AUTHORITIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF UNITED STATES CHIEF OF MISSION

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP84B00049R000200250016-1
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 5
• Document Creation Date: December 20, 2016
• Document Release Date: May 14, 2007
• Sequence Number: 16
• Publication Date: September 22, 1981
• Content Type: MEMO

Approved For Release 2007/05/14: CIA-RDP84B00049R000200250016-1
1f iL V',1;11E HOUSL
r pterrl>er 22, 19N
MEMORANDUM FOR THE HEADS OF
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES
SUBJECT: Authorities and Responsibilities of
United States Chief of Mission
I am sending letters of instruction to each of my ambassadors
and other Chiefs of American diplomatic missions outlining
their authorities and responsibilities in accordance with
applicable law (22 USC 3927). A copy of the text is attached.
I expect your support and cooperation in insuring that the
activities of your department/agency are conducted in accor-
dance with these authorities and responsibilities of Chiefs
of Mission. Please circulate this memorandum to your appro-
priate staffs in the United States and abroad.
 Approved For Release 2007/05/14: CIA-RDP84B00049R000200250016-1
I want to extend to you my personal best wishes for the success
of vour mission in
c mV pet-5-.c,nc:l rC I,j l .r-ntn,t11, r
you, along with thc: Cre:tary of ::t C:tE , :.::If With
L - b'1 ] t~' for t.}he C!'i?1C Jot of Cllr ye] rti ons wi th
I know we share a mutual conviction that carrying the hmericC:.
message of hope and freedom and advancing United States'
interests abroad reinforces the foundations of peace. Togo ham:
we are pledged to work for national strength and economic
growth, and to promote the values undergirding our Nation's
unity and security.
I give you my full personal support as Chief of the United States
Mission in/to in the exercise of your strong statutory
mandate under section 207 of the Foreign Service Act of 1980
(22 U.S.C. 3927) I charge you to -exercise full responsibility
for the direction, coordination, and supervision of all United
States Government officers and employees in the country or
organization to which you are accredited, except for personnel
under the command of a United States area military commander,
personnel under the authority of the Chief of another United
States Mission (for example, one accredited to an international
organization), or personnel detailed to duty on the staff on an /~
international organization. I expect you to oversee the operaticn
of all United States Government programs and activities within
that responsibility. I have notified all heads of departments
and agencies accordingly, and have instructed them to inform
their personnel in the United States and abroad.
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til _t 1GU CI1 C7II."Li? L__ L i . CtiVC CCJ!1I L :. Ui. ~.1 1 tc.
States Government activities within your responsibility, I
y:?rou to provide strong F>ronr~;rn di-rc c ion :c1 lcL dr r: hit
Please i r r ruct 7-)] :r. connel -c*-1
your charge: it is their duty to }.cep you fully- informed LL
all times about their activities so you can effectively direct;
coordinate and supervise United States programs and operations
under your jurisdiction and recommend policies to Washington.
You will receive policy guidance and instructions from the
Secretary of State, who is my principal foreign policy spokes-
man and advisor, or from me directly. I expect you to report
with directness and candor. I want to emphasize that the
Secretary of State has the responsiblity not only for the
activities of the Department of State and the Foreign Service
but also, to the fullest extent provided by law, for the overall
policy direction, coordination and supervision of the United
States Government activities overseas. There may be develop-
ments or decisiaas on which personnel under your authority
disagree. The Secretary of State and I will always welcome
the opportunity to consider your recommendations for alternative
courses of action, and policy proposals.
As you assume your duties, I know that you will do so with a
strong commitment to impartial and equitable treatment of all
U.S. Government personnel under your jurisdiction- Should any
perceived inequities be. amenable to elimination or mitigation
by appeal to or negotiation with the host government, I urge
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CU tC_' til?1 Celli": e Iii v;I th 1't,...
authority and with international law and established customary
c_ctice. R-'Cognizinq that , ~:r u_ ncies operate unc",cr
G ierent legislation and regul..1: _: should you canside
le_islative or executive policy chances to be desirable in
this connection, you should recommend such changes through tL.L
Secretary of State. Additionally, fair treatment of all U.S.
Government personnel regardless of race, color, creed, sex or
national origin epitomizes our belief in and adherence to the
principles of equality of opportunity, a value and concept that
form an important element of the American democratic tradition.
As Commander-in-Chief,.I have authority over United States
military forces. On my behalf-you have responsibility for the
direction, coordination, supervision and safety, including
security from terrorism, of all Defense Department personnel
in except those forces under the-operational command
and control of a United States area military commander and
personnel- detakled to international organizations. Defense-
Attache offices, units engaged in security assistance, and other
DOD components attached to your Mission, as well-as other
Defense Department activities which may have an impact upon
the conduct of our diplomatic relations with fall
within your responsibility.
It is imperative that you maintain close relations with con-
cerned United States area military commanders and Chiefs of
Mission accredited to international organizations. A copy of
 Approved For Release 2007/05/14: CIA-RDP84B00049R000200250016-1
this letter is being disseminated to them. You must keep each
currently informcrd o.: .1? of mu+
Any diffcrcncc._ G,-1 ich ce nnot be rc . _ 1 in t
;bou~.d be reported by you to the Secretory o unitieG
co mmanders should report to the Secretary of Defense.
I expect the highest standards of professional and personal
conduct from all United States Government personnel abroad.
You have the authority and my full support to take any action
required to ensure the maintenance of such standards.
Your mission is to protect and advance the United States'
interests abroad and you will receive the resources necessary
to accomplish that mission. At the same time, I expect that
these resources will be used in an effective and efficient
manner, and that they will be directly and carefully related
to priority policy and program activities. You should inform
the Secretary of State when you believe that staffing of any
agency is either inadequate or excessive to the performance of
essential functions.
I am confident that you will represent the United States with
imagination, energy and skill,. You have my full personal
confidence and best wishes.
Sincerely,