Report Contents
What OIG Inspected
OIG inspected the executive direction, policy and program implementation, resource management, and information management operations of Embassy Vientiane.
What OIG Found
- The Ambassador and Deputy Chief of Mission generally adhered to Department of State leadership principles and actively promoted U.S. foreign policy and national security.
- The Public Diplomacy Section’s grant monitoring and documentation and reporting on programming did not meet Department standards.
- The embassy’s Consular Section had deficiencies related to fraud prevention, cashier operations, and crisis preparedness.
- Embassy Vientiane did not manage bulk fuel operations in accordance with Department standards and did not comply with some property management and motor vehicle safety standards.
- The embassy’s Diplomatic Technology unit did not perform required information systems security officer duties and did not manage non-enterprise networks in accordance with Department standards.
What OIG Recommends
OIG made 15 recommendations to Embassy Vientiane. In its comments on the draft report, the embassy concurred with all 15 recommendations. OIG considers all 15 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 response is reprinted in its entirety in Appendix B.
Report Terms
Report Recommendations
Embassy Vientiane should monitor and document public diplomacy grants in accordance with Department standards.
Embassy Vientiane should report on public diplomacy programming using established reporting mechanisms in accordance with Department standards.
Embassy Vientiane should develop a written consular fraud prevention strategy and standard operating procedures in accordance with Department standards.
Embassy Vientiane should maintain consular cashier records in accordance with Department standards.
Embassy Vientiane should comply with Department standards for consular crisis preparedness.
Embassy Vientiane should bring its bulk fuel program into compliance with Department standards.
Embassy Vientiane should bring its property management program into compliance with Department standards.
Embassy Vientiane should enforce duty driver limits for all embassy drivers in accordance with Department guidelines.
Embassy Vientiane, in coordination with the Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations, should bring its fire protection program into compliance with Department standards.
Embassy Vientiane should bring its safety, health, and environmental management program into compliance with Department standards.
Embassy Vientiane should complete all information systems security officer responsibilities in accordance with Department standards.
Embassy Vientiane should manage its non-enterprise networks in accordance with Department standards.
Embassy Vientiane should manage its records management program in accordance with Department standards.
Embassy Vientiane should make its high frequency radio systems operational.
Embassy Vientiane should test its high frequency radio systems in accordance with Department standards.