Visit to the American Presence Post in Turkey and the American Corners Post in Serbia

[Media Note] 

First let me thank Ambassador Jim Holmes from the office of E Diplomacy and Mr. Joe Merante for sponsoring our trip and especially Mr. Merante for traveling and planning the actual trip. I also want to thank Rick Ruth from Assistant Secretary Pat Harrison’s office, and Matt Lauer our staff director.
 
Commissioner Jay Snyder and I had the opportunity to explore the use of New Diplomacy efforts in Turkey and Serbia: The American Corner and the American Presence Post (APP).
 
It is important to note that these two concepts are actually opposites in many regards.
 
The APP that we visited in Izmir, Turkey is located in a City where there was previously a Consulate General.
 
The gentleman who ran the APP was sent there by the Ambassador to Turkey with a multi-task mission. He has a small office in the City where he has one assistant and another foreign national work. This particular APP performs American Citizen Services, because the foreign national who has been doing Consular Services alone since the Consulate General left is now working in the APP. This is a great service but, as soon as the American Foreign Service Officer appeared, he was required to “sign-off” on documents that previous to his arrival were signed off by the Foreign National.
 
In addition to those services, our person there speaks to local civic groups, teaches a class at the local University and interacts with government officials.
 
The Department of Commerce has an office in Izmir as well that promotes trade and is located in a separate building at the Chamber of Commerce.
 
The thing that struck us was the amount of security required because of the American Officer being stationed there. He had a driver paid for by the Embassy, an American, bullet-proof car, a personal body guard – paid for by the local authorities and two to three local law enforcement officials at both his residence and office – again, all paid for by the local authorities. In order to get a meeting with our people there, one must call ahead, get an appointment and then go through the security procedures once at the office.
 
We believe, and the report reflects this belief, that this concept is valuable and useful, but must be mission-focused and the Ambassador and PAO must make the financial and time commitment to make sure it works well.
 
This concept contrasts dramatically with the American Corner.
 
The American Corner we visited was in Nis, Serbia. Nis is a University town with a population of 300,000 and 15,000 students. The local government wanted to create an American Corner that would appeal to students and alumni. It is located in 2 small rooms each of which is smaller than the room we are currently in. In the one room is a series of desks with about 5 or 6 computers and a very small reference library. The other room has a conference table and room for 15 or so chairs seated theater style for meetings, presentations and speakers.
 
While we were there the computers were all occupied and students were using them. Most students used them to find out about opportunities to study in America and get more information on entrance exams and other such items.
 
We found that the local government and the foreign nationals working there were enthusiastic and strong boosters of our presence there.
 
The big difference between the American Presence Post and the American Corner is that the APP requires an American officer and the rather large security detail and is less accessible by the public because of that. The American Corner is staffed by foreign nationals so the public is better able to access it and it does not require the security detail the APP does. The APP has the advantage of having a live person there to speak to groups, plan trips for dignitaries, and promote our ideas to government and business.
 
Both concepts work well, and can help us promote American ideals and values abroad.

Before implementing one or the other concept careful consideration should be given to the role and mission needed in a particular area.