126. Editorial Note
On April 5, 1971, the United States Information Agency (USIA) published an announcement indicating that on April 1, USIA Director Frank J. Shakespeare had announced a restructuring of the geographic areas of the Agency in order to increase overseas effectiveness. The restructuring eliminated the Near East and South Asia Area in favor of establishing two new areas, resulting in seven areas:
“Near East and North Africa—This new area encompasses the Arab-Islamic states in Africa and the Near East, plus Iran and Israel. North African countries transferred from the present Africa area include Morocco, Mauritania, Algeria, Libya, Tunisia, and the Sudan.
“South Asia—This new area encompasses the South Asian countries formerly a part of the Near East and South Asia area, plus Burma. It includes India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Nepal, Ceylon, and Burma.
“Africa—The present Africa area is unchanged except for the deletion of those countries transferred to the Near East and North Africa area.
“Europe—The countries of Greece, Turkey and Cyprus will be transferred to the West Europe area, which otherwise is unchanged.
“East Asia and Pacific—This area is unchanged except for the loss of Burma, which is transferred to the new South Asia area.
“Latin America—No changes.
“Soviet Union and East Europe—No changes.”
(National Archives, RG 306, USIA Historical Collection, Office of the Director, Biographic Files Relating to USIA Directors and Other Senior Officials, 1953–2000, Entry A1–1069, Box 28, FJS, Directives, 1972)