Office of the Historian

18. Memorandum of Conversation1

Washington, May 1, 1969

SUBJECT

  • State/USIA Interchange of Personnel

PARTICIPANTS

  • Department of State

    • Howard P. Mace, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Personnel
    • Adrian T. Middleton, Director, Career Management and Assignment Division
    • Frank S. Wile, Chief, Personnel Requirements Branch

  • USIA

    • Lionel S. Mosley, Assistant Director (Personnel and Training)
    • James J. Halsema, Chief, Training Division
    • Kenneth J. Coffey, Chief, Foreign Service Personnel Division

As a follow-up to a meeting2 between Under Secretary Richardson and USIA Deputy Director Henry Loomis, a meeting was arranged for Thursday afternoon May 1 to discuss State/USIA relationships in terms of what was described as an “enlightened” interchange of personnel. After noting the existence of such a program in the CU and P areas, USIA participants expressed the belief that there were other areas which could be exploited to mutual advantage—both at State and in USIA. The program in CU (up to 40 persons from USIA to man positions in CU) was one which gave some worry since through the years it had been reduced to much smaller proportions than was thought desirable. Rather than retrenching, it seemed that State and USIA ought to be expanding their relationships. USIA pointed out that the CU program was a natural focal point on the domestic scene for returning cultural affairs officers.

It was agreed that there were indeed areas other than in CU and in P which could be examined to see whether an expanded USIA representation in State could be accommodated. Likewise, in USIA, there were doubtless areas which could very profitably absorb details of FSO’s from State. Overseas the prospect seemed equally bright for both agencies, with the suggestion underscored that where possible this interchange take place at the same post. In the spirit of a positive approach by both sides it was agreed that USIA and State would designate officers to explore the ramifications of an expanded interchange program. Both agencies would examine their position resources for the purpose of identifying those most appropriate for an interchange. It was also agreed that should an expanded program result, it would begin on a reasonable scale—no mass movement of personnel.

  1. Source: National Archives, RG 306, Director’s Subject Files, 1968–1972, Entry A1–42, Box 1, INF–1–11 Department of State. No classification marking. Drafted by Wile on May 12. Copies were sent to Mace and Middleton. Loomis initialed the top right-hand corner of the memorandum twice. Notations in an unknown hand in the top right-hand corner of the memorandum read: “5–21–69” and “I—Mr. O’Brien.”↩
  2. No record of this meeting has been found.↩