R 141634Z JUL 09
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO ALL DIPLOMATIC AND CONSULAR POSTS COLLECTIVE
AMEMBASSY TRIPOLI

UNCLAS STATE 072909 
 
 
FOR CHIEFS OF MISSION FROM UNDER SECRETARY KENNEDY 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: AODE AMGT KMRS
SUBJECT: PRESIDENT'S LETTER OF INSTRUCTION TO CHIEFS OF 
MISSION 
 
¶1.  The President's Letter of Instruction to Chiefs of 
Mission (COM) is revised at the beginning of each new 
administration and sent to all newly appointed 
Ambassadors.  It is the primary mechanism for 
communicating the President's foreign policy priorities 
and COM authority to U.S. missions overseas.  The 
National Security Council (NSC) informed the Department 
of State on May 26, 2009 that President Obama has 
approved the language provided in paragraph two below as 
his Letter of Instruction to Chiefs of Mission.  This 
letter will also serve as instructions for Ambassadors 
already in the field.  Please share the full text of the 
new letter with others in your mission, especially your 
country team. 
 
¶2.  (BEGIN TEXT) 
 
Dear Mr./Madam Ambassador: 
 
Thank you for your willingness to serve our country as 
my personal representative to [country/international 
organization]. 
 
Together we have a great task before us.  We must renew 
America's security and standing in the world through a 
new era of American leadership.  The United States will 
advance its interests through a core pragmatism rooted 
in America's enduring values.  We must rebuild our 
traditional alliances and pursue new partnerships based 
on mutual interests and respect, so that together we can 
confront key common challenges of the 21st century, 
including weapons of mass destruction, terrorism, 
poverty, pandemic disease, dependence on fossil fuels 
and global climate change.  America is strongest when we 
act alongside other nations and peoples.  Our security 
also is enhanced through principled and sustained 
engagement with those who think differently.  As my 
personal representative, you will be the front line of 
our efforts. 
 
Our security and prosperity are inextricably linked with 
those of other countries and people around the world. 
To strengthen both our national and global economies, we 
must expand trade as well as financial and scientific 
cooperation, and we will advance mutual understanding 
through educational and cultural diplomacy.  We must 
work in concert with others to prevent, resolve, and 
mitigate conflict, combat transnational threats, 
strengthen law enforcement cooperation, and promote 
democratic values and human rights. 
 
I will need your support for our efforts to provide 
forward-thinking, sustained diplomacy in every part of 
the world.  We will apply pressure where it may be 
needed, and look for opportunities to advance U.S. 
interests.  As appropriate, you should reach out to 
other government agencies, nongovernmental 
organizations, the private sector, international 
organizations, and our military to leverage your own 
initiatives.  I also urge you to pursue diplomacy and 
public outreach with 21st century tools and technology. 
As Chief of the U.S. Mission, one of your most important 
jobs will be to take care of our diplomatic personnel 
and to ensure that they have the tools they need to 
support your efforts.  The Mission should be seen as a 
welcoming and supportive place for American citizens and 
American businesses abroad. 
 
I have asked you to represent the United States in 
[country/international organization] because I am 
confident that you possess the skills, dedication, and 
experience necessary to meet the many challenges that we 
face in these extraordinary times. 
 
This letter contains your detailed instructions as my 
personal representative and the U.S. Chief of Mission. 
These instructions have been shared with relevant 
departments and agencies, and I have directed that they 
give you their full cooperation.  I expect you to carry 
out your mission to the best of your ability and in full 
conformance with the law and the highest ethical 
standards.  I am counting on your advice and leadership 
as Chief of Mission to help protect America's interests 
and to promote America's values. 
 
As Chief of Mission, you have full responsibility for 
the direction, coordination, and supervision of all U.S. 
Executive Branch employees in [country], regardless of 
their employment categories or location, except those 
under command of a U.S. area military commander or on 
the staff of an international organization.  With these 
exceptions, you are in charge of all Executive Branch 
activities and operations in your Mission. 
 
You will report to me through the Secretary of State. 
Under my direction, the Secretary of State is, to the 
fullest extent provided by the law, responsible for the 
overall coordination of all United States government 
activities and operations abroad.  The only 
authorization channel for instruction to you is from the 
Secretary or me, unless the Secretary or I personally 
instruct you to use a different channel. 
 
All Executive Branch agencies under your authority, and 
every element of your Mission, must keep you fully 
informed at all times of their current and planned 
activities.  You have the right to see all 
communications to or from Mission elements, however 
transmitted, except those specifically exempted by law 
or Executive decision. 
 
You have full responsibility for the direction, 
coordination, and supervision of all Department of 
Defense personnel on official duty in [country] except 
those under the command of a U.S. area military 
commander.  You and the area military commander must 
keep each other currently and fully informed and 
cooperate on all matters of mutual interest.  Any 
differences that cannot be resolved in the field will be 
reported to the Secretary of State and the Secretary of 
Defense. 
 
I expect you to take direct and full responsibility for 
the security of your Mission and all the personnel for 
whom you are responsible, whether inside or outside the 
chancery gate.  Unless an interagency agreement provides 
otherwise, the Secretary of State and you as Chief of 
Mission must provide for the security of all United 
States government personnel on official duty abroad 
other than those under the protection of a U.S. area 
military commander or on the staff of an international 
organization and their accompanying dependents.  You and 
the U.S. area military commander should consult and 
coordinate responses to common threats. 
 
I ask that you review programs, personnel, and funding 
levels regularly, and ensure that all agencies attached 
to your Mission do likewise.  Rightsizing the United 
States government presence abroad is a continuing 
requirement.  To better meet our foreign policy goals, I 
will be expanding the Foreign Service and strengthening 
civilian capacity to work alongside the military.  At 
the same time, we need to eliminate unnecessary 
duplication in our foreign operations.  Functions that 
can be performed effectively and efficiently by 
personnel based in the United States or at regional 
offices overseas should not be performed at post.  We 
should make greater use of the expertise of host country 
citizens, and outsource functions when it is effective 
and efficient to do so.  In your reviews, should you 
find staffing to be either excessive or inadequate to 
the performance of priority Mission goals and 
objectives, I urge you to initiate staffing changes in 
accordance with established procedures. 
 
Every Executive Branch agency under your authority must 
obtain your approval before changing the size, 
composition, or mandate of its staff.  If a Department 
head disagrees with you on staffing matters, that 
individual may appeal your decision to the Secretary of 
State.  In the event the Secretary is unable to resolve 
the dispute, the Secretary and the respective Department 
head will present their differing views to me for 
decision. 
 
All United States government personnel other than those 
under the command of a U.S. area military commander or 
on the staff of an international organization must 
obtain country clearance before entering [country] on 
official business.  You may refuse country clearance or 
may place conditions or restrictions on visiting 
personnel as you determine necessary. 
 
I expect you to discharge your responsibilities with 
professional excellence and in full conformance with the 
law and the highest standards of ethical conduct.  You 
should ensure that there is equal opportunity at your 
Mission and no discrimination or harassment of any kind. 
Remember as you conduct your duties that you are 
representing not only me, but also the American people 
and America's values. 
 
Sincerely, 
 
Barack H. Obama 
 
(END TEXT) 
 
¶3.  A modified version containing the same basic text 
will go to chiefs of multilateral missions (certain 
international organizations and Geneva).  All versions 
of the letter will be posted on the Bureau of 
Administration/Global Information Services/Office of 
Directives Management intranet page at http:/ 
/arpsdir.a.state.gov/miscdoc/presidentsletter .html.  If 
you have any questions please contact M/PRI Lynn 
Bullivant (202) 647-6496 or bullivantnl@state.gov. 
 
¶4.  Minimize considered. 
 
 
CLINTON