Series is open according to the Policy on Access to the Fund's Archives. Files will be screened by reference staff for any time restrictions
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Series consists of John Odling-Smee's chronological files containing, for the most part copies of outgoing correspondence and internal memoranda. Also, throughout there are short files and longer files with lengthy correspondence, dictated by the need and nature of the subject.
Initially a senior advisor and later a Deputy Director in charge mainly with Eastern Europe and specially Yugoslavia, since August 1991 Odling-Smee would deal mainly with the USSR in a quick process of disintegration. Since 1992 the size and importance of the tasks associated with the 15 Former Soviet Republics would convince the IMF of the need to create an independent Department (EU2) exclusively dedicated to them, that he would head as Director.
Addressees include the Managing Director, Deputy Managing Director, EU2 Deputy Directors, Assistant Director and Advisors, EU2 Division Chiefs, other Department Directors, Resident Representatives, government officials, universities and scholars, and the private sector initiative.
Files illustrate the wide spectrum of direct responsibilities of Director Odling-Smee. Of particular interest are the substantial amount of "Memorandum for Files", documenting Director Odling-Smee's thoughts, conversations, discussions, and meetings, which he had primarily with staff, senior Management, and country officials. These memoranda show the rationale behind decisions documented in the records. In addition, memoranda to the Managing Director on a variety of topics highlight Director Odling-Smee's valuable role in assisting and advising Management.
Chronological files contain records covering the administration of the department (departmental heads meetings, staff assignments, travel, leave, probationary periods, salaries/salary structure, department work program and budget, department organization, the Economist Program (EP), recruitment of experienced economists, the IMF Institute, delegation of authority, representation of expenses, gifts, and office space); its operations (Memorandums for Files, Back-to-Office Reports, Speaking Notes for the MD, Annual Meetings Briefs, Briefing Papers, Aides-Memoire, Statements, Reports to the Board, Work Programs, Notes, Pre-Membership Economic Reviews (PER), Terms of Reference, Summing-up of the PER, Opening Statements at the PER Meetings, Briefing Sheets (for the Interim Committee Meetings), Background Notes) and Use of Fund Resources: Stand-By Arrangements (SBA) and General Arrangements to Borrow (GAB).
Also present in the records are correspondence on training; IMF Annual reports; updates on the department activities; visits, appointments, and short biographies of country officials and scholars; invitations for seminars and conferences; and thank you notes. Additionally, there are comments on draft papers, speeches, statements, and on published articles and studies.
The internal and external correspondence illustrate Director Odling-Smee's approach in matters related to Special Association Status, Adjustment and Growth Prospects, External Debt, Design of a New Central Bank and Banking System, Cooperation Framework with other International Organizations, Membership of the New States from the Former Soviet Union, Statistics data to calculate quota by country, External Financial Assistance, Reform Strategy, Balance of payments, New Currencies, Technical Assistance, Price Liberalization, Stabilization Measures, Fiscal Issues, Ruble Area Agreements, Article IV Consultations, Group of creditor countries of the Former USSR and its successors, Interstate payment problems in the FSU, Establishment of the Interstate Bank (ISB), Enterprise Financing and Subsidies and Military Expenditure.