US embassy cable - 00STATE228663

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UPDATE TO ICASS BASIC PACKAGE SERVICES COST CENTER

Identifier: 00STATE228663
Wikileaks: View 00STATE228663 at Wikileaks.org
Origin: Secretary of State
Created: 2000-12-01 18:07:00
Classification: UNCLASSIFIED
Tags: KICA AFIN AMGT
Redacted: This cable was not redacted by Wikileaks.
R 011807Z DEC 00
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO ALL DIPLOMATIC AND CONSULAR POSTS
SPECIAL EMBASSY PROGRAM
CMC WASHINGTON DC//POS//
FBIS WASHDC
DA WASHINGTON DC//SAFM-BUO//SAYS-8A-SA//
USCINCACOM NORFOLK VA//J55/JIF//
SECDEF WASHDC//USDP:DSCA// 3809
OSAF WASHINGTON DC//FMBO//FMBM//IA//
USCINCCENT MACDILL AFB FL//CCJ4/7//CCCO//
USCINCEUR VAIHINGEN GE//ECCM//ECJ4//
USCINCPAC HONOLULU HI//J4//J7//
DISAM WRIGHT PATTERSON AFB OH//DI//
CSSG LAUREL MD//
USOLO SSA BALTIMORE
DIR DTSPO WASHDC
USOFFICE PRISTINA 
AMEMBASSY FREETOWN 
AMEMBASSY DUSHANBE 
AMEMBASSY BELGRADE 
UNCLAS STATE 228663 
 
SIPDIS 
 
ADMIN COUNSELOR, ICASS COUNCIL CHAIR 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KICA, AFIN, AMGT 
SUBJECT: UPDATE TO ICASS BASIC PACKAGE SERVICES COST 
CENTER 
 
1. SUMMARY: THE IWG AND ISC ARE WORKING TOGETHER TO 
INCORPORATE NEW POLICIES AND GUIDANCE INTO THE ICASS 
HANDBOOK.  SINCE THE LAST UPDATING OF THE HANDBOOK IN 
APRIL OF 1998 THERE HAVE BEEN MANY LESSONS LEARNED LEADING 
TO CHANGES AND ADDITIONS TO ICASS POLICIES.  THIS IS THE 
FIRST IN A SERIES OF CABLES HIGHLIGHTING UPDATES TO 6 FAH- 
5 - THE ICASS HANDBOOK. AS WE UPDATE EACH SECTION WE WILL 
BE SENDING OUT A CABLE EXPLAINING THE CHANGES, WHILE AT 
THE SAME TIME INCORPORATING THE CHANGES INTO THE FAH.  THE 
GOAL IS TO COMPLETE UPDATING THE HANDBOOK BY NEXT SPRING. 
 
2. THE "DEVELOPMENT OF STAFFING PATTERN AND POSITION 
SCHEDULES" IS TO NO LONGER BE ACCOUNTED FOR UNDER THE 
PERSONNEL SERVICES COST CENTER BUT UNDER THE BASIC PACKAGE 
COST CENTER. 
 
3. THE ACTIVITY "DEVELOPMENT OF STAFFING PATTERN AND 
POSITION SCHEDULES" IS PRESENTLY ACCOUNTED FOR UNDER THE 
PERSONNEL SERVICES COST CENTER. WITH INPUT FROM THE POSTS 
THE IWG HAS DETERMINED THAT THIS ACTIVITY FITS BETTER 
UNDER THE "BASIC PACKAGE" COST CENTER SINCE ALL AGENCIES 
BENEFIT FROM THIS SERVICE BY VIRTUE OF BEING IN COUNTRY. 
 
4. PLEASE DELETE THE WORDS "DEVELOPMENT OF STAFFING 
PATTERN AND POSITION SCHEDULES" FROM 6-FAH-5 H-405.1-10. 
THE TEXT WILL NOW READ:  "(A) U.S. CITIZEN EMPLOYEE 
PERSONNEL SERVICES - A.DESCRIPTION. PROCESSING 
DOCUMENTATION FOR CHANGES TO HEALTH AND LIFE INSURANCE 
SELECTION, THRIFT SAVINGS PLAN AND OTHER ALLOTMENTS, HOME 
OF RECORD, AND RETIREMENT PROCESSING (WHETHER THROUGH THE 
RELEVANT OPEN SEASON, UPDATING OF FAMILY STATUS OR OTHER). 
ALSO INCLUDES EMPLOYEE COUNSELING, HANDLING GRIEVANCES,AND 
RELATED REPORTS AND FILES.  MAY ALSO INCLUDE ADMINISTERING 
THE POST LANGUAGE PROGRAM AND MISSION AWARDS PROGRAM." 
 
5. ADD "DEVELOPMENT OF STAFFING PATTERN AND POSITION 
SCHEDULES" TO THE 6-FAH-5 H-405.1-1 BASIC PACKAGE 
B. DESCRIPTION. "INCLUDED IN THESE SERVICES, DEPENDING ON 
THE POSTS, ARE: DEVELOPMENT OF STAFFING PATTERN AND 
POSITION SCHEDULES, DIPLOMATIC ACCREDITATION TO THE HOST 
GOVERNMENT, LICENSES AND SPECIAL PERMITS..." 
6. BEGINNING WITH THE FY2002 BUDGET DEVELOPMENT THIS 
ACTIVITY IS TO BE ACCOUNTED FOR UNDER THE "BASIC PACKAGE". 
 
7.  MINIMIZED CONSIDERED. 
 
TALBOTT 

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