STYLE In-DEPtH card is in French but, on the reverse, my title and designation are in Maltese and English. It is important for me to learn as much of the language as possible, though I suspect living in the house of the Maltese poet, Annibale Preca, also has something to do with it! “Aside from friends and family, we do miss French food, as well as the typically French discussions on politics, lifestyle, philosophy and of course, central heating! We will miss absolutely everything about Malta when we are posted elsewhere. “I have already been given my dream posting, so I don’t know where I’ll be in 10 years! We don’t have linear careers so it is anyone’s guess – but I do imagine it will be somewhere bigger! In the meantime, we are working to strengthen and build bridges between France and Malta across different spheres, whether that’s cultural, scientific or political.” Radhia Amel Ben Salah is a councillor and Chargé d’Affaires of Tunisia in Malta. She handles any task related to Tunisian-Maltese Diplomatic relations, as well as Tunisian residents in Malta. She previously worked for the Tunisian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and trained in various countries including France, Spain, Italy, Belgium and Luxembourg. In the past she has worked on different files related to the diplomatic, economic and cultural relations between Tunisia and Asian countries. “I chose this career because there is no routine in diplomacy. It gives you wonderful opportunities to see different places and to meet people from different cultures. I was pleased to be posted here because of its proximity to Tunisia, as well as the fact that it is a member of the EU and an Englishspeaking country. “I was quite surprised by what I found here, but was very excited to discover everything about the island. I also love how quiet and safe it is. I also appreciate it more during the spring and summer than I do in the winter! “There were a few of my colleagues who laughed when I was posted here and assumed it would be one long holiday – but we are extremely busy! Especially recently, we have been very caught up with the Libya conflict and the direct impact that it has had,
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especially economically. Syria and Egypt are also Mediterranean countries, and any conflict there creates instability for the whole region. “Now though, our most pressing aim is to promote trade and economic relations. When I leave Malta I hope to be posted to the UK or South Africa; both would be dream destinations for me, although I will certainly miss the security of this island. In the meantime, the one element I miss from home is my dog!” Richard Mills is the Deputy Chief of Mission at the US Embassy in Malta. He has previously served in Paris, St Petersburg and Dublin in Europe, as well as Islamabad, Riyadh and Baghdad in the Middle East. “Even as a young student, I was intrigued by the possibility of a diplomatic career. Although I am slightly embarrassed to admit it, it is, in part I confess, because of too many viewings of old movies like ‘Indiscreet’, in which Cary Grant plays a US diplomat in Brussels, dashing off on important missions while conducting a love affair with Ingrid Bergman during visits to London. To a 15-year-old growing up in snow-bound Detroit, being a diplomat seemed like the coolest career possible! As I got older, I’d like to think my reasons became a bit more realistic. The idea of a career in which you ‘shake up your life’ every three or four years and move to a new culture with new responsibilities was very appealing, as was the opportunity to pursue a career of public service. “I am also a child of the Cold War, who believes that my own country, working with its friends and allies, defeated one of history’s most repellent tyrannies and is still, ultimately, a force for good in the world. Contributing in a very small way to the next chapter in my country’s engagement with the world seemed a worthwhile endeavour. “As the deputy chief of mission, my primary responsibility is to ensure the Ambassador’s broad policy and management directions are implemented as effectively as possible. “I was thrilled to be posted here. What I knew of Malta before arriving was similar
“I was quite surprised by what I found here, but was very excited to discover everything about the island.” - Radhia Amel Ben Salah
to what most Americans know – the historic defence during the Great Siege, the Knights, as well as a country that had heroically survived blockade and bombing during WWII. I knew Malta wasn’t a great international power, but it clearly was a great country with an impressive history, credibility on the world stage because of that history, and an exciting future as a new member of the EU. “But life here is less relaxed than I expected! The nicest part of life for a diplomat is how collegial the diplomatic corps is in Malta; perhaps because of its size there is a real closeness among most of the diplomats and a willingness to share information and ideas that is often missing in larger capitals. Ministry of Foreign Affairs officials also make this a terrific place to be a diplomat – they are accessible, understand the value of working with the diplomatic corps, and are always informed on the issues whenever I engage them.