Nassau, Bahamas

Overview:

An archipelago of 700 islands and islets, the Bahamas attracts millions of tourists each year.  The visitors come to enjoy its mild climate, fine beaches and beautiful forests.  A former British colony and now a Commonwealth member, the country is a major center for offshore finance and has one of the world's largest open-registry shipping fleets. The Bahamas enjoys a high per capita income.  The huge growth in the services sector of the economy has prompted people to leave fishing and farming villages for the commercial centers in New Providence Island, Grand Bahama and Great Abaco.  As with other Caribbean countries, The Bahamas faces the challenge of tackling drugs trafficking and illegal immigration.  It has taken steps to clean up its offshore banking system.  Dr Hubert Minnis was elected prime minister on 10 May 2017, when his Free National Movement (FNM) soundly defeated the ruling Progressive Liberal Party (PLP). 

Source:  BBC Country Profile

American Embassy Nassau:

We only had ten days in Nassau from June 19-29 so we were really pressed for time to complete our interviews and draft the report.  The embassy staff included over 150 U.S. direct-hire Americans but half were with DOJ/DEA/INS and Coast Guard given immigration and customs inspections in Nassau and Freeport and drug trafficking.  The Management Officer was Andrew “Drew” Oltyan who is still around working with INL at the Department.   The embassy building was purchased in 1995, had no setback needed serious renovations, fire and security enhancements.  I understand that a new site had been purchased for a new embassy compound and construction started in 2019. 

 

Findings:

 

A real property concern was the status of the government-owned vacant Great Inagua Aerostat site, OIG recommended the Office of Overseas Buildings Operations, resolve the disposal.  The post needed to establish a comprehensive maintenance program covering all facilities in accordance with the Office of Overseas Buildings Operations Facilities Maintenance Handbook.

 

The embassy needed to implement the electronic funds transfer of local employees' net pay to individual bank accounts. There were issues with processing official residence expense vouchers that should be borne by the representational appropriation.  Embassy Nassau had serious issues with the former cashier's account and OIG recommended that the issue be submitted to the committee on fiscal irregularities for a decision on whether to close out the former cashier's accountability.  The embassy also needed to establish a centralized system for maintaining accounts receivable records and institute a procedure for following up on outstanding bills.  The embassy should clear the remaining funds in its suspense deposit abroad account and review prior-year travel advance accounts and proceed with collection action for those advances that are still outstanding. The FMO should establish procedures to review and verify the monthly summary of daily accounting sheets of consular receipts from the accountable consular officer. 

After returning home and reviewing the final drafts of our inspection report I had contact with WHA/EX and a former colleague, Wayne Logsden, who was with me in Kuwait following the gulf war when we reopened the embassy there.  We also sorted out the recommendation regarding a bi-lateral work agreement with the bureau.  

Highlights:

•   Straw Market

•   Fish Fry Restaurants

•   Atlantis on Paradise Island

•   Cracked Conch, fritters, chowder and salad

Holiday Inn downtown where we stayed 

Cruise ships at the port

The Atlantis, Paradise Island

Downtown Nassau

Straw Market

Seafood restaurant famous for Cracked Conch (Fritters) or Conch Salad 

Barbados

Overview:

Barbados is one of the more populous and prosperous Caribbean islands. Political, economic and social stability have given it a relatively high standard of living.  Known for its beaches and cricket - its national sport - the former British colony has a dual heritage: English - evident in its stone-built Anglican churches and Saturday race meetings - and African, reflected in its music and dance. Barbados was in the past heavily dependent on the export of sugar as its main revenue earner, but in recent decades the economy has diversified into tourism and finance. It also has offshore reserves of oil and natural gas.  Outgoing Governor-General Sandra Mason, the last representative of the British Crown, became the first president of Barbados in November 2021.  She was chosen by parliament the previous month. Despite deciding to become a republic in 2020, Barbados will remain a member of the 
Commonwealth. 
Source: BBC Country Profile

American Embassy Bridgetown:

The inspection took place May 31 – June 18, 2001.   Management Officer, Paul Carpenter, was an experienced FSO.  The FMO was Susan Page, a management generalist, but finance was not her strength.  The GSO was Constance Dierman who became the Consul General at Hamilton, Bermuda and in 2020 ended up being inspected by OIG.  There were 33 formal recommendations made in this inspection.  Like other inspections to date, myself as a management type was saddled with making logistical arrangements for the team.  This meant making sure everybody applied for visas, schedule flights, made hotel reservations and was the main liaison with the embassy for administrative support for the team.  We did stay in a nice hotel the Cassurina Beach.  Well on this inspection my colleagues were not pleased that we had to fly back through Miami to get to our next stop, Nassau instead of flying direct from Bridgetown.  Anyway, the Fly America policy required us to use an American carrier and, if I remember correctly, we were able to connect direst instead of having to overnight in Miami.               

Findings:

The priority for the embassy was to identify a suitable property for a new embassy.  OIG recommended that the Office of Overseas Buildings Operations (OBO) finalize the decision memorandum to continue to start the construction or to look for a new office building site.  The department finally identified a 3.2 acre site, renovated an existing five-story building as well as an addition of similar scale that was completed in 2006. OIG also recommended Office of Office Buildings Operations should assess the regional assignments of facilities maintenance specialist positions in the Caribbean to provide adequate support to Bridgetown.

There were issues with other agencies not using the embassy contracting officer to commit the embassy to the purchase of goods or services.  OIG emphasized that the Department of State will not ratify the unauthorized commitments of other agencies.  The embassy needed to prepare a written comprehensive vehicle usage policy in accordance with Foreign Affairs Manual.

In financial management prior year unliquidated obligations needed to be reviewed to verified and de-obligate funds if obligations are no longer valid. Also, review prior year outstanding travel advance accounts and proceed with collection action for those that are still not cleared. The OIG also cited the Cashier for not reconciling the outstanding deposits from 1998-99 and differences in local currency and U.S. dollars to balance her accountability.  We ended up suggesting that  FSC/Charleston establish a new separate cashier code for Barbados.  OIG also reminded the Cashier to review and verify the daily accounting sheets for Consular collections. 

In terms of Human Resources OIG recommended that the responsibility for paying the employer contributions to the National Insurance Scheme and the American Life Insurance Company should be transferred to the Charleston Financial Service Center.  HR should establish procedures to terminate post differential payments when employees travel to the U.S.  Also, HR should publish and disseminate its policy on hiring American citizens and eligible family members.  In the area of refunds made to employees for sick leave from the government of Barbados National Insurance Scheme procedures were needed to record reimbursements through an automated accounts receivable system.  OIG recommended that a policy be established on overtime and issue an administrative instruction stressing that regulations require all overtime to be approved in advance.

With respect to the other embassies accredited to Barbados (Grenada, Dominica, St. Lucia, Antigua/Barbuda, St. Kitts/Nevis, and St. Vincent/Grenadines) OIG recommended that a mechanism be established to charge the administrative support costs for Embassy Grenada directly through International Cooperative Administrative Support Services. The Bureau of Financial Management and Policy should consider Embassy Bridgetown’s request to change the designation of the sub cashier at Embassy Grenada to principal cashier the accountable consular officer each month.

Highlights:

•   West coast resorts and beaches

•   Rugged north coast

•   East coast excursion overland by 4-wheel

•   Capital of Bridgetown

•   Eating Flying Fish    

Our hotel Casuarina Beach Hotel located on beautiful
 Dover Beach and four miles from Bridgetown.

Marina in Bridgetown

St. Michael's Cathedral Bridgetown

Kingston, Jamaica

Overview:

Known for its strong sense of self identity expressed through its music, food and rich cultural mix, Jamaica's influence extends far beyond its shores.  With luminaries such as the black nationalist Marcus Garvey and musician Bob Marley, Jamaicans are proud of their cultural and religious heritage. Jamaicans have migrated in significant numbers to the United States, Canada and Britain and their music stars are known around the globe. The island is the birthplace of Rastafarianism, a religious movement which has been adopted by groups around the world who venerate the former Ethiopian emperor Haile Selassie. Once regarded as a revolutionary threat, Rastafarianism became a cultural force, reflected in art and music.  Since independence from Britain in 1962, power in Jamaica has alternated between the social-democratic People's National Party and the conservative Jamaica Labour Party.  Political stability, however, has not turned into social and economic harmony.  Andrew Holness, a former education minister and leader of the Jamaican Labour Party, became prime minister in March 2016.  He governs with a slim one-seat majority after his then-opposition party beat the party of Portia Simpson Miller, Jamaica's first female head of government, in elections.  Among the challenges the government faces is a high rate of youth unemployment and dealing with the country's heavy debt.

Source:  BBC Country Profile

American Embassy Kingston:

The inspection took place from May 15-31, 2001.  This was the first of three embassies being inspected in the spring in addition to Barbados and Nassau.  The OIG team consisted of Ambassador John Monjo who has served as Ambassador to Malaysia, Indonesia and Pakistan.  He was a pleasure to work with given his laidback style.  Other team members were Bill Whitman (Deputy), Jackie James (Mgmt), Bill Belcher (DS) and Ernest Fischer (CONS).    Everybody was easy going and I learned a lot from Jackie and Bill.  Both along with Bill Whitman have since passed away.  The Management Officer was Moosa Valli who had the management inspectors over for dinner at his house, which for ethical reasons, is no longer possible today.  I worked closely with Moosa for making hotel arrangements, office space and scheduling our entrance meetings with all FSOs and FSNs for the team.   We ended up staying at the Pegasus (with breakfast included).   Moosa went on to have tours as a Management Officer in Pretoria and Nairobi, CG in Capetown and DCM in Malawi.  He did end up with OIG as a senior Management Inspector in a later tour and attributed his joining OIG to his experience with the team in Kingston. I also worked with Ron Coles, IMO to get everyone set up with PCs and passwords.  The FMO position was vacant for seven months prior to our arrival and a series of TDY FMOs covered the office intermittingly.  The new FMO, Theo Lewis, arrived shortly before we arrived.    

Findings:

The Department’s Office of Overseas Buildings Operations owned an apartment complex called the Crown Plaza that needed a long-range plan for renovation.  In addition to developing a capital construction plan OIG recommended the embassy hire additional staff or assign a facilities management specialist to monitor and maintain the Crowne Plaza complex.  Interesting dynamics with local community that didn't mind if the embassy used it for embassy staff housing but no way did they want the building used for Consular services and issuing visa.  Eventually, the property (changed to Powell Plaza) was sold in May 2019.

 In terms of Human Resources OIG recommended that the embassy establish procedures to terminate post differential payments when employees travel to the United States.  The embassy should obtain approval from the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs for personal services agreement authority to regularize the recurring employment of casual hires.  

In the area of financial management there were issues with the receipt of Consular fees through Citibank that needed to be resolved.  The embassy needed to establish a centralized system for maintaining accounts receivable records.  

Highlights:

•    Bob Marley Museum

•    Devon House

•    Blue Mountains

  
                                       

                                   OIG Team Jackie James, Bill Belcher, Bill Whitman, John Mongo and me.

Jamaican Skyline

Devon House, built in 1881 is the former residence of George Stiebel (1820-1896), Jamaica's first black millionaire.  He gained his wealth in Venezuela and returned to Jamaica.  Now a museum. 

                    

Entrance to Bob Marley Museum his former residence and home to the Tuff Gong reggae record label founded by the Wailers in 1970.  Tuff Gong international recording studio produced songs such as "No Woman No Cry" "Trenchtown Rock" "Stir it Up", "Catch a Fire" "Redemption Song", "Buffalo Soldier" and "Could You Be Loved".  The studio is still in use by international music stars.  

Kingston Coastline

Blue Mountains at the highest point 7,402 ft. where the famous Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee is cultivated  

                                      

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

      

Lima, Peru

Overview:

Peru's rich and varied heritage includes the ancient Incan capital of Cuzco and the lost city of Machu Picchu plus, spectacular scenery, including Lake Titicaca, the world's highest navigable lake. A growing number of visitors are being drawn to its variety of attractions.  The country has been experiencing an economic boom. Foreign investors, attracted by the government and encouraged by favorable conditions, have been keen to get involved in exploiting the country's mineral wealth, sometimes in the face of local resistance. A left-wing primary school teacher with no experience of national politics, Pedro Castillo beat conservative candidate Keiko Fujimori in a very close contest in 2021. He pledged to carry out radical constitutional changes as well as economic policies for the benefit of the poor but has since moderated his rhetoric. Peru has become the world's leading producer of cocaine. 

Source:  BBC Country Profile

American Embassy Lima:

The inspection took place in Lima, Peru, from January 26 to February 23, 2001.   Our team leader was John T. McCarthy.  John was Harvard educated and served as Ambassador to Lebanon (1988-90) and Tunisia (1991-94).  He retired to Woodbury, Connecticut.  He was on the Board of Save the Children.  He is married to well-known artist Marija Pavlovich McCarthy.  The deputy was Richele Keller.  Other team members were Douglas V. Ellice, Jr (CONS), Edward W. Linhart (MGMT), Paul H. Tyson (POL), Thomas F. Foulger, Joseph Lahnstein (DS), Paul O’Brien, John Taladay, and Stephen Tomchik. This was my first inspection with the OIG.  The other senior management inspector was not that helpful in terms of assisting me with what to review in Financial Management and Human Resources.  I just followed the administrative guidelines.   I learned much more from Richele particularly with writing up findings and recommendations.   The DCM was Roberta Jacobson a South American specialist who went on to become the Ambassador to Mexico (2016-18) and who was recently named by President Biden as the Coordinator for the Southern Border.  The Management Counselor was Elizabeth Hinson a very sharp officer.  I don't remember who the FMO was but the senior LE Staff Financial Specialist, Hedy Saria, was very competent and basically ran the day-to-day operations.  The HRO was Bernie Garcia who felt that Hinson was a micro-manager. 

Findings:

The embassy compound was new having been built in 1995 and since had increased by 60 American staff.  A new USAID building was under construction on the compound and scheduled to be completed in 2002.   There were issues with the lack of adequate parking, shortage of housing and the Ambassador’s residence.  In terms of administrative services there were some redundancies in the delivery of services between the Department of State and the U.S. Agency for International Development which needed to be clarified and eliminated.    

There was confusion regarding participation of Locally Employed (LE) Staff participation in the local government health plan which was referred to the Department’s Legal Advisor for a legal opinion.   Overtime payments to LE Staff were excessive because there was no requirement to approve in advance as required by regulations.

In the area of Financial Management the embassy used the Suspense Deposit Account for unauthorized purposes that required special authorization from the Bureau of Financial Management and Policy. 

Highlights:

Having drinks with Doug, Richele and Paul

The team got along pretty well but only a few of us got together nightly for dinner. I was surprised that some members actually brought food in their luggage and didn't eat out much.  I guess they wanted to save as much per diem as possible. Most of the team members made the trip to Machu Pichu but, unfortunately, since I had the incident with my heart in 2000 I was afraid to make the hike to an altitude as high as 13,776 ft.  Also, regret not going on a trip to Iguazu falls.       

• First taste of Ceviche

• Happy hour at the Costa Verde on the Beach Road

• Walking Mira Flores district

• Watching the Super Bowl at the Marriott hotel

Favorite Italian Restaurant:

La Trattoria di Mambrino 

Calle Bonilla 106, Miraflores, Lima, Peru

 Best Ceviche

 Pescados Capitales

 La Mar 1337, Miraflores

 This lunch-only cevicheria serves the freshest fish   in original combinations.  Their classic ceviche de   pescado is to die for.    

                                                                         

                          Lima Skyline                                

Above Beach Road

Plaza de Armas where Francisco Pizarro founded Lima bordered by the Government Palace

                                     

Basilica Cathedral of Lima

          

       

 

The Ravens pounded the Giants 34-7 behind a furious defensive effort, forcing five turnovers and holding New York to 152 yards to win their first NFL championship.  Ray Lewis was the MVP.