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Middle East Peace Talks [Updated January 14, 2003]
"The end of the Cold War, the decline of the Soviet Union, and the U.S.-led victory in the Gulf war facilitated the beginning of a new peace process in 1991. Israel and the Palestinians discussed a 5-year period of interim self-rule leading to a final settlement. Israel and Syria discussed Israeli withdrawal from the Golan Heights in exchange for peace. Israel and Jordan discussed relations. Israel and Lebanon focused on Israel' s withdrawal from its self-declared security zone in south Lebanon and reciprocal Lebanese actions. On September 13, 1993, Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) signed a Declaration of Principles (DOP), providing for Palestinian empowerment and some territorial control. Israel and Jordan signed a peace treaty agenda on September 14, 1993; Prime Minister Rabin and King Hussein affirmed the end of the state of belligerency between Israel and Jordan on July 25; a Peace Treaty was signed on October 26, 1994. Israel and the Palestinians signed an Interim Self-Rule in the West Bank/Oslo II accord on September 28, 1995. Israel continued implementing it despite the November 4 assassination of Prime Minister Rabin.
Israel suspended talks with Syria after terror attacks in February/March 1996. They resumed in December 1999, but were 'postponed indefinitely' after January 2000. A January 1997 protocol produced Israeli redeployment from Hebron. An October 15-23, 1998, summit resulted in the Wye River Memorandum on implementation of earlier agreements. The Israeli cabinet froze implementation on December 20. On September 4, 1999, Israeli Prime Minister Barak and Palestinian leader Arafat signed the Sharm al-Shaykh Memorandum on implementing Wye. Israel withdrew from south Lebanon on May 24, 2000. From July 11-24, President Clinton held a summit with Israeli and Palestinian leaders at Camp David to reach a framework accord, but they did not succeed. A Palestinian uprising or 'intifadah' began in September. On December 23, President Clinton presented bridging proposals."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Migdalovitz, Carol
2003-01-14
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Congressional Continuity of Operations (COOP): An Overview of Concepts and Challenges [Updated January 14, 2003]
From the Summary: "Interruptions of congressional operations by incidents such as episodic computer virus infections, or the anthrax contamination that took place during autumn 2001, have demonstrated the importance of congressional continuity of operations (COOP) planning. COOP planning refers to the internal effort of an organization to assure that the capability exists to continue essential functions in response to a comprehensive array of potential operational interruptions...This report discusses the circumstances surrounding COOP planning, including provisions for alternative meeting sites and methods for conducting House and Senate meetings and floor sessions when Capitol facilities are not available...One challenge involves the relocation of legislative activities. There appears to be no constitutional bar to the House and Senate adopting a resolution that approves meetings of either chamber outside the Capitol in advance of doing so...Other concerns regarding physical security have prompted some observers to propose creating a virtual or electronic Congress (e-Congress). Although these suggestions have generally focused on the creation of a Web site accessible by Members anywhere in the country, it is unclear exactly how an e-Congress would be constituted and operated. Other challenges for COOP planning include maintaining Member office information security, and the Legislative Information System (LIS). Although current congressional COOP planning began prior to September 11, 2001, details surrounding House and Senate COOP planning are not publicly available, and some specific information is excluded from this report to preserve operational security. Contingency planning in the House, however, has evolved over the past 20 years and there exists a range of backup strategies for maintaining critical House legislative and administrative information systems."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Seifert, Jeffrey W.; Petersen, R. Eric
2003-01-14
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Privacy: An Overview of Federal Statutes Governing Wiretapping and Electronic Eavesdropping [Updated January 13, 2003]
"This report provides an overview of federal law governing wiretapping and electronic eavesdropping. It also surveys state law in the area and contains a bibliography of legal commentary. It is a federal crime to wiretap or to use a machine to capture the communications of others without court approval, unless one of the parties has given their prior consent. It is likewise a federal crime to use or disclose any information acquired by illegal wiretapping or electronic eavesdropping. Violations can result in imprisonment for not more than 5 years; fines up to $250,000 (up to $500,000 for organizations); in civil liability for damages, attorneys fees and possibly punitive damages; in disciplinary action against any attorneys involved; and in suppression of any derivative evidence. Congress has created separate but comparable protective schemes for electronic mail (e-mail) and against the surreptitious use of telephone call monitoring practices such as pen registers and trap and trace devices. Each of these protective schemes comes with a procedural mechanism to afford limited law enforcement access to private communications and communications records under conditions consistent with the dictates of the Fourth Amendment. The government has been given even more narrowly confined authority to engage in wiretapping and electronic eavesdropping in the name of foreign intelligence gathering in the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Doyle, Charles; Stevens, Gina Marie
2003-01-13
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Iraq: Potential U.S. Military Operations [January 13, 2003]
"While a very active debate continues over whether military force should be used against Iraq, military contingency planning is underway. This report focuses primarily on these contingency preparations, notably potential military options available and the military preparations that have been undertaken. It addresses elements of the over-arching political debate only when immediately relevant to military planning. (For further information, see CRS [Congressional Research Service] Report RS21325, 'Iraq: Divergent Views on U.S. Military Action') Iraq's chemical, biological, and nuclear weapons programs, together with long-range missile development, and alleged support for terrorism are the justifications put forward for military action. Though initial emphasis was on the ouster of Saddam Hussein, the Administration has more recently pointed to weapons of mass destruction (WMD) disarmament as its prime objective. The report of the U.N. arms inspectors, due January 27 to the United Nations Security Council, is being viewed as a key element in any decision to initiate military action."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Bowman, Steve
2003-01-13
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Budget for Fiscal Year 2003 [Updated January 10, 2003]
On January 9, 2003, Congress cleared the sixth in a series of continuing resolutions (CRs) on appropriations adopted for fiscal year (FY) 2003. The CRs were necessary because none of the 13 regular appropriations bills was enacted when the new fiscal year began (October 1, 2002). The Administration's July 2002 Mid-Session Review, reflecting the dramatic change in the budget outlook, had an estimated FY2003 deficit of $109 billion, up from the $80 billion in the Administration's original proposals. The Congressional Budget Office's (CBO) August 2002 mid-year report (The Budget and Economic Outlook: An Update) estimated the FY2003 deficit at $145 billion. The President's FY2003 budget proposed tax cuts and spending increases to stimulate the economy, rapid increases in defense and homeland security spending, and little growth in other areas of discretionary spending.
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Winters, Philip D.
2003-01-10
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Balancing Scientific Publication and National Security Concerns: Issues for Congress [January 10, 2003]
From the Summary: "There is a lack of consensus regarding what is the best method to balance scientific publishing and national security. Some believe that the current method of classification of research results is the most appropriate. They assert that imposing new restrictions will only hurt scientific progress, and that the usefulness of research results to terrorist groups is limited. Others believe that self-regulation by scientists, using an 'Asilomar-like' process to develop a consensus statement, is a better approach. They believe that, through inclusion of scientists, policymakers, and security personnel in the development phase, a process acceptable to all will be found. Relying on publishers to scrutinize articles for information which might potentially have security ramifications is another option. Finally, mandatory review by federal funding agencies, either at the funding stage or before publication, is seen as a potential federally based alternative. This report will be updated as events warrant."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Shea, Dana A.
2003-01-10
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Smallpox: Technical Background on the Disease and Its Potential Role in Terrorism [Updated January 10, 2003]
From the Summary: "Smallpox, which kills approximately 30% of its victims, is estimated to have killed between 300 and 500 million people in the twentieth century before the World Health Organization's successful eradication program. The smallpox vaccine is effective at preventing smallpox but has a higher complication rate than any other currently used vaccine. The terrorist attacks of 2001 have increased fears that smallpox might be used as a weapon of terror. Smallpox has several properties that might make it desirable by terrorists, such as contagiousness and high lethality. These factors and its limited availability also make it difficult for a terrorist to use. Most experts agree that it is very unlikely that smallpox will be used as a weapon, but the high consequences of a successful attack have prompted exploration of methods to counter this threat. Also see CRS [Congressional Research Service] Report RL31694 'Smallpox Vaccine Stockpile and Vaccination Policy' and CRS Report RL31368, 'Preventing Proliferation of Biological Weapons: U.S. Assistance to the Former Soviet States.' This report will be updated as warranted."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Gottron, Frank
2003-01-10
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Homeland Security: Data on Employees and Unions Potentially Affected [Updated January 9, 2003]
From the Summary: "This report provides data on federal employee unions and employees who would be potentially affected by the creation of a new Department of Homeland Security (DHS), as proposed by the President. For information on legal issues raised by the proposed DHS, see CRS [Congressional Research Service] Report RL31520, 'Collective Bargaining and Homeland Security.' This report will be updated if events warrant."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
McCallion, Gail
2003-01-09
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Africa: U.S. Foreign Assistance Issues [Updated January 9, 2003]
"The Bush Administration is requesting just over $1 billion in Development Assistance (DA) for sub-Saharan Africa for 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. […] On January 8, 2003, the U.S. Agency for International Development released a fact sheet stating that the United States had provided $266 million in humanitarian food aid in response to food shortages in southern Africa, as well as $198 million to meet shortages in the Horn of Africa. Sudan had received $40.1 million in food aid, and another $100 million had gone to Angola. For further information, see CRS [Congressional Research Service] Report RS21301, The Food Crisis in Southern Africa: Background and Issues. USAID Administrator Andrew Natsios, in a speech at the Heritage Foundation on January 7, said that apart from humanitarian assistance, U.S. aid should focus on 'good performers' with respect to democracy and governance reforms. The speech echoed findings of a major USAID [United States Agency for International Development] report, Foreign Aid in the National Interest, released the same day. On December 6, 2002, the U.S. Department of State issued a fact sheet listing 'performance indicators' for aid eligibility under the Millennium Challenge Account, a foreign assistance program that the Bush Administration proposes establishing as an independent corporation in FY2004, with funding to reach $5 billion annually by FY2006. Proposed indicators with respect to government effectiveness, corruption, and credit ratings, among others, brought speculation that few African countries would qualify. Press accounts had mentioned Ghana, Tanzania, Mozambique, and Senegal as possible recipients."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Copson, Raymond W.
2003-01-09
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Smallpox Vaccine Stockpile and Vaccination Policy [January 9, 2003]
"On December 13, 2002, President George W. Bush announced the administration's long-awaited policy for vaccinating U.S. citizens against smallpox. That same day, the government began vaccinating an estimated 500,000 troops and other personnel who serve in high risk parts of the world. Voluntary vaccination of up to 500,000 civilian healthcare and public health workers probably would not begin until after January 24, 2003, a date set by Section 4 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (P.L. 107-296). The Bush Administration plan for civilian healthcare workers follows the October 17, 2002, recommendations made by an advisory panel to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on several smallpox vaccination implementation issues. The panel advised immunizing two groups of civilians: (1) public health response teams who would investigate initial smallpox cases and implement control measures; and (2) healthcare teams composed of 50-100 individuals at each of the 5,100 acute care hospitals in the United States who would care for smallpox patients."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Johnson, Judith A. (Judith Ann), 1957-
2003-01-09
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Terrorism, the Future, and U.S. Foreign Policy [January 8, 2003]
"International terrorism has long been recognized as a foreign and domestic security threat. The tragic events of September 11 in New York, the Washington, D.C., area, and Pennsylvania have dramatically re-energized the nation's focus and resolve on terrorism. This issue brief examines international terrorist actions and threats and the U.S. policy response. Available policy options range from diplomacy, international cooperation, and constructive engagement to economic sanctions, covert action, physical security enhancement, and military force. The September 11th terrorist incidents in the United States, the subsequent anthrax attacks, as well as bombings of the U.S.S. Cole, Oklahoma City, World Trade Center in 1993, and of the U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania in 1998, have brought the issue of terrorism to the forefront of American public interest. Questions relate to whether U.S. policy and organizational mechanisms are adequate to deal with both state-sponsored or -abetted terrorism and that undertaken by independent groups. Terrorist activities supported by sophisticated planning and logistics as well as possible access to unconventional weaponry raise a host of new issues. Some analysts' long-held belief that a comprehensive review of U.S. counterterrorism policy, organizational structure, and intelligence capabilities is needed has now become a mainstream view."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Perl, Raphael; Lee, Rensselaer W., 1937-
2003-01-08
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Iraq: U.S. Efforts to Change the Regime [Updated January 8, 2003]
The United States has been attempting to change Iraq's regime since the 1991 Persian Gulf War, although achieving this goal was not declared policy until 1998. In November 1998, amid a crisis with Iraq over U.N. weapons of mass destruction (WMD) inspections, the Clinton Administration stated that the United States would seek to go beyond containment to promoting a change of regime. A regime change policy was endorsed by the Iraq Liberation Act (P.L. 105-338, October 31, 1998). Bush Administration officials have emphasized regime change as the cornerstone of U.S. policy toward Iraq. This paper discusses past and current U.S. efforts to oust Saddam Hussein and the current debate over the implementation of that policy.
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Katzman, Kenneth
2003-01-08
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Russia [Updated January 8, 2003]
"Vladimir Putin, catapulted into the Kremlin by Boris Yeltsin's resignation, was elected President on March 26, 2000 by a solid majority that embraced his military campaign in Chechnya. Parties backing Putin did well in the December 1999 Duma election, giving Putin a stable parliamentary majority as well. Putin's top priority is to revive the economy and integrate Russia into the global marketplace. He has also strengthened the central government vis-a-vis the regions and brought TV and radio under tighter state control. Federal forces have suppressed large-scale military resistance in Chechnya but face the prospect of prolonged guerilla warfare. The economic upturn that began in 1999 is continuing. The GDP [Gross Domestic Product] and domestic investment are growing after a decade-long decline, inflation is contained, the budget is balanced, and the ruble is stable. Major problems remain: one fourth of the population live below the official poverty line, foreign investment is very low, crime, corruption, capital flight, and unemployment remain high. Putin appears to seek simultaneously to tighten political control and introduce economic reforms."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Goldman, Stuart D. (Stuart Douglas), 1943-
2003-01-08
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Andean Regional Initiative (ARI): FY2002 Supplemental and FY2003 Assistance for Colombia and Neighbors [Updated January 8, 2003]
"In 2002 and early 2003, Congress has been 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
Storrs, K. Larry (Keith Larry), 1937-; Serafino, Nina M.
2003-01-08
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Drug Control: International Policy and Approaches [January 8, 2003]
"Efforts to significantly reduce the flow of illicit drugs from abroad into the United States 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. Street prices of cocaine and heroin have fallen significantly in the past 20 years, reflecting increased availability. The effectiveness of international narcotics control programs in reducing consumption is a matter of ongoing concern. […] 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 supply assistance to Colombia for counter-terrorism 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 approaches 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 analysis of the Andean drug issues, see CRS [Congressional Research Service] Report RL31383, 'Andean Regional Initiative( ARI): FY2002 Supplemental and FY2003 Assistance for Colombia and Neighbors.'"
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Perl, Raphael; Lee, Rensselaer W., 1937-
2003-01-08
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North Korea's Nuclear Weapons Program [Updated January 7, 2003]
"North Korea's decision in December 2002 to restart nuclear installations at Yongbyon that were shut down under the U.S.- North Korean Agreed Framework of 1994 creates an acute foreign policy problem for the United States. North Korea's major motive appears to be to escalate pressure on the Bush Administration to negotiate over Pyongyang's proposed non-aggression pact and/or a new nuclear agreement that would provide new U.S. benefits to North Korea. However, restarting the Yongbyon facilities opens up a possible North Korean intent to stage a 'nuclear breakout' of its nuclear program and openly produce nuclear weapons within six months. North Korea's actions follow the disclosure in October 2002 that North Korea is operating a secret nuclear program based on uranium enrichment and the decision by the Korean Peninsula Energy Development Organization (KEDO) in November 2002 to suspend shipments of heavy oil to North Korea. The main elements of Bush Administration policy are (1) no negotiations or sustained dialogue with North Korea until Pyongyang satisfies U.S. concerns over its nuclear weapons program; (2) terminating the Agreed Framework; (3) assembling an international coalition to pressure North Korea."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Niksch, Larry A.
2003-01-07
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AIDS in Africa [Updated January 7, 2003]
"Sub-Saharan Africa has been far more severely affected by AIDS than any other part of the world. The United Nations reports that 29.4 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 8.8%; compared with 1.2% worldwide. Twelve countries, mostly in east and southern Africa, have HIV infection rates of more than 10%, and the rate has reached 38.8% in Botswana. As of 2001, an estimated 21.5 million Africans had died of AIDS, including 2.2 million who died in that year. 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 58% of those infected are women. Experts relate the severity of the African AIDS epidemic to the region's poverty. Health systems are ill-equipped for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Poverty forces many men to become migrant workers in urban areas, where they may have multiple sex partners. Poverty leads many women to become commercial sex workers, vastly increasing their risk of infection."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Copson, Raymond W.
2003-01-07
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Chemical Weapons Convention: Issues for Congress [January 7, 2003]
From the Document: "More than 100 years of international efforts to ban chemical weapons culminated January 13, 1993, in the signing of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC). The Convention entered into force April 29, 1997. One hundred forty-eight of the 174 signatories have ratified the Convention. On April 24, 1997, the Senate passed the CWC resolution of ratification (S.Res. 75, 105th Congress) by a vote of 74-26. President Clinton signed the resolution and the United States became the 75th nation to ratify the Convention. The CWC bans the development, production, stockpiling, and use of chemical weapons by members signatories. It also requires the destruction of all chemical weapons stockpiles and production facilities. The Convention provides the most extensive and intrusive verification regime of any arms control treaty, extending its coverage to not only governmental but also civilian facilities. The Convention also requires export controls and reporting requirements on chemicals that can be used as warfare agents and their precursors. The CWC establishes the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) to oversee the Convention's implementation."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Bowman, Steve
2003-01-07
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National Identification Cards: Legal Issues [Updated January 7, 2003]
From the Summary: "In the wake of the tragic events of September 11, 2001, renewed debate has arisen regarding the efficacy and legal implications of a national identification card, a form of identification that would be something more comprehensive than a driver's license, a Social Security card or a passport. Such debate has centered on finding the appropriate balance between maintaining personal freedom and protecting national security. Proponents contend that a card using "biometric" surveillance technologies such as electronic retinal scans or fingerprints could help reduce and/or track illegal immigrants or potential terrorists. Conversely, opponents assert that such a card could infringe upon civil liberties with minimal impact on reducing terrorism. This report will briefly summarize the policy arguments related to and legal implications of a national identification card. The report will be updated as developments warrant."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Smith, Alison M., 1962-
2003-01-07
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Safe Drinking Water Act: State Revolving Fund Program [Updated January 7, 2003]
From the Summary: "In the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) Amendments of 1996 (P.L. 104-182), Congress authorized a drinking water state revolving loan fund (DWSRF) program to help public water systems finance infrastructure projects needed to comply with federal drinking water regulations and to protect public health. Under this program, states receive capitalization grants to make loans for drinking water projects and to support certain other activities. The DWSRF program is authorized at $1 billion annually through FY2003. Since the program was first funded in FY1997, Congress has provided a total of $5.27 billion, including $850 million for FY2002. Through June 2002, states had made available a total of $5.075 billion in DWSRF assistance. In 2001, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a survey of capital improvement needs for water systems which forms the basis for allotting DWSRF funds among the states. The survey indicated that communities need to invest $150.9 billion on drinking water infrastructure improvements over the next 20 years. The107th Congress examined water infrastructure financing issues, and the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee reported legislation to increase funding authority for the DWSRF program and to create a grant program for small systems. In the 108th Congress, legislative interest in drinking water matters may continue to be dominated by infrastructure issues. These include the gap between estimated needs and funding, SDWA compliance and affordability issues for small systems, and the availability of DWSRF and other funds for security improvements."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Tiemann, Mary
2003-01-07
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Terrorism Preparedness: Catalog of Selected Federal Assistance Programs [Updated January 6, 2003]
"Currently, several agencies administer preparedness programs, among which are the Departments of Defense, Health and Human Services, Justice, Energy, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. A number of these programs are scheduled to be transferred to the new Department of Homeland Security. Congress authorizes the programs to provide training, technical assistance, and monetary grants for emergency planning, equipment, and exercises. Most programs focus on helping state and local first responders, including fire service, emergency medical service, and law enforcement, prepare for potential attacks (some observers believe that with the threat of bioterrorism, public health officials should also be considered first responders). This report will be updated to reflect the transfer of programs into the new Department of Homeland Security. It will also be updated as relevant programs are created, modified, or terminated."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Canada, Ben
2003-01-06
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Nuclear Nonproliferation Issues [Updated January 6, 2003]
"The United States has been a leader of worldwide efforts to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons. To this end, the international community and many individual states have agreed to a range of treaties, laws, and agreements, known collectively as the nuclear nonproliferation regime, aimed at keeping nations that do not have nuclear weapons from acquiring them. The nonproliferation regime has also been concerned with preventing terrorists from obtaining a nuclear weapon or the materials to craft one. The attacks on New York and Washington September 11, 2001, added a new level of reality to the threat that terrorists might acquire a nuclear weapon and explode it in a populated area. Other nonproliferation concerns include a number of regional crisis points. In the Middle East, the possibility that Iraq has resumed, or may resume, its nuclear weapons program is a major concern driving the U.S. campaign against Saddam Hussein's regime. Iran's nuclear weapons development is also a threat, with recently released satellite evidence indicating that it is constructing uranium enrichment and heavy water production facilities. North Korea's acknowledgment that it is developing uranium enrichment capability, and moves to restart its plutonium production reactor, have enhanced the danger of nuclear proliferation there. The India-Pakistan nuclear arms race makes the continuing confrontation between those two countries particularly sensitive. There is concern about China's actions in expanding its nuclear force, and of Chinese and Russian activities that may encourage proliferation in the other regions."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Behrens, Carl E.
2003-01-06
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Central Asia's New States: Political Developments and Implications for U.S. Interests [January 6, 2003]
"After the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, the United States recognized the independence of all the former Central Asian republics and established diplomatic relations with each by mid-March 1992. The United States also supported their admission to the Organization on Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and other Western organizations, and elicited Turkish support in countering Iranian influence in the region. Congress was at the forefront in urging the formation of coherent U.S. policies for aiding these and other Eurasian states of the former Soviet Union, and approved the Freedom Support Act and other legislation for this purpose. After the terrorist attacks on America on September 11, 2001, all the Central Asian states offered overflight and other support to coalition anti-terrorist efforts in Afghanistan. Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan have hosted coalition troops and provided access to airbases. Since then, the United States has boosted its security assistance throughout the region for anti-terrorism, counter-narcotics, non-proliferation, border and customs, and defense cooperation programs, while also increasing aid for democratization and free market reforms. U.S. policy goals in Central Asia include fostering stability, democratization, free market economies, free trade and transport throughout the Eurasian corridor, denuclearization in the non-Russian states, and adherence to international human rights standards."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Nichol, James P.
2003-01-06
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Homeland Security: Human Resources Management [Updated January 6, 2003]
"P.L. 107-296, Homeland Security Act of 2002 (H.R. 5005), authorizes the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Director of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to establish, and from time to time adjust, a human resources management (HRM) system for some or all of the organizational units of the new department. The law states specific requirements for the HRM system. Federal workforce improvements to be applied government wide also are authorized by P.L. 107-296. OPM has established several working groups to begin developing the new HRM system and hopes to have a draft proposal of the system ready by June 1, 2003. Key issues to be considered in establishing an HRM system for the new department might include staffing requirements and hiring and pay systems. Other issues likely to be considered would include the kind of automated human resources and payroll systems the various agencies proposed for transfer to the new department currently have and how those systems might be merged if a consolidation of HRM services were to occur. This report discusses the provisions of P.L. 107-296 as they relate to human resources management. It does not discuss provisions of the law which relate to labor management relations and collective bargaining."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Schwemle, Barbara L.
2003-01-06
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Cuba: Issues for the 107th Congress [Updated January 6, 2003]
From the Summary: "Cuba remains a hard-line Communist state, with a poor record on human rights. Fidel Castro has ruled since he led the Cuban Revolution, ousting the corrupt government of Fulgencio Batista from power in 1959. With the cutoff of assistance from the former Soviet Union, Cuba experienced severe economic deterioration from 1989 to 1993. There has been some improvement since 1994 as Cuba has implemented limited reforms. Since the early 1960s, U.S. policy toward Cuba has consisted largely of isolating the island nation through comprehensive economic sanctions. The Bush Administration has essentially continued this policy. The principal tool of policy remains comprehensive sanctions, which were made stronger with the Cuban Democracy Act (CDA) in 1992 and the Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity Act in 1996, often referred to as the Helms/Burton legislation. […] Many of these will likely be introduced in the 108th Congress. In the second session of the 107th Congress, the House version of the FY2003 Treasury Department appropriations bill, H.R. 5120, included three Cuba provisions that would have eased restrictions on travel, remittances, and U.S. agricultural sales to Cuba; the Senate version of the bill, S. 2740, as reported out of committee, would have eased restrictions on travel to Cuba. Final action on the measure was not completed before the end of the 107th Congress; the 108th Congress will face early action on these and other appropriations measures with Cuba provisions. This report will not be updated. It reflects legislative action through the end of the 107th Congress."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sullivan, Mark P.; Taft-Morales, Maureen
2003-01-06
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Pakistan's Domestic Political Developments: Issues for Congress [Updated January 5, 2003]
"October 2002 elections in Pakistan nominally fulfilled President Gen. Pervez Musharraf's promise to restore the National Assembly that was dissolved in the wake of his extra-constitutional seizure of power in October 1999. A pro-military alliance won a plurality of seats, while a coalition of Islamist parties made a surprisingly strong showing. Musharraf supporter M.Z. Jamali became Pakistan's new Prime Minister. The civilian government was hamstrung for more than one year by fractious debate over the legitimacy of Musharraf's August 2002 changes to the country's constitution and his continued status as Army Chief 'and' President. A surprise December 2003 agreement between Musharraf and the Islamist opposition ended the deadlock by bringing the constitutional changes before Parliament and by eliciting a promise from Musharraf to resign his military commission before 2005. Secular opposition parties strongly criticized the arrangement as undemocratic. The 1999 coup triggered restrictions on U.S. foreign assistance, restrictions waived in October 2001 (under P.L. [Public Law] 107-57) and again in March 2003 by President Bush. In November 2003 (P.L. 108-106), Congress extended the President's waiver authority through FY2004. In response to continued perceived anti-democratic practices in Islamabad, there is legislation in the 108th Congress (H.R. 1403) aimed at restoring aid restrictions through removal of the U.S. President's waiver authority. This report will be updated periodically."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Kronstadt, K. Alan
2003-01-05
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Trade and the Americas [Updated January 3, 2003]
"At the Summit of the Americas held in December 1994, 34 hemispheric democracies agreed to create a 'Free Trade Area of the Americas' (FTAA) no later than the year 2005. If created, the FTAA would have 34 members (Cuba is not included) with over 800 million people. The population alone would make it the largest free trade area in the world with more than twice the 375 million of the now 15-nation European Union. In the eight years following the 1994 summit, Western Hemisphere trade ministers have met seven times to advance the negotiating process. At the sixth meeting in Buenos Aires in April 2001, ministers made public a draft FTAA agreement that included preliminary chapters on all nine negotiating groups: market access, agriculture, intellectual property rights, services, investment, government procurement, competition policy, dispute settlement, and subsidies. At the seventh Ministerial held in Quito, Ecuador in early November 2002, trade ministers agreed to specific mileposts for the markets access portion of the negotiations. Assessments differ on whether the movement toward hemispheric free trade is 'on-track' or 'off-track.' The former perspective holds that a solid foundation and structure for the negotiations has been agreed to, draft chapters have been submitted, and that a timetable for market access offers has been established The latter perspective holds that political and economic turbulence in Latin America, particularly in Argentina and Venezuela, combined with differences over agricultural trade are impeding efforts to achieve hemispheric free trade."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Ahearn, Raymond J.
2003-01-03
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Iran: Arms and Weapons of Mass Destruction Suppliers [Updated January 3, 2003]
Successive U.S. administrations since Iran's 1979 Islamic revolution have viewed Iran as a potential threat to U.S. allies and forces in the Persian Gulf and in the broader Middle East and have sought to limit its strategic capabilities. Iran's moderates appear to see regional threats to Iran as do Iran's hardliners and have made no apparent effort to curb Iran's efforts to acquire weapons of mass destruction (WMD). Even if moderate leaders had sought to do so, they have been largely outmaneuvered on defense and other issues by hardliners who still control the armed forces, internal security services, the judiciary, and key decision-making bodies. In the past, Iran has generally lacked the indigenous skills to manufacture sophisticated conventional arms or independently develop weapons of mass destruction (WMD), and one of Iran's objectives over the past decade has been to obtain the technology and skills to become self-sufficient. Iran has come a long way toward that objective in certain areas, including ballistic missiles and chemical weapons, but in the aggregate, Iran remains reliant on foreign suppliers. This dependence has given the United States some opportunity to work with potential suppliers to contain Iran's WMD capabilities.
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Katzman, Kenneth
2003-01-03
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Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Trade: Key Issues for the 108th Congress [January 3, 2003]
This report provides background information on the issues most likely to be taken up in the first session, analyzes the congressional role in shaping U.S. policy on these key issues, and lists congressional research service (CRS) products that provide more detailed discussion and analysis. Of particular concern to Congress will be the progress of the ongoing war on terrorism, a possible war with Iraq, the unfolding crisis with North Korea, and dealing with the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and missiles. Moreover, this CRS report describes foreign policy tools that the 108th Congress will consider in dealing with a wide range of foreign policy challenges affecting U.S. interests around the globe. It discusses major foreign economic and security assistance programs which Congress may consider funding, including the Millennium Challenge Account, global HIV/AIDS programs, humanitarian aid to Afghanistan, counter-terrorism activities in Southeast Asia and Africa, and possible reconstruction and humanitarian assistance in Iraq. It examines how U.S. relations with NATO and policies toward countries such as Iraq, Iran, North Korea, China, Russia, and Pakistan may affect U.S. counter-terrorism and non-proliferation efforts. Other issues covered include potential global flash points - such as the Israel- Palestinian conflict, China-Taiwan relations, and the Balkans - and U.S. concerns in Latin America, such as drug trafficking.
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Kapp, Lawrence; Lum, Thomas G. (Thomas Gong), 1961-
2003-01-03
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China-U.S. Trade Issues [Updated January 3, 2003]
"U.S.-China economic ties have expanded substantially over the past several years. Total U.S.-China trade rose from $5 billion in 1980 to $147 billion in 2002. China is now the fourth-largest U.S. trading partner. Yet, U.S.-China commercial relations have been strained by a number of issues, including a surging U.S. trade deficit with China (which likely exceeded $98 billion in 2002), China's restrictive trade and investment practices, and its failure to provide adequate protection for U.S. intellectual property rights (IPR). […] Many Members of Congress have called on the Bush Administration to closely monitor China's compliance with its WTO [World Trade Organization] commitments. In December 2002, the USTR [U.S. Trade Representative] issued its first annual China WTO compliance report, finding that, although China had made significant progress in meeting its WTO obligations, a number of major problems remained, especially in regards to agriculture, services, IPR protection, and transparency of trade laws and regulations."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Morrison, Wayne M.
2003-01-03
