Diplomats eyed for Iraq Duty (may be ordered...)

[katty]

more: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24845400/

updated 1 hour, 18 minutes ago
WASHINGTON - The State Department has begun to identify diplomats who could be forced to serve in Iraq next year unless enough volunteers come forward to fill about 300 positions, The Associated Press has learned.

A department-wide notice issued Tuesday says officials have looked through the files of all foreign service officers who will be applying or “bidding” for new jobs in 2009 and compiled a roster of candidates who are “particularly well-qualified” to work at the American Embassy in Baghdad and in outlying provinces.

Those on the list will be notified of their status this week and urged to volunteer, according to the internal notice, which was also sent by cable to all U.S. diplomatic missions abroad. If positions remain unfilled after the summer, they will become the core of a group of “prime candidates” who may be forced to go to Iraq, it says.

[jtrockville]

1. Will Condi lead by example and volunteer for a tour?

[katty]

2. o yeah she's a real girl scout...she'll be shopping for shoes

[jimshoes]

3. What's the problem?

I hear it's just like your average American downtown. McSame said so.