Vasquez Hurt the U.S. Peace Corps

Peace Corps Online: Peace Corps News: Directors of the Peace Corps: Peace Corps Director Gaddi Vasquez: Gaddi Vasquez: Newest Stories: 2006.04.18: April 18, 2006: Headlines: Directors - Vasquez: PCOL Exclusive: Rumor Mill: Vasquez to accept new appointment : 2006.04.25: April 25, 2006: Headlines: Directors - Vasquez: Diplomacy: United Nations: White House: It's Official: Gaddi Vasquez nominated for Representative to the United Nations Agencies for Food and Agriculture : Vasquez Hurt the U.S. Peace Corps

By Colin Gallagher (70.134.130.12) on Wednesday, April 26, 2006 - 1:03 pm: Edit Post

When we look at Vasquez's 'accomplishments' we must acknowledge, taking the broader view, that he hurt rather than helped the Peace Corps.

Were it not for the National Peace Corps Association, such programs as the National Call to Service (which Vasquez said would have no effect on Peace Corps) would have continued to convert the new face of Peace Corps into a thinly-veiled military presence abroad. The expansion of Peace Corps has occurred at the cost of nearly sacrificing the implementation of the Congressional statement of purpose contained in the Peace Corps Act, as was pointed out in the PCOL post (at http://peacecorpsonline.org/messages/messages/2629/2036686.html).

At the time of that post in mid-October of 2005, it was estimated that active duty military had become eleven and one-half percent of the new face of Peace Corps. The latest revelations regarding intelligence activities taken in violation of our nation's laws by our administration do not add any comfort to the unanswered questions (raised in April of 2002 by PCOL) and concerns regarding what measures could be taken to protect the Peace Corps (see link to the specific questions and concerns at http://peacecorpsonline.org/messages/messages/2629/1007716.html?1019219702). Collectively, I see that things have gotten worse, not better, and the attitude of Vasquez towards these issues during his time in his post did not change.

I urge all persons who read this message to take the following steps:
1. Urge the Peace Corps to appoint a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer as Director.
2. Sign the petition to protect the U.S. Peace Corps at http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/632965389?ltl=1145576866

Thank you.

- Colin G. Gallagher, RPCV
El Salvador 1998 - 2000
Former Board Rep - NorCal Peace Corps Association


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