Diplomats Upset Over Possible Iraq Assignments

Oct. 31, 2007— -- The U.S. State Department is dealing with outrage among its ranks over diplomat assignments in Iraq.

At a town meeting of State Department employees today, hundreds of diplomats objected to the possibility they could be ordered to serve in Baghdad. The postings in Iraq have been voluntary up until now, but the Secretary of State does have the legal authority to order assignments.

ABC News obtained audio of the meeting, where a man named Jack Croddy seemed to speak for many in the room. Croddy is a senior foreign service officer who once worked as a political adviser with NATO forces.

Click on the Audio link to the left to hear the staffer's complaints about the plan.