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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
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Millennium Challenge Account: Congressional Consideration of a New Foreign Aid Initiative [January 3, 2003]
"In a speech on March 14, 2002, at the Inter-American Development Bank, President Bush outlined a proposal for the United States to increase foreign economic assistance beginning in FY2004 so that by FY2006 American aid would be $5 billion higher than three years earlier. The new funds, which would supplement the current estimated $12.87 billion economic aid budget, would be placed in a Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) and be available on a competitive basis to a few countries that have demonstrated a commitment to sound development policies and where U.S. support is believed to have the best opportunities for achieving the intended results. These "best-performers" will be selected based on their records in three areas - ruling justly, investing in people, and pursuing sound economic policies. Development of a new foreign aid initiative by the Bush Administration has been influenced by a number of factors, including the widely perceived poor track record of past aid programs, recent evidence that the existence of certain policies by aid recipients may be more important for success than the amount of resources invested, the war on terrorism, and the March 2002 U.N.-sponsored International Conference on Financing for Development in Monterrey, Mexico. A number of issues are likely to be addressed in the congressional debate, including country eligibility criteria, performance indicators used to select participants, creation of a new agency to manage the MCA, and budget considerations. Congress will also maintain continuing oversight of the program during its lifetime."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Nowels, Larry Q.
2003-01-03
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Free Trade Area of the Americas: Status of Negotiations and Major Policy Issues [Updated January 2, 2003]
"At the second Summit of the Americas in Santiago, Chile (April 1998), 34 Western Hemisphere nations agreed to initiate formal negotiations to create a Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) by 2005. The process so far has led to two draft texts, the second completed for the November 1, 2002 trade ministerial in Quito, Ecuador. The many sections of 'bracketed' text indicate that there are still significant differences to be worked out. Although implementing legislation is not anticipated until the next Congress at the earliest, for an FTAA agreement to be signed in January 2005, the 108th Congress, having an expanded oversight authority as defined in the Trade Act of 2002 (P.L. 107-210), will play a crucial role during this last phase of the FTAA negotiations. This report will be updated periodically."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Hornbeck, J. F. (John F.)
2003-01-02
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Federalism, State Sovereignty and the Constitution: Basis and Limits of Congressional Power [Updated January 2, 2003]
The ratification of the Constitution, to a significant extent, defined the lines of authority between the state and federal governments. This report discusses state and federal legislative power generally and focuses on a number of these "federalism" cases. Issues addressed include congressional power under the Commerce Clause and the Fourteenth Amendment; constitutional limits on congressional powers, such as the Tenth Amendment; and state sovereign immunity under the Eleventh Amendment.
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Thomas, Kenneth R.
2003-01-02
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Homeland Security: Standards for State and Local Preparedness [January 2, 2003]
Is the United States prepared for a terrorist attack involving a weapon of mass destruction? How will we know when we are prepared? These are some of the many questions policy makers have been asking about the nation's homeland security efforts. State and local first responders, including law enforcement, fire service, emergency medical service, and hazardous materials personnel, are widely acknowledged as being an invaluable homeland security resource. Their proximity insures that they almost always will be among the first to arrive at the scene of a terrorist attack. Some observers believe the implementation of standards for state and local governments can improve preparedness not only for terrorist attacks, but for all types of disasters, be they man-made or natural. This report identifies types of preparedness standards, describes current activities to develop these standards, and discusses policy approaches that Congress might take in addressing this issue. Arguably, standards can assist in evaluating the effectiveness of the new Department of Homeland Security, evaluating selected preparedness grant programs, and identifying weaknesses in state and local preparedness. It can also aid policymakers in evaluating an agency's compliance with the Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA), which requires federal agencies to measure their own performance.
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Canada, Ben
2003-01-02
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Export Administration Act of 1979 Reauthorization [Updated January 2, 2003]
"In debates on export administration legislation, parties often fall into two camps: those who primarily want to liberalize controls in order to promote exports, and those who are apprehensive that liberalization may compromise national security goals. While it is widely agreed that exports of some goods and technologies can adversely affect U.S. national security and foreign policy, many believe that current export controls are detrimental to U.S. business, that the resultant loss of competitiveness, market share, and jobs can harm the U.S. economy, and that the harm to particular U.S. industries and to the economy itself can negatively impact U.S. security. Controversies arise with regard to the cost to the U.S. economy, the licensing system, foreign availability of controlled items, and unilateral controls as opposed to multilateral regimes. In the last few years, congressional attention has focused on high-performance computers, encryption, stealth technology, precision machine tools, satellites, and aerospace technology. Congress has several options in addressing export administration policy, ranging from approving no new legislation to rewriting the entire Export Administration Act. Among the options presented in this report are: allow the President to continue export controls under emergency authority, restore the EAA 1979 with increased penalties, or, rewrite the Export Administration Act to account for changing national security concerns and a globalized economy."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Grimmett, Jeanne J.; Fergusson, Ian F.; Elwell, Craig Kent, 1947-
2003-01-02
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Export Administration Act: Controversy and Prospects [Updated January 2, 2003]
"The 108th Congress again is expected to consider legislation to rewrite or to reauthorize the Export Administration Act (EAA). In the 107th Congress, the Export Administration Act of 2001 (S. 149) was introduced on January 23, 2001. The Senate passed S. 149 on September 6, 2001 by a vote of 85-14. A companion version in the House, H.R. 2581, was introduced by Rep. Gilman on July 20, 2001. The House International Relations Committee reported the measure with 35 amendments on August 1. The House Armed Services Committee further amended H.R. 2581 and reported out the bill on March 6, 2002. The difficulty in passing a comprehensive rewrite of the EAA has resulted, in part, from the continuing tension between national security and commercial concerns. Industry groups, proponents of heightened export controls, the Administration, and Congress have all participated in the reauthorization debate."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Fergusson, Ian F.
2003-01-02
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Immigration and Naturalization Service: Restructuring Proposals in the 107th Congress [Updated December 30, 2002]
The events of September 11, 2001 brought the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) to the forefront of the nation's attention. Although all 19 hijackers entered the country legally, three overstayed their visas. And, on March 11, 2002, INS sent student visa notifications for two of the (now deceased) 19 hijackers to the aviation school they attended, provoking an intensification of long-standing criticism of INS for weak management controls, among other things. An underlying theme of criticism concerns what many believe are overlapping and unclear chains of command with respect to INS's service and enforcement functions. Current proposals to restructure INS center on separating the service and enforcement functions either by keeping INS intact and creating two separate bureaus to carry out the functions, or by dismantling INS and reassigning the functions to DOJ and other agencies or a newly created department of homeland security. How will the separate entities expeditiously share information? Homeland Security Director Tom Ridge has proposed merging at least three agencies that are responsible for providing border security into a "super agency." All of these proposals would address concerns of overlap in functions, and related duplication of efforts; lack of communication and coordination of efforts; and the rivalry that reportedly exists between INS and agencies with similar responsibilities. The Act transfers INS' immigration service and enforcement functions to a new DHS into two separate Bureaus.
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Seghetti, Lisa M.
2002-12-30
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Iran: Current Developments and U.S. Policy [December 26, 2002]
"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 did not accept. By early 2002, reports of Iran's continued support to anti- Middle East peace process groups such as Hizballah had 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. The United States said subsequently it supports reform-minded Iranians who want democracy, an apparent shift from the stance of attempting to engage Khatemi's government. 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 the strides in its civilian nuclear power program could further a nuclear weapons effort."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Katzman, Kenneth
2002-12-26
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Syria: U.S. Relations and Bilateral Issues [Updated December 24, 2002]
"U.S.-Syrian relations, frequently strained by longstanding disagreements over regional and international policy, have warmed somewhat as a result of several developments: the collapse of the Soviet Union, Syria's participation in the allied coalition against Iraq in 1990-91, and Syrian agreement to participate in Arab-Israeli peace talks. This thaw in bilateral relations led some Members of Congress to inquire whether U.S. Administrations had made any private commitments to Syria, such as an undertaking to relax economic sanctions, in return for Syrian support on regional issues. Several legislative proposals have sought to condition relaxation of aid and trade restrictions on further changes in Syrian policy. Recent U.S. Administrations, though not inclined to lift sanctions on Syria at this time, tend to believe it is in U.S. interests to encourage Syria to play a positive role in the Arab-Israeli peace process. The issue for U.S. policy makers is the degree to which the United States should work for better relations with Syria in an effort to enlist Syrian cooperation on regional issues."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Prados, Alfred B.
2002-12-24
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Iraq: Weapons Threat, Compliance, Sanctions, and U.S. Policy [Updated December 24, 2002]
"In a September 12 speech before the United Nations, President Bush implied that U.S. military action would be taken against Iraq if the United Nations did not disarm Iraq. On October 11, Congress completed passage of legislation (H.J.Res.114, P.L. 107-243) authorizing the President to use force against Iraq. On November 8, the Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 1441, giving U.N. weapons inspectors new authorities. New U.N. inspections began November 27. On December 7, Iraq handed over a 12,000 page required "complete and currently accurate" declaration of all its past WMD programs and WMD useful capabilities, reportedly stating it currently has no banned WMD programs. On December 19, Secretary of State Powell said there were material omissions in Iraq's declarations that constitute a further material breach of Iraq's obligations, although other Security Council members declined to consider the declaration a material breach."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Katzman, Kenneth
2002-12-24
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Department of Homeland Security: Consolidation of Border and Transportation Security Agencies [Updated December 24, 2002]
The Homeland Security Act of 2002 (P.L. 107-296) transfers several border and transportation security agencies to the newly established Department of Homeland Security, consolidating some of them in a Directorate of Border and Transportation Security. The Act charges this new directorate with securing the borders; territorial waters; terminals; waterways; and air, land and sea transportation systems of the United States; and managing the nation's ports of entry. As in the past, the challenge for policymakers is to provide a level of border and transportation security that is commensurate with a multitude of threats, while facilitating legitimate travel and commerce, as well as protecting civil liberties. Included in this report are conceptual definitions for "border management" and "border security;" descriptions of the missions of the principal border management agencies; brief discussion of seaport and transportation security, since both are integral to border security; and a brief exploration of issues raised by transferring the Federal Protective Service, the Office for Domestic Preparedness, and the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center to this new directorate. The report concludes with a summary of major issues that are likely to emerge regarding the establishment and effective operations of the Border and Transportation Security Directorate.
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Krouse, William J.
2002-12-24
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Intelligence to Counter Terrorism: Issues for Congress [Updated December 23, 2002]
"For well over a decade international terrorism has been a major concern of the U.S. Intelligence Community. Collection assets of all kinds have long been focused on Al Qaeda and other terrorist groups. Intensive analytical expertise has been devoted to determining such groups memberships, locations, and plans. Intelligence agencies had been acutely aware of the danger for years. In February 2001, Director of Central Intelligence (DCI) George Tenet publicly testified to Congress that 'the threat from terrorism is real, it is immediate, and it is evolving.' Furthermore, '[Osama] bin Ladin and his global network of lieutenants and associates remain the most immediate and serious threat.' Nevertheless, the Intelligence Community gave no specific warning of the September 11, 2001 attacks. Although all observers grant that terrorist groups are very difficult targets and that undetected movements of small numbers of their members in an open society cannot realistically be prevented, serious questions remain. An extensive investigation by the two intelligence committees of the September 11 attacks was undertaken in 2002. Although the final report is not yet public, the committee members found that the Intelligence Community, prior to 9/11, was neither well organized nor equipped to meet the challenge posed by global terrorists focused on targets within the U.S."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Best, Richard A.
2002-12-23
