WHAT DO FOREIGN SERVICE OFFICERS DO?

For centuries, maintaining relationships between nations through the exchange of representatives has been the task of diplomacy. Foreign Service work is on the front line of the process by which nations establish and maintain official contact with one another in pursuing their respective goals, objectives, interests and policies. It embraces the making, implementation, and support of foreign policy at all levels at home and abroad. It involves the functions of representation, administering our overseas establishments, caring for the interests of your country's citizens abroad; and reporting, communicating, and negotiating on political, economic, consular and administrative affairs.

The growth in the number and importance of international organizations brings new demands for competence in multilateral diplomacy. Hand-in-hand with this development is the growing importance of a range of increasingly technical issues which are global rather than primarily bilateral in nature and

which require new skills and better insights into the foreign policy implications of such areas as science and technology, narcotics and refugee affairs. And today a significant portion of a Foreign Service officer's career will be served in the country's capital, participating in the complex process by which national policy is made and supported.

Political officers analyze and report on political matters that affect the national interests of their country. They convey their government views on political issues to foreign officials, negotiate agreements and maintain close contact with political leaders, third country diplomats and others of influenced

Political work requires an ability to report and interpret events and trends in a variety of cultures and political systems. Officers must persevere in a field in which visible results are not always immediately apparent. They must also be able to communicate rapidly and concisely, and be flexible in handling diverse responsibilities, especially at smaller posts.

Some political officers have more specialized duties. Those who qualify may become area specialists, knowledgeable about the language, history, culture and politics of a nation or region such as the USA, or Latin America. Political officers may also serve as science attaches abroad.

A typical week for a political officer overseas might include: reporting on a foreign election or change of government, seeking support for your country's foreign policy initiative, analyzing a border dispute, briefing or suggesting remarks for a visiting senior official, and perhaps, escorting the official, while handling the daily flow of cables and correspondence relating to the visit

Success in the Foreign Service requires a strong command of the mother tongue as well as of a foreign language. All Foreign Service officers must be able to speak and write clearly, concisely and correctly. The success of much of their work depends on their ability to speak and write persuasively and to analyze and defend policies and proposals.

Exercise 5

Suggest the Russian translation for the following word combinations:

1. remote countries

2. harsh climates

3. health hazards

4. social amenities

5. pursue a goal, objective, interest, policy

6. convey the news

7. immediately apparent results

8. seek support for

Exercise 6

Match the following words with their definitions:

a. an invitation to test one's strength, skill or ability

b. include or cover

c. the power of using one's mind to understand the
true nature of the situation

d. responsibility or promise to follow a certain
course of action

e. give smb instructions or information, in order to
prepare them for an activity

f. not to be had, obtained, used

7. to brief smb on g. continue steadily and with determination in spite of difficulties

Exercise 7

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