VIP Vietnamese who by their work with the United States for a better Viet-Nam had risked their lives and the lives of their families.

"Though neither had relatives in that country, at their own expense and at no little personal danger, they returned in the closing days of the war, over the protests of the American Mission, to find and identify people they knew who deserved evacuation. Summoning up all their field-earned expertise and personal courage, they surmounted obstacles, both bureaucratic and physical, to board on evacuation flights over 200 Vietnamese who deserved the best from us. This done, they visited and assisted at the refugee camps in Guam and Camp Pendleton.

"Later in Washington, they sought sponsors for their evacuated friends and helped to set up Task Force Programs to expedite the transition of the refugees from the camps into American society."

Mr. Johnstone, who formerly served in Laos, is currently assigned to the Executive Secretariat in the Department. Mr. Rosenblatt is with the Office of the Deputy Secretary.

Mr. Kulick, who won the Harriman Award, was given the following citation:

"Mr. Kulick has demonstrated the highest standards of Foreign Service professionalism in his pursuit of creative dissent. Failing to prevail in a policy debate in a Bureau and NSC working group, he conscientiously drafted the position paper, faithfully reflecting the agreed positions, including the parts with which he personally disagreed. Taking the logical next step, he drafted a paper for the Dissent Channel which persuaded five other officers to join him.

"The Under Secretary for Political Affairs was so impressed with the quality of the dissent that he invited all the signers to discuss the matter with him and to draft model instructions to the Mission concerned. The final approved result was a greatly modified set of instructions which incorporated many of the points advocated by Mr. Kulick. Commenting on the outcome, Mr. Kulick's Staff Director said: "This is dissent at its best-based on knowledge and experience, well and calmly reasoned . . . and therefore making an impact on policy.'"'

Mr. Kulick is assigned to the Office of East African Affairs in the Bureau of African Affairs.

The Herter Award was established by Mrs. Herter and her son, who is currently Deputy Assistant Secretary

The Director General's Letter-cont.

involved. They, therefore, have no claim for due process hearings in this

area.

While the Constitution thus stops short of insisting that due process is required in all circumstances, American traditions of fairness demand it whenever it does not subvert the essential purpose of the government agency. Accordingly, the Department has taken steps to ensure a much greater degree of due process in its broadest sense (fairness, openness, uniformity, explicitness of standards, a chance to be heard) in many important areas of personnel management. The open assignments process for the Foreign Service, our new merit promotion and placement program for domestic employees, and more systematic standards for employment of non-FSO personnel are examples.

Beyond that we are reviewing our overall promotion system, and the structure of the Department's personnel system itself, in order to assure that we have the maximum degree of equity, openness, clear and viable standards, and genuine merit career opportunities for all employees.

While due process thus is being given fuller expression within the Department, we cannot forget the corollary consideration that to be an effective instrument of foreign policy, the Department must also be responsive to national leadership and national goals. To find the proper balance between responsiveness to our nation and responsibility to our employees will be a continuing charge on the Department through the Bicentennial year and beyond.

Care C. Kar

ATHENS-Richard E. Benedick, right,

Counselor for Economic and Commercial Affairs, presents a Certificate of Appreciation to Theodor G. Gennimatas as he retires after 28 years' service.

HAVE YOU A SUGGESTION FOR US?

Elsewhere in this issue will be found a selected index of articles which appeared in the Newsletter in 1975. A glance will give readers some idea of the variety and scope of material printed in these pages and in Special Supplements last year.

On the first anniversary of the Newsletter (in 1962) Secretary Rusk said:

In an organization as large, as dispersed, and with such diverse activities as ours, there is an overriding need for good communications. All of us must be kept abreast of developments affecting the policies and administration of the Department and the Foreign Service. We also have need of a publication which gives recognition to the activities and accomplishments of our

Direct paycheck deposits saved $2.3 million in 1974

In 1974 the Government saved an estimated $2.3 million by combining the net pay of personnel and issuing composite checks to banks. The savings was achieved with only 18.9 percent of Federal employees being paid that way. If more employees participated in direct paycheck deposit, the savings could be much greater.

According to a report to Congress by the Comptroller General, participation in the program runs from a low of 10.8 percent in some agencies to a high of 80.9 percent by Action. About 28 percent of State's employees participate.

Everyone benefits from the composite check program: Government disbursing offices save millions of dollars because fewer checks are issued and distributed; the Federal Reserve System saves money because fewer checks have to be "cleared"; and employees who have their pay sent directly to banks reduce the risk of loss or theft, as well as have access to their pay while on leave or traveling.

Direct paycheck deposit can also bring future benefits to the Government by enabling payment by electronic funds transfer. With this system, each disbursing office would make payments by magnetic tape or wire transmission to a Federal Reserve bank instead of sending checks to banks.

personnel at home and overseas. . . .'

Our charter has always been to acquaint the Department's employees at home and abroad with developments of interest which may affect operations or personnel."

Available information on personnel and management operations appears in the Newsletter at the earliest possible date.

Is there something more you want to know about personnel or management operations? Is there some information, not now appearing in the Newsletter, which should be printed? Is there some, now carried, which should be dropped? Are there articles on special subjects which you would like to see published?

The Editors welcome any suggestions from employees at home or in the field.

MONTERREY-Mayor Carlos González Moreno of Tampico plots the course of Hurricane Caroline with Consul Ruth S. Matthews, who was in Tampico visiting Americans incarcerated there. The Mayor presented her with a certificate as a distinguished visitor to the city.

Christmas comes
for a family
from Viet-Nam

Members of the Personnel Ad Hoc Group warmly welcomed a VietDo Bich Tuyen Phuong and Do Bich Thangh Van

namese family-Do Tru, his wife, Tran Thi Dan, and their four small children at a Christmas party in the office of Richard D. Nethercut, CDA/FS/EA, on December 17.

The group, which is sponsoring the family, is assisting them with housing, furniture, household items and donations, and helping the parents find jobs.

The family arrived in Washington December 1 after a sojourn in Guam and Ft. Chaffee. Tran Thi Dan worked at the U.S. Embassy in Saigon for nine years. Mr. Do Tru has had office experience in a printing company.

"We continue to welcome donations," said Mr. Nethercut. Checks may be made out to the Personnel Ad Hoc Group. Those wishing to contribute furniture or household items may phone Chris Ridley, CDA/FS/TL, Ext. 23308.

Christine Ridley presents Do Bich Tuyen Phuong with her gift.

Paris, Islamabad, Caracas host narcotics conferences

EUR held its Regional Narcotics Conference in Paris on September 16 and 17. The meeting was opened by Ambassador Kenneth Rush, and Deputy Assistant Secretary James G. Lowenstein served as Chairman. Programs and plans were discussed by Embassy Narcotics Coordinators and DEA Representatives from 41 posts.

On September 22 and 23, NEA held its Narcotics Conference at Islamabad. Ambassador Henry A. Byroade opened the meeting, which was chaired by Peter Constable, Pakistan Office Director. Representatives from 13 posts participated.

In Caracas on November 5 and 6, ARA held its fourth annual conference for Narcotics Control Coordinators with 75 participants. It was opened by Ambassador Harry W. Shlaudeman and chaired by Deputy Assistant Secretary William H. Luers. Coordinators and DEA Representatives from 26 posts participated in these discussions.

Speakers at the conferences included Ambassador Sheldon B. Vance, Executive Director of the Cabinet Committee for International Narcotics Control; Ambassador Joseph J. Jova, Mexico City; David H. Ernst, Deputy Senior Adviser for Narcotics Matters; Jerry Jensen, Deputy Administrator of Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA); Dr. Robert DuPont, Director of the National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA); Richard Parsons, White House Domestic Council; Edward Johnson, Office of Management and Budget; Congressman Charles B. Rangel, Ways and Means Committee; Vernon Hahn, Customs; and Loren Lawrence, Bureau of Security and Consular Affairs.

Washington representatives of the White House, AID, USIA, Defense, Agriculture, Justice, Treasury, DEA, Customs, NIDA, OMB and State participated in all three Conferences.

Schedule of courses at FSI

Workshop for Foreign Service families Workshop for Foreign Service

Families

Volunteer English Teaching Seminar Fundamentals for Foreign Service Living Community Action

Area studies

Western Europe

23

2 weeks

2 weeks

23

23

23

Country studies

ATHENS-Minister Monteagle Sterns, left. presents a Certificate of Appreciation to Ariadni Messini, of the Consular Section, who retired after 26 years of service.

People's Republic of China

Area studies and language training. See opposite page.

15

1 week

KABUL-While the Redskins were taking their lumps in the National Football League, another team with its home base in Washington was thrilling fans with a banner year!

The Embassy football team in Kabul won its League Championship and then scored a major upset over an AllStar Team made up of the best players from the rest of the League.

Quarterbacked by Political Officer Paul Behnke and personned by GSO Irv Newman, Consular Officer Ryan Lennox, Consul Bruce Beardsley, Communications Officer Ollie Kyte,

Marine Guards Hammond, Williams, Frail and Allen, and Defense Attache stalwart Steve Unthank, the Embassy team compiled a 6-1 record including team compiled a 6-1 record including a decisive victory in the final game over the former champions-the Peace Corps Team.

In the All-Star Game, the Embassy's crisp passing attack, disciplined blocking and a rock-ribbed defense were too much for the All-Stars. An example is shown in the photograph above, as Quarterback Behnke picks up yardage on a kickoff return against the AllStars. Final score: 30-12.

Nominations due April 30

for Rockefeller awards

Beginning this year, the Rockefeller Public Service Awards Program will recognize outstanding contributions both within and outside government.

For the past 22 years the Rockefeller Awards focused on the distinguished work of Federal career officials. Under the new program, individuals in nonprofit organizations, citizens groups, educational institutions, private enterprises and in local and state government service also will be eligible to compete for the awards.

The program is sponsored by John D. Rockefeller 3rd and administered by the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs at Princeton University. It is anticipated that five awards of $10,000 each will be presented in the late fall.

Deadline for nominations is April 30. Nominations are invited in nine critical areas-expansion of employment opportunities, management of social conflict, reforming energy policies and practices, administration of justice and reduction of crime, rethinking and readjusting economic policies, restructuring the intergovernmental relationships, reconsidering the role of public sector employment, redefining the role of the United States in the world order, and international protection of environments and

resources.

Further information and nomination forms may be obtained from Rockefeller Public Service Awards, Woodrow Wilson School, Princeton University, Princeton, N.J. 08540.

Applications due for
AFSA grants, awards

Applications and supplementary materials for the 1976-77 Financial Aid Grants and Merit Awards sponsored by the American Foreign Service Association must be postmarked by February 15.

The Committee on Eduation believes that a family's financial need status is not affected by the number of children in college at one time. The Committee also believes that the family should not be penalized because there are several children attending college by awarding only one grant to a family.

Application forms and related materials may be obtained from Mrs. Patricia Squire or Clarke Slade, AFSA, 2101 E Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20037 (202-3384047).