The Foreign Service Journal, December 2007

20 F O R E I G N S E R V I C E J O U R N A L / D E C E M B E R 2 0 0 7 ou are in charge of the entire United States diplomatic mission, and I shall expect you to supervise all of its operations. The mission includes not only the personnel of the Department of State and the Foreign Service, but also the representatives of all other United States agencies which have programs and activities in [country]. I shall give you full support and backing in carrying out your assignments.” Those were the words of President Kennedy’s May 29, 1961, letter to his diplomatic team throughout the world. F O C U S O N C O U N T R Y T E A M M A N A G E M E N T T HE ISSUE OF WHO WIELDS AUTHORITY OVER NON -S TATE A MERICAN EMBASSY PERSONNEL CONTINUES TO PROMPT INTERAGENCY CONFLICT , AS IT HAS FOR YEARS . B Y S HAWN Z ELLER “ Y W HO ’ S IN C HARGE H ERE ?