Embassy Row

Security questioned

The American Foreign Service Association yesterday criticized the level of security provided to U.S. diplomats in Iraq, after a State Department official was killed in a mortar attack Sunday near Baghdad International Airport.

John W. Limbert, president of the association that represents professional diplomats, said “we are deeply saddened” by the death of Edward Seitz, assistant regional security officer at the U.S. Embassy in Iraq, and condemned the “brutal terrorist attack.” Mr. Seitz, 41, of Detroit, is believed to be the first American diplomat killed in Iraq.

The association noted that “much work remains to be done” to improve the security of U.S. diplomats assigned to dangerous duty abroad.

“We strongly encourage the government to review the security arrangements protecting our dedicated colleagues and to provide them the fullest measure of protection possible,” the association said.

The association noted “progress” in improving security at U.S. embassies, consulates and other diplomatic missions since the 1998 terrorist attacks on U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania.

The State Department yesterday defended its security precautions in Iraq, calling the protection of diplomatic personnel “our utmost concern and top priority.”

“We spare no effort to provide them the security they need to ensure that they are working in as safe an environment as possible, with the recognition that this is dangerous business,” State Department spokesman Adam Ereli said.

“We are on the front lines of freedom with our military colleagues, as well as the civilian contractors. … We’re all doing everything we can to ensure that our colleagues come back safely, but to suggest that somehow we’re laying down on the job of security … is unfair.”

Mr. Ereli expressed the State Department’s “sorrow and condolence and grief” over the death of Mr. Seitz.

“There are many who are bravely sacrificing in Iraq. Ed was one of our own. We take this loss very personally,” he said.

Earthquake relief

The United States yesterday expressed its appreciation to Japan for its aid after the 1989 earthquake in San Francisco by donating $50,000 to help the victims of a killer quake in Japan over the weekend.

U.S. Ambassador Howard H. Baker Jr. telephoned Hiroyuki Hosoda, chief Cabinet secretary in Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi’s government, to announce the aid, the U.S. Embassy said in Tokyo.

“Recalling the Japanese people’s generosity after the 1989 earthquake in San Francisco, the ambassador authorized the disbursal of $50,000 in disaster assistance as a symbol of the U.S. desire to do whatever it can to assist the government and people of Japan during this difficult time,” the embassy said.

“The ambassador assured the chief Cabinet secretary that the United States stands ready to provide additional assistance to help ease the burden of the victims of this tragedy.”

The earthquake in Japan’s rural Niigata prefecture on Saturday killed 26 persons and injured more than 2,000.

Moving up

Jordan’s Marwan Muasher has just continued climbing the diplomatic career ladder since he left Washington in 2002, after serving five years as the kingdom’s ambassador to the United States.

Mr. Muasher, who returned to Amman to serve as foreign minister, was appointed deputy prime minister and state minister for prime ministry affairs in a Cabinet reshuffle announced last week by Prime Minister Faisal al-Fayez. Mr. Muasher also will be responsible for monitoring government performance.

King Abdullah II swore in Mr. Muasher and nine other new ministers on Sunday. Hani al-Mulqi, a former ambassador to Egypt, replaced Mr. Muasher as foreign minister.

• Call Embassy Row at 202/636-3297, fax 202/832-7278 or e-mail jmorrison@washingtontimes.com.