Report Contents
(U) What OIG Inspected
(U) OIG inspected the executive direction, program and policy implementation, resource management, and information management operations of Embassy Reykjavik.
(U) What OIG Recommends
(U) OIG made 14 recommendations to Embassy Reykjavik. (U) In its comments on the draft report, Embassy Reykjavik concurred with all 14 recommendations. OIG considers all 14 recommendations resolved. The embassy’s response to each recommendation, and OIG’s reply, can be found in the Recommendations section of this report. The embassy’s formal written response is reprinted in its entirety in Appendix B.
(U) What OIG Found
- (U) The Chargé d’Affaires, ad interim and the Deputy Chief of Mission led Embassy Reykjavik in accordance with Department of State leadership and management principles. Both leaders established a positive, inclusive, and supportive tone for the embassy.
- (U) The embassy was rebuilding the bilateral relationship with the Government of Iceland through diplomatic engagement on the full range of Integrated Country Strategy goals.
- (U) The Public Diplomacy Section had limited opportunities to conduct programs and events because of the COVID-19 pandemic, a preference by Icelandic audiences and exchange grantees for in-person programs, and the former Ambassador’s partiality for social media outreach over other types of engagement activities.
- (U) Although the Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations listed Iceland as a very high seismic zone, the embassy had not conducted seismic safety assessments for 11 of its 15 leased residential units.
- (U) The embassy lacked a preventive maintenance program to protect the U.S. Government’s investment in major building systems for its new chancery.
Report Terms
Report Recommendations
Embassy Reykjavik should request that the Department of Defense – European Command initiate National Security Decision Directive 38 procedures to remove the position at the U.S. Naval Radio Transmitter Facility at Grindavik, Iceland, from chief of mission authority.
Embassy Reykjavik should comply with Department standards for records management.
Embassy Reykjavik, in coordination with the Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations, should post consular signage in accordance with Department standards.
Embassy Reykjavik should establish standard operating procedures for fraud prevention that implement its fraud prevention strategy.
Embassy Reykjavik should bring its consular crisis management program into compliance with Department standards.
Embassy Reykjavik should establish and administer a training program for its locally employed staff in accordance with Department guidelines.
Embassy Reykjavik should comply with Department standards to complete medical certifications for drivers of official U.S. Government vehicles.
Embassy Reykjavik, in coordination with the Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations, should perform seismic evaluations of its residential properties in accordance with Department standards.
Embassy Reykjavik, in coordination with the Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations, should implement routine and preventive maintenance programs that comply with Department standards.
Embassy Reykjavik, in coordination with the Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations, should bring its safety, health, and environmental management training into compliance with Department standards.
Embassy Reykjavik, in coordination with the Bureaus of Diplomatic Security and Overseas Buildings Operations, should comply with Department standards for unescorted server room access.
Embassy Reykjavik, in coordination with the Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations, should comply with Department standards for server room safety controls.
Embassy Reykjavik should reduce the use of individual desktop printers in accordance with Department standards.
Embassy Reykjavik should register all dedicated internet networks and approve dedicated internet network software and hardware in accordance with Department standards.