Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07ANKARA2059
2007-08-13 10:37:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Ankara
Cable title:  

GRANTS ADMINISTRATION AND SUPPORT FOR PUBLIC

Tags:  OIIP AMGT KICA KPAO TU 
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VZCZCXYZ0002
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHAK #2059 2251037
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 131037Z AUG 07
FM AMEMBASSY ANKARA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 3352
INFO RUEHIT/AMCONSUL ISTANBUL 3153
UNCLAS ANKARA 002059 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR R/PPR, INFO EUR/PPD, EUR/EX

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OIIP AMGT KICA KPAO TU
SUBJECT: GRANTS ADMINISTRATION AND SUPPORT FOR PUBLIC
DIPLOMACY PROGRAMS

REF: STATE 105588

UNCLAS ANKARA 002059

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR R/PPR, INFO EUR/PPD, EUR/EX

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OIIP AMGT KICA KPAO TU
SUBJECT: GRANTS ADMINISTRATION AND SUPPORT FOR PUBLIC
DIPLOMACY PROGRAMS

REF: STATE 105588


1. Reftel raised important issues concerning coordination
between post Public Affairs Section (PAS) and
Management/ICASS sections in support of public diplomacy
programs and activities. PAS Turkey does receive adequate
ICASS support -- when questions or issues arise, they are
worked out in a collegial manner through direct
communications between PAS and the relevant MGT section.
Problems that periodically arise due to general resource
limitations (budget, personnel, vehicles) affect all
sections, including PAS. Given inevitable staff turnover on
both sides, it might be useful to update and reissue the
"matrix" of who pays for what as an annual cable (perhaps
each September),along with clear instructions as to how PAS
personnel are to be treated/charged for equipment (eg., cell
phones) that is provided to all State employees.


2. The major challenge in PD administration at our post
comes from the lack of a PAS executive officer or senior LES
to handle the various administrative support duties and
coordinate with GSM, FMO, IRM, and HR. As a result, the PAOs
in Ankara and Istanbul need to spend more time directly
working with MGT/ICASS colleagues on various financial,
personnel and administrative questions. Some of these do
require the direct attention of the PAO, but many of them
could be properly handled by a well-trained LES or EFM
colleague. We therefore support any efforts Washington might
pursue to develop (and fund) such positions.


3. Grants continue to be a critically important tool for us.
The vast majority of our grants are for public diplomacy
programs and activities, but we are currently working with
non-PD colleagues on a grant to fund a Black Sea Economic
Cooperation (BSEC) seminar with a mixture of post PD funds
and non-PD funding from EUR. We are fortunate to have an
experienced LES employee in PAS Turkey for handling grants,
since the Public Affairs Section is expected to provide the
expertise and proper procedures for grant implementation and
reporting.

Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/ankara/

MCELDOWNEY