Advanced search Help
Resource Type or Special Collection is CRS Reports
Clear all search criteria
Only 2/3! You are seeing results from the Public Collection, not the complete Full Collection. Sign in to search everything (see eligibility).
-
Department of Homeland Security: State and Local Preparedness Issues [Updated August 14, 2002]
From the Summary: "The House and Senate proposals for a new Department of Homeland Security would make the new department responsible for coordinating activities with, and providing assistance to, state and local governments to ensure adequate preparedness for possible terrorist attacks. H.R. 5005 and S. 2452 would place these functions within the Emergency Preparedness and Response division (EPR), which would integrate existing agencies with functions relating to state and local preparedness. [...] Congress will likely debate a number of issues as it considers H.R. 5005 and S. 2452, including how best to structure the department to act as a single point of contact for state and local officials. As part of this issue, Congress will consider the authority and duties of an Office of State and Local Government Coordination. Another issue is how the department will set standards and evaluate state and local preparedness. Congress may also be asked to consider the way in which the department will integrate training programs from different agencies. A final issue is whether integrating FEMA into the new department would impact state and local preparedness for natural disasters."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Canada, Ben
2002-08-14
-
Afghanistan: Current Issues and U.S. Policy [Updated August 13, 2002]
"The United States and its allies are helping Afghanistan emerging from more than 22 years of warfare, although substantial risk to Afghan stability remains. Before the U.S. military campaign against the orthodox Islamist Taliban movement began on October 7, 2001, Afghanistan had been mired in conflict since the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979. […] During 1998 until its rule ended, the Taliban had come under increasing international pressure to cease hosting of terrorist leader Osama bin Laden and members of his Al Qaeda organization, the prime suspect in the September 11 terrorist attacks on the United States. […] 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 ran Afghanistan until a traditional national assembly ('loya jirga') was held June 11-19, 2002. The meeting selected a new government to run Afghanistan for the next eighteen months, with interim chairman Hamid Karzai, a Pashtun, to continue as leader for that time. 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. To help foster development, the United Nations and the Bush Administration are in the process of lifting U.N. and international sanctions imposed on Afghanistan since the Soviet occupation."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Katzman, Kenneth
2002-08-13
-
China-U.S. Relations [Updated August 13, 2002]
"In the wake of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks against the United States, U.S. and PRC [People's Republic of China] foreign policy calculations appear to be changing. The Administration of George W. Bush assumed office in January 2001 viewing China as a U.S. 'strategic competitor.' Administration officials faced an early test in April 2001 when a Chinese jet collided with a U.S. Navy reconnaissance plane over the South China Sea, resulting in strained relations and PRC accusations that U.S. reconnaissance activities were unfriendly acts. Since September 11, though, U.S. officials have come to see Beijing as an important potential ally in the fight against global terrorism, while PRC officials see the anti-terrorism campaign as a chance to improve relations with Washington and perhaps gain policy concessions on issues important to Beijing. U.S. anti-terror priorities have led some to suggest that cooperation against terrorism could serve as a new strategic framework for Sino-U.S. relations."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Dumbaugh, Kerry
2002-08-13
-
Persian Gulf: Issues for U.S. Policy, 2002 [August 12, 2002]
"The Persian Gulf region, rich in oil and gas resources but with a history of armed conflict that has necessitated occasional U.S. military action, remains crucial to United States interests. This report, which will be revised periodically, discusses U.S. efforts to manage both longstanding Gulf security interests as well the new challenges highlighted by the September 11 attacks on the United States. The report is derived from a wide range of sources, including press reports, unclassified U.S. government documents, U.N. documents, observations by the author during visits to the Gulf, and conversations with U.S, European, Iranian, and Gulf state officials, journalists and academics."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Katzman, Kenneth
2002-08-12
-
Agricultural Trade Issues in the 107th Congress [updated August 9, 2002]
"The 107th Congress has been considering a variety of trade issues with implications for the U.S. agricultural sector. Trade in agricultural commodities and food products affects farm income and rural employment, and it also generates economic activity beyond the farm gate. With agricultural export sales the equivalent of one-quarter of farm income, some policymakers view U.S. efforts to develop market opportunities overseas as vital to the sector's financial health. Decisions by the Bush Administration, and actions taken by Congress, thus could affect the outlook for agricultural trade. U.S. agricultural exports are forecast to improve only slightly in FY2002. Agricultural groups and their supporters in Congress believe that long-term prosperity depends partly on U.S. trade policies that: (1) aggressively reduce foreign-imposed barriers to U.S. farm products, (2) hold other countries accountable for commitments they have already made in existing trade agreements, (3) resolve festering disputes with major trading partners, and (4) fully use U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) export and food aid programs. At the same time, other groups have pressed for restrictions on some agricultural imports to protect U.S. producers from what they view as unfair foreign competition."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Hanrahan, Charles; Becker, Geoffrey S.; Jurenas, Remy
2002-08-09
-
Iran: Current Developments and U.S. Policy [August 7, 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. 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. 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
2002-08-07
-
Middle East Peace Talks [Updated August 7, 2002]
"Since the founding of Israel, Arab-Israeli conflict marked every decade until the 1990s. With each clash, issues separating the parties multiplied and became more intractable. The creation of the State of Israel in 1948 provided a home for the Jewish people, but the ensuing conflict made refugees of thousands of Arab residents of the formerly British Palestine, with consequences troubling for Arabs and Israelis alike. The 1967 war ended with Israel occupying territory of Egypt, Jordan, and Syria. Egypt and Syria fought the 1973 war, in part, to regain their lands. In 1982, Israel invaded southern Lebanon to prevent terrorist incursions; it withdrew in 1985, retaining control of a 9-mile 'security zone' over which Lebanon seeks to reclaim. Middle East peace has been a U.S. and international diplomatic goal throughout the years of conflict. The 1978 Camp David talks, the only previous direct Arab-Israeli negotiations, brought about the 1979 Israel-Egypt Peace Treaty."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Migdalovitz, Carol
2002-08-07
-
Homeland Security: Department Organization and Management [Updated August 7, 2002]
"As these legislative developments have occurred, primary issues for Congress
and the President have been determining the program composition, administrative
organization, and management arrangements of the new department. Other issues
have included what to do with non-homeland security programs proposed for transfer to the department, personnel costs that may arise from pleas for pay equity among investigative and inspection positions within the department, reconsideration of the relationship of intelligence entities to the department, intelligence analysis by the department, and implementation of the transition to the new department. This report will be updated as events recommend."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Relyea, Harold
2002-08-07
-
Terrorism, the Future, and U.S. Foreign Policy [August 6, 2002]
"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
Lee, Rensselaer W., 1937-; Perl, Raphael
2002-08-06
-
Syria: U.S. Relations and Bilateral Issues [Updated August 6, 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.
2002-08-06
-
Palestinians and Middle East Peace: Issues for the United States [Updated August 6, 2002]
"The United States began contacts with the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) in December 1988, after the PLO accepted Israel's right to exist, accepted U.N. Resolutions 242 and 338 that call for an exchange of land for peace, and renounced terrorism. The United States continues its contacts with the PLO and the Palestinian Authority elected in January 1996, and is an active broker in the continuing Middle East peace process. […] On May 4, 1994, Israel and the PLO signed an agreement providing for the Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and Jericho (withdrawal completed May 11, 1994). The Interim Agreement signed on September 28, 1995 (also called Oslo II or the Taba Agreement), provided for elections for the 88-seat Palestinian Assembly, the release of Israeli-held prisoners, Israeli withdrawal from six West Bank cities, and other issues. The Israelis withdrew from the West Bank cities by the end of 1995, and the Palestinian Assembly was elected on January 20, 1996, and sworn in on March 7, 1996. Israel and the Palestinians agreed to an Israeli withdrawal from Hebron in January 1997, and on October 23, 1998 signed the Wye agreement to meet previous commitments. The peace talks stalled at Camp David in July 2000, and remain suspended since the Palestinian uprising began in September. Some 600 Palestinians and 150 Israelis have died in the continuing confrontation."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Mark, Clyde R.
2002-08-06
-
Conventional Arms Transfers to Developing Nations, 1994-2001
"Developing nations continue to be the primary focus of foreign arms sales activity by weapons suppliers. Recently, from 1998-2001, the United States and Russia have dominated the arms market in the developing world, with the United States ranking first each of the last four years in the value of arms transfer agreements. In 2001, the United States ranked first in arms transfer agreements with developing nations with nearly $7 billion or 43.6% of these agreements. Russia was second with $5.7 billion or 29.6% of such agreements. China ranked third with $600 million or 3.8% of such agreements. In 2001, the United States ranked first in the value of arms deliveries to developing nations at $6 billion, or 41.7% of all such deliveries. Russia ranked second at $3.4 billion or 23.6% of such deliveries. The United Kingdom ranked third at $3.3 billion or 22.9% of such deliveries. During the 1998-2001 period, the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.) ranked first among developing nations in the value of arms transfer agreements, concluding $10.8 billion in such agreements. India ranked second at $7.2 billion. China ranked third with $6.7 billion. In 2001, Israel ranked first in the value of arms transfer agreements among all developing nations weapons purchasers, concluding $2.5 billion in such agreements. China ranked second with $2.1 billion in such agreements. Egypt ranked third with $2 billion." - from Summary
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Grimmett, Richard F.
2002-08-06
-
Agriculture and Fast Track or Trade Promotion Authority [updated August 2, 2002]
"New 'fast track,' or trade promotion, authority (TPA) cleared the 107th Congress for the President's expected signature in August 2002. Such authority enables the Administration to submit negotiated foreign trade agreements to Congress for consideration under expedited procedures. Many agricultural and food industry interests were among the export-oriented enterprises that supported TPA, arguing that foreign trading partners would not seriously negotiate with an Administration that lacked it. However, some farm groups argued that fast track ultimately will lead to new agreements that have adverse effects on U.S. producers, at least of some commodities. This report will be updated if events warrant."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Becker, Geoffrey S.; Hanrahan, Charles
2002-08-02
-
Africa: U.S. Foreign Assistance Issues [Updated August 2, 2002]
"'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 July 26, 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 $144.6 million in emergency humanitarian assistance, primarily food aid, to the region. On June 27, the G-8 countries meeting in Canada pledged $6 billion in aid to African countries undertaking reforms in accordance with the New Partnership for Africa's Development [NEPAD]. Nigeria's President Olusegun Obasanjo, a NEPAD leader, said he was 'satisfied' with the pledge, but critics said it included little money that had not already been promised. President Bush, speaking at the Leon Sullivan Summit in Washington on June 20, promised to double U.S. aid for education in Africa, bringing total spending to $200 million over the next 5 years. The President also announced that he would visit Africa in 2003."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Copson, Raymond W.
2002-08-02
-
AIDS in Africa [Updated August 1, 2002]
"Sub-Saharan Africa has been far more severely affected by AIDS than any other part of the world. The United Nations reports that 28.5 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 9%; it is 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. An estimated 21.5 million Africans have died of AIDS, including 2.2 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.
2002-08-01
-
Visa Issuances: Policy, Issues, and Legislation [Updated July 31, 2002]
"Since the September 11 terrorist attacks, considerable concern has been raised because the 19 terrorists were aliens who apparently entered the United States legally despite provisions in immigration laws that bar the admission of terrorists. Fears that lax enforcement of immigration laws regulating the admission of foreign nationals into the United States may continue to make the United States vulnerable to further terrorist attacks have led many to call for revisions in the policy and possibly changes in who administers immigration law. Foreign nationals not already legally residing in the United States who wish to come to the United States generally must obtain a visa to be admitted, with certain exceptions noted in law. Under current law, two departments -- the Department of State (DOS) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) -- each play key roles in administering the law and policies on the admission of aliens. DOS's Bureau of Consular Affairs is the agency currently responsible for issuing visas, and DOJ's Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) plays a key role in approving immigrant petitions and in inspecting all people who enter the United States. In FY2000, DOS issued approximately 7.5 million visas and rejected over 2 million aliens seeking visas."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Wasem, Ruth Ellen
2002-07-31
-
Immigration and Naturalization Service: Restructuring Proposals in the 107th Congress [Updated July 30, 2002]
"The events of September 11 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. There appears to be a consensus among the Administration, Congress, and commentators that the immigration system, primarily INS, is in need of restructuring. There also appears to be a consensus among interested parties that INS's two main functions -- service and enforcement -- need to be separated. There has not been a consensus, however, with regard to how the restructuring should take place. 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 [Department of Justice] and other agencies. While separating the two main functions would create a clear chain of command and increase accountability, several questions are raised. Are these functions operationally separable or interdependent? Will both functions receive equal attention and resources? How will separating the main functions address the fragmentation of immigrant-related functions across INS and other federal agencies? How will the separate entities expeditiously share information?"
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Seghetti, Lisa M.
2002-07-30
-
Creation of Executive Departments: Highlights from the Legislative History of Modern Precedents [Updated July 30, 2002]
"Congress is now considering proposals to create a Department of Homeland Security. Since World War II, Congress has created or implemented major reorganizations of seven of the now existing 14 Cabinet departments. This report describes the principal elements of legislative process that established the Departments of Defense; Health, Education, and Welfare (HEW) (now, in part, Health and Human Services); Housing and Urban Development; Transportation; Energy; Education; and Veterans Affairs. Congressional consideration of legislation establishing Cabinet departments has generally exhibited certain common procedural elements. In each case, successful congressional action was preceded by a presidential endorsement, the submission of draft legislation, or, in one instance, a reorganization plan by the President. [...] Votes in committee and on final passage were generally by comfortable majorities. An exception was the House consideration of the Department of Education bill (H.R. 2444, 96th Congress), which cleared committee by a single vote and passed the House by a four-vote margin. Finally, with the exception of the joint resolution approving the Department of HEW reorganization plan, all the legislation went to conference to resolve differences between House and Senate versions. With two exceptions, conferees were drawn from the reporting committees. House and Senate Veterans Affairs Committee members joined the conference on the Department of Veterans Affairs legislation, and members of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee and the House Post Office and Civil Service Committee served on the Energy Department conference."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Carr, Thomas P.
2002-07-30
-
Proposed Transfer of FEMA to the Department of Homeland Security [Updated July 29, 2002]
"The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) assists individuals, states and localities, and certain non-profit organizations that have been overwhelmed by, or are at risk from, significant catastrophes, including terrorist attacks. FEMA also coordinates federal emergency management activities and planning for the continuity of much of the federal government should national security be threatened. Bills pending before the 107th Congress (H.R. 5005/S. 2452) would bring FEMA into the proposed Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to form the central component of the Emergency Preparedness and Response (EPR) division. The current discussion is a new manifestation of issues that have been debated for decades--how to organize and allocate resources between the tasks of managing natural disasters and homeland (national) security threats."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Bea, Keith
2002-07-29
-
Trade Promotion Authority (Fast-Track Authority for Trade Agreements): Background and Developments in the 107th Congress [Updated July 26, 2002]
"One of the major trade issues in the 107th Congress is whether or not Congress approves trade promotion authority (formerly called fast-track authority) for the President to negotiate trade agreements with expedited procedures for implementing legislation. Under this authority, Congress agrees to consider legislation to implement the trade agreements (usually nontariff trade agreements) under a procedure with mandatory deadlines, no amendment, and limited debate. The President is required to consult with congressional committees during negotiation and notify Congress before entering into an agreement. The President was granted this authority almost continuously from 1974 to 1994, but the authority lapsed and has not been renewed. A major issue has been the role of labor and the environment as objectives in trade agreements. Differences have been largely along party lines. […] According to the press reports on July 26, 2002, conferees reached agreement on a conference report late July 25. It is possible that the House might vote on the conference
report on July 25 or 26, and that the Senate might vote during the week of July 29. For more
information on topics covered in the conference report, see the following CRS [Congressional Research Service] products: CRS Report 97-817 (agriculture); CRS Report RL31450 (Andean trade preferences);CRS Report RS21078 (trade adjustment assistance); CRS Report RL31178 (labor issues); CRS Report RL31192 (expedited procedures); and CRS Report 97-389 (Generalized System of Preferences). On June 19, 2002, the House Rules Committee reported out a rule (H.Res. 450) recommended by Ways and Means Committee Chairman Thomas for consideration of the Senate-passed TPA [Trade Promotion Authority] bill (H.R. 3009). The House approved H.Res. 450 on June 26 by a vote of 216-215. On May 23, 2002, the Senate passed comprehensive trade bill H.R. 3009 by a 66-30 vote. Title XXI of H.R. 3009 includes TPA provisions similar, but not identical, to the House-approved TPA provisions. The House approved TPA bill H.R. 3005 along party lines by a vote of 215-214, on December 6, 2001."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sek, Lenore
2002-07-26
-
State and Local Preparedness for Terrorism: Policy Issues and Options [Updated July 26, 2002]
"Congress is presently debating how the structure and responsibilities of a new Department of Homeland Security will impact state and local preparedness for terrorism. Both H.R. 5005 and S. 2452 would consolidate state and local assistance programs into the new department. The department would also be responsible for coordinating the development and implementation of federal, state, and local response plans. At present, Congress authorizes several federal agencies to conduct programs designed to help state and local responders enhance their preparedness for terrorist attacks, particularly attacks involving weapons of mass destruction. These programs cover a range of activities, including emergency planning; training and equipment; response to chemical and biological attacks; law enforcement; and public health. As Congress determines the responsibilities of a new Homeland Security Department, it might consider a range of policy issues frequently mentioned by state and local emergency managers and analysts."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Canada, Ben
2002-07-26
-
Nuclear Nonproliferation Issues [Updated July 25, 2002]
"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 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: the India- Pakistan arms race, North Korea, and the Middle East, primarily Iraq, Iran, and Israel. 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.
2002-07-25
-
Europe and Counter-terrorism: Strengthening Police and Judicial Cooperation [July 23, 2002]
"This report discusses Europe's counter-terrorism efforts. The September 11 terrorist attacks have given new momentum to European Union (EU) initiatives to combat terrorism and other cross-border crimes such as drug trafficking, human trafficking, and financial fraud. For many years, EU efforts to address such challenges were hampered by national sovereignty concerns, insufficient resources, and a lack of trust among law enforcement agencies. However, the terrorist attacks and the subsequent revelation of Al Qaeda cells in Europe has changed this status quo as it becomes increasingly evident that the EU's
open borders and different legal systems allow terrorists and other criminals to move around easily and evade arrest and prosecution. Thus, EU officials have renewed their efforts to harmonize national laws and bring down traditional barriers among member states' police, intelligence, and judicial authorities. As part of this initiative, the EU is also seeking to enhance active ongoing cooperation with U.S. law enforcement and judicial authorities so that information can be meaningfully shared and suspects apprehended expeditiously."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Archick, Kristin
2002-07-23
-
Meeting Public Safety Spectrum Needs [Updated July 22, 2002]
"In the aftermath of September 11, 2001, Congress reaffirmed its concern regarding the availability of spectrum to meet the wireless communications needs for public service agencies. Issues include the amount of spectrum available, the timing of spectrum availability, interoperability, interference, technology, access, standards, and funding. The Department of Homeland Security would, as currently proposed, address some of the issues concerning spectrum policy and public safety. Several important policy decisions that would increase the amount and efficiency of spectrum used by first responders and other public safety organizations are currently under consideration by Congress and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). This report focuses on key proposals for improving wireless telecommunications for public safety and recent actions to achieve this goal. Efforts by the FCC and other agencies to improve interoperability, reduce interference, and promote new technology are reviewed. Sufficient and appropriate spectrum is fundamental to the future development of wireless communications for public safety. The manner in which the spectrum is allocated is also important and this is illustrated, for example, in the problem of interference to public safety communications. This problem has opened a debate over how to reallocate spectrum not only to reduce interference but also to maximize the benefit to other users in adjacent bands. Business and industrial users, for example, are examining their need for spectrum for applications such as pipeline surveillance and some have petitioned the FCC to reclassify their licenses to reflect the public safety aspects of their private networks."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Moore, L. K. S. (Linda K. S.)
2002-07-22
-
China-U.S. Trade Issues [Updated July 22, 2002]
"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 $122 billion in 2001; 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 totaled $83 billion in 2001), China's restrictive trade and investment practices, and its failure to provide adequate protection for U.S. intellectual property rights (IPR). […] The 107th Congress will likely press the Bush Administration to closely monitor China's compliance with its WTO [World Trade Organization] commitments. A number of issues regarding China's compliance have already arisen. The required annual report by the USTR [U.S. Trade Representative] on China's WTO implementation (due in December) will likely become the focal point of potential congressional concerns over China's compliance."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Morrison, Wayne M.
2002-07-22
-
Agroterrorism: Options in Congress [Updated July 17, 2002]
This report itemizes Congress' options in combating Agro-terrorism. The report covers possible targets, defenses, threats, economic impacts, and other legislation and developments as well. Although U.S. intelligence agencies have not identified any terrorist acts targeting agricultural production in the United States to date, the events of September 11, 2001 have awakened the nation to their possibility. Some experts estimate that a single agro-terrorist attack using a highly contagious livestock disease could cost between $10 billion and $30 billion to the U.S. economy. Experts also recognize weaknesses in the ability of most nations to prevent and contain a biological attack on their agricultural resources. Limited inspection capabilities, lack of rapid diagnostic tools, inadequate coordination between inspection agencies, and little biosafety training of farmers, agronomists, and veterinarians are among the recognized weaknesses. The goal of agro-terrorism is to cripple the biological infrastructure of a nation's agriculture, i.e., its livestock and its crops. Many links in the agricultural production chain are potentially susceptible to attack with a biological weapon. Congress and the Administration are engaged in discussions to protect agricultural production from a terrorist attack, to promote greater awareness and rapid response.
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Segarra, Alejandro E.
2002-07-19
-
Intelligence Issues for Congress [Updated July 19, 2002]
"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.
2002-07-19
-
Critical Infrastructures: Background, Policy, and Implementation [Updated July 18, 2002]
"The nations health, wealth, and security rely on the production and distribution of certain goods and services. The array of physical assets, processes and organizations across which these goods and services move are called critical infrastructures (e.g. electricity, the power plants that generate it, and the electric grid upon which it is distributed). Computers and communications, themselves critical infrastructures, are increasingly tying these infrastructures together. There has been growing concern that this reliance on computers and computer networks raises the vulnerability of the nations critical infrastructures to 'cyber' attacks. In May 1998, President Clinton released Presidential Decision Directive No. 63. The Directive set up groups within the federal government to develop and implement plans that would protect government-operated infrastructures and called for a dialogue between government and the private sector to develop a National Infrastructure Assurance Plan that would protect all of the nations critical infrastructures by the year 2003. While the Directive called for both physical and cyber protection from both man-made and natural events, implementation focused on cyber protection against man-made cyber events (i.e. computer hackers). Those advocating the need for greater cyber security felt that this was a new vulnerability not fully appreciated by system owners and operators in either the private or public sectors. However, given the impact of the September 11 attacks on the communications, finance, and transportation infrastructures, physical protections of critical infrastructures is receiving greater attention."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Moteff, John D.
2002-07-18
-
Palestinians and Middle East Peace: Issues for the United States [Updated July 17, 2002]
"The United States began contacts with the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) in December 1988, after the PLO accepted Israel's right to exist, accepted U.N. Resolutions 242 and 338 that call for an exchange of land for peace, and renounced terrorism. The United States continues its contacts with the PLO and the Palestinian Authority elected in January 1996, and is an active broker in the continuing Middle East peace process. […] On May 4, 1994, Israel and the PLO signed an agreement providing for the Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and Jericho (withdrawal completed May 11, 1994). The Interim Agreement signed on September 28, 1995 (also called Oslo II or the Taba Agreement), provided for elections for the 88-seat Palestinian Assembly, the release of Israeli-held prisoners, Israeli withdrawal from six West Bank cities, and other issues. The Israelis withdrew from the West Bank cities by the end of 1995, and the Palestinian Assembly was elected on January 20, 1996, and sworn in on March 7, 1996. Israel and the Palestinians agreed to an Israeli withdrawal from Hebron in January 1997, and on October 23, 1998 signed the Wye agreement to meet previous commitments. The peace talks stalled at Camp David in July 2000, and remain suspended since the Palestinian uprising began in September. Some 600 Palestinians and 150 Israelis have died in the continuing confrontation."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Mark, Clyde R.
2002-07-17
-
Egypt-United States Relations [July 17, 2002]
"U.S.-Egyptian relations are tied to maintaining regional stability, improving bilateral relations focused on Egyptian economic development and military cooperation, developing Egypt's democracy, sustaining the March 1979 Egyptian-Israeli peace treaty, and continuing U.S. foreign assistance to Egypt. Experience gained from Egyptian-U.S. joint military exercises proved valuable in easing coordination during the February 1991 Desert Storm operation reversing Iraqi aggression against Kuwait. Egypt is a leader and moderating influence among many Arab, African, Islamic, and Third World states. Among the current issues in U.S.-Egyptian relations are the shared concerns over the terrorist attacks against Egyptian police, religious, government, and tourist facilities, and what those attacks may signal for Egypt's domestic stability. The two nations may disagree over Egypt's interpretation of applying human rights practices to Islamic terrorists. The two countries disagree over the speed and depth, but not the need for some of Egypt's economic reforms. Egypt and the United States agree on the importance of the Egyptian-Israeli peace treaty, the need to continue current Arab-Israel peace talks, and the need for regional stability. The two nations agree on Egypt's determination to introduce democratic reforms to Egypt. The United States has provided Egypt with an annual average of over $2 billion in economic and military foreign assistance since 1979. The United States will reduce Economic Support Funds (ESF) to about $400 million per year by 2008 in keeping with a plan to reduce aid to Israel. The Administration requested $655 million in economic grants and $1.3 billion in military grants for FY2002 for Egypt."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Mark, Clyde R.
2002-07-17
