[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1994, Book I)]
[July 28, 1994]
[Pages 1327-1328]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Letter to Congressional Leaders Transmitting the Report on 
International Exchange Programs
July 28, 1994

Dear Mr. Speaker:  (Dear Mr. Chairman:)
    As required by section 229(a) of the Foreign Relations Authorization 
Act, Fiscal Years 1994 and 1995 (Public Law 103-236), I am submitting 
the enclosed report on Federally-funded international exchange programs 
together with an analysis of the objectives of these programs and the 
extent to which the objectives of some of these programs are similar. 
Copies of the Fiscal Year 1993 report, International Exchange and 
Training Activities of the U.S. Government, prepared by the United 
States Information Agency (USIA) are enclosed.
    United States Government educational, cultural, scientific, and 
professional exchange programs enhance communication and understanding 
between the United States and other societies. They are among the most 
effective tools to achieve long and intermediate range objectives of 
U.S. foreign policy. In Fiscal Year 1993, the Federal Government 
supported more than 105,000 international exchange participants at a 
cost of $1.4 billion.
    Among the numerous categories of exchange activities, we have 
identified two in which similar programs are administered by different 
agencies: overseas foreign language and area studies undertaken by 
American citizens and the exchanges related to the encouragement of 
democratic processes. The programs in foreign language and area studies 
abroad by Americans, as currently legislated, are managed by the 
Department of Defense, the Department of Education, the Department of 
State, the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Japan-U.S. 
Friendship Commission, and USIA. The programs are identified in the 
attachment to this letter. In the second category in which we have 
identified similar programs, democracy exchanges, subtleties of defining 
and measuring objectives require additional time for analysis. This will 
be done by October 31.
    In an environment of funding constraints, it is important that 
international exchange programs be administered in a manner that ensures 
clarity of objectives and cost effectiveness. To help plan and better 
coordinate exchange activities, I have instructed the Director of USIA 
to convene periodic meetings of the major exchange-sponsoring 
departments and agencies. I have also asked relevant agencies to submit 
appropriate data to the USIA Director prior to these meetings.
    My Administration will continue to work closely with the Congress to 
realize our shared goals of improving efficiency and reducing costs.

[[Page 1328]]

    Sincerely,

                                                      William J. Clinton

Note: Identical letters were sent to Thomas S. Foley, Speaker of the 
House of Representatives, and Claiborne Pell, chairman, Senate Committee 
on Foreign Relations.