AFSA Press Release: September 28,2006

AFSA PRESS RELEASE

American Foreign Service Association • 2101 E St. NW • Washington, DC 20037 • 202-338-4045 • Fax: 202-338-6820 www.afsa.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date: September 28, 2006
Contact: Tom Switzer

Phone: 202-944-5501
E-mail: switzer@afsa.org

AFSA Expresses Condolences on Foreign Service Personnel
Killed in Nepal

Washington, DC – “We are deeply saddened by the deaths of U.S. Agency for International Development employee Margaret Alexander, and Foreign Service National employee Dr. Bijnan Acharya, who were killed in a helicopter crash September 23rd in Nepal. This tragic loss underlines the mortal dangers faced by the men and women of the U.S. Foreign Service who are working under the most extreme circumstances to advance our nation’s vital interests around the globe. On behalf of all our colleagues, I extend my heartfelt condolences to their families,” states J. Anthony Holmes, President of the American Foreign Service Association.

AFSA recognizes that it is impossible anywhere to provide 100 percent security and safety of our personnel who staff the front lines of American diplomacy, particularly in an era of "transformational diplomacy" in which the Foreign Service is becoming "more expeditionary." Since the 1998 East Africa embassy bombings in which more than 250 died (including 53 U.S. government employees), considerable progress has been made in bringing our overseas embassies, consulates, and other missions up to acceptable security standards. However, not only does much work remain to be done, but there are inherent risks, such as the one that occurred in Nepal this weekend, that simply cannot be eliminated.

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AFSA is the professional representative and labor union of the 25,000 active and retired Foreign Service personnel serving in the Department of State, U.S. Agency for International Development, Foreign Commercial Service, Foreign Agriculture Service, and the International Broadcasting Bureau.