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DOCUMNENT RESUME
02526 - (A1812847]
Actions Recommended to Make the ?oreign Gifts and Decorations
Act More Effective. ID-77-31; B-159008. June 23, 1977. 8 pp. + 2
appendices (13 pp.).
Report to the Congress; by Elmer B. Staats, Comptroller General.
Issue Area: International Economic and Military ProgL, ms (600).
Contact: International Div.
Budget Function: International Affairs: Conduct of Foreign
Af.7a~i.,s (152).
Organization Concerned: Department cf State.
Congressional Relevance: House Committee on Internationel
Relations; Senate Comittee on Foreign Relations; Congress.
Authotity: Foreign Gifts nnd Decorations Act of 1966 (P.L.
89-673, as amended; P.L. 90-83). 5 U.S.C. 7342. 18 U.S.C.
641. 22 C.F.R. 3.
A followup review was made of the Secretary of State's
implementation of recommendations made in 1975, which were
designed to strengthen the administration of the Foreiqn Gift-
and Decorat.ions Act of 1966. The act prohibits U.S. Go-arnmont
employees from soliciting gifts and decorations from foreigr
governments end discourages the acceptance of unsolicited gifts
and decorations. here refsal night embarrass the donor or
adversely affect U.S. foreiia relatiorns, the item(s) may be
accepted. They may be retained by the individual if less than
$50 in value; if their value is more than $50, they must be
tarned over to the Government. F:ndings/Conclusions: The status
of the DepartmeLt of State's actions on the recommendations %as:
(1) definitive procedure-- 'or ,andling foreign gifts received by
the President and members of his family had been developed; (2)
the Department of State does not plan to implement the
recommendation that Federal Agencies, nd U.S. Missions report
gifts nr decorations received in excess of minimal value by
Federal employees; (3) no additional steps are being taken by
the OffIce of Protocol to publicly disclose gifts reported; (4)
no action has been taken in taras of providing comprehensive and
overall guidance concerning the act; (5) no action has been
taken to note and document gifts received but not reported or
deposited; (6) new criteria were developed, but not formalized
ia writing, as to followup on gifts retained for official use;
and (7) no new blanket concurrences to the Armed Forces for
badges and mdals have been granted. Recommendations:
Legislative action is still needed t . strengthen provisions to
the act to: establish points of responsibility in each of the
three branches of the Government to assure comliance with the
act; report and deposit gifts within a specified period of time
from their rkvceipt; provide coverage for temporary or
intermittent experts and consultants; establish effective
penalties for noncompliance with the act; give the General
Servicer Administration responsibility for Cefining 2ini-al](ViewImageLocal?handle=hein.gao/gaobaacjo0001&div=1&collection=&method=preview&ext=.png&size=3)