For Those Working in Diplomatic Circles, New York, Washington Are Different Worlds by Heather Nalbone When it comes to pushing an issue through the ranks of diplomacy, the competition doesnít get much thicker than it does in Washington, D.C. Thatís the word from a second-year ambassador who has served in various capacities in several European countries and who spent more than a decade as Liechtensteinís permanent representative to the United Nations. Ambassador Claudia Fritsche, who also served as an accredited non-resident ambassador toward the end of her 12-year stint in New York, refers to the day-to-day atmosphere in Washington as a series of "friendly competitions." Fritsche is far from alone in her assessment. A series of interviews with local ambassadors whose Foreign Service experience encapsulates a range of challenging appointments worldwide led to an uncommon result. Ask them what makes Washington a unique setting for diplomacy and the unprompted responses are strikingly similar. At times, theyíre almost identical. Most notable are comparisons regarding work in Washington compared to New York. For many diplomats, the two locations are in many ways worlds apart despite the mere 220 miles that separate them. "Both places involve really upper-level engagement and high-density diplomacy work," said Romanian Ambassador Sorin Dumitru Ducaru. "But in New York, you mainly interact with representatives of the U.N. Secretariat and agencies and other ambassadors. In D.C., there is a much larger spectrum of partners." Needless to say, the demands are high and the hours long in any ambassadorial post. And in some respects, placement in New York is as high as the diplomatic ladder goes. But for all the excitement and significance of happenings there, those who have worked at the United Nations say mystery is almost nonexistent. The daily schedule is fairly routine and predictable for member country representatives whose work takes place in the same location day in and day out. Although agendas and issues vary, thereís rarely a question about what a typical day entails: discussion and a voteóone for each representative. The agenda, put simply by several former ambassadors to the United Nations, is distinctly "lateral." "You can push your own agenda at the U.N. to some extent, but for the most part itís set for you," said Ambassador of Singapore Chan Heng Chee. Not so in Washington. Aside from the most pressing events, issues are made noteworthy by old-fashioned devotion. "Here you are competing against everyone for attention," Chan said. "Everyone has just so much time Ö and you must earn their attention." As any diplomat posted in the nationís capital knows, there are congressional committee chairs to entice, reporters to appeal to, and political lobbyists to charm. Finding innovative ways to keep up with it all gives the term "sweat equity" new meaning. Quiet evenings at home are often sacrificed for mingling at special events. Communication is established not just in local offices but in national settings, with frequent trips to visit global trading partners and expatriates in regions as far away as California. For an ambassador posted in Washington, the "office" is in many ways an entire region and, in some cases, a nation. The distinction between Manhattan and Washington was so distinguishable to Fritsche that she decided to convene her local counterparts when she first transferred to the nationís capital in 2002. The group of former U.N. representatives she formed still meets for the occasional luncheon or cocktail while discussing world events as they relate to issues on the local scale. "All of us have, among other things, one thing in common," Fritsche said. "We all care deeply about U.N. issues such as Iraq." The atmosphere at the United Nations, explained Chan, is cooperative, where each nationóregardless of size and prominenceóhas an equal say. Not every issue directly affects each player, but all are expected to participate in the decision-making process. The energy is kept alive by a desire to help foster international development and preserve peace. The circle of diplomatic contacts in Washington, although wider, is less politically collaborative. Cooperation among regional leaders is typical only when a common objective warrants it and schedules permit. Ducaru, for instance, meets periodically on an ad hoc basis with representatives of countries striving for European Union membership. Another group of ambassadors representing some of the worldís smallest nations collaboratively arrange cultural events and outings to garner attention for their homelands (see January 2004 issue of The Washington Diplomat). So where do Fritsche and others find fuel for all of the demands? Repetition of words such as "energetic," "exciting" and "challenging" during conversations about their ambassadorial efforts leave little doubt that the drive comes from genuine enthusiasm for their work. For some, additional fuel comes from the scenery. To Chan, the Washington area offers a much "greener," more livable environment with less concrete and more front yards than the Big Apple. Despite all of their differences, many ambassadors say that the one thing the two cities do have in common is a distinction from working in posts outside of America. In some nations where the native culture is a dramatic change, camaraderie tends to be with other expatriates. But in Washington and New York, ambassadors show exceptional interest in foreign cultures and customs, often forming longstanding friendships with colleagues from uncommon backgrounds. And as Fritsche pointed out, "Many beautiful friendships are formed because you spend a lot of time with your colleagues." Heather Nalbone is a contributing writer for The Washington Diplomat.