US embassy cable - 04KINSHASA1167

UNCLAS KINSHASA 001167 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR AF - ACTING ASSISTANT SECRETARY SNYDER 
AF/EX AND OBO/REPM/RPM 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: AMGT, ABLD 
SUBJECT: 2004 ANNUAL CHIEF OF MISSION MANAGEMENT 
CONTROL STATEMENT OF ASSURANCE FOR KINSHASA 
 
REF: STATE 119327 
 
From COM Aubrey Hooks to Acting Assistant Secretary 
Charles Snyder. 
 
1.   As Chief of Mission for Kinshasa, I am cognizant 
  of 
the importance of management controls.  I have taken 
the necessary measures to assure that an evaluation of 
the systems of management control for Kinshasa has been 
conducted in a conscientious and thorough manner, in 
accordance with the Department's Internal Control 
Directive, to determine whether our systems of 
management control comply with the standards prescribed 
by the Comptroller General. 
 
2.   The objectives of the systems of management 
  control 
of the Department of State are to provide reasonable 
assurance that: 
 
-obligations and costs comply with applicable law; 
 
-assets are safeguarded against waste, loss, 
unauthorized used or misappropriation; 
 
-- revenues and expenditures applicable to agency 
operations are recorded and accounted for properly so 
that accounts and reliable financial and statistical 
reports may be prepared and accountability of the 
assets may be maintained; and 
 
-- programs are efficiently and effectively carried out 
in accordance with law and management policy. 
 
3.   The results of this evaluation and any risk 
assessments, OIG or GAO inspections and/or audits, 
management evaluations, and other pertinent reviews 
performed in accordance with departmental instructions 
and other relevant criteria, indicate that the systems 
of management control for Kinshasa in effect during the 
period ended June 30, 2004, taken as a whole, provide 
reasonable assurance that the referenced management 
control objectives were achieved. 
 
4.  The evaluation, however, did disclose the 
continuing reportable condition in our management 
controls: 
 
--Deficiencies in the current configuration of our 
consular section impede the efficiency and could 
threaten the integrity of the visa issuance process. 
 
5.  I have reviewed the results of the most recent risk 
assessments conducted at post, as well as the actions 
taken to correct identified weaknesses.  I certify that 
the actions taken/proposed will adequately correct the 
weakness identified and strengthen this post's 
management controls. 
 
6. I have reviewed the certification provided to me by 
the post single real property manager, and have 
satisfied myself that appropriate procedures for the 
acquisition and assignment of residential properties 
are in place, in accordance with 6 FAM 700. 
Specifically, post management policies are in 
accordance with regulations; the post interagency 
housing board properly executes its functions; OBO 
approval is requested for waivers that are necessary 
exceptions; and property reports to OBO are accurate. 
 
7. Enclosed with the letter version of this message 
will be an update of the plans for correcting the 
reportable condition mentioned above. HOOKS