Make Your Move - M A - Introducing the Mid-Level Civil Service Rotation Program - State Magazine
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
M A G A Z I N E
Make
Your
Move
Introducing the Mid-Level
Civil Service Rotation Program
JUNE 2007
CONTENTSS TAT E M A G A Z I N E + J U N E 2 0 0 7 + N U M B E R 5 1 3
07 Virtual Connections
Technology creates a unique public diplomacy tool.
*
14 Department Inner-View
Director General George Staples goes on the record
with State Magazine.
*
40 Walk on the Wild Side
Rescued cheetah becomes environmental ambassador.
*
ON THE COVER
Pilot program encourages Civil
Service employees to explore
other professional fields.
Photograph by Corbis
POST OF THE MONTH:
Ulaanbaatar
Modern Nomads and Vast Horizons
Mark U.S. ‘Neighbor.’
18
10 First Response
Unconventional missions support transforma- 32 Special Report:
tional diplomacy in Darfur. Rotating CS Assignments
Pilot program gives a taste of career diversity.
26 By Any Other Name 34 Outside the Comfort Zone
Residence’s new name honors the ‘flowery flag.’
35 Connecting the Dots
28 Of Human Dignity
Secretary Rice confers the first International 36 Office of the Month: A/EX
Women of Courage awards. Shared services lead to better diplomacy.
COLUMNS
2 FROM THE UNDER SECRETARY 44 SAFETY SCENE
3 READERS’ FEEDBACK 46 OBITUARIES
4 IN THE NEWS 46 RETIREMENTS
43 STATE OF THE ARTS 48 THE LAST WORD
UNDER SECRETARY HENRIETTA FORE
IRM Begins Deployment of SMART with
Instant Messaging
In November 1866, Secretary of State • Several people can join in a single con- piece will be SMART messaging, designed
William Seward sent an encrypted versation; you can efficiently clear a to integrate cables, e-mails and memos on a
message through Atlantic Cable to U.S. cable or memo. common user-friendly platform.
minister to France, John Bigelow. The • You can decide with whom you will While IM is making its way around the
cost: $19,540.50. communicate; you can avoid being globe (deployed to 38,000 desktops and
On March 21, 2007, Under Secretary soon to be everywhere), the SMART team
Henrietta H. Fore conducted an instant has been hard at work on the next elements
message exchange with the ambassadors of SMART. Gartner Consulting recognized
to Athens and Belgrade. The cost: the internal progress by giving high marks
a few cents. to the team’s completion of its Critical
Resistance to the introduction of the Design Review, the blueprint that will be
telegram was fierce in the 19th century, used to build the messaging portion. And
ambassadors saw as a loss of autonomy. the Office of Management and Budget also
When e-mail was introduced to the expressed support for Information Resource
Department 120 years later, passive resist- Management’s management of SMART.
ance initially relegated its use to a small The next application to be offered will be
coterie of adventurous and restless a collaboration tool called SharePoint,
employees. But after a few years, e-mail scheduled to be piloted from June to August.
surpassed cables as the preferred mode of In September, SMART messaging will be
communication. Its volume in the State piloted in Belgrade, Stockholm and Muscat.
Department now exceeds cables by a ratio At the same time, SMART will be piloting
of more than sixty to one. additional collaboration applications as well
Three months ago, the Department as a search and interest profiling service. By
introduced instant messaging as the first January 2008, nine more overseas posts will
application of SMART—State Messaging be added for the second pilot iteration of
and Archive Retrieval Toolset. I am SMART messaging. Worldwide deployment
pleased that it has been greeted with such pestered by a flood of incoming is scheduled to begin in September 2008.
enthusiasm as well as a healthy skepti- messages. I have urged the SMART office to
cism. It is not a substitute for cables, • It is a real-time medium; you can be advance the piloting of SMART messaging,
e-mails or phone calls—but is an addi- assured that you will not find a queue but integrating cables, e-mail and memos on
tional tool to ensure rapid worldwide of unread messages when you sign on a common platform tied to a search capabil-
communication. in the morning because they arrive ity, with connectivity between ClassNet and
What will instant messaging give our only when you are signed on. OpenNet, is not easy. I am assured, however,
workplace? My staff thought that my first IM experi- that it can and will be done—and deployed
• IM allows real-time communication; ence—with Ambassadors Charles Ries and worldwide after we have thoroughly tested it
unlike e-mail or cables, you can have Michael Polt—might require a rehearsal or for usability, security and stability. These
a quick question answered immedi- hands-on training. I took the plunge with tools will transform how we do our work.
ately by a colleague. neither, while my staff held their breath in Transformational diplomacy requires
• IM is secure on ClassNet; you can front of the 20 members of the SMART state-of-the-art messaging systems that are
have a classified conversation steering committee. It worked exactly as simple, secure and user-friendly. When fully
between continents without a secure promised. So, if it takes you more than a few deployed by 2009, SMART will set a new
telephone. minutes to adopt IM, call home for help. standard for the digital support of America’s
• It is quiet; you can have a privileged I am delighted that we have introduced diplomacy. It remains the Department’s
conversation with someone in the this technology to the Department—and highest IT priority.
next office without being overheard look forward to other collaboration tools Stay tuned, as overseas piloting of SMART
by colleagues. being introduced by SMART. The center- messaging begins in a few months. ■
2 | S TAT E M A G A Z I N E | JUNE 2007
READERS’ FEEDBACK
Belize’s Boston Whaler
I enjoyed reading about the wooden Belize consulate
general/embassy building (March issue). In 1972, our
concern there was not hurricanes, but the real danger of
fire. Several rope ladders were installed to allow escape.
They might even still be there.
Also, we bought ConGen Belize a Boston whaler for possi-
ble evacuation needs. As with the motor launch “Hiawatha”
in Istanbul, which you also featured in March, it was carried
as part of the motor pool.
Either there was a regulation at the time against boat
ownership by the State Department or we thought Congress
might object—or both. Post was told not to requisition pro-
pellers, and the staff was encouraged to take the boat out to
the cays on week-ends “to make sure everything worked.”
Stuart Lippe
Retired FSO
Haiku Contests Good Work
Reading the cartoon on the inside back During my 27 years of active duty in the
cover of the April issue—The Poetic Diplo- Foreign Service, I always enjoyed the fine
macy Initiative—inspired me to share with writing, reporting and organizational out-
you something with which any site officer reach State Magazine provided to all Let Us Hear from You
for a VIP visit can relate. employees, no matter
On a previous assignment their status, rank or post
in Tokyo, I often served as of assignment. There was Mailing Address
control officer for VIP visits. always something for State Magazine
To keep spirits bright among everyone. 2401 E Street, NW
all involved, I would hold These excellent quali- HR/ER/SMG, SA-1, Room H-236
haiku contests through which ties continue. Moreover, Washington, DC 20522-0108
site officers and others could the magazine has even
vent frustrations and share improved, showcasing
funny anecdotes related to stronger reporting, more E-mail
the visit. I would collect them stylistic formats statemagazine@state.gov
as we went along, and we and richer articles about
would hold a live reading at the people and organiza-
the wheels-up party. One tions making up the State Phone
memorable haiku from such a contest: Department and the many challenges (202) 663-1700
The map says turn left American diplomacy faces in the future.
But the driver just turned right Superb job!
Letters should not exceed 250
Again we'll be late Living in rural Thailand, with perhaps
words and should include the
I would not be surprised if other posts only one other American in the general
writer’s name, address and daytime
are in cultures that have some form of area and possibly two or three English-
phone number. All letters become
expression suitable for this sort of diver- speaking individuals residing within a
sion. Keep your eyes out. 20-mile radius, I expect that State Magazine the property of State Magazine.
will become one of my closest friends. Letters will be edited for length,
Aaron Held accuracy and clarity. Only signed
American Consulate General Tim Lawson letters will be considered.
Monterrey, Mexico Senior Foreign Service (Retired)
JUNE 2007 | S TAT E M A G A Z I N E | 3
(NEWS)
FSOs Donate Equipment to
Haitian Volleyball Team
As a community service project in
Port-au-Prince, 15 Foreign Service offi-
cers in the Consular Section of the U.S.
Embassy donated equipment valued at
more than $300 to a local girls’ volley-
ball team.
Sports are a preferred pastime for the
disadvantaged children of Haiti, yet
there are few public teams with suffi-
cient funding and equipment. The
team’s assistant trainer, who works as a
security guard at the Consular Section,
alerted Consul General Jay Smith to the
need for equipment, and the American
officers responded.
“The spirit of competition the girls
enjoy during the matches will serve
them well for the rest of their lives,”
said Consul General Smith during the
presentation of the equipment on Feb-
ruary 7. “Learning to apply yourself
fully and work cooperatively in a sports
setting will also help you excel in all
The volleyball team
aspects of life, whether as a student or and its trainers pose
as an involved citizen,” he told the girls. with Embassy officials.
The team was given a tour of the
Consular Section and introduced to Dominique Gerdes, a senior neighborhood off-limits to American officers unless they are trav-
local staff member in the Immigrant Visa Unit who once played on eling in lightly armored vehicles or have special permission to
the Haitian national volleyball team. cross the area in caravans.
The volleyball players all reside in Carrefour, an area of the To permit officers to watch the girls play, the team’s trainers
capital marked by high crime and extreme poverty. It is so danger- have scheduled a match at a school in an area not off limits to
ous that the regional security officer has declared the U.S. personnel.
4 | S TAT E M A G A Z I N E | JUNE 2007
BULGARIA NAMES LAB
FOR U.S. DIPLOMAT
A new diagnostic laboratory on the Black Sea coast has been
named for Brian Goggin, former agricultural attaché in Bulgaria.
The Foreign Agricultural Service/Sofia was honored by the Bul-
garian Ministry of Agriculture for its important contributions to
the prevention and control of avian influenza in Bulgaria. FAS/Sofia
provided significant resources to create the new facility and train
laboratory staff. This year, FAS
is training 11 local experts in
the United States.
At the opening ceremony,
current Agricultural Attaché
Susan Reid extolled Goggin’s
work. A marble plaque with his
name in gold letters is mounted
at the entrance to the lab.
The U.S. Agency for Interna-
tional Development has also
provided support for the labo- Under Secretary for Management Henrietta Fore demonstrates the new
ratory and Bulgaria’s effort to Instant Messaging technology in front of 20 members of the State
prevent avian flu. Messaging and Archive Retrieval Toolset steering committee. The new
technology allows real-time, secure communication within the same office
or with colleagues on another continent.
FAS specialist Brian Goggin
Embassy Auction Helps Mexican Children
What can you do with a velvet portrait of tion for ill children and their families in 20 To respond to this need, embassy junior
Elvis and a foosball table? states throughout Mexico. officers and specialists organized the “Give
Junior officers at the U.S. Embassy in In 2005, while donating hundreds of Your Heart to a Child with Cancer” cam-
Mexico City recently used these items and Christmas toys to various children’s chari- paign, which culminated an auction that
more to raise money for the Asociación ties in the Mexico City area, the embassy raised more than $15,000 from embassy
Mexicana de Ayuda a Niños con Cáncer— staff became aware of AMANC’s work and employees and their families.
AMANC, the Mexican Association for learned that the association was in great Items to be auctioned were solicited from
Assistance to Children with Cancer. need of an industrial-sized washer and the embassy community and American cor-
AMANC provides care, lodging and educa- dryer for its center for sick children. porations in Mexico. Donations ranged
from handmade quilts to dog-training
lessons to a dinner with the ambassador,
and the bidding was fierce. U.S. companies
Church and Dwight, Coca-Cola, Continen-
tal Airlines, Marriott and Maytag also
donated to the cause.
The campaign resulted not only in a new
washer and dryer for AMANC, but also a
year’s supply of laundry detergent and an
additional $10,000 for medication and
other items the charity might need. On
Valentine’s Day, Ambassador Garza, junior
officers and public affairs officials from the
embassy delivered the donation, along with
clothes and toys for the children, to Señora
Guadalupe Alejandre, founder and presi-
dent of AMANC.
Embassy staff and families participate in the “silent
auction” held at the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City.
JUNE 2007 | S TAT E M A G A Z I N E | 5
M A G A Z I N E S TA F F
Rob Wiley
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Bill Palmer
WRITER/EDITOR
Jennifer Leland
WRITER/EDITOR
David L. Johnston
Mission staff wore Tech colors orange ART DIRECTOR
and maroon to show their support.
ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS
Mission to NATO Honors Hokie Hope Day Maurice S. Parker
EXECUTIVE SECRETARY
The U.S. Mission to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization participated in Hokie Hope
Kelly Clements
Day on April 20 to honor the lives lost during the April 16 shooting on the Virginia Tech
University campus in Blacksburg, Va. Tech alumnus Lt. Colonel Patience Larkin, a member Annette R. Cocchiaro
of the mission’s Office of the Defense Advisor, organized the event. Margot A. Sullivan
“It is difficult being so far away from the U.S. when tragic events occur at home,” said
Lt. Col. Larkin. “I wanted to show our support to the Virginia Tech community and was
very proud and grateful to the mission for participating and wearing the Hokie colors.” State Magazine (ISSN 1099–4165) is pub-
lished monthly, except bimonthly in July
and August, by the U.S. Department of
Fair Teaches Thais about Consular Work State, 2201 C St., N.W., Washington, DC.
Periodicals postage paid at Washington,
In celebration of Consular Leadership agencies and the private sector, colleagues D.C., and at additional mailing locations.
Day, Jan. 26, staff from the U.S. Embassy in from the public affairs section, the Foreign
Bangkok and the consulate general in Commercial Service and Citizenship and CHANGE OF ADDRESS
Chiang Mai organized an open house and Immigration Services were invited to join
Send changes of address to State Maga-
fair in Bangkok to give contacts and col- in the festivities, along with corporate part- zine, 2401 E Street, N.W., SA-1, Room
leagues a behind-the-scenes look at their ners such as Citibank, CSC and Teletech H-236, Washington, DC 20522-0108. You
consular sections. may also e-mail address changes to
Employing the Thai concept statemagazine@state.gov.
of “edutainment” to make
learning fun, teams of local SUBSCRIPTIONS
staff and officers from Bangkok
State Magazine is available by subscription
PHOTOGRAPH: (OPPOSITE PAGE): BUREAU OF EDUCATIONAL AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS
and Chiang Mai’s consular through the U.S. Government Printing
units manned booths with Office by telephone at (202) 512-1800 or
names such as “The Wacky on the web at http://bookstore.gpo.gov.
World of Biometrics,” “ACS:
Cradle to Grave” and “Famous SUBMISSIONS
Immigrants in the U.S.”
For details on submitting articles to
Interactive tools and games State Magazine, request our guidelines,
were used to teach guests “Getting Your Story Told,” by e-mail at
about consular work. The statemagazine@state.gov; download
fraud unit had by far the most them from our Web site at www.state.gov;
Embassy employees employed the Thai concept of “edutain- or send your request in writing to
popular booth, where players ment” to make learning about the embassy’s consular sections
competed to “spot the State Magazine, 2401 E Street, N.W.,
a fun outing.
HR/ER/SMG, SA-1, Room H-236,
imposter.” Patriotic decora-
Washington, DC 20522-0108.
tions, balloons, prizes, costumes, music and and Thailand Post. And because a fair is
refreshments all added to a fun, laid-back not complete without souvenirs, the Ameri- The submission deadline for the Septem-
environment for the 600 attendees. can Community Service Association sold ber 2007 issue is July 15. The deadline
Since consular sections in Thailand rely pens, mugs, key chains and other items for the October issue is August 15.
heavily on support from other government emblazoned with the embassy logo.
6 | S TAT E M A G A Z I N E | JUNE 2007
These teachers were part of a group from
Bangladesh, Tajikistan and the Palestinian
territories who were visiting the United
States on an exchange through the
Global Connections program.
Virtual Connections
TECHNOLOGY CREATES A UNIQUE PUBLIC DIPLOMACY TOOL BY ANNA MUSSMAN
The Bureau of Educational and Cultural methodology in their classrooms. In Tajik- enthusiastically remain at the centers for
Affairs has unleashed the power of technol- istan, Ibrahim Rustamov helped create for long hours with the hope that they will be
ogy through the Global Connections and Tajik students an online English Club that able to use newly found skills in their
Exchange program to create a unique and includes lesson plans, resources and educa- future careers.
unprecedented public diplomacy tool. tional games. In Bangladesh, four GCE
Through virtual linkages with teens and schools are participating in NASA’S “Global Across Borders
educators in the United States, this tool Learning and Observations to Benefit the Students visiting Internet Learning
enhances America’s presence in more than Environment” program in which they col- Centers expand their immediate environ-
1,000 schools worldwide. Using state-of-the laborate with scientists and students around ment as geography melts away and notions
art technology, GCE not only conveys the world to analyze and compare data of borders become secondary.
America’s values and traditions to the most about forestry, conservation, weather pre- In Central Asia, programs such as the
remote areas of the world, but also empow- diction, disaster mitigation, global warming award-winning “Tech Age Girls” give young
ers American and foreign youth by giving and ecotourism. girls self-confidence as they learn advanced
them a voice in their communities and Teachers throughout the GCE network Web design techniques such as CSS, PHP
channeling their energy to help their home have reported that the program has signifi- and Javascript, then begin internships at
communities. cantly affected retention rates, encouraged high-tech companies. One Tech Age Girl
GCE trained 1,500 teachers to use inter- young girls and increased motivation for said the program helped her become a
active approaches and project-based youth at risk. Many students willingly and more serious person.
JUNE 2007 | S TAT E M A G A Z I N E | 7
Top: Bangladeshi students and
“I now realize that I shouldn’t play with children at earthquake Democracy” project, an eighth
teachers rally in Chittagong in question my ability to do some- relief camps in Jaba, Basiaan and grade class at the Maryland
favor of universal education. thing, but should simply do it Kushtra, while girls at Chowara School for the Deaf filmed
Bottom: Young Bangladeshi
women from Joydebpur Govt.
with confidence,” she said. High School in Bangladesh monuments in the Washington,
Girls High School gathered at Teachers and students no applied online and then received D.C., area and explained their
Rani Bilashmoni Govt. Boys High longer need to travel to the a grant to print leaflets about significance through sign lan-
School in Gazipur to celebrate
International Women’s Day 2007. United States to collaborate the adverse impacts of early guage and subscripts. After
with Americans on virtual proj- marriages. their Armenian partner school
ects that bring their worlds Empowered by technology, watched the video, student
closer. In Afghanistan, students Global Connections youth discussions jumped from the
created a blog project focused produce innovative digital meaning of democracy to a
on human rights, while on the stories, Web logs and multime- comparison of U.S. and
PHOTOGRAPHS: (ABOVE): RELIEF INTERNATIONAL, BANGLADESH; (OPPOSITE PAGE LEFT):
West Bank, Dina, a student at dia presentations to gain a Armenian policies regarding
the Al Naja Secondary School in dynamic voice in their commu- the rights of people with
Ramallah, posted an essay about nities as they convey their disabilities.
iEARN EGYPT; (RIGHT): BUREAU OF EDUCATIONAL AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS
the challenges of universal edu- aspirations for a better future In the “Two Rivers One
cation. She noted that “students and expose others to the bene- World Project,” New York City
can start acting internationally fits of an open, civil society. and Egyptian students tested
by establishing networks and water content of the Hudson
lobbies to influence government Virtual Linkages and Nile rivers, visited water
policies.” Linkages with U.S. schools treatment plants and discussed
Global Connections projects involve interactive discussions, water supply and pollution
steer overseas students to discuss debates, research and informa- with scientists and teachers. Six
environmental issues with tion sharing. Students explore American students then trav-
Americans, children’s rights with themes that range from interna- eled to Cairo to join their
students in another village and tional arts and music to ethnic Egyptian peers to present their
civil obligations with adults and foods, fashion, world religions, findings to Egyptian and Amer-
children in yet another country. youth service and more. ican scientists.
In Pakistan, teachers and stu- Using video technology to Teenagers also talk about
dents traveled long distances to produce their “Symbols of matters that are important to
8 | S TAT E M A G A Z I N E | JUNE 2007them personally. Discussing to different cultures and have GCE merges virtual and physi- Above left: Egyptian students
conflicts in their daily lives with expressed an increased interest cal exchanges to offer foreign participate in the Art Miles
Tajikistani students, an Ameri- in foreign travel and languages. partners the 21st century skills Project as part of the Global
Connections program adminis-
can student wrote, “I would needed to improve their soci- tered by the International
have to agree that some conflict Transformational Diplomacy eties. Similarly, it extends Education and Resource
is good in our lives. I agree that Born with computers at their opportunities for Americans to Network. Right: Through technol-
ogy and the Global Connections
it isn’t good to fight with your fingertips, America’s teenagers learn about other cultures, reli- and Exchange program, these
family and friends, but you increasingly rely on e-mail, Web gions and ways of life. As the young Tajikistani women can
can’t learn about someone if chats, instant messages and only program of its kind, hold open and frank discussions
about their daily lives with
you don’t argue sometimes.” social networking sites for their GCE has evolved into an effec- American counterparts.
A recent project merged communication. Comfortable tive public diplomacy program
virtual discussions with Digital in a virtual environment, they that reaches thousands of
Video Conference technology enthusiastically discuss their hearts and minds virtually to
that allowed students at Wilson lives and values with foreign give mutual understanding a
High School in Washington to peers. It is no longer surprising new meaning and infinite
collaborate with students in to hear students living in rural dimension.
Azerbaijan on a Model United villages discussing U.S. presi- Additional information
Nations project that focused on dential candidates, freedom of about GCE can be found at:
HIV/AIDS in Botswana. speech and volunteerism. http://exchanges.state.gov/
Communicating in English The program not only helps education/citizens/students/
with Americans has helped narrow the digital divide, but worldwide/ connections.htm.
thousands of international stu- also places overseas youth on You can also contact the
dents and teachers improve equal footing with their Ameri- program officer directly via
their English language skills. can partners. The two groups e-mail at MussmanAP@
Many have attributed their par- come together as collaborators, state.gov for details. ■
ticipation in the program to discussing similar concerns and
their qualifying for exchange working together on the same The author is a program special-
programs to the U.S. and other project. ist in ECA’s Youth Programs
countries. American teachers In harmony with transfor- Division, Office of Citizen
and students have been exposed mational diplomacy principles, Exchanges.
JUNE 2007 | S TAT E M A G A Z I N E | 9Soldiers from Minni Minawi’s Sudan
Liberation Army faction board one of their
“technicals” in Umm Baru, North Darfur.
first response
“I would define the objective of
There are few better places in the world to
see the potential for transformational diplo-
macy than in El Fasher, a dusty frontier
Response Corps, composed of first respon-
ders who support stabilization and
reconstruction efforts in conflict-affected
transformational diplomacy this
garrison town with only a few paved roads regions. Corps members are Foreign Service
PHOTOGRAPHS: (ABOVE): EYTHAN SONTAG; (OPPOSITE PAGE TOP):
way: To work with our many part- and scant amenities that serves as the capital and Civil Service personnel who specialize in
ners around the world to build and of Sudan’s North Darfur state. For the past unconventional field missions, often in
year, a team of diplomats from the U.S. remote and hostile regions, to support
sustain democratic, well-governed Embassy in Khartoum and the Department’s embassy and Department initiatives.
CHARLIE WINTERMEYER; (BOTTOM): KEITH MINES
states that will respond to the needs Office of the Coordinator for Reconstruc- The need for a diplomatic presence in
tion and Stabilization has been working North Darfur arose in the aftermath of the
of their people—and conduct along with US Agency for International Darfur Peace Agreement signed in Abuja,
themselves responsibly in the Development field staff to stabilize the polit- Nigeria, on May 5, 2006. The agreement
ical, security and humanitarian crisis and its sought to end Darfur’s political and eco-
international system.” impact on the people of Darfur. nomic marginalization by the authorities in
—Secretary Rice, January 18, 2006 CRS is represented by members of its Khartoum and was initially signed by the
Active Response Corps and Standby government of Sudan and one of three rebel
Transformational Diplomacy in Darfur | By Eythan Sontag and Keith Mines
10 | S TAT E M A G A Z I N E | JUNE 2007Left: School tents at the Oure Cassoni
refugee camp in eastern Chad wear out in
three to four months because of the con-
stant sand and wind. Below: Author Eythan
Sontag, front left, sits with African Union
peacekeepers and Justice and Equality
Movement rebels in Jebel Moon to discuss
the peace process.
factions. Persuading the outlying rebel rebel factions that signed the peace agree- FLUID SITUATIONS
groups, which have proliferated since the ment or the Declaration of Commitment, ARC members adapted to the fluid cir-
agreement was signed, to join the peace an agreement to commit to the Darfur cumstances as the mission and security
process remains a key diplomatic priority. Peace Agreement, to help those groups conditions in Darfur evolved. To help facili-
U.S. efforts have also focused on improving transition from military organizations to tate the peace process and ensure the
political conditions to help alleviate the political entities. protection of millions of displaced Darfuri-
humanitarian crisis in Darfur and facilitate In addition to establishing the Peace Sec- ans, ARC officers served as U.S. observers to
the return of more than 2 million internally retariats, the ARC was tasked with creating a the African Union Mission in Sudan Cease-
displaced persons. forward platform in Darfur where U.S. gov- fire Commission, which monitors, reviews
To help achieve these objectives, the ernment officials could live and work. CRS and reports on violations of the peace agree-
Department’s Bureau of African Affairs and worked with the Bureau of African Affairs ment. In this capacity, they conduct outreach
USAID’s Office of Transition Initiatives and the U.S. Embassy in Khartoum to estab- to rebel signatory and nonsignatory factions
provided funds for Peace Secretariats—also lish two residences/work facilities on the alike, looking for common ground that will
called DPA Implementation Offices—in outskirts of El Fasher. The houses were reinforce the cessation of hostilities.
Khartoum and El Fasher. A small ARC refurbished, fortified to meet security stan- ARC officers have participated in hands-
team developed these secretariats into dards, furnished and equipped with very on missions to such places as the
centers for dispensing information about small amerture terminal (VSAT) technology mountainous Jebel Marra and Jebel Moon
the peace agreement and for coordinating, to provide Internet connectivity. The areas to engage rebel movements, gain first-
hosting and encouraging activities related outpost is supported by a seven-person field hand information about armed
to the peace process. The Peace Secretariats staff of local drivers, custodians and inter- confrontations and, where appropriate,
also provide office space, logistical support preters who were recruited and hired by participate in African Union or UN media-
and communications assistance to those ARC and embassy officers. tion efforts.
JUNE 2007 | S TAT E M A G A Z I N E | 11Children from one of the local internally displaced
persons camps collecting firewood and fodder pass
in front of an African Union Mission in Sudan camp.
In addition to cultivating a wide network PUBLIC OUTREACH rebels located in Chad to reinforce U.S.
of contacts within the UN, humanitarian The Department’s El Fasher presence policy points and escorted delegations
communities, AMIS, civil society and local has also provided enhanced outreach from Congress, USAID and the Depart-
government, ARC and embassy officers con- opportunities for the U.S. Embassy in ment’s Bureau of Population, Refugees
tinue to assess the progress of UN support Khartoum. The embassy public affairs and Migration.
to AMIS. The ARC presence in Darfur has officer recently made the first public CRS and the ARC, in collaboration with
provided ground-level visibility and report- diplomacy trip to El Fasher in many the U.S. Embassy in Khartoum, the Bureau
ing of policy implementation, including years, visiting the University of El Fasher, of African Affairs, USAID and other part-
progress on the peace agreement, for deci- the local radio station and the town’s ners, continue their work in Darfur as an
PHOTOGRAPHS: (ABOVE): EYTHAN SONTAG; (OPPOSITE PAGE
sionmakers in Khartoum, Washington, New only museum. example of innovative and flexible trans-
York and other diplomatic centers. For six months, the ARC and SRC also formational diplomacy in action, where
As one of the U.S. government’s highest deployed officers to Chad, serving primari- bringing the right assets and people
foreign policy priorities and the subject of ly in the eastern part of the country together at the right time may help make a
TOP): CHARLIE WINTERMEYER; (BOTTOM): CRS
intense public and media focus, the situa- bordering Sudan. These officers met regu- difference in this troubled region.
tion in Darfur has attracted numerous larly with the UN High Commission for
high-level delegations, ranging from presi- Refugees and nongovernmental organiza- Eythan Sontag is a Foreign Affairs officer on
dential special envoys to movie stars to tion officials supporting Darfurian detail to the Office of the Coordinator for
congressional delegations. ARC officers have refugees and internally displaced persons, Reconstruction and Stabilization and a
played a key role in coordinating and receiv- both at the hub of operations in Abeche member of the Active Response Corps. Keith
ing these visitors to the field, providing and at the many refugee camps and dis- Mines is a political officer at the U.S.
briefings, arranging meetings and organiz- placed person sites in eastern Chad. ARC Embassy in Ottawa and a member of the
ing security measures. and SRC personnel also engaged Sudanese Standby Response Corps.
12 | S TAT E M A G A Z I N E | JUNE 2007Left: Camps in eastern Chad fill quickly with
young Darfur refugees. Below: Active
Response Corps officer Eythan Sontag, sec-
ond from left, and Standby Response
Corps officer Keith Mines, far right, meet
with the head of the Legislative Council in
El Fasher, North Darfur.
ON SHORT NOTICE By Ambassador John E. Herbst
In my 10 months as coordinator for We must also draw on the expertise of interagency conflict assessment tool that
reconstruction and stabilization, S/CRS the American public, which is why the are now in use for U.S. planning efforts for
has experienced inevitable challenges, President called for the creation of a Civil- Kosovo. In Haiti, a team from multiple U.S.
but also tremendous progress. The office ian Reserve Corps in his most recent State agencies in Washington and the field
was created to organize the U.S. govern- of the Union address. Secretary Rice is designed an innovative initiative to
ment’s reconstruction and stabilization leading this effort, and tasked my office enhance security and economic opportuni-
efforts for countries that have fallen into with standing the CRC up. The CRC will ties in one of Port-au-Prince’s most
chaos, and build the civilian planning and expand the pool of civilian experts such troubled neighborhoods.
response tools to staff these operations. as law enforcement specialists, public Weak and failing states pose critical
An important part of what we are administrators and engineers who can national security challenges. By better
trying to do is create a civilian surge support critical areas of reconstruction organizing how we respond and ensuring
capability. To that end, the members of and stabilization work. we have the necessary civilian resources
our Active and Standby Response Corps To get our civilians on the ground, our to do so, we give ourselves the best
are truly on the cutting edge of transfor- government must support them with chance for success in future crises. We
mational diplomacy. They can be proper planning, coordinated operations owe it to our country and to those
deployed on short notice to unconven- and training. We have agreed on an inter- around the world struggling to emerge
tional, challenging environments. And agency management system that will be from conflict. ■
they have begun to do so in Sudan’s used to address future reconstruction and
Darfur region, eastern Chad, Lebanon, stabilization crises. As part of this, we have The author is the coordinator for recon-
Haiti, Kosovo, Iraq and Nepal. developed a planning process and an struction and stabilization.
JUNE 2007 | S TAT E M A G A Z I N E | 13Department “Inner View”
Q&A WITH DIRECTOR GENERAL GEORGE M. STAPLES BY ROB WILEY
To Director General George Staples, the many crucial and sometimes difficult deci- his way through the FS ranks with posts in
key word in Foreign Service is the first sions, but his guide throughout has been an Bahrain, Zimbabwe, The Bahamas and
one—Foreign. When he joined the Depart- unwavering focus on supporting Secretary Uruguay. He spent his Washington tours in
PHOTOGRAPHS: (ABOVE): DAVID L. JOHNSTON; (OPPOSITE PAGE): ROB NOLAN
ment in 1981, he understood the Rice’s vision of today’s diplomacy and ful- the Department’s Operation center and in
rewards—and the potential drawbacks—of filling the Department’s mission to help the Bureau of European Affairs. He reached
a life dedicated to serving the interests of build and sustain a more democratic, secure the peak of Foreign Service as U.S. Ambas-
the United States and fulfilling the country’s and prosperous world. sador to the Republic of Rwanda and to
diplomatic mission. Today’s world is more volatile than when Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea.
To the young ex Air Force officer, it the Foreign Service welcomed newcomer His last post before assuming duties as
meant a life full of professional commit- Staples 26 years ago. Transformational Director General was as Political Adviser to
ment, personal sacrifice and unimaginable diplomacy asks diplomats to spend more the Supreme Allied Commander Europe at
satisfaction in serving his country through time in that world and less time in their North Atlantic Treaty Organization head-
good times and not-so-good times. His offices. The Director General’s office has quarters in Belgium.
career spanned the end of the Cold War and been the eye of the storm for most of the To help explain the magnitude of the
the start of several hot ones, including the changes that had to be made as the Depart- changes and the reasons they had to be
current conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan ment transitioned from an earlier, less made, Ambassador Staples met with State
that are taxing his beloved Foreign Service. dangerous era into the modern world. Magazine editors for an extensive overview
During his 13 months as Director Ambassador Staples began his Foreign of the modern Foreign Service and why it
General, Ambassador Staples has made Service career in El Salvador, and he made must adapt to a rapidly changing world.
14 | S TAT E M A G A Z I N E | JUNE 2007SM: We couldn’t help but notice the just done the assignment business in the past. I to serve in perhaps one of these hardship
released “Best Place to Work” survey in which made numerous trips to the field and con- positions but there would not be too many
the Department did very well. Could you ducted town meetings abroad as well to requirements for family separations.
comment on those rankings? explain the changes, and I’m pleased to say
Director General Staples: I’m very that the system has worked. SM: Some of the recent changes have been
pleased with the announcement that the Looking at summer 2007 assignments, perceived by some as a step backward in the
Department was recognized within the we are about 98 percent staffed in Iraq, 100 Department’s on-going efforts to be as family
Federal government as the No. 6 Best Place percent or close to it in Afghanistan and friendly as possible. How would you respond
to Work. We’re up from No. 10 in 2005. close to 100 percent staffed in our other to this particular perception?
In particular, we were ranked No. 1 by hard-to-fill posts in South Asia and the Director General Staples: I sometimes
women. If you remember where we were 26 Middle East. hear that when I’ve gone overseas and
years ago when I came into the Foreign The challenge will be how to sustain this talked in town meetings. But when I
Service, this recognition is quite significant. in terms of 12-month tours. We have a huge explained the full range of the challenges we
It reflects very well on all of our employees turnover at these posts every year, and we face, when I reemphasized that we are now
and on what the Secretary and many others do not have a large Foreign Service. Even in a Foreign Service in which the median
have done to make the State Department a people who are not currently Fair Share hardship differential is 15 percent and every
good place to work. have to serve more often in hardship posts. year we have to fill between 500 to 700 posi-
We live in one of the
SM: State did well across many areas— most challenging
No. 2 among males, No. 4 among African periods that I can
Americans, etc. remember in the
Director General Staples: And we were Foreign Service, but I’m
ranked No. 3 in effective leadership. You can pleased to see that the
add to this latest survey the recognition we challenge is recognized
received in BusinessWeek magazine on the and we have filled our
results of surveys of college undergraduate positions with volun-
students, it speaks well of our efforts to not teers. Thus far, we have
only serve the American people, but to also not had to do a single
ensure that our efforts are recognized and directed assignment.
appreciated among a broad cross section of
observers. I believe BusinessWeek noted SM: To what do you
that the Department finished No. 3 behind attribute the success of
Walt Disney and Google on the 2006 Most the new assignments
The Director General enjoys an informal lunch for embassy employees
Desirable Undergraduate Employer ranking process? at the Deputy Chief of Mission’s residence in Pretoria.
and No. 4 behind Google, Disney and Apple Director General
on the 2007 ranking. Staples: I think the recognition on the part tions that are unaccompanied or limited
of our people that we are facing challenging accompanied, people understand.
SM: Last August, you introduced changes times and that more service in hardship The point we make is that we are
to the assignments process, from the order in assignments is expected. Our people recog- meeting these staffing challenges and doing
which assignments are made to changes to nize that service in the world has changed. all we can to support families and to
Fair Share rules and the elimination of Our median hardship differential is 15 support our personnel. The Iraq service
fourth-year extensions at posts with less than percent, and that’s just extraordinary. I package alone should indicate how we have
15 percent differential. What necessitated believe more than a fifth of our posts are 20 gone out of our way to take into account
these changes? to 25 percent differential or higher today. those who are serving in our most difficult
Director General Staples: As I’ve And that’s not just terrorism; that’s crime, foreign policy environments. Between three
explained in town meetings and in numer- climate, health issues, schooling, cost of regional rest breaks and two R&Rs, we were
ous messages to the field, the changes were living, etc. All of those things go into the able to add a home leave and to increase
made because we had a serious problem: we hardship differential. both the hardship and danger pay differen-
didn’t have the people that we needed to tial. Those serving in PRTs have been able
staff our most difficult positions. In the SM: Is it difficult to make changes to the to leave their families behind at the post
past, people just bid and went pretty much assignments process? from which they left. Their families do not
where they wanted, and extensions were Director General Staples: It is difficult, have to move while the children finish
granted liberally. I have made the point that because we are really dealing with a change school. On a voluntary basis, we expanded
no organization would allow itself to be in a in culture. When I came into the Foreign that by asking posts wherever possible to
position where its most difficult, critical Service, many of us knew about the dangers support those who would also like this
positions were not filled first. in Beirut. I started my career in San Sal- benefit if they are going to Embassy
We changed the rules, if you will, in con- vador, which was a danger-pay post and Baghdad or another location.
sultation with the American Foreign Service unaccompanied for most of my time there. The response has been extremely positive
Association, recognizing that this was a But for the most part, everyone recognized around the Foreign Service. If possible,
marked departure from the way we had that at some point in time, you would have posts have worked out arrangements in
JUNE 2007 | S TAT E M A G A Z I N E | 15which the family could stay while the this building and elsewhere have served on Today, I’m telling the members of the
member served anywhere in Iraq. These are Provincial Reconstruction Teams in Iraq A100 classes and our mid-level officers that
just some of the things we have been able to and Afghanistan. these kinds of separations may be more
do in this regard. And let’s not forget the largest number of common in a career. They may have to face
We also developed recognition awards for our employees, our almost 37,000 Locally it two, three or even four times, so plan
children of those serving at unaccompanied Employed staff, who are what Secretary Rice accordingly. This is a huge and increasing
posts. Medals and certificates have been sent calls the Crown Jewels of the State Depart- number, and that’s just another example of
to the child’s school for presentation as a ment. They often serve at very difficult how the Foreign Service has changed. You
thank you for the service of the parent, positions and often risk their lives to add onto that the requirements for service
and that has been very beneficial for family perform their duties and, on occasion, keep in the hardship-danger pay posts, and it’s a
morale. It also increases public awareness us safe. They, too, are doing a marvelous significant change.
around the country about what our person- job, and should be commended. We try to do our best to assign people
nel are facing and where they are serving together. We certainly take in consideration
overseas. SM: Do you anticipate any other changes the requirements for adequate schooling.
to the assignments process? We’re very strict on everyone meeting their
SM: So the Department is really one Director General Staples: We are negoti- Fair Share requirements, but we’ve gone out
big family? ating with AFSA for a couple of other of our way with the bureaus to take care of
Director General Staples: We are a changes, and we’ll have to see where that those who have come out of posts like Iraq,
family. And that’s not just the Foreign comes out. Afghanistan and Pakistan. We have succeed-
Service; it’s also the Civil Service, as well. One would strengthen the minimum ed because of the support we’ve had in this
We just instituted a pilot Civil Service rota- standard for hardship service to recognize building from the Secretary, Assistant Secre-
tion program which for the first time will the 15 percent median in terms of positions taries, and others who value that service.
allow Civil Service personnel of the same around the world. And the other issue I am I would also like everyone to know that
grade and doing the same type of work to personally pushing is to change the 6-8 rule in these circumstances we still consider
switch between Bureaus for a year or two to back to 5-8, with five years the maximum ourselves to be as family-friendly as possi-
gain some career-broadening experience. number of years any FSO can serve in ble. I have approved every single request
It’s a pilot program, but I hope we can Washington. This was the policy before that crosses my desk for a waiver based on
1997, and given the medical condition or special needs for a
challenges overseas and child, 100 percent. Our Family Liaison
the staffing require- Office has established a special position
ments we have to meet, for a coordinator who does nothing but
I think it’s important work with our unaccompanied families in
that we go back to that the U.S. while the member is serving an
standard. unaccompanied tour. We have more than
The point I want to 200 such families in the U.S. today. Who
make is that this is the could have imagined something like that
Foreign Service, and I years ago?
strongly believe that the We also contracted for a service that pro-
bulk of one’s career vides 24-hour counseling, financial
should be spent over- planning, and other guidance to our per-
seas. It’s very important sonnel. So we have any number of benefits
to serve in Washington, and efforts underway to look after our
to understand how we people and their families as much as possi-
The Director General poses with Peach Corps volunteers and staff
operate here in the ble. You can add to that the wonderful work
PHOTOGRAPHS: (ABOVE): ROB NOLAN; (OPPOSITE PAGE): DAVID L. JOHNSTON
members outside their offices in Maseru, Lesotho.
interagency process and they’ve done in FSI to expand training
expand it. We in the Foreign Service get how policy is made here at the senior levels opportunities and the huge increase in
these rotations every two or three years, but in this building. But the bulk of one’s career online courses that are available to family
our Civil Service colleagues often spend should be spent in overseas service. members and employees overseas. We’re
their entire careers in the same office at the doing what we can in today’s circumstances
same desk. Why not offer the opportunity SM: What else has changed? to really take care of our people, provide
to switch for those who don’t want to stay Director General Staples: Another good training, watch out for families and at
at that same desk for 25 years? Why not give example of how things have changed today the same time meet our responsibilities to
them the chance to do something else and vs. 26 years ago—we have almost 600 do the work of diplomacy.
gain exposure to the broader work of the tandem couples in the Foreign Service
Department? today. That’s 1,200 people that we try to SM: How helpful has AFSA been?
Through our assignments procedures, we assign together. We used to tell our tandem Director General Staples: We have a
have also allowed close to 200 Civil Service couples that because of various reasons, good relationship with AFSA. In accordance
personnel to serve overseas, where they are when they reached more senior levels they with the Foreign Service Act, they are the
performing with distinction in hard-to-fill might have to face a leave without pay situ- official bargaining unit of the Department. I
positions. Many Civil Service personnel in ation or even serve at different posts. am an AFSA member, as are many of the
16 | S TAT E M A G A Z I N E | JUNE 2007“We are a family. And
that’s not just the Foreign
Service; it’s also the Civil
Service, as well.”
personnel in the Bureau of Human ALDAC messages to the field to get the Anyone else who would be the DG right
Resources. We have frequent meetings with word out. We have a deputy chief of now would do the same thing.
the members of the AFSA leadership, the mission collective email that my Principal If you explain the situation and ensure
president and the board to discuss issues Deputy Assistant Secretary Heather Hodges that the steps you take are fair and transpar-
and negotiate. While AFSA has not agreed uses to raise specific issues. I speak at all ent, then you will have the support of the
with us on all of the new policies we have chief of mission meetings; I also speak at people who have come into this business to
had to implement, I think there is an all ambassadorial and DCM seminars to carry out public service. That is what we
understanding within AFSA that times have encourage our senior leaders when they get have seen here. It is a tribute to the men
changed and that all of us in the Depart- to post to recognize that our people are and women and the families of all of our
ment face extraordinary challenges. serving in difficult times. I ask them to be people—Foreign Service, Civil Service,
especially aware of the need for outreach Local Staff—to work today on behalf of our
SM: Is there anything else you are working and to take the steps necessary to maintain government and to meet our diplomatic
on with AFSA? good morale at post and to help all of the responsibilities. It is not easy to face separa-
Director General Staples: We will later officers who are going to serve at these tion, to see your children graduate without
this year begin regularly scheduled negoti- hardship posts develop strong leadership you. It is not easy to work overseas in
ations on precepts for 2008, but otherwise and management skills. embassies that face threats and in which our
I don’t anticipate being involved with I think the word is out. The bottom line access and our openness to the general
AFSA in any other groundbreaking initia- is simply this: these are the requirements public overseas is more restricted because of
tives. We have been keeping AFSA abreast that we must fulfill to carry out our the security requirements.
of changes in the Foreign Service intake nation’s foreign policy. We have done it And yet our people do this every day, and
process, the new procedure to replace the successfully with these changes, and in I’m extremely proud of that. I’m extremely
Foreign Service examination, and we have the process done all that we can do to proud of their service and deeply apprecia-
briefed the president and senior AFSA offi- support our families and our personnel tive of their sacrifices.
cials on a regular basis and they have been who are working under incredibly difficult I say this on behalf of the Secretary and
fully supportive. circumstances. all of the senior leadership of this building
If we were not able to do what we have and myself—a sincere “Thank You” to all of
SM: You say that when you personally done this year voluntarily, we would have our personnel who work for the United
explain the policy to FSOs, they understand, done it through identification, or directed States Department of State. You have our
but you can’t go to every single post. assignments. One way or the other, we are deepest respect and admiration. ■
Director General Staples: No, I can’t, but going to put people where they are needed
we use BNet, we use town meetings, we use to carry out our diplomatic requirements. The author is the editor of State Magazine.
JUNE 2007 | S TAT E M A G A Z I N E | 17Men and children ride along
the Mongolian prairie during
an annual festival.
PHOTOGRAPH: TRAVEL ALBERTA
18 | S TAT E M A G A Z I N E | JUNE 2007The Amarbayasgalant monastery, located in the
Iven Gol River Valley on the foot of Burenkhan
Mountain, is a landmark of Mongolia’s cultural
memory and rich Buddhist heritage.
In January, the United States and Mongolia marked the 20th
anniversary of diplomatic ties. The landlocked country’s only geo-
Imagine conducting diplomacy graphic neighbors are Russia and China, but during his November
2005 visit to Ulaanbaatar, President George W. Bush embraced
Mongolia’s characterization of the United States as its “third
in the homeland of Genghis Khan neighbor.”
The United States established an embassy in Ulaanbaatar in
1988 and the first resident American ambassador arrived in July
and bolstering a developing 1990. Just a few months earlier, Mongolians had peacefully dis-
carded socialism and begun transforming their nation into a
democracy with a market-oriented economy.
country’s transition from social- When it opened, the embassy had three local employees and
three American officers. Today, 135 Locally Employed staff and
27 direct-hire Americans grapple with a wide and growing range
ism to free-market democracy, of issues.
INTERNATIONAL PRESENCE
Defense cooperation is especially strong. Nearly 900 Mongolian
while spending weekends enjoy-
PHOTOGRAPHS: U.S. EMBASSY IN ULAANBAATAR
soldiers have served in Iraq and Afghanistan since 2003, and 250
Mongolian soldiers guard the United Nations war crimes tribunal
in Sierra Leone—visible signs of progress toward establishing
ing stunning natural beauty. Mongolia as a major international peacekeeping troop contribu-
tor over the next few years. In August, for the second year in a
row, Mongolia will host a major U.S.-supported multinational
peacekeeping exercise for Asian nations.
That is Mongolia. A Millennium Challenge Account compact with Mongolia,
expected to be concluded in 2007, will represent a major expan-
sion of U.S. assistance and engagement. Vocational training,
20 | S TAT E M A G A Z I N E | JUNE 2007health, property rights and railway proj-
ects are being considered for inclusion
in the compact.
AT A GLANCE: MONGOLIA
The U.S. Agency for International
Development launched its first program
in Mongolia in 1991 with a grant of $10
million to provide emergency supplies
for the country’s failing power plants.
The aid is gratefully remembered.
Today, USAID still provides technical
assistance to strengthen the energy
sector, but it pursues a much broader
agenda. Under ongoing programs, every
court in the country has been automat-
ed and every judge trained, an umbrella
group of women’s political groups
swiftly won favorable changes in the
parliamentary election law, protections
are being enhanced for endangered
wildlife species, and a popular television
series promotes greater awareness of
HIV/AIDS.
Most USAID programs encourage
faster economic growth and support
policy reforms like the major tax
changes enacted by the State Great
Hural (Mongolia’s parliament) in 2006.
Other programs support entrepreneur-
ship and are helping to lower Mongolia’s
35 percent poverty rate. Capital Per capita income
The embassy’s economic and com- Ulaanbaatar $2,000
mercial focus is to encourage a business
climate that fosters free enterprise and Total area Population below poverty line
foreign investment and to promote U.S. 1,564,116 square kilometers 36.1 percent
trade and investment in a growing
economy with world-class mineral Approximate size Import commodities
deposits just beginning to be developed. Slightly smaller than Alaska Machinery, fuel, automobiles, food
More than 125 American businesses are products and industrial goods
active in Mongolia, with mining-related Government
firms especially well represented. Mixed parliamentary/presidential Import partners
Russia (34.5 percent), China (27.4
VAST CONTRASTS Independence percent) and Japan (7.1 percent)
Nearly half of Mongolia’s 2.8 million July 11, 1921 (from China)
people live in the capital, but business Export commodities
trips take embassy employees to the Population Copper, apparel, livestock, cash-
Gobi Desert, mining towns, the ethnic 2.95 million mere and wool
Kazakh region in the far west and
provincial trading centers. Many in the Ethnic groups Export partners
countryside continue to lead a nomadic Mongol (mostly Khalkha) and China (48.1 percent), United States
existence, but even herders are connect- Turkic (mostly Kazakh) (14.2 percent) and Canada (11.6
ing with the outside world. It is not percent)
unusual to see a ger (a round tent used
Languages
as a portable home) on a broad, empty
Khalkha Mongol, Turkic and Russian Internet country code
steppe with a satellite dish, outside the
.mn
door, powered by a solar panel.
More than 100 Peace Corps volun- Currency
teers work in communities across Togrog/tugrik (MNT) SOURCE: CIA World Factbook 2007
Mongolia. While most teach English,
JUNE 2007 | S TAT E M A G A Z I N E | 21You can also read
