Largest increases are requested in India and Pakistan; these increases are primarily for presentation of books, local printing of doctrinal books in English, local production of motion pictures, and increased press and publications activity. Other significant increases are requested for Iran, to reach the village leaders; for Egypt, to publicize economic aid; and for Ceylon, to establish a new post in Jaffna. Smaller increases are requested to continue expanded operations which began in fiscal year 1955 in the Central African Federation, West Africa and Syria. In Afghanistan, some increases are needed as a result of external pressures being put on that country. In certain other countries small increases are needed to support the principle of collective security.

Policies of strict neutralism and censorship largely inhibit any substantial local radio programing activity by USIS in this area. However, radio transcriptions and package programs, prepared in the United States, at the Cairo Center, or at the posts, are broadcast directly into the area over the Colombo and Courier facilities of the Radio Broadcasting Service. In addition, the Radio Broadcasting Service has increased its shortwave programing in Hindi and Urdu from a weekly to a daily one-half-hour program. (Tamil and Bengali will be substituted for Hindi and Urdu 1 day a week.)

The Radio Broadcasting Service estimates for local television program support in 1956 include funds for Morocco, where television is already in operation, for Libya, and for India, where it will in all probability be in operation by 1956.

Separate narrative statements and supporting tables which explain in more detail the significant changes in certain individual countries and in areawide items follow.

1. Personnel at posts

EXPLANATION OF MAJOR ITEMS

(a) American salaries ($1,536,901).-Positions: This estimate provides for the salaries of 229 American positions in 25 countries and 49 posts. This represents an increase of 25 positions and $416,751 over fiscal year 1955. Eleven new positions are requested for the program in India; 8 cultural officer positions to launch an increased program of personal contact coordinated from New Delhi and other large posts, and 3 positions to initiate the publication of a serious, intellectual monthly magazine to reach a select audience; 2 positions for Iran-an information assistant, and an assistant cultural officer to strengthen the cultural aspect of the program; 1 position for Iraq, an English teaching specialist to be stationed in Baghdad; 7 positions for Pakistan-2 information officers to be assigned to Dacca, a cultural assistant in Lahore, and a cultural assistant, motion-picture officer and 2 information officers in Karachi; 1 position in Ceylon to establish a new post in Jaffna; 1 position in Greece-a cultural officer in Athens; 1 position in Turkey, and English teaching specialist; and 1 position in Afghanistan, a public affairs assistant. Man-years: The estimate provides for an average of 217 Americans to be actually on duty at the field posts throughout the year. This compares with an average of only 158 in fiscal year 1955. The increase of 25 positions accounts for 20 man-years of the total increase in on-duty strength at field posts in fiscal year 1956, based on a lapse of 20 percent for new American positions. The balance of 197 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 ($1,431,294). -This estimate provides for the salaries of 1,312 local employees (1,274 man-years averaging $1,123), which represents an increase of 75 positions and $86,374 from fiscal year 1955. Of the requested increase in positions, 28 are for India, 26 for Pakistan, 10 for Iran, 7 for Ceylon and 4 for Iraq.

(c) Hardship post differential ($179,709).-The estimate provides for salary differentials paid to American staff employees at posts in which difficult living conditions or excessive hardship prevail. The estimate of requirements was calculated on an individual job basis, post by post, using the differential percentages furnished by government wide regulations in effect at the time of this budget preparation. The increase of $45,541 is due to increased American staff employment at hardship posts.

(d) Living and quarters allowances ($306,842).—The estimate provides for temporary lodging, quarters, cost of living, transfer, and separation allowances for the American USIS staff. The estimate is based upon rates prescribed by the standardized Government civilian allowance regulations, with due consideration for quarters available in Government-owned or Government-leased buildings. The increase of $61,329 is due to the increase in American positions and manyears of employment.

(e) All other personal services costs ($11,908).—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 ($140,096).-The estimate provides for the salaries of American foreign service employees during the time they are in travel status from the post to the United States, while they are on home leave, and during the consultation period in the agency before reassignment to another post. Requirements for fiscal year 1956 are $35,552 more 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 posts.

(b) Travel and transportation—Assignment, separation, home leave, transfer, etc. ($500,744). The estimate provides for the travel of American USIS staff and their dependents, and the shipment of their effects from the United States to the post, from one post to another and from the post to the United States. Requirements for fiscal year 1956 are $4,500 less than in fiscal year 1955, as reflected on the following table:

(a) Junior officer training program ($64,302).-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 Near East area. The increase of $20,946 over fiscal year 1955 provides for a continuation of this program throughout all of fiscal year 1956 at the same level (9 officers) begun in fiscal year 1955.

(b) New American employees' training ($92,200).-The estimate provides for the salaries and related costs of newly recruited American employees while they are engaged in receiving an intensive indoctrination and training course in the Agency prior to departure on their first regular overseas assignment. The training period for each employee averages 2 months.

(c) Specialized training of experienced employees ($40,358).-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 selected experienced foreign service employees to increase their usefulness to the Agency.

(d) Training of local employees in the United States ($25,200).—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 aimed at generating a greater appreciation on the part of the local employee of his role in the conduct of the program, thus increasing his value to the program in his country. The estimate for the budget year will provide for training of 10 such employees, the same number as in fiscal year 1955.

4. Operations allowances

(a) Representation.-Funds for representation allowance are not requested for fiscal year 1956 and are replaced with operations allowances for official contact expenses and public affairs functions.

(b) Official contact expenses ($31,200).-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 104 American officers in 49 posts in the Near East, South Asian, and African

area.

(c) Public affairs functions ($5,500).—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 in its name 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 1 or 2 such functions in each of the smaller missions during 1956 up to a maximum of about 6 such functions in each of the larger missions at an average cost of approximately $100.