From the archives: Bureaucratic pique.

• Author: Langbart, David A.

An essential aspect of the U.S. foreign policy program, especially since the 1930s, is the use of cultural representatives abroad. Having major musicians perform overseas under the auspices of the U.S. government is a major component of the cultural program. Planning for such events did not always proceed smoothly. In June 1974, the attempt to arrange for one such event led to a unique bureaucratic response, if not the specific performance itself.

In late June 1974, the U.S. embassy in the Philippines informed the Department of State of the impending inauguration of a new folk art theater, part of a cultural complex on Manila Bay. The embassy reported that while the Philippine Government had invited ministers of culture from a number of friendly countries, and the embassy expected several "significant" attendees, the U.S. had not received such an invitation because it had no cabinet level equivalent.

The embassy further reported that the noted pianist Van Cliburn had agreed to perform concerts on July 3 and 4, just a matter of days away. In order to give Cliburn an official imprimatur, the Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs requested that the U.S. designate the performer as a "special cultural representative" or similar title. The ambassador, William Sullivan, noting that Cliburn was a "local favorite," endorsed the idea, writing that "This strikes me as an easy and painless gesture for the U.S. Government to make in order to earn a useful return of Philippine appreciation." Given the timing, however, he noted that the issue needed to be resolved quickly. [1]

The Department's same-day response was short: "Regret any USG designation or special title representing USG would require Presidential appointment." [2] At the time, President Nixon was traveling in the USSR.

The embassy responded the next day with a telegram filled with frustration. Referring to his earlier message, Ambassador Sullivan acknowledged recognizing that formal designation for Cliburn required a Presidential appointment. "That is why I sent Ref A to Washington." He also noted that some designations did not require outside approval and could be handled "expeditiously." Furthermore, Sullivan explained, he assumed that communication with the President was possible even though he was in the USSR and that White House staff knew how to make such arrangements and that the Department could "take the limited initiative to accomplish the designation." He closed with "Please...