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Diplomats Raise Stink Over Iraq Assignments

'Potential death sentence’ in required postings, staffers say

By Jonas Oransky,  Newser Staff

Posted Oct 31, 2007 5:02 PM CDT

(Newser) – Foreign service officers vented anger today over the State Department's plan to require some to serve in Iraq, chewing out their director in a meeting. One senior officer called the “directed assignments”—which could force diplomats to take postings in Baghdad or outlying provinces—a “potential death sentence”; another cited a survey showing few officers thought Condoleezza Rice was “fighting for them."

Program director Harry Thomas accepted responsibility for the late notification of the new directive, which won’t force anyone into a war zone until next year. But the hostility at the town-hall-style event provoked a strong response from Thomas, who retorted, “Don’t you or anybody else stand there and tell me I don’t care about my colleagues. I am insulted.”

Iraqis walk on a partially sealed off road leading to the heavily guarded Green Zone
Iraqis walk on a partially sealed off road leading to the heavily guarded Green Zone   (Getty Images)
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice speaks during the dedication of the George C. Marshall Conference Center, Friday, Oct. 26, 2007, at the State Department in Washington. Marshall, who was Secretary of State between 1947 to 1949, was responsible for the Marshall Plan for rebuilding Europe after World War II. (AP...
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice speaks during the dedication of the George C. Marshall Conference Center, Friday, Oct. 26, 2007, at the State Department in Washington. Marshall, who was Secretary...   (Associated Press)
A partial view of the Iraqi capital Baghdad as seen from a United States Army helicopter, on route from Baghdad International Airport to the heavily-fortified Green Zone in Baghdad, Tuesday Oct. 2, 2007. Iraq will take over security from British troops in Basra province within two months, Prime Minister Nouri...
A partial view of the Iraqi capital Baghdad as seen from a United States Army helicopter, on route from Baghdad International Airport to the heavily-fortified Green Zone in Baghdad, Tuesday Oct. 2, 2007....   (Associated Press)
A picture shows the new US embassy complex, still under construction.
A picture shows the new US embassy complex, still under construction.   (Getty Images)
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