UNCLASSIFIED (U)

5 FAH-3 H-000 
Introduction

5 FAH-3 H-010

Introduction

(CT:TAGS-91;   02-17-2022)
(Office of Origin:  A/GIS/IPS)

5 FAH-3 H-011  CURRENT TAGS

5 FAH-3 H-011.1  TAGS and Subject

(CT:TAGS-91;   02-17-2022)

TAGS        Subject

AADP    Automated Data Processing

ABLD    Building and Grounds

ABUD    Budget Services and Financial Systems

ACOA    Communication Operations and Administration

ACKM    COMSEC Key Management

ADCO    Diplomatic Courier Operations

ADPM   Diplomatic Pouch and Mail

AEMR    Emergency Planning and Evacuation

AFIN     Financial Management

AFSI     Foreign Service Institute

AFSN    Foreign Service National Personnel

AGAO    General Accounting Office

AINF     Information Management Services

AINR    INR Program Administration

AINT    Internet Administration

ALEO    Low Earth Orbit Satellite Coordination

 

ALOW   Allowances

AMED    Medical Services

AMGT    Management Operations

AMTC    Telecommunications Equipment Maintenance

ANET    Communications, Circuits, and Networks

AODE    Employees Abroad

AOMS   Office Management Specialist Issues

AORC    International Organizations and Conferences

APCS    Personal Computers

APER    Personnel

ASCH    U.S. Sponsored Schools

ASEC    Security

ASIG     Inspector General Activities

ASUP    Supplies and Equipment

ATRN    Transportation Service

BBSR    Business Services Reporting

BEXP    Trade Expansion and Promotion

BMGT    FCS Management Operations

BTIO    Trade and Investment Opportunities

CASC    Assistance to Citizens

CFED    Federal Agency Services

CJAN    Judicial Assistance and Notarial Services

CLOK    Visa Lookout

CMGT    Consular Administration and Management

CPAS    Passports and Citizenship

CVIS     Visas

EAGR    Agriculture and Forestry

EAID     Foreign Economic Assistance

EAIR     Civil Aviation

ECIN    Economic Integration and Cooperation

ECON    Economic Conditions

ECPS    Communications and Postal Systems

EFIN     Financial and Monetary Affairs

EFIS     Commercial Fishing and Fish Processing

EIND    Industry and Manufacturing

EINT     Economic and Commercial Internet

EINV    Foreign Investments

ELAB     Labor Sector Affairs

ELTN    Land Transportation

EMIN    Minerals and Metals

ENRG    Energy and Power

EPET     Petroleum and Natural Gas

ETRD    Foreign Trade

ETTC     Trade and Technology Controls

EWWT  Waterborne Transportation

MARR   Military and Defense Arrangements

MASS    Military Assistance and Sales

MCAP    Military Capabilities

MNUC   Military Nuclear Applications

MOPS   Military Operations

OIIP     International Information Programs

ODIP    U.S. Diplomatic Representation

OEXC    Educational and Cultural Exchange Operations

OFDP    Foreign Diplomats and Foreign Missions

OPDC    Diplomatic Correspondence

OPRC    Public Relations and Correspondence

OREP    U.S. Congressional Travel

OSCI    Science Grants

OTRA    Travel

OVIP    Visits and Travel of Prominent Individuals and Leaders

PARM   Arms Controls and Disarmament

PBTS    National Boundaries, Territories, and Sovereignty

PGOV    Internal Government Affairs

PHSA    High Seas Affairs

PHUM   Human Rights

PINR    Intelligence

PINS    National Security

PNAT    National Independence

PREF    Refugees

PREL    External Political Relations

PROP    Propaganda and Psychological Operations

PTER    Terrorists and Terrorism

S     

SCUL    Cultural Affairs

SENV    Environmental Affairs

SMIG    Migration

SNAR    Narcotics

SOCI    Social Conditions

T     

TBIO    Biological and Medical Science

TDTA     Data & Analytics

TINT     Internet Technology

TNGD    Engineering Research and Development

TPHY    Physical Sciences

TRGY    Energy Technology

TSPA    Space Activities

TSPL     Science and Technology Policy

5 FAH-3 H-011.2  TAGS and Program (K) TAGS

(CT:TAGS-89;   05-24-2021)

TAGS    Program (K) TAGS

KACT    Strategic Arms Control (ACS) Treaties

KALM    A Logistical Modernization Approach (ALMA) Program

KAWC   Atrocities and War Crimes

KBCT    Arab League Boycott

KBNC    U.S.-South Africa Binational Com.

KCCP    Classified Connectivity Deployment Program

KCFE     Conventional Armed Forces in Europe

KCIP     Critical Infrastructure Protection

KCIS     Posts Classified Information Handling

KCOG    Continuity of the Federal Governmen

KCOR    Corruption and Anti-Corruption

KCRM   Criminal Activity

KCSY    Consular Systems

KDEM    Democratization

KEAI     Enterprise for the Americas Initiative

KECF     The U.S.-Africa Economic Cooperation Forum

KEMS    Electronic Messaging Systems

KESS     Emergency Security Supplemental

KFAM    Foreign Affairs Manual Policies

KFLO    Family Liaison

KFPC    Foreign Policy Trade Controls and East/West Trade

KFRD    Fraud Prevention Programs

KFSC     Financial Service Center Operations

KGCC    Gore-Chernomyrdin Commission

KGCN    Government-to-Government Claims Negotiations

KGHA    Greater Horn of Africa Initiative

KGLB    Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment (GLOBE)

KHDP    Humanitarian Demining Program

KHIV    Emerging Infectious Diseases and HIV/AIDS Programs

KICA     International Cooperative Administrative Support Services

KICR    International Coral Reef Initiative

KICT     Iran-U.S. Claims Tribunal

KIDE     Investment Disputes and Property Expropriations

KIMT    Information Management Training

KIPR    Intellectual Property Rights

KIRC    Information Resource Centers

KIRF     International Religious Freedom

KISL     Islamic Issues

KJRE     Joint Reorganization Effort

KJUS     Administration of Justice

KLIG     Foreign Litigation

KLSO    Language Support Operations

KMDR   Media Reaction Reporting

KMFO    Multinational Force Observers

KMSG    Marine Security Guard Program

KNAR    Nazi Assets and Restitution

KNEI    Northern Europe Initiative (NEI)

KNET    Department of State Telecommunications Network (DOSTN) Program

KNNP   Nuclear Non-Proliferation

KNSD    North-South Dialogue

KOCI    Children’s Issues

KOFO    Open Forum Operations

KOGL    Open Source and Gray Literature

KOLY    Olympic Games Reporting

KOMC   Export Control of Defense Articles and Defense Services

KONP   OpenNet Plus Program

KPAL    Palestinian Affairs

KPAM    Property Accountability Management

KPAO    Public Affairs Office

KPAP    Overseas Presence Advisory Panel (OPAP)

KPKO    United Nations Peacekeeping Operations

KPLS     Polls, Survey Research and Focus Groups

KPOW   Prisoners of War/Missing in Action

KPRV    Privatization

KPWR   Power Support Program

KRAD    Radioactive Contamination of the Environment

KREC    Reciprocity

KRIM    Regional Information Management Centers

KRVC    Research Vessel Clearances

KSAC    Security Advisory Council

KSAF     Safety Program

KSCA    Science Counselors and Attachés

KSEI     Southeast European Cooperative Initiative

KSEO    Security Engineering Operations

KSEP    Special Embassy Program

KSLG    Secure Logistics

KSPR    Strategic, Performance and Resource Planning

KSRK    Visas Shark Communication

KSTC    Strategic Trade and Technology Controls

KSTT     State Transition Team

KSUM    Summit Meetings

KTDB    National Trade Data Bank

KTEX    Textiles

KTIA     Treaties and International Agreements

KUNC    United Nations Compensation Commission

KUNR   UN Reform

KVIR    Computer Virus and/or Anti-Virus Program

KVPR    Visas VIPER Communications

KWBG   West Bank and Gaza

KWIR   Wireless

KWMN  Women Issues

KWPA   Worldwide Property Accountability

KWWW World Wide Web Sites

5 FAH-3 H-011.3  Sample TAGS Line

CT:TAGS-66;   06-13-2016)

TAGS:  ETRD KNSD UNCTAD US JA (HUDSON, J D)

LineETRD KNSD        UNCTAD    US JA        (HUDSON, J D)

 

LineLineLineLineLineSUBJECT   PROGRAM (K)   SUBJECT   GEO-POLITICAL SUBJECT

Title: personality - Description: The word personality in all caps inside of a rectangle with a arrow going to the right to the next rectangleTitle: Organization - Description: The word organization in all caps inside of a rectangle with a arrow going to the right to the next rectangleTitle: TAGS - Description: The word TAGS in all caps inside of a rectangle with a arrow going to the right to the next rectangleTitle: TAGS - Description: The word TAGS in all caps inside of a rectangle with a arrow going to the right to the  next squareTitle: tags - Description: The word tags in all caps inside of a rectangle with a arrow going to the right to the next rectangle

TAGS         TAGS         ORGANIZATION          TAGS                 PERSONALITY

 

5 FAH-3 H-012  INTRODUCTION:  THE FOREIGN AFFAIRS HANDBOOK

5 FAH-3 H-012.1  Description

(CT:TAGS-83;   04-15-2019)

The Foreign Affairs Handbook (FAH) is an extension of the Foreign Affairs Manual (FAM).  It supplements the FAM by providing implementing guidelines and procedures for policies and regulations contained in the FAM’s respective volume (e.g., a handbook with a prefix number of “6” supplements Volume 6, General Services).  In some instances, a handbook may contain guidelines for other Federal agencies (e.g., USAID, USDA, Commerce).  Each FAH begins with a prefix number and ends with a suffix number, indicating the number of the handbook within a specific series (e.g., 6 FAH-1 General Services Handbook).  Material within a handbook has the same regulatory force, validity, and application as material within a FAM volume.  Please see 18 FAM 201.1 Directives for more information about the Foreign Affairs Manual and Foreign Affairs Handbook.

5 FAH-3 H-012.2  Handbook Subject

(CT:TAGS-66;   06-13-2016)

The content and scope of this handbook are:

5 FAH-3—TAGS/TERMS Handbook:  Uniform procedures for organizing and managing the information of the Department of State.

5 FAH-3 H-012.3  Format

(CT:TAGS-83;   04-15-2019)

a. The FAH is divided into volumes reflecting major functions. Each volume is divided into chapters, subchapters, and sections (or subsections, always commonly referred to as sections).  At the beginning of each chapter, the chapter title and number are centered, in all capitals, and placed above the first subchapter of each chapter.  Chapter numbers are H-000, H-100, H-200, etc.  Each chapter can have nine subchapters, those for Chapter H-100 being H-110, H-120, H-130, etc., through H-190.  Subchapter numbers and titles are centered, in all capitals, at the top of the subchapter’s first page except for subchapters H-110, H-210, H-310, etc., which have the chapter title and number.  Each section can have nine major subdivisions, for example H-111, H-112, H-113, etc., through H-119.

b. Subsections begin at the .1 level, the next subdivision at .1-1.  After the first sectional level, a number larger than nine is permissible, for example: H-111.35, or H-111.1-13.  Although two further subdivisions of sections are possible (respectively, parenthetical capital letters in alphabetical order; parenthetical small roman numerals in numerical order), divisions below the hyphenated digit level are strongly discouraged.  All heading numbers and titles are done in bold.  The numbering format is:

H-100  CHAPTER

H-110  SUBCHAPTER

H-111  SECTION

H-111.1  Section

H-111.1-1  Section

c.  When a section contains more than one paragraph, each paragraph is identified by a letter identification.  The descending order of paragraphs and subparagraphs are:  a.; (1); and (a).  If a section contains only one paragraph followed by two or more subordinate paragraphs (identified as subparagraphs), the single (main) paragraph is not lettered but subparagraphs are identified by parenthetical numbers or letters, depending on their degree of subordination.

d. The effective date of any given material is the issuance date of the transmittal letter, indicated by the CT line immediately below the subchapter or section, in italics.  For example:

(CT:FMH-1;   xx-xx-20xx)

e. If the issuance date is different than the effective date, the effective date is shown on the line immediately following the issuance date.  For example:

      (CT:FMH-1;   xx-xx-20xx)
(Effective Date:  xx-xx-20xx)

f.  Sections that are applicable to other agencies are indicated as part of the CT line.  For example:

      (CT:FMH-1;   xx-xx-20xx)
(Uniform State/USAID)

g. Substantive offices can also show that the material, although unchanged for a period of time, was reviewed and is still valid.  For example:

    (CT:VISA-12;   xx-xx-20xx)
(Revalidated  xx-xx-20xx; CA/P)

5 FAH-3 H-012.4  Maintenance

(CT:TAGS-83;   04-15-2019)

a. FAH volumes are a necessary part of the Department’s supplies and, as such, are to be retained by the office or post.  As the articulation and record of the Department’s regulations, policies, and procedures, the FAH must be kept current.  It is strongly recommended that offices and posts include FAH maintenance as part of the job descriptions of designated employees.  Responsibilities for FAH maintenance include:

(1)  Keeping only necessary handbooks on hand and making them readily available;

(2)  Distributing new material promptly;

(3)  Ensuring that each handbook holder (including officers) is accountable for maintaining the FAH in current status; and

(4)  Ensuring that FAH materials are retained by the office or post when handbook holders/users depart for home leave, reassignment, transfer, or TDY for use by their substitutes or successors.

b. Changes are issued by change transmittals (CTs), and replacements are made by subchapter.

c.  Although lists of CTs are issued occasionally, direct questions concerning the update and/or revision status of FAH materials to A/GIS/DIR.  Also direct questions concerning FAH content, format, style, etc., to A/GIS/DIR.  For substantive interpretations of content, contact the responsible office, which is listed in the change transmittal.

5 FAH-3 H-012.5  Intranet

(CT:TAGS-66;   06-13-2016)

The Foreign Affairs Manual and its supplemental Foreign Affairs Handbook series are available on the Department of State's Intranet site.  This is the official electronic version of these materials.  Regulations are updated on the website as they are issued and generally available before alternative formats are released.

5 FAH-3 H-012.6  Requests

(CT:TAGS-83;   04-15-2019)

a. Direct requests for copies to A/GIS/GPS.  Distribution changes and direct public requests for FAH materials should be sent to A/GIS/GPS, Room B934.  All requests must be in writing.

b. Clear all requests through the post administrative officer or bureau executive director, and provide your funding information when submitting requests.  Use KFAM and AINF on all official communications.

c.  Each Change Transmittal includes the cost printed at the bottom of the first page.  Requesters may obtain the cost of CTs issued under this system by contacting A/GIS/GPS at (202) 736-7470.

5 FAH-3 H-013  TAGS/TERMS:  THE SYSTEM

(CT:TAGS-83;   04-15-2019)

NOTE:  This section is undergoing revisions, please contact Records@state.gov for assistance with requesting new TAGS.

a. Information is the major product of the Department of State.  It is gathered, used, rearranged, generated, and disseminated on a vast range of subjects every working day.  Organizing and managing that information is the basis for the TAGS/Terms System.  TAGS (Traffic Analyses by Geography and Subject) and Terms work together to provide an easy to use, subject-oriented means to store and later find all of the information.  The following paragraphs will identify the principal TAGS/Terms System components, and then briefly describe how to use them.

b. TAGS are of three general types:  Subject TAGS are four-letter acronyms that identify broad, general subject matters, Geo-Political TAGS (2 letters) identify specific world locations, Program (or K) TAGS are used to identify information relevant to a specific Program (e.g., The Post Reporting Program, and the Olympic Committee).  There are two other categories that are relevant:  Personalities and Organizations.

c.  Every cable that is generated must have at least one Subject TAGS to indicate the general subject content of that communication, although as many Subject TAGS as may be appropriate should be used.  The TAGS are assigned by the originator.  TAGS are needed to give the recipient clear clues as to the content, and future researchers the capability to easily retrieve the communication.

d. In addition to the various TAGS, the originator should use very specific, words (Terms) in the message title subject line (or summary).  These additional words further refine the material and will aid in identifying the information at a later date.

e. Terms that have been found to be useful for information retrieval are collected and listed in the last major section of the TAGS/Terms Handbook (the “TERMDEX”).  Each Term in that list also shows Subject TAGS that commonly relate to the Term listed. However, no individual Term is irrevocably tied to any given Subject TAGS.  The grouping given in the Termdex simply reflects past usage and may be of assistance to a drafter in finding subject matter being communicated.  In a similar fashion, the Terms that are listed with each of the Subject TAGS entries in the Subject TAGS section are listed to give drafters more precise, narrower, reflections of subject content when preparing either a document title line or summary paragraph based on a given Subject TAGS.

f.  Importantly, each Term listed is an agreed upon, “chosen” Term representing synonymous, or closely related analogous Terms.  For instance “Artist” is shown in place of musician, painter, and sculptor, because it was the Term of choice for that general category.  Each Term shown has been the specific subject of examination by A/GIS/IPS.  Officers and staff from all bureaus and extensive communications with posts were included in the review process.  The primary factors in choosing each Term was its “representativeness” of its own group of synonyms and the assumed likelihood of its future choice by an information searcher as an information retrieval tool.  Within those considerations, it is useful and important for drafters, indexers and document filers to use these selected Terms in titles, summaries and on file folder tabs (for detailed examples of TAGS and Terms as filing categories see Section VI).

g. Finally, the lists of Terms in the Termdex and with individual Subject TAGS are not at all meant to be final, exclusive lists.  Please add new Terms as needed to fit your own office or post needs.  If you add new Terms please send a memo to A/GIS/IPS.  Please DO NOT add Terms that are synonyms for existing, listed Terms.  The synonyms subvert the process of retrieval of information and can invalidate or confuse the search results.

h. Requests for new TAGS must be in writing (approved by a DAS-level in the requesting office/post) addressed to A/GIS/IPS.  Please include a brief description of the TAGS, a suggested TAGS acronym and title, frequently used Terms (if a new Subject TAGS), and justification for the creation of a new TAGS.  Also include a point of contact if we have questions.  In the case of Program (K) TAGS, we will also need the symbol of the office/bureau that will have action on these cables.  If the action office is not always the same office but depends on the subject matter, please indicate this.  IPS also approves other TAGS line items such as organization acronyms and terms.  Please include any changes to “Organizations” and “Terms” from the Termdex.  IPS will evaluate the request and notify you of the status.  Once approved, IPS will prepare an ALDAC cable and Department Notice announcing the new TAGS and notify the offices in IRM that must update their cable handling systems to accept it.  The requesting office/post will need to notify the communications center/system manager to ensure your cable profiles (AMAPS and CableExpress) are updated to indicate your interest in cables tagged with the new TAGS and that these are distributed to your office.

5 FAH-3 H-014  TAGS ARE YOUR TICKET TO FOREIGN AFFAIRS EVENTS!

(CT:TAGS-66;   06-13-2016)

Graphic of a football stadium and a ticket to a game.

a. The documents that are created at the Department and the posts describe foreign affairs events.  TAGS are used to organize and retrieve these documents.  The following illustrations are provided to show you why TAGS are vital to information location and retrieval.

Graphic of a football stadium with "political," "administrative," and "economic" as sections, and a ticket stub to a game.

b. When you attend a sporting event, play, etc., before you get to your seat you must first find the proper section.  When using TAGS/Terms, the same is also true.  In the case of TAGS/Terms, the TAGS group is the same as a section at a social event, because before you choose the proper TAGS, you must choose the correct Subject TAGS group.  TAGS are made up of nine subject groups:  Administration, Business, Consular, Economic, Military & Defense, Operations, Political, Social, and Technology & Science.

Graphic of the "economic" section in football stadium showing rows with each row assigned a TAGS, one with Terms, and a ticket stub to a game identifying the TAGS group and TAGS.

c.  Once the proper section has been identified, you must then find your row.  When dealing with TAGS/Terms, the rows are the TAGS within each Subject TAGS group.  In the Economic section, for instance, the rows are EAGR, EAID, EAIR, ECON, etc.

Graphic of the "economic" section in football stadium showing rows with each row assigned a TAGS, one with Terms, and a ticket stub to a game identifying the TAGS group, TAGS, and Term.

d. Once the row has been found (TAGS), you must find your seat (Term).  In the example above, the TAGS is ETRD and the Term is Tariff.

Graphic of a stands vendor holding up items representing Subject Organization, Geo-Political TAGS, K TAGS, and Subject Personalities.

e. At an event one usually gets popcorn, candy or something to drink to enhance the evening.  You can do the same with your documents by using Subject Organizations, Subject Personalities, K TAGS and Geo-Political TAGS.

 

UNCLASSIFIED (U)