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• Nuclear Arms Control: The U.S.-Russian Agenda [Updated June 13, 2002]

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  "Although arms control negotiations are not as important to the U.S.-Russian relationship as they were to the U.S.-Soviet relationship during the Cold War, the United States and Russia have continued to implement existing nuclear arms control agreements and to pursue negotiations on further reductions in their strategic offensive weapons and modifications to limits on ballistic missile defenses. This issue brief summarizes the contents of these agreements and tracks progress in their ratification and implementation."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Woolf, Amy F.

  2002-06-13
• 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
• Afghanistan: Current Issues and U.S. Policy [Updated June 13, 2002]

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  "The defeat of the Taliban has enabled the United States and its coalition partners to send forces throughout Afghanistan to search for Taliban and Al Qaeda fighters and leaders that remain at large, including bin Laden himself. Afghan citizens are enjoying new personal freedoms that were forbidden under the Taliban; women are returning to schools and their jobs and participating in politics. With the Taliban defeated, the United States and its coalition partners are distributing additional humanitarian aid through newly opened routes and, in conjunction with international agencies, beginning a major reconstruction effort. Although the Northern Alliance has emerged as the dominant force in the country, the United States and United Nations mediators persuaded the Alliance to share power with Pashtun representatives in a broad-based interim government. On December 5, 2001, major Afghan factions, meeting under U.N. auspices in Bonn, signed an agreement to form an interim government that will run Afghanistan until a traditional national assembly ('loya jirga'), under way during June 11-16, 2002, selects a new government. The interim government, which took office on December 22, 2001, has been chaired by a Pashtun leader, Hamid Karzai. As the war against remaining Al Qaeda and Taliban elements continues, the United States is working to stabilize the interim government, arrange humanitarian and reconstruction assistance, expand a new Afghan national army, and support the international security force (ISAF) that is helping the new government provide security. The United States has reopened its embassy in Kabul and allowed the Afghan administration to reopen Afghanistan's embassy in Washington."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Katzman, Kenneth

  2002-06-13
• Africa: U.S. Foreign Assistance Issues [Updated June 13, 2002]

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  "The Bush Administration is requesting just over $1 billion in Development Assistance (DA) for sub-Saharan Africa in FY2003, as compared with an estimated $887 million going to the region in FY2002. The request for aid through the Economic Support Fund (ESF), however, has dropped to $77 million from estimated ESF assistance of $100 million in FY2002. […] In a June 7, 2002 report on the food security crisis in southern Africa, the U.S. Agency for International Development reported that to date in FY2002, the United States has provided $52.7 million in emergency humanitarian assistance, primarily food aid, to the region. Treasury Secretary Paul O'Neill, speaking at a meeting of the African Development Bank in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on May 29, 2002, said that boosting human productivity and promoting private sector development were key to sparking economic growth in Africa. O'Neill called for close measurement and monitoring of development assistance, and said that donors should insist on results. Ethiopia was the last stop in a four-nation Africa tour O'Neill had undertaken with Irish rock star Bono. At sites visited during the tour, the Treasury Secretary expressed concern over the lack of clean water and schoolbooks, corruption, and the HIV/AIDS pandemic."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Copson, Raymond W.

  2002-06-13
• 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
• Terrorism Insurance - The 2002 Marketplace [Updated June 12, 2002]

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  "The terrorist attacks of September 11 resulted in the largest insured catastrophic loss in history, estimated to total as much as $70 billion. Even though the insurance industry committed to pay losses resulting from the attacks, industry spokesmen asserted that in view of the impending unavailability of terrorism reinsurance on January 1, 2002, primary insurers would not be able to cover future terrorism losses on renewals of commercial risk policies without a federal backstop. In the 107th Congress, first session, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 3210 on November 29, 2001, providing for a temporary federal backstop. In the Senate, four similar measures were introduced (S. 1743, S. 1744, S. 1748, and S. 1751), but after weeks of negotiations no action was taken. Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle indicated that backstop legislation would be considered again in 2002. [...] Meanwhile, there are indications that the insurance marketplace will have made strides toward resolving a major part of the terrorism coverage issue and federal legislation may be less likely to have its originally intended impact. [...] This report looks at the terrorism insurance marketplace in 2002 in the absence of federal legislation, the economic outlook for the insurance industry, and the regulatory responses of state insurance officials."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Woodall, S. Roy, Jr.

  2002-06-12
• 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
• Background and Legal Issues Related to Stem Cell Research [June 12, 2002]

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  "With certain restrictions, the President has announced that federal funds may be used to conduct research on human embryonic stem cells. Federal research is limited to 64 existing stem cell lines that were derived (1) with the informed consent of the donors; (2) from excess embryos created solely for reproductive purposes; and (3) without any financial inducements to the donors. No federal funds will be used for the derivation or use of stem cell lines derived from newly destroyed embryos; the creation of any human embryos for research purposes; or cloning of human embryos for any purposes. Several lawsuits have been filed relating to stem cell research, and questions have been raised concerning access to existing stem cell lines by federal researchers."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Duffy, Diane T.

  2002-06-12
• Andean Trade Preference Act: A Comparison of House and Senate Versions of H.R. 3009 [June 12, 2002]

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  "In 1991, the 102nd Congress passed the Andean Trade Preference Act (ATPA), which provided for preferential treatment of selected U.S. imports from Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru as part of an incentive system to encourage legal trade as an alternative to illicit drug production. ATPA expired in December 2001 and reauthorization legislation is being considered in the 107th Congress. This report compares two versions of H.R. [House of Representatives] 3009, the 'Andean Trade Promotion and Drug Eradication Act,' passed by the House on November 14, 2001, and the 'Andean Trade Preference Expansion Act, Title XXXI of the Trade Act of 2002,' passed by the Senate on May 23, 2002. The bills would amend the preferential tariff treatment accorded ATPA beneficiary countries. Congressional findings in both bills support the overall ATPA program, and in general, the two bills also agree on expanding duty-free treatment to previously excepted articles, increasing the requirements to qualify as a beneficiary country, and enhancing customs procedures to make them essentially equivalent to those in the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Hornbeck, J. F. (John F.)

  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
• AIDS in Africa [Updated June 11, 2002]

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  "Sub-Saharan Africa has been far more severely affected by AIDS than any other part of the world. The United Nations reports that 28.1 million adults and children are infected with the HIV virus in the region, which has about 10% of the world's population but more than 70% of the worldwide total of infected people. The overall rate of infection among adults in sub-Saharan Africa is about 8.4%; it is 1.2% worldwide. Sixteen countries, mostly in east and southern Africa, have HIV infection rates of more than 10%, and the rate has reached 35.8% in Botswana. An estimated 19.3 million Africans have died of AIDS, including 2.3 million who died in 2001. AIDS has surpassed malaria as the leading cause of death in Africa, and it kills many times more Africans than war. In Africa, HIV is spread primarily by heterosexual contact, and sub- Saharan Africa is the only region where women are infected at a higher rate than men."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Copson, Raymond W.

  2002-06-11
• House and Senate Committee Organization and Jurisdiction: Considerations Related to Proposed Department of Homeland Security [June 10, 2002]

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  From the Summary: "The creation of a Department of Homeland Security, along the lines proposed by the Administration, would affect the jurisdiction of numerous House and Senate committees. In addition, the expansiveness of the proposal may cause Congress to consider using alternative procedures and structures to review the proposal and to monitor the implementation of such a new department. This report discusses the current legislative jurisdictions of House and Senate committees with responsibility over terrorism, homeland security, and the agencies affected by the proposed new department. It also examines alternative procedures and structures Congress might employ in studying the proposal, such as creating a select committee. Finally, it identifies options for committee organization to monitor a Department of Homeland Security after its creation."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Schneider, Judy

  2002-06-10
• Natural Resources and Environment Function in the FY2003 Federal Budget: An Overview of Programs and Funding [Updated June 10, 2002]

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  "Function 300 of the federal budget includes activities related to natural resources and the environment, and is divided in to five subfunctions: water resources, conservation and land management, recreational resources, pollution control and abatement, and other activities such as research and technical support. For FY2003, the Administration requested $29.97 billion in budget authority and $30.60 billion in outlays for Function 300. As passed, the House budget resolution (H.Con.Res. 353) would provide $29.22 billion in budget authority and $29.87 billion in outlays for Function 300. While these amounts are an overall decrease, H.Con.Res. 353 assumes full funding of the Administration's request for several programs. As reported, the Senate budget resolution (S.Con.Res. 100) would provide $33.29 billion in budget authority and $31.55 billion in outlays, and includes numerous funding assumptions. Neither H.Con.Res. 353 as passed, nor S.Con.Res. 100 as reported, assume s future revenues from leasing the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge for oil and gas exploration, as the Administration proposed. In the absence of an agreement with the Senate, the House passed a resolution (H.Res. 428) which provides that H.Con.Res. 353 'shall have force and effect in the House', as though it were adopted by Congress. To date, the Senate has not taken further action to adopt S. Con.Res. 100. This report will be updated as legislative action occurs."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Bearden, David M.

  2002-06-10
• Iran: Current Developments and U.S. Policy [June 10, 2002]

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  "Even before Iran's tacit cooperation with post-September 11 U.S. efforts to defeat Afghanistan's Taliban regime, signs of moderation in Iran had stimulated the United States to try to engage Iran in official talks. Iran, still split between conservatives and reformers loyal to President Mohammad Khatemi, who was elected in May 1997 and overwhelmingly reelected on June 8, 2001, has not accepted to date. Recent reports of Iranian meddling in post-Taliban Afghanistan and Iran's intercepted January 2002 shipment of arms allegedly to the Palestinian Authority have reversed the warming trend. Iran was grouped with North Korea and Iraq as part of the 'axis of evil' identified in President Bush's January 29, 2002 State of the Union message. President Bush has identified Iran's efforts to acquire weapons of mass destruction and delivery means, coupled with its support of terrorist groups, as key U.S. concerns. Iran's ballistic missile program has made major strides over the past few years, with the help of several foreign suppliers, and its nuclear program is advancing with Russia's help."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Katzman, Kenneth

  2002-06-10
• PLO and Its Factions [June 10, 2002]

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  From the Summary: "During the current Palestinian uprising, several Palestinian factions apparently linked in varying degrees to the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) have used violence in an effort to force Israel to end its occupation of Palestinian territory. There is a debate over the degree to which PLO Chairman and Palestinian Authority President Yasir Arafat is willing and able to prevent anti-Israel violence by these factions. This report will be updated to reflect regional developments."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Katzman, Kenneth

  2002-06-10
• India-U.S. Relations [Updated June 7, 2002]

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  "Although the end of the Cold War freed U.S.-India relations from the constraints of a bipolar world, bilateral relations continued for a decade to be affected by the burden of history, most notably the longstanding India-Pakistan regional rivalry. Recent years, however, have brought a sea change in U.S.- India relations, which was reflected in India's swift offer of full support for the U.S.-led war on terrorism following the September 11, 2001, terrorist attack on New York and Washington. The continuing U.S. concern in South Asia, however, is the reduction of tensions between India and Pakistan, which center on their competing claims to the former princely state of Kashmir, and the prevention of nuclear and ballistic missile proliferation. India and Pakistan have so far ignored U.S. and international pressure to sign the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty or the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT)."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Gupta, Amit

  2002-06-07
• Homeland Security: Coast Guard Operations-Background and Issues for Congress [Updated June 7, 2002]

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  From the Summary: "The Administration's proposal, announced June 6, 2002, to create a new Department of Homeland Security (DHLS) would, if implemented, transfer the Coast Guard from the Department of Transportation (DoT) to DHLS. The Coast Guard, with about 43,600 full-time uniformed and civilian personnel, would be the largest federal agency absorbed into DHLS. The Administration's proposal mirrors other bills introduced in Congress prior to June 6, 2002 that would transfer the Coast Guard into a new department or agency for homeland security. In addition to the issue of the Coast Guard's location in the executive branch, the Coast Guard's homeland security operations, particularly after September 11, 2001, raise other potential issues for Congress. This report will be updated as events warrant."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  O'Rourke, Ronald

  2002-06-07
• Iraq: Compliance, Sanctions, and U.S. Policy [Updated June 6, 2002]

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  "In recent years, the United States has been unable to maintain an international consensus for strict enforcement of all applicable U.N. Security Council resolutions on Iraq, but it has largely succeeded in preventing Iraq from reemerging as an immediate strategic threat to the region. There is U.S. concern about the long-term threat posed by Iraq and, in the wake of the September 11 attacks, the Bush Administration has said it will prevent Iraq from re-emerging as a significant threat to U.S. security. The exact form of that Administration stance has not yet been announced, whether it be through international sanctions and diplomacy, military action, or covert action. [...] In late 1998, the Clinton Administration publicly added a major new dimension to U.S. Iraq policy - openly promoting a change of regime. Accomplishing this additional U.S. objective, which the Bush Administration says is the cornerstone of its Iraq policy, is considered risky and difficult, and is not openly supported by many other governments. How to accomplish that objective appears to be the subject of vigorous debate within the Administration. The opening of a diplomatic dialogue with Baghdad (the United States suspended relations with Iraq in January 1991) has not been under consideration, although Iraq has sought talks with the United States."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Katzman, Kenneth

  2002-06-06
• Israel: U.S. Foreign Assistance [June 6, 2002]

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  "Israel is not economically self-sufficient, and relies on foreign assistance and borrowing to maintain its economy. Since 1985, the United States has provided $3 billion in grants annually to Israel. Since 1976, Israel has been the largest annual recipient of U.S. foreign assistance, and is the largest cumulative recipient since World War II. In addition to U.S. assistance, it is estimated that Israel receives about $1 billion annually through philanthropy, an equal amount through short- and long- term commercial loans, and around $1 billion in Israel Bonds proceeds. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu told a joint session of Congress on July 10, 1996, that Israel would reduce its need for U.S. aid over the next four years. In January 1998, Finance Minister Neeman proposed eliminating the $1.2 billion economic aid and increasing the $1.8 billion in military aid by $60 million per year during a ten year period beginning in the year 2000. The FY1999, 2000, and 2001 appropriations bills included cuts of $120 million in economic aid and an increases of $60 million in military aid for each year."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Mark, Clyde R.

  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
• International Criminal Court: Overview and Selected Legal Issues [June 5, 2002]

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  "On April 11, 2002, the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court received its sixtieth ratification, meaning it will come into effect July 1, 2002, establishing the first global permanent international court with jurisdiction to prosecute individuals for 'the most serious crimes of concern to the international community.' The United Nations, many human rights organizations, and most democratic nations have expressed support for the new court. The Bush Administration firmly opposes it and has formally renounced the U.S. obligations under the treaty. At the same time, however, the Administration has stressed that the United States shares the goal of the ICC's supporters - promotion of the rule of law - and does not intend to take any action to undermine the ICC. This report provides an historical background of the negotiations for the Rome Statute, outlines the structure of the ICC as contained in the final Statute, and describes the jurisdiction of the ICC. The report identifies the specific crimes enumerated in the Rome Statute as supplemented by the draft elements of crime. A discussion of procedural safeguards follows, including reference to the draft procedural rules. The report then discusses the implications for the United States as a non-ratifying country when the ICC comes into being, and outlines some legislation enacted and proposed to regulate U.S. relations with the ICC, including versions of the American Servicemembers' Protection Act (ASPA) contained in H.R. 1646 and H.R. 4775, the American Servicemember and Citizen Protection Act, H.R. 4169, and the American Citizens' Protection and War Criminal Prosecution Act of 2001, S. 1296/H.R. 2699."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Elsea, Jennifer

  2002-06-05
• Libya [Updated June 4, 2002]

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  "The United Nations Security Council passed three resolutions that placed sanctions on Libya until Libya surrendered for trial two men suspected of bombing Pan Am flight 103 in 1988 and French flight UTA 772 in 1989. Libya surrendered the two men on April 5, 1999, and the U.N. suspended the sanctions the same day. U.S. sanctions against Libya remain in place. Libyan-U.S. relations have been plagued by a series of incidents between U.S. and Libyan armed forces, Libyan policies of supporting terrorism, Libya's search for chemical and nuclear weapons, and Libyan meddling in other nations' internal affairs. Al-Qadhafi has proposed bilateral and multilateral unions with his neighbors and several other countries, and envisions himself as carrying on for Egypt's Nasir in unifying the Arab, Islamic, and African worlds. Libyan leader Muammar al-Qadhafi implemented a form of participatory democracy in Libya, where villages elect Peoples' Congresses, which in turn elect Peoples' Congresses for geographic regions and the central government. In addition, there are Peoples' Congresses representing industries or institutions, such as education, medicine, or broadcasting. Despite the presence and apparent activity of the Peoples' Congresses, it is clear that members of the Revolutionary Command Council, created after the 1969 coup, and their cohort continue to exercise great influence, perhaps dictatorial authority, over Libya. Libya's economy depends upon oil; current production is running at 1.4 million barrels per day of high quality crude, most of which is exported to Western Europe."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Mark, Clyde R.

  2002-06-04
• Pakistan-U.S. Relations [Updated June 4, 2002]

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  "The major areas of U.S. concern in Pakistan include: nuclear nonproliferation; counterterrorism; regional stability; democratization and human rights; and economic reform and development. An ongoing Pakistan-India nuclear arms race, fueled by rivalry over Kashmir, continues to be the focus of U.S. nonproliferation efforts in South Asia and a major issue in U.S. relations with both countries. This attention intensified following nuclear tests by both India and Pakistan in May 1998. South Asia is viewed by some observers as a likely prospect for use of such weapons. India has developed short- and intermediate-range missiles, and Pakistan has acquired short-range missiles from China and medium-range missiles from North Korea. India and Pakistan have fought three wars since 1947. […] In October 1999, the government of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was overturned in a bloodless coup led by Chief of Army Staff Pervez Musharraf, who suspended the parliament and declared himself chief executive. In June 2001, General Musharraf assumed the post of president. The United States has strongly urged the Pakistan military government to restore the country to civilian democratic rule. President Musharraf has pledged to honor a Pakistan Supreme Court ruling ordering parliamentary elections to be held by late 2002. The Musharraf government has begun to address Pakistan's many pressing and longstanding problems, including the beleaguered economy, corruption, terrorism, and poor governance. Pakistan will receive well over one billion dollars in U.S. assistance and several billion dollars from international organizations to help strengthen the country as a key member of the U.S.-led anti-terrorism coalition."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Blood, Peter R., 1952-

  2002-06-04
• 2002 Farm Bill: Overview and Status [Updated June 3, 2002]

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  "Federal farm support, nutrition, agricultural trade and food aid, conservation, credit, marketing, rural development, agricultural research, and related policies are governed by a variety of separate laws. Although these laws may be considered and as free-standing legislation, many of them are evaluated periodically, revised, and renewed through an omnibus, multi-year farm bill. The Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform (FAIR) Act of 1996 (P.L. 104-127) was the last omnibus farm bill, and many of its provisions were due to expire in 2002. […] The final version continues marketing loans and fixed payments, and creates new counter-cyclical assistance tied to target prices (similar in some ways to a guaranteed per-bushel pricing system eliminated in 1996) for grains, cotton, and oilseeds, with continued planting flexibility and no supply controls. The bill extends, with modifications, dairy and sugar support (the bill creates new counter-cyclical payments for dairy), and it overhauls the peanut program by replacing quotas with a support program like that for other major crops. The final bill also contains titles to expand conservation program funding; reauthorize agricultural export and food aid programs; and amend and extend research, nutrition (food stamps), credit, and rural development activities, among others."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Becker, Geoffrey S.; Womach, Jasper

  2002-06-03
• Farm 'Counter-Cyclical Assistance' [Updated May 31, 2002]

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  "Congress has approved legislation (P.L. 107-171) reauthorizing major farm income and commodity price support programs through crop year 2007. This legislation includes new 'counter-cyclical assistance' programs for grains, cotton, oilseeds, peanuts, and milk. The intent of counter-cyclical assistance is to provide more government support when farm prices and/or incomes decline, and less support when they improve. In fact, farmers have, for many years, been eligible for various forms of counter-cyclical assistance. At issue has been the need for, and potential impacts of, another counter-cyclical program. This report will not be updated. […] Farming often is characterized as a 'cyclical' business with exaggerated price swings that are destabilizing. Farmers respond to high prices by boosting output. However, when prices drop, farmers are not quick to cut back production. They are more likely to operate at a loss and draw down resources. Contributing to the unstable nature of the farm economy are the weather, export demand, currency exchange rate fluctuations, and the farm support and export subsidy programs of foreign competitors. Typically, farmers do not view the eventual self-correcting character of commodity prices and production with the same equanimity as economists. In fact, U.S. producers of the major crops have asked for and received federal intervention -- including various forms of counter-cyclical assistance -- to support their commodity prices and incomes for nearly the past 70 years."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Womach, Jasper; Becker, Geoffrey S.

  2002-05-31
• Intelligence Issues for Congress [Updated May 31, 2002]

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  "The U.S. Intelligence Community continues to adjust to the post-Cold War environment. Congressional and executive branch initiatives have emphasized enhancing cooperation among the different agencies that comprise the Community by giving greater managerial authority to the Director of Central Intelligence (DCI). Priority continues to be placed on intelligence support to military operations and on involvement in efforts to combat narcotics trafficking and, especially since September 11, 2001, international terrorism. Growing concerns about transnational threats are leading to increasingly close cooperation between intelligence and law enforcement agencies. This relationship is complicated, however, by differing roles and missions as well as statutory charters."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Best, Richard A.

  2002-05-31
• HIV/AIDS International Programs: FY2003 Request and FY2002 Spending [Updated May 31, 2002]

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  "Supplemental Appropriations legislation for FY2002, currently before Congress, could increase spending for international HIV/AIDS programs beyond the amounts currently projected. The Administration's FY2003 request for international HIV/AIDS spending would boost funding for the bilateral programs of the U.S. Agency for International Development but hold constant spending by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of the Department of Health and Human Services. Funds have not been requested for some international programs funded in FY2002, although $200 million has been requested for a contribution to the Global Fund to Fight HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria -- the same amount currently available for FY2002."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Copson, Raymond W.

  2002-05-31
• Refugee Assistance in the Foreign Aid Bill: Problems and Prospects [Updated May 31, 2002]

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  "The United States is the largest national contributor to international humanitarian assistance programs for refugees. Traditionally, we contribute to refugee appeals both because of our wish to alleviate the suffering of innocent victims and out of concern that refugee flows can lead to instability in countries or regions important to U.S. foreign policy interests. The United States is also the largest resettlement country, resettling refugees who cannot return to their homes and qualify to be resettled in the United States. The money for humanitarian assistance and some of the costs of resettlement in the United States is authorized in the Migration and Refugee Account (MRA) of the Department of State Authorization bill and appropriated in the Foreign Assistance Appropriations bill. (The overwhelming bulk of assistance for refugees who resettle in the United States is authorized and appropriated in the Labor, HHS, legislation.) This issue brief discusses the size of the U.S. international refugee assistance budget and its allocation between humanitarian assistance and admissions."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Bite, Vita

  2002-05-31