11 December 2007 (10:27)I reached an important conclusion during my flight from Frankfurt to Abu Dhabi… flying First-Class is truly the ONLY way to fly internationally!!! After Lufthansa left my two bags in Berlin, I was treated to a random act of kindness and was upgraded from Business to First-Class for a 6-hour flight to the Emirates. I was in the lap of luxury with great food, free-flowing champagne, full-reclining seats, and cute Romanian stewardesses. I must admit that flight was my most pleasant flying experience among all my many travels!I am now safe and sound in Islamabad, comfortably ensconced at the Marriott Hotel. I arrived Saturday night and have been busy everyday since receiving LTOs, preparing for the training session on Thursday, and contributing to the planning of the election observation mission. During the elections in early-January, we will have approximately 65 observers deployed in all four provinces of the country. The team is professional, experienced, and growing more comfortable with my recommendations. I am excited to be a part of this important project!Pakistan may be officially in a “State of Emergency” but judging by the lack of activity in Islamabad, one would be hard pressed to tell. There is many security and police at all the intersections but they look bored and uninterested. I am not sure about other cities but the atmosphere in the capital is quiet. As the election draws closer, we anticipate higher tensions as the parties compete and campaign for parliament.I am off to bed after a long day in the office and picking up observers from the airport. They are a great group of people from many different countries and backgrounds. I have the feeling we will have a solid LTO team to deploy to the field.The good news is that my two bags finally arrived this morning, three days later. The thought of reprovisioning at the start of a mission was disheartening. Thanks for all your well-wishes, and I send you the best from the front-lines of democracy.Cheers, Robert.
Monthly Archives: December 2007
First Pakistan Dispatch: New Election Mission
Berlin, 6 December (22:18)
Dear Friends: Tomorrow night I deploy to Islamabad for a new election observation mission. I am the Long-term Observation Coordinator (LTOC) for the IRI election mission to Pakistan. Among other duties, I will be responsible for managing and counseling several teams of long-term observers (LTOs) as they observe, assess, and report on electoral processes and political conditions from cities across the country.
This is a very serious position and solid management experience. I realize the country is experiencing serious challenges to civil society but this is a golden career opportunity. I find passing up the opportunity to design and implement an election observation project difficult. This mission could be the key stepping stone to other “M&E” (monitor and evaluate) positions in the international “D&G” (democracy and governance) arena. I understand the risks but I am not afraid to seek the rewards. Life is too short not to live life to the fullest!
I will not ask you to “not worry” because that is part of what friends do… but… I will ask you to “try not to worry too much”. I have spoken to many people about this decision, both those with in-country experience and others who are intimately familiar with the issues. They were all supportive. I know the news headlines only highlight the negative aspects but there is more to the situation than is readily apparent.
Security is a top concern for the organization and they have hired an international security firm to provide for the observers. Since I will be the coordinator, odds are I will spend most of my time in Islamabad at the IRI office in the heavily-protected diplomatic quarter. I will reside at the Marriott Hotel, which is also considered extremely safe. I will not take unnecessary risks but at the same time do my very best work.
Pakistan is no easy mission but I have the leadership skills and experience necessary to perform at high standards. We are assembling a strong team of international observer specialists and civil society experts. This opportunity is very exciting!!! I enjoy managing people and working projects to their successful completion. Whether Pakistan itself will cooperate is another matter altogether. Pakistani politics are more of a soap opera than Sierra Leone and the stakes are much higher! Only time will tell the tale of democracy in this region.
I expect to return to Berlin in mid-January. I will keep you updated with occasional “dispatches” from the field with pictures when possible. Thank you to everyone for your long-standing support in the development of my international career!
“Happy Holidays!” and “Happy New Year!” to you and your families!!! May the blessings of good fortune be with you all as life is lived and enjoyed!!!
With warm wishes from chilly Berlin… Cheers! Robert.