US EXTERNAL RELATIONS REPORT CALLS FOR COMPLETE REFORMULATION OF USA FOREIGN POLICY

Frank Carlucci, the ex-US Ambassador to Portugal, leads a team at the External Relations Council which has just delivered a report to the US State Department on the state of the USA’s external policy equipment. This report states that the USA is unprepared for an effective foreign policy due to poor equipment. “The state of dilapidation of the apparatus of American foreign policy is a national security crisis which requires (the President’s) personal attention. The Department of State suffers from a prolonged bad management, out-dated and dilapidated equipment and unsafe premises”. It also provides unexpected statistics: 92% of US Embassies have obsolete computer equipment, 88% of the buildings do not meet safety requirements and 25% of these are overcrowded. The report requests the President, George Bush, and Colin Powell, the Secretary of State, to present the details to Congress so as to obtain the necessary funds. Frank Carlucci was the Defence Secretary and National Security Advisor under the Presidency of Ronald Reagan.

TIMOTHY BANCROFT-HINCHEY PRAVDA.RU LISBON