Legislative Study Missions
Information on Defense Department-Sponsored Visits to Turkey Gao ID: NSIAD-90-269FS August 28, 1990Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed a Department of Defense program which sent executive branch officials and congressional staff on study missions to the Republic of Turkey.
GAO found that: (1) since 1985, a total of 43 legislative participants went on 4 study missions to discuss military and political issues; (2) the estimated total cost for all trips taken by the four missions within Turkey was about $9,500; (3) the estimated round-trip transportation cost was about $133,000 for the four missions; (4) no written procedures existed for selecting mission participants; (5) most participants were selected based on their interest and availability; (6) the U.S. private sector was not involved with the program; and (7) no similar programs existed with other countries.