Whitefish grad now a diplomat in Sudan

Dawson Law, a 2003 graduate of Whitefish High School, will never forget when he learned he had passed the year-long process of written and oral exams to become a diplomat.

“It’s one of the only moments in my life that I almost fainted,” he said. “It was something that was always a dream of mine.”

At just 25, Law serves as a political-economic officer in Khartoum, Sudan, the largest country in Africa and a political hot spot on the threshold of historic decisions.

Law sat down for an interview recently while on vacation in Whitefish after a year on the job.

He arrived in Sudan in June 2009 with a mandate to monitor implementation of the 2005 peace agreement between the north and south that followed more than two decades of civil war.

“The United States is one of the key guarantors of the peace agreement,” he said.

His challenges have been many since he hit the ground running a year ago. Imagine starting a new job, in a new country, in a new culture, with new languages and a very fragile peace.

“I don’t think there’s a lot that can prepare you for that,” he said with a laugh.

 Law said he felt that he built a good foundation of skills and knowledge, thanks to his parents, Doug and Kathy Law, who supported his aspirations and his overseas travel experiences. His first was becoming a foreign exchange student in Switzerland during high school in Whitefish.

 Law was in the country on that fateful day, Sept. 11, 2001, participating in a German language class in Zurich with students from at least 50 different countries. He discovered a lot of varying views of the U.S. and of what had happened here during the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

“It was an interesting time to be living aboard,” he said. “It piqued my interest in what it means to be an American and represent America.”

Although Law was young, his Swiss family did not coddle him. Law recalled vividly when his host father declared an end to speaking English after his third week living in the home. He had very little foundation to draw on as he struggled toward language mastery to survive.

“It worked,” he said.

After graduating from Whitefish High School, Law attended college at Lewis & Clark in Portland, where he majored in international affairs. In his junior year, he went overseas again to study European politics in Brussels at the U.S. Mission to the European Union.

“I worked in the commercial section,” he said, giving technical assistance to Americans who wanted to do business in Europe.

The experience heightened his interest in a diplomatic career as he experienced different sections of the embassy before returning to Lewis & Clark, where he graduated in 2007. His next position was a paid internship with Oregon Sen. Gordon Smith in Washington, D.C.

Law worked in the foreign policy area for the senator for about six months before landing a job as a lobbyist with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the world’s largest business association with three million member businesses.

“I focused on free trade agreements,” Law said. “That job helped me understand Washington, D.C., and how it works.”

His duties included talking to congressional staffs and representatives of foreign countries, creating advertising campaigns and putting on events with world leaders. Law also developed a large network of contacts.

“That was a pretty good foundation for jumping off into my current job,” he said.

Law didn’t hold out a lot of hope of success as he began the State Department application process for his foreign service officer position. He knew that only about one percent of applicants make it through the rigorous process that began with a written exam.

He passed on his second attempt, then moved on to the next steps. After a year, he took an eight-hour exam that ended with that unforgettable handshake and offer of a position as a diplomat.

HE called the selection process unique compared to other countries.

“The United States is known for its diplomatic corps that is truly chosen on a competitive basis,” he said. “The United States is very well-respected for that — it reflects the diverse nature of the country.”

Others interested in the diplomatic career field may find more information at  www.careers.state.gov/officer.

Law’s colleagues in his first training class spanned in age from early 20s to 50s and a large range of former careers, including some who were in theater. Law said his own theater experience at Whitefish High School, including producing the “Magical Music of Disney,” helped him develop the confidence to risk failure and go fearlessly before groups.

He specializes in economics and politics, but Law said all officers are considered generalists. The job has one important mandate.

“We’re expected to be worldwide available,” he said.

New officers start their careers with two, two-year assignments. Sudan was at the top of Law’s list of dream assignments even though an American diplomat was assassinated in Khartoum in 2008.

Sudan — with the humanitarian crisis of Darfur and a very fragile peace in the rest of the country — remains a top foreign-policy priority.

“President Obama and Secretary Clinton are very engaged in Sudan,” he said. “I wanted to be a small piece of a very large puzzle of helping Sudan find peace.”

Law completed a month and a half of general training before receiving specialized information on the culture and politics of Africa for his assignment. When he arrived in Khartoum in June of 2009, he went straight to work monitoring the 2005 peace agreement through meetings with the Sudanese and international organizations.

“What I see on the ground, I write up and send to Washington, D.C.,” he said. “My work supports the policy makers.”

His superiors include Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and retired Maj. Gen. Scott Gration, who serves as President Obama’s special envoy to Sudan. Law and the others in his section organize the logistics for Gration’s visits as well as for other senior government officials.

In April, Law had a front-row seat in Sudanese history when he coordinated 40 observers for the country’s 2010 election.

“It was the first multiparty election in 24 years,” Law said. “It was really an historic election. Even though it was deemed not to meet international standards, it was an important step. At some level, it’s moving forward.”

In 2011, an historic referendum election looms when Southern Sudan, a mix of races and religions, decides whether to become a separate country or remain united with the Arab Muslim-dominated north. Law said the two sides have much ground to cover in mapping out the future, whether united or divided.

“Sudan is going through a debate — how do you have all these diverse cultures and have all voices heard?” Law said. “How we deal with diversity, that’s what we have to share with Sudan. That’s the challenge; to find a way to have a stable government.”

The Darfur region, an area of alleged mass genocide of upwards of 400,000 and a continuing humanitarian crisis, remains volatile. Law has visited the area a number of times and seen a side not often reported.

“It’s a very vibrant place. The people are very vibrant. They’ve been through a lot,” he said. “It’s very humbling. It makes you value coming from the United States — a country at peace with itself.”

He describes the Sudanese people as resilient, welcoming and friendly. Law said they quickly invite you into their homes, comparing them to people in rural Montana.

“They can’t do enough for you,” he said.

Law remains the lead reporting officer for the referendum on southern  succession versus unity in Sudan. If the people vote for succession, he said it would represent the first breaking of colonial lines in Africa.

He called it an important choice for the people to make in January of 2011.

“The United States is working for an on-time, free, fair and credible referendum,” Law said.

He flew back to Sudan on July 14 to assist with that tall order before finishing his assignment next summer. Law has no idea where his next diplomatic post may take him, but he wants another challenge where he can make an impact, as in Sudan, representing the American people.

“I’ll get a list of operations worldwide,” he said. “It’s unique. Really, the world is at my doorstep.”

Reporter Candace Chase may be reached at 758-4436 or by e-mail at cchase@dailyinterlake.com