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SECRETARIAT FUNCTIONS FOREIGN TRAVEL Foreign
Travel: It is periodically necessary for the Secretary and
Deputy Secretary to travel abroad. X-20 provides the logistical and
substantive support for these international trips/missions. Background: To fulfill the Department’s goals and objectives, it is periodically necessary that the Secretary, Deputy Secretary or Under Secretary for Policy to schedule international travel. Often travel is DOT-initiated, and at other times it is at the invitation of foreign counterparts. The Secretariat’s support for international trips encompasses preparation of conceptual itineraries for anticipated trips; arrangement and coordination of final itineraries; and coordination, preparation, compilation of briefing book materials. This support includes, but is not limited to, White House clearance for travelers; liaison with appropriate U.S. and foreign embassies; securing passports/visas; travel/hotel reservations/interpreters/ rental vehicles/cell phones/gifts; advance and security team coordination; and, the scheduling of participants for pre-trip briefings on the issues. In addition, the X-20 Office Director is often a member of the traveling delegation to provide coordination and appropriate follow-up. X-20 also serves as a control point for follow-up on agreements and commitments made by the Secretary, Deputy, or Under Secretary for Policy on behalf of the Department, and where appropriate, on behalf of the United States Government. During
the last two years, we have provided substantive and logistical support
for the Secretary’s trade and transportation missions to Europe
and South America. In addition to serving as a point of contact for
all modal and other office materials for the Secretary, we reviewed
the materials for consistency with Administration and DOT policy, briefed
the Secretary and senior staff, and accompanied the Secretary on all
of his missions and participated in the bilateral and multilateral meetings. Revised on
Friday, January 16, 2004
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