Senator. There is too much stuff going into too Many Disparate groups and it actually has made the job of the armed opposition more tough. We have to be tough with for some of our regional allies. On the ground senator, as isil has pushed out of places it will be really important to try to get help into the civil administrations. The Syrian Government wont go into those places and again these are in a sense the political side of the opposition linked to the moderate armed opposition. So the state department has worked with the dedication and resources and program money as i was pushed out of place. So there is clean water several hours a day. Maybe the schools can reopen in some places and that kind of thing. Just one more question and my time is short. We have got a lot of stock in edwards and many of us got to know him and yet we didnt support him. Trucks that were supposed to be delivered were delivered months late. I mean it was almost like, i dont even want to use the word because
They have been truly humbled by the outpouring of the encouragement and support for the decision to quit tobacco. As we go forward with the private sector to continue to take a leadership role. Es. Chair will recognize himself and Ranking Member for purposes of making Opening Statement. Without objection the Opening Statement of any other member of the committee who wishes to provide one will be included in the record. A little over two years ago, four americans serving our country in benghazi, libya, were killed. Two of them were killed when a facility emblematic of our country was set on fire. And two of them were killed when they dared to fight back and defend themselves. And others. Sean smith, chris stevens, ty woods and glen doherty represented us. They represented our country, and our values. We ask them to go. We sent them, and they were killed because some people hold a deepseated animus toward us simply because we are us. So to the family and the friends, and the loved ones o
Examined. Is that correct . Yes, sir. Mr. Starr, in our last hearing, the Inspector Generals Office released its 2014 reported on highthreat programs directorat. One of the Inspector Generals key findings in that report is that this newly created body was, quote, helped create a culture of share responsibility within the department and has forged strong partnerships with Regional Security officers and counterparts in regional and functional bureaus as well as within the inner agency community. I think thats an extremely positive finding given the fact that the accountability review board considered the lack of shared responsibility around Security Issues to be systematic failure just two years ago. Mr. Starr, could you discuss how you think the creation of the highthreat program has created a culture of shared responsibility and state department . And then my final question, to tell us, how does this culture of shared responsibility that the i. G. Praises at our embassies abroad. Thank
Understand like myself were a federal prosecutor focused on fraud type of batters. I was for 16 years. And in your finding that you undertook of the arb its my understanding that you felt and this is quoting, your most important finding was the oversight of the arb recommendations at the highest levels within the department. Is that correct . Thats correct. And what highest level were you referring to . Release of the deputy secretary level. And in your opinion is that where the implementation of the arb recommendations stands at this point . The. That remains an unresolved recommendation. We did receive revisions to the Foreign Affairs manual yesterday and we are looking at them now. And so there, that recommendation was made by the aig and the Foreign Affairs manual she specifically state to other employees of the department that these recommendations will be undertaken by the deputy at a minimum secretary of state or highest level like the deputy secretary . That is correct. You sta
This point. I think there has been a culture change in the department. I think having to weigh the importance of our programs and why were in very danger places under the vp2 process has brought a laser focus on why were there, what the real threats are and have a clear understanding of the threats, not ignoring the threats, what weve done to mitigate those flets and then a decision at the end of that is our presence still adequate and is our presence warranted, despite all these things, i think, has brought a new culture to the department in many ways. I think i have never seen security taken as seriously as it has been in the last two years. And i say that not lightly because ive been here a long time and security has been taken seriously for many, many years in the department. But i think this some of these processes we have put in place this time are new to the department and are doing exactly what the arb wanted and what youre talking about. Is it working itself into the culture .