WASHINGTON IN BRIEF

Stress Disorder Likely for Diplomats in Risky Posts

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One out of six diplomats who serve in dangerous posts abroad, such as Iraq and Afghanistan, may suffer from stress disorders, according to a State Department survey.

In response, the department plans to create a new mental health office and require employees to take additional time off, officials said yesterday.

"The bottom line here is that we are going to do what we need to do to help out our people. If people need help, if they need counseling, we're going to do that," State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said.

A cable set to be sent to all U.S. diplomatic missions says that post-traumatic stress disorder is "present in 2 percent of respondents." It continues: "Another 15 percent of respondents possibly have this disorder but would require a more thorough examination to make a definitive diagnosis."

About 2,600 diplomats who have worked at the department's 21 "unaccompanied" embassies and consulates, where spouses and dependents are not allowed for security reasons, over the past five years completed the survey. Those posts are in Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Burundi, Bosnia, the Central African Republic, Haiti, the Ivory Coast, Lebanon, Liberia, Serbia and Yemen.

Troops to Continue Serving 15-Month Deployments

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The Army's top general said that he did not know when the length of tours of duty for soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan could be cut to 12 months.

Gen. George W. Casey Jr. added that lengthening U.S. tours beyond the current 15 months would be too stressful and risky for troops.

"It puts our soldiers at a level of stress and a level of risk that right now I'm not comfortable with," he said at the National Press Club. "So it would be very hard for me to recommend going beyond the 15 months and . . . we want to get down from 15 months as quickly as we can."

Army Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Richard A. Cody had said earlier in the day that troops may face the longer deployments at least until June.

NYC Gets Federal Money for Congestion-Toll Plan

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The federal government has agreed to give New York City $354 million to help launch an ambitious plan to reduce traffic by charging tolls for driving into the busiest parts of Manhattan.

New York's effort would be the first of its kind in the United States.

Transportation Secretary Mary Peters said the money is contingent on the New York legislature's approval of congestion pricing within 90 days after it reconvenes.

Federal money targeted toward innovative local traffic solutions will also go to San Francisco ($158 million), Seattle ($138.7 million), Minneapolis ($133.3 million) and Miami ($62.9 million), Peters announced.

-- From News Services