The Subcommittee on International Operations has recently completed 10
days of hearings on issues relating to the reorganization of the USIA, the Bureau of Educational and
Cultural Affairs and other programs encompassed by the term public
diplomacy. These hearings were held as part of the Subcommittee’s effort
to work jointly with the Executive Branch on public diplomacy
reorganization pursuant to an understanding between Chairman Fascell and
Secretary Vance.
We want to share with you some general observations which we hope will be
useful to you in deciding among various options for reorganization. Our
findings are included in the attached memorandum.
We look forward to continuing to work with you to ensure the most
efficient and effective use of our public diplomacy resources.
Attachment
Memorandum for President Carter
2
Washington, August 3, 1977
From June 8 to June 24, 1977 the Subcommittee on International
Operations of the House International Relations Committee heard
testimony from 45 witnesses on issues related to reorganization of
public [Page 552] diplomacy programs.
A list of witnesses is attached.3 In addition, the Subcommittee
received more than a score of additional unsolicited statements for
inclusion in the hearing record.
Based on the hearing record, the Subcommittee has reached the
following general conclusions.
1. The key to effective use of our public diplomacy resources is an
awareness of the utility of these resources and a willingness to use
them to further policy objectives. Reorganization is important, but
only of marginal concern in dealing with this basic problem.
2. The head of the USIA (or
successor agency) should be included in NSC and Cabinet meetings. Participation by the USIA Director will (a) substantially
increase opportunities for maximum effective use of public diplomacy
resources, and (b) allow the Agency to perform its responsibilities
for explaining policy for the entire government.
3. USIA should not be merged into
the Department of State. USIA must
work closely with the Department of State. It is important that
USIA or a successor bureau or
agency have sufficient budgetary, personnel and administrative
autonomy to ensure a corps of officers qualified and inspired to
carry out the full range of public diplomacy in our national
interests. The Director of USIA or
his successor should be included in all major policy decisions
within the Department of State. Similarly, lower level officials
concerned with public diplomacy should be involved in all major
policy formulation sessions at all appropriate lower and
intermediate levels.
4. The programs administered by the Bureau of Educational and
Cultural Affairs should be merged into the USIA.
5. The VOA should remain in the
USIA.
6. The present authority and organization of the Board for Foreign
Scholarships should be maintained.
7. The integrity of both our educational and cultural programs and of
the programming of the Voice of America is of paramount concern.
Inevitably conflicts will arise over both programs in an attempt to
resolve both (a) competitive short-term and long-term objectives,
and (b) the distinctions between government policy and divergent
opinions in the country as a whole.
No structural reorganization including the establishment of separate
agencies for exchange activities or broadcasting will provide
immunity from political pressures. Changes can be made, however, [Page 553] which will minimize the
abuse of exchange programs or broadcasting activities.
8. The United States Advisory Commission on Information and the
United States Advisory Commission on International Educational and
Cultural Affairs can be restructured to more effectively safeguard
the integrity of both exchange programs and of Voice of America
programming. The following measures can ensure and safeguard the
integrity and credibility vital to the success of our long-term
public diplomacy programs: (a) higher caliber membership, (b)
mandatory periodic reports, (c) independent staff to investigate
alleged improper actions, (d) requirements for officials to notify
the advisory group of pressures which would contravene the mandate
of the programs, and (e) obligation of the Director to respond to
the Administration and the Congress on advisory commission reports
and staff investigation findings.
9. The USIA needs a fundamental
internal reorganization. There are far too many officials at the
assistant director level. It is important, however, that if either
or both the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs or the Voice
of America are within a reorganized USIA that the Directors of these programs be at the
highest level beneath the Agency Director and that their independent
access to Congress be assured. This would further ensure the
integrity and credibility of these two programs.
10. Regardless of the future relationship of USIA and CU to the Department of State, clear responsibility
should be assigned to a high official of the Department of State for
(a) all issues relating to the freedom of communication, (b)
technical matters which may impinge on freedom of communication, and
(c) coordination of public diplomacy activities of Defense,
Treasury, Commerce, HEW and other
agencies.
11. The mandate governing USIA
operations which was issued by President Kennedy should be reviewed and
updated.4
