UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR MANAGEMENT WASHINGTON December 16, 1983 Dear Mr. Chairman: This is to inform you that the Department of State plans to upgrade its diplomatic mission to the Holy See, in Vatican City to an Embassy. Once Diplomatic Relations are established, we would anticipate setting up a small Class IV Embassy. Therefore, we only plan to increase the staff now assigned to the Vatican Office by up to 7 positions to a maximum of six Americans and four Foreign Service National employees. We expect to begin assigning additional personnel in January 1984. To open the Embassy and to fund it for the balance of Fiscal Year 1984, we project that up to $1,115,000 will be required $913,000 in operating expenses for the Bureau of European and Canadian Affairs budget and $202,000 for American Salaries. These costs are our best estimate at this time and may change. This high priority requirement will be staffed and funded by applying the 3 positions and $406,000 which are currently budgeted for the Vatican Office. The additional 7 positions and support costs of $507,000 will be reprogrammed from lower priority requirements. I am available to discuss the proposed reprogramming at your convenience. The Honorable Neal Smith, Chairman, Sincerely yours, 101. Jum Ronald I. Spiers Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, State, the Judiciary, House of Representatives. January 24, 1984 FACT SHEET INCREASED REQUIREMENTS FOR THE VATICAN The Department believes that additional resources for Vatican can be held to 5 positions and $351,000 ($56,000 American Salaries and $295,000 Bureau Managed). This is 2 positions and $282,000 less than the increase identified in the reprogramming notification letter of December 16, 1983. A detailed tabulation of funding estimates follows. Analysis of positions required: Ambassador: A new position, the incumbent being a consultant not occupying a position. Admin/Comm Officer: A new position, with the split off of the Vatican from Embassy Rome, the new embassy will become subject to the full administrative reporting and operations workload making this position unavoidable. Security Officers (2): Two new positions, to provide personal protection will be required to lead an Italian protective detail. The Ambassador at Embassy Rome has a similar security arrangement. This would offset the 3 SY field agents now providing protective security to the Envoy. FSN GSO/B&F Asst: A new position. Like the Admin/Comm officer, the separation from Embassy Rome will create new administrative requirements, such as cashiering, procurement, administrative reporting, building maintenance which are unavoidable. FSN Driver: A new position is not required. An embassy Rome driver is presently allocated 80% to the Envoy. Reprogramming this position to the Vatican Embassy should not work any hardship. FUNDS The proposed bureau managed cost is $701,000 which represents an increase of $295,000 over the base. Included is $217,000 for one-time costs to establish the embassy. The funding requirements are compared below: FSN Salaries/Benefits: Increased by $18,200 for the additional GSO/B&F Assistant, less lapse. Marine Guards: These will not be required as a waiver for the secure phone (see below) will be approved. Post Allowance: Increased by $1,200 to allow for the new Education Allowance: Increased by $3,200 to allow for the new Temporary Lodging Allowance: American positions. Increased by $23,800 for four new Vehicle: A vehicle will have to be leased for the Admin support functions for $9,000. Office Supplies: An increase of $5,700 for office supplies is allowed because of the increased staffing. Office Renovations: Revising the existing space to accommodate the additional positions will require renovations of $25,000. Office Furniture and Equipment: $44,200 will be required for the new positions. Telephone: Telephone charges will increase $3,000. Secure Phone/Voice Link: While communications support will continue to be provided by Embassy Rome, the envoy requires a secure voice link costing $116,000. Envoy (COMR) Residence: The current short-turn lease residence cost has been only partly paid by the USG. The bulk (73%) has been picked up by the Envoy personally. However, once this becomes an Embassy, $81,200 is required for rent, Official Residence Expenses, guards, utilities, and furniture and furnishings. Short Term Res. Lease: Increase of $25,500 to allow for the four new positions, less lapses. Travel: Estimated travel is reduced $83,000 to $77,000. The bureau estimate of $77,000 includes $42,000 to continue the 3 SY field agents until the two security officers are on board. Other Services: Increased $22,400 to allow adequate funding for contract guard services for the Ambassador. Doc 0716D |