The U.S. Consul at Work

by Charles Stuart Kennedy, William Morgan

Overview

Designed to present insiders' views on how consular activities work, this collection of oral history interviews with consular officers is an invaluable resource for diplomatic historians and political scientists. The interviews reveal the tasks these officials perform and how they view the substance of the consular function as part of the American role in international affairs both in the Department of State and at embassies abroad. Among the multitude of topics covered are leadership, training, junior officers, Communist regimes, the political milieu in which the consulates operate, American communities abroad, the protection and welfare of American citizens, narcotics problems abroad, visa matters, and passport concerns.

These first hand accounts are provided by both retired and presently working consular officials and reflect a broad range and variety of experience. The interviews have been edited and arranged topically into areas of consular specialization or related interests. Explanatory introductions written by the editors provide needed background information. Although much has been written about the history of consular affairs, there has been little else to date about consular operations and achievements. This book fills that gap.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780313277962
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	02/28/1991
Series:	Contributions in Political Science , #275
Pages:	272
Product dimensions:	6.14(w) x 9.21(h) x 0.62(d)
Lexile:	1250L (what's this?)

About the Author

WILLIAM D. MORGAN is a former Foreign Service Officer in the U.S. Department of State and a retired Minister Counselor. He served from 1950 to 1987.

CHARLES STUART KENNEDY is Director of the Foreign Affairs Oral History Program, Lauinger Library, Georgetown University. Also a former Foreign Service Officer, he authored The American Consul: A History of the United States Consular Service, 1776-1914 (Greenwood Press, 1990).

Table of Contents

Preface
Introduction to the Consular Function
Consular Leadership
Leadership in the Field
The Role of Junior Officers
Professional Training
Foreign Service National Employees
Relations of the Consular Section with Other Embassy Components
Consular Trade in International Politics
Communism and Consular Affairs
Contemporary Management Technology
Relations with Congress
The American Community
Protection and Welfare
Other Citizenship Services
Anti-narcotic Responsibilities
Anti-fraud Measures
The Visa Function
Refugee Programs
Immigration and Nationality Service
Seaman and Shipping
Glossary
Index