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U.S. Foreign Assistance to the Middle East: Historical Background, Recent Trends, and the FY2006 Request [Updated February 17, 2005]
From the Summary: "For policymakers, foreign assistance plays a key role in advancing U.S. foreign policy goals in the Middle East. The United States has a number of interests in the region, ranging from support for the state of Israel and Israel's peaceful relations with its Arab neighbors, to the protection of vital petroleum supplies and the fight against international terrorism. U.S. assistance helps to maintain the 1979 Camp David peace accords between Israel and Egypt and the continued stability of the Kingdom of Jordan, which signed its own peace treaty with Israel in 1994. U.S. funding also works to improve Palestinian civil society, and aid officials have worked to ensure that U.S. aid to the West Bank and Gaza Strip is not diverted to terrorist groups. Since the attacks of September 11, 2001, the United States has established new region-wide aid programs to promote democracy and encourage socio-economic reform in order to undercut the forces of radicalism in some Arab countries. According to the 9/11 Commission Report, "'A comprehensive U.S. strategy to counter terrorism should include economic policies that encourage development, more open societies, and opportunities for people to improve the lives of their families and to enhance prospects for their children's future.'"
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sharp, Jeremy Maxwell
2005-02-17
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Critical Infrastructures: Background, Policy, and Implementation [Updated February 17, 2005]
From the Summary: "Following the events of September 11, the Bush Administration released two relevant Executive Orders (EOs). EO 13228, signed October 8, 2001 established the Office of Homeland Security. Among its duties, the Office shall 'coordinate efforts to protect the United States and its critical infrastructure from the consequences of terrorist attacks.' EO 13231, signed October 16, stated the Bush Administration's policy and objectives for protecting the nation's information infrastructure and established the President's Critical Infrastructure Protection Board chaired by a Special Advisor to the President for Cybersecurity (both of which were later abolished by an amending executive order). More recently (December17, 2003), the Bush Administration released Homeland Security Presidential Directive 7, reiterating and expanding upon infrastructure protection policy and responsibilities which remain relatively unchanged through two Administrations."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Moteff, John D.
2005-02-17
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Indian and Pakistani Nuclear Weapons Status [Updated February 17, 2005]
From the Summary: "Until 2005, India and Pakistan were the only states outside the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty to declare, openly, their nuclear weapons capability. In 1998, they tested nuclear weapons and since then, deployed ballistic missiles, enunciated nuclear doctrine, and made organizational changes to their nuclear establishments. In 2002, they teetered on the brink of war in Kashmir. This paper summarizes Indian and Pakistani nuclear weapon capabilities and thinking, and discusses some confidence-building measures in place intended to help avert nuclear war. It will be updated as events warrant."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Squassoni, Sharon A.
2005-02-17
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Afghanistan: Post-War Governance, Security, and U.S. Policy [Updated February 17, 2005]
From the Summary: "Afghanistan is stabilizing after more than 22 years of warfare, including a 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. 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 provision on Afghanistan, although most of these Commission's recommendations had already formed a major part of the U.S. policy framework for Afghanistan. [...] Aside from a weakening but persistent Taliban insurgency, remaining obstacles to stability include the continued local authority of militias controlled by regional leaders and growing narcotics trafficking. U.S. stabilization measures focus on strengthening the central government and its security forces. The United States and other countries are building an Afghan National Army; deploying a multinational International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) to patrol Kabul and other cities; running regional enclaves to create secure conditions for reconstruction (Provincial
Reconstruction Teams, PRTs); and disarming militia fighters."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Katzman, Kenneth
2005-02-17
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Indian Ocean Earthquake and Tsunamis: Food Aid Needs and the U.S. Response [Updated February 16, 2005]
"On December 26, 2004, an undersea earthquake of magnitude 9.0 off the coast of Aceh Province (Sumatra) in Indonesia set off a series of large tsunamis across the Indian Ocean region. In all, 12 countries were hit by wave surges, with the brunt of the impact in coastal communities in Indonesia, the Maldives, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. The death toll has been estimated at 140,000-200,000. It is believed that between 3 and 5 million people have been affected, including those displaced, or who have lost their homes and livelihoods. An estimated 2 million people are in urgent need of food aid. Thus far, the United States, other countries, and international organizations have pledged over $4 billion in emergency assistance. The U.S. pledged contribution, including food aid valued at $34.5 million, currently stands at $350 million. The President requested, on February 14, 2005, an additional $701 million in supplemental appropriations for tsunami relief, some of which could be used for food aid. Prior to the Indian Ocean disaster, U.S. and global food aid resources were facing considerable demand for emergency food aid to respond to urgent needs, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. Congress may be confronted with a number of interrelated food aid issues early in the 109th Congress, including reconciling emergency and non-emergency uses of food aid, determining the U.S. share of global food aid for tsunami victims as well as other food-insecure people in Africa and elsewhere, and funding alternatives for U.S. emergency and non-emergency food aid. This report will be updated."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Hanrahan, Charles
2005-02-16
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Mexico-United States Dialogue on Migration and Border Issues, 2001-2005 [Updated February 16, 2005]
"This report, which will be updated periodically, focuses on the interactions between Mexico and the United States on migration and border issues during the administrations of President George W. Bush and President Vicente Fox of Mexico. These discussions have been sustained despite less-than-expected progress following the terrorist attacks upon the United States in 2001 and disagreements over policy in Iraq in 2003. The discussions and agreements fall predominantly into three areas: (1) the bilateral migration talks, (2) the Partnership for Prosperity, and (3) the Border Partnership Agreement."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Storrs, K. Larry (Keith Larry), 1937-
2005-02-16
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Lebanon [Updated February 16, 2005]
"The United States and Lebanon continue to enjoy good relations. Prominent current issues between the United States and Lebanon include progress toward a Lebanon-Israel peace treaty, U.S. aid to Lebanon, and Lebanon's capacity to stop Hizballah militia attacks on Israel. The United States supports Lebanon's independence and favored the end of Israeli and Syrian occupation of parts of Lebanon. Israel withdrew from southern Lebanon on May 23, 2000, and three recent withdrawals have reduced the Syrian military presence from 30,000 to 16,000. A large Lebanese-American community follows U.S.-Lebanon relations closely. Presidents Eisenhower and Reagan said the United States had 'vital' interests in Lebanon, but others might describe U.S. interests in Lebanon as less than vital. At the invitation of the Lebanese government, the United States intervened in Lebanon to defend Lebanese sovereignty in 1958 and 1982. In a Beirut terror bombing in October 1983, 241 U.S. armed forces personnel died. From 1987 until July 1997, the United States banned travel to Lebanon because of the threat of kidnapping and dangers from the ongoing civil war."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Mark, Clyde R.
2005-02-16
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Immigration: Analysis of the Major Provisions of H.R. 418, the REAL ID Act of 2005 [Updated February 16, 2005]
"This report analyzes the major provisions of House-passed H.R. 418, which would, inter alia, (1) modify the eligibility criteria for asylum and withholding of removal; (2) limit judicial review of certain immigration decisions; (3) institute new standards and practices for bonds assuring the appearance of aliens for removal; (4) provide additional waiver authority over laws that might impede the expeditious construction of barriers and roads along land borders, including a 14-mile wide fence near San Diego; (5) expand the scope of terror-related activity making an alien inadmissible or deportable, as well as ineligible for certain forms of relief from removal; (6) require states to meet certain minimum security standards in order for the drivers' licenses and personal identification cards they issue to be accepted for federal purposes; (7) require the Secretary of Homeland Security to enter into the appropriate aviation security screening database the appropriate background information of any person convicted of using a false driver's license for the purpose of boarding an airplane; and (8) require the Department of Homeland Security to study and plan ways to improve U.S. security and improve inter-agency communications and information sharing, as well as establish a ground surveillance pilot program."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Garcia, Michael John; Tatelman, Todd; Lee, Margaret Mikyung
2005-02-16
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Potential Navy Force Structure and Shipbuilding Plans: Background and Issues for Congress [Updated February 16, 2005]
"The Navy testified in February 2005 that the Navy in future years may require a total of 260 to 325 ships, or possibly 243 to 302 ships, depending on how much the Navy uses new technologies and a new ship crewing and deployment method called Sea Swap. A total Navy ship count of 260 to 325 ships, or 243 to 302 ships, would be, numerically, lower than a proposed goal of 375 ships that was mentioned by Navy officials in 2002-2004, and roughly comparable to, or somewhat lower than, the 310-ship goal approved in the 2001 Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR) and the current fleet size of about 290 ships."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
O'Rourke, Ronald
2005-02-16
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Global Climate Change: The Kyoto Protocol [Updated February 16, 2005]
From the Summary: "Negotiations on the Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) were completed December 11, 1997, committing the industrialized nations to specified, legally binding reductions in emissions of six 'greenhouse gases.' This treaty would commit the United States, if it were to ratify the Protocol, to a target of reducing greenhouse gases by 7% below 1990 levels during a 'commitment period' between 2008-2012. Because of the fact that 'sinks,' which remove and store carbon from the atmosphere, are counted and because of other provisions discussed in this report, the actual reduction of emissions within the United States that would be required to meet the target was estimated to be lower than 7%. The United States signed the Protocol on November 12, 1998. However, the Clinton Administration did not submit the Protocol to the Senate for advice and consent, acknowledging that one condition outlined by S.Res. 98, passed in mid-1997 -- meaningful participation by developing countries in binding commitments limiting greenhouse gases -- had not been met. In late March 2001, the Bush Administration rejected the Kyoto Protocol. The United States continued to attend the annual conferences of the parties (COPs) to the UNFCCC, but did not participate in Kyoto Protocol-related negotiations. In February, 2002, President Bush announced a U.S. policy for climate change that will rely on domestic, voluntary actions to reduce the 'greenhouse gas intensity' (ratio of emissions to economic output) of the U.S. economy by 18% over the next 10 years. [...] This report is intended to provide background on the Kyoto Protocol and its terms. It will be updated annually or as events warrant."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Fletcher, Susan R.
2005-02-16
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Global Peace Operations Initiative: Background and Issues for Congress [February 16, 2005]
"The Administration developed the Global Peace Operations Initiative (GPOI) as a multilateral, five-year program with U.S. contributions of some $660 million from FY2005 through FY2009. Its primary purpose is to train and equip 75,000 military troops, a majority of them African, for peacekeeping operations by 2010.
GPOI is supporting an Italian training center for gendarme (constabulary police) forces in Vicenza, Italy, scheduled to open in the fall of 2005. GPOI will also promote the development of an international transportation and logistics support system for peacekeepers, and is encouraging an information exchange to improve international coordination of peace operations training and exercises in Africa. In June 2004, G8 leaders pledged to support the goals of the initiative."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Serafino, Nina M.
2005-02-16
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Fiscal Year 2005 Homeland Security Grant Program: State Allocations and Issues for Congressional Oversight [February 16, 2005]
From the Document: "The Office for Domestic Preparedness, within the Department of Homeland Security, is responsible for directing and supervising federal terrorism preparedness grants for states and localities. Prior to FY2005, the Office for Domestic Preparedness offered that assistance through six separate grant programs. Some state and local officials, however, criticized the fragmentation of homeland security assistance and recommended streamlining the grant process. Subsequently, the Office for Domestic Preparedness recommended and -- pursuant to Section 872 of the Homeland Security Act (P.L. 107-296), which authorizes the Department of Homeland Security Secretary 'to allocate, reallocate, and consolidate functions and organization units within the Department' -- Department of Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge approved consolidating the separate programs into a single Homeland Security Grant Program. Within the consolidated program, however, the six types of assistance continue to have their separate identities and funding allocations as 'sub-grants.' As a whole, the Homeland Security Grant Program provides assistance for a wide range of eligible activities, among which are planning, training, equipment acquisition, and exercises. To fund the program, Congress appropriated approximately $2.5 billion for FY2005, roughly $600,000 less than for the programs in FY2004."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Resse, Shawn
2005-02-16
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U.S. Immigration Policy on Asylum Seekers [Updated February 16, 2005]
From the Summary: "Aliens present in the United States may apply for asylum with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services Bureau (USCIS) in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) after arrival into the country, or they may seek asylum before a Department of Justice's Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) immigration judge during removal proceedings. Aliens arriving at a U.S. port who lack proper immigration documents or who engage in fraud or misrepresentation are placed in expedited removal; however, if they express a fear of persecution, they receive a 'credible fear' hearing with an USCIS asylum officer and -- if found credible -- are referred to an EOIR immigration judge for a hearing."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Wasem, Ruth Ellen
2005-02-16
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Immigration: Terrorist Grounds for Exclusion of Aliens [Updated February 16, 2005]
From the Summary: "This report opens with an overview of the grounds for inadmissibility and summarizes key legislation enacted in recent years. The section on current law explains the legal definitions of 'terrorist activity,' 'terrorist organization,' and other security-related grounds for inadmissibility and analyzes the legal implications of these provisions. The report then discusses the alien screening process to identify possible terrorists during the visa issuance process abroad and the inspections process at U.S. ports of entry. Where relevant, the report also discusses how recently enacted legislation -- the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 (P.L.108-458) -- affects these matters. Provisions in the Real ID Act (H.R. 418), introduced in the 109th Congress by House Committee on the Judiciary Chairman James Sensenbrenner and passed by the House on February 10, 2005, are also discussed."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Wasem, Ruth Ellen; Garcia, Michael John
2005-02-16
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Operations Noble Eagle, Enduring Freedom, and Iraqi Freedom: Questions and Answers About U.S. Military Personnel, Compensation, and Force Structure [Updated February 16, 2005]
From the Summary: "This report provides short answers to commonly asked questions about military personnel, compensation, and force structure issues related to Operation Noble Eagle (ONE), Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). Operation Noble Eagle is the name given to military operations related to homeland security and support to federal, state, and local agencies in the wake of the September 11th attacks. Operation Enduring Freedom includes ongoing operations in Afghanistan, operations against terrorists in other countries, and training assistance to foreign militaries which are conducting operations against terrorists. Operation Iraqi Freedom includes the invasion of Iraq, the defeat of Saddam Hussein's regime, and the subsequent peacekeeping, rebuilding, and counter-insurgency operations in Iraq."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Kapp, Lawrence
2005-02-16
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DOD's National Security Personnel System: Provisions of Law and Implementation Plans [Updated February 16, 2005]
From the Summary: "Title XI of the National Defense Authorization Act for FY2004, P.L. 108-136, includes provisions on a National Security Personnel System (NSPS) for the Department of Defense (DOD) and provisions on personnel management that are applicable government-wide. The law was enacted on November 24, 2003. This report discusses each of the provisions in Title XI of P.L. 108-136 and plans to implement the law."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Schwemle, Barbara L.
2005-02-16
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Homeland Security Advisory System: Possible Issues for Congressional Oversight [Updated February 16, 2005]
From the Summary: "The Homeland Security Advisory System (HSAS), established on March 12, 2002, is a color-coded terrorist threat warning system administered by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The system, which federal departments and agencies are required to implement and use, provides recommended protective measures for federal departments and agencies to prevent, prepare for, mitigate against, and respond to terrorist attacks. DHS disseminates HSAS terrorist threat warnings to federal departments, state and local agencies, the public, and private-sector entities. This dissemination of warnings is conducted through multiple communication systems and public announcements. HSAS has five threat levels: low, guarded, elevated, high, and severe. From March 2002 to the present, the HSAS threat level has been no lower than elevated, and has been raised to high six times. The first time it was raised to high was on September 10, 2002, due to the fear of terrorist attacks on the anniversary of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. The most recent time it was raised to high was on August 1, 2004, due to intelligence regarding possible terrorist attacks on financial institutions in New York City, Washington, DC, and Newark, New Jersey."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Reese, Shawn
2005-02-16
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Broader Middle East and North Africa Initiative: An Overview [February 15, 2005]
"The Broader Middle East and North Africa Initiative (BMENA) is a multilateral development and reform plan aimed at fostering economic and political liberalization in a wide geographic area of Arab and non-Arab Muslim countries. In December 2004, the first BMENA meeting took place in Rabat, Morocco and was called the 'Forum for the Future.' At the forum, foreign ministers and finance ministers of the countries in the region stretching from Morocco to Pakistan as well as from the countries of the G8 pledged to create several new development programs and committed $60 million to a regional fund for business development. Critics of BMENA contend that the initiative focuses too heavily on economic issues instead of political reform and does little to strengthen non-governmental organizations and civil society groups in Arab and non- Arab Muslim countries. The 109th Congress may consider new democracy-promotion and development programs for the broader Middle East. For additional reading, see CRS Report RS21457, 'The Middle East Partnership Initiative: An Overview', and CRS Report RL32260, 'U.S. Foreign Assistance to the Middle East: Historical Background, Recent Trends, and FY2005 Funding'. This report will be updated periodically to reflect new developments."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sharp, Jeremy Maxwell
2005-02-15
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Homeland Security: Protecting Airliners from Terrorist Missiles [Updated February 15, 2005]
From the Summary: "Recent events have focused attention on the threat that terrorists with shoulder fired surface-to-air missiles (SAMs), referred to as Man-Portable Air Defense Systems (MANPADS), pose to commercial airliners. Most believe that no single solution exists to effectively mitigate this threat. Instead, a menu of options may be considered, including installing infrared (IR) countermeasures on aircraft; modifying flight operations and air traffic control procedures; improving airport and regional security; and strengthening missile non-proliferation efforts. Equipping aircraft with missile countermeasure systems can protect the aircraft even when operating in areas where ground-based security measures are unavailable or infeasible to implement. However, this option has a relatively high cost, between $1 million and $3 million per aircraft, and the time needed for implementation does not allow for immediate response to the existing terrorist threat. Procedural improvements such as specific flight crew training, altering air traffic procedures to minimize exposure to the threat, and improved security near airports may be less costly than countermeasures and could more immediately help deter domestic terrorist attacks. However, these techniques by themselves cannot completely mitigate the risk of domestic attacks and would not protect U.S. airliners flying to and from foreign airports."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Bolkcom, Christopher C.; Feickert, Andrew
2005-02-15
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Pakistan's Domestic Political Developments [Updated February 14, 2005]
"The 9/11 Commission Report called Musharraf's government the 'best hope' for stability in Pakistan and Afghanistan, and recommended the provision of long term and comprehensive support to Pakistan so long as its government remains committed to combating extremism and to a policy of "enlightened moderation." In passing the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 (P.L. 108- 458), the 108th Congress broadly endorsed this recommendation, in part through a call for efforts to encourage Pakistan's transition to fully functioning democracy. The act also extended the President's authority to waive coup-related sanctions on Pakistan through FY2006. In the 109th Congress, pending legislation (the Targeting Terrorists More Effectively Act of 2005, S. 12) contains Pakistan-specific language. See also CRS Issue Brief IB94041, Pakistan-U.S. Relations and CRS Report RL32259, Terrorism in South Asia. This report will be updated periodically."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Kronstadt, K. Alan
2005-02-14
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Iraq: Post-Saddam National Elections [Updated February 14, 2005]
"Elections for a transitional National Assembly, provincial councils, and a Kurdish regional assembly were held on January 30, 2005. High voter turnout in mostly Shiite and Kurdish areas led to a first and second place finish for slates backed by these two communities. Sunni Arabs, dominant under Saddam Hussein, appear to have been further marginalized by their relative lack of participation in the vote. This report will be updated regularly."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Katzman, Kenneth
2005-02-14
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FY2006 Appropriations for State and Local Homeland Security [February 14, 2005]
From the Document: "In the FY2006 budget request, the Administration proposes roughly $3.36 billion for state and local homeland security assistance programs. This is $235 million less than these programs were appropriated in FY2005 ($3.59 billion). The Administration proposes to combine the Law Enforcement Terrorism Prevention Program (appropriated $400 million) with the State Homeland Security Grant Program and the Urban Area Security Initiative. It also arguably proposes to transfer five Urban Area Security Initiative sub-grants (rail, port, intercity bus, trucking industry, and non-governmental security grants) to a new Targeted Infrastructure Protection Program. Additionally, the Administration proposes to change the current formula used to allocate State Homeland Security Grant Program funds to states and localities. This report discusses these changes. The report will be updated as circumstances warrant."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Reese, Shawn
2005-02-14
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Forest Fire/Wildfire Protection [Updated February 14, 2005]
From the Document: "Congress continues to face questions about forestry practices, funding levels, and the federal role in wildland fire protection. The 2000 and 2002 fire seasons were, by most standards, among the worst in the past half century. National attention began to focus on wildfires when a prescribed burn in May 2000 escaped control and burned 239 homes in Los Alamos, NM. President Clinton responded by requesting a doubling of wildfire management funds, and Congress enacted much of this proposal in the FY2001 Interior Appropriations Act (P.L. 106-291). President Bush responded to the severe 2002 fires by proposing a Healthy Forests Initiative to reduce fuel loads by expediting review processes. Many factors contribute to the threat of wildfire damages. Two major factors are the decline in forest and rangeland health and the expansion of residential areas into wildlands - the urban-wildland interface. Over the past century, aggressive wildfire suppression, as well as past grazing and logging practices, have altered many ecosystems, especially those where light, surface fires were frequent. Many areas now have unnaturally high fuel loads (e.g., dead trees and dense thickets) and an historically unnatural mix of plant species (e.g., exotic invaders)."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Gorte, Ross W.
2005-02-14
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Chemical Plant Security [Updated February 14, 2005]
"This report provides background information and summarizes issues relevant to existing and proposed requirements aimed at reducing risks to the general public of exposure to hazardous chemicals as a result of terrorist acts at U.S. chemical production, processing, or storage facilities. It considers the likelihood and severity of harm that might result from terrorist attacks on chemical facilities, as well as from illicit use of such facilities to gain access to hazardous chemicals (or to precursor chemicals that can be used to produce hazardous chemicals). [...]The report first describes the range of terrorist acts that might threaten chemical facilities and summarizes publicly available information relevant to risks: recent trends in terrorist activity, including chemical use by terrorists; expert estimates of the harm that might be inflicted through chemical terrorism; and assessments of the vulnerability of chemical facilities. The next section of the report discusses existing federal mandates and incentives for reducing risks of accidental releases from chemical facilities. The remainder of the report summarizes recent Administration and private sector initiatives to improve chemical site security; analyzes policy options and key issues; and describes legislation in the 109th Congress."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Schierow, Linda-Jo
2005-02-14
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U.S. Assistance to North Korea: Fact Sheet [Updated February 11, 2005]
"Since 1995, the United States has provided over $1 billion in foreign assistance to the Democratic People's Republic of North Korea (DPRK, also known as North Korea). About 60% has taken the form of food aid and about 40% was energy assistance channeled through the Korean Peninsula Energy Development Organization (KEDO), the multilateral organization established in 1994 to provide energy aid in exchange for North Korea's pledge of that year to halt its existing nuclear program. This report provides statistical details of U.S. aid to North Korea, including the $100,000 pledged in April 2004 to help survivors of a massive train explosion in the northwestern town of Ryongchon. As the table in the report shows, U.S. assistance to North Korea has fallen significantly over the past two years. In the fall of 2004, the North Korean government began restricting the activities of many humanitarian activities, including some of those by the World Food Program (WFP). Administration officials, including President Bush, have indicated that United States assistance might be forthcoming if North Korea began dismantling its nuclear programs, a subject being discussed in the six-party talks. The 108th Congress passed, and President Bush signed, H.R. 4011 (P.L. 108-333), the North Korean Human Rights Act, which includes hortatory language calling for 'significant increases' above current levels of U.S. support for humanitarian assistance to be conditioned upon 'substantial improvements' in transparency, monitoring, and access. Pyongyang has cited the Act as evidence of the United States' 'hostile policy' toward North Korea and has used it as justification to suspend its participation in the six-party talks. This report will be updated periodically to track changes in U.S. provision of aid to North Korea. A more extended description and analysis of aid to North Korea, including assistance provided by other countries, is provided in CRS [Congressional Research Service] Report RL31785, 'U.S. Assistance to North Korea', by Mark Manyin."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Manyin, Mark E.
2005-02-11
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Syria: U.S. Relations and Bilateral Issues [February 11, 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.
2005-02-11
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State Department and Related Agencies: FY2005 Appropriations and FY2006 Request [Updated February 11, 2005]
"State Department funding is within the Commerce, Justice, State (CJS) appropriation. The State Department authorization is required biannually, providing ceilings and the authority for the Department of State to spend its appropriation. The President sent his FY2005 budget to Congress on February 7, 2005. Included was the Department of State FY2006 budget request for a total of $9,283.1 million (13.6% more than the FY2005 enacted level, including supplemental funds and rescissions) and the international broadcasting FY2006 budget request for $651.9 million (a 10.2% increase from the FY2005 level, including supplementals and rescissions). Of particular interest is the Administration's request for a 20.9% increase in educational and cultural exchanges and a request for a more than doubling of U.S. contributions for international peacekeeping. What is notably missing from this budget request is funding for U.S. embassies in Iraq and Afghanistan. Reportedly, an $80 billion emergency supplemental request is expected to arrive on Capitol Hill in February. It is said to include approximately $1.5 billion for Iraq and Afghanistan embassy reconstruction and security. Secretary of State Rice is scheduled to testify before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, the House International Relations Committee, and the House and Senate Appropriations Committees in February and March on the State Department FY2006 budget request.
For FY2005 State Department funding, the President signed the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2005 into law (P.L. 108-447) on December 8, 2004. The final FY2005 enacted funding for the Department of State amounted to $8,174.7 million and $591.6 million for international broadcasting."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Epstein, Susan B.
2005-02-11
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Iran: U.S. Concerns and Policy Responses [Updated February 11, 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. Some advocate military action against Iran's nuclear infrastructure, but others believes 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
2005-02-11
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Bringing Peace to Chechnya? Assessments and Implications [Updated February 11, 2005]
"Since Chechen terrorists held hundreds of Moscow theater-goers hostage in late
2002, the Putin administration has appeared unequivocally opposed to talks with the rebels and more dedicated to establishing a pro-Moscow government in Chechnya. Such a government will use its own forces to battle the remaining rebels, ostensibly permitting the disengagement and withdrawal of most Russian troops from the region. This 'Chechenization' of the conflict, along with related pacification efforts, constitute the main elements of the Russian government's campaign to wind down the fighting. Pacification efforts aim to gain the support or acquiescence of the population to federal control and include rebuilding assistance and elections. The assassination of a newly elected pro-Moscow Chechen leader in May 2004, and the attack on a school in the town of Beslan, Russia, in September 2004, by Chechen terrorists have raised questions about whether Chechenization and pacification are succeeding."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Nichol, James P.
2005-02-11
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Removing Terrorist Sanctuaries: The 9/11 Commission Recommendations and U.S. Policy [Updated February 11, 2005]
"U.S. strategy to combat global terrorism, even prior to 9/11, included efforts to deny sanctuary to terrorist groups by isolating and applying pressure on states that sponsor or acquiesce to terrorists on their territory and by strengthening the counterterrorism capabilities of countries that cooperate with the United States but need help. For years, U.S. officials exerted considerable diplomatic pressure on the Taliban government to expel Al Qaeda from Afghanistan. The United States also pressed the government of Pakistan to crack down on terrorist sanctuaries within its own borders and to use its influence with its then Taliban ally. These efforts were largely unsuccessful until the 9/11 attacks caused many governments to change their approach and cooperate more extensively with the United States in the fight against terrorism. After 9/11, U.S. efforts to deny terrorists sanctuary were substantially increased worldwide. The National Strategy for Combating Terrorism, released by the White House on February 14, 2003, placed strong emphasis on closing down terrorist sanctuaries, using all available instruments (military force, law enforcement, diplomacy, economic assistance, etc.). The strategy report addressed the need to eliminate conditions that produce terrorist sanctuaries, especially in failed states."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Miko, Francis T.
2005-02-11
