But I would miss my tea and crumpets.

• Author: Peters, Charles
• Position: Tilting at Windmills - Transfer of diplomats - Brief article - Column

I was delighted when I read about Condoleezza Rice's plan to transfer diplomats from Europe to understaffed posts in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. One longtime problem with the foreign service has been that it was too successful in concentrating jobs where the living was easy, and where the real need for American diplomats did not justify the assignments.

Unfortunately, when I read the list of countries that will lose foreign service...