I support the position of the chairman concerning maintaining consular posts. There is very little. if any. real savings to the American taxpayer from closing most of the consular posts that we maintain overseas. Consular workissuing visas. protecting American tourists and businessmen from the many hazards of overseas life. issuing passports to tourists who have lost them. and the likehas to be done regardless of any decision to close the consular post. Were a consulate in Strasbourg to be closed. and an American tourist finds himself arrested or otherwise stranded in Strasbourgwell. someone from Paris has to travel over to Strasbourg to meet with the American citizen and extend to him his legally awarded rights. In many countries. the consulate has been established because of domestic political controversies which the American Government recognizes as making a consulate useful to our national policy.