The International Relations Budget for Fiscal Year 2008 summary.
[The following are excerpts of the International Relations Budget for Fiscal Year 2008. The report in its entirety is located at the following web site: http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/80151.pdf.America stands committed to a bold mission supporting the growth of democratic movements and institutions in every nation and culture with the ultimate goal of ending tyranny in the world. Consistent with historic American ideals, this mission is also vital to U.S. national security. For democracy and freedom represent the best way to defeat ideologies that use terror as weapons and the surest means to build peaceful and stable societies.
The mission requires equally bold diplomacy. American diplomacy must be transformational seeking not just to report on the world as it is, but to change it for the better. Together with partners on every continent, the United States must work to promote effective democracy and responsible sovereignty. As a key national security institution, the Department of State (DoS) presses the mission globally. American diplomats engage governments and publics around the world to advance U.S. security interests, development efforts, and democratic values together.
The fiscal year (FY) 2008 budget identifies the resources required by the DoS to meet the mission, the resources necessary to reorient the DoS towards transformational diplomacy and position it to serve new national purposes.
Fiscal Year 2008 Budget Request
The FY 2008 budget request for all DoS appropriations totals $10.014 billion, not including additional FY 2008 funding requested for the Global War on Terror (GWOT). These appropriations fund the programs, operations, and infrastructure essential to conduct U.S. diplomatic and consular relations in more than 180 countries. They also support vigorous U.S. engagement abroad through public diplomacy and international organizations.
The resources requested for these appropriations in FY 2008 will sustain ongoing initiatives for people, security, facilities, information technology, and management reform. They will also address new and increased requirements to advance transformational diplomacy. These include repositioning the U.S. global diplomatic presence, expanded roles for U.S. representatives on the ground, increasingly complex and dangerous missions, and coordinating U.S. government civilian efforts on reconstruction and stabilization.
The FY 2008 budget request will enable the Department to accomplish the following:
* Advance Transformational Diplomacy
The request provides $125 million to strengthen the American diplomatic presence overseas. This funding will support 254 new positions to meet new realities in the international arena, where power is defined increasingly in economic and financial terms and where transnational threats like terrorism, disease, and drug trafficking are critical priorities. The new positions will support a multi-year global repositioning, adding expertise at overseas posts to deal with national security challenges and staff for new American Presence Posts. Positions in the request will also expand critical foreign language training and specific training modules for transformational diplomacy. Further, positions will strengthen coordination of civilian efforts to stabilize and reconstruct societies in transition from conflict or civil strife, increasing management capacity for overall U.S. government strategy and constituting an Active Response Corps for immediate deployment.
* Support the Global War on Terror
The request provides $965 million in worldwide security upgrades to strengthen security for diplomatic personnel, facilities, and information in the face of international terrorism. This funding will extend the core program to upgrade security equipment and technical support, information and systems security, perimeter security, and security training. Funding increases will help to meet new security demands in all regions, including those of American Presence Posts. Because people continue to be the single most important factor in deterrence and response to terrorist acts, the funding will add 52 security professionals.
* Secure borders and open doors
The FY 2008 budget provides $1.306 billion for the Border Security Program. This program protects America's borders against the illegal entry of terrorists and others who threaten homeland security. At the same time, it facilitates the entry of legitimate foreign visitors and students. Revenue from machine readable visa (MRV) fees, Enhanced Border Security Program fees, the Western Hemisphere Travel Surcharge, and visa fraud fees will fund continuous improvements in systems, processes, and programs. The fees will also fund 122 additional consular positions required to address rising passport demand associated with the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative and rising visa demand, including increases related to Border Crossing Card (BCC) renewals. In FY 2008, the BCC renewal program will have a major impact on consulates along the United States and Mexican border.
* Build and maintain secure diplomatic facilities
The request provides $1.599 billion to continue security-driven construction projects and address the major physical security and rehabilitation needs of U.S. embassies and consulates. This total includes $692 million for the Capital Security Construction Program to replace diplomatic facilities at the most vulnerable posts. In FY 2008, the Department will begin design and construction of eleven new facilities, including new embassy compounds in Kinshasa, Lusaka, and Tripoli. During the fourth year of Capital Security Cost Sharing (CSCS), U.S. government agencies with personnel abroad under Chief of Mission authority will contribute $362 million to CSCS construction. The request total also includes $115 million to upgrade compound security at high-risk posts and increase protection for soft targets such as schools and recreation facilities. In addition, the budget total includes $793 million for ongoing programs, including operations and maintenance necessary to protect U.S. real estate assets valued at over $14 billion and keep more than 15,000 properties functional.
* Invest in information technology
The request provides $314 million, including revenue from fees, for Central Fund investments in information technology (IT). The ability of the DoS to support transformational diplomacy, information sharing, rightsizing efforts, and e-Government initiatives is dependent on robust, secure IT. The funding will support the DoS Messaging and Archive Retrieval Toolset (SMART) project, diplomacy through collaboration, and infrastructure that provides American diplomats with anywhere and anytime computing. The DoS's budget for IT in FY 2008 from all funding sources totals $905 million.
* Inform and influence through public diplomacy
The request provides $359 million in appropriations for public diplomacy to inform foreign opinion and win support for U.S. foreign policy goals. In addition to advocating U.S. policies, public diplomacy communicates the principles that underpin them and creates a sense of common interests and values. To help win the war of ideas, funding increases in FY 2008 will support efforts to combat violent extremism in key countries. Objectives of the public diplomacy strategy include engaging Muslim communities, promoting democracy and good governance, de-legitimizing terror, and isolating terrorist leaders and organizations.
* Engage and educate through international exchanges
The request provides $486 million for educational and cultural exchanges to increase mutual understanding and engage the leaders of tomorrow. Aligned with other public diplomacy efforts, these people-to-people programs are uniquely able to address complex and difficult issues and lay foundations for international cooperation. Funding increases in FY 2008 will raise the number of foreign and American participants in exchange programs of proven value and create new opportunities to educate and empower, particularly in the Muslim world. The funding will expand the President's National Security Language Initiative by promoting teaching and study by Americans of critical need foreign languages, particularly Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Russian, and Turkic languages. The funding will also support new efforts to strengthen international education in the national interest under a state-education initiative. Further, the funding will expand professional and cultural programs to support the National Security Strategy, bringing to America journalists, teachers, religious educators, and others who influence their nations and the way young people think.
* Work through international organizations
The request provides $1.354 billion to pay U.S. assessed contributions to 45 international organizations, including the United Nations. The request recognizes U.S. international obligations and reflects a commitment to maintain the financial stability and efficiency of those organizations. Membership in international organizations assists in building coalitions and gaining support for U.S. policies and interests. Further, multilateral diplomacy through such organizations serves key U.S. foreign policy goals which includes
** Advancing democratic principles and fundamental human rights
** Promoting economic growth through free trade and investment
** Settling disputes peacefully
** Encouraging non-proliferation and arms control
** Strengthening international cooperation in environment, agriculture, technology, science, education, and health
* Participate in international peacekeeping
The request provides $1.107 billion to pay the U.S. share of costs for the United Nation (U.N.) peacekeeping missions. This funding will help support peacekeeping efforts worldwide, including critical missions in Sudan, Lebanon, Haiti, Liberia, and the Congo. Such peacekeeping activities further U.S. goals by ending conflicts, restoring peace, and strengthening regional stability. They also leverage U.S. political, military, and financial assets through the authority of the U.N. Security Council and the participation of other states that provide funds and peacekeepers for conflicts around the world.
President's Management Agenda and Management Reform
In addition to the resources required for transformational diplomacy and foreign affairs programs, the FY 2008 budget includes resources for the DoS to work more effectively and efficiently. These resources are needed to further the government-wide initiatives of the President's Management Agenda (PMA) budget and performance integration, improved financial performance, strategic management of human capital, competitive sourcing, and expanded electronic government. The DoS is also the principal implementing partner with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) as the lead of the PMA initiative on rightsizing the U.S. government's overseas presence and is one of fourteen agencies participating in the PMA initiative on federal real property asset management. In the fourth quarter of FY 2006, the DoS became the second agency since the PMA was launched to achieve green (the top rating) for status on all five government-wide initiatives. The DoS also reached green on both rightsizing and real property asset management. In addition, for three successive years, DoS has won President's Quality Awards, the highest awards given to Executive Branch agencies for management excellence in achieving the objectives of the PMA. As these outstanding scores and awards indicate, the DoS is not just changing at the margins, but rather transforming itself and its practices:
* State has fundamentally reorganized the way it budgets, plans, and manages foreign assistance. With establishment of a new foreign assistance strategy and framework, country programs have been refocused to respond to the goals of transformational diplomacy.
* State is becoming more flexible through multi-year repositioning of the American diplomatic presence overseas. By the end of 2008, the Department will have redirected 300 positions to meet priority transformational diplomacy issues such as nonproliferation, counter-terrorism, and getting the U.S. message out to local Muslim communities. These positions include staff for seventeen new American Presence Posts in cities where the United States currently has no diplomatic representation.
* Through the process established by National Security Decision Directive 38, State is working with other agencies to right size U.S. government presence overseas. As alternatives to putting new functions at individual posts, bureaus are energetically exploring alternatives such as regionalization and containing the costs of duplicative administrative support.
* State is aggressively pursuing a Department-wide restructuring aimed at consolidating functions, reducing organizational layers, and eliminating or outsourcing low-priority, non-core functions. Furthermore, bureaus are pursuing expansion of shared services and Centers of Excellence. Performance Evaluation and Integration Substantive discussions of program performance and results, including ratings by the Program Assessment Rating Tool (PART) for this budget cycle, can be found in the account justification sections of this volume. This volume also includes a pilot performance presentation in support of the PMA budget and performance integration initiative. The presentation substitutes for the traditional narrative under worldwide security upgrades in the state programs section.
Fiscal Year 2007 Supplemental and Additional Fiscal Year 2008 Funding
The President's budget also includes requests for supplemental funding in FY 2007 and additional FY 2008 funding to support the GWOT. For FY 2007, requirements for DoS appropriations total $1.168 billion. Of this total, $824 million will address the personnel, logistical, security, and other costs associated with operating the U.S. Mission in Iraq, including expansion of Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) operations throughout Iraq. For FY 2008, State requirements total $1.935 billion, including $1.882 billion for the full year of the extraordinary costs associated with operating the U.S. Mission in Iraq, including continued expansion of the PRTs.
Budget Request Details
The following sections of this volume include details of the FY 2008 budget request for DoS appropriations, as well as details of the requests for FY 2007 supplemental funding and additional FY 2008 funding. The sections provide specific resource requirements for the programs, activities, and management initiatives highlighted above.
The Administration requests $4.54 billion for foreign military financing (FMF) in FY 2008 to provide articles and services to support coalition partners and states critical to the GWOT. This program serves to strengthen the security of the United States and to promote peace in general. FMF is allocated strategically within regions with the largest proportion (54 percent) directed to our sustaining partners and a significant proportion (41 percent) to developing countries to support their advancement to the transforming category.
Foreign Military Financing Summary
* $3.9 billion for the Near East region, to include $2.4 billion for Israel; $1.3 billion for Egypt to foster a modern, well-trained Egyptian military; and $200 million to support Jordan's force modernization, border surveillance and counterterrorism efforts.
* $300.0 million to support the armed forces of Pakistan, to include equipment and training to enhance its counterterrorism capabilities and provide for its defense needs.
* $129.3 million for ongoing efforts to incorporate the most recent North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) members into the Alliance, support prospective NATO members and coalition partners, and assist critical coalition partners in Iraq and Afghanistan.
* $78.0 million for operational support and specialized equipment to the Colombian armed forces, focusing on specialized and mobile units of the Colombian Army.
* $43.5 million for FMF administrative costs.
* $27.2 million for Poland to maximize Poland's capability to deploy and sustain professional forces in close support of U.S. security operations.
* $18.4 million for Romania to assistance in the continued integration into NATO, expand its capabilities, and support continued contributions to NATO and coalition operations, including in Iraq and Afghanistan.
* $15.7 million for Indonesia to promote defense reform and to improve maritime security, counterterrorism, mobility, and disaster relief capabilities.
Statement of Changes
The FY 2008 FMF request is overall a slight increase from FY 2006 levels. The increases are reflected in Israel, Egypt, Lebanon, Bulgaria, Romania, and Indonesia, and are consistent with requesting the funds necessary to fight the GWOT and to secure Middle East peace.
International Military Education and Training
The administration requests $89.5 million for international military education and training (IMET) for FY 2008. The IMET program addresses U.S. peace and security challenges by strengthening military alliances around the globe and building a robust international coalition to fight the GWOT. IMET increases the capability of countries to cooperate with the U.S. and its allies by developing professional militaries and exposes foreign military and civilian personnel to democratic values and human rights. As such, IMET programs are focused in both sustaining partnership and developing countries to build and maintain strategic security partnerships and strengthen political rights.
International Military Education and Training Funding Summary
* 26.0 million for new NATO members and major coalition partners, in order to promote regional security and integration among U.S. NATO, and European armed forces. Funds also support a new IMET program for Kosovo, a country whose continued stability is key to the region.
* $15.7 million for programs in the Near east region, with a focus on Jordan, Iraq, Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, Lebanon, and Oman. New IMET programs will be launched in Sustaining Partnership countries, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar.
* $13.7 million for programs in Africa, including $1.5 million to restart IMET programs in Kenya and South Africa, states critical to long term regional peace and stability.
* 12.0 million for IMET programs across the Western Hemisphere, to include $1.7 million for El Salvador, $1.5 million for Colombia, and $2.8 million for Argentina, Dominican Republic, and Honduras.
Summary of Changes
The FY 2008 IMET request represents an overall increase from FY 2006 levels, with a particular increase in allocations to rebuilding countries, e.g., Afghanistan, Sudan, Liberia, Kosovo, and new requests for key countries including Iraq, Kenya, South Africa, and Libya. Increases and decreases in other countries are based on the projected student training requirements and available schoolhouse quotas.
Summary of Funds (Dollars in Thousands) Fiscal Fiscal Fiscal Year Year Year 2006 2007 2008 Appropriations Actual Estimate Request Administration of Foreign 7,984,648 6,363,058 7,317,096 Affairs State Programs 5,818,884 4,561,170 5,013,443 Diplomatic & Consular Programs 5,692,259 4,460,084 4,942,700 Ongoing Operations (1,2,3) 4,961,443 3,664,914 3,977,940 Worldwide Security Upgrades (4) 730,816 795,170 964,760 Capital Investment Fund 58,143 34,319 70,743 Centralized IT Modernization 68,482 66,767 0 Program Embassy Security, Construction 1,489,726 1,182,585 1,599,434 and Maintenance Ongoing Operations 591,152 605,652 792,534 Worldwide Security Upgrades 898,574 576,933 806,900 Capital Security Construction 799,852 478,211 692,178 Compound Security 98,722 98,722 114,722 Office of Inspector General (5) 30,945 29,645 32,508 Educational and Cultural 431,275 425,162 486,400 Exchange Programs (6) Representation Allowances 8,175 8,175 8,175 Protection of Foreign Missions 9,270 9,270 18,000 and Officials Emergencies in the Diplomatic 43,872 4,940 19,000 and Consular Service (7,8) Repatriation Loans Program 1,302 1,285 1,285 Account Payment to the American 19,499 15,826 16,351 Institute in Taiwan Foreign Service Retirement and 131,700 125,000 122,500 Disability Fund (mandatory) International Organizations 2,303,392 2,144,792 2,461,400 Contributions to International 1,151,317 1,122,318 1,354,400 Organizations Contributions for International 1,152,075 1,022,474 1,107,000 Peacekeeping Activities (9) International Commissions 66,478 64,511 133,550 International Boundary and 27,642 27,642 30,430 Water Commission (S&E) International Boundary and 5,232 6,631 71,725 Water Commission-- Construction International Fisheries 23,693 20,651 21,000 Commissions American Sections 9,911 9,587 10,395 Border Environment Cooperation 2,083 2,175 2,100 Commission International Joint Commission 6,417 6,127 6,765 International Boundary 1,411 1,285 1,530 Commission Related Appropriations 113,397 73,361 101,750 The Asia Foundation 13,821 13,821 10,000 National Endowment for 74,042 50,000 80,000 Democracy East-West Center 18,994 3,000 10,000 Center for Middle Eastern- 4,936 4,936 0 Western Dialogue--Trust Fund Center for Middle Eastern- 740 740 875 Western Dialogue--Program Eisenhower Exchange Fellowship 494 494 500 Program Israeli Arab Scholarship 370 370 375 Program Total, State Department 10,467,915 8,645,722 10,013,796 Appropriations Act Migration & Refugee 858,790 750,206 773,500 Assistance (10) U.S. Emergency Refugee and 29,700 30,000 55,000 Migration Assistance Other State Department 11,356,405 9,425,928 10,842,296 Authorization Act Summary Table Footnotes: All FY 2006 actuals reflect the rescission of 0.28% provided through the Science, State, Justice, Commerce, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2006 (P.L. 109-108) and the general rescission of 1.0 percent provided through the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act to Address Hurricanes in the Guff of Mexico and Pandemic Influenza, 2006 (P.L. 109-148, Division B). All FY 2007 Estimates reflect the levels provided by a Continuing Resolution (P.L. 109-289, Division B, as amended). These amounts may change with the expected passage of a year-long CR. (1) FY 2006 Actual includes $16 million provided through the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act to Address Hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico and Pandemic Influenza, 2006 (P.L. 109-148, Division B) and reflects the transfer of $1.1 million to the Peace Corps. (2) FY 2006 Actual also includes $1,333.525 million provided through the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for Defense, the Global War on Terror, and Hurricane Recovery, 2006 (P.L. 109-234), of which $1,328.275 million is for Iraq Operations, and reflects the transfer of $1.0 million to the United States Institute of Peace for activities related to Iraq. Supplemental section of this volume includes requests for additional FY 2007 and FY 2008 funding for Iraq Operations. (3) FY 2006 Actual also reflects the transfer of $19.0 million to the Emergencies in the Diplomatic and Consular Service appropriation. (4) FY 2006 Actual includes $50.1 million provided through the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for Defense, the Global War on Terror, and Hurricane Recovery, 2006 (P.L. 109-234). (5) FY 2006 Actual includes $25.3 million provided through the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for Defense, the Global War on Terror, and Hurricane Recovery, 2006 (P.L. 109-234) and reflects the transfer of $24.0 million to the Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction. (6) FY 2006 Actual includes $5.0 million provided through the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for Defense, the Global War on Terror, and Hurricane Recovery, 2006 (P.L. 109-234). (7) FY 2006 Actual includes $15.0 million provided through the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act to Address Hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico and Pandemic Influenza, 2006 (P.L. 109-148, Division B). (8) FY 2006 Actual also includes $19.0 million transferred from the Diplomatic and Consular Programs Appropriation. (9) FY 2006 Actual includes $129.8 million provided through the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for Defense, the Global War on Terror, and Hurricane Recovery, 2006 (P.L. 109-234). (10) FY 2006 Actual includes $75.7 million provided through the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for Defense, the Global War on Terror, and Hurricane Recovery, 2006 (P.L. 109-234). Supplemental Appropriations Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act to Address Hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico and Pandemic Influenza, 2006 (P L. 109-148, Division B) (Dollars in Thousands) Fiscal Year 2006 Appropriations Actual Administration of Foreign Affairs 29,900 Diplomatic and Consular Programs--Ongoing Operations (1) 14,900 Emergencies in the Diplomatic and Consular Service 15,000 Total, Department of State 29,900 (1) FY 2006 Actual reflects $1.1 million transferred to the Peace Corps. Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for Defense, the Global War on Terror, and Hurricane Recovery, 2006 (P L. 109-234) (Dollars in Thousands) Fiscal Year 2006 Appropriations Actual Administration of Foreign Affairs 1,388,925 Diplomatic and Consular Programs--Ongoing Operations (1) 1,332,525 Diplomatic and Consular Programs--Worldwide Security 50,100 Upgrades Office of Inspector General (2) 1,300 Educational and Cultural Exchange Programs 5,000 International Organizations 129,800 Contributions for International Peacekeeping Activities 129,800 Total, Department of State 1,518,725 (1) FY 2006 Actual reflects $1.0 million transferred to the United States Institute of Peace for activities relating to Iraq. (2) FY 2006 Actual reflects $24.0 million transferred to the Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction. Foreign Military Financing (Dollars in Thousands) Fiscal Year Fiscal Year Fiscal Year 2006 2007 2008 Actual Estimate Request Foreign Military Financing 4,464,900 4,454,900 4,536,000 Fiscal Year Fiscal Year Fiscal Year 2006 2007 2008 (Dollars in Thousands) Actual Estimate Request International Military 85,877 85,237 89,500 Education and Training
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| Publication: | DISAM Journal |
|---|---|
| Date: | Apr 1, 2007 |
| Words: | 3917 |
| Previous Article: | International relations budget for fiscal year 2008. |
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