3 Question: Can't you use the Department of Defense communications system in an emergency? Answer: This request concerns only the relay and terminal operations serving the Washington area offices of some 50 US Government agencies. There are no other central communications facilities in the Washington area with adequate terminal processing or relay capacity to serve the backup requirements to this major facility. While the Department does use the Defense Communications System (DCS) as a backup support for the transmission network component of its worldwide system, placing the terminal and relay functions onto the DCS would nearly overwhelm it, resulting in severely restricted traffic handling capabilities and extraordinary backlogs. Question: On page 27-12 you are also requesting an increase of $2,100,000 for a Network Management and Control System. This appears to be a testing mechanism. Since you have been able to get along without this capability up to this point why is it necessary to fund such a system in fiscal year 1984? Answer: The transition to higher data transmission rates in support of programs such as the Department's new Financial Management System, the Automated Visa System, and other data interchange systems, requires virtually fault-free circuits and interface equipments. The network management and control system is the only means available to assure the necessary performance specifications along each leg of the circuit path involved. 4 Question: On page 27-13 of the justifications you are requesting an increase of $2,679,000 for Acceleration of the Terminal Equipment Replacement Program. How much is in the base for this program and why is it not sufficient to do the job? Answer: The base contains $886,000 which provides for 8 TERP installations per year. At this rate the program will not be completed until well into the 1990's, by which time traffic increases will have resulted in increased personnel requirements overseas. TERP installations, on the other hand, have proven to be a cost effective way to handle up to 225% increases in traffic at constant personnel levels. This proposal will increase the number of terminals funded per year to 26, permitting completion of procurement by 1986. 5 Question: The justifications on page 27-13 also show a requested increase of $1,390,000 for ten additional communicators. The justifications state that these positions would provide temporary assistance at small posts. I believe we provided 15 additional positions for this purpose in fiscal year 1983. Why can't you get along with that level of additional assistance? Answer: Based on workload analyses and historical trends, 34 TDY communicators will be required to provide minimal coverage in 1984, The 15 additional positions provided in 1983 augment the nine rover positions in the base, for a total of only 24 personnel available for temporary assignments of the type described in the justification. 6 Question: The justifications on page 27-13 also show a requested increase of $1,577,000 for something called a "Classified Information Handling System". The justifications indicate that this system would be installed at nine posts to process classified information. Could you explain how this system works and at what posts you would propose to install it. Answer: The Classified Information Handling System (CIHS) provides secure word processing, storage, and telegraphic transmission and reception capabilities for foreign affairs agencies at overseas posts. The originating offices will be equipped with input/output terminals for direct preparation, storage, retrieval, data and word processing direct transmission of classified information. These systems will be installed in the posts' communications centers for integration with the TERP (Terminal Equipment Replacement Program) system. It is planned to install CIHS systems at our posts in Moscow, Warsaw, Madrid, Ankara, Tokyo, Tel Aviv, Pretoria, Rome, and Brasilia. 7 Question: On page 27-13 of the justifications you are requesting an increase of $4,260,000 for Tactical Support Communications Systems. Please explain what these systems are and under what circumstances they would need to be used. Answer: These systems are transportable, containerized, comprehensive communications terminals comprised of super high frequency (SHF) satellite transcievers, antennas, and ancillary voice, record and data communications equipment, providing multi-channel, multi-media capability. They will be deployed to provide temporary communications service in emergency situations where normal service has been interrupted and at remote locations in the event of political unrest or natural disaster and these systems will also be used to provide overseas communications support for the Secretary. 8 Question: How many of these packages would you propose to purchase with these funds? Answer: The request provides for four complete systems, including speech, data and facsimile units, plus technical contract support. MONDAY, MARCH 14, 1983. INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS AND CONFERENCES WITNESSES GREGORY J. NEWELL, ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION AFFAIRS MARK EDELMAN, DEPUTY ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR INTERNATIONAL MANAGEMENT AND BUDGETARY ANALYSIS RICHARD V. HENNES, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR KEVIN E. CARROLL, DIRECTOR, OFFICE OF INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCES CHARLES E. WATKINS, BUDGET OFFICER CONTRIBUTIONS TO INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS Mr. SMITH. The first item we will review today for the Department of State is the budget request for the three appropriation items under International Organization and Conferences. The first of these items is the fiscal year 1984 budget request for Contributions to International Organizations. The request is for $525,773,000 which represents an increase of $81,458,000 above the amount provided for fiscal year 1983 in the continuing resolution. We will insert the justifications on this part in the record. [The justification materials follow:] (281) |