James Morrison
The Washington Times
January 9, 2008
.
Diplomats who refuse to serve in Iraq because they oppose U.S. policy or fear the duty is too dangerous can always resign from the Foreign Service, a State Department spokesman said yesterday in response to a new survey of U.S. diplomats.
.
“When we signed up for these jobs, we signed up to support the policies of the American government,” said spokesman Sean McCormack. “If people have a problem with that, they know what they can do.”
.
Forty-eight percent of 4,300 diplomats who responded to the survey by the American Foreign Service Association cited their opposition to U.S. policy in Iraq as a reason for refusing to serve in the country. The diplomats could list more than one reason for rejecting an assignment to Iraq. Sixty-one percent cited security concerns, while 64 percent listed “separation from family.”
.
Sixty-eight percent of those who responded also opposed or strongly opposed being ordered to serve in Iraq. Only 32 percent favored or strongly favored the so-called “directed” assignments to Iraq.
.
Earlier this year, the State Department feared it might have to draft diplomats to fill the jobs at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad but found enough volunteers to staff the mission.
Our thanks to Mike Benge for bringing this to our attention….
Related:
Halfhearted at State?
State Department Memories from The Hanoi Hilton
Diplomats Who Refuse Assignments: “Hit The Road, You are Terminated with Prejudice and Without Pay”
The Abyss Between State and Defense
In Iraq: Reporters More Dedicated than the U.S. Foreign Service?
Diplomatic Infighting Hurts Terror War Effort
