REQUEST FOR INVITATIONAL TRAVEL

UNCLAS BERLIN 001532 SIPDIS FOR SCOTT D. MCDONALD - EUR/EX E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: AMGT SUBJECT: REQUEST FOR INVITATIONAL TRAVEL ¶1. AMEMBASSY BERLIN REQUESTS DEPARTMENT APPROVAL FOR INVITATIONAL TRAVEL AS OUTLINED BELOW: NAME OF TRAVELER: CHRISTINE ELDER CURRENT POSITION: CULTURAL AFFAIRS OFFICER, AMEMBASSY BERLIN DATES OF TRAVEL: NOVEMBER 12-23, 1999 DESTINATION OF TRAVEL: WASHINGTON AND CHICAGO UNCLASSIFIED PAGE 02 BERLIN 01532 291220Z PURPOSE OF TRAVEL: TO ATTEND A CONFERENCE ON "NEW GENERATION AND NEW APPROACH - GERMANY AND THE USA IN AN AGE OF GLOBAL HISTORY" SPONSORS OF TRAVEL: KONRAD ADENAUER FOUNDATION, WASHINGTON OFFICE EXPENSES TO BE COVERED BY THE SPONSORS: AIRFARE AND CHICAGO HOTEL ¶2. JUSTIFICATION: MS. ELDER WAS INVITED TO ATTEND THIS CONFERENCE DUE TO HER ENGAGEMENT IN PREVIOUS YOUNG LEADERS PROGRAMS IN EUROPE AND THE UNITED STATES. BY TRANSITING WASHINGTON EN ROUTE TO CHICAGO, THIS TRIP WILL PROVIDE THE OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE ADDITIONAL INTRODUCTORY APPOINTMENTS IN WASHINGTON. MS. ELDER'S ATTENDANCE IS CLEARLY IN THE USG AND MISSION'S INTEREST, WHICH WOULD COVER THE COSTS OF HER PARTICIPATION IF FUNDS WERE AVAILABLE. ¶3. IN ACCORDANCE WITH 2 FAM EXHIBIT 964.4, POST CERTIFIES THAT: A) THE INVITATIONAL TRAVEL WOULD FURTHER THE INTERESTS OF THE BUREAU AND THE USG BY HAVING A RECOGNIZED LEADER IN TRANSATLANTIC RELATIONS REPRESENT THE USG AT THIS PRESTIGIOUS CONFERENCE. THE CONTACTS MADE OR REESTABLISHED AT THIS EVENT WOULD BE MOST VALUABLE IN THE PURSUIT OF U.S. FOREIGN POLICY GOALS. B) NEITHER POST NOR BUREAU FUNDS ARE AVAILABLE TO PAY FOR THIS TRIP. UNCLASSIFIED PAGE 03 BERLIN 01532 291220Z C) THE DURATION OF THE TRIP IS LIMITED TO OFFICIAL PURPOSES AND COMMENSURATE WITH THE OFFICIAL BENEFIT RECEIVED. D) THE PRIVATE ORGANIZATIONS OFFERING THE TRAVEL ARE NON- PROFIT IN NATURE, AND THEREFORE HAVE NO BUSINESS INTERESTS BEFORE OR AFFECTED BY THE POST, BUREAU OR THE DEPARTMENT. E) NO REASONABLE PERSON COULD BELIEVE THAT THE SPONSORING ORGANIZATIONS ARE OBTAINING IMPROPER INFLUENCE OVER THE POST, BUREAU OR DEPARMENT BY FUNDING THIS TRAVEL. ¶4. PLEASE ADVISE IF FURTHER INFORMATION IS REQUIRED. KORNBLUM UNCLASSIFIED >