by AndrewMc | 6/08/2009 08:27:00 PM
For some months now we have followed the progress of the allegations and investigations into the troubles at the Office of the Historian at the Department of State.
PH has published articles here, and here.
There now seems to be some kind of resolution of the issue.
The Washington Post [free subscription required] reports that
The head of the State Department's Office of the Historian has been reassigned after an inspector general's investigation found "serious mismanagement for which the director must be held accountable."
The office has been the subject of several years of internal and external conflict. A report by Harold W. Geisel, acting State Department inspector general, said the turmoil could be resolved only with the transfer of the historian, Marc J. Susser.
The paper goes on to say that
Although it has not been publicly announced, John Campbell, a former ambassador to Nigeria, has been designated acting director of the office, according to an internal State Department memorandum.
While the entire incident is regrettable, and a bit of a blemish [IMHO] on the fine work that that office does, I'm very glad to see that the State Department seems to have worked things out, and is moving forward.
The FRUS series is an invaluable tool for historians, and any delays in its publication hold up the ability of researchers and the general public to have a close look at U.S. foreign policy decisions.
So, I'm glad that we seem to be moving past this.
Labels: AndrewMC, Department of State, Foreign Relations of the United States, FRUS, Office of the Historian
