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United States. Office of the US High Commissioner for Germany / A program to foster citizen participation in government and politics in Germany
(1951)
1. Internal Political and Governmental Affairs Division, p. 28
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Page 28
III. OPERATING RESPONSIBILITIES The objective of the total program is to assist German groups and individuals to undertake full responsibility for building democracy in Germany. HICOG participation is designed only to offer such advice and assistance as is needed to start a healthy movement and to help it until it takes root. Only those who have worked in Germany can appreciate the opposition which must be overcome, the pitfalls which must be avoided, the traditions which must be reexamined, by those Germans who challenge the authoritarian tradition. Accordingly, the pro- gram contemplates assistance to German groups at all stages of development, to assist them in getting organized, in planning and conducting meetings, carrying through their programs, issuing publica- tions, or for other purposes. HICOG will take care that its assistance does not result in control, but simply makes it possible for the Germans to form- ulate and carry out their own programs which support the objectives in which we are interested. Each of the eleven programs described in Part -II involves certain specific activities. In addition, there are general assignments of responsibility which are common to all programs. 1. Internal Political and Governmental Affairs Division The Internal Political and Governmental Affairs Division (IPG) is responsible for the development of this program in the governmental and political field. The police and traffic safety programs (Pro- gram Item 5) are the concern of the Public Safety Branch; civil liberties and legislative organization and practice (Program Items 4 and 7) of the Leg- islation Branch; and civil service and admin- istrative courts of the Civil Service Consultant. All others are under the Civic Activities Branch, which is also charged with general coordination of the entire program and with its common admin- istrative aspects. The branches named above, each in its own fields, will supervise the programs. They will work out operating details as far as that can be done at the headquarters level. Throughout they will co- ordinate with the Land Offices and resident officers to assure that the plans are realistic and practical, and with other HICOG offices concerned (see sub- division 2 below). Programs at the Federal level and some special activities will be carried out by the IPG branches directly. Generally, the execution of the program will be delegated to the Land Offices. They are given wide autonomy and freedom in discharging this responsibility, so that they may adapt the programs to varying conditions. To assure that their work re- mains consistent with the over-all plans, IPG is responsible for periodic regional conferences. IPG responsibility in connection with specific services, such as consultants, pamphlets etc. is set forth in subsequent subdivisions. 2. Other HICOG Headquarters Units A considerable number of the activities proposed in the programs involve action in fields which are the responsibility of other HICOG Headquarters units. These include the following: Office of Public Affairs The Exchanges Division has the responsibility for the exchange program, which covers U.S. and for- eign consultants brought to Germany, visits of Germans to the U.S. and foreign countries, and U.S. Information and Education fund projects. The Press and Publications Branch, Information Services Division (ISD), is concerned with relations with the German press, and the Editorial Projec- tion Branch with the transmission of information to the German press. The Radio Branch (ISD) is concerned with rela- tions with the German radio organizations. The Motion Picture Branch (ISD) is concerned with all film production for U.S. purposes in Ger- many and with relations with the motion picture producers, distributors, and exhibitors. The Education Branch, Education and Cultural Affairs Division (ECR) is concerned with the teach- ing of civics and political subjects in the schools and universities. The Community Activities Branch (ECR) is con- cerned with youth and community programs and with relations with community associations, and the Information Centers Branch with the distribu- tion of literature and other information. The Women's Affairs Branch (ECR) is concerned with all activities of women's organizations. Office of Economic' Affairs The Food and Agriculture Division is engaged in programs directed primarily to the improve- ment of conditions and practices on the farms, but is interested in the IPG program as it may con- cern the farmers' organizations. Office of Labor Affairs This office is engaged in similar work with the trade unions and other organizations of workers, and has an interest in any approach to them con- cerning political and governmental affairs. Office of General Counsel The Office of General Counsel is concerned with the courts and with legislative bodies so far as judicial and legal problems and legislation are concerned. It has an interest in political and gov- ernmental reforms in these fields. Field Division The Field Division is the arm of the U.S. High Commissioner responsible for representing the point of view of the field and should be brought into consultation when relations with the Kreis Resident Officers are involved. Each of these listed fields is touched upon by one or more of the proposed programs. Plans and activ- ities within these fields will in all cases be co- ordinated with the other organizational unit con- cerned. 3. Land Offices Work at the Land level comparable to that un- dertaken by IPG at headquarters is performed by the Political Affairs Divisions in the Offices of the 28
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