VZCZCXRO2587
OO RUEHIK
DE RUEHC #3698/01 2790439
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 060419Z OCT 09
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO ALL DIPLOMATIC AND CONSULAR POSTS COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE
RUEHTRO/AMEMBASSY TRIPOLI IMMEDIATE 0104
RUEHRY/AMEMBASSY CONAKRY IMMEDIATE 1848

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 STATE 103698 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: AMGT
SUBJECT: MESSAGE FROM THE SECRETARY:  ALDAC/QUADRENNIAL 
DIPLOMACY AND DEVELOPMENT REVIEW 
 
STATE 00103698  001.2 OF 002 
 
 
 
¶1.  (U) In July, I announced the Quadrennial Diplomacy 
and Development Review (QDDR).  As I noted in my town 
hall meetings at the State Department and USAID, this 
review ? modeled in part on the Defense Department?s 
Quadrennial Defense Review ? is designed to be both 
visionary and operational.  It is a comprehensive effort 
to identify the impact that we want to have in the 
changing global environment as well as the capabilities 
and mechanisms required to do so. 
 
¶2.  (U) The QDDR begins the critical process of analysis 
and change that will strengthen and elevate diplomacy 
and development as key pillars of our national security 
strategy.  It aims to make our diplomacy and development 
tools and institutions more agile, responsive, and 
complementary.  It will set institutional priorities and 
provide strategic guidance for the capabilities we need 
in the 21st century, the organizational structures best 
suited to our objectives, the most efficient and 
effective allocation of resources, and the best 
deployment models to maximize our impact on the range of 
challenges we face.  This inaugural QDDR is just the 
beginning of a longer-term process to institutionalize 
an ethic of review, analysis, and responsiveness within 
our diplomatic and development agencies. 
 
¶3.  (U) Since my July announcement, we have set up a 
dedicated QDDR team, including senior-level experts from 
State, USAID, and outside the government, that has 
developed the scope and design of an inclusive, 
analytically rigorous review process.  In discussions 
with this team and the chair and co-chairs ? Deputy 
Secretary Jack Lew, Policy Planning Director Anne-Marie 
Slaughter, and USAID Acting Administrator Alonzo Fulgham 
? I have identified five areas of strategic focus for 
the QDDR that address the essence of how we must 
modernize for 21st century challenges and where I 
believe we can and must do better: 
 
One.  (U) Building a global architecture of cooperation: 
what capabilities do we need to address global 
challenges through partnerships and strategic 
engagement? 
 
Two.  (U) Leading and supporting whole of government 
solutions:  what capabilities do we need to lead the 
formulation of foreign policy strategies and approaches 
that integrate all tools of U.S. power? 
 
Three.  (U) Investing in the building blocks of stronger 
societies:  what capabilities do we need to implement 
21st century strategies that achieve measurable, 
sustainable progress in security and well-being? 
 
Four.  (U) Preventing and responding to crises and 
conflicts:  what capabilities do we need to build and 
deploy an effective civilian operational capacity to 
address crises, conflicts, ungoverned spaces, and 
countries in transition? 
 
Five.  (U) Building operational and resource platforms 
for success:  how can we develop the people, processes, 
and systems for flexible, responsive operations and 
efficient use of resources? 
 
¶4.  (U) This week we have set up five working groups, 
co-chaired by senior State and USAID personnel with 
broad participation from both agencies, to begin an 
analytical review of our capabilities and organizational 
structures related to each of these issues.  East Asia 
and Pacific Bureau Assistant Secretary Kurt Campbell and 
Office of Development Partners Director Karen Turner 
will chair working group one; Under Secretary for Global 
Affairs Maria Otero and Acting Assistant Administrator 
for Global Health Gloria Steele will chair working group 
two; Africa Bureau Assistant Secretary Johnnie Carson 
and Acting Assistant Administrator for the Middle East 
George Laudato will chair working group three; 
Population, Refugees, and Migration Assistant Secretary 
Eric Schwartz and Acting Assistant Administrator for the 
Bureau for Democracy, Conflict, and Humanitarian 
Assistance Susan Reichle will chair working group four; 
and Director of FSI Ruth Whiteside, Senior Advisor to 
Deputy Secretary Lew Jeannemarie Smith and Deputy 
Assistant Administrator for Management Sharon Cromer 
 
STATE 00103698  002.2 OF 002 
 
 
will chair working group five. 
 
¶5.  (U) These working groups will examine how we address 
each of these challenges, where we do it well, where we 
fall short, and what capabilities we need to do a better 
job.  Two other working groups charged with analyzing 
the global context in which we are conducting this 
review and laying out the policy guidance that will 
serve as the framework for our analysis are already 
underway. 
 
¶6.  (U) I have asked each Assistant Secretary to take 
personal responsibility for ensuring the QDDR process is 
made a priority in his/her bureau.  USAID has created an 
internal task force to coordinate communication, input, 
and participation, and I would like each embassy and 
USAID mission to coordinate together in identifying an 
appropriate person or group who can serve as points of 
contact in the field.  The QDDR is a joint State/USAID 
effort, and I want that to be reflected at every level 
in Washington and in the field. 
 
¶7.  (U) In the coming days, the QDDR team will follow up 
with specific questions and means by which you can 
provide input on the scope of the QDDR.  We have already 
received QDDR comments and suggestions from many of you 
on the Sounding Board website, and I encourage you to 
keep using this resource as other internet venues 
accessible to both State and USAID personnel are 
developed.  Ultimately, we anticipate having a 
structured process in place that plugs State and USAID 
personnel into the effort both formally and informally 
at every step of the review.  Our goal is to have the 
review completed by next summer, with interim analysis 
completed in time to help us shape the 2012 budget 
process. 
 
¶8.  (U) The challenges we face as a nation and as 
agencies are enormous.  We must be sure that we are 
organized and functioning as efficiently and effectively 
as possible to meet them.  Reform needs to be part of 
our regular business plan, not just a slogan that we 
invoke on special occasions.  I believe the QDDR puts us 
on the right path and will give us the tools we need to 
achieve our goals.  I am counting on each of you to help 
us succeed. 
 
¶9.  (U) Minimize considered. 
CLINTON