THE 2010 AFGHANISTAN/IRAQ/PAKISTAN CYCLE

UNCLAS STATE 057450 FROM THE SECRETARY TO ALL POSTS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: AMGT APER SUBJECT: THE 2010 AFGHANISTAN/IRAQ/PAKISTAN CYCLE REF: A) STATE 00056137 -------------- OPPORTUNITIES TO MAKE A POSITIVE DIFFERENCE -------------- ¶1. Following is the text of a personal message from the Secretary on service in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Iraq which comes from a video that was released earlier this week (available via links on the Assignment-Afghanistan, Assignment-Iraq, and Assignment-Pakistan websites listed in para 3). Additional details on our new strategies for Afghanistan and Pakistan, and Iraq, as well as the opportunities to serve there will be sent in separate cables. ¶2. Begin text of Secretary Clinton's message: Since joining the State Department a little over four months ago, I have been inspired time and again by the dedication of the people who serve our nation here at State. I have seen the sacrifices that you make on a daily basis, particularly those of you serving in hardship and danger posts around the globe. I have asked for your support many times as your Secretary, and you have always provided it. Today, I am calling on you again. The President's most important foreign policy objectives are, first, to bring the conflict in Iraq to an honorable close; and second, to pursue a new policy in Afghanistan and Pakistan that will bring stability to both of these troubled countries as they face innumerable challenges. To meet these crucial goals, the President needs our full support. We need dedicated members of both the Foreign and Civil Services to step forward and take on these challenges, with the courage, experience, and dedication for which State Department employees are known around the world. Many of you have already served in these key regions. On behalf of the President and the entire nation, I thank you. Now, I ask everyone here to consider joining this mission. Reach out to your career development officers and to your friends and colleagues in the Near East and South Central Asia bureaus, and find out how you can contribute to the critical work underway in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. The future of these countries will have a powerful impact on our own. We must succeed in our efforts. But we cannot do it without you. I issue this call to service in full confidence that you will answer it, as the men and women of the State Department have time and again throughout the Department's long history, whenever our President and our nation looked to you to lead. Today, we look to you again. Your service is key to our success in these critical regions. Please consider contributing your talents to our teams in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. Thank you. End text of the Secretary's Message ¶3. We have developed the following websites to assist those considering assignments in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Pakistan: http://hrweb.hr.state.gov/prd/hrweb/dg/assign ment_afghanistan/ http://hrweb.hr.state.gov/prd/hrweb/dg/assign ment_iraq/ http://hrweb.hr.state.gov/prd/hrweb/dg/assign ment_pakistan/ ¶4. Minimize considered. CLINTON