State Department rewards envoys to Iraq
The State Department has announced a new policy to reward mid-level diplomats for their willingness to serve in war-torn Iraq. This is a spectacular idea and it's about time State made this policy change. From the Post Chronicle:
A new U.S. State Department policy will reward diplomats who serve a year in Iraq
with jobs later in popular spots such as London and Paris. The Washington Times Friday
printed a cable from Foreign Service Director-General George Staples, saying: "The idea behind
linked assignments is that a volunteer for Iraq service will be able to be paneled to an onward
assignment at the same time he or she is paneled to Baghdad."
The policy applies only to mid-level officers. Twenty-two Baghdad positions affected by the policy
are open. Those volunteering to go to Iraq would not be posted there until 2009.
Envoys in Iraq already receive incentives, including better pay and more vacation time, the Times
reported. The new policy will allow foreign service workers to "bid" on postings in coveted spots
earlier than other workers.
Really this is such a clever move -- no, seriously! No sarcasm here. Incentivizing diplomatic service in Baghdad is the best way to get diplomats to serve in such a rough and tumble area of the world. Admittedly this is a war-torn nation by our own making, but this is the best way forward for diplomatic efforts in the region. Through this policy, more of the young, bright mid-career State diplomats will volunteer to serve over there rather than crusty old careerists "volun-told" they're moving to Baghdad. State Department careerists are notorious for their desires to avoid dangerous assignments and frequent the cocktail-party circuits worldwide. What better way to motivate the stuffy, hidebound diplomatic corps than to offer them cushy European positions later in their careers?