[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 90 (Tuesday, June 24, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S6287]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          DIPLOMATS OF THE STATE DEPARTMENT SOUTH ASIA BUREAU

  Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Mr. President, during the 104th Congress, I 
was privileged to serve as ranking minority member of the Foreign 
Relations Subcommittee on Near Eastern and South Asian Affairs. In that 
time, while visiting and monitoring events in the South Asia region--
which includes India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and 
Bangladesh--I had the honor of working with a talented and dedicated 
group of diplomats. I wish to pay tribute to some of them today.
  The South Asia Bureau is the smallest and youngest of the State 
Department's regional bureaus, having been created by congressional 
mandate in 1992. Despite its size, it has ably represented American 
interests in this critical part of the world. This summer, it will 
undergo its first major transition, as nearly all the ranking diplomats 
in the bureau will rotate on to other assignments. Before they do, I 
wanted to take an opportunity to commend them for their service.
  At the top, of course, is Assistant Secretary of State for South 
Asian Affairs Robin L. Raphel, the first person to ever hold the 
position. During the past 4 years, Assistant Secretary Raphel has 
deftly managed the complex web of issues that encompass South Asia--
from Indo-Pakistani tensions to nonproliferation, from human rights to 
the environment, and from counterterrorism and narcotics to the deadly 
conflict in Afghanistan. She has also been a trusted and valuable 
interlocuter with Congress, making the administration's case fairly and 
straightforwardly to those on all sides of every issue under her 
purview.
  Assistant Secretary Raphel has been assisted in her efforts by an 
outstanding team of ambassadors in the field: Ambassador Frank Wisner 
in New Delhi, Ambassador Tom Simons in Islamabad, Ambassador Peter 
Burleigh in Sri Lanka, Ambassador David Merrill in Dhaka, and 
Ambassador Vogelgesang in Kathmandu. Due to a quirk of timing, with the 
exception of Tom Simons, all of these ambassadors either have or are 
expected to vacate their posts this summer.
  I want to commend each of these fine diplomats: Frank Wisner, one of 
the most senior and well-regarded members of the entire Foreign 
Service, and David Merrill, both of whom have announced their 
retirements from Federal service: Peter Burleigh, a native of my home 
State of California and a first-rate linguist, who will next be 
furthering United States interests as Deputy Permanent Representative 
at the United Nations; and Sandy Vogelgesang, for whom I have a 
special, personal regard.
  Last November, when I traveled to Nepal to view United States 
assistance projects, I was highly impressed by Ambassador Vogelgesang's 
knowledge of Nepal and her depth of caring for its people, the high 
degree of respect she enjoyed throughout the country, and the way these 
traits enabled her to be an effective advocate and promoter of U.S. 
interests. She is, in short, one of the finest Ambassadors I have ever 
had the privilege of working with. I hope and expect that our Nation 
will enjoy the benefit of her service in future posts in the years to 
come.
  Mr. President, during my tenure on the Foreign Relations Committee, I 
have developed a high regard for the work of our talented and dedicated 
Foreign Service personnel. Almost without exception, I have found the 
people representing our Nation in embassies overseas to be infused with 
seriousness, patriotism, and professionalism. Sadly, they are too often 
underappreciated, and occasionally even criticized. As Senators, who 
are called upon to approve the highly competitive selection and 
promotion processes, and to confirm appointments to the Foreign 
Service's most senior levels, it behooves us to take the time to 
recognize some of our most accomplished diplomats.
  On behalf of my colleagues, I express appreciation and admiration for 
a job well done to Assistant Secretary Raphel and Ambassadors Wisner, 
Simons, Burleigh, Merrill, and Vogelgesang. Our country owes them 
thanks for their able service, and we are grateful for their 
significant contributions to improving and expanding our relationships 
with the countries of South Asia.

                          ____________________