WASHINGTON INSIGHT

ENVOY ENVY: Career diplomats in Washington are among those reaping rewards from the breakup of the Soviet Union. . . . Now that Washington has recognized 17 new nations, there’s an unexpected opportunity for careerists aspiring to the highly political, usually scarce ambassadorial posts. The good news: Most are in remote and shabby capitals and thus do not appeal to friends of the President and his important political campaign contributors. Typically, about a third of ambassador posts have gone to these non-career political appointees. Lately, that proportion has dropped to just over a quarter.