it does not apply where the fund or company specializes in a particular industry or commodity.

(2) Interest in an investment club or other group organized for the purpose of investing in equity or debt securities: Provided, That the fair value of the interest involved does not exceed $10,000 and that the interest does not exceed one-fourth of the total assets of the investment club or group. Where an employee covered by this exemption is a member of a group organized for the purpose of investing in equity or debt securities, the interest of the employee in any enterprise in which the group holds securities shall be based upon the employee's equity share of the holdings of the group in that enterprise.

(3) If an employee, or the employee's spouse or minor child has a present beneficial interest or a vested remainder interest under a trust, the ownership of stocks, bonds, or other corporate securities under the trust will be exempt to the same extent as provided in paragraphs (c)(1) and (2) of this section for the direct ownership of such securities. The ownership of bonds other than corporate bonds, or of shares in a mutual fund or regulated investment company, under the trust will be equally exempt and to the same extent as under paragraphs (c) (1) and (2) of this section.

(4) If an employee is an officer, director, trustee, or employee of an educational institution, or if the employee is negotiating for, or has an arrangement concerning prospective employment with such an institution, a direct financial interest which the institution has in any matter will not itself be exempt, but any financial interest that the institution may have in the matter through its holdings of securities issued by business entities will be exempt: Provided, The employee is not serving as a member of the investment committee of the institution or is not otherwise advising it on its investment portfolio.

(5) An employee may continue to participate in a bona fide pension, retirement, group life, health or accident insurance plan, or other employee welfare or benefit plan that is maintained by a business or nonprofit organization by which the employee was formerly

or

employed. Such financial interest in that organization will be exempt, except to the extent that the welfare or benefit plan is a profit-sharing stock-bonus plan and the employee's financial interest thereunder exceeds $10,000. This exemption extends also to any financial interests that the organization may have in other business activities.

(d) Nothing in this part shall be deemed to prohibit an employee from acting, with or without compensation, as agent or attorney for the employee's parents, spouse, child, or any person for whom, or for any estate for which, the employee is serving as guardian, executor, administrator, trustee, or other personal fiduciary, except in those matters in which the employee has participated personally and substantially as a Government employee, through decision, approval, disapproval, recommendation, the rendering of advice, investigation, or otherwise, or which are the subject of the employee's official responsibility, as defined in 18 U.S.C. 202(b): Provided, The head of the employee's division approves in writing.

§ 10.735-206 Economic and financial activities of employees abroad.

(a) Prohibitions in any foreign country. A U.S. citizen employee abroad is specifically prohibited from engaging in the activities listed below in any foreign country.

(1) Speculation in currency exchange. (2) Transactions at exchange rates differing from local legally available rates, unless such transactions are duly authorized in advance by the agency.

(3) Sales to unauthorized persons (whether at cost or for profit) of currency acquired at preferential rates through diplomatic or other restricted arrangements.

(4) Transactions which entail the use, without official sanction, of the diplomatic pouch.

(5) Transfers of funds on behalf of blocked nationals, or otherwise in violation of U.S. foreign funds and assets control.

(6) Independent and unsanctioned private transactions which involve an employee as an individual in violation of

applicable control regulations of foreign governments.

(7) Acting as a intermediary in the transfer of private funds from persons in one country to persons in another country, including the United States.

(8) Permitting use of one's official title in any private business transactions or in advertisements for business purposes.

(b) Prohibitions in country of assignment. (1) A U.S. citizen employee shall not transact or be interested in any business or engage for profit in any profession or undertake other gainful employment in any country or countries to which the employee is assigned or detailed in the employee's own name or through the agency of any other person; exceptions may be made with respect to chiefs of mission only in writing by the Deputy Under Secretary for Management and for all other State employees by the appropriate chief of mission; for AID employees by the assistant administrator of the regional bureau or head of the nonregional organization, as appropriate; and for ICA employees by the Director of Personnel Services, or their designees (see 22 U.S.C. 805).

(2) A U.S. citizen employee shall not invest in real estate or mortgages on properties located in the employee's country of assignment. The purchase of a house and land for personal occupancy is not considered a violation of this paragraph.

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(3) A U.S. citizen employee shall not invest money in bonds, shares or stocks of commercial headquartered in the country of assignment or conducting a substantial portion of their business in such country. Such investments, if made prior to knowledge of assignment or detail to such country or countries, may be retained during such assignment or detail when approved in writing by the appropriate official named in paragraph (b)(1) of this section. If retention is authorized, such stocks, shares, or bonds may not be sold while the employee is assigned or detailed to the country or countries, unless the agency approved the sale in writing.

(4) A U.S. citizen employee shall not sell or dispose of personal property, including automobiles, at prices produc

ing profits to the employee which result primarily from import privileges derived from the employee's official status as an employee of the U.S. Government. Employees of State and ICA are referred to Foreign Affairs Manual Circular 378; for AID see Handbook 23, Attachment 1B.

(c) Acceptance of employment by members of family abroad. Family members of Foreign Service personnel may accept gainful employment in a foreign country unless such employment (1) would violate any law of such country or of the U.S.; or (2) could damage the interests of the U.S., as certified in writing to the family member by the Chief of the U.S. Diplomatic Mission in such country. A copy of such certification will be sent to the Family Liaison Office (M/FLO), Department of State. Family members accepting employment abroad should bear in mind that they may not enjoy immunity from judicial process and would be subject to the payment to taxes derived from their nondiplomatic employment.

(d) Business activities of non-U.S. citizen employees. A non-U.S citizen employee abroad may engage in outside business activities with the prior approval of the head of the overseas establishment on the basis of the standards expressed in § 10.735-204(a).

§ 10.735-207 Use of Government property.

An employee shall not directly or indirectly use, or allow the use of Government property of any kind, including property leased to the Government, for other than officially approved activities. An employee has a positive duty to protect and conserve Government property, including equipment, supplies, and other property entrusted or issued to the employee.

$10.735-208 Misuse of information.

For the purpose of furthering a private interest, an employee shall not, except as provided in §10.735-204(c) directly or indirectly use, or allow the use of, official information obtained through or in connection with Government employment which has not been made available to the general public.

§ 10.735-209 Indebtedness.

An employee shall pay each just financial obligation in a proper and timely manner, especially one imposed by law such as Federal, State, or local taxes. For the purpose of this section, a "just financial obligation” means one acknowledged by the employee or reduced to judgement by a court or one imposed by law such as Federal, State, or local taxes, and "in a proper and timely manner" means in a manner which the agency determines does not, under the circumstances, reflect adversely on the Government as the employer. In the event of dispute between an employee and an alleged creditor, this section does not require an agency to determine the validity or amount of the disputed debt.

§ 10.735-210 Gambling, betting, and lotteries.

An employee shall not participate, while on Government-owned or leased property or while on duty for the Government, in any gambling activity including the operation of a gambling device, in conducting a lottery or pool, in a game for money or property, or in selling or purchasing a numbers slip or ticket. However, this section does not preclude activities:

(a) Necessitated by an employee's law enforcement duties; or

(b) Under section 3 of Executive Order 10927 and similar agency-approved activities.

§ 10.735-211 Activities relating to private organizations and politics.

(a) Definition. For the purpose of this section, the term private organization denotes any group of persons or associations organized for any purpose whatever, except an organization established by the Government of the United States, or officially participated in by State, AID, or ICA.

(b) Participation in activities of employee organizations. An employee may join or refrain from joining employee organizations or associations without interference, coercion, restraint, or fear of discrimination or reprisal.

(c) Participation in activities of private organizations. In participating in the program and activities of any private organization, an employee shall make

clear that the employee's agency has no official connection with such organization and does not necessarily sponsor or sanction the viewpoints which it may express.

(d) Legal restrictions on membership in certain organizations. An employee shall not have membership in any organization that advocates the overthrow of our constitutional form of Government in the United States, knowing that such organization So advocates (5 U.S.C. 7311, 18 U.S.C. 1918).

(e) Private organizations concerned with foreign policy or other matters of concern to agencies. (1) Limitation on participation. When a private organization is concerned primarily with foreign policy or international relations or other matters of concern to an em

ployee's agency, an employee shall limit connection therewith as follows: Unless specifically permitted to do so, the employee may not serve as advisor, officer, director, teacher, sponsor, committee chairman, or in any other official capacity or permit the employee's name to be used on a letterhead, in a publication, in an announcement or news story, or at a public meeting, regardless of whether the employee's official title or connection is mentioned. The provisions of this section are not intended to prohibit the normal and active participation of an employee in professional organizations such as the American Political Science Association, the American Economic Association, the American Foreign Service Association, and similar organizations, since such participation is in the interest of both the employee and the Government. Employees are expected, however, to exercise discretion in such activities and are held personally accountable for any improper use of their relationship with State, AID, and ICA. (2) Request for special permission. Special permission to assume or continue a connection prohibited by paragraph (e)(1) of this section may be granted in cases where the public interest will not be adversely affected. To request such permission, or to determine whether the provisions are applicable to a particular case, the employee shall address a memorandum setting forth all of the circumstances

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to the appropriate officer. The appropriate officer is for State, the Director General and Director of Personnel; for AID, the Senior Personnel Officer under whose jurisdiction the employee serves; and for ICA, the Director of Personnel Services.

(3) Application to senior officers. Because of the prominence resulting from their official positions, chiefs of mission and other senior officers should recognize the particular bearing of the provisions of paragraph (e)(1) of this section upon their activities. They should restrict association with any organizations involving foreign nations and the United States to simple membership and should not accept even honorary office in such organizations except with the specific prior approval as provided in paragraph (e)(2) of this section.

(f) Private organizations not concerned with foreign policy. When the purpose and program of the organization do not fall primarily within the field of foreign policy or international relations, the employee's activity is limited only to the following extent:

(1) The employee's official title or connection may be used to identify the employee, as in a civic association election, but may not be used on a letterhead, in a publication, or otherwise so as to employ the prestige of the U.S. Government to enhance that of the organization or to imply official sponsorship.

(2) When the employee is a representative of an association consisting of State, AID, or ICA employees, or of a group of such employees, the employee's connection with the agency may be freely used so long as there is no implication of official sponsorship beyond that which may have been officially approved.

(g) Political activities abroad. A U.S. citizen employee shall not engage in any form of political activity in any foreign country.

(h) Activities relating to U.S. politics. The law (5 U.S.C. 7324, formerly the Hatch Act) provides in summary that it is unlawful for any Federal employee of the executive branch to use the employee's official authority or influence for the purpose of interfering with an election or affecting the result thereof,

or to take any active part in political management or in political campaigns. These restrictions do not in any way affect the right of a Federal employee (1) to vote as the employee chooses; (2) to express personal political opinions, except as part of a campaign; (3) to make or refrain from making contributions to political organizations, provided contributions are not made in a Federal building or to another Federal officer or employee (see 18 U.S.C. 602, 603, 607, and 608); (4) to participate in local, nonpartisan activities.

§ 10.735-212 Wearing of uniforms.

(a) An employee of the Foreign Service may not wear any uniform except as may be authorized by law or as a military commander may require civilians to wear in a theater of military operations (22 U.S.C. 803). When an employee is authorized by law or required by a military commander of the United States to wear a uniform, care shall be taken that the uniform is worn only at authorized times and for authorized purposes.

(b) Conventional attire worn by chauffeurs, elevator operators, and other miscellaneous employees are not considered uniforms within the meaning of this section except that, for ICA, MOA VII 917.2b prohibits the purchase from Agency funds of uniforms or any item of personal wearing apparel other than special protective clothing.

§ 10.735-213 Recommendations for employment.

(a) Making recommendations in official capacity. In general, an employee shall not, in the employee's official capacity, make any recommendations in connection with the employment of persons unless the position concerned are with the Government of the United States and the recommendations are made in response to an inquiry from a Government official authorized to employ persons or to investigate applicants for employment. A principal officer in answer to a letter of inquiry from outside the U.S. Government concerning a former employee assigned to the post, may state the length of time the person was employed at the post and the fact that the former employee

performed duties in a satisfactory manner, if such is the case. Also, an AID Mission Director may provide names of persons or firms from which a cooperating government may select an employee or firm to be used in some phase of the AID program.

(b) Making personal recommendations. An employee may make a personal recommendation in connection with the employment of any person, including present or former employees, their spouses and/or members of their families, except for employment in a position of trust or profit under the government of the country to which the employee is accredited or assigned (22 U.S.C. 806(b)): Provided, That the employee does not divulge any information concerning the person derived from official sources. When a letter of introduction or recommendation is written by an employee, precautionary measures should be taken to prevent its being construed as official correspondence and used by an unscrupulous individual to impress American or foreign officials. Accordingly, official stationery should not be used for this purpose. The letter may, however, show the recommending employee's status as an employee of the U. S. Government. Every personal letter of recommendation shall contain a statement clearly indicating that the letter constitutes a personal recommendation and is not to be construed as an official recommendation by the Government of the United States.

§ 10.735–214 Transmitting communications and gifts.

(a) Correspondence. In corresponding with anyone other than the proper official of the United States with regard to the public affairs of a foreign government, an employee shall use discretion and judgment to ensure that neither the United States nor the employee will be embarrassed or placed in a compromising position (22 U.S.C. 806(a)).

(b) Communications. An employee shall not act as an agent for the transmission of communications from private persons or organizations in foreign countries to the President or to Federal, State, or municipal officials in the United States. A chief of mission may, however, accept communications

of this nature and forward them to the Department of State for such further action as may be appropriate, whenever the chief of mission determines it to be clearly in the public interest to do so.

(c) Gifts. An employee shall not act as an agent for the transmission of gifts from persons or organizations in foreign countries to the President or to Federal, State, or municipal officials of the United States. However, principal officers may, according to regulations prescribed by the President, accept, and forward to the Office of Protocol of the Department of State, gifts made to the United States or to any political subdivision thereof by the Government to which they are accredited or from which they hold exequaturs. Employees shall not, without the approval of the Secretary of State, transmit gifts from persons or organizations in the United States to heads or other officials of foreign states.

$10.735-215 General conduct prejudicial to the Government.

(a) An employee shall not engage in criminal, infamous, dishonest, immoral, or notoriously disgraceful conduct, or other conduct prejudicial to the Government.

(b) An employee abroad is also obligated to obey the laws of the country in which the employee is present.

(c) An employee shall observe the requirements of courtesy, consideration, and promptness in dealing with or serving the public.

§ 10.735-216 Miscellaneous provisions.

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Each employee shall become quainted with each statute that relates to the employee's ethical and other conduct as an agency employee of and of the Government.

(a) The attention of employees is directed to the following statutory provisions:

(1) House Concurrent Resolution 175, 85th Congress, 2d session, 72 Stat. B12, the "Code of Ethics for Government Service."

(2) Chapter 11 of title 18, United States Code, relating to bribery, graft, and conflicts of interest, as appropriate to the employees concerned.