AFSA STATEMENT ON AMBASSADORS
American ambassadors are the representatives of our government, people and values around the world. They must lead our overseas posts, and manage the programs and the resources that support those posts and programs. They are the diplomatic commanders on the front lines defending our national security. For these reasons, the United States should send only its best and most qualified people as ambassadors.
What qualities are needed? The American Foreign Service Association suggests the following:
Absolute integrity and a clear public reputation for such integrity
Personal discretion and strong self-discipline.
Solid understanding of U.S. strategic interests – security, political, and economic.
Well-honed skills in cross-cultural communication, both for explaining U.S. values and views to foreign publics and authorities, and for explaining foreign events to the United States Government and public.
The intellect and perception needed to interpret and report accurately what is happening abroad and to recommend appropriate policies to pursue.
The knowledge, experience, and commitment necessary to manage personally the key issues and agencies involved in the mission for which the Ambassador has been selected, plus knowledge of the language, history and background of the country or international organization where the Ambassador will be posted.
The leadership, strength of character and executive skills necessary to guide and coordinate the activities of diverse U.S. agencies and their respective purposes abroad.
The primary authority for choosing Ambassadors rests with the President, and the United States has a long tradition of public service by private citizens. (Historical trends) This is appropriate and valuable, and private citizens should continue to serve in the diplomatic field. However, the value of this tradition of public service is undermined when individuals are chosen as ambassadors primarily for the size of their contributions to political campaigns, or for their personal friendship with the President.
In choosing ambassadors, the President should take full advantage of the professional expertise in the American Foreign Service that has been developed over time at the expense of the American taxpayer. Congress made clear its views on this subject in the Foreign Service Act of 1980, Section 304, which states, “Positions as chief of mission should normally be accorded to career members of the [Foreign] Service.”
To ensure that the highest standards are maintained in the selection of American representatives overseas, AFSA recommends that each President establish a bipartisan advisory board that would review for the President non-career candidates before they are formally nominated.
