bout de papier, Vol. 15, No. 3 (1998) — Fall 1998 // Automne 1998, p. 2
As I put pen to paper for my first editorial as the new bout Editor, I first wish to recognize the stellar contribution of Carol Turner-Trusca as bout Editor over the past year. All of us at bout, and in the foreign service community, wish Carol all the very best in her new posting in Prague. For my part, having been involved in bout since 1981 (thus revealing my longevity in the halls of DFAIT) and having had the privilege of serving on the bout Editorial Board over the past year, I take on the bout editorship with particular relish, and with a strong sense of privilege and honour. bout is clearly an outstanding publication, whose quality reflects the professionalism of past editors and Editorial Boards, the production team at Acart Graphics, and, of course, the continuing magic performed by Debra Hulley, bout’s Managing Editor. As Editor, I want to see bout take on a larger role as a forum for discussion and debate on the concerns of PAFSO members as they relate to issues such as FS job satistaction, pay levels, career prospects, and the future of the FS group in a Universal Classification System world. It is important that the pages of bout reflect a balance in coverage of these kinds of concerns, and articles dealing with past achievements of foreign service officers, or of a more ’travelogue’ nature. Hence, with this issue we introduce “PAFSO Forum/Forum de l’APASE” — a regular column where PAFSO members and others can raise concerns about major issues before the FS community. I count on ideas, and copy, from bout readers to ensure the success of this new undertaking.
This issue features an excellent piece by first-time contributor Pearl Williams on the merits of cross stream assignments — a subject of direct relevance to many FS facing assignment and posting choices.
We also offer our readers two features that explore the theme of ’return to roots’ Susan Shenstone’s “Lebanon Revisited” describes her vivid impressions upon returning to Lebanon after a 22-year absence; Lan Hoang’s “Un passage au Vietnam” is a wonderful essay written from the perspective of a Canadian of Vietnamese origin returning to Vietnam as an FS on temporary duty. David Collins offers bout readers a glimpse inside another less well-known part of Asia — the ’Hermit Kingdom’ of North Korea — as one of the few FS ever to visit North Korea on official duty.
This issue of bout offers some wonderful vignettes from a historical vantage point. James Gibson’s “Some Little Time” recounts memorable moments from his years of service as personal secretary to former Prime Minister Mackenzie King. Many of our readers may not be familiar with the role played by the late John Halstead in the early discussion of the design of the new Canadian flag. In this issue we reprint a Halstead memo from 1954 setting out his thoughts and a design proposal for the new flag. Our “Commentary” section carries a stimulating piece by Ross Campbell on the subject of NATO enlargement — an issue that is both current and not without controversy.
Self-congratulation has never been a strong point in the Foreign Service, where it seems our own achievements, and those of Foreign Service spouses, are sometimes overlooked. In this issue we are pleased to reprint excerpts and some wonderful photos from a Foreign Service ’best-seller’ — Margaret Dickenson’s “The Ambassador’s Table: Blueprints for Creative Entertaining”. On November 14th, Margaret was awarded the prestigious prize for “Best Cookbook on Entertaining” at the World Cookbook Fair held in Perigueux, France. In our next issue, we will also run photos and an article on the PAFSO Awards Ceremony that took place in Ottawa in June.
Our “In Memoriam” section this issue features pieces written in very different styles, but with equal measures of admiration, by Anne Leahy and David Stockwell, paying tribute to the late Robert Ford and the late Tom Boehm. Finally, no issue of bout is complete without copy from A Aalto who is back with us, in fine form, with another mind-twisting puzzle.
I hope you enjoy this issue of bout as much as we enjoyed putting it together. Feel free to call or E-Mail your comments and suggestions to the Editorial Board ([email protected]).
Story ideas are great, but copy is even better!
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Originally published in bout de papier, Vol. 15, No. 3 (1998) — Fall 1998 // Automne 1998, p. 2. Read the rest of this issue →
