Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05PRAGUE467
2005-04-01 14:27:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Prague
Cable title:
POST FOLLOW-UP TO OIG RECOMMENDATIONS
how-toThis record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 PRAGUE 000467
SIPDIS
FOR OIG/ISP, EUR/NCE, and EUR/EX
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ASIG EZ AMGT
SUBJECT: POST FOLLOW-UP TO OIG RECOMMENDATIONS
REF: SECSTATE 47752
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 PRAGUE 000467
SIPDIS
FOR OIG/ISP, EUR/NCE, and EUR/EX
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ASIG EZ AMGT
SUBJECT: POST FOLLOW-UP TO OIG RECOMMENDATIONS
REF: SECSTATE 47752
1. Prague submits the following responses to the four
remaining open/unresolved recommendations from the OIG
inspection of Embassy Prague (ISP-I-04-39A),issued
September, 2004.
2. Recommendation No. 1: Embassy Prague should request,
and the Bureau of Consular Affairs and Bureau of European
And Eurasian Affairs should approve and fund, an additional
Foreign Service national position in the Consular Section to
perform Consular management support duties. (Action:
Embassy Prague, in coordination with CA and EUR)
Initial response: Embassy concurs with the OIG
recommendation and has taken action. The FMO section has
included the cost of an FSN-06 management support position
in its budget forecast and will include the request in this
year's MPP submission. Embassy now awaits funding from
Department to take further action on this recommendation.
Analysis: OIG notes the actions taken by Embassy Prague,
please notify OIG once the position has been approved and
funded and the recommendation can be closed.
Response: Post has included the cost of an FSN-06 consular
management support position in its budget forecast and has
included the resource request in this year's MPP
submission. Discussions between post and EUR Budget have
not resulted in the funding for this position. Post has
also informally discussed with the Bureau of Consular
Affairs the possibility of funding the position; also
without success. Department funding for this position does
not appear likely in the near future.
3. Recommendation No. 6: Embassy Prague should complete
and implement the information system documentation
requirements and provide copies of the plans to the Bureau
of Information Resource Management. (Action: Embassy
Prague)
Initial response: ISSO and Systems Managers have submitted
the IT Contingency Plan and System Security Plan to DS for
review. The Configuration Management Plan has an anticipated
completion/submission date of 31 January 2004.
Analysis: In the next update, please confirm if the IT
plans have been completed and implemented.
Response: All required System Documentation has been
implemented at post and submitted to DS/SI/CS/RAD for
review.
4. Recommendation No. 7: Embassy Prague, in coordination
with the Bureau of Information Resource Management, should
work to approve an offsite alternate facility for classified
information systems processing and storage. (Action:
Embassy Prague, in coordination with IRM)
Initial response: IRM equipment and contingency plans are
available, but the lack of an offsite location cleared for
the storage and processing reduces their effectiveness. Post
IMO is currently working with IRM and DS to resolve
this issue. DS regulations regarding offsite
storage/processing of classified information severely reduce
the options open to post regarding storage of contingency
classified equipment/operations.
Analysis: In the next update, please provide information on
any progress made to secure an offsite alternative facility
for classified IM storage/processing. Per IRM memo DTD
11/22/04, OIG is removing IRM as the participating entity on
this recommendation.
Response: IRM and post IMO have addressed this issue to the
extent of their ability. With no facility
approved for storage of classified material locally,
post continues the practice of sending classified backup
tapes to AMCONSUL Munich for storage. The ability to
store classified equipment and media offsite (locally) is
not feasible.
5. Recommendation No. 8: Embassy Prague should discontinue
the practice of authorizing U.S. government sponsored school
employees to use the diplomatic pouch for personal mail
services. (Action: Embassy Prague)
Initial response: Embassy is in the process of formally
requesting a waiver from DPM in order to provide this
service to the U.S. citizens currently working at the
International School in Prague.
Analysis: During the inspection, OIG found that Embassy
Prague has authorized the school employees to use the pouch
for personal mail, which is prohibited by 5 FAM 343.5.
Response: Post has sent a cable to A/DPM requesting a
waiver for this service (Prague 0450). We await a response
before taking further action.
CABANISS
SIPDIS
FOR OIG/ISP, EUR/NCE, and EUR/EX
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ASIG EZ AMGT
SUBJECT: POST FOLLOW-UP TO OIG RECOMMENDATIONS
REF: SECSTATE 47752
1. Prague submits the following responses to the four
remaining open/unresolved recommendations from the OIG
inspection of Embassy Prague (ISP-I-04-39A),issued
September, 2004.
2. Recommendation No. 1: Embassy Prague should request,
and the Bureau of Consular Affairs and Bureau of European
And Eurasian Affairs should approve and fund, an additional
Foreign Service national position in the Consular Section to
perform Consular management support duties. (Action:
Embassy Prague, in coordination with CA and EUR)
Initial response: Embassy concurs with the OIG
recommendation and has taken action. The FMO section has
included the cost of an FSN-06 management support position
in its budget forecast and will include the request in this
year's MPP submission. Embassy now awaits funding from
Department to take further action on this recommendation.
Analysis: OIG notes the actions taken by Embassy Prague,
please notify OIG once the position has been approved and
funded and the recommendation can be closed.
Response: Post has included the cost of an FSN-06 consular
management support position in its budget forecast and has
included the resource request in this year's MPP
submission. Discussions between post and EUR Budget have
not resulted in the funding for this position. Post has
also informally discussed with the Bureau of Consular
Affairs the possibility of funding the position; also
without success. Department funding for this position does
not appear likely in the near future.
3. Recommendation No. 6: Embassy Prague should complete
and implement the information system documentation
requirements and provide copies of the plans to the Bureau
of Information Resource Management. (Action: Embassy
Prague)
Initial response: ISSO and Systems Managers have submitted
the IT Contingency Plan and System Security Plan to DS for
review. The Configuration Management Plan has an anticipated
completion/submission date of 31 January 2004.
Analysis: In the next update, please confirm if the IT
plans have been completed and implemented.
Response: All required System Documentation has been
implemented at post and submitted to DS/SI/CS/RAD for
review.
4. Recommendation No. 7: Embassy Prague, in coordination
with the Bureau of Information Resource Management, should
work to approve an offsite alternate facility for classified
information systems processing and storage. (Action:
Embassy Prague, in coordination with IRM)
Initial response: IRM equipment and contingency plans are
available, but the lack of an offsite location cleared for
the storage and processing reduces their effectiveness. Post
IMO is currently working with IRM and DS to resolve
this issue. DS regulations regarding offsite
storage/processing of classified information severely reduce
the options open to post regarding storage of contingency
classified equipment/operations.
Analysis: In the next update, please provide information on
any progress made to secure an offsite alternative facility
for classified IM storage/processing. Per IRM memo DTD
11/22/04, OIG is removing IRM as the participating entity on
this recommendation.
Response: IRM and post IMO have addressed this issue to the
extent of their ability. With no facility
approved for storage of classified material locally,
post continues the practice of sending classified backup
tapes to AMCONSUL Munich for storage. The ability to
store classified equipment and media offsite (locally) is
not feasible.
5. Recommendation No. 8: Embassy Prague should discontinue
the practice of authorizing U.S. government sponsored school
employees to use the diplomatic pouch for personal mail
services. (Action: Embassy Prague)
Initial response: Embassy is in the process of formally
requesting a waiver from DPM in order to provide this
service to the U.S. citizens currently working at the
International School in Prague.
Analysis: During the inspection, OIG found that Embassy
Prague has authorized the school employees to use the pouch
for personal mail, which is prohibited by 5 FAM 343.5.
Response: Post has sent a cable to A/DPM requesting a
waiver for this service (Prague 0450). We await a response
before taking further action.
CABANISS