Experience or Just Proximity?

Regarding Michael Dobbs's March 26 Fact Checker article, "Clinton Appears Weary of Taking 'Sniper Fire' ":

I was the wife of the minister (deputy to the ambassador) of the U.S. Embassy in London at the time the Northern Ireland negotiations and the Bosnia crisis were taking place. I also had a "proper" job as a lawyer at an American firm.

Did I, with my husband, attend and actively participate in meetings on Northern Ireland, which included Gerry Adams, Ian Paisley and other dignitaries involved in the peace efforts? Of course.

Did I, per my husband's suggestions, at dinners pass on messages to British government ministers regarding the desirability of their "getting on board" initiative X or Y? Of course. Would I consider this to be foreign policy experience? And would I put it on my curriculum vitae as such? Of course not.

I have found the notion that one absorbs foreign policy experience just by being a spouse increasingly offensive as the presidential campaign has progressed. It demeans Hillary Rodham Clinton, who by all reports, has gained experience altogether separate from her husband since she became a senator, some of which no doubt can legitimately be categorized as foreign policy. It also demeans women like me who have built their experience and their r¿sum¿s on what they have done on their own. I am glad that Mr. Dobbs's article and this week's developments have finally exposed this shallow shell game.

JILL B. DEAL

Washington