Enough State Dept Employees Finally Volunteer For Iraq
Condi at Baghdad Embassy
The US state department says it has found enough volunteers to serve in diplomatic missions in Iraq and will not have to force staff to go there.
The department announced last month that staff might be compelled to serve in Iraq in order to fill 48 posts that would become vacant next summer.
Hundreds of diplomats protested against the possibility, calling it a “potential death sentence”.
Standards had not been lowered to find volunteers, the state department said.
“We are pleased to announce that all of the Iraq jobs have been filled by volunteers,” spokesman Sean McCormack told reporters on Monday.
An initial shortage prompted the state department to announce that it might dismiss diplomatic staff if they refused to serve in Baghdad and outlying provinces.
Managers will now turn their attention to filling hardship posts at embassies and consulates in a number of other countries.
Over 500 officers are needed for jobs in countries like Afghanistan and Lebanon.
Standards ‘not lowered’
The prospect of “directed” assignments caused outcry among a number of diplomats because of fears over security.
Correspondents say their complaints were deeply embarrassing to the department and led Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to urge US diplomats worldwide to volunteer to serve in Iraq.
They also prompted criticism from the US ambassador in Iraq, Ryan Crocker, who said diplomats who put their own personal safety before the national interest were “in the wrong line of business”.
State department spokesman Sean McCormack said Ms Rice was confident that all the new volunteers were qualified.
“We in no way lowered the standards in order to get these volunteers,” he said.
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