§ 502.7 History and background.

(a) Educators and producers/distributors of educational/informational materials-particularly those items coming to be known as "audio-visual"-noticed with respect to international commerce in such materials that the tariff and customs laws extant in several countries provided for duty-free, accelerated entry of same if the nature of the materials was satisfactorily established. In order to take advantage of that existing situation, the Geneva Convention of 1933 and the Buenos Aires Convention of 1936 were drafted to provide for a technique of certified shipments as to this international commerce. However, the United States did not join either convention: Geneva, because the procedure was thought to be impractical since it involved the initial shipment of all materials to a commission located in Italy that was to issue all certificates; Buenos Aires, because of the manner of handling propaganda materials.

(b) In 1938, the U.S. Department of State established the policy of this Government to assist in every appropriate way the circulation abroad of American visual and auditory materials, and in 1942 implemented that policy by beginning to certify American audio-visual materials as to their educational/informational nature, to facilitate their shipment and probable duty-free entry abroad. The program was further developed in 1946 by establishment of an interdepartmental committee on attestation, in order to give attestation officers the benefit of government-wide expertise in the reviewing of motion pictures and other audio-visual materials.

(c) Most of the objections to the Geneva and Buenos Aires treaties were overcome in the drafting of the Beirut Agreement of 1948 through the device of certification by an agency of the government of the country of origin of the materials. That treaty has since 1948 been the guide for all U.S.A. export certification. Although delayed in ratification and in the passage of implementing legislation, the U.S.A. has now become a full partner in Beirut, so that (effective January 12, 1967) imports under foreign certificate move in duty-free for the first time.

(d) On August 1, 1953, with the creation of the U.S. Information Agency, this attestation program was transferred to USIA, where it has continued without interruption. As of January 1, 1967, the U.S. Government had issued over 26,000 certificates covering an estimated 175,000 items of visual and auditory materials (a number of the certificates cover a series of items), and over 3,000 different Applicants had submitted materials for export certification. The number of times a certificate is re-used for subsequent shipments of additional copies of the same item is, of course, unknown. (e) Beirut program countries are as follows:

(1) Formally participating.

United States of
America.
Brazil.
Cambodia.
Canada.
Denmark.

Ghana.

Greece.

Haiti.
Iran.

Iraq.

Malagasy Republic. Norway.

Pakistan.

The Philippines. El Salvador.

Syria.

Yugoslavia. Trinidad and Tobago. Malawi.

(USIA

(2) Informally participating. has reason to believe-judging from actual practice reported-that U.S.A. certificates have a significantly salutary effect upon the waiver of duties and expediting of imports into these countries.)

503.2 Description of central and field organization, established places at which, officers from whom, and methods whereby the public may obtain information.

503.3 Places at which forms and instructions for use by the public may be obtained.

503.4 Substantive rules of general applicability adopted as authorized by law, and statements of general policy or interpretation of general applicability formulated and adopted by the Agency.

503.5 Availability of policies, interpretations, manuals and instructions. 503.6 Availability of Agency records. 503.7 Exemptions.

503.8 Limitation of exemptions.

AUTHORITY: The provisions of this Part 503 issued under sec. 4, 63 Stat. 111, as amended, sec. 501, 65 Stat. 290; 22 U.S.C. 2658, 31 U.S.C. 483a, 5 U.S.C. 301, 552, E.O. 10477, as amended; 3 CFR, 1949-1953 Comp., E.O. 10501, as amended; 3 CFR, 1949-1953 Comp.

SOURCE: The provisions of this Part 503 appear at 32 F.R. 9657, July 4, 1967, unless otherwise noted.

(a) This part implements the Act of June 5, 1967, P.L. 90-23, 81 Stat. 54 (hereinafter referred to as "the Act,") which codifies P.L. 89-487, the "Public Information Act of 1966," and amends the "Public Information" Section of the Administrative Procedure Act (5 U.S.C. 552).

(b) The Act is designed to insure freer and easier access by members of the public to information about the organization, procedures, and records of the departments and agencies of the executive branch of the Government than has previously been available. In compliance with the Act, the Agency will make the fullest possible disclosure of its information and identifiable records consistent with the provisions of the Act and these regulations requiring or permitting nondisclosure.

§ 503.2

Description of central and field organization, established places at which, officers from whom, and methods whereby the public may obtain information.

The United States Information Agency is organized to help achieve U.S. foreign policy objectives by making understandable to the people of other countries U.S. actions and policies, as well as the traditions, values, and culture from which they flow. The Agency advises the President, his representatives abroad, and the various departments and agencies on the implications of foreign opinion for present and contemplated U.S. policies, programs, and official statements. To achieve these purposes, the Agency is directed from Washington, D.C. It operates field posts in over 100 foreign countries. The chief executive of the Agency is the Director, assisted by the Deputy Director and the Deputy Director (Policy and Research). The Director is advised by the Advisory Commission on Information, a body of five private citizens appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate.

(a) Closely attached to the Office of the Director are the Office of Policy and Research, the Office of the Inspector General, the Office of the U.S. Commissioner General for the Canadian World Exhibition, and the Office of Public Information.

(1) Office of Policy and Research (IOP). IOP formulates basic information policies, themes, and program emphases for the Agency. It obtains policy and background information from the Department of State and other sources and prepares policy guidance for operating elements of the Agency. It coordinates media output so that the content will accurately reflect Agency policy and emphasis. The IOP staff maintains liaison with the White House, Departments of State and Defense, and other agencies, and represents the Agency on interdepartmental groups concerned with foreign affairs. IOP has on its staff specalists in national secu

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rity, science, space, economics, youth and students, cultural affairs, labor, minorities, and women's activities. A staff member serves as the Agency Representative at the U.S. Mission to the United Nations and advises the U.S. Mission on foreign public opinion factors in U.S. policies and actions in the United Nations. The Foreign Correspondents Center in New York, under the supervision of IOP, provides assistance to foreign correspondents reporting on and interpreting America and its policies to their home countries. This office also is responsible for special analytical studies required for the implementation in the Agency of the President's Planning-Programing-Budget System (P.P.B.S.). It prepares studies of objectives and individual program activities and attempts to determine their effectiveness. Research data is collected on foreign opinion and overseas propaganda trends.

(2) Office of the Inspector General (I/IG). I/IG appraises for the Director the operation and administration of overseas establishments, including evaluations of the Agency's Foreign Service personnel. It selects personnel to conduct overseas inspections, provides guidance for inspections, evaluates inspection reports, and makes appropriate recommendations to the Director. It serves as liaison with the Department of State to make the Agency's inspection procedures and rating standards compatible with those of the Department.

(3) Office of the Commissioner General for the Canadian World Exhibition (IME). IME, as the title of the office suggests, is not a permanent Agency office. The Office planned the U.S. participation in the 1967 Exhibition at Montreal. It supervised and coordinated the design, construction, and installation and continues to operate and administer the U.S. pavilion and its exhibits and features.

(4) Office of Public Information (I/R). I/R responds to requests from the general public for information on the Agency's programs. It serves as the point of contact within, the Agency for the press and other commercial media of communication.

(b) Staff support is provided by the Office of Personnel and Training, the Office of Administration, the Office of the General Counsel, and the Office of Security.

(1) Office of Personnel and Training (IPT). IPT fórmulates and implements personnel policies and procedures; plans and executes personnel programs including recruitment, examination, selection, placement of employees, career development, and position classification; and plans and conducts orientation and training programs for domestic and Foreign Service employees.

(2) Office of Administration (IOA). IOA carries out programs and advises the Director and other Agency officials on administration, including budget, finance, contract and procurement, administrative services, management, emergency planning and library services.

(3) Office of the General Counsel (IGC). IGC advises the Agency on the meaning and intent of all laws, regulations, and Executive orders which authorize or affect the Agency's programs. This office also assists in the drafting of proposed legislation, Executive orders, regulations, contracts, and leases. The General Counsel also supplements the personal relations of the Director with Congress.

(4) Office of Security (IOS). IOS is responsible for physical, personnel, and documentary security. It also serves as the investigating arm of the Agency.

(c) Program materials are generated by the Agency's media services, the Broadcasting Service, the Information Center Service, the Motion Picture and Television Service, and the Press and Publications Service.

(1) Broadcasting Service (IBS). IBS (the Voice of America) produces and broadcasts radio programs in English and foreign languages and operates broadcasting and relay facilities to transmit these programs. It also furnishes technical services and materials to the Agency's overseas posts for broadcasting radio programs through local outlets, and it supplies packaged programs to the posts.

(2) Information Center Service (ICS). ICS furnishes technical direction, materials, and assistance to information centers, libraries, and binational centers. It promotes the distribution of American books, in English and foreign languages, to individuals and institutions of particular local significance. It designs and contracts for the construction of exhibits reflecting American culture and other achievements. It supports the English teaching programs of USIS,

binational centers, and special English teaching institutes by providing consultative services and teaching materials. ICS has also conducted the Informational Media Guaranty Program which is now in process of liquidation.

(3) Motion Picture and Television Service (IMV). IMV contracts for the production of, or otherwise acquires, motion pictures in appropriate languages for use abroad in commercial theaters or for showing by USIS posts. It produces or acquires television films and tapes for posts to place on local television stations and networks in countries overseas. It furnishes USIS posts with necessary equipment, supplies, technical services and direction for motion picture and television programs. The International Communications Media Staff of the Motion Picture and Television Service monitors and facilitates the operation of certain international organizations and festivals including United States participation therein, and assists some domestic organizations active in this field. Also under authority delegated to the Agency by Executive Order 11311 of October 14, 1966, issued pursuant to Public Law 89-634 the staff issues export certificates of educational, audiovisual materials and authenticates foreign certificates covering the import of such materials.

(4) Press and Publications Service (IPS). IPS produces a wide variety of editorial materials for placement by USIS posts overseas in local newspapers and periodicals and for use in post publications. It produces and operates the Wireless File to USIS posts in all areas of the world via radioteletype. It provides posts a general and regional feature service, photographs and picture stories, plastic printing plates, "paper show" exhibits, magazines, pamphlets, posters, magazine reprints, cartoon booklets and continuity strips. It also manages printing plants at Regional Service Centers in Manila, Beirut and Mexico City, furnishes posts with press and photo supplies and equipment, and offers them technical advice.

(d) Direction of the Agency's overseas programs is provided by the Assistant Directors for the six geographical areas on all programs in or directed to countries in these areas. The areas are Africa (IAA), Latin America (IAL), Europe (IAE), Soviet Union and Eastern

Europe (IAS), Near East and South Asia (IAN), and East Asia and Pacific (IAF). The six Assistant Directors for areas help to formulate information policies and represent the Director on interagency groups. They are responsible for the direction, coordination, and management of information programs for the countries of their geographic areas and for that portion of the Department of State's exchange program directed by USIS overseas posts. They supply a knowledge of field problems and requirements to the Agency's media elements and policy and planning officers. They arrange with media services to provide media products to their areas. They consult with appropriate area and country officers in the Department of State, the Agency for International Development, and with other agencies on matters of mutual concern.

(e) The foregoing Agency elements have their principal Washington offices in the following locations:

AGENCY ELEMENTS AND ADDRESSES

The Director, Office of Policy and Research, Office of the Inspector General, Office of the Commissioner General for the Canadian World Exhibition, Office of Public Information, Office of Administration, Office of the General Counsel, Office of Security, Area Offices for Africa, Latin America, Europe, Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, Near East and South Asia, and East Asia and Pacific-1750 Pennsylvania Avenue NW.

Office of Personnel and Training, Press and Publications Service-1776 Pennsylvania Avenue NW.

Information Center Service-1711 New York Avenue NW.

Broadcasting Service Health, Education, and Welfare Building, 300 C Street SW. Motion Picture and Television Service-Old Post Office Building, 12th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW.

(f) Agency offices abroad, known as the U.S. Information Service (USIS), under the supervision of the Chiefs of Mission, and with the guidance of the Director and the appropriate area Assistant Director, conduct public information, public relations and cultural

activities-i.e., those activities intended to inform or influence foreign public opinion-for agencies of the U.S. Government except for Commands of the Department of Defense. Each USIS office is headed by a Public Affairs Officer who is a member of the "country team"