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Department Seal Reorganization Plan and Report
Submitted by President Clinton to the Congress on December 30, 1998, Pursuant to Section 1601 of the Foreign Affairs Reform and Restructuring Act of 1998, as Contained in Public Law 105-277

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Reorganization Report

Table of Contents


Executive Summary
I. The Department of State
II. The Arms Control, Nonproliferation, and International Security Mission
III. The Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs Missions
IV. Broadcasting
V. The Development Assistance Mission
VI. Policy Support Functions

A. Under Secretarial Staffs
B. Executive Secretariat
C. Congressional Relations
D. Legal Affairs
E. Press and Constituent Relations
VII. Management Functions
Overview
A. Budget and Finance
B. Domestic Facilities
C. EEO
D. Grants
E. Human Resources
F. Information Technology
G. Logistics
H. Overseas Facilities
I. Overseas Operations
J. Records and Publishing Services
K. Security
L. Statutory Procurement Functions
M. Training
VIII. Reinvention
IX. Implementation
X. Other Reporting Requirements

 

Executive Summary

The reorganization of the foreign affairs agencies will preserve and improve U.S. leadership for a new century that will pose new threats and opportunities. The risks posed by chemical, biological, and nuclear weapons may grow as numerous new state and non-state actors, some with interests inimical to our own, try to obtain those weapons. Democracies, citizen organizations, and market structures will become more prominent around the world, and Americans will feel the effects of decisions they make, outside traditional government-to-government channels. As developing countries add to the international economy, environmental and demographic pressures can challenge American prosperity and security, as well as our humanitarian instincts. By integrating our national arms control, nonproliferation, public diplomacy, and sustainable development efforts into a single foreign affairs structure, we will be better able to prepare, prevent, and when necessary respond.

The Administration will work closely and cooperatively with the Congress to implement this historic reorganization. The plan is designed around our greatest strengths -- the abilities and expertise of our dedicated public servants in the foreign affairs agencies and the message America brings to the world. Reorganization will make clear that we are creating an international affairs structure that serves the times by functioning better, faster, more flexibly, and efficiently.

The United States Information Agency (USIA) and the Arms Control and Disarmament Agency (ACDA) will be abolished and integrated into State, the Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG) will become an independent executive branch entity, and the International Development Cooperation Agency will be eliminated. The Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) will be under the direct authority and foreign policy guidance of the Secretary of State, and USAID's press office and certain administrative functions will move to State. About seven thousand USIA personnel -- Foreign Service, Civil Service, and Foreign Service Nationals -- are involved. Nearly three thousand will go to the BBG and the remainder will join State, as will about 250 ACDA and a few USAID employees. Under the provisions of the Foreign Affairs Reform and Restructuring Act of 1998, all personnel and positions shall be transferred to State at the same grade or class, with the same rate of basic pay or basic salary, and with the same tenure held immediately preceding transfer.

Arms Control, Nonproliferation, and International Security
ACDA will be abolished by April 1, 1999. The integrated foreign policy missions of ACDA and State's Political-Military Bureau (PM) will be under the policy oversight of the Under Secretary for Arms Control and International Security. The Under Secretary will also be Senior Adviser to the President and the Secretary of State on Arms Control, Nonproliferation, and Disarmament. Five current bureaus (four in ACDA and PM) will be reduced to three in State, all under the policy oversight of the Under Secretary. An office reporting directly to the Under Secretary will advise on verification and compliance issues. During the transition period, the Director of ACDA is "double-hatted" as Acting Under Secretary. Under the Act, a scientific and policy Advisory Board will be established to advise and make recommendations to the Secretary of State on U.S. arms control, nonproliferation, and disarmament policy and activities.

Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs
USIA will be abolished by October 1, 1999. Public diplomacy programs -- designed to understand, inform, and influence foreign audiences -- will be under the direction of a new Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs who will provide policy oversight over two bureaus.

The Bureau of Information Programs and International Exchanges will be responsible for educational and cultural programs and will produce information programs and products tailored for foreign opinion-makers. Its information efforts will focus on foreign audiences in recognition of the intent of Congress to separate overseas public diplomacy efforts from those which inform the press and the American public about foreign policy. The continuing commitment to academic and professional exchange programs will continue unabated. The Bureau of Public Affairs will be expanded by incorporating press relations offices of all four foreign affairs agencies and the Foreign Press Centers now operated by USIA. Public diplomacy staffs will be added to each State regional and functional bureau.

Consistent with the Act, international broadcasting will remain an essential instrument of U.S. foreign policy. The BBG will be under the foreign policy guidance of the Secretary of State, who will have a seat on the BBG replacing the USIA Director. The Secretary and the Board will, however, respect the professional independence and integrity of the BBG's International Broadcasting Bureau (IBB) and its Voice of America, surrogate broadcasting services, and grantees. In cooperation with USIA and the BBG and IBB, State is developing mechanisms to transfer to the BBG and IBB those funds, resources, and personnel commensurate with administrative and other support they now receive from USIA.

International Development
IDCA will be abolished by April 1, 1999. USAID will be a separate agency, and its Administrator will be under the direct authority and foreign policy guidance of the Secretary of State. To maximize consistency with overall U.S. international affairs priorities, the Secretary will ensure coordination among agencies of the United States Government in carrying out the policies contained in relevant foreign assistance legislation. The Secretary will coordinate development and other economic assistance, and review USAID's strategic plan and annual performance plan, annual budget submission and appeals, and allocations and significant (in terms of policy or money) reprogrammings of development and other economic assistance. In this context, the Secretary will delegate or redelegate to USAID the functions and authorities that USAID needs to carry out its mission. Under the direct authority and foreign policy guidance of the Secretary, the Administrator will create development policy, implement development and other economic assistance programs, and manage and administer assistance programs. State and USAID will establish more mechanisms for consultation and coordination. The International Cooperative Administrative Support Services (ICASS) system will be the basis for shared administrative services for USAID missions overseas.

Policy Support and Management Functions

State Reinvention
Reinvention of State will be accelerated and bolstered by new talents, strengths, and assets acquired through enhanced integration of foreign affairs agencies. State has already taken significant reinvention steps:

But this is only the beginning. Bringing together the talented professionals of State, USIA, and ACDA in a single organization will afford opportunities for further reinvention. The Administration will be examining steps to better integrate related activities now conducted in several places in State and USAID, and to otherwise improve our ability to deal with both traditional and new problems.

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