Diplomatic Community Gives Impressions Of Republican, Democratic Conventions by Sean OíDriscoll Protestors at the Republican National Convention may have been confused by the sight of four different colored buses traveling to and from Madison Square Garden in New York. The buses contained more than 100 foreign diplomats from Washington, D.C., who came to witness democracy in action and network with other foreign policy advisers and officials. The level of planning for diplomats attending the Democratic and Republican conventions was impressive, and the security was relatively unobtrusive, according to various diplomats from European, African and South American embassies. There was, however, one big distinction between the two conventions. The Republicans allowed an embassyís chargÈ díaffaires to attend the convention, while the Democrats would only accept ambassadors. Some ambassadors said privately they found this unnecessary, given that a chargÈ díaffaires is trusted to represent his or her country and can report back on any developments from the conventions. This was particularly important in late July, when many ambassadors were on vacation or on missions back to their own countries. According to Lithuanian Ambassador Vygaudas Usackas, his country was not represented at the Democratic Convention despite a request by his chargÈ díaffaires to attend. "They had rather strict rules that only ambassadors could attend. I asked my chargÈ to go and he asked to be included, but unfortunately they said he could not. I guess it was due to the limited numbers available that he was not invited." Usackas said he was not accusing the Democrats of insensitivity. "We donít blame anyone for that. Itís up to the hosts whatever scenario they design and whoever they want to include. I just apologize that I wasnít able to join my friends from my Democratic Party." In contrast, about one-third of the diplomats at the Republican Convention were chargÈ díaffaires, according to Usackas. Despite private rumblings by some other diplomats about the selection issue, most reported that they were happy with the diplomatic programs at both conventions. At the Republican National Convention, Commerce Secretary Don Evans and U.S. Trade Representative Robert B. Zoellick were among the Cabinet members who met with the diplomatic community to discuss international trade and politics. "We were very pleased with the attention of some members of Cabinet who attended the meetings with us and joined the receptions, like Secretary Evans and Secretary Zoellick. We also had plenty of opportunities to meet congressmen and senators and activists," said Usackas. "They were very gracious with their time and organized an excellent program," the ambassador added. "We had speakers from the White House, from the Commerce Department, from trade, security and intelligence, we had congressional briefings and had lunch with former [Secretary of State] Henry Kissinger." Former President George Bush Sr. and his wife Barbara also turned up at the Kissinger luncheon. For some diplomats, it was also a time to catch up with different ethnic groups represented at the conventions, as when Usackas met with Lithuanian Republicans from Illinois. "I learned that Americans can party until four in the morning," he said. The Democratic National Convention also had a very comprehensive program for diplomats, organized by the National Democratic Institute (NDI), which included more than 600 officials, parliamentarians, ambassadors and party leaders from more than 120 countries. Diplomats at the Democratic National Convention were welcomed by former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, as well as Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.), Gov. Bill Richardson of New Mexico and Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-Md.). NDIís opening panel discussion, "Foreign Policy and the 2004 Campaign," drew heavy interest from the diplomatic community and included an address by Albright and Joe Biden (D-Del.), a ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. The Club of Madrid in Boston hosted "Conversation on Democracy," another high-powered NDI discussion that touched on international diplomacy and the war on terrorism and featured former country leaders such as Canadian Prime Minister Kim Campbell, Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Guterres, Brazilian President Fernando Cardoso, Bolivian President Jorge Quiroga and Irish President Mary Robinson. Perhaps the most valuable panel discussion was "International Relations: Democracy; Economics; and Security," organized by Sen. John Kerryís foreign policy advisers. It was an ideal opportunity for diplomats to better understand the Democratic presidential candidate and assess the foreign policy experts who may be shaping policy in the next administration. The panel was moderated by Rand Beers, national security adviser to Kerry and someone who will be of vital interest to diplomats if Kerry wins the presidential election. According to Egyptian Ambassador Nabil Fahmy, who attended both conventions, it was an excellent time to meet foreign policy experts who may shape the next White House administration, although there wasnít enough time to really get to know those involved. "In terms of the Democrats, we listened to the new advisers, who were maybe not there when Clinton was in office. With the Republicans, we listened to actual officials. Itís a good opportunity to get acquainted, but not enough to build up a relationshipóthat will come after November," he said. Fahmy said the direction of the foreign policy discussions was very much about the war on terrorism, but there was little about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which Egypt has spent decades trying to resolve. "The focus was mostly on terrorism, Iraq, the whole direction of the Middle Eastóthese issues were quite prominent," he said. "The Middle East peace process, regrettably, frankly, was not." Fahmy noted that he was very much in demand because of Egyptís importance in the wider Middle East region. "Itís good to be in demand but it would be better for good news rather than difficult news. I think [the United States has] become more open because they see Egypt as an ally in the Middle East, but more so because they see that given Egyptís weight in the Middle East, it can help move relationships forward." Fahmy also noticed that interest in his country at the conventions had grown immensely because of 9/11. "I suppose, given our long history, they want answers to some of the questions that are out there, and Egypt is known as a friend. But certainly we are much more in demand than in the past because the challenges that you face are many of the challenges that we have faced in the past." Many diplomats were surprised by how little the protests and the tight security interfered with their ability to travel in and out of the convention center. "I was expecting worse and was really surprised how smoothly the event went," said Usackas. "There were lots of articles and TV coverage about the protests, but I didnít experience any problems moving back and forth. If you had credentials and stuck to the rules, it was all right. I used to walk sometimes from Madison Square Garden back to the hotel late at night and didnít experience any inconveniences." Usackas said the Republican Convention had developed an easy transportation system that avoided confusion or security breeches. "We had different colored buses that went in various directions. So if you wanted to go north, you got on a certain colored bus, so that was very convenient." For Fahmy, the security was easy to deal with but the timing of the movement to and from the convention centers was difficult. "Security went rather easily. The logistics were a bit overbearing. They wanted to make sure they got us in early and set up in our seats. That tended to get us in early and leave rather late, but the security measures per se, they were certainly welcome." For diplomats who missed the convention, or who want to learn more about U.S. democracy, the International Foundation for Election Systems (IFES), a Washington-based nonprofit, is holding an election-day breakfast panel at the National Press Club for ambassadors interested in discussing the presidential election. Three political analysts will share their expert opinions about the 2004 election process and key issues that have surfaced since 2000. The evening prior, on Nov. 1, IFES and the Argentinean Embassy will also host a reception for ambassadors. Summing up his experience of this election cycle, Fahmy said he was not surprised by the speeches at the conventions, but was very impressed by the diverse faces on the convention floor. "There was a kaleidoscope of people from all over the world. It was not the homogenous Anglo-Saxon stereotype. There was such a variety of people at both conventions, and that will serve America very, very well." Sean OíDriscoll is a contributing writer for The Washington Diplomat.