2 FAM 340
OFFICIAL PROTOCOL RELATIONS WITH FOREIGN GOVERNMENTS
(CT:GEN-529; 10-09-2018)
(Office of Origin: S/CPR)
2 FAM 341 FELICITATIONS ON LOCAL HOLIDAYS
(CT:GEN-322; 11-29-2005)
When congratulations are in order on local holidays and other festive occasions in a foreign country, the chief of mission (COM) and principal consular officers extend suitable felicitations in the manner most appropriate on behalf of the Secretary of State or the U.S. Government. However, on the one day of the year that is considered the “national day,” the U.S. President will ordinarily send a congratulatory message to the host chief of state.
2 FAM 342 CONDOLENCES UPON DEATH
(CT:GEN-322; 11-29-2005)
a. Whenever the chief of state or head of government dies, the chief of mission accredited to that state, after first notifying the Department by cable, calls on the appropriate official and expresses condolences in the name of the U.S. Government, without waiting for any approval or special instructions. A condolence cable is ordinarily sent by the U.S. President to the appropriate official or member of the bereaved family.
b. When the minister of foreign affairs or other officer of comparable rank dies, the COM shall express condolences in the name of the U.S. Government, and notify the Department of the death. Ordinarily a message of sympathy will be sent by the Secretary to the new head or acting head of the foreign ministry.
2 FAM 343 OTHER OCCASIONS
(CT:GEN-322; 11-29-2005)
When events other than those indicated in 2 FAM 341 and 2 FAM 342 appear to call for expressions of felicitation or condolence on behalf of the U.S. President, the COM or principal officer notifies the Department and requests a message. When such emergency events call for expressions of felicitation or condolence on behalf of the Secretary of State or the U.S. Government, the chief of mission or the principal officer has the discretionary authority to make whatever expression seems appropriate without requesting special instructions from the Department. Such action is reported by cable to the Department. Foreign Service posts conform to local custom in mourning the death of local officials.
2 FAM 344 ACCEPTANCE OF GIFTS ON BEHALF OF THE UNITED STATES
(CT:GEN-322; 11-29-2005)
See 2 FAM 960.
2 FAM 344.1 On Behalf of the United States or Its Political Subdivisions
(CT:GEN-322; 11-29-2005)
All officers of the Foreign Service are cautioned against taking personal responsibility for the acceptance and transmission of gifts from foreign governments or foreign citizens on behalf of the U.S. Government or any of its political subdivisions. Foreign governments should be advised that the correct channel for such gifts is through their diplomatic representatives in Washington, DC. In unusual cases, Foreign Service posts may request the advice and approval of the Chief of Protocol (see 1 FAM 025) and the Office of Legal Affairs in the Department before taking action.
2 FAM 344.2 For the President or Secretary of State
(CT:GEN-322; 11-29-2005)
Diplomatic and consular officers shall not accept or transmit gifts, testimonials or messages that citizens or nongovernmental organizations wish to present to the U.S. President or Secretary of State unless prior approval is obtained from the Department. In most cases, prospective donors are informed that the presentation must be made privately or through the diplomatic representative of the donor's government in Washington, D.C. In unusual cases, a Foreign Service post may request an exception to this prohibition from the Department.
2 FAM 345 THROUGH 349 UNASSIGNED