Office of the Historian

354. Circular Airgram From the Department of State to All Posts1

CA-3094
Washington, September 18, 1963.

SUBJECT

  • Duties and Responsibilities of Science Officers

This airgram supersedes the Department’s Instruction CW–4414, November 22, 1961, subject: “Duties and Responsibilities of Science Officers”.2

Mission of Scientific Attaches

Science Officers, with the diplomatic title of Attache, are assigned to diplomatic posts at which science and technology are playing or will play a significant role. Science Officers are integral parts of the Ambassador’s Staff at such posts. They provide advice of the Chief of Mission and to other officers on scientific and technical matters, participate in the reporting program of the Embassy, and assist in the representational and negotiating activities of the Embassy. A Science Officer is normally accredited to a single post but often has regional responsibilities for performing the functions listed below in nearby countries where there is no similar science representative.

Functions of Scientific Attaches

The Scientific Attache reports to the Chief and Deputy Chief of Mission. Although his detailed functions will necessarily vary from post to post, depending upon the local situation, they will in general fall into the three categories of advising, reporting, and representing, under the direction of the Chief of Mission.

Advising

1.
Serves as adviser to the Chief of Mission and Staff on scientific and technical matters.
2.
Coordinates for the Chief of Mission U.S. scientific programs and activities in the areas of assignment, and in providing advice and recommendations to the Department of State and other government agencies with respect to such programs and activities.
3.
Assists the Chief of Mission in assuring that scientists from the U.S. in his area of assignment are cognizant of the foreign policy implications of their scientific and technical activities.
4.
Maintains liaison with visiting U.S. officials who are on scientific missions abroad. Arranges appropriate visits and briefings.
5.
To the extent feasible, provides advice and assistance to representatives of scientific non-governmental organizations in the U.S.

Reporting

1.
Evaluates and reports significant developments and trends in science within his area of assignment especially those affecting U.S. interests, relationships or policies.
2.
Reports such other scientific and technical information which would be of value to the U.S. scientific community and as may be requested from time to time by the Department of State.

Representing

1.
Represents the Chief of Mission, the Department of State or other agencies of the government, at scientific meetings, conferences, ceremonies, and similar activities. Ordinarily this is within the area of assignment.
2.
Promotes the exchange of scientific information between the U.S. scientific community and the scientific community of the area of assignment.
3.
Advises and informs scientific groups and organizations in the area of assignment of the scientific policies and programs of U.S. governmental and non-governmental organizations.

Regional Responsibilities

Depending on available funds and workload requirements at the principal post of assignment, the Scientific Attache will also cover scientific developments in certain nearby countries. Such countries to be covered will be agreed upon between the Embassy, the Geographic Bureau and the Office of International Scientific Affairs.

Regional responsibilities will include the functions listed above and will be carried out by periodic trips to such countries and by maintaining liaison and working relationships with a designated officer at such posts on scientific and technological matters. These designated officers, in submitting their scientific and technological reports to the Department of State, will also send information copies to the Scientific Attache.

Support and Guidance From the Department of State

Within the Department of State, the Office of International Scientific Affairs, whose functions are outlined in Foreign Affairs Manual Circular #84 dated September 14, 1962,3 is the focal point for providing support and guidance to the Scientific Attaches. In carrying out this [Page 794] responsibility the Office of International Scientific Affairs works in cooperation and collaboration with the appropriate geographic bureaus and offices in the Department, as well as with other government agencies concerned with scientific matters. The Office of International Scientific Affairs also maintains contact with leading non-governmental scientific organizations.

Rusk
  1. Source: National Archives and Records Administration, RG 59, Central Files 1960–63, ORG 8. Unclassified. Drafted by Pardee; cleared by J.H. Lennon (AF), Marshall P. Jones (FE), Melbourne L. Specter (ARA), Millan L. Egert (NEA), and Seaborn P. Foster (EUR); and approved by Pardee.↩
  2. Not printed. (Ibid., 110.17/11–2261)↩
  3. See footnote 2, Document 350.↩