PRESIDENT'S LETTER OF INSTRUCTION TO CHIEFS OF

UNCLAS STATE 072909


FOR CHIEFS OF MISSION FROM UNDER SECRETARY KENNEDY

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AODE AMGT KMRS
SUBJECT: PRESIDENT'S LETTER OF INSTRUCTION TO CHIEFS OF
MISSION


1. The President's Letter of Instruction to Chiefs of
Mission (COM) is revised at the beginning of each new
administration and sent to all newly appointed
Ambassadors. It is the primary mechanism for
communicating the President's foreign policy priorities
and COM authority to U.S. missions overseas. The
National Security Council (NSC) informed the Department
of State on May 26, 2009 that President Obama has
approved the language provided in paragraph two below as
his Letter of Instruction to Chiefs of Mission. This
letter will also serve as instructions for Ambassadors
already in the field. Please share the full text of the
new letter with others in your mission, especially your
country team.


2. (BEGIN TEXT)

Dear Mr./Madam Ambassador:

Thank you for your willingness to serve our country as
my personal representative to [country/international
organization].

Together we have a great task before us. We must renew
America's security and standing in the world through a
new era of American leadership. The United States will
advance its interests through a core pragmatism rooted
in America's enduring values. We must rebuild our
traditional alliances and pursue new partnerships based
on mutual interests and respect, so that together we can
confront key common challenges of the 21st century,
including weapons of mass destruction, terrorism,
poverty, pandemic disease, dependence on fossil fuels
and global climate change. America is strongest when we
act alongside other nations and peoples. Our security
also is enhanced through principled and sustained
engagement with those who think differently. As my
personal representative, you will be the front line of
our efforts.

Our security and prosperity are inextricably linked with
those of other countries and people around the world.
To strengthen both our national and global economies, we
must expand trade as well as financial and scientific
cooperation, and we will advance mutual understanding
through educational and cultural diplomacy. We must
work in concert with others to prevent, resolve, and
mitigate conflict, combat transnational threats,
strengthen law enforcement cooperation, and promote
democratic values and human rights.

I will need your support for our efforts to provide
forward-thinking, sustained diplomacy in every part of
the world. We will apply pressure where it may be
needed, and look for opportunities to advance U.S.
interests. As appropriate, you should reach out to
other government agencies, nongovernmental
organizations, the private sector, international
organizations, and our military to leverage your own
initiatives. I also urge you to pursue diplomacy and
public outreach with 21st century tools and technology.
As Chief of the U.S. Mission, one of your most important
jobs will be to take care of our diplomatic personnel
and to ensure that they have the tools they need to
support your efforts. The Mission should be seen as a
welcoming and supportive place for American citizens and
American businesses abroad.

I have asked you to represent the United States in
[country/international organization] because I am
confident that you possess the skills, dedication, and
experience necessary to meet the many challenges that we
face in these extraordinary times.

This letter contains your detailed instructions as my
personal representative and the U.S. Chief of Mission.
These instructions have been shared with relevant
departments and agencies, and I have directed that they
give you their full cooperation. I expect you to carry
out your mission to the best of your ability and in full
conformance with the law and the highest ethical
standards. I am counting on your advice and leadership
as Chief of Mission to help protect America's interests
and to promote America's values.

As Chief of Mission, you have full responsibility for
the direction, coordination, and supervision of all U.S.
Executive Branch employees in [country], regardless of
their employment categories or location, except those
under command of a U.S. area military commander or on
the staff of an international organization. With these
exceptions, you are in charge of all Executive Branch
activities and operations in your Mission.

You will report to me through the Secretary of State.
Under my direction, the Secretary of State is, to the
fullest extent provided by the law, responsible for the
overall coordination of all United States government
activities and operations abroad. The only
authorization channel for instruction to you is from the
Secretary or me, unless the Secretary or I personally
instruct you to use a different channel.

All Executive Branch agencies under your authority, and
every element of your Mission, must keep you fully
informed at all times of their current and planned
activities. You have the right to see all
communications to or from Mission elements, however
transmitted, except those specifically exempted by law
or Executive decision.

You have full responsibility for the direction,
coordination, and supervision of all Department of
Defense personnel on official duty in [country] except
those under the command of a U.S. area military
commander. You and the area military commander must
keep each other currently and fully informed and
cooperate on all matters of mutual interest. Any
differences that cannot be resolved in the field will be
reported to the Secretary of State and the Secretary of
Defense.

I expect you to take direct and full responsibility for
the security of your Mission and all the personnel for
whom you are responsible, whether inside or outside the
chancery gate. Unless an interagency agreement provides
otherwise, the Secretary of State and you as Chief of
Mission must provide for the security of all United
States government personnel on official duty abroad
other than those under the protection of a U.S. area
military commander or on the staff of an international
organization and their accompanying dependents. You and
the U.S. area military commander should consult and
coordinate responses to common threats.

I ask that you review programs, personnel, and funding
levels regularly, and ensure that all agencies attached
to your Mission do likewise. Rightsizing the United
States government presence abroad is a continuing
requirement. To better meet our foreign policy goals, I
will be expanding the Foreign Service and strengthening
civilian capacity to work alongside the military. At
the same time, we need to eliminate unnecessary
duplication in our foreign operations. Functions that
can be performed effectively and efficiently by
personnel based in the United States or at regional
offices overseas should not be performed at post. We
should make greater use of the expertise of host country
citizens, and outsource functions when it is effective
and efficient to do so. In your reviews, should you
find staffing to be either excessive or inadequate to
the performance of priority Mission goals and
objectives, I urge you to initiate staffing changes in
accordance with established procedures.

Every Executive Branch agency under your authority must
obtain your approval before changing the size,
composition, or mandate of its staff. If a Department
head disagrees with you on staffing matters, that
individual may appeal your decision to the Secretary of
State. In the event the Secretary is unable to resolve
the dispute, the Secretary and the respective Department
head will present their differing views to me for
decision.

All United States government personnel other than those
under the command of a U.S. area military commander or
on the staff of an international organization must
obtain country clearance before entering [country] on
official business. You may refuse country clearance or
may place conditions or restrictions on visiting
personnel as you determine necessary.

I expect you to discharge your responsibilities with
professional excellence and in full conformance with the
law and the highest standards of ethical conduct. You
should ensure that there is equal opportunity at your
Mission and no discrimination or harassment of any kind.
Remember as you conduct your duties that you are
representing not only me, but also the American people
and America's values.

Sincerely,

Barack H. Obama

(END TEXT)


3. A modified version containing the same basic text
will go to chiefs of multilateral missions (certain
international organizations and Geneva). All versions
of the letter will be posted on the Bureau of
Administration/Global Information Services/Office of
Directives Management intranet page at http:/
/arpsdir.a.state.gov/miscdoc/presidentsletter .html. If
you have any questions please contact M/PRI Lynn
Bullivant (202) 647-6496 or bullivantnl@state.gov.


4. Minimize considered.


CLINTON