As America’s friendships across the world degrade, embassies and consulates are being cut. Why?

To guarantee “air time” from the media, our presidential candidates are loudly proclaiming how their intentions for military action in Iraq, Afghanistan or elsewhere differ. They voice opinions and advertise slogans to further their ambitions for power, not to deal with existing or potential crises. Some call for more involvement; others call for less.

Citizen groups shrilly call for action against one war or for another, and often loudly proclaim that we should talk to our enemies. Curiously, neither candidates nor these groups ever mention talking to our friends.

Dead bodies, demolished homes or burned vehicles are popular fare for broadcasts and news releases, because such programs and images draw audiences and sell publications.

Far less spectacular and dramatic is the daily work done by the thousands of staff and employees of the approximately 300 U.S. embassies, consulates and diplomatic missions around the world. State Department personnel and local employees work quietly to promote the goals and interests of our nation peacefully.

These people talk and, perhaps more important, listen to both our friends and our enemies – or try to. They provide civilian involvement and expertise. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates said, in a lecture at Kansas State University on Nov. 26, there “is no replacement for the real thing – civilian involvement and expertise.”

Those who study history know it is unheralded hard work that builds firm foundations for international peace and generally keeps us out of wars. In addition, foreign service facilities and employees promote health and education services that provide personal contact with foreign citizens, organize food and medical assistance in emergencies and create a positive image of the United States abroad.

It is this army, not the one with weapons, which works to keep us out of war.

Every U.S. ambassador is backed up by a staff with a wide range of skills and capabilities. These activities receive little publicity, are ignored by the press and slighted by a Congress that seems as uninterested and uninformed about their work as is the general public.

Not only is Congress failing to sustain its current State Department budget, it has already been announced that 10 percent of all diplomatic posts will be cut next year, according to The Washington Post. This is despite Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice’s call for expanded diplomatic presence in “critical emerging areas.”

Gates has also called for increased resources in 2009 for diplomatic efforts. Yet Congress is cutting current State Department spending, and both houses have also ignored this unprecedented call for funds from Gates, the head of an agency which competes with the State Department for budget dollars.

He has pointed out the total requested $36 billion is about what the Pentagon spends on health care. He further adds, “The Army is planning to add about 7,000 more soldiers in 2008 to the active ArmyThat is equivalent to adding the entire U.S. Foreign Service to the Army in one year.”

For an example of what is happening abroad while eyes are focused on war and national political squabbling, look at just one of our nearly 300 diplomatic missions around the world.

Turkey, a NATO ally, is America’s staunchest Muslim ally, maintains the world’s fifth largest army, and borders on Iran, Iraq and Syria (and five other countries). It maintains diplomatic relations with them all. Further, Turkey is the only Middle Eastern state that has relations with Israel.

Yet in this country, so vital to our interest in the Middle East, the embassy budget has been cut by 10 percent. This story, by itself, will make great fodder for the anti-American elements in Turkey, the Middle East, and elsewhere. This particular embassy includes in its workload many tasks crucial to the interests of the United States.

Among these are their efforts toward achieving stability in Iraq, with its complex social relationships, and their support in the fight against Muslim jihadists.

This diplomatic fiscal crisis seems to be felt throughout American missions around the world. Other critical diplomatic missions, like Moscow and Beijing, are experiencing painful cuts and consequent loss of effectiveness.

American groups and parties should work together to support the work of our career diplomats. This most particularly applies to senators and representatives who can insure that these people working for our national good are provided with the financial support they need to do their job effectively.

Investing in diplomacy now will lessen the need for military spending later.

Loose talk may cost lives, but diplomatic talk can save them.

G. Ernest Lynch is a retired history teacher from SAD 9 in Farmington, whose daughter serves in the United States Foreign Service. He lives in Temple.