• August 14, 2005: Headlines: Speaking Out: Military: Intelligence Issues: Safety and Security of Volunteers: The Santa Fe New Mexican: Clay Smaine says Blurring the lines between when military service ends and Peace Corps service begins threatens not only the clarity of the Peace Corps mission, but also the safety of our volunteers  Saturday, August 20, 2005 - 2:29 pm [1]

Stan Andrews says the Peace Corps is on a collision course with American foreign policy



Unfortunately, since the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, the Peace Corps has increased dramatically its involvement in areas of American "strategic" concern. For example, Romania, one of the "coalition of the willing," is a central site for our military. Romania also uses Peace Corps volunteers in teaching, health and community-development missions. In Uzbekistan, the Peace Corps has been recruiting volunteers even though our military has been ordered out. The Peace Corps is sending volunteers to Jordan, even though some of the insurgent leadership in Iraq includes Palestinian terrorists from that country.

Stan Andrews says the Peace Corps is on a collision course with American foreign policy

Keep the Peace in the Corps


Saturday, August 6, 2005; Page A18

Regarding Alan Cooperman's Aug. 2 Federal Page article, "Peace Corps Option for Military Recruits Sparks Concern":

The Peace Corps is on a collision course with American foreign policy. As a parent of a Peace Corps volunteer who is leaving on assignment shortly, I believe this merging of the Peace Corps and military recruitment may have the effect of placing Peace Corps volunteers in harm's way, especially in Islamic nations.

I have administered Peace Corps training contracts, supervised volunteer recruitment efforts and served with volunteers on overseas programs. Because of my esteem for the Peace Corps, my wife and I encouraged our son to join.

Unfortunately, since the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, the Peace Corps has increased dramatically its involvement in areas of American "strategic" concern. For example, Romania, one of the "coalition of the willing," is a central site for our military. Romania also uses Peace Corps volunteers in teaching, health and community-development missions. In Uzbekistan, the Peace Corps has been recruiting volunteers even though our military has been ordered out. The Peace Corps is sending volunteers to Jordan, even though some of the insurgent leadership in Iraq includes Palestinian terrorists from that country.

President Bush should rescind this recruitment policy. It is difficult to believe that many military recruits will be motivated to join up because of this option, and American youth's general lack of interest in military service won't be changed by recruitment gimmicks.

The Peace Corps has more qualified applicants than its limited budget can support. Congress needs to increase funding to expand the Peace Corps. However, if potential or serving volunteers believe that they may be perceived as spies or as an extension of the Pentagon, one of the few American institutions that has helped to build a positive image abroad will be destroyed.

STAN ANDREWS

Charlotte, Maine

When this story was posted in August 2005, this was on the front page of PCOL:



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Military Option sparks concerns The U.S. military, struggling to fill its voluntary ranks, is allowing recruits to meet part of their military obligations by serving in the Peace Corps. Read why there is rising opposition to the program among RPCVs. Director Vasquez says the agency has a long history of accepting qualified applicants who are in inactive military status. John Coyne says "Not only no, but hell no!" Latest: RPCV Chris Matthews to discuss the issue on Hardball tonight.

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Top Stories: August 1, 2005 Paul E. Tsongas Public Service Award unveiled 21 July Charlie Peters writes book on Wendell Willkie 25 July Protests against Peace Corps in Bangladesh 30 July Christopher R. Hill leads talks with North Korea 29 July Chris Shays blocks senator's plan to reopen bases 29 July Dr. Joann LaPerla-Morales leads Middlesex College 28 July Jacob Mundy supports struggle in Western Sahara 28 July Paul Theroux blames big oil for ‘catastrophe’ in Ecuador 28 July Bruce Wilkinson has called Africa home for 17 years 25 July Taylor Hackford producing "E-Ring" for tv 25 July Robert Haas to retire as head of Levi Strauss 24 July Brent Lynn turned Janus Overseas Fund around 24 July James Rupert says Musharraf walks tightrope in Pakistan 23 July Thomas O. Mann describes Carp Fishing in France 22 July Rob Quigley receives Maybeck Award in Architecture 22 July Blackwill says visit by India PM a 'historical breakthrough' 21 July NPCA studies membership structure 21 July Mark Lenzi says Poles deserve the West's support 20 July Mark Gearan weighs in on Bush's Supreme Court pick 20 July Ofelia Miramontes championed bilingual education 18 July Hank Stelzer supports school for blind in Lesotho 16 July

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Special Events for RPCVs RPCV's "Taking the Early Bus" at Cal State until Aug 15 "Artists and Patrons in Traditional African Cultures" in NY thru Sept 30 See RPCV Musical "Doing Good" in CA through Sept RPCV Film Festival in DC in October

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July 17, 2005: This Week's Top Stories C. Payne Lucas writes "Can we win the war on HIV/Aids?" 11 July Director Vasquez hints at expansion in Bangladesh 17 July Why didn't I spend my life helping others? 17 July John Beasley returns to the islands of Micronesia 17 July Jennifer Field to study glacier melting 17 July Tucker McCravy works with Serendib in Sri Lanka 17 July David Vick writes "Waging civilized warfare" 16 July Tom Petri says Nelson helped to promote civility 16 July Peace Corps Director Visits Volunteers in Mongolia 15 July John Bridgeland writes "An example for Boomers" 15 July Robert Blackwill says India and US have a great future 15 July Peace Corps debuts new internet recruitment tool 14 July Eight New Country Directors Appointed 13 July Shelton Johnson Honored for Buffalo Soldier program 13 July Bill Lorenz leads trek for Sudanese refugees 12 July Emilie Pryor says Peace Corps ignores Lariam problems 12 July DDN is Award Finalist for reporting on PC Safety 11 July Randy Lewis to hire 200 people with cognitive disabilities 10 July Maryland needs people like Tom Lewis 10 July Dan DeWayne puts on music festival 10 July

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By Anonymous (ns1.peacecorps.gov - 65.205.231.250) on Thursday, August 11, 2005 - 4:44 pm: Edit Post

This article is incorrect. Peace Corps pulled out of Uzbekistan before the army was told to leave.