Montevideo, Uruguay

Overview:

Uruguay has traditionally been more affluent than other countries in South America and is known for its advanced education and social security systems and liberal social laws. It was the first nation in Latin America to establish a welfare state, maintained through relatively high taxes on industry, and developed a democratic tradition that earned it the sobriquet "the Switzerland of South America". But economic and political turmoil, in particular left-wing urban guerrilla attacks in the early 1970s, led the government of the day to suspend the constitution and launch a period of repressive military rule that lasted until 1985.   Tabare Vazquez's decisive victory in the 2014 run-off presidential election over right-wing challenger Luis Lacalle Pou cemented left-wing rule for another five years. 

Source:  BBC Country Profile

Americna Embassy Montevideo:

The Management Officer was Michael St. Clair, a nice guy who was very responsive and welcoming. An American Regional Human Resources (HR) Officer and Regional Financial Management Officer from the WHA/Florida regional center visits the post quarterly for a week to provide technical assistance with personnel and financial matters.    

The I.M. Pei designed, government-owned chancery was constructed in 1969, and was designated as an A/FBO culturally significant property. The bright, pleasant chancery provides generous office space for most employees. Nevertheless, the building’s mechanical, electrical, plumbing and fire protection systems were in need of major renovation work. 

In those days embassy staff had to complete not only personal questionnaires before the inspection but also, what was called, an Administrative Services Satisfaction Questionnaire (ASSQ).  These forms were mailed to OIG prior to the inspection, but in this case the ASSQs were late getting to Washington.  

Findings:

Post management needs to schedule quarterly ICASS Council meetings and should establish an inter-agency working group to address administrative support issues.

HR Issues of major concern include the lack of a FSN retirement plan, conversion of personal services contracts (PSCs) to PSAs and past due FSN employee evaluations. A few position descriptions need to be updated as well.  A local leave plan and social benefits allowance consistent with local law and prevailing practice should be implemented.  Also, hold individual supervisors accountable for the timely completion of employee evaluations and update the position descriptions to reflect current duties and responsibilities. More controls were needed in the use of overtime to ensure that it is approved in advance.  There should be more opportunities for eligible family member employment.   

The Financial Management section was headed up by an experienced Senior FSN Financial Specialist.  The embassy needed to install the latest Travel Manager software and implement using the program for preparing travel authorizations processing travel vouchers.  The embassy should cease the practice of making cash payments and their salaries in cash through the Citibank cashier based on the pay list from FSC/Charleston.  Consistent with the mandate from the Government Results and Performance Act (GPRA) OIG recommended that FSC/Charleston establish a schedule to have FSN salaries paid by electronic funds transfer. The embassy should also resolve the unliquidated obligations of FY 96 State appropriated funds. 

Highlights:

•      Visit to Colonia UN World Heritage Site

•      Walking the Corniche

•      Mercado del Puerto

•      Modern malls with movie theaters.  I remember watching the movie "Hannibal" with                     Anthony Hopkins.

Montevideo Skyline

Motevideo Coastline



Mercado del Puerta the city's principle meat and produce market.

                                         

 

The Historic Quarter of the City of Colonia del Sacramento is a fusion of Portuguese, Spanish and post-colonial styles. The buildings date from the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. Its street plan is organic, contrary to the general checkerboard layout used elsewhere in colonial Latin America.

Colonia, situated on a peninsula, was first settled by the Portuguese in 1680. Portuguese sovereignity was much disputed by the Spanish during the first decennia. They besieged the town and control changed hands several times. The Spanish empire finally took hold of this strategic post on the Río de la Plata in 1777.



Asuncion, Paraguay

Overview:

Landlocked Paraguay is at the heart of South America, surrounded by Argentina, Bolivia and Brazil.  Political unrest, corruption and chronic economic problems have plagued the country's fragile democracy since it emerged from the 35-year dictatorship of the late Gen Alfredo Stroessner in 1989.  Around a quarter of Paraguayans live below the national poverty line. Much of the land is owned by a small number of individuals and successive governments have been slow to implement land reform. The economy is reliant on agriculture and hydroelectric power. Unlike its neighbors, Paraguay does not have a large tourism industry.  Most of the population is of mixed Spanish and Guarani descent, known as mestizos, and speak the indigenous language Guarani as well as Spanish. Former senator Mario Abdo Benítez, of the ruling Colorado Party, assumed office in August 2018.

Source:  BBC Country Profile

American Embassy Asuncion:

The inspection took place from The DCM was David M. Robinson who went on to become a Minister-Counselor, Ambassador to Guyana and currently the Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of Conflict and Stabilization. The Management Officer was Frank Ledahawsky who is now the Management Counselor in London.  The FMO was Tim Sears was on his first tour and retired now and working as a REA with INL/AME.  Also, the local hire HR specialist, Karin MacGuire, was very impressive and, in fact, was nominated to become an HRO.  She is still working at the embassy as OIG is conducting a virtual inspection of the embassy this year.

Findings:

Embassy was housed in 50-year old building with insufficient office space. Accordingly, post management needed to submit space design plans to A/FBO to remodel the executive office areas, political, economic, consular, regional security and consular section to include a proper cashier office and contiguous office space for all consular section employees. OIG understood that funding for construction of new embassy compound was postponed due to a funding shortfall and was scheduled for 2010.  Management was still working under the old Joint Administrative Operation (JAO) and had not really embraced International Cooperative Administration Service (ICASS).  OIG recommended that the ICASS council hold regular meetings to address administrative support issues and provide direction to the interagency working group.

The only issue in Human Resources was a need to analyze the current retirement coverage for LE Staff and recommend a supplemental Defined Contribution Fund or replace the local pension fund which was going bankrupt. There were no major findings for financial management.

Highlights:

There was not much to do in Asuncion.  We did stop in Buenos Aires overnight in route to Asuncion to connect to our flight.  John McCarthy and I went to a Tango club to enjoy some music and dancing.  I remember getting ripped off by the taxi driver who cheated me out of change showing me a 20 Peso when I had given him a 50.     

Grand Lopez Palace 

The Church of Our Lady of the Assumption

Downtown Asuncion