WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson plans to downgrade or completely remove more than 30 special envoy positions at the State Department, media reported.
Tillerson told Corker he would integrate certain envoys and special representative offices within the regional and functional bureaus, CNN reported on Monday, citing a letter Tillerson sent to Senator Bob Corker.
President Donald Trump's administration would ditch special envoys for Syria, South Sudan and Sudan as well as the official for the Arctic, the letter added.
As part of the State Department's restructuring plan, officials responsible for diplomatic problems, such as Mideast peace and relations with Afghanistan, will be incorporated into the existing bureaus, the media added.
The report also suggested the Office of Global Food Security would be moved to the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
On March 16, the White House rolled out a federal budget blue print for fiscal year 2018 and an outline for the remainder of fiscal year 2017. The budget alters funds for the Department of State by more than 30 percent.
