Visit our website: HTTP://WWW.STOPNATO.ORG.UK --------------------------------------------- But unlike his predecessors, from the stately Henry Kissinger to the fun-loving Madeleine Albright, the retired general and former chairman of the joint chiefs of staff has taken a uniquely military approach to his campaign. "I might be back to you for an ad budget one of these days," Powell said, smiling and offering "Be All You Can Be at Embassy Bogota" as a possible slogan for the campaign. Friday August 17, 6:34 AM State Department launches flashy recruitment drive for diplomatic "troops" WASHINGTON, Aug 16 (AFP) - In a bid to boost its ranks with the best and the brightest, the State Department on Thursday launched a flashy new recruitment drive, promising would-be diplomats "the opportunity of a lifetime" on the "front lines of diplomacy." "The opportunity of a lifetime is out there," spokesman Philip Reeker said, urging aspiring foreign policy makers to register to take the US Foreign Service Examination next month, the first step in joining the diplomatic corps. "We invite individuals interested in experiencing a global lifestyle and making a difference in the world to register and take the foreign service exam in the United States," he told reporters during the department's internationally televised daily news briefing. Reeker's pitch came after months of hints from Secretary of State Colin Powell that he intends to make recruitment of highly-qualified personnel -- particularly minorities -- one of his top priorities, and to use high-tech and military-style techniques in his quest. The announcement followed the recent unveiling of a new high-tech website (www.foreignservicecareers.gov) which, replete with fancy graphics and catchy phrases, offers recruits the chance to "be the face of America to the world." Such advertising techniques have been all but unknown at the State Department, which for years languished with a recruitment budget of only 70,000 dollars, according to officials. "Welcome to the front lines of diplomacy!" blares the heading of a message to websurfers from Powell, who, like his predecessors, has sought to improve the quality, morale and pay of US diplomats. But unlike his predecessors, from the stately Henry Kissinger to the fun-loving Madeleine Albright, the retired general and former chairman of the joint chiefs of staff has taken a uniquely military approach to his campaign. "Freedom needs not only a guardian but also an advocate," Powell says in the message, arguing that "no function of our government is more important to out national life than the conduct of our foreign policy." "We are the frontline troops, often the only consistent contact other people of the world have with America, the motive force for freedom and democracy in the world," he says. Powell began to speak of his desire to improve the State Department's recruiting on taking office in January and just two months later was outlining his plans before lawmakers. "We have to do a better job of marketing the State Department, of selling the State Department, of selling foreign policy ... as something that you want to do to serve your country," he told a Congressional budget committee. "I'm not quite at the point where I want to do 'Be All You Can Be Ads' like the military does, but I might get there," Powell said, referring to a long-running advertising campaign run by the US Army to attract recruits. "I might be back to you for an ad budget one of these days," Powell said, smiling and offering "Be All You Can Be at Embassy Bogota" as a possible slogan for the campaign. __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Make international calls for as low as $.04/minute with Yahoo! Messenger http://phonecard.yahoo.com/ ------------------------------------------------- This Discussion List is the follow-up for the old stopnato @listbot.com that has been shut down ==^================================================================ EASY UNSUBSCRIBE click here: http://topica.com/u/?a84x2u.a9spWA Or send an email To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] This email was sent to: archive@jab.org T O P I C A -- Register now to manage your mail! http://www.topica.com/partner/tag02/register ==^================================================================
