U.S. DIPLOMATS OPPOSE FORCED ASSIGNMENT TO IRAQ, NEARLY HALF OPPOSE

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AP - Nearly half of U.S. diplomats unwilling to volunteer to work in
Iraq say one reason for their refusal is they don't agree with Bush
administration's policies in the country, according to a survey.
Security concerns and separation from family ranked as the top reasons
for not wanting to serve in Iraq. But 48 percent cited "disagreement"
with administration policy as a factor in their opposition, said the
survey conducted by the American Foreign Service Association, the union
that represents U.S. diplomats.

In addition, nearly 70 percent of U.S. diplomats who responded to the
survey oppose forced assignments to Iraq, a prospect that sparked a
storm of controversy last year when the State Department announced it
might have to require such tours under penalty of dismissal in the
largest diplomatic call-up to a war zone since Vietnam.

The results suggest the State Department may be facing a far more
serious revolt over Iraq among its ranks than previously thought, and
call into question its ability to fully staff diplomatic missions in
Iraq, as well as those in Afghanistan and other dangerous posts deemed
critical to the administration's foreign policy goals.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080108/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe
/us_diplomacy_iraq;_ylt=AuvvdlleiWUy.AyrBlBhVrWs0NUE


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