William Helms: “my purpose today is to discuss a highly disturbing pattern of abuse and professional misconduct by members of the U.S.…”

“my purpose today is to discuss a highly disturbing pattern of abuse and professional misconduct by members of the U.S. Foreign Service and a grievance process that does not adequately penalize individuals who engage in such actions. This week, Mr. President, I wrote to our friend, the distinguished Secretary of State, Madeleine Albright, regarding the investigation that I have instructed the Foreign Relations Committee staff to undertake during the coming months. It will be instructive to examine the serious allegations--all documented by the State Department's Inspector General--that have come to my attention during the Foreign Relation Committee's routine review of ambassadorial appointments and the Foreign Service promotion lists submitted to the Senate by the White House. Now, perhaps the most serious allegation that so far has been brought to my attention involves a United States Ambassador--a career Foreign Service officer, who was forced to resign his ambassadorial post for repeated episodes of sexually harassing female employees under his supervision.”