Group: Too many soldiers in foreign service roles

By BARRY SCHWEID (AP) – (CAAI News Media)

WASHINGTON — Shortages among diplomats and civilian staff abroad have left U.S. reconstruction projects too reliant on military personnel to take their place, a nongovernment organization warned Wednesday.

"The soldiers often lack the specific knowledge necessary to accomplish the tasks" of reconstruction and development, the nonprofit group Refugees International said in a report. "The situation is wasteful, reduces America's foreign policy efforts and leaves us open to complaints of militarism."

The author of the report, Ron Capps, said at a news conference that with the State Department short of some 4,000 officers, temporary use of soldiers may be necessary. But, he said, "if a Pentagon role is permanent, that's a worry."

"The notion that American military power alone is enough to keep America secure has been completely discredited," the report said.

John Herbst, the State Department's reconstruction coordinator, said more foreign officers are needed and that the department already plans to add 1,200. But he did not criticize the use of soldiers to fill the shortage of diplomats and other civilians abroad.

Refugees International is an international humanitarian organization and does not receive U.S. funds. It was formed in 1979 in response to forced repatriation of thousands of Cambodian and Vietnamese refugees.