cial subjects requested or contributed by experts.

The conference was highlighted by a confrontation of concepts as to the reciprocal relationships between population growth and development.

Papers and discussions by representatives from English-speaking countries, and by experts from United Nations agencies, generally stressed that rapid population growth seriously hampers efforts at development.

These papers and discussions maintained that programs to slow population growth should be an essential part of overall development efforts.

On the other hand, a minority of the representatives-primarily from French-speaking countries of Africa -attacked this view as "Neo-Malthusian."

In papers and discussions, they held that a complete restructuring of the trade relations of former colonial countries with the industrialized nations and of the internal economies of the developing countries, particularly in the rural areas, were essential preconditions for any significant reduction in the fertility of their peoples.

As a contribution to the conference, the Department, AID and USIA provided a population "clock" and a 14-panel exhibit. The clock shows in lighted figures the growth of the population of the world, the developed nations, and the less developed nations. It also presents the principal facts of world population growth and its major effects on the development of African countries.

The theme symbol of the U.S. exhibit was a recent photograph of the earth taken by U.S. astronauts, showing the continent of Africa in the center of the picture.

The population clock and exhibit will be on view in Ghana for several weeks. It will be sent later to other countries where it will be displayed by AID and USIS offices.

At the conclusion of the conference Philander P. Claxton, Jr., Special Assistant to the Secretary for Population Matters and a member of the U.S. official Observer Delegation, presented a framed copy of the theme photo to the President of the conference, Dr. Jones Ofori-Atta, Ministerial Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister of Ghana.

The photo was presented on behalf of the U.S. Observer Delegation in commemoration of the conference and in appreciation for Ghana's many courtesies as host.

Other members of the U.S. official Observer Delegation were:

A Foreign Policy
Briefing for Young
Political Leaders

"Politics is a profession-a serious, complicated and in a sense a noble one"-General Dwight D. Eisenhower.

This was the theme of a special message from President Nixon to young political leaders attending a Foreign Policy Conference in the Department on December 2 and 3.

The President's message was read at the opening session by John Richardson, Jr., Assistant Secretary for Educational and Cultural Affairs and Acting Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs, who welcomed the 200 delegates from 41 states, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia.

Attending the meeting were state legislators, mayors, elected officers of the Young Republicans and Young Democrats and members of the American Council of Young Political Leaders-all under 40.

Secretary Rogers was host at an evening reception for the young politicians, many of whom were visiting the Department for the first time.

This was the Department's second annual foreign policy conference for young elected officials at the state level.

They expressed warm praise for the conference which included discussions on the Middle East, India-Pakistan, AID, the New Economic Policy and other current foreign policy problems.

Among the 25 participants in the day-and-a-half program were Mr. Richardson; John Hannah, Administrator, Agency for International Development; Ambassador George Bush, U.S. Representative to the United Nations; Marshall Green, Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs; William D. Blair, Jr., Deputy Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs; Rodger P. Davies, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Near Eastern and South Asian Affairs; Richard T. Davies, Deputy Assistant Secretary for European Affairs; Sidney Weintraub, Deputy Assistant Secretary for International Finance and Development; Leon Sloss, Director, Office of International Security Policy and Planning; and Nelson Gross, Senior Adviser to the Secretary and Coordinator for International Narcotics Matters.

RIO DE JANEIRO-After 164 years as a principal U.S. diplomatic mission, the Embassy here on November 1, 1971, became a Consulate General.

This change in status marked completion of the gradual transfer of U.S. diplomatic activities to Brasilia, since 1960 the capital of Brazil. An Embassy office there was opened at that time, operating first in an automobile trailer and since April 1961 in an interim chancery building.

Ambassador William M. Rountree, upon arriving in Brazil in November

1970, made his principal residence in Brasilia. Final touches are now being given there to a residence for the Ambassador. Construction of an enlarged chancery is scheduled for next year. The previous Embassy residence in Rio, long known for its graciousness and beauty, is to be sold.

Many United States Government activities will continue to be based in the Rio Consulate General, keeping it among the largest diplomatic and consular posts. Principal Officer in Rio is C. A. Boonstra, Career Minister and former Ambassador to Costa Rica.

More than 300 members and guests attended the Ninth Annual Ball sponsored by the International Diplonots Club in the Department's Diplomatic Functions Area on November 20.

Co-hosts were Joseph F. Donelan, Jr., Assistant Secretary for Administration, and Mrs. Donelan.

Other distinguished guests at the head table with President Dean Miller, of State, and Vice President Reg Glover, of the Embassy of Canada, were Counselor of Embassy Reginald de Warren, Embassy of France; Counselor of Embassy and Mrs. Ernest Andres, Embassy of Switzerland; Counselor for Administration and Mrs. Lorne V. Ryan, Embassy of Canada; and First Secretary and Mrs. Susantha de Alwis, Embassy of Ceylon.

The formal ball also featured a buffet.

On December 14 Counselor of Embassy for Administration and Mrs. Charles L. Booth hosted the Club's annual Christmas party in the Rotunda of the British Embassy.

The 100 members and guests were served a typically British dinner and the British Embassy Players provided entertainment. After the dinner the guests exchanged gifts.

The Diplonots will be the guests of Ambassador Neville Kanakaratne of Ambassador Neville Kanakaratne of Ceylon at the Embassy of Ceylon on January 28. The evening event will include native foods, and films.

"Many interesting events for the coming months are now in the planning stages. Announcements will be ning stages. Announcements will be sent to members when the arrangements are completed," Mr. Miller said.

Employees to Review Their Personnel Data Stored in Computers

All employees of the Department soon will have the opportunity for regular review of their personnel data stored in the Department computer record.

Beginning in February, employees whose birthdays fall in the preceding month will receive a Personnel Audit Report (PAR) for review.

The PAR contains 33 basic personnel data items which are to be checked for accuracy and currency. In addition to factual items such as number of dependents and legal residence, there are included preference data on assignments and training.

Correct preferences and transfer eligibility dates are essential to the assignment process, and they should be checked closely.

Each employee will receive two copies of the PAR, with separate instructions. One copy is to be returned within 30 days to PER/PMS/PA if corrections are necessary, with the changes noted directly on the returned copy.

The success of PAR distribution

to the Foreign Service in February 1970 and to the Civil Service in March 1971 has resulted in this implementation of an annual mailing to all employees.

The importance of the data argues for the prompt return of changes. Every employee will now have an assured regular method of review and correction of essential data in the Department's master computerized personnel file.

Ivie Will Advise On
Staff Corps Matters

John K. Ivie, FSSO-5, has been named Staff Assistant to the Director of Personnel with the principal responsibility of advising him on general Staff Corps matters.

eration with the Office of Staff Support, headed by Winifred Chastka, as well as with the Class Offices responsible for the assignment and counselling of Foreign Service Staff Officers. Individual counselling and assignments will continue to be the responsibilities of those offices.

Mr. Ivie was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico. From 1958 to 1962 he was a member of the United States

Marine Corps, serving among other places as a Marine Security Guard at the American Embassy in New Delhi. Joining the Department of State in 1963 as an Administrative Assistant, he has served in Ponta

Delgada, Nagoya, and Fort Lamy. He was assigned to the Directives Staff (A/DIR) from 1970 to 1971, and recently completed the Administrative Management Course at the Foreign Service Institute.