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Caribbean Region: Issues in U.S. Relations [Updated May 25, 2005]
"With some 34 million people and 16 independent nations sharing an African ethnic heritage, the Caribbean is a diverse region that includes some of the hemisphere's richest and poorest nations. The region consists of 13 island nations, from the Bahamas in the north to Trinidad and Tobago in the south; Belize, which is geographically located in Central America; and the two nations of Guyana and Suriname, located on the north central coast of South America. With the exception of Cuba and Haiti, Caribbean governments have generally respected the human rights of their citizens. Regular elections are the norm, and for the most part have been free and fair. Nevertheless, while many Caribbean nations have long democratic traditions, they are not immune to threats to their political stability, including terrorism. Many nations in the region experienced economic decline in 2001-2002 due to downturns in the tourism and agriculture sectors. The extensive damage resulting from several storms in 2004 caused an economic setback for several Caribbean nations. U.S. interests in the Caribbean are diverse, and include economic, political, and security concerns."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sullivan, Mark P.
2005-05-25
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Syria: U.S. Relations and Bilateral Issues [Updated May 24, 2005]
"Syria, governed by President Hafiz al-Asad from 1970 until his death in June 2000, is a prominent player in the Middle East scene. Within the region, a number of border disputes, problems of resource allocation, and political rivalries have caused frequent tensions between Syria and its neighbors. In particular, the Syrian Golan Heights territory, which Israel has occupied since 1967, has been one of the most intractable issues in the Arab-Israeli dispute. […] On December 12, 2003, President Bush signed the Syria Accountability Act, H.R. 1828, as P.L. 108-175. This act imposes additional sanctions against Syria unless it halts support for terrorism, withdraws troops from Lebanon, ends its occupation of Lebanon, ceases development of weapons of mass destruction (WMD), and ceases support for terrorist activity in Iraq. Subsequently, on May 11, 2004, the President issued Executive Order 13338 to implement the provisions of this law. The conference report (H.Rept. 108-792) to the Foreign Operations Appropriations Act (Division D of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2005) contains a provision making funds available for democracy, human rights, and rule of law programs for Syria, but does not set a dollar amount for these programs in the case of Syria. President Bush signed the bill as P.L. 108-447 on December 8, 2004."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Prados, Alfred B.
2005-05-24
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Pakistan's Nuclear Proliferation Activities and the Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission: U.S. Policy Constraints and Options [Updated May 24, 2005]
"In calling for a clear, strong, and long-term commitment to the military-dominated government of Pakistan despite serious concerns about that country's nuclear proliferation activities, The 9/11 Commission cast into sharp relief two long-standing dilemmas concerning U.S. policy towards Pakistan and South Asia. First, in an often strained security relationship spanning more than five decades, U.S. and Pakistani national security objectives have seldom been congruent. Pakistan has viewed the alliance primarily in the context of its rivalry with India, whereas American policymakers have viewed it from the perspective of U.S. global security interests. Second, U.S. nuclear nonproliferation objectives towards Pakistan (and India) repeatedly have been subordinated to other important U.S. goals. During the 1980s, Pakistan exploited its key role as a conduit for aid to the anti-Soviet Afghan mujahidin to avoid U.S. nuclear nonproliferation sanctions and receive some $600 million annually in U.S. military and economic aid. Underscoring Pakistan's different agenda, some of the radical Islamists favored by its military intelligence service later formed the core of Al Qaeda and the Taliban."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Squassoni, Sharon A.; Cronin, Richard P.; Kronstadt, K. Alan
2005-05-24
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Nuclear Weapons: The Reliable Replacement Warhead Program [May 24, 2005]
"Most current U.S. nuclear warheads were built in the 1980s, and are being retained longer than was planned. Yet warheads deteriorate with age, and must be maintained. The current approach monitors them for signs of aging. When problems are found, a Life Extension Program (LEP) rebuilds components. While some can be made to new specifications, a nuclear test moratorium bars that approach for critical components that would require a nuclear test. Instead, LEP rebuilds them as closely as possible to original specifications. Using this approach, the Secretaries of Defense and Energy have certified stockpile safety and reliability for the past nine years without nuclear testing."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Medalia, Jonathan E.
2005-05-24
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Pakistan: Chronology of Recent Events [Updated May 24, 2005]
"This report provides a reverse chronology of recent events involving Pakistan and Pakistan-U.S. relations. Sources include, but are not limited to, the U.S. Department of State, 'New York Times', 'Washington Post', 'Dawn' (Karachi), 'Daily Times' (Lahore), 'News International' (Karachi), and major newswires. For a substantive review, see CRS [Congressional Research Service] Issue Brief IB94041, 'Pakistan-U.S. Relations'. This report will be updated regularly."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Kronstadt, K. Alan
2005-05-24
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Social Security Reform [Updated May 24, 2005]
"President Bush has highlighted Social Security reform as a top priority during his second term. The President has not presented a detailed plan for reform. Rather, he has put forth guidelines for Congress to consider in the development of legislation to create personal accounts within a program in need of 'wise and effective reform.' The President has acknowledged that other changes would be needed to address the system's projected long-range funding shortfall. In recent years, reform ideas have ranged from relatively minor changes to the current pay-as-you-go social insurance system to a redesigned program based on personal savings and investments modeled after IRAs [Individual Retirement Account] and 401(k)s. Currently, the Social Security system is generating surplus revenues. However, its board of trustees reports that, under its intermediate (or mid-range) projections, the trust funds would be depleted in 2041. At that point, an estimated 74% of benefits would be payable with incoming receipts. On average, over the next 75 years, the trustees project that the system's costs would be 14% higher than its income. By 2080, projected costs would be 43% higher than income. The primary reason is demographic: the post-World War II baby boomers will begin retiring in 2008 and life expectancy is projected to increase. Between 2005 and 2025, the number of people age 65 and older is projected to grow by 69%. In contrast, the number of workers supporting the system is projected to grow by 13%."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Nuschler, Dawn
2005-05-24
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Russia [Updated May 24, 2005]
"Vladimir Putin won reelection as Russian President in March 2004, in an exercise in 'managed democracy' in which he took 71% of the vote and faced no serious competition. The pro-Putin Unified Russia party similarly swept the parliamentary election in December 2003 and controls more than two-thirds of the seats in the Duma. Also in March, Putin replaced long-serving Premier Kasyanov with a little-known bureaucrat, Mikhail Fradkov, indicating Putin's intent to take the reins of government even more completely into his own hands. Putin's twin priorities remain to revive the economy and strengthen the state. He has brought TV and radio under tight state control and virtually eliminated effective political opposition. Federal forces have suppressed large-scale military resistance in Chechnya but face the prospect of prolonged guerilla warfare and terrorist style attacks. The economic upturn that began in 1999 is continuing. The GDP [Gross Domestic Product] and domestic investment are growing impressively after a long decline, inflation is contained, the budget is balanced, and the ruble is stable. Major problems remain: 18% of the population live below the poverty line, foreign investment is low, and crime, corruption, capital flight, and unemployment remain high. Putin apparently seeks simultaneously to tighten political control and accelerate economic reform."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Goldman, Stuart D. (Stuart Douglas), 1943-
2005-05-24
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Iran: U.S. Concerns and Policy Responses [Updated May 24, 2005]
"The Bush Administration has pursued several avenues to attempt to contain or end the potential threat posed by Iran, at times pursuing limited engagement, and at other times leaning toward pursuing efforts to change Iran's regime. Some experts believe a potential crisis is looming over Iran's nuclear program because the Bush Administration is skeptical that efforts by several European allies to prevent a nuclear breakout by Iran will succeed, although the Administration announced steps in March 2005 to support those talks. Some advocate military action against Iran's nuclear infrastructure, but others believe that a combination of diplomatic and economic rewards and punishment are the only viable options on the nuclear issue. U.S. sanctions currently in effect ban or strictly limit U.S. trade, aid, and investment in Iran and penalize foreign firms that invest in Iran's energy sector, but unilateral U.S. sanctions do not appear to have materially slowed Iran's WMD programs to date."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Katzman, Kenneth
2005-05-24
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Intelligence Issues for Congress [Updated May 24, 2005]
"To address the challenges facing the U.S. Intelligence Community in the 21st Century, congressional and executive branch initiatives have sought to improve coordination among the different agencies and to encourage better analysis. In December 2004, the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act (P.L. 108-458)was signed, providing for a Director of National Intelligence (DNI) with substantial authorities to manage the national intelligence effort. The legislation calls for a separate Director of the Central Intelligence Agency. Making cooperation effective presents substantial leadership and managerial challenges. The needs of intelligence 'consumers' - ranging from the White House to cabinet agencies to miliary commanders - must all be met, using the same systems and personnel. Intelligence collection systems are expensive and some critics suggest there have been elements of waste and unneeded duplication of effort while some intelligence 'targets' have been neglected.:
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Best, Richard A.
2005-05-24
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Public Relations and Propaganda: Restrictions on Executive Agency Activities [Updated May 24, 2005]
"Controversies recently have arisen over certain executive branch agencies' expenditures of appropriated funds on public relations activities, some of which have been characterized as propagandistic. Generally speaking, there are two legal restrictions on agency public relations activities and propaganda. 5 U.S.C. 3107 prohibits the use of appropriated funds to hire publicity experts. Appropriations law 'publicity and propaganda' clauses restrict the use of funds for puffery of an agency, purely partisan communications, and covert propaganda. No federal agency monitors federal public relations activities, but a Member or Committee of Congress may ask the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to examine an agency's expenditures on public relations activities with a view to their legality. Any effort to reform current statutory restrictions on agency public relations activities will face three challenges: tracking public relations activities by agencies, defining 'propaganda,' and enforcing laws against agency use of funds for publicity experts and propaganda."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Kosar, Kevin R.
2005-05-24
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Freedom of Speech and Press: Exceptions to the First Amendment [Updated May 24, 2005]
"The First Amendment to the United States Constitution provides that 'Congress shall make no law ... abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press....' This language restricts government both more and less than it would if it were applied literally. It restricts government more in that it applies not only to Congress, but to all branches of the federal government, and to all branches of state and local government. It restricts government less in that it provides no protection to some types of speech and only limited protection to others. This report provides an overview of the major exceptions to the First Amendment - of the ways that the Supreme Court has interpreted the guarantee of freedom of speech and press to provide no protection or only limited protection for some types of speech. For example, the Court has decided that the First Amendment provides no protection to obscenity, child pornography, or speech that constitutes 'advocacy of the use of force or of law violation ... where such advocacy is directed to inciting or producing imminent lawless action and is likely to incite or produce such action.'"
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Cohen, Henry, 1949-
2005-05-24
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Defense Authorization and Appropriations Bills: A Chronology, FY1970-FY2006 [Updated May 23, 2005]
"The passage of the Department of Defense (DOD) authorization and appropriations bills through Congress often does not follow the course laid out in textbooks on legislative procedure. Tracking DOD authorization or appropriation bills can often be confusing and time-consuming; this has been particularly true in recent years, when continuing resolutions containing the DOD and other appropriation bills have been passed in lieu of the traditional 13 appropriations bills for the entire U.S. government. This report is a research aid, which lists the DOD authorization bills (Table 1) and appropriations bills (Table 2). This includes all the pertinent information on the passage of these bills through the legislative process: bill numbers, report numbers, dates reported and passed, recorded vote numbers and vote tallies, dates of passage of the conference reports with their numbers and votes, vetoes, substitutions, dates of final passage, and public law numbers. Table 3 shows real growth or decline in national defense funding for FY1940-FY2009. Table 4 gives a more detailed picture of both regular and supplemental defense appropriations from the 103rd Congress to the present (FY1993-FY2005). Table 5 shows the President's DOD appropriations budget requests for FY1950-FY2005 vs. final amount enacted. Finally, key definitions are included. This report will be updated as legislative activity warrants."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Carter, Linwood B.; Coipuram, Tom
2005-05-23
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Monopoly and Monopolization - Fundamental but Separate Concepts in U.S. Antitrust Law [Updated May 23, 2005]
"Antitrust doctrine holds that viable competition will best protect consumers; it is concerned with the viability of individual competitors only insofar as their fates affect marketplace competitiveness. Moreover, the Rule of Reason generally modified 'competition' with 'reasonable.' Viewed in the context of the Rule of Reason, the general prohibitions against monopolization and attempted monopolization (Sherman Act § 2, Clayton Act §7) and any assessment of 'unfair acts' in commerce (Federal Trade Commission Act § 5) require two inquiries: whether an entity is in fact a monopolist; and whether that monopolist has 'unlawfully' monopolized the market(s) within which it operates (the applicable, 'relevant market,' which may be either productor geographically based, or both). This report will attempt to illustrate the difference between the concepts of 'monopoly' and 'monopolization' by touching on the monopoly/monopolization thinking in the Antitrust Division of the Department of Justice (DoJ) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), as illustrated in (1) statements on merger enforcement made by recent antitrust enforcement officials (generally indicative of the agencies' concerns about competitive conditions and the effect of various market transactions), (2) the 1992 Horizontal Merger Guidelines and (3) some observations on the Government actions against the Microsoft and Intel Corporations."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Rubin, Janice E.
2005-05-23
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Implications of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations upon the Regulation of Consular Identification Cards [Updated May 23, 2005]
From the Summary: "Recent controversy regarding the use of consular identification cards (IDs) by aliens within the United States, in particular Mexico's matricula consular, has led to calls for legislation to regulate the issuance of the cards by foreign missions or their acceptance by U.S. government and private entities. This report identifies possible implications that U.S. regulation or monitoring of the issuance of these cards by foreign missions might have upon U.S. obligations under the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations (VCCR), which protects foreign missions in the exercise of their legitimate consular functions and codifies customary international law with respect to the inviolability of consular premises and documents. The REAL ID Act (P.L. 109-13, Division B) prohibits states, when issuing drivers' licenses or state ID cards, from accepting for purposes of personal identification foreign documents other than valid passports, if such drivers' licenses or ID cards are to be accepted for federal purposes. Other recent legislative proposals aimed at restricting the acceptance (but not the issuance) of consular IDs include H.R. 688, the SAFER Act, introduced by Representative J. Gresham Barrett on February 9, 2005; H.R. 815, the Financial Customer Identification Verification Improvement Act, introduced by Representative Scott Garrett on February 15, 2005; and H.R. 925, the Identification Integrity Act of 2005, introduced by Representative Elton Gallegly on February 17, 2005."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Elsea, Jennifer; Garcia, Michael John
2005-05-23
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Iraq: Summary of U.S. Forces [Updated May 23, 2005]
From the Summary: "This report provides a summary estimate of military forces reported to have been deployed to and subsequently withdrawn from the U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) Area of Responsibility (AOR), popularly called the Persian Gulf region, to support Operation Iraqi Freedom. For background information on the AOR, see [http://www.centcom.mil/aboutus/aor.htm]. Geographically, the USCENTCOM AOR stretches from the Horn of Africa to Central Asia. The information about military units that have been deployed and withdrawn is based on both official government public statements and estimates identified in selected news accounts."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Carter, Linwood B.
2005-05-23
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U.S. Army's Modular Redesign: Issues for Congress [Updated May 20, 2005]
"In what the Army describes as the 'most significant Army restructuring in the past 50 years,' the Army is redesigning its current 10 active duty division force to a 43 or 48 brigade-level unit of action or UA force by FY2007. The Army National Guard will also redesign its force structure in a similar fashion. The addition of up to 15 additional active duty and the conversion of Army National Guard brigades into 31 UA brigade combat teams could provide an additional force pool of deployable units to ease the burden on units presently deployed, and possibly to shorten the length of time that units are deployed on operations. The Army has two other concurrent initiatives underway that it considers inextricably linked to its brigade-centric redesign: rebalancing to create new 'high demand' units and stabilizing the force to foster unit cohesion and enhance predictability for soldiers and their families. Both initiatives involve substantial policy, organizational, and personnel changes from FY2004-FY2009."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Feickert, Andrew
2005-05-20
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Stem Cell Research [Updated May 20, 2005]
"Embryonic stem cells have the ability to develop into virtually any cell in the body, and may have the potential to treat medical conditions such as diabetes and Parkinson's disease. In August 2001, President Bush announced that for the first time federal funds would be used to support research on human embryonic stem cells, but funding would be limited to 'existing stem cell lines.' The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has established the Human Embryonic Stem Cell Registry, which lists stem cell lines that are eligible for use in federally funded research. Although 78 cell lines are listed, 22 embryonic stem cell lines are currently available. Scientists are concerned about the quality, longevity, and availability of the eligible stem cell lines. For a variety of reasons, many believe research advancement requires new embryonic stem cell lines, and for certain applications, stem cells derived from cloned embryos may offer the best hope for progress in understanding and treating disease. A significant cohort of pro-life advocates support stem cell research; those opposed are concerned that the isolation of stem cells requires the destruction of embryos. Letters from Congress, one signed by 206 Members of the House and a second signed by 58 Senators, have been sent urging President Bush to expand the current federal policy concerning embryonic stem cell research. Some have argued that stem cell research be limited to adult stem cells obtained from tissues such as bone marrow. They argue that adult stem cells should be pursued instead of embryonic stem cells because they believe the derivation of stem cells from either embryos or aborted fetuses is ethically unacceptable. Other scientists believe adult stem cells should not be the sole target of research because of important scientific and technical limitations. Groups make ethical distinctions in the debate on how to proceed with stem cell research based upon embryo protection, relief of suffering, viability, the purpose and timing of embryo creation and destruction, donor consent, scientific alternatives, federal funding, and cloning."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Williams, Erin D.; Johnson, Judith A. (Judith Ann), 1957-
2005-05-20
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Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas: Overview of Internal and External Challenges [Updated May 20, 2005]
"On January 15, 2005, Mahmoud Abbas (a.k.a. Abu Mazen) was sworn in as President of the Palestinian Authority (PA). Many believe that the Abbas victory marks the end of an autocratic era dominated by the late Yasir Arafat and the increased possibility of improved prospects for Israeli-Palestinian peace. This report details Abbas's policy platform and potential challenges he may face from within and without the Palestinian political landscape. Domestic challenges include the Israeli planned withdrawal from Gaza, upcoming parliamentary elections slated for July 17, 2005, violent anti-occupation elements, calls for financial, judicial, and security reform, as well as a paralyzed economy. Abbas also faces multiple challenges in creating a viable Palestinian state based on a secure peace with Israel: the requirements of the 'Road Map,' Palestinian violence toward Israel, and final status issues, such as the future of Jerusalem, refugees, and final political borders. This report will be updated as necessary."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Pina, Aaron D.
2005-05-20
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Panama: Political and Economic Conditions and U.S. Relations [Updated May 20, 2005]
"With four successive elected civilian governments, the Central American nation of Panama has made notable political and economic progress since the 1989 U.S. military intervention that ousted the regime of General Manuel Antonio Noriega from power. The current President, Martín Torrijos of the Democratic Revolutionary Party (PRD, was elected in May 2004 and inaugurated on September 1, 2004. Torrijos, the son of former populist leader General Omar Torrijos, won a decisive electoral victory with almost 48% of the vote in a four-man race. He succeeded President Mireya Moscoso of the Arnulfist Party (PA), elected in 1999, whose administration was tainted by several high-profile corruption scandals. Torrijos' electoral alliance also won a majority of seats in the unicameral Legislative Assembly."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sullivan, Mark P.
2005-05-20
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Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Import Terminals: Siting, Safety and Regulation [Updated April 20, 2005]
"Liquefied natural gas (LNG) is a hazardous fuel frequently shipped in large tankers to U.S. ports from overseas. While LNG has historically made up a small part of U.S. natural gas supplies, rising gas prices, current price volatility, and the possibility of domestic shortages are sharply increasing LNG demand. To meet this demand, energy companies have proposed building dozens of new LNG import terminals throughout the coastal United States. But many of these terminals would be built onshore near populated areas, so local communities fear the terminals would expose them to unacceptable safety and security hazards. Potentially catastrophic pool fires or vapor cloud fires could arise from a serious accident or attack on LNG infrastructure. Faced with the widely perceived need for greater LNG imports, and persistent public concerns about LNG safety, Congress is examining the adequacy of safety provisions in federal LNG siting regulation."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Parfomak, Paul W.; Flynn, Aaron M.
2005-05-20
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Human Cloning [Updated May 20, 2005]
"In May 2005 scientists in South Korea announced they had achieved major advances in creating human embryos using cloning methods and in isolating human stem cells from cloned embryos. In December 2002 a representative of Clonaid announced the overseas birth of the first cloned human to a 31-year-old American woman. Clonaid's claim remains unsubstantiated. These announcements rekindled debate in the 108th Congress on the moral and ethical implications of human cloning as the disclosure by Advanced Cell Technology (ACT) did in the 107th Congress. In November 2001 ACT announced the creation of the first cloned human embryos (which survived only for a few hours); the embryos were to be used to derive stem cells for medical research on disease therapies. Harvard scientists intend to produce cloned human embryos for research on diabetes, Parkinson's disease, and other diseases; they received permission to proceed from the University in January 2005. President Bush announced in August 2001 that for the first time federal funds would be used to support research on human embryonic stem cells, but funding would be limited to 'existing stem cell lines.' Federal funds can not be used for the cloning of human embryos for any purpose, including stem cell research. In July 2002 the President's Council on Bioethics released its report on human cloning which unanimously recommended a ban on reproductive cloning and, by a vote of 10 to 7, a four-year moratorium on cloning for medical research purposes. The ethical issues surrounding reproductive cloning (commodification, safety, identity ), and therapeutic cloning (embryos' moral status, relief of suffering), impact various proposals for regulation, restrictions, bans, and uses of federal funding."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Williams, Erin D.; Johnson, Judith A. (Judith Ann), 1957-
2005-05-20
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Indonesia: Domestic Politics, Strategic Dynamics, and American Interests [Updated May 20, 2005]
"Indonesia is a very important country to the United States, especially since the terrorist attacks of 9/11. Its importance stems from its status as the world's fourth most populous country and the most numerous Islamic country, its political instability, its role as an unwitting host to radical Islamic and terrorist groups, and its geographic position astride key trade routes linking the oil rich Middle East with the developing Far East. This report surveys key aspects of Indonesia's domestic politics and foreign policy orientation. It provides an overview of the bilateral relationship between the United States and Indonesia and examines Indonesias domestic and international politics. The report provides information on Indonesian issues of ongoing congressional interest, including the war against terror, international military education and training (IMET), human rights, religious freedom, promotion of democracy and good governance, trade, foreign assistance, and regional geopolitical and strategic interests. The report also provides a broader context for understanding the complex interrelated nature of many of these issues."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Vaughn, Bruce, 1963-
2005-05-20
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Jordan: U.S. Relations and Bilateral Issues [Updated May 19, 2005]
"The death of King Hussein on February 7, 1999, removed a strong U.S. ally and force for stability; however, his son and successor, King Abdullah, has continued to follow the late King's moderate and pro-western policies. In recent years, Jordan has taken significant steps toward building democratic life, including a return to limited parliamentary democracy. Parliament has eased restrictions in laws affecting the press, but some remain. Several issues in U.S.-Jordanian relations are likely to figure in decisions by Congress and the Administration on future aid to and cooperation with Jordan. These include the stability of the Jordanian regime, democratic reform under way in Jordan, the role of Jordan in the Arab-Israeli peace process, Jordan's concerns over the U.S.-led campaign against Iraq in 2003, and its relations with other regional states. Following the 9/11 attacks, Jordan issued bans on banking operations linked to terrorist activities and pursued individuals linked to Osama bin Laden's Al Qaeda organization. Jordan also sent military medical and mine clearing units to Afghanistan in December 2001 to support the U.S.-led campaign against terrorism, and a field hospital to Iraq in April 2003 during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Jordan is also helping train Iraqi police and military personnel in Iraq's newly organized security forces."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Prados, Alfred B.
2005-05-19
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U.S. Treatment of Prisoners in Iraq: Selected Legal Issues [Updated May 19, 2005]
"This report summarizes pertinent provisions of the Geneva Conventions Relative to the Treatment of Victims of War (Geneva Conventions) and other relevant international agreements. The report begins with a discussion of international and U.S. standards pertaining to the treatment of prisoners. A discussion of accountability in case of breach of these standards follows, including potential means of asserting jurisdiction over alleged violators, either in military courts under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) or U.S. federal courts, by applying U.S. criminal statutes that explicitly apply extraterritorially or within the special maritime or territorial jurisdiction of the United States (as defined in 18 U.S.C. § 7), or by means of the Military Extraterritorial Jurisdiction Act (MEJA). The section that follows discusses international requirements to provide redress for those whose treatment at the hands of U.S. officials may have fallen below the standards outlined in the first section of the report. Finally, the report summarizes relevant congressional activity during the 108th and 109th Congresses, including a brief discussion of the anti-torture provision of P.L.109-13 (H.R. 1268). This report will be updated."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Elsea, Jennifer
2005-05-19
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Vaccine Policy Issues [Updated May 19, 2005]
"This report's focus is on vaccination, one of the most cost-effective methods available to prevent infectious diseases. Whether a vaccine's target is naturally occurring or present because of hostile intent, the issues policy makers must deal with include vaccine development, production, availability, safety, effectiveness, and access. Vaccines are biologics: their basic components begin as living material. They introduce bacteria or dead or weakened viruses into a person or animal to stimulate an immune reaction that the body will remember if assaulted by the same pathogen in the future. [...] Successful development and production of safe and effective vaccines does not ensure that everyone who needs a vaccine gets it. Congress may take up the coordination of government childhood immunization programs and financing levels and strategies for vaccine-related care. Noting concern for health needs of developing countries, some Members seek to increase access to existing vaccines and to spur development of affordable vaccines for global health threats. This report will be updated as warranted."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Thaul, Susan
2005-05-19
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Parliament and Congress: A Brief Comparison of the British House of Commons and the U.S. House of Representatives [Updated May 19, 2005]
From the Summary: "Although the United States Congress can trace its origins to British Parliament, the two institutions have evolved in significantly different directions over the past two centuries. This report provides a brief overview of the parliamentary practices in the House of Representatives and the British House of Commons focusing on such issues as membership and qualifications, the role of the Speaker and party or Government leaders, the role of committees, floor consideration, and second chambers. In a report of this length, many nuances of procedure and many rarely used parliamentary practices or traditions, both in the House of Commons and in the House of Representatives, are necessarily omitted or treated only in a cursory manner. This report will be updated as events warrant."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Petersen, R. Eric
2005-05-19
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Afghanistan: Post-War Governance, Security, and U.S. Policy [Updated May 19, 2005]
From the Summary: "Afghanistan's stabilization appears to be gathering strength, about three years after the U.S.-led war that brought the current government to power. Successful presidential elections held on October 9, 2004 appear to be accelerating political and economic reconstruction, and the insurgency led by remnants of the former Taliban regime has diminished significantly over the past year. The report of the 9/11 Commission recommended a long-term commitment to a secure and stable Afghanistan. Legislation passed in December 2004 to implement those recommendations (P.L. 108-458) contains provisions on Afghanistan, although most of these provisions had already formed a major part of U.S. policy for Afghanistan."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Katzman, Kenneth
2005-05-19
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Iraq: Summary of U.S. Casualties [Updated May 19, 2005]
"The following casualty table was compiled by the Department of Defense, as tallied from DOD press releases. Table 1 provides statistics on fatalities during Operation Iraqi Freedom [OIF], which began on March 19, 2003, and is ongoing, as well as on the number of fatalities since May 1, 2003, plus statistics on those wounded, but not killed, since March 19, 2003. Statistics may be revised as circumstances are investigated and as all records are processed through the U.S. military's casualty system. This report will be updated semiweekly, but more frequent updates are available at DOD's website at [http://www.defenselink.mil/news/]; click on 'OIF/OEF [Operation Enduring Freedom] Casualty Update.' A detailed casualty summary that includes data on deaths by cause, as well as statistics on soldiers wounded in action, is available at the following DOD website: [http://web1.whs.osd.mil/mmid/casualty/OIF-Total.pdf]."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Fischer, Hannah
2005-05-19
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Combat Aircraft Sales to South Asia: Potential Implications [May 19, 2005]
From the Summary: "In March 2005, the Bush Administration announced a willingness to resume sales of F-16 combat aircraft to Pakistan. Potential sales to India are also being considered. These potential sales have political, military, and defense industrial base implications for the United States and the South Asia region. H.R. 1553 and S. 12 would impose nonproliferation conditions on these sales. This report will be updated periodically."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Grimmett, Richard F.; Bolkcom, Christopher C.; Kronstadt, K. Alan
2005-05-19
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Venezuela: Political Conditions and U.S. Policy [Updated May 18, 2005]
"The United States traditionally has had close relations with Venezuela, but there has been friction in relations with the Chavez government. The Bush Administration expressed strong support for the work of the OAS in resolving the crisis, welcomed the May 2003 political accord, and supported its implementation. After the recall referendum, the Administration congratulated the Venezuelan people for their commitment to democracy. At the same time, U.S. officials stressed the importance of reconciliation on the part of the government and the opposition in order to resolve their political differences peacefully. A dilemma for U.S. policymakers has been how to press the Chavez government to adhere to democratic principles without taking sides in Venezuela's polarized political conflict. Since Venezuela is a major supplier of foreign oil to the United States, a key U.S. interest has been ensuring the continued flow of oil exports at a reasonable and stable price. Despite friction in U.S.-Venezuelan relations and despite past threats by President Chavez to stop selling oil to the United States, Venezuela has remained a steady supplier of oil to the United States. In 2005, Administration officials have used increasingly strong language to express concerns about President Chavez's actions in Venezuela and in Latin America."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sullivan, Mark P.
2005-05-18
