2006.04.25: April 25, 2006: Headlines: PCOL Magazine: Year 06 Issue 4: PCOL Exclusive: Gaddi Vasquez leaving Peace Corps

Peace Corps Online: Peace Corps News: PCOL Magazine: 2006.04.25: April 25, 2006: Headlines: PCOL Magazine: Year 06 Issue 4: PCOL Exclusive: Gaddi Vasquez leaving Peace Corps

By Admin1 (admin) (pool-151-196-234-53.balt.east.verizon.net - 151.196.234.53) on Tuesday, April 25, 2006 - 7:44 pm: Edit Post

Gaddi Vasquez leaving Peace Corps

Gaddi Vasquez leaving Peace Corps

Gaddi Vasquez leaving Peace Corps

In this Issue:

Gaddi Vasquez leaving Peace Corps for FAO Ambassadorship

Peace Corps announces new program in Cambodia

Peace Corps Temporarily Suspends Program in Chad

Peace Corps stonewalls on FOIA Request

Peace Corps Volunteers recovered from Koa Island in Tonga

Cleveland Plain Dealer endorses Morocco RPCV Barbara Ferris for Congress




Gaddi Vasquez leaving Peace Corps for FAO Ambassadorship

Peace Corps Online

Exactly one week ago we predicted that Director Vasquez would soon be receiving a major ambassadorship. Today the White House confirmed that Vasquez will be the new Representative to the United Nations Agencies for Food and Agriculture replacing Tony Hall.

Initiatives and Accomplishments: Vasquez's major initiatives and accomplishments since becoming Peace Corps Director include: an agreement with Mexico in 2003 to host volunteers, sending RPCVs to work domestically in Hurricane relief after Katrina, emphasis on recruitment of minorities and of community college graduates, upgrading Peace Corps' infrastructure especially IT upgrades in the online application tracking process and the Volunteer Delivery System, an emphasis on safety and security of volunteers including the creation of a Situation Room at Peace Corps Headquarters, modifying Peace Corps' "Five Year Rule" for employment, and the expansion of the Peace Corps to its highest level in 30 years. He is the third longest serving Peace Corps Director after Loret Ruppe Miller and Sargent Shriver.

PCOL Comment: Director Vasquez, let us be the first to thank you for your service to the Peace Corps, congratulate you on your new appointment, and wish you good luck in your future endeavors. Although we have had our differences over the years and we opposed your nomination in 2001, we think you are leaving a solid legacy of accomplishment and have served the Peace Corps well.


Read the story and leave your comments at:

http://peacecorpsonline.org/messages/messages/2629/2046515.html




Peace Corps announces new program in Cambodia

Peace Corps Online

Director Vasquez and Cambodia's Deputy Chief of Mission Meng Eang Nay announced a historic new partnership between the Peace Corps and the Kingdom of Cambodia that will bring volunteers to this Southeast Asian country for the first time.

The Peace Corps will be working with local community leaders to evaluate possible areas where volunteers can apply their skills. Over the next few months, the Peace Corps will establish an office in Cambodia and begin to train staff for the post. When volunteers begin serving early next year, they will be available to teach English and work in health education. As the program is established, the Peace Corps will look to expand into additional sectors and areas of the country. Under King Norodom Sihamoni and Prime Minister Hun Sen, Cambodia has welcomed new partnerships with the U.S. government and other U.S. organizations.

Read the story and leave your comments at:

http://peacecorpsonline.org/messages/messages/2629/2045597.html





US Ambassador to Cambodia Joseph A. Mussomeli says: I would also like to thank Peace Corps for somehow finding the funding in a particularly difficult budgetary time to open a new Mission in Cambodia

Peace Corps Online

"I will end with a confession I tell all Peace Corps volunteers that I meet. I confess to them that while I admire the Peace Corps greatly, my feelings are really more of a love-hate sort."

"The love part is easy to explain: through their idealism, their commitment, their sense of service, the volunteers remind the rest of us that we should not forsake our ideals and that we are all servants. The hate part is more embarrassing: When I was 20 years old I applied to the Peace Corps and was rejected. Ever since then I have always felt a certain envy toward each volunteer. Thank God the State Department has lower standards and I was able to eventually find a job, -- but still, even after 33 years, I wish I had had the opportunity and honor to serve in the Peace Corps."

Read the story and leave your comments at:

http://peacecorpsonline.org/messages/messages/2629/2046093.html




Peace Corps Temporarily Suspends Program in Chad

Peace Corps Online

Peace Corps has announced the temporary suspension of the program in Chad.

Over the past two months, there have been frequent attempts to destabilize the government of Chad by rebel forces in the country. In light of current conditions and concerns for volunteer safety, the Peace Corps has determined that a temporary suspension of the program is necessary at this time.

“It is with tremendous regret that the Peace Corps is temporarily suspending its program in Chad at this time,” said Director Vasquez. “The security of Peace Corps volunteers is the highest priority. All Peace Corps volunteers have safely left the country.”

Read the story and leave your comments at:

http://peacecorpsonline.org/messages/messages/467/2046103.html





US State Department issues travel warning for Chad

Peace Corps Online

"Because of the recent violence and the unsettled security situation, the Department of State has authorized the departure of non-emergency personnel and all eligible family members of US embassy personnel," the department said in a statement.

The State Department urged Americans to postpone non-essential trips to Chad and urged US nationals currently in Chad to consider leaving, citing reports of rebel attacks earlier this month in southern, eastern and central Chad. "As a result of reports that rebels may be moving towards N'Djamena, the embassy recommends that Americans limit movement to the extent possible, stay in their residences and avoid travel outside of N'Djamena," the statement urged. It also advised Americans to avoid large demonstrations, warning that, with elections looming, "the risk of civil unrest and political instability is high."

Read the story and leave your comments at:

http://peacecorpsonline.org/messages/messages/467/2046063.html





Peace Corps stonewalls on FOIA request

Peace Corps Online

The Ashland Daily Tidings reports that Peace Corps has blocked their request for information on the Volkart case. "After the Tidings requested information pertaining to why Volkart was denied the position — on March 2 — the newspaper received a letter from the Peace Corps FOIA officer stating the requested information was protected under an exemption of the act." The Dayton Daily News had similar problems with FOIA requests for their award winning series on Volunteer Safety and Security.

First, the Peace Corps denied access to Volkart’s file due to privacy concerns. When Volkart waived these rights, the corps responded with e-mails between Volkart and Peace Corps officials, but he received no explanation of why his invitation was rescinded besides an e-mailed statement from Chief of Operations for the Europe, Mediterranean and Asia Region. The statement read, “Peace Corps has rescinded its invitation to you to serve as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Morocco for programmatic and foreign policy concerns.”

The Tidings will appeal its latest FOIA request to push for further information that has been denied — written internal communication, including e-mails, regarding Volkart and the summary of a communication between Volkart and Joye Wagner with the Peace Corps. Wagner was Volkart’s placement officer.

Read the story and leave your comments at:

http://peacecorpsonline.org/messages/messages/467/2046040.html





Peace Corps Volunteers recovered from Koa Island in Tonga

Peace Corps Online

Eight PCVs stationed in Tonga who were on vacation at the time, 1 RPCV, 5 Australian volunteers, and 2 Australian citizens were recovered from Tofua Island and Koa Island in Tonga. (The two islands are right next to each other.)

We ran a story a few years ago on Peace Corps Volunteers conquering Koa, a volcanic island that at 1046m is the highest point in Tonga. On the "expedition" this year, the volunteers chartered a boat to leave them there for a few days, but weather turned bad before the boat could return and they were stranded on the islands with food running low. The Peace Corps office in Tonga knew the volunteers were there and arranged for a chartered boat to recover them. In additon, the Australian Embassy arranged for an Australian naval vessel. The Australian vessel arrived first. All volunteers are now safe and sound.

The Peace Corps Press Office told us that the Peace Corps does not anticipate putting a "ban" on visits to Tofua or Kao, that the bad weather was just a "bit of bad luck" and that volunteers will have to be a little more careful in checking the weather before future PCVs make their own "expedition" to Koa and Tofua Islands. The volunteers who made the trip in 1999 were asked "If they have another chance, would they do it again? Only to Tofua, but not to Kao," they said."

Read the story and leave your comments at:

http://peacecorpsonline.org/messages/messages/467/2046318.html





Cleveland Plain Dealer endorses Morocco RPCV Barbara Ferris for Congress

Peace Corps Online

It is extremely unusual for a newspaper to withdraw its endorsement from an incumbent it has supported for years - the more so when that officeholder is a congressman with an international reputation, and the race is a primary election that he almost certainly will win.

Nonetheless, that is what Cleveland Plain Dealer has done. In the Democratic contest between five-term Rep. Dennis J. Kucinich and his challenger, nonprofit executive Barbara Anne Ferris, the Plain Dealer has endorsed Ferris as the Democrat more in tune with the community, its needs and its future.

"Why? Because Ferris is intelligent, experienced in national and international affairs through her work with the United Nations, the Peace Corps and the International Women's Democracy Center, and puts forth what we believe to be an attainable plan of using the district's remaining resources to help it return to economic health. Ferris, 52, lacks elective experience. That cannot be denied. In many ways she is a political work in progress - optimistic almost to a fault, as though she believes she herself must provide all of the energy necessary to carry her to what would be a stunning upset victory. "

Read the story and leave your comments at:

http://peacecorpsonline.org/messages/messages/6253/2046444.html





When this story was posted in April 2006, this was on the front page of PCOL:


Contact PCOLBulletin BoardRegisterSearch PCOLWhat's New?

Peace Corps Online The Independent News Forum serving Returned Peace Corps Volunteers
Rumor Mill: Vasquez to accept new  appointment Date: April 18 2006 No: 877 Rumor Mill: Vasquez to accept new appointment
We have heard persistent rumors that Director Vasquez will soon be receiving a new position in the administration, perhaps a major ambassadorship. This is unsubstantiated although it comes from a credible source. The Peace Corps Press Office has had no comment.

Initiatives and Accomplishments: Vasquez's major initiatives and accomplishments since becoming Peace Corps Director include: an agreement with Mexico in 2003 to host volunteers, sending RPCVs to work domestically in Hurricane relief after Katrina, emphasis on recruitment of minorities and of community college graduates, upgrading Peace Corps' infrastructure especially IT upgrades in the online application tracking process and the Volunteer Delivery System, an emphasis on safety and security of volunteers including the creation of a Situation Room at Peace Corps Headquarters, modifying Peace Corps' "Five Year Rule" for employment, and the expansion of the Peace Corps to its highest level in 30 years. He is the third longest serving Peace Corps Director after Ruppe Miller and Shriver.

PCOL Comment: Although we have had our differences with the Director over the years and opposed his nomination in 2001, we think he is leaving a solid legacy of accomplishment. Director Vasquez, if these rumors turn out to be true, let us be the first to thank you for your service to the Peace Corps, congratulate you on your new appointment, and wish you good luck in your future endeavors.

Top Stories and Breaking News PCOL Magazine Peace Corps Library RPCV Directory Sign Up

The Peace Corps Library Date: February 24 2006 No: 798 The Peace Corps Library
The Peace Corps Library is now available online with over 40,000 index entries in 500 categories. Looking for a Returned Volunteer? Check our RPCV Directory. New: Sign up to receive PCOL Magazine, our free Monthly Magazine by email. Like to keep up with Peace Corps news as it happens? Sign up to recieve a daily summary of Peace Corps stories from around the world.

PC Program in Chad temporarily suspended Date: April 14 2006 No: 872 PC Program in Chad temporarily suspended
Director Vasquez announced the temporary suspension of the Peace Corps program in Chad on April 14 and that all 29 Peace Corps volunteers have left the country. With a program dating back forty years (See Page 4 of the April 1966 "Peace Corps Volunteer"), RPCVs hope that volunteers can return to Chad as soon as the situation has stabilized. Congratulations to the Peace Corps for handling the suspension quickly and professionally.

Peace Corps stonewalls on FOIA request Date: April 12 2006 No: 869 Peace Corps stonewalls on FOIA request
The Ashland Daily Tidings reports that Peace Corps has blocked their request for information on the Volkart case. "After the Tidings requested information pertaining to why Volkart was denied the position — on March 2 — the newspaper received a letter from the Peace Corps FOIA officer stating the requested information was protected under an exemption of the act." The Dayton Daily News had similar problems with FOIA requests for their award winning series on Volunteer Safety and Security.

PCOL readership increases 100% Date: April 3 2006 No: 853 PCOL readership increases 100%
Monthly readership on "Peace Corps Online" has increased in the past twelve months to 350,000 visitors - over eleven thousand every day - a 100% increase since this time last year. Thanks again, RPCVs and Friends of the Peace Corps, for making PCOL your source of information for the Peace Corps community. And thanks for supporting the Peace Corps Library and History of the Peace Corps. Stay tuned, the best is yet to come.

History of the Peace Corps Date: March 18 2006 No: 834 History of the Peace Corps
PCOL is proud to announce that Phase One of the "History of the Peace Corps" is now available online. This installment includes over 5,000 pages of primary source documents from the archives of the Peace Corps including every issue of "Peace Corps News," "Peace Corps Times," "Peace Corps Volunteer," "Action Update," and every annual report of the Peace Corps to Congress since 1961. "Ask Not" is an ongoing project. Read how you can help.

PC announces new program in Cambodia Date: March 29 2006 No: 849 PC announces new program in Cambodia
Director Vasquez and Cambodia's Deputy Chief of Mission Meng Eang Nay announced a historic new partnership between the Peace Corps and the Kingdom of Cambodia that will bring volunteers to this Southeast Asian country for the first time. Under King Norodom Sihamoni and Prime Minister Hun Sen, Cambodia has welcomed new partnerships with the U.S. government and other U.S. organizations.

Top Stories: March 23, 2006 Date: March 23 2006 No: 846 Top Stories: March 23, 2006
Peace Corps celebrates 45th Anniversary 9 Mar
Celeste joins Stonebridge International 21 Mar
Spain plans Peace Corps 20 Mar
Rita Botts learns about living in layers in Ukraine 18 Mar
Melanie Boyer writes "About Last Night" 17 Mar
Pat Waak files campaign complaint 15 Mar
Tom Bissell is a 'Yooper' 15 Mar
Toledo keeps Peru's dispute with Yale in the public eye 14 Mar
Lack of teachers for 'Critical Languages' 14 Mar
Keith and Jenny Gelber met as PCVs in Zambia 10 Mar
Bush presents award to Amber Davis-Collins 9 Mar
Brian Singer founded Project Zawadi 9 Mar
Christopher R. Hill speaks on East Asia in Transition 9 Mar
Edmund Hull says patience will win war on terrorism 7 Mar
Miriam Gray reconnects with Brazil RPCV after 40 years 5 Mar
Ashley Tsongas keynotes Women's Week Breakfast 5 Mar
Sari Long says PC has much to teach us 3 Mar
Dana Priest calls for Peace Corps for the 21st Century 4 Mar
Vasquez says PC needs to be more racially diverse 4 Mar
Peace Corps Fund ready for first round of grants 2 Mar
Shriver Peaceworkers Celebrate 12 Years 1 Mar
White House plans to close Americorps NCCC Program 1 Mar

Peace Corps suspends program in Bangladesh Date: March 16 2006 No: 827 Peace Corps suspends program in Bangladesh
Peace Corps Director Gaddi H. Vasquez announced the suspension of the Peace Corps program in Bangladesh on March 15. The safety and security of volunteers is the number one priority of the Peace Corps. Therefore, all Peace Corps volunteers serving in Bangladesh have safely left the country. More than 280 Peace Corps volunteers have served in Bangladesh since the program opened in November 1998. Latest: What other newspapers say.

Invitee re-assigned after inflammatory remarks Date: March 21 2006 No: 839 Invitee re-assigned after inflammatory remarks
The Peace Corps has pulled the invitation to Derek Volkart to join the Morocco Training Program and offered him a position in the Pacific instead after officials read an article in which he stated that his decision to join the Peace Corps was in "response to our current fascist government." RPCV Lew Nash says that "If Derek Volkart spoke his mind as freely in Morocco about the Moroccan monarchy it could cause major problems for himself and other Peace Corps volunteers." Latest: Volkart reverses stance, takes new assignment in Paraguay.

RPCV admits to abuse while in Peace Corps Date: February 3 2006 No: 780 RPCV admits to abuse while in Peace Corps
Timothy Ronald Obert has pleaded guilty to sexually abusing a minor in Costa Rica while serving there as a Peace Corps volunteer. "The Peace Corps has a zero tolerance policy for misconduct that violates the law or standards of conduct established by the Peace Corps," said Peace Corps Director Gaddi H. Vasquez. Could inadequate screening have been partly to blame? Mr. Obert's resume, which he had submitted to the Peace Corps in support of his application to become a Peace Corps Volunteer, showed that he had repeatedly sought and obtained positions working with underprivileged children. Read what RPCVs have to say about this case.

Military Option sparks concerns Date: January 3 2006 No: 773 Military Option sparks concerns
The U.S. military, struggling to fill its voluntary ranks, is allowing recruits to meet part of their reserve military obligations after active duty by serving in the Peace Corps. Read why there is 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!" and RPCV Chris Matthews leads the debate on "Hardball." Avi Spiegel says Peace Corps is not the place for soldiers while Coleman McCarthy says to Welcome Soldiers to the Peace Corps. Read our poll results. Latest: Congress passed a bill on December 22 including language to remove Peace Corps from the National Call to Service (NCS) military recruitment program

Why blurring the lines puts PCVs in danger Date: October 22 2005 No: 738 Why blurring the lines puts PCVs in danger
When the National Call to Service legislation was amended to include Peace Corps in December of 2002, this country had not yet invaded Iraq and was not in prolonged military engagement in the Middle East, as it is now. Read the story of how one volunteer spent three years in captivity from 1976 to 1980 as the hostage of a insurrection group in Colombia in Joanne Marie Roll's op-ed on why this legislation may put soldier/PCVs in the same kind of danger. Latest: Read the ongoing dialog on the subject.


Read the stories and leave your comments.






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Story Source: PCOL Exclusive

This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; PCOL Magazine: Year 06 Issue 4

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