For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
January 21, 2003
Executive Order: Establishing the Office of Global Communications
By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and
the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered as
follows:
Section 1. Establishment of the Office of Global Communications.
There is hereby established within the White House Office an Office of
Global Communications (the "Office") to be headed by a Deputy Assistant
to the President for Global Communications.
Sec. 2. Mission. The mission of the Office shall be to advise the
President, the heads of appropriate offices within the Executive Office
of the President, and the heads of executive departments and agencies
(agencies) on utilization of the most effective means for the United
States Government to ensure consistency in messages that will promote
the interests of the United States abroad, prevent misunderstanding,
build support for and among coalition partners of the United States,
and inform international audiences. The Office shall provide such
advice on activities in which the role of the United States Government
is apparent or publicly acknowledged.
Sec. 3. Functions. In carrying out its mission:
(a) The Office shall assess the methods and strategies used by the
United States Government (other than special activities as defined in
Executive Order 12333 of December 4, 1981) to deliver information to
audiences abroad. The Office shall coordinate the formulation among
appropriate agencies of messages that reflect the strategic
communications framework and priorities of the United States, and shall
facilitate the development of a strategy among the appropriate agencies
to effectively communicate such messages.
(b) The Office shall work with the policy and communications
offices of agencies in developing a strategy for disseminating
truthful, accurate, and effective messages about the United States, its
Government and policies, and the American people and culture. The
Office may, after consulting with the Department of State and obtaining
the approval of the Assistant to the President for National Security
Affairs on the President's behalf, work with cooperating foreign
governments in the development of the strategy. In performing its
work, the Office shall coordinate closely and regularly with the
Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs, or the
Assistant's designee.
(c) The Office shall work with appropriate agencies to coordinate
the creation of temporary teams of communicators for short-term
placement in areas of high global interest and media attention as
determined by the Office. Team members shall include personnel from
agencies to the extent permitted by law
and subject to the availability of personnel. In performing its
functions, each information team shall work to disseminate accurate and
timely information about topics of interest to the on-site news media,
and assist media personnel in obtaining access to information,
individuals, and events that reinforce the strategic communications
objectives of the United States and its allies. The Office shall
coordinate when and where information teams should be deployed;
provided, however, no information team shall be deployed abroad without
prior consultation with the Department of State and the Department of
Defense, and prior notification to the Office of the Assistant to the
President for National Security Affairs.
(d) The Office shall encourage the use of state-of-the-art media
and technology and shall advise the United States Government of events,
technologies, and other communications tools that may be available for
use in conveying information.
Sec. 4. Administration. The Office of Administration within the
Executive Office of the President shall provide the Office with
administrative and related support, to the extent permitted by law and
subject to the availability of appropriations, as directed by the
Chief of Staff to the President to carry out the provisions of this
order.
Sec. 5. Relationship to Other Interagency Coordinating
Mechanisms. Presidential direction regarding National Security
Council-related mechanisms for coordination of national security policy
shall apply with respect to the Office in the same manner as it applies
with respect to other elements of the White House Office. Nothing in
this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect any
function assigned by law or by the President to the National Security
Council or to the Assistant to the President for National Security
Affairs.
Sec. 6. Continuing Authorities. This order does not alter the
existing authorities of any agency. Agencies shall assist the Deputy
Assistant to the President for Global Communications, to the extent
consistent with applicable law and direction of the President, and to
the extent such assistance is consistent with national security
objectives and with the mission of such agencies, in carrying out the
Office's mission.
Sec. 7. General Provisions.
(a) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right
or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or equity by
any party against the United States, its agencies, instrumentalities or
entities, its officers or employees, or any other person.
(b) Nothing in this order shall be construed to grant to the
Office any authority to issue direction to agencies, officers, or
employees.
GEORGE W. BUSH
THE WHITE HOUSE,
January 21, 2003.
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