UNCLASSIFIED   STATE   00102018 
VZCZCXRO8558
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RUEHVC RUEHVK RUEHYG
DE RUEHC #2018/01 2732309
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 302247Z SEP 09
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO ALL DIPLOMATIC AND CONSULAR POSTS COLLECTIVE
RUEHTRO/AMEMBASSY TRIPOLI 9996

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 05 STATE 102018 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: CMGT
SUBJECT: CONSULAR ISSUES CABLE -- SEPTEMBER 2009 
 
TO CONSULAR SECTION CHIEFS FROM ASSISTANT SECRETARY 
JACOBS 
 
 
--------------------------------------------- - 
Bidding for Success: Helpful Bidding Reminders 
--------------------------------------------- - 
 
¶1.  Thank you to all the bidders who have submitted their 
bid lists via consularbidders@state.gov.  If you are 
planning to bid on consular positions and have not yet 
expressed your interest to CA, please do so now.  It is 
that time of year.  Remember that your bids should be 
realistic.  If a position is language designated, you 
should have the required language or the time to acquire 
it.  If you are coming from a non-differential, non- 
danger post, service in a follow-on non-differential, 
non-danger post may be difficult.  We are fortunate that 
we have sufficient numbers of officers, at the 
appropriate grades, to fill the vast majority of our 
positions.  That means we expect competition for 
positions, especially at the higher grades.  It also 
means that we anticipate offering very few handshakes for 
stretch positions.  Please keep all of these things in 
mind as you place your bids. 
 
¶2.  We encourage you to reach out to consular chiefs or 
consular DASes/office directors to let them know of your 
interest in consular positions.  We work closely with our 
colleagues at post and domestically in making final 
assignment decisions, and they will want to hear from you 
directly.  If you have references who would like to send 
recommendations on your behalf, they may send them 
directly to consularbidders@state.gov.  Any bidding or 
assignment question should also be sent to 
consularbidders@state.gov.  We are working diligently to 
match the right person with the right job. 
 
------------------------------------------ 
FY 2009 Consular Package Season is Upon Us 
------------------------------------------ 
 
¶3.  The FY 2009 consular package submission cycle will 
run from October 21 through November 27, 2009.  In 
preparation for the new Consular Workload Statistical 
System (CWSS) release, Posts are reminded to obtain or 
confirm valid CWSS access for consular staff responsible 
for entering data and/or performing the CWSS Post 
Administration function.  Access can be requested 
directly from the CWSS's main screen.  This year's 
deadline is the day after Thanksgiving.  Posts are 
encouraged to complete their consular package early (but 
not before the October 21 release) so there is plenty of 
time to obtain required clearances and enjoy the 
holiday. 
 
¶4.  To gain a better qualitative analysis and help 
understand the complexities of some of our core 
functions, especially with ACS services, the Department 
will ask Posts to provide additional data regarding ACS 
services and on your workload requiring DNA testing.  As 
this is the first year for this request, we understand 
some of Post's statistics for this new data will be 
largely based on estimates.  For a list of new data 
fields for the 2009 consular package please refer to the 
CWSS webpage on CAWEB 
(http://intranet.ca.state.gov/management/work loads/5841.a 
spx). 
 
¶5.  Further instructions will be provided to Post in an 
ALDAC; until then, please e-mail CA-CWSS-Registration 
should you require assistance in gaining access to the 
CWSS. 
 
---------------------- 
Training Opportunities 
---------------------- 
 
¶6.  FSI's Consular Training Division launched another 
important distance learning course this summer.  PC 400 
Consular Management Controls provides consular managers a 
clear understanding of their duties and responsibilities 
in implementing management controls.  The course 
discusses consular management controls generally and 
specifically in terms of the various consular functions. 
It also explains policy, procedures, and the personal 
responsibility of the Accountable Consular Officer (ACO) 
for safeguarding and accounting for controlled consular 
items such as visa foils and passports.  Every ACO is 
 
STATE 00102018  002 OF 005 
 
 
required to complete this course satisfactorily.  Newly 
designated ACOs should do so immediately upon taking up 
their duties.  You can register for the course at 
http://fsi.state.gov/admin/reg/default.asp?Ev entID=PC400. 
 
¶7.  FSI also launched its new At-Post Consular Training 
SharePoint site.  This is a valuable new resource for all 
consular sections abroad.  It provides a single source 
for consular managers to find resources for planning and 
developing their own at-post and on-the-job training 
programs for American and locally employed (LE) consular 
staff.  Maintained and monitored by the Consular Training 
Division staff at FSI, the resources available here will 
continue to expand as posts contribute their own examples 
of training programs.  One example already available 
through a link at the SharePoint site is Shanghai's 
excellent training library.  The site also provides a 
discussion forum where posts can exchange ideas.  You can 
access the course through the FSI Consular training 
website or directly at 
http://fsi.m.state.sbu/sites/SPAS/CONS/atpost training/def 
ault.aspx. 
 
-------------------------- 
Separate Billing for ICASS 
-------------------------- 
 
¶8.  In June 2009, the Under Secretary for Management 
directed that CA be charged its own, separate bill for 
ICASS services.  Starting in FY 2011, CA will receive an 
invoice separate from the rest of the Department, which 
will provide us greater insight into how much we pay for 
support services overseas and give us a better picture of 
our true costs.  Please note that because CA funds 
consular positions throughout the Department, as well as 
IT services for the Department, CA already pays a 
significant share of the Department's ICASS costs.  To 
date, however, CA's ICASS costs have been embedded in the 
State Program invoice and not separately identified. 
Regional bureaus have been provided CA fee revenues to 
support consular positions, including ICASS costs.  A 
portion of that funding will now be pulled back and used 
to pay ICASS directly.  FY 2010 will be a virtual, or 
transition, year to allow CA to work out any issues prior 
to being charged directly.  Throughout FY 2010, posts 
will be asked to keep separate workload counts for 
consular sections' use of ICASS services, including 
services for all consular positions, whether funded by 
fee revenues or not. 
 
¶9.  Becoming a paying ICASS entity also gives our 
consular managers an important new role:  direct 
contributor to ICASS discussions and decisions at your 
posts.  While CA will be represented by the State member 
on the ICASS Council, consular section participation in 
ICASS budget committee meetings at post is essential. 
(Consular staff are, of course, eligible to serve as the 
State representative on the Council as well.)  Every 
consular section should have a budget committee member 
representing its interests.  That member must be 
identified not later than May 2010, but should be 
identified as early as possible so that he/she may 
participate in budget committee meetings and become 
familiar with the workings of ICASS at post.  Please 
direct any questions to CA-ICASS-Collective@state.gov. 
 
----------------- 
New Staff in CA/P 
----------------- 
 
¶10.  CA's Office of Policy Coordination and Public 
Affairs (CA/P) has updated its staffing chart and contact 
list to reflect changes following the summer transfer 
season.  To view staff contact details, portfolios and 
backups, please visit the CA/P page on the CAWeb at: 
http://intranet.ca.state.gov/offices/p/who/40 21.aspx 
 
------------------------- 
Results of Web 2.0 Survey 
------------------------- 
 
¶11.  In May, CA asked consular sections to share their 
experiences using Web 2.0 technologies in their outreach 
activities (State 52545) and received more than 25 
responses.  According to the survey results and our own 
review of Post websites, successful outreach efforts are 
enhanced with integrated Web 2.0 tools.  We have compiled 
a list of basic "dos and don'ts" on CAWeb at: 
http://intranet.ca.state.gov/reference/outrea ch/best/2310 
0.aspx.  This is an ongoing discussion, so please 
continue to send in your own experiences, both good and 
bad, to: CA-P-OUTREACH@State.gov. 
----------------------- 
 
STATE 00102018  003 OF 005 
 
 
An Update from the Hill 
----------------------- 
 
¶12.  CA's Front office is closely watching progress of 
the Travel Promotion Act of 2009 (TPA), HR 2935, as it 
gains momentum in Congress.  The TPA would create a 
private, non-profit Travel Promotion Corporation with 
several mandates, which include informing the public of 
official policies and procedures relating to visas and 
entry into the United States.  The TPA would be partially 
funded by a $10 fee on the ESTA application for VWP 
travelers.  PDAS Michael D. Kirby recently met with the 
House and Senate sponsors of the Act to discuss potential 
overlaps in mandates created by the bill, and its 
implications for consular operations.  The CA legislative 
staff continues outreach with the appropriate committees 
to ensure the traveling public would continue to have 
access to accurate information. 
 
¶13.  An immigration reform bill may be introduced in 
¶2010. CA's legislative staff recently participated in a 
roundtable with Senate and House Immigration Subcommittee 
staffers to introduce the Bureau's technical experts to 
the legislative experts and encourage an active dialog on 
immigration legislation.  They discussed family 
immigration, biometric standards to establish identity, 
and the potential impact on staffing and other resources. 
 CA remains engaged on legislation with implications for 
consular operations.  To keep you better informed of our 
efforts, we plan to include a legislative update in each 
issue of the Consular Issues cable. 
 
--------------------------- 
Check us out on Diplopedia! 
--------------------------- 
 
¶14.  CA is happy to announce the collection of all 
Consular Communities @ State websites into a new 
diplopedia site called the Cyber Consular Corner.  If 
you've enjoyed the content of ACS Plus Plus, the Fraud 
Digest Forum, the RCO Forum, or Shanghai Consular, you 
can now find them all in one place.  Please bookmark it 
and enjoy the cross pollination. 
http://diplopedia.state.gov/index.php?title=C onsular_Cybe 
r_Corner 
 
--------------------------------------------- ------------ 
Seeking Hague Abduction Convention Compliance Assessments 
--------------------------------------------- ------------ 
 
¶15.  We need your help!  The Office of Children's Issues 
(CI) relies heavily on posts' assessments of host country 
performance under the Hague Abduction Convention to 
produce our Congressionally mandated compliance report. 
Since the fiscal year just ended, CI needs assistance 
from posts to assess FY 2009 performance.  If the United 
States partners with your country under the Hague 
Abduction Convention (country list found on 
travel.state.gov/childabduction), and post believes the 
country has systemic compliance problems or its 
compliance practices have otherwise substantially 
changed, please provide an analysis to CI by October 31, 
¶2009.  Assessments and/or questions can be addressed to 
CI's Management Analyst, Margery Gehan, at 
GehanMI@state.gov. 
 
----------------------- 
National Adoption Month 
----------------------- 
 
¶16.  Help us promote cooperation on adoption issues! 
November is National Adoption month.  In an early event 
on September 29, Secretary Clinton honored the winners of 
the prestigious Angels in Adoption Award with a reception 
at the Department.  All posts that process intercountry 
adoptions, especially those with large programs, should 
consider hosting an event in November in support of 
adoption.  One suggestion is to invite all local adoption 
service providers to a roundtable meeting, perhaps with 
some key adoption officials, to discuss current adoption 
issues.  Another suggestion is to hold a reception for 
national adoption officials and contacts or work with 
local service providers to prepare press releases on 
adoption success stories, noting how adoption helps 
strengthen bilateral ties.  Let us know your ideas and 
what you decide to do. 
 
---------------------- 
CCD Roles for FPU FSNs 
---------------------- 
 
¶17.  CA/FPP reminds posts that LES Fraud Prevention 
Assistants have a specific CST user role available to 
 
STATE 00102018  004 OF 005 
 
 
them.  The LES role is called CCD_FSN_FPM and grants 
access to EDISON, NIV Applicant SEVIS Status, PIMS, Text 
Search, and Watch Phrase.  These are invaluable tools for 
posts' fraud-prevention efforts.  LES who discover that 
they do not have access to these CCD functions should 
contact their post CST Administrator. 
 
--------------------------------------------- ------------ 
-- 
New Web Design for Exchange Visitor (J-1) Skills List - 
Now Available on Travel.state.gov 
--------------------------------------------- ------------ 
-- 
 
¶18.  On July 24, CA/VO/L/W, CA/VO/P and CA/CST launched a 
web-based 2009 Exchange Visitor Skills List on 
Travel.state.gov. Check out the new J Skills List at 
http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/types _4514.html, 
which mirrors content of the list in 9 FAM.  You'll find 
easy-to-use country-by-country selection, to benefit 
ConOffs and prospective exchange visitors alike. 
 Pertinent existing "J" webpages on TSG and ECA internet 
sites, as well as CAWeb intranet, link to the new web- 
based list. 
 
---------------- 
Passports Issued 
---------------- 
 
¶19.  For FY 2009 through August, CA received about 13.2 
million passport applications and issued 11.7 million 
passport books and 1.5 million passport cards.  During 
August, the average processing time for routine service 
decreased to 10 business days.  Processing times for 
expedited service was approximately three business days. 
Monthly passport demand in August decreased slightly from 
1.4 to 1 million applications.  We are on track to issue 
about 13.5 million passports, including 1.5 million 
cards, in FY 2009. 
 
---------------------------------- 
Public Key Directory Board Meeting 
---------------------------------- 
 
¶20.  On September 24-25, CA participated in the 
International Civil Aviation Organization's (ICAO) eighth 
annual Public Key Directory (PKD) Board meeting.  The PKD 
Board helps ICAO member states to develop an efficient 
and commonly accepted means of sharing and updating 
public keys to decrypt information stored on chips used 
by international ePassport issuing authorities.  The 
meeting addressed issues key to international travel 
document electronic operability and their integrity. 
 
--------------------------------------------- ------------ 
-- 
ICAO Fifth Symposium and Exhibition Machine Readable 
Travel Documents 
--------------------------------------------- ------------ 
-- 
 
¶21.  On September 21-23, CA participated in ICAO's Fifth 
Symposium on machine readable travel documents (MRTDs) in 
Montreal, Canada.  The Symposium is designed to 
strengthen ICAO's role in implementing MRTD program and 
increase the effectiveness of international initiatives 
to detect fraud and restrict criminals' mobility across 
borders.  It was a great opportunity for CA to learn more 
about the most recent technological advances and their 
impact on consular operations. 
 
--------------------------------------- 
Assistant Regional Directors Conference 
--------------------------------------- 
 
¶22.  On September 21, CA kicked off its annual weeklong 
Assistant Regional Directors (ARDs) training seminar in 
Lansdowne, Virginia.  Under Secretary for Management 
Patrick F. Kennedy joined Assistant Secretary Jacobs in 
providing welcoming remarks to the group.  The seminar 
covered important initiatives formulated in response to 
the OIG report, the development of new performance 
standards for adjudicators, improving the standardization 
of processes to ensure quality adjudication, and impact 
of upcoming technological initiatives.  The ARDs also 
received training to assist their role in safeguarding 
consular systems and the information contained therein, 
as well as to deepen their skills in managing a diverse 
workforce.  Additionally, a joint session was held with 
senior     NFFE-1998 union leadership to clarify the 
recently implemented Collective Bargaining Agreement. 
 
------------------------------ 
 
STATE 00102018  005 OF 005 
 
 
Dallas Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony 
------------------------------ 
 
¶23.  The Dallas Passport Agency (PPT/DA) was officially 
inaugurated on September 3.  Under Secretary for 
Management Patrick F. Kennedy joined CA/PPT DAS Brenda 
Sprague and Director Britany Williams in celebrating the 
addition of the twenty-second domestic passport facility. 
Members of the Texas congressional delegation and state 
and local dignitaries, as well as the media, were in 
attendance.  The PPT/DA opened to the public on July 13 
and serves an average of 350 customers per week. 
 
-------------------------------------- 
Opening of the Western Passport Center 
-------------------------------------- 
 
¶24.  On September 8, the Western Passport Center 
(PPT/WPC), located in Tucson, Arizona opened to the 
public.  PPT/WPC is a mega-adjudication center with a 
small public counter to serve customers who have 
urgent/emergency travel needs.  The first domestic 
passport facility of its kind, PPT/WPC combines the 
efficiency of a high-volume production environment with 
personal customer service.  The official ribbon-cutting 
is scheduled for October 19.  PPT/WPC is the twenty-third 
domestic passport facility and one of nineteen that serve 
the public. 
 
--------------------------------------------- -------- 
American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators 
Annual International Conference 
--------------------------------------------- -------- 
 
¶25.  CA representatives attended the American Association 
of Motor Vehicle Administrators' (AAMVA) Annual 
International Conference in San Diego on August 24-25. 
The conference included presentations and discussions 
regarding the impacts of REAL ID and PASS ID legislation, 
future driver's license verification options, and 
combating document fraud. 
CLINTON