bout de papier, Vol. 3, No. 2 (1985) — Summer 1985 // Été 1985, pp. 4–5
“Very much enjoyed the last editions of bout de papier. My wife and I read it from cover to cover. Congratulations to the editor and staff — keep up the good work!” W.L. Clarke Sao Paulo “My compliments on the bout de papier new look”
Don Butler Kingston “We enjoy the new look in bout de papier and look forward to future editions”. Ernest E. Allen Singapore “Best wishes on your next edition of bout de papier — it’s getting better and better. As a reward, maybe they will let you edit Liaison”
John C. Sloan Beijing “What a pleasant surprise to receive a copy of bout de papier, the official publication of PAFSO.”
Richard Beach Director Centre for the Study of Canada Plattsburgh, New York
Thanks bout de papier
“I wanted to thank you for sending along the March 1985 issue of bout de papier. Naturally I was most interested in the article on Chuck Marshall. I was very surprised at his death. I had known him since we were friends together at UBC ’away back then’.
I was also most interested in your interview with Charles Ritchie. Furthermore, I notice in the ’Letters to the Editor’ the note about the Soward Memorial Fund.
R.H. Roy University of Victoria
British Columbia
Support for Ombudsman
“An ombudsman versed in the foreign service and who has served abroad would be a good idea. In my day the references to conditions, never pay, would be in the monthly report signed by the ambassador, which we assumed would be properly filed before reading, but available for future reference should that ever be required. The individual officer could not directly communicate, therefore, it was at the whim of head of post. One highlight did occur in Caracas when a visiting treasury officer on his first trip outside Canada decided that our allowances were too high. (Venezuela was then one of the posts with the highest cost of living) and informed us that he would so recommend. He based his deductions on the cheapest goods available and prices of restaurants whose attention to cleanliness and proper handling of any food would be conducive to an agonizing and untidy death to any foreigner daring to eat there (unless he be a treasury officer.) We hastily sent a report to Ottawa backed by evidence from other embassies, menus showing high prices of acceptable establishments, and clothing that withstood only one wearing. We learned later that, based on his report, his expense claim was slashed. Our allowances remained the same.
Although the department had grown, not much had been changed since Charles Ritchie’s first appointment and mine in 1947. Although not as severe as described in the letter about Ethiopia, conditions at secondary posts abroad were generally below living standards in the then Byward Market. We griped among ourselves but no concerted effort was made to correct them.
There is much more I could say about my years circa 1947-1964, but I think I will save those good, exciting, and often struggling days in the East Block and abroad for my book. But I will say that I would not have missed them for the world!
Robert W.A. Dunn
Thanks for Understanding
Thank you for understanding my “cry of despair” and for the sensitivity which you demonstrated in printing my letter in the same issue as Dr. Adler’s article on some of the difficulties encountered by spouses serving abroad.
Suzanne Mooney Addis Ababa
Challenge of Ethiopia
I’m sure that you, like other Canadians, have been following the news coverage of the famine in Ethiopia and other parts of Africa. Canadians have opened their hearts and their wallets, and this generosity has helped slow the mass starvation to some degree. Unfortunately, such action is only temporary and short-term in nature.
There are two issues that we must tackle in order to alleviate the malnutrition and starvation that is occurring. The first hurdle to overcome is to develop a plan by which we can keep this most serious issue in the forefront in Canada, as well as other parts of the developed world. There are many ways for us to take a leadership role and I believe that the Professional Association of Foreign Service Officers can show initiative in this area. For example, your union could challenge unions in other provinces to collect a day’s salary (or an hour’s wage) each month from each of their members. Just think of the impact you could make – especially when the average annual income for people in Ethiopia is only $140! If Canadian unions started the ball rolling the results would be outstanding!
The next and most important step, is to establish a long-term plan to restore agricultural production in the drought-stricken countries. I am presently attempting to establish a foundation that will raise funds to rejuvenate. their agricultural bases through reforestation, the use of better farming techniques, education and research. I would be pleased to discuss with you the ways in which your union can become directly involved in establishing this foundation and bringing these long-term projects to fruition.
I ask you to become involved in the greatest challenge and fight of our lives — both in the short and long term. There is so much we can accomplish by working together.
Eugene F. Whelan, P.C. President, World Food Council 47 Clarence Street Ottawa, Ontario KIN 9K1
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Originally published in bout de papier, Vol. 3, No. 2 (1985) — Summer 1985 // Été 1985, pp. 4–5. Read the rest of this issue →
