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).
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
Arms Sales: Congressional Review Process [December 20, 2002]
"This report reviews the process and procedures that currently apply to congressional consideration of foreign arms sales proposed by the President. This includes consideration of proposals to sell major defense equipment, defense articles and services, or the re-transfer to third party nations of such military items. In general, the executive branch, after complying with the terms of applicable U.S. law, principally contained in the Arms Export Control Act, is free to proceed with an arms sales proposal unless Congress passes legislation prohibiting or modifying the proposed sale. Under current law Congress must overcome two fundamental obstacles to block or modify a Presidential sale of military equipment: it must pass legislation expressing its will on the sale, and it must be capable of overriding a presumptive Presidential veto of such legislation. Congress, however, is free to pass legislation to block or modify an arms sale at any time up to the point of delivery of the items involved."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Grimmett, Richard F.
2002-12-20
-
Saudi Arabia: Current Issues and U.S. Relations [Updated December 19, 2002]
"Saudi Arabia, a monarchy ruled by the Saudi dynasty, enjoys special importance in the international community because of its unique association with the Islamic religion and its oil wealth. Since the establishment of the modern Saudi kingdom in 1932, it has benefitted from a stable political system based on a smooth process of succession to the throne and an increasingly prosperous economy dominated by the oil sector. Decrees by King Fahd in March 1992 establishing an appointive consultative council and provincial councils and promulgating a basic law providing for certain citizens' rights could signal a gradual trend toward a more open political system. […] The United States and Saudi Arabia have long-standing economic and defense ties. A series of informal agreements, statements by successive U.S. administrations, and military deployments have demonstrated a strong U.S. security commitment to Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia was a key member of the allied coalition that expelled Iraqi forces from Kuwait in 1991, and over 5,000 U.S. troops remain in the country. […] U.S. officials have cited Saudi support in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 attacks, including intelligence sharing, law enforcement activities, and tracking of terrorist financing. Some commentators maintain that Saudi domestic and foreign policies have created a climate that may have contributed to terrorist acts by Islamic radicals. Saudi officials reject this viewpoint and maintain that they are working with the United States to combat terrorism. Principal issues of bilateral interest include the Saudi position on the Arab-Israeli conflict, security in the post-war Gulf region, arms transfers to Saudi Arabia, Saudi external aid programs, bilateral trade relationships, and Saudi policies involving human rights and democracy. In early 2002, Crown Prince Abdullah proposed a peace initiative based on Israeli withdrawal from occupied territories in return for normal relations between Arab states and Israel."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Prados, Alfred B.
2002-12-19
-
India-U.S. Relations [Updated December 19, 2002]
"Although the end of the cold war freed India-U.S. relations from the constraints of global bipolarity, New Delhi-Washington relations continued for a decade to be affected by the burden of history, most notably the longstanding India-Pakistan rivalry. Recent years, however, have witnessed a sea change in bilateral relations, with more positive interactions becoming the norm. India's swift offer of full support for U.S.-led anti-terrorism operations after the September 2001 attacks on the United States is widely viewed as reflective of such change. Continuing U.S. concern in South Asia focuses especially on the historic and ongoing tensions between nuclear-armed India and Pakistan, tensions rooted in unfinished business from the 1947 Partition, and competing claims to the former princely state of Kashmir. The United States also seeks to prevent the regional proliferation of nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles. Both India and Pakistan have so far resisted U.S. and international pressure to sign the major international nonproliferation treaties."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Kronstadt, K. Alan
2002-12-19
-
Persian Gulf: Issues for U.S. Policy, 2003 [Updated December 19, 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 and the U.S. insistence that Iraq end all its weapons of mass destruction (WMD) programs. 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
2002-12-19
-
State and Local Preparedness for Terrorism: Selected Policy Issues [Updated December 19, 2002]
"While the federal government has resources at hand for responding to terrorist attacks, the proximity of state and local first responders insures they will almost always be the first to arrive at the site of an attack. For this reason, the preparedness of state and local governments has become a salient national issue. The President's 'National Strategy for Homeland Security', issued in June 2002, proposes a number of measures to enhance state and local preparedness for terrorist attacks, particularly those involving weapons of mass destruction. Most of these measures, presently undertaken by FEMA and several other agencies, but will be transferred to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which Congress authorized in the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (P.L. 107-296). Readers interested in analysis of state and local preparedness functions of the new Department of Homeland Security should see CRS Report RL31490, 'Department of Homeland Security: State and Local Preparedness Issues.' This report will be updated as circumstances warrant."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Canada, Ben
2002-12-19
-
Meeting Public Safety Spectrum Needs [Updated December 18, 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. Several important policy decisions that would increase the amount and efficiency of spectrum used by first responders and other public safety organizations are under consideration by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). 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. Interoperability --- the ability to communicate effectively among all wireless networks used for public safety --- depends both on spectrum and technology. The FCC announced in February 2002 that it would allocate new spectrum for public safety broadband. This report focuses on key proposals for improving wireless telecommunications for public safety and recent actions to achieve this goal.
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Moore, L. K. S. (Linda K. S.)
2002-12-18
-
Israel: U.S. Foreign Assistance [December 18, 2002]
"Israel is not economically self-sufficient, and relies on foreign assistance and borrowing to maintain its economy. Since 1985, the United States has provided $3 billion in grants annually to Israel. Since 1976, Israel has been the largest annual recipient of U.S. foreign assistance, and is the largest cumulative recipient since World War II. In addition to U.S. assistance, it is estimated that Israel receives about $1 billion annually through philanthropy, an equal amount through short- and long- term commercial loans, and around $1 billion in Israel Bonds proceeds. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu told a joint session of Congress on July 10, 1996, that Israel would reduce its need for U.S. aid over the next four years. In January 1998, Finance Minister Neeman proposed eliminating the $1.2 billion economic aid and increasing the $1.8 billion in military aid by $60 million per year during a 10-year period beginning in the year 2000. The FY1999, 2000, 2001, and 2002 appropriations bills included cuts of $120 million in economic aid and an increases of $60 million in military aid for each year."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Mark, Clyde R.
2002-12-18
-
Safeguarding the Nation's Drinking Water: EPA and Congressional Actions [Updated December 18, 2002]
"The events of September 11 raised concerns about the security of the nations drinking water supplies and their vulnerability to attack. Issues include the readiness of water utilities to prevent and respond to attacks on water systems, steps that can be taken to improve preparedness and response capabilities, and the availability of resources to help utilities enhance drinking water security. After a presidential commission on critical infrastructure protection identified vulnerabilities in the water sector in 1997, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), with other federal agencies, water utilities, and state and local governments, began taking steps to improve the security of water systems, although these efforts generally were not targeted to current concerns over terrorism. Pursuant to the 1998 Presidential Decision Directive (PDD) 63 on protecting the nations critical infrastructure, EPA had provided some research, information, and technical and financial assistance to improve preparedness and increase the security of drinking water systems. However, PDD-63 efforts were focused almost entirely on computer security issues. Following September 11, EPA significantly increased and expedited efforts to help utilities safeguard facilities and supplies from terrorist or other threats. The 107th Congress took significant steps to improve security in the water sector."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Tiemann, Mary
2002-12-18
-
Transfer of FEMA to the Department of Homeland Security: Issues for Congressional Oversight [December 17, 2002]
From the Summary: "The Homeland Security Act of 2002 (P.L. 107-296) transfers FEMA, along with its assets and responsibilities, to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). For the most part, the mission of FEMA will be carried out within the Emergency Preparedness and Response directorate (EPR) of DHS. The Act also transfers to the EPR directorate specific functions of the Departments of Justice, Health and Human Services, and Commerce. EPR will administer most policies intended to lessen the impact of disasters and will aid recovery when disasters occur. One significant exception is that the Act transfers terrorism-related training and preparedness responsibilities of FEMA's Office of National Preparedness to the Office of Domestic Preparedness within the Border and Transportation Security directorate. The transfer of FEMA (along with other entities) into DHS is intended to address homeland security deficiencies and problems."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Bea, Keith
2002-12-17
-
NATO Enlargement [Updated December 17, 2002]
"This report provides a brief summary of the last round of NATO enlargement, then sketches recent events culminating in the NATO summit in Prague on November 21-22, 2002. The report analyzes the key military and political issues that affect the current debate over seven prospective members named at Prague. It then provides an overview of the positions of the allies and of Russia on enlargement, citing the important potential effects of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, on the United States. It concludes with a discussion of current legislation on enlargement before Congress. This report will be updated as needed."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Gallis, Paul E.
2002-12-17
-
Critical Infrastructures: Background, Policy, and Implementation [Updated December 17, 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). However, given the physical damage caused by the September 11 attacks and the subsequent impact on the communications, finance, and transportation services, physical protections of critical infrastructures is receiving greater attention."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Moteff, John D.
2002-12-17
-
Homeland Security Department: U.S. Department of Agriculture Issues [Updated December 16, 2002]
From the Summary: "The President originally proposed (in June 2002) that all of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) -- including the Plum Island Foreign Animal Disease Diagnostics Laboratory -- be transferred into the new Department's Office of Border and Transportation Security to support its counter-terrorism mission. APHIS is responsible for protecting U.S. agriculture from foreign pests and diseases and posts inspectors at about 125 ports of entry around the country. [...] The House Select Committee on Homeland Security incorporated these changes into an amended version of the President's proposal, which it reported out and the full House passed in July 2002 (H.R. 5005). The amended proposal specified that only the APHIS border inspection employees would be transferred to DHS, and that the USDA Secretary would retain considerable authority over their activities and funding. The bill also included the transfer of the Plum Island lab to DHS. Section 421 of P.L. 107-296 authorizes the transfer of no more than 3,200 APHIS border inspection personnel to DHS, along with the Plum Island lab."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Rawson, Jean M.
2002-12-16
-
Intelligence Issues for Congress [Updated December 16, 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.
2002-12-16
-
Terrorism in Southeast Asia [December 13, 2002]
Following the defeat of the Taliban regime in Afghanistan, U.S. attention has
turned to radical Islamist groups in Southeast Asia, particularly those in the
Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore that are known or alleged to have
ties to the Al Qaeda terrorist network. For more than a decade, Al Qaeda has
penetrated the region by establishing local cells, training Southeast Asians in its
camps in Afghanistan, and by financing and cooperating with indigenous radical
Islamist groups. Indonesia and the southern Philippines have been particularly
vulnerable to penetration by anti-American Islamic terrorist groups.
One such network, Jemaah Islamiya, is known to have assisted two of Al
Qaeda's September 11, 2001 hijackers and is suspected of plotting attacks against
Western targets, including the October 12, 2002 bombing in Bali, Indonesia that
killed nearly 200 people, mostly Western tourists. Some analysts fear that the Bali
attack may represent a shift in tactics, from targeting Western military and
government installations to focusing on "softer" targets such as tourist resorts,
Western business, and schools serving Westerners.
However, these governments have to balance these security concerns with
domestic political considerations. Although proponents of violent, radical Islam
remain a small minority in Southeast Asia, many governments view increased
American pressure and military presence in their region with ambivalence because
of the political sensitivity of the issue with both mainstream Islamic and secular
nationalist groups.
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Manyin, Mark E.
2002-12-13
