Peace Corp

Former Orange County Supervisor Gaddi H. Vasquez pledged Wednesday that as Peace Corps director he would expand opportunities for Americans to volunteer for service abroad. Despite the fact that Vasquez's nomination is strongly opposed by some former Peace Corps volunteers, who say the agency should be headed by someone with overseas experience, it appears likely he will be confirmed.

Despite growing bipartisan support, former county Supervisor Gaddi H. Vasquez is expected to be questioned about Orange County's historic bankruptcy and his lack of foreign expertise when a U.S. Senate committee considers his nomination as Peace Corps director today.

The Peace Corps has relocated more than 350 volunteers and staff members in four countries due to security concerns related to U.S. and British attacks on Afghanistan. English language programs in Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan were suspended indefinitely. Political unrest surrounding Bangladesh's parliamentary elections and anti-American sentiment related to the bombing in Afghanistan prompted Peace Corps officials to relocate 43 volunteers to Thailand three weeks ago.

Re "Not the One for the Peace Corps," Aug. 20: I have had on-and-off relations with the Peace Corps since its inception in 1961. Four of my sons served in it. The Peace Corps, nearly everyone agrees, has been one of the best federal agencies, if not the best. After 40 years, there are now over 150,000 returned volunteers. They are found in Congress, the Cabinet, federal and state agencies. Some have become governors. Returned volunteers are in important business and church organizations.

Conceived in a shining moment of American idealism, the Peace Corps ought to project the best and boldest of the nation to the world. The Bush administration, in nominating onetime Orange County Supervisor Gaddi H. Vasquez as its director, has demeaned the high purpose of an agency that requires vision, diplomatic skill and even bravery at the helm.

Jan Copeland defied the norm. While most of his colleagues entering the fledgling Peace Corps in 1962 were driven by buoyant idealism, Copeland wanted a little excitement. He found it during a two-year stint teaching English to rural Farsi speakers under the watchful eyes of the Shah of Iran's secret police. "It wasn't an altruistic decision," said Copeland, 63, of Los Alamitos.

Jan Copeland defied the norm. While most of his colleagues entering the fledgling Peace Corps in 1962 were driven by buoyant idealism, Copeland wanted a little excitement. He found it during a two-year stint teaching English to rural Persian speakers under the watchful eyes of the Shah of Iran's secret police. "It wasn't an altruistic decision," said Copeland, 63, of Los Alamitos.

I am a returned Peace Corps volunteer who served in Panama from 1970 to 1971. It was, as they say, the toughest job I ever had, but I am proud of what I accomplished and the change I was personally able to effect in a small rural village. Gaddi Vasquez, President Bush's nominee for director of the Peace Corps, is an inappropriate choice ("Ex-O.C. Official Is Bush's Choice to Run Peace Corps," July 26). I appreciate the fact that he is a Latino leader, but he is also a former Orange County supervisor who resigned early to technically escape both a recall and a grand jury investigation that led to formal accusations of willful misconduct against two colleagues.