A special appeal from Secretary Rice
Posted: Thursday, May 29, 2008 2:21 PM
By Elizabeth Leist, NBC News State Department Producer
After some U.S. diplomats created an uproar last fall when told of potential forced assignments in Iraq for 2008, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is trying a more personal touch this year by circulating a taped video message to the foreign service appealing for volunteers in Iraq and Afghanistan for 2009.
The video was posted on the State Department's internal website yesterday for all employees to see, and now is available on the main State Department website under the headline "Service in Iraq and Afghanistan."
State Department officials acknowledge that Rice is trying to solicit volunteers personally and much earlier this year – in order to avoid the controversy that erupted last fall.
In her appeal, she describes the work done by diplomats in Iraq and Afghanistan as "inspiring" and asks diplomats to "consider joining this highly motivated team of professionals as we look for volunteers for positions opening in 2009."
According to a State Department official, the Human Resources bureau at the State Department has been reviewing a list of diplomats that are up for assignments in 2009 to find those who are "particularly well-qualified" to serve in Iraq and Afghanistan. In the coming months, those individuals will be contacted "to encourage them to volunteer," the official said.
There are an estimated 300 slots for Iraq that need to be filled for 2009. State Department officials say they are hopeful that enough volunteers will surface to avoid these so-called "directed assignments."
FULL TEXT OF RICE’S MESSAGE TO EMPLOYEES:
I want to thank the dedicated men and women of the Department of State, Foreign Service, Civil Service, Locally Employed Staff, and retirees alike, who have stepped forward to serve at our missions in Iraq and Afghanistan. I am proud of their achievements at the forefront of diplomacy and national security, in fulfillment of two of our country's highest foreign policy priorities. I am asking that you consider joining this highly motivated team of professionals as we look for volunteers for positions opening in 2009.
I visit Iraq and Afghanistan on a regular basis and have seen our efforts firsthand. Working closely with other civilian colleagues, our military, and Iraqi and Afghan counterparts from all levels of government and civil society, the Department of State is making a difference in the lives of ordinary people. We are helping to rebuild local and national governments, foster economic development, and promote reconciliation. The results are inspiring.
Our brave volunteers are doing a tough, but necessary, job far away from family and friends. Employees and families deserve the nation's gratitude.
I can assure you that they have mine, and I encourage you to join our teams in Baghdad and Kabul.
