1. Personnel at posts

EXPLANATION OF MAJOR ITEMS

(a) American salaries ($842,162).-Positions: This estimate provides for the salaries of 130 American positions in 22 countries in 30 of the 43 posts. No new American positions are requested for Latin America in 1956.

Man-years: The estimate provides for an average of 126 Americans to be actually on duty at the field posts throughout the year. This compares with an average of only 110 in fiscal year 1955. The balance of 16 man-years in fiscal year 1956 represents the constant level of employment at the post expected to be maintained throughout the year. An explanation of the Agency's full complement policy is contained in the USIS Mission General Statement under tab 6.

(b) Local salaries ($635,500). This estimate provides for the salaries of 518 local employees (510 man-years averaging $1,246) which is an increase of 30 positions and $31,736 over fiscal year 1955. The requested positions are for local technical personnel to assist with script writing, editorial writing, motion picture technicians, librarians, etc. Details of these positions appear in the preceding material explaining the programs in various countries.

(c) Hardship post differential ($18,074).-The estimate provides for salary differentials paid to American staff at posts in which difficult living conditions or excessive hardships prevail. The estimate of requirements was calculated on an individual job basis, post by post, using the differential percentages furnished by Governmentwide regulations in effect at the time of this budget preparation. The increase of $2,468 is due to the increase in man-years of employment.

(d) Living and quarters allowance ($322,676).-The estimate provides for temporary lodging, quarters, post, transfer and separation allowances for the American USIS staff. This estimate is based on rates prescribed by the Standardized Government Civilian Allowance Regulations with due consideration for quarters available in Government-owned or leased buildings. The increase of $31,432 is due to the increase in man-years.

(e) All other personal services costs ($24,366).-The estimate provides for salary payment of 1 day in excess of the regular 52-week year, overtime and holiday pay, and temporary employment.

2. Personnel in transit

(a) American salaries ($97,163).-The estimate provides for the salaries of American Foreign Service personnel during the time they are in travel status from the post to the United States, while they are on home leave, and during consultation in the agency before assignment to another post. Requirements for fiscal year 1956 are $6,832 less than for fiscal year 1955. This item is developed from an analysis of the periods during the fiscal year when employees will actually be in transit, either on home leave, preassignment status, or traveling to new post. (b) Travel and transportation assignment, home leave, transfer, separation, etc. ($208,400).-The estimate provides for the travel of American USIS staff and their dependents, and the shipment of effects to their post or to the United States or from one post to another. Requirements for fiscal year 1956 are $47,600 less than in fiscal year 1955, as reflected on the following table.

(a) Junior officer training program ($50,121).-The estimate provides for the salaries, allowances, and related costs of junior officers recruited directly from leading universities and colleges who, prior to regular assignment, are sent to relatively large posts for about a year to learn the program under the guidance of an experienced public affairs officer. This program was instituted in the middle of

fiscal year 1955 by the recruitment of nine junior officers for the American Republics area. The increase of $18,609 over fiscal year 1955 provides for a continuation of this program throughout all of fiscal year 1956 at the same level (nine officers) begun in fiscal year 1955.

(b) New American employee training ($20,700). The estimate provides for salaries and related costs of newly recruited American employees while receiving intensive indoctrination and training course in the agency prior to departure on first overseas assignment. The training period for each employee averages 2

months.

(c) Specialized training of experienced employees ($9,140).-The estimate provides for the salaries and related costs incident to providing area and language training, training in the National War College, and concentrated training in particular fields of specialization to experienced Foreign Service employees to increase their usefulness to the Agency.

(d) Training of local employees in the United States ($11,200).—The estimate provides for travel and per diem for key local employees to come to the United States for a brief period of training and consultation and is aimed at increasing the employee's and his colleagues' understanding of the program and United States attitudes. The increase of $3,000 will permit two additional employees to visit the United States from the Latin American area.

4. Operations allowance

(a) Official contact expenses ($19,000).-Funds for official contact expenses are provided for in the limitation for "allowances" in the appropriation language.

These funds are required for occasional informal entertainment expenses to enable key USIS officers to establish and maintain personal friendly working relations with local government officials, editors, education executives, and other influential leaders.

The funds requested will provide an average of approximately $25 per month for 63 American officers in 22 posts in the area.

(b) Public affairs functions ($5,900).—Funds for public affairs functions are provided for in the limitation for "allowances" contained in the appropriation language. These funds will be used solely for formal social functions arranged by the United States Information Service on occasions such as American holidays and the introduction of visiting high ranking United States Government officials to important local officials and opinion leaders.

This will provide for 2 or 3 such functions in each of the smaller missions during 1956 up to a maximum of about 10 such functions in each of the larger missions, at an average cost of approximately $100.

5. Consultation and conference travel ($23,000)

The estimate provides for the travel of key field officers to regional conferences, consultation trips to Washington and temporary details of field personnel to other posts. Provision is made for regional conferences in Brazil, Mexico, and Panama, and consultation in Washington for nine of the principal public affairs officers throughout the year.

6. All other USIS program expenses

(a) Budgeted by country ($2,633,623).-The estimate provides funds for carrying out program activities in the USIS country missions, exclusive of personal services costs. Types of expenses for the various program activities are defined as follows: Radio and television activities: Locally procured radio materials, radio time, artists' and announcers' fees, program schedules, servicing and installation of equipment, including similar costs for television material and equipment where applicable, distribution and shipping of radio equipment and materials within the country, production of radio programs, locally procured television materials and costs for placement of program on local television stations.

Press activities:

(a) Reception, reproduction, and distribution costs of wireless file, features, photographs, cartoons for placement in local publications.

(b) Production and distribution of pamphlets and leaflets.

(c) Production and distribution of posters and photo displays.

(d) Publication of magazines and periodicals.

Motion pictures activities:

(a) Maintenance and operating costs of mobile motion picture units, including gas, oil, and per diem costs of operators.

(b) Local production of films.

(c) Local film processing costs including print production and adaptation, rental of space for film showings, procurement of parts and tools locally, shipping and distribution costs of films, and maintenance and repair of film equipment.

Information center activities:

(a) Information center operations and cultural activities, including: local purchase and distribution of books, music, newspaper and magazine subscriptions; locally procured supplies and equipment for information centers; operation and maintenance of bookmobiles, locally procured exhibit material and exhibit construction contracts; and rental of lecture halls and fees for lecturers.

(b) Grants of personnel and funds to binational centers.

(c) Assistance to publishers for translation of American books.

The increase of $988,282 is explained in detail in other parts of this budget and represents expansion of the program primarily in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Guatemala, and Mexico.

(b) Not allocated by country ($25,000).—The estimate for fiscal year 1956 provides $27,800 for the purchase of miscellaneous items of supply and equipment in the United States when local purchase is not possible or feasible; plus shipping costs.

Nicaragua.

59824 55-59