Former Soviet Union: An Update on Coordination of U.S. Assistance and Economic Cooperation Programs,
Abstract
In February 1995, General Accounting Office (GAO) reported that the executive branch lacked an effective coordination mechanism for U.S. bilateral programs designed to help the newly independent states of the former Soviet Union (FSU) transform their centrally controlled economies into market-based economies and to establish more democratic governments. Specifically, GAO reported that the State Department Coordinator's authority was weak and that the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the other agencies using Freedom Support Act funds were frequently embroiled in disputes about implementation of their programs. Officials representing several agencies acknowledged the problems we reported. State and USAID officials subsequently testified to Congress that coordination and interagency working relationships had improved. This report (1) assesses efforts to strengthen the Coordinator's authority over bilateral FSU programs but identifies a new challenge to the Coordinator's authority and (2) analyzes the impact of changes In USAID'S relationships with other agencies on interagency cooperation in implementing Freedom Support Act programs. We are sending this report to those committees that have primary responsibility for the U.S. assistance program to the FSU.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 1995
- Accession Number
- ADA304926
Entities
People
- John Deforge
- Louis Zanardi
- Maria Oliver
- Richard Boudreau
- Sarah Veale
Organizations
- United States Government Accountability Office