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NSIAD-85-63 1 (1985-04-10)

handle is hein.gao/gaobabnqe0001 and id is 1 raw text is: UNITED STATES GENERAL ACCOUNTING OFFICE WASHINGTON, D.C. 20548 NATIONAL SECURITY AND INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS DIVISION Bll2013A III 11APRIL 10, 1985 B-208 137 126663 The Honorable Bill Nichols Chairman, Subcommittee on Investigations Committee on Armed Services House of Representatives Dear Mr. Chairman: Subject: ,Department of Defense Distinguished Visitors' Program Fund i(GAO/NSIAD-85-63) This responds to the former Committee Chairman's request dated September 20, 1984, to determine if Department of Defense (DOD) has implemented recommendations in GAO's 1982 report, DOD Use of Official Representation Funds to Entertain Forei n taries (GAO/ID-83-7, Dec. 29, 1982). The request included a copy of a U.S. News & World Report article dated September 3, 1984, which alleged that DOD had not complied with GAO recommen- dations for improving procedures to account for expenditures incurred to entertain visiting foreign dignitaries. The former Chairman asked that we inform you of the results. Our work focused on guidance issued by DOD for the use of funds to entertain visiting foreign dignitaries. We found that an interim DOD directive issued in September 1982, which addressed many of the issues surfaced during our prior audit, was superceded by a March 1984 directive. The revision provided further clarification and guidance and incorporated our recom- mendations. We also found that expense items charged complied with the revised DOD directives and were documented in case files. PURPOSE OF THE PROGRAM According to DOD, invitations to visit the United States are extended to foreign officials to strengthen ties with impor- tant military allies. Justifications for the visits include resuming or securing ties with foreign governments, establishing rapport between top U.S. and foreign military officials, and demonstrating U.S. interest in and strategic importance of a (467308) 0-3 i7co