Table Of Content

b e c r ece- — y t ai t t im a 3 : zg Cai Guo-Qiang’s Eagle Landing on a Pine Branch highlights connections between China and the United States. This gunpowder polyptych allydes to Chinese scholar paintings while obliterating the paper through the ignition of gunpowder, an allusion to.the eighth-century Chinese alchemists who invented it. The eagle and pine trees were chosen for their symbolic value in both China and the United States, representing friendship and cooperation. West Meets Post of the Perfect eek Month Match Art inspired by nature Geneva serves as Consulate handles all graces new Beijing the U.S. Mission to American adoptions Sena the world. in China. NBA cumie Se eh etA e ee 14 FEATURES COLUMNS 14 Winning Vote 32 Dare to Share From the D.G. Embassy Nairobi uses U.S. election Shared Services initiative aims to In the News to teach democracy. transform Human Resources. Diversity Notes 16 Helping Hands Education and Training Department honors volunteers for 34 Office of the Month charitable work. Appointments Foreign Policy Advisors are ambassa- 18 Generalists dors to Department of Defense. Retirements Approaching Obituaries HR readies for new hires. 40 Major Move The Last Word 20 Birthday Book New compound boosts post’s office Consulate General helps Bermuda space and security. ON THE COVER celebrate 400th anniversary. Geneva, long considered to be the 22 Working with ‘Ops’ center of international negotiations, 42 Medical Report is home to the United States’ largest Operations Center offers tips for Claims section processes payments for overseas multilateral mission. meeting needs. medical services. Photograph by Getty Images Office of Recruitment, Examination and Employment— New Year/New Inroads Department Civil Service and Foreign skills. The entire hiring process, which previ- Service recruitment efforts, e.g., Boise State ously took more than a year to complete, has University, Hiram College and the University been streamlined. As a result, we are getting of South Dakota. The program provides a people into the Foreign Service faster. For paid internship, either domestic or abroad, example, some candidates who took the that will be awarded to applicants, vetted by September 2007 written test entered A-100 Diplomats in Residence, who exhibit poten- in July 2008. tial and an interest in a career in the In my visits to high schools, colleges and Department. This new program is in professional organizations around the addition to other ongoing programs directed country, I always emphasize that the Depart- toward undergraduate and graduate ment needs men and women with diverse students, such as the Rangel and Pickering backgrounds, vast intellectual interests, a Fellows programs, which are open to strong work ethic and an interest in serving all Americans. our country. We need folks who understand * For the third year in a row, the Depart- how U.S. interests interact with the rest of ment has placed among the top five ideal the world, whether the subject is science and employers in an annual poll of undergradu- the environment or combating international ates reported by BusinessWeek. The narcotics trafficking. Department is the highest ranking federal As I’ve said before, all members of the agency. In addition, out of hundreds of State Department family are potential I wish you and your loved ones a happy, employers, including write-ins, the Depart- recruiters. We are gratified that more than healthy and successful 2009. In this new year, ment ranked first as an ideal employer for 600 of our colleagues have answered the call I would like to let you know about the liberal arts undergraduates. to help with recruitment, and I know many outstanding work being done by Luis * The Department also ranked high as an more of you volunteer on your own. Your Arreaga and his team in the Office of ideal employer in the annual poll of minority stories inspire future candidates to become Recruitment, Examination and Employment. undergraduates. Out of the top 100 our colleagues. I encourage you to direct In July of 2008, Mr. Arreaga came to us employers, the Department has ranked third young people to our award-winning Web site from Panama, where he served as Deputy as an ideal employer for African-American (www.careers.state.gov). If you are planning Chief of Mission. Prior to that, he served undergraduates. Moreover, in 2008, the Black a visit to your alma mater or your as the Principal Officer in Vancouver. Now, Collegian ranked the Department a top professional organization, or as a hometown Mr. Arreaga leads the office that is respon- recruiter of college graduates. It was the only diplomat, please contact volrecruiter@ sible for recruiting and hiring the federal agency listed in the top 100. state.gov to request support materials. We Department’s Civil Service employees, * We have an improved Foreign Service have updated the Intranet resources for you, Foreign Service generalists and specialists officer selection process, which includes an and we have full-time talent scouts around and interns, as well as managing online written test and review by a Qualifica- the country serving as Diplomats in Department-wide student programs. tion Review Panel of candidate test scores Residence who can provide follow-up to The HR/REE team has made great inroads and application materials to determine candidates you meet. We have great opportu- over the past year: which candidates should be invited to the nities for Americans who want to make a + In September, the Department launched daylong oral assessment. The Qualification positive difference in the world, and it is up the Internship Fellows Program to identify Evaluation Panel process allows us to to all of us to share that information. talented students from colleges and universi- consider the “total candidate,” including such If you have any general comments or ties throughout the United States that have things as candidate work and study suggestions, please feel free to send them to not traditionally been the focus of State experience, leadership and foreign language me via unclassified e-mail at DG Direct. & 2 STATE MAGAZINE JANUARY 2009 In July, the U.S. Mission in Indonesia ReGen taco ee eect ernie attending the events and inundating combined two American cultural - said. “We needed to clearly show our value Granger with their ete MTT edT eis phenomena—basketball and hip-hop and understanding of their goals.” response soon dispelled these doubts.” music—for a slam-dunk in public When Indiana Pacers star Danny In Jakarta, Granger attended a-reception Ri OGM Rem Cem sec coat Troe Cea Ce arm DOTSC L Pa eanlertr (sme im ess orem Naor erika mr hmicm i eOricscmmas basketball league, the NBA signed on, and PEP VeMOy Cercte arire lt ernnemc ernr e U.S. Consulate in Surabaya and the U.S. its participation attracted other sponsors PI teeRan ers eoi atin aeer meus STM PLCC mes comsU RUNS who provided sports gear and support. media moguls—danced to live hip-hop Wea @e acer eeaae soe In Surabaya, Granger participated in a performances by popular Indonesian community outreach that combined sports major high-school championship tourna- musicians and snacked on basketball- Rie RCo mre Meer arer eaCerecre CO) MSM UOT MRO onS oe eer ment cater themed donuts. The event culminated in a alien meen eMC Om Lacs free-throw contest. the NBA. Ambassador Cameron R. Hume laid Dose lone oem Om eine elULecen The next day, the embassy hosted a the groundwork by meeting with the and large crowds, Granger was unsure how basketball clinic where Granger taught lay NBA leadership in New York. FCS officer NEE UE SMU mere asm emcee ahs Meee On Rei co mem eL an American,” Public Affairs Officer John RMR toee nt CSE DEUTER em MOS Lawrence Johnson said it was not an Taylor said. “Thousands of cheering fans MPRCCMGTOCNe eUrN eTEM LRo ns rth Sale s were transmitted worldwide by the media “You have to think creatively as you as a symbol of U.S. outreach to craft your presentation. Typically, the the Muslim world NBA does not look to the U.S. through sports. government as a primary FARA Celebrates 30 Years The Foreign Affairs Recreational Association celebrated its 30th anniversary in November with a bazaar at Main State featuring many Gathered at the FARA celebration were, from left, Brigitta Drewes, the Department's liaison to FARA’s board; board member Irene Lucas; Under Secretary Patrick Kennedy; board member William Amoroso; FARA General of the merchants who sell their wares Manager Clement Jackson and board member Hudson Byrd. in FARA’s Foggy Bottom shops. FARA also operates a fitness center in Main State that held an open house A private nonprofit organization, FARA provides recreational, the same day. educational, social, wellness and convenience services for its Under Secretary for Management Patrick Kennedy cut the members, who may be Foreign Service or Civil Service employees. birthday cake at FARA’s celebration, saying he had come to For instance, it offers discounts on housing, movies, museums, celebrate the Department’s “great symbiotic relationship with sports events and theme parks in the Washington, D.C., area. More FARA—we provide space and you provide services.” information on FARA is at www.recgov.org/state. a HR Expands Roster of Automated Services The Bureau of Human Resources has eliminating the need to visit the ESC. report also lets employees update their expanded its suite of online self-service Once approved, the form goes to the emergency contacts and eligible family applications with automated versions of the Global Employment Management System to member information. DS-1707, Leave, Travel and Consultation generate an electronic SF-50, Notification of Automation of the OF-126 and DS-1707 Status form, and the OF-126, Foreign Personnel Action. The approved DS-1707 is reduces the delays and costs associated with Service Residence and Dependency report. also automatically placed in the employee’s paper forms. Future self-service initiatives Foreign Service employees moving from electronic Travel Folder in electronic Official include implementing ePerformance for the overseas to domestic assignments or Personnel File. The folder is accessible only Civil Service, Foreign Service and Senior between domestic assignments can now to employees who have Permanent Change Executive Service, and automation of several complete and submit their DS-1707 and of Station travel orders and authorized users. Travel Message cables. revise their OF-126 through the HR Online The automated OF-126, also available in HR’s Executive Office is seeking system, which has a link under “Employee HR Online, allows Foreign Service and Civil representatives from Department bureaus Self-Service” to the automated DS-1707. Service employees converting to limited to become “Champions for Change” who The electronic form will include assignment non-career Foreign Service appointments to will provide guidance in designing training notification and departure information, update multiple addresses such as home for self-service applications, participate in requiring employees to add only the data to leave, separation and legal addresses. system testing and encourage bilateral confirm their leave status and its time Changes to an employee’s official payroll communication with HR and other stake- frame. Once completed and validated by the address, however, must still be processed holders. Those interested in becoming a employee, the form is submitted electroni- through Global Financial Services in Champion for Change should contact cally to the Employee Services Center, Charleston, S.C. The automated OF-126 GEMSChangeManagement @state.gov. 4 STATE MAGAZINE JANUARY 2009 Baghdad Helps American Voters walk-in inquiries and aid voters in confirming their conducting weekly outreach registration and ballot requests. events in a café within Saddam “For many overseas voters, Hussein’s former presidential each national election is a bit of palace. The section also reached a refresher course in American out to Americans living outside democracy,” said Embassy Voting the Green Zone with warden Assistance Officer Steven Gillen. messages alerting voters to elec- “It’s hard to promote democ- tion deadlines and referring racy if you don’t practice it,” Army Lt. Colonel Thomas Goodfellow, left, gets voting assistance at a café in what was Saddam Hussein’s presidential palace. them to the Federal Voter Assis- agreed Master Sergeant Patrick tance Program Web site. McDonald, an Army reservist During the 2008 presidential able to cast their votes. The embassy’s consular offi- monitoring Iraq’s provincial campaign, Americans in Iraq Beginning in early September, cers also distributed voter elections. “It’s the responsibility were just as excited as their the embassy’s consular section registration forms and federal of American soldiers and diplo- compatriots at home, and the rendered voting assistance to “back-up ballots” and called mats to practice what they U.S. Embassy in Baghdad helped more than 300 Americans by local election authorities preach by participating in our ensure that eligible citizens were answering telephone, e-mail and throughout the United States to electoral process.” Department Urged to Fire the Disabled. Although the federal govern- She advised employees with ment had 28,000 disabled disabilities to point this out to employees in 1997 and has regu- their managers when a job lations that encourage hiring of opening at a higher-paid grade the disabled, it has 4,000 fewer becomes available but has not disabled employees today, said been posted. The disabled the speaker at the Department’s person can be appointed via National Disability Month event Schedule A hiring authority at Main State in October. provided he or she meets the “We have a long way to go,” requirements of the position said Beth Bienvenu of the and has been medically certified Department of Labor’s Office of as disabled, Bienvenu said. Disability Employment Policy. Managers can also seek out To increase federal hiring of qualified disabled employees individuals with disabilities, she themselves through the DOL's pointed to managers’ ability to online job bank, hire in the Civil Service through www.earnworks.com, and the In the foreground, Pam Collins, an interpreter with Sign Language Associates, the noncompetitive Web site of the Workforce does signing, while in the background Beth Bienvenu answers a question. appointment of individuals with Recruitment Program, severe disabilities under https://www.wrp.gov, which monitor or keyboard they can to all federal employers under Schedule A of the regulation 5 includes disabled students use. Bienvenu said DOL’s the Computer/Electronic CFR 213.3102(u). This, she said, seeking internships. State agen- research across the federal Accommodation Program run allows a manager to hire eligible cies for the disabled and government found 46 percent of by the Department of Defense. employees with severe disabili- organizations of the disabled are such accommodations involve Employees can request ties without posting the job and also good sources of candidates, no cost, and the rest have an accommodations from their waiting fora list of qualified she said. average one-time cost of $500. supervisor or the Bureau of applications. The practice cuts Federal employees with Among the free Human Resources, Work/Life to three weeks or less what can disabilities have a right under accommodations for most Programs, on the Intranet at be a two- to six-month process, federal law to workplace accom- federal employees are the http://hrweb.hr.state.gov/ she said. modations, such as a computer computer-related ones offered prd/hrweb/er/worklife/wl.cfm. JANUARY 2009 STATE MAGAZINE IRM Consolidates IT Operations In November, the Bureau of Information Resource Management’s Information Technology Operations Center opened at the Department’s Beltsville, Md., Information Management Center. The IT center allows IRM to consolidate its Tier 1 and Tier 2 support organizations from its IT Service Center, the Enterprise Network Management Operations Center and the Combined Technical Operations Center. The IT center will provide domestic and overseas operations support around the clock. Having these functions in one location enhances customer service and spotlights IRM’s progress in creating a consolidated IT support model for the Department, the bureau said. At the ribbon-cutting are, from left, BIMC Division Chief John Cabral, The Beltsville IMC opened in 1987 and provides command Customer Service Office Director Kay Gotoh, Under Secretary for and control communications to overseas posts and other Management Patrick F. Kennedy (with scissors), Chief Information Officer Susan Swart, Deputy ClO Charlie Wisecarver and Teresa Scott from IRM’s federal agencies. In 1991, it gained IRM’s Enterprise Server Technical Controls Office. Operations Center. ‘Trunk-or-Treat’ Halloween in Bucharest Since most countries don’t celebrate Halloween and mission housing can be spread throughout a city where security requirements may limit trick-or-treating, it can be a challenge to give American children exposure to this unique American experience while overseas. At the U.S. Embassy in Bucharest, Romania, the community liaison office organizes a chance for the post’s children to enjoy Halloween together. Every year, the children assemble at the American Interna- tional School parking lot, which becomes a small “neighborhood” that provides a safe and friendly arena for trick-or-treating. The children first do a costume parade around the lot and then go from car to car to load up on goodies. The past Halloween was the embassy’s largest and best, with 28 families decorating their cars and trunks. A Boy Scout troop provided cookies and hot chocolate for the crowd and awarded three prizes for the spookiest-looking cars. A trick or treater at the latest “trunk or treat” prepares to seek out Halloween goodies. 6 STATE MAGAZINE JANUARY 2009 NSSDS PeETwAsR Department Adds 15 Colleges To Internship Program The State Department already recruits at more than 50 colleges list was recommended by Director General for Human Resources and universities around the country, but “we want to reach out to Harry K. Thomas and approved by Secretary of State Condoleezza colleges we don’t usually reach out to,” said Luis Arreaga, director of Rice. It is another way to increase the Department’s diversity, the Office of Recruitment, Examination and Employment. Arreaga said. To that end, REE has created a new Internship Fellows Program, Because each school may nominate up to four students, initially targeting 15 institutions, many of them small ones. This allocating them to either the summer or fall or spreading them over pilot program will put the interns to work in the Department this both periods, the program could bring the Department as many as summer and fall in paid positions domestically and worldwide. 60 new interns this year. The Department employed almost 1,400 The list of colleges includes Valdosta State in Georgia, Wiley interns in summer 2008. College in Texas, the University of South Dakota, Bowie State in The outreach is being done by REE and the Department’s Diplo- Maryland and the University of Maryland—Baltimore Campus. The mats in Residence, 16 Senior Foreign Service officers who are based at a college or university and cover wide recruiting regions nationally. Deborah Graze, REE’s DIR coordinator and Outreach Branch chief, said recruiting Foreign Service officers from colleges that are too small to specialize in foreign affairs could enrich the FSO ranks. “Good talent comes from all over, and we need to keep up that talent pipeline,” she said. The interns will be paid and may receive travel allowances. They are nominated by their colleges in consultation with their regional DIR, and REE reviews the application to ensure that it qualifies. Applications for the program were due in November, and selected students have been placed in the bureaus. Top officials of several institutions participating in the Internship Fellows Program stand with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, center. Airline Industry Trainers Aid Fiji Antifraud Effort Two representatives of the airline binding for signs of tampering. They also every bit of knowledge helps in detecting industry’s Carrier Liaison Program and learned to sniff the visa or passport to see if fraudulent activity,” Coble said. members of the U.S. Embassy in Suva team a chemical wash was used to remove infor- The CLP, which last sent trainers to Fiji fighting visa fraud conducted a weeklong mation to change the biometric data. in 2000, trains airline employees and others antifraud training session in Fiji in “The consular sections are the first line who help board passengers. In Fiji, Tonga September. of defense [on travel document fraud], and and Kiribati, officials from the departments The training team visited communities of immigration, customs and police assist on Viti Levu, Fiji’s largest island. More than with passenger loading and off-loading. 150 people attended the sessions, including They also do much of the final boarding representatives from the New Zealand High check at smaller airports. A week prior to Commission and the French Embassy. the training, one Fiji immigration officer The training focused on visa and travel- stopped an imposter at the boarding gate of document fraud prevention. Heather Coble, a flight destined for the United States. The vice consul at the U.S. Embassy in Suva, training included passenger assessment and said attendees learned to examine passports imposter identification. and visas for the security features that ensure the documents are real. For instance, Among those attending the training were, from they learned to use black lights, loupes and left, Christopher Mendoza, a U.S. immigration officer; Joe Ravatudei, a Fiji immigration officer; “the five senses approach,” which involves Heather Coble, vice consul at the embassy; and such actions as feeling the passport’s Richard Campbell, a U.S. immigration officer. JANUARY 2009 STATE MAGAZINE 7 STAT MAGAZINE Magazine Staff Rob Wiley Editor-in-Chief Ed Warner Deputy Editor Bill Palmer Writer/Editor David L. Johnston Art Director Advisory Board Members James A. Forbes Executive Secretary Kelly Clements Annette R. Cocchiaro State Magazine (ISSN 1099-4165) is published monthly, except bimonthly in July and August, by the U.S. Department of State, 2201 C St., N.W., Washington, DC. Periodicals postage paid at Washington, D.C., and at additional mailing locations. Change of Address TV's Nanny Visits Send changes of address to State Magazine, 2401 E Street, N.W., SA-1, Room H-236, Washington, DC 20522-0108. You may also e-mail address changes to Embassy Bucharest [email protected]. Subscriptions In September, TV star Fran Drescher, a uterine cancer survivor and author State Magazine is available by paid subscription through the U.S. Government Printing Office by telephone at of the best-selling book Cancer Schmancer, visited the U.S. Embassy in (202) 512-1800 or on the Web at http://bookstore.gpo.gov. Bucharest, Romania, in her new role as Public Diplomacy Envoy for Women’s Health Issues. Drescher is best known as the star of The Nanny, a TV series of Submissions the 1990s. For details on submitting articles to State Magazine, The embassy health unit, community liaison office and public diplomacy request our guidelines, “Getting Your Story Told,” by e-mail at [email protected]; download them from our Web section sponsored the event to mark the end of Ovarian Cancer Awareness site at www.state.gov; or send your request in writing to Month and the beginning of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. State Magazine, 2401 E Street, N.W., HR/ER/SMG, SA-1, Drescher spoke about her odyssey through the medical system, which Room H-236, Washington, DC 20522-0108. finally led to her diagnosis of uterine cancer. Her survival inspired her to start a nonprofit organization—also named Cancer Schmancer—and to begin Deadlines speaking out about the importance of prevention and early diagnosis of gyne- The submission deadline for the March issue is January 15. The deadline for the April issue is February 15. cologic cancers. With her trademark Queens accent and distinctive voice, she spoke about Environmental Notes the importance of women taking charge of their health. State Magazine is printed in the USA on While in Bucharest, Drescher worked with Renasterea, a Romanian recycled paper that contains 10% post-consumer women’s health organization, to kick off Breast Cancer Awareness Month by waste and is SFl-certified. lighting Bucharest’s Arcul de Triumf monument with the color of breast caanndc emre ta wwairtehn eslsoc,a l picnekl.e brSihtey aclasnoc earp pseuarrveidv orosn tao pporpoumlaort e Rowmoamneni’asn ctaanlkc ers how sustanasie afo e e OclNe ThYi:S M y %es. awareness and early detection. FORESTRY Romania was the first stop on her Eastern European tour, which included INITIATIVE Kosovo, Poland and Hungary. 8 STATE MAGAZINE JANUARY 2009