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From Britain With Love: MI6 Seeks Minorities

Spy agency wants women, Asians, Arabs, to help fight terrorism

By Caroline Zimmerman,  Newser User

Posted Jul 13, 2008 4:32 PM CDT
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(Newser) – Next year's 007's may look more like Charlie's Angels than James Bond, as MI6 seeks to recruit more women and minority agents, the AP reports. The drive, which has netted 20,000 résumés over the past 12 months, welcomes Asian and Middle Eastern language speakers, the disabled, and women—and guarantees that female agents won't be used as "honey pots."

The need for Arabs and Asians is clear: MI6 is monitoring 200 potential terrorist plots and more than 21,000 suspects. But the drive will also satisfy an upcoming employment equity law that urges organizations to hire minorities. "We need less sexism and a symbol who doesn't always hold a martini glass," said one female MP.

We need is less sexism and a symbol who doesn't always hold a martini glass, says one female MP of MI6's association with James Bond.
"We need is less sexism and a symbol who doesn't always hold a martini glass," says one female MP of MI6's association with James Bond.   (Shutterstock)
MI6's new recruitment effort is geared towards women and minorities.
MI6's new recruitment effort is geared towards women and minorities.   (Shutterstock)
The future James Bond may be a dark-skinned Urdu speaker if MI6's new recruitment effort geared towards women and minorities changes popular stereotypes of foreign spies.
The future James Bond may be a dark-skinned Urdu speaker if MI6's new recruitment effort geared towards women and minorities changes popular stereotypes of foreign spies.   (Shutterstock)
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gender • counterterrorism • James Bond • MI6 • Britain • gender discrimination • gender stereotypes • intelligence agencies

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