AUTHORITIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF UNITED STATES CHIEF OF MISSION

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP84B00890R000500080008-9
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 7
• Document Creation Date: December 19, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 8, 2006
• Sequence Number: 8
• Publication Date: September 22, 1981
• Content Type: MF

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THE WHITE HOUSE
September 22, 1981
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.
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 Dear Mr. (Madam) Ambassador:
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I want to extend to you my personal best wishes for the success
of your mission in As my personal representative
there, you, along with the Secretary of State, share with me the
responsibility for the conduct of our relations with
I know we share a .mutual conviction that carrying the American
message of hope and freedom and advancing United States'
interests abroad reinforces the foundations of peace. Together
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 operation
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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So that you can ensure effective coordination of all United
States Government activities within your responsibility, I
ask you to provide strong program direction and leadership of
operations Mission-wide. Please instruct all personnel under
your charge: it is their duty to keep you fully informed at
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 decisions 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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you to pursue this course in a manner consistent with your
authority and with international law and established customary
practice. Recognizing that various agencies operate under
different legislation and regulations, should you consider
legislative or executive policy changes to be desirable in
this connection, you should recommend such changes through the
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 detailed 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
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this letter is being disseminated to them. You must keep each
other currently informed and cooperate on all matters of mutual
interest. Any differences which cannot be resolved in the field
should be reported-by you to the Secretary of State; unified
commanders 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,
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