Since the administration of President Dwight Eisenhower, newly appointed American ambassadors have been given a presidential letter outlining their authority over U.S. government programs and personnel in the country to which they are accredited. The letter describes the ambassador or chief of mission (COM) as the personal representative of the president, with "full authority for the direction, coordination and supervision of all U.S. government executive-branch employees," except those under a combatant commander (COCOM).
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