Executive Order 13283 of January 21, 2003


 
                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.


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                (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.


                    (Presidential Sig.)B


                THE WHITE HOUSE,


                     January 21, 2003.