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• Homeland Security: Intergovernmental Coordination and Partnership Will Be Critical to Success, Statement of JayEtta Hecker, Director, Physical Infrastructure, Testimony before the Subcommittee on Government Efficiency, Financial Management, and Intergovernmental Relations, Committee on Government Reform, House of Representatives [July 2, 2002]

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  "In my testimony today, I will focus on the challenges facing the federal government in (1) establishing a leadership structure for homeland security, (2) defining the roles of different levels of government, (3) developing performance goals and measures, and (4) deploying appropriate tools to best achieve and sustain national goals. My comments are based on a body of GAO's work on terrorism and emergency preparedness and policy options for the design of federal assistance,1 our review of many other studies,2 and the Comptroller General's June 25, 2002, testimony on the new Department of Homeland Security (DHS) proposal. In addition, I will draw on GAO's ongoing work for this Subcommittee, including an examination of the diverse ongoing and proposed federal preparedness programs, as well as a series of case studies we are conducting that examine preparedness issues facing state and local governments. To date, we have conducted interviews of officials in four geographically diverse cities: Baltimore, Maryland; New Orleans, Louisiana; Denver, Colorado; and, Los Angeles, California. We have also interviewed state emergency management officials in these states."

  United States. General Accounting Office

  2002-07-02
• Homeland Security: Intergovernmental Coordination and Partnership Will Be Critical to Success, Statement of JayEtta Hecker, Director, Physical Infrastructure, Testimony before the Subcommittee on Government Efficiency, Financial Management, and Intergovernmental Relations, Committee on Government Reform, House of Representatives [July 1, 2002]

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  "In my testimony today, I will focus on the challenges facing the federal government in (1) establishing a leadership structure for homeland security, (2) defining the roles of different levels of government, (3) developing performance goals and measures, and (4) deploying appropriate tools to best achieve and sustain national goals. My comments are based on a body of GAO's work on terrorism and emergency preparedness and policy options for the design of federal assistance, our review of many other studies, and the Comptroller General's June 25, 2002, testimony on the new Department of Homeland Security (DHS) proposal. In addition, I will draw on GAO's ongoing work for this Subcommittee, including an examination of the diverse ongoing and proposed federal preparedness programs, as well as a series of case studies we are conducting that examine preparedness issues facing state and local governments. To date, we have conducted interviews of officials in four geographically diverse cities: Baltimore, Maryland; New Orleans, Louisiana; Denver, Colorado; and, Los Angeles, California. We have also interviewed state emergency management officials in these states."

  United States. General Accounting Office

  2002-07-01
• Universal Joint Task List

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  "The Universal Joint Task List Version 4.2 (CJCSM 3500.04C) serves as a common language and common reference system for joint force commanders, combat support agencies, operational planners, combat developers, and trainers to communicate mission requirements. It is the basic language for development of a joint mission essential task list (JMETL) or agency mission essential task list (AMETL) that identifies required capabilities for mission success. The Universal Joint Task List (UJTL), when augmented with the Service task lists, is a comprehensive integrated menu of functional tasks, conditions, measures, and criteria supporting all levels of the Department of Defense in executing the National Military Strategy."

  United States. Office of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

  2002-07-01
• Enduring Framework for Assessing the Contributions of Force Structure to a Coercive Strategy

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  From the Thesis Abstract: "The US Department of Defense is still struggling to define itself in the postcold-war age--over a decade after the new period has begun. With a strategy and force structure review occurring on average every two years, the military has still not been able to generate a consistent basis on which to justify its force structure or its strategy. This study uses a decision analysis framework as a foundation for creating such a basis. Instead of depending on leadership for guidance, which changes with destabilizing regularity, this study relies on the theories of coercion that began in the cold war era. These theories have particular value today, especially in light of the many innovations the nation has undertaken in the past decade. Modified and translated for modern conventional warfare, these theories form the basis for a framework of enduring requirements for any military force that undertakes a coercive strategy. This study develops this framework to the operational level of analysis, and it is applied to two developmental air platforms, the Global Hawk Endurance Unmanned Aerial Vehicle and the Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle. The unique contributions of these two platforms become apparent using this framework, and the value of the framework is depicted as it points to areas for future improvement in these systems. Finally, the study makes a comparison between this framework and traditional analyses and strategy review processes, and it shows the unique and enduring value of this analytical framework for assessing the contributions of airpower platforms."

  Air University (U.S.). School of Advanced Airpower Studies

  Beene, Eric A.

  2002-07
• National Strategy for Homeland Security

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  The national strategy is a comprehensive plan to enhance protection and reduce vulnerability to terrorist attacks based on the principles of cooperation and partnership. The Strategy seeks to do so by answering four basic questions: (1)What is "homeland security" and what missions does it entail? (2)What do we seek to accomplish, and what are the most important goals of homeland security? (3)What is the federal executive branch doing now to accomplish these goals and what should it do in the future? (4)What should non-federal governments, the private sector, and citizens do to help secure the homeland?

  United States. Office of Homeland Security

  2002-07
• 2002 National Money Laundering Strategy

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  The 2002 National Money Laundering Strategy reports on the progress that has been made to implement the Goals and Objectives of the 2001 Strategy. Baseline numbers have been identified for money laundering transactions in a variety of American cities; negotiated an international agreement with four governments to plan a coordinated fight against the Black Market Peso Exchange; and provided advanced money laundering training to front-line investigators. It also adresses the financing of terrorist groups, and directs government resources against money launderers and those who finance terrorist activities and individuals.

  United States. Department of Justice

  2002-07
• Managing the Emergency Consequences of Terrorist Incidents: Interim Planning Guide for State and Local Governments

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  This guide is designed to aid state and local emergency planners in developing and maintaining a Terrorist Incident Appendix (TIA) to an Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) for managing the consequences of terrorist incidents that involve weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and other terrorism hazards. The development of a consistent and lasting emergency response is critical in the maintenance of proper response standards, as well as acceptable public safety.

  United States. Federal Emergency Management Agency

  2002-07
• Middle East in 2015: The Impact of Regional Trends on U.S. Strategic Planning

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  "INSS [Institute for National Strategic Studies] asked specialists in the government and academic communities to assess the current situation in the Middle East and speculate on the future for the region and the United States. The first goal was to identify medium- and long-term strengths and vulnerabilities of regional regimes. Factors to consider included political succession, demographic changes, Islamic activism, and the spread of weapons of mass destruction. The second goal was to assess the implications of those changes, trends, and issues for U.S. strategic interests and defense policy." Specific countries examined include: Algeria, Morocco, Egypt, Israel, Palestine, Iran, and Iraq.

  National Defense University Press

  Yaphe, Judith Share, 1944-

  2002-07
• Information Warfare, Cyber-Terrorism and Community Values

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  "Information Warfare involves the attack and defense of information and information systems, both in time of armed conflict and in operations short of war. While information technology provides the promise of a new class of less lethal military instruments, it also presents vulnerabilities occasioned by widespread dependence on an increasingly complex and interconnected global information infrastructure. These vulnerabilities, when exploited by those who would target civilians in order to inspire widespread fear in hopes of accomplishing a political agenda, can be understood as cyberterrorism. As information warfare techniques evolve, those employing them should look to several relevant sources for normative guidance. Relevant, internationally shared values can be found in international custom, the U.N. Charter, treaties dealing with the subject of 'cybercrime,' those governing the communication media likely to be utilized by information warriors, UNGA Resolutions and those treaties and customary norms that make up the Law of Armed Conflict."

  Air Force Institute of Technology (U.S.)

  Moore, Joe Wesley

  2002-07
• Joint Information Operations Planning Handbook

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  "This planning Handbook is not a doctrine. It is intended to be a collection of best practices, experiences and lessons learned. Previous editions have been used as the basis for real-world planning. This Handbook provides the following: Chapter one, Basics of Information Operations, is a brief overview of the capabilities required to successfully conducting Information Operations within the context of a Joint Task Force, and a summary of some lessons learned. A new draft section on IO objectives, tasks, measures of effectiveness, and concept of operations has been added. Chapter two, Organizing a Staff for Information Operations, covers the JTF/Unified Command IO Cell, Information Coordination Boards or cells and includes a discussion on the integration of IO into the targeting process. Chapter three, Planning Joint Task Force Information Operations, provides both doctrinal and emerging Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures, a discussion of the Commander's responsibilities and presents some thoughts on processes and priority setting. Chapter four, Integrating Information Operations in JOPES Deliberate/Crisis Action Planning/Execution on a Unified Command Staff, is a step-by-step guide for Unified Command level IO cells using JOPES. Chapter five, Joint Information Operations Attack Planning Process, is a non-technical guide to planning Offensive IO. Chapter six, Joint Information Operations Defensive Planning Process, is a non-technical guide to planning Defensive IO. Chapter seven, Annexes and Appendices, is broken down into two parts: Annex A, the Information Operations Estimate Process, is a step-by-step guide to developing IO estimates of supportability suited for JTF or Unified Command IO Cells. Annex B is a Glossary of Abbreviations, Acronyms, References, Effects, and useful Definitions."

  Joint Forces Staff College (U.S.)

  2002-07
• Critical Infrastructure Protection: Federal Efforts Require a More Coordinated and Comprehensive Approach for Protecting Information Systems

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  The explosion in computer interconnectivity, while providing great benefits, also poses enormous risks. Terrorists or hostile foreign states could launch computer-based attacks on critical systems to severely damage or disrupt national defense or other critical operations. Presidential Decision Directive 63 and Executive Order 13231, issued in 1998 and 2001, respectively, call for various actions to improve federal security programs, including establishing partnerships between the government and the private sector. GAO was asked to identify the federal organizations that have national roles for protecting critical infrastructures from computer-based attacks and to determine their relationships.

  United States. General Accounting Office

  2002-07
• Homeland Security: Proposal for Cabinet Agency Has Merit, But Implementation Will be Pivotal to Success Statement of David Walker, Comptroller General of the United States, Testimony before the Subcommittee on Technology, Terrorism and Government Information, Committee on the Judiciary, U.S. Senate

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  Since September 11, the President and Congress have taken aggressive steps to protect the nation, including creating an Office of Homeland Security (OHS); passing new laws, such as the USA Patriot Act and an emergency supplemental spending bill; establishing a new agency to improve transportation security; and working with federal, state, and local governments, private sector entities, non-governmental organizations and other countries to prevent future terrorist acts and to bring those individuals responsible to justice. More recently, Congress and the President have proposed greater consolidation and coordination of various agencies and activities. The President has proposed establishing a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and has sent draft legislation to Congress. This testimony focuses on two major issues: (1) the need for reorganization and the principles and criteria to help evaluate what agencies and missions should be included in or left out of the new DHS and (2) issues related to the transition, cost, and implementation challenges of the new department.

  United States. General Accounting Office

  2002-06-25
• 2002 Report to Congress on Combating Terrorism

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  This report provides information on executive branch spending, programmatic initiatives, and priority terrorism-related areas for FY 2001 through FY 2003. The information in this report is derived from data gathered by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) from involved Departments and agencies. This report illustrates the complexity, the unclear responsibilities, and the confusing legal authorities associated with combating terrorism and homeland security programs, highlighting the need for a single entity with overall responsibility for homeland security. The creation of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will help streamline and consolidate these activities to make them more coordinated and effective. The new department will provide a clearinghouse for domestic combating terrorism information and a touchstone for coordination with related cyber security and overseas combating terrorism programs. This consolidation and streamlining will enable three entities -- DHS, the National Security Council (NSC), and the Cyber-Security Board - to articulate an integrated framework to guide budget proposals for homeland security, overseas combating terrorism, and critical infrastructure protection. OMB will work closely with the new department, the Cyber-Security Board, and the NSC to find ways to improve the report.

  United States. Office of Management and Budget

  2002-06-24
• Federal Disaster Policies after Terrorists Strike: Issues and Options for Congress [June 24, 2002]

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  How will the federal government respond to the short- and long-term needs of terror-stricken communities? As a result of the terrorist attacks of 2001, a plethora of legislation has been enacted and continues to be considered by the 107th Congress to address homeland security and emergency management issues. Much of the debate in and out of Congress focuses on legislation that addresses policies and practices intended to prevent future attacks. Congress is also considering other policy issues, including those that would be implicated should another attack occur, despite the best prevention and deterrence efforts. This report, prepared at congressional request, is intended to assist Congress as it considers options for consequence management legislation. The report collects and examines information on federal policies that would be implemented in the event that other terrorist attacks occur. It then asks about each of these policies: Based on experiences gained thus far, should Congress consider changes in federal consequence management policies to address the effects of possible future attacks? For the most part, this report concentrates on the impact of the airliner attacks in New York City because the consequences of those attacks in a major urban center raise complex issues of response and recovery that were not as evident in Pennsylvania, Virginia, and the District of Columbia after the other airline crashes and the anthrax mailings.

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Bea, Keith

  2002-06-24
• Terrorism, the Future, and U.S. Foreign Policy [June 21, 2002]

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  "International terrorism has long been recognized as a foreign and domestic security threat. The tragic events of September 11 in New York, the Washington, D.C., area, and Pennsylvania have dramatically re-energized the nation's focus and resolve on terrorism. This issue brief examines international terrorist actions and threats and the U.S. policy response. Available policy options range from diplomacy, international cooperation, and constructive engagement to economic sanctions, covert action, physical security enhancement, and military force. The September 11th terrorist incidents in the United States, the subsequent anthrax attacks, as well as bombings of the U.S.S. Cole, Oklahoma City, World Trade Center in 1993, and of the U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania in 1998, have brought the issue of terrorism to the forefront of American public interest. Questions relate to whether U.S. policy and organizational mechanisms are adequate to deal with both state-sponsored or -abetted terrorism and that undertaken by independent groups. […] Looming over the entire issue of international terrorism is a trend toward proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD). For instance Iran, seen as the most active state sponsor of terrorism, has been aggressively seeking a nuclear arms capability. Iraq is thought to be stockpiling chemical and biological agents. Also, indications have surfaced that the Al Qaeda organization attempted to acquire chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear weapons. As a result, stakes in the war against international terrorism and its supporters are increasing and margins for error in selecting appropriate policy instruments or combinations of them to prevent terrorist attacks are diminishing correspondingly."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Lee, Rensselaer W., 1937-; Perl, Raphael

  2002-06-21
• Drug Control: International Policy and Approaches [June 21, 2002]

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  "Efforts to reduce the flow of illicit drugs from abroad into the United States greatly have so far not succeeded. Moreover, over the past decade, worldwide production of illicit drugs has risen dramatically: opium and marijuana production has roughly doubled and coca production tripled. Also, street prices of cocaine and heroin have fallen significantly in the past 20 years, reflecting increased availability. A major area of ongoing concern is: how effective can international narcotics control programs be in helping to reduce consumption? […] P.L. 106-246, 'Plan Colombia,' a $1.3 billion military assistance-focused initiative to provide emergency supplemental narcotics assistance to Colombia, was signed into law July 13, 2000. Recently, U.S. policy toward Colombia has focused increasingly on containing the terrorist threat to that country's security. The Bush Administration's FY2003 and Emergency 2002 Supplemental budget requests would broaden the authorities of the State and Defense Departments to use assistance to Colombia directly for counterterrorism purposes. For instance, U.S. -supplied helicopters and intelligence could be used to support military operations against guerrillas financed by drugs as well as against drug traffickers themselves. Drug control options addressed in this issue brief include: 1) Expansion of efforts to reduce foreign production at the source. 2) Expansion of interdiction and enforcement activities to disrupt supply lines. 3) Expansion of efforts to reduce worldwide demand. 4) Expansion of economic disincentives for international drug trafficking. Current trends in U.S. counternarcotics policy also are discussed in the brief. For a recent analysis of the Andean drug issues and related U.S. legislation see CRS [Congressional Research Service] report RL31383 'Andean Regional Initiative(ARI): FY2002 Supplemental and FY2003 Assistance for Colombia and Neighbors.'"

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Perl, Raphael; Lee, Rensselaer W., 1937-

  2002-06-21
• Executive Order 13267: Establishing a Transition Planning Office for the Department of Homeland Security Within the Office of Management and Budget

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  Establishes a Transition Planning Office to coordinate, guide, and conduct transition and related planning throughout the executive branch in preparation for the Department of Homeland Security.

  United States. Office of the Federal Register

  Bush, George W. (George Walker), 1946-

  2002-06-20
• Serial No. 107-203: Homeland Security Reorganization: What Impact on Federal Law Enforcement and Drug Interdiction: Hearing before the Subcommittee on Criminal Justice, Drug Policy and Human Resources of the Committee on Government Reform, House of Representatives One Hundred Seventh Congress, Second Session, June 17, 2002

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  The purpose of this hearing is to discuss the President's proposal to create a new cabinet Department of Homeland Security. Addressed are issues of Federal law enforcement organization, drug interdiction, border security, or their interrelationship with increased demand of homeland security. "However this reform emerges, it is inevitable that there will be a profound impact on Federal law enforcement activities unrelated to terrorism on our Nation's drug interdiction and border patrol efforts and on operations at several Federal departments within the subcommittee's jurisdiction. Our challenge as we move through this process will be to determine how best to ensure the continuation and preservation of these missions within the new department. We also must optimize the organization of other agencies, such as the DEA, the FBI and law enforcement in the Treasury Department, which share tasks with agencies destined for the new department. And finally we must consider the many incidental benefits and synergies which will arise from the President's proposal. These include increased operational coordination of narcotics and migrant interdiction efforts among agencies that will now be united as well as a significantly improved focus on the links between drug trade and international terrorism." Statements, witnesses and submissions: Robert Kramek, Donnie Marshall, Peter Nunez, Douglas Kruhm, Stephen Flynn, Mark Souder, Elijah Cummings, Janice Schakowsky and Dan Miller.

  United States. Government Printing Office

  2002-06-17
• Mexico-U.S. Relations: Issues for the 107th Congress [Updated June 14, 2002]

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  "The United States and Mexico have a special relationship under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), which removes trade and investment barriers between the countries. The friendly relationship has been strengthened by President Bush's meetings with President Fox. Major issues of concern to Congress are trade, immigration, drug trafficking, and political rights. On May 14, 2002, Presidents Bush and Fox discussed by telephone Mexico's deficiency in supplying water to the United States under a 1944 treaty, and President Fox indicated that Mexico would take steps to comply with its obligations. On May 26, 2002, Jesus Albino Quintero Meraz and six associates in the Juarez drug cartel were arrested in Veracruz. On May 31, 2002, a group of 26 indigenous peasants were killed in southern Oaxaca. Following President Bush's announcement on June 6, 2002, of his intention to create a Department of Homeland Security that would include Customs, INS, and the Border Patrol, Mexican officials are wondering what impact the initiative will have on border trade and transit."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Storrs, K. Larry (Keith Larry), 1937-

  2002-06-14
• Palestinians and Middle East Peace: Issues for the United States [Updated June 14, 2002]

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  "The United States began contacts with the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) in December 1988, after the PLO accepted Israel's right to exist, accepted U.N. Resolutions 242 and 338 that call for an exchange of land for peace, and renounced terrorism. The United States continues its contacts with the PLO and the Palestinian Authority elected in January 1996, and is an active broker in the continuing Middle East peace process. […] On May 4, 1994, Israel and the PLO signed an agreement providing for the Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and Jericho (withdrawal completed May 11, 1994). The Interim Agreement signed on September 28, 1995 (also called Oslo II or the Taba Agreement), provided for elections for the 88-seat Palestinian Assembly, the release of Israeli-held prisoners, Israeli withdrawal from six West Bank cities, and other issues. The Israelis withdrew from the West Bank cities by the end of 1995, and the Palestinian Assembly was elected on January 20, 1996, and sworn in on March 7, 1996. Israel and the Palestinians agreed to an Israeli withdrawal from Hebron in January 1997, and on October 23, 1998 signed the Wye agreement to meet previous commitments. The peace talks stalled at Camp David in July 2000, and remain suspended since the Palestinian uprising began in September. Some 600 Palestinians and 150 Israelis have died in the continuing confrontation."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Mark, Clyde R.

  2002-06-14
• Appropriations for FY2003: Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs [Updated June 13, 2002]

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  The annual Foreign Operations appropriations bill is the primary legislative vehicle through which Congress reviews the U.S. foreign aid budget and influences executive branch foreign policy making generally. President Bush has requested $16.12 billion for FY2003 Foreign Operations, an amount 5% higher than regular FY2002 appropriations, but somewhat less than enacted FY2002 foreign aid appropriations when amounts allocated from the Emergency Terrorism Response (ETR) fund are included. Overall, the FY2003 request includes $3.5 billion in aid for "front-line" states in the war on terrorism. Key Foreign Operations issues that are likely to attract considerable debate this year include: size and composition of aid to help combat terrorism, including amounts proposed as an FY2002 supplemental; the President's pledge to increase U.S. economic assistance by $5 billion by FY2006 and whether the initiative should begin immediately; development aid funding priorities, especially the adequacy of U.S. support for international HIV/AIDS programs and proposed reductions for other global health programs; funding for family planning programs and eligibility of the U.N. Population Fund; and assistance to Colombia, especially proposals to expand aid beyond counter-narcotics to a broader counter-terrorism focus.

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Nowels, Larry Q.

  2002-06-13
• Executive Branch Reorganization and Management Initiatives [Updated June 12, 2002]

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  "President William Clinton pledged his Administration to a program of 'reinventing government,' beginning with a National Performance Review (NPR), announced shortly after his inauguration, to find ways to make the federal government more efficient, economical, and effective. The result was a series of reports proposing various organizational and operational reforms. Some major NPR recommendations were still awaiting implementation when the November 1994 congressional elections gave the Republicans majority party control of both houses of the 104th Congress. Republican leaders had unveiled a Contract With America reform plan in late September 1994. Its core principles regarded the federal government as being too big, spending too much, being unresponsive to the citizenry, and perpetrating burdensome regulations. Consequently, at least two distinct agendas for reforming and restructuring the federal government were before the 104th Congress. At its conclusion, both the President and Republican congressional leaders could claim some victories in downsizing government. No department, however, was eliminated, and only a few small agencies were abolished. Administration and congressional reinvention efforts resulted in largely modest accomplishments during the 105th Congress. Major exceptions were the overhaul of the structure and operations of the Internal Revenue Service and the consolidation of the foreign policy agencies, both of which were realized as a result of cooperation between the Clinton Administration and Republican congressional leaders. During the 106th Congress, executive reorganization and reinvention were neither major nor high-priority items."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Relyea, Harold

  2002-06-12
• Cuba: Issues for the 107th Congress [Updated June 12, 2002]

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  "There appears to be broad agreement among those concerned with Cuba on the overall objective of U.S. policy toward Cuba--to help bring democracy and respect for human rights to the island. But there have been several schools of thought on how to achieve that objective. Some advocate a policy of keeping maximum pressure on the Cuban government until reforms are enacted, while continuing current U.S. efforts to support the Cuban people. Others argue for an approach, sometimes referred to as constructive engagement, that would lift some U.S. sanctions that they believe are hurting the Cuban people, and move toward engaging Cuba in dialogue. Still others call for a swift normalization of U.S.-Cuban relations by lifting the U.S. embargo. Policy debate in the past several years has focused on whether to maintain U.S. restrictions on food and medical exports as well as on travel to Cuba."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Sullivan, Mark P.; Taft-Morales, Maureen

  2002-06-12
• Andean Regional Initiative (ARI): FY2002 Supplemental and FY2003 Assistance for Colombia and Neighbors [Updated June 12, 2002]

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  "In 2002, Congress is considering President Bush's request for additional funding and additional authority to provide assistance to Colombia and six regional neighbors in a continuation of the Andean Regional Initiative that was launched in 2001. The region has been viewed as important primarily because it produces virtually all of the world's cocaine and increasing amounts of heroin. Moreover, the stability of Colombia and the region is threatened by Colombia's longstanding guerrilla insurgency and rightist paramilitary groups, which are both believed to be largely funded by 'taxes' on illegal narcotics cultivation and trade."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Serafino, Nina M.; Storrs, K. Larry (Keith Larry), 1937-

  2002-06-12
• Latin America and the Caribbean: Legislative Issues in 2001-2002 [Updated June 12, 2002]

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  "This report provides an overview of the major legislative issues Congress dealt with in 2001 and 2002 relating to Latin America and the Caribbean. Organized by the regions and subregions of the Western Hemisphere, the report provides reference and linkages to other reports covering the issues in more detail. The importance of the region to the United States has been emphasized by President Bush's trips to Mexico in February 2001 and March 2002 and his trips to Peru and El Salvador in March 2002, and by a number of congressional trips to the region."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Sullivan, Mark P.; Hornbeck, J. F. (John F.); Storrs, K. Larry (Keith Larry), 1937- . . .

  2002-06-12
• Remarks by Homeland Security Director Tom Ridge to the National Association of Broadcasters Education Foundation 2002 Service to America Summit [June 10, 2002]

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  Tom Ridges focuses his remarks on the newly created Department of Homeland Security. The department was commissioned to protect the homeland which includes borders, airports, seaports, visitors, overseas preparedness, training and equipping first responders, detecting weapons of mass destruction, mapping the nation's critical infrastructure, synthesizing and analyzing intelligence, and communicating threats and actions to those who need to know. The department's single mission is to protect the American people and serves as the structure necessary for implementing the national strategy.

  United States. Office of the White House Press Secretary

  Ridge, Thomas J.

  2002-06-10
• Press Briefing by a Senior Administration Official on President's Announcement on Homeland Security [June 6, 2002]

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  This June 6, 2002 press briefing by a Senior Administration official provides information on the Department of Homeland Security. "One of the four components of the new Department of Homeland Security will be an information analysis and critical infrastructure protection, where we have the analytical capability coupled with a vulnerability assessment, coupled with the responsibility within that department, depending on the threat, depending on the vulnerability then to give prescriptive direction to either the federal government, the federal agency, the local government, whatever, to adopt certain measures depending upon the vulnerability, depending on the threat."

  United States. Department of Homeland Security

  2002-06-06
• Commercial Air Carrier Vulnerabilities to Information Operations

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  From the thesis abstract: "The conduct of Information Operations by the United States Military and its enemies is changing because of the rapid development of information technology. The increasing dependence of government and industry on information technology has created critical vulnerabilities that can be exploited by degrading or destroying the use of information systems. Among those elements susceptible to these vulnerabilities are the operations of commercial air carriers that are essential to the military's ability to wage war and project power wherever needed in the world. These threats must be seriously examined and mitigated to ensure that commercial air carriers can fulfill their roles in our national security strategy. This study reveals potential Information Operations vulnerabilities in the commercial air carriers' conduct of missions for the military. The systems used by Air Mobility Command to plan and track the operation of contracted airlift, and those used by the airlines to operate their flight schedule, are susceptible to physical and cyber attacks. A potential result of a successful attack is a dramatic slowdown in the operation of commercial air carriers that could lead to unacceptable delays in transporting combat forces where they are needed to execute national military objectives"

  Air Force Institute of Technology (U.S.). Department of Operational Sciences

  Shelburn, Bryan H.

  2002-06-06
• Israeli-United States Relations [June 6, 2002]

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  "Israeli-U.S. relations are an important factor in U.S. policy in the Middle East, and Congress has placed considerable importance on the maintenance of a close and supportive relationship. The main vehicle for expressing support for Israel has been foreign aid; Israel currently receives about $3 billion per year in economic and military grants, refugee settlement assistance, and other aid. Congress has monitored the aid issue closely along with other issues in bilateral relations, and its concerns have affected Administration's policies. U.S.-Israeli relations have evolved from an initial American policy of sympathy and support for the creation of a Jewish homeland in 1948 to an unusual partnership that links a small but militarily powerful Israel, dependent on the United States for its economic and military strength, with the U.S. superpower trying to balance competing interests in the region. Some in the United States question the levels of aid and general commitment to Israel, and argue that a U.S. bias toward Israel operates at the expense of improved U.S. relations with various Arab states. Others maintain that democratic Israel is a strategic ally, and that U.S. relations with Israel strengthens the U.S. presence in the Middle East."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Mark, Clyde R.

  2002-06-06
• Drug Control: International Policy and Approaches [June 05, 2002]

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  "Efforts to reduce the flow of illicit drugs from abroad into the United States greatly have so far not succeeded. Moreover, over the past decade, worldwide production of illicit drugs has risen dramatically: opium and marijuana production has roughly doubled and coca production tripled. Also, street prices of cocaine and heroin have fallen significantly in the past 20 years, reflecting increased availability. A major area of ongoing concern is: how effective can international narcotics control programs be in helping to reduce consumption? […] P.L. 106-246, 'Plan Colombia,' a $1.3 billion military assistance-focused initiative to provide emergency supplemental narcotics assistance to Colombia, was signed into law July 13, 2000. Recently, U.S. policy toward Colombia has focused increasingly on containing the terrorist threat to that country's security. The Bush Administration's FY2003 and Emergency 2002 Supplemental budget requests would broaden the authorities of the State and Defense Departments to use assistance to Colombia directly for counterterrorism purposes. For instance, U.S. -supplied helicopters and intelligence could be used to support military operations against guerrillas financed by drugs as well as against drug traffickers themselves. Drug control options addressed in this issue brief include: 1) Expansion of efforts to reduce foreign production at the source. 2) Expansion of interdiction and enforcement activities to disrupt supply lines. 3) Expansion of efforts to reduce worldwide demand. 4) Expansion of economic disincentives for international drug trafficking. Current trends in U.S. counternarcotics policy also are discussed in the brief. For a recent analysis of the Andean drug issues and related U.S. legislation see CRS [Congressional Research Service] report RL31383 'Andean Regional Initiative(ARI): FY2002 Supplemental and FY2003 Assistance for Colombia and Neighbors.'"

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Lee, Rensselaer W., 1937-; Perl, Raphael

  2002-06-05