US secret service must keep in mind good behaviour

Often, when American leaders travel abroad, local people will see groups of men dressed in black business suits wearing sunglasses. They are, of course, US secret service men. Sometimes they walk ahead of their leaders and sometimes behind. These characters are often portrayed in movies and TV series, and they sometimes inspire young people to become members of the secret service. In their work, they travel around the world, ahead of their leaders, to ensure that the areas to be visited are safe in ways that will not jeopardise their bosses. 

Truth be told, local security officials are the most important element when it comes to protecting foreign leaders, despite what visiting delegations may think.

Recent allegations about scandals in Colombia involving the US secret service and local prostitutes are a familiar story. This kind of thing is not new, especially in some developing countries. When the secret service preparation teams visit an underdeveloped country, chances are that they may act without “honour or dignity” – qualities referred to by US President Barrack Obama. Obviously, such encounters would never happen during preparation trips to countries like France or the UK or Germany. 

Like diplomats or tourists, secret service personnel also represent America. Therefore, President Obama was very circumspect in commenting about the officials who provide him with security. He said that if the allegation was true, he would be very angry. That was all. In fact, he may put his own life in danger if he comments in ways that are deemed condescending by the officials. 

After all, the memory of the attempted assassination of President Ronald Reagan in Washington DC in March 1981 is still fresh. The public saw secret service officials cover the president and protect him. These officials are not afraid to die. It is part of the job. Then, again, in this case it is like a shark that dies in shallow water.

The scandal has come at a very bad time in a difficult place. The US has been trying to win over hearts and minds in the Latin American countries for years. Now a small incident has further damaged US prestige and diplomatic objectives. 

Somewhat fortunately, this incident took place in Colombia, a close ally of the US. In certain other countries, the incident could have been further blown out of proportion by a hostile media to discredit the US and, above all, the US foreign policy towards Latin America. 

As the world’s foremost superpower, when an American – an ordinary civilian, a diplomat, a soldier or a secret service agent – does something inappropriate overseas, the ramifications for the US government are huge. The recent mass killing of innocent civilians by a US soldier in Afghanistan, as well as a series of rape cases by US Marines in Okinawa back in 2008, are good illustrations of how things can go awry diplomaticallydue to the actions of individuals abroad.

It was a good idea when some Republican politicians suggested the time has come to review the secret service in a comprehensive way to make sure it does the right things when abroad. 

Luckily for the US president, this time the scandal only involved less-sensitive contacts, which did not endanger his routine or life.