US embassy cable - 05TEGUCIGALPA871

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 TEGUCIGALPA 000871 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE DEPARTMENT FOR M/R, WHA/EX, WHA/CEN 
 
 
E.O. 12958:  N/A 
TAGS: AODE, AMGT, KMRS, ABLD, ASEC, EAID, HO 
SUBJECT:  NSDD 38 - MILLENNIUM CHALLENGE CORPORATION 
STAFFING PROPOSAL FOR TEGUCIGALPA, HONDURAS 
 
REF: STATE 060375 
 
1. Ambassador Palmer approves reftel request for the 
Millenium Challenge Corporation to establish a presence in 
Tegucigalpa, Honduras consisting of 1 USDH Director, 2 USDH 
or USPSC program managers and up to 4 Locally Employeed 
Staff, contigent upon satisfactory clarification of the 
following substantive issues. 
 
2. Consistent with all USG presence in-country, MCC will be 
under COM authority. The Director of MCC in-country will 
therefore report to the Ambassador, not to the MCC Managing 
Director, as proposed reftel.  Concerning position 
responsibilities of the Director position (as proposed in 
paragraph 3, Justification, part 4), Post has no objections 
to the proposed position responsibilities, but adds the 
following:  "...to the GOH and other parties; coordinating 
with the Country Team to ensure MCC policy and program 
approaches are in accord with established Mission priorities 
and advance Mission goals (pursuant to paragraph 4B of 
reftel); and executing those duties related to compact 
implementation that have been delegated to him or her by 
MCC's Vice President of Country Relations or by the COM." 
 
3. Title of head of MCC at Post should be Country Director 
rather than Mission Director. 
 
4. Administrative Support Issues: Post understands that MCC 
will subscribe to the full ICASS logistical and 
administrative support for all U.S. personnel including 
housing and furniture pool, processing of visas and tax 
exemption status, customs/expediting, health unit, 
APO/Pouch, office space, security, small value procurement, 
motor pool, CLO services.  MCC will also subscribe to ICASS 
LES management services for any Locally Employed Staff. 
Total cost of ICASS services will be determined based upon 
total number of MCC employees at post. 
 
5. Personnel Issues: Diplomatic and official status of 
American DH employees and USPSC contractors in Honduras will 
be determined by MCC compact with Honduran Government and 
any official bilateral agreement. All Locally Employeed 
Staff (LES) will fall under Chief of Mission authority and 
are subject to Local Compensation Plan.  MCC will subscribe 
to all Embassy Human Resources services including 
classification of positions, recruitment, benefits and Human 
Resources management. 
 
6. Security Issues: The RSO office will ensure security 
suitability for any office space outside the Embassy 
compound or USAID building.  Any additional security 
measures resulting in an off-site location will be at the 
expense of MCC.  Post strongly encourages co-location. MCC 
will be responsible for cost of Residential Mobile Patrols. 
 
7. Office and Residential Space Issues:  Post anticipates 
that suitable co-location office space can be established in 
either the U.S. AID building or the Chancery.  For any 
modification of existing office space, MCC must reimburse 
the Department of State for any additional cost of building, 
renovating or modifying existing office space. 
 
8. Training Issues:  All necessary training and costs 
involved with training are the responsibility of MCC.  All 
MCC American personnel traveling to post on permanent 
assignment must complete mandatory personal security 
training (Servicing Abroad for Families & Employees 
S.A.F.E.).  Ambassador Palmer also strongly recommends all 
MCC American employees attend the FSI course entitled 
"Working in an Embassy Abroad." 
 
9. NSDD-38 Decision 
A. The proposed staffing changes are reflected in the most 
recent (2007) MPP in Trade and Development Goals. 
 
B. There are no other resources already present at post that 
are performing or could perform the MCC function. 
 
C. The MCC function could not be accomplished using TDY, 
Foreign National, contract, or other local hire personnel. 
 
D. MCC will receive administrative support by subscribing to 
the full range of ICASS services.  Office space is to be 
determined and any modifications to existing space paid for 
by MCC. 
 
E. The benefits of increased staff outweigh the inherent 
security risks associated with additional personnel. 
 
10. Post looks forward to a constructive and positive 
relationship with MCC in Honduras. 
 
PIERCE