid that they need.”
Still, he said it would be “imprudent” for officials not to “explore other options.”
“We welcome alternative views,” he said. “We welcome input. We welcome dissenting opinion.”
Kirby did admit that the cable, with so many signatories on it, was “unusual,” and he had no comment when asked if it would undermine the administration’s current effort in Syria.
