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• Conventional Arms Transfers to Developing Nations, 1991-1998 [August 4, 1999]

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  "This report is prepared annually to provide unclassified quantitative data on conventional arms transfers to developing nations by the United States and foreign countries for the preceding eight calendar years. This report covers the years from 1991-1998. It also provides some general data on worldwide conventional arms transfers for the same time period, but the principal focus is on data illustrating the levels of such arms transfers by major weapons suppliers to nations in the developing world. Data on deliveries by key suppliers of fourteen categories of conventional weapons systems is also included for 1991-1998. The data in the report show how global patterns of conventional arms transfers have changed in the post-Cold War and post-Persian Gulf War years. Despite world changes since the Cold War's end, the developing nations continue to be the primary focus of foreign transfer activity by conventional weapons suppliers."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Grimmett, Richard F.

  1999-08-04
• Security: Protecting Nuclear Material and Information [Updated July 23, 1999]

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  "Congress is focusing on problems with security at the Department of Energy's (DOE) national security facilities, especially the nuclear weapon laboratories. Problems include espionage from within the labs and protection of nuclear material and facilities from outside attack. This report describes the main components of DOE's security system and reviews current efforts to address shortcomings. This report will be updated as events warrant."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Davis, Zachary S., 1955-

  1999-07-23
• Defense Research: A Primer on the Department of Defense's Research, Development, Test and Evaluation (RDT&E) Program [Updated July 14, 1999]

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  From the Abstract: "This report describes the basic elements and issues of the Department of Defense's (DOD) Research, Development, Test and Evaluation (RDT&E) Program. It defines basic activities supported by the program, presents budget trends, discusses the management of program, and describes the infrastructure in which the program is implemented. This report is for staff new to the area of defense research and for senior staff interested in historical trends. This report will be updated periodically. For tracking congressional action on the current year's budget, the reader is referred to the Issue Brief entitled 'Defense Research: DOD's Research, Development, Test and Evaluation (RDT&E) Program,' by the same author."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Moteff, John D.

  1999-07-14
• Military Changes to the Unified Command Plan: Background and Issues for Congress [June 21, 1999]

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  From the Abstract: "Changing threats to U.S. national security concern Members and committees in Congress; terrorism, weapons of mass destruction, national missile defense, and space issues are new challenges the Department of Defense faces. A key tool to address these concerns has been the Unified Command Plan (UCP), which organizes U.S. military forces geographically and functionally for activities in peace and war. Congress has played a role in shaping this executive document in the past, and may wish to do so again in the future. This report describes the UCP, relevant past legislation, emerging threats, and options and issues for Congress. For discussion of U.S. forces under multinational command arrangements, see CRS [Congressional Research Service] Report 94-887, 'U.S. Forces and Multinational Commands: PDD [Presidential Decision Directive]-25 and Precedents.' This report may be updated as events warrant."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Story, William C., Jr.

  1999-06-21
• Food Biotechnology in the United States: Science, Regulation, and Issues [June 2, 1999]

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  "This report provides basic information on the science of food biotechnology. It discusses regulatory policies and issues of concern about the use of biotechnology to modify foods through genetic engineering. It describes the scientific processes used and current products available. It explains how all three major federal agencies - the Food and Drug Administration, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the Environmental Protection Agency - regulate these foods. Consumers have expressed concerns about the uncertain long-term impact on public health and the environment particularly the consequences of cross pollination, the impact on eco-systems, and the development of resistance with the use of some bioengineered plant pesticides. Some critics also question the expanding market power of a few multinational companies, the growing unease in international trade relationships over the fast adoption by U.S. farmers of bioengineered crops, and the current federal structure by -which it is regulated. Others argue that food biotechnology will enhance crop yields, produce foods with novel characteristics, -while using fewer pesticides. This report will be updated periodically."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Vogt, Donna U.; Parish, Mickey Elton, 1952-

  1999-06-02
• Kosovo: Greek and Turkish Perspectives [Updated May 27, 1999]

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  From the Document: "Western governments have cited a danger of the Kosovo conflict spreading to NATO allies Greece and Turkey as justification for military intervention in Kosovo. These two eastern Mediterranean neighbors have difficult bilateral relations. Their overarching goals for Kosovo are similar, but their views of NATO's military campaign differ. Greece opposes NATO's approach for reasons based on history, culture, competing foreign policy goals, and public opinion. Its sympathies lie with the Serbs. Turkey supports NATO out of alliance loyalty and because of its shared history, culture, and attendant sympathies with the Kosovar Albanians. Turkey is participating in the military operation; Greece is not. Greece and Turkey both reject the notion that a war between them might arise from the current conflict. Greece is concerned about the refugee crisis destabilizing the region. It also is concerned about the implications that its position on Kosovo might have on relations with the United States and Europe, while Turkey does not accept that the crisis might have implications for its southeast and Kurds. See CRS Issue Brief 98041, Kosovo and U.S. Policy, and CRS Issue Brief IB10027 Kosovo: U.S. and Allied Military Operations. This report will be updated if developments warrant.'"

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Migdalovitz, Carol

  1999-05-27
• Kosovo and NATO: Selected Issues of International Law [April 28, 1999]

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  From the Document: "The initiation of air attacks by NATO and its intervention in Yugoslavia have posed a number of issues involving international law. First, questions have been raised about whether NATO's actions violate the principles of non-intervention and the sovereignty of states over their internal affairs. Kosovo is not an independent state but is a part of Yugoslavia; and the conflict between the Serbs and the KLA [Kosovo Liberation Army] and the maltreatment of ethnic Albanians, therefore, had previously been an internal matter rather than an international one. But international law has traditionally afforded states complete sovereignty over their internal affairs and has barred intervention into those affairs by other states. Thus, one issue is whether there are other principles under international law that justify overriding the traditional principles of non-intervention and sovereignty. NATO's military intervention in Yugoslavia has raised several issues of international law. Are there legal justifications for overriding the traditional principle of international law that states are free to order their internal affairs as they see fit without outside interference? Do its actions comport with the Charter of the United Nations? Is its engagement in an out-of-area conflict that is not a response to an armed attack on one of its members permissible under the North Atlantic Charter? This report examines those issues. It will be updated as events warrant."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Ackerman, David M.

  1999-04-28
• Kosovo: International Reactions to NATO Air Strikes [Updated April 21, 1999]

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  From the Document: "In response to Serbian aggression in Kosovo, NATO began air operations against targets in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia on March 24, 1999. This report reviews international reactions to that operation. Responses in eight NATO countries -- France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Netherlands, Turkey, and the United Kingdom which are key to the operation for either military and/or geopolitical reasons are discussed. The potential for the conflict in Kosovo to spill across international borders is considered to be high. Thus, this report considers the reaction to the NATO air strikes of the following non-NATO regional actors: Albania, Austria, Bosnia, Bulgaria, Croatia, Macedonia, Montenegro, Romania, and Slovenia. The strongest international opposition to the NATO operation has come from Russia and China. For this reason, U.N. Security Council approval has not been sought because both countries have veto power on the Council. Their reactions are discussed, together with a review of action in the United Nations on the crisis in Kosovo. Related CRS products include Kosovo and U.S. Policy, by Steven Woehrel and Julie Kim, CRS Issue Brief 98041; Kosovo-U.S. and Allied Military Operations, by Steve Bowman, CRS Issue Brief 10027; Kosovo: Issues and Options for U.S. Policy, by Steven Woehrel, CRS Short Report RS20125; Kosovo Conflict: Russian Responses and Implications for the United States, by James Nichol, CRS Long Report 30130; and Kosovo: Greek and Turkish Perspectives, by Carol Migdalovitz, CRS Short Report 20149. The report will be updated as events warrant."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Donfried, Karen

  1999-04-21
• Cruise Missile Inventories and NATO Attacks on Yugoslavia: Background Information [April 20, 1999]

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  From the Summary: "Press reports suggest that, as of mid-April, there were less than 100 Conventional Air-Launched Cruise Missiles (CALCMs) and between 1,000 and 1,100 Block III Tomahawk land-attack cruise missiles (TLAMs) remaining in the U.S. military inventory. No additional CALCMs will likely enter inventory for at least several months, and only small numbers of additional TLAMs are scheduled for delivery in coming months. Depending on the circumstances, other kinds of weapons can be substituted for CALCMs and TLAMs, but in some cases, particularly for carrying out precision attacks on heavily defended targets in bad weather, CALCMs or TLAMs may be the most (or only) appropriate weapons. This report is intended primarily for Members and staffers who are following Operation Allied Force or who track procurement of Air Force or Navy weapons, particularly cruise missiles. It will be updated as events warrant. The overall status of NATO military operations in and around Yugoslavia is covered in CRS [Congressional Research Service] Issue Brief IB10027, 'Kosovo: U.S. and Allied Military Operations.'"

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  O'Rourke, Ronald

  1999-04-20
• Kosovo Conflict Chronology: September 1998 - March 1999 [April 6, 1999]

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  From the Document: "This report chronicles major events regarding the violent conflict in Kosovo, a region in Serbia with a majority ethnic Albanian population, from September 1998 through March 1999. During this period, a cease-fire was brokered in October 1998, but was frequently violated by both sides. In mid-January 1999, a massacre of ethnic Albanian civilians by Serbian police prompted renewed international attention to the Kosovo problem, and led to peace talks in February and March. NATO planned to deploy a peacekeeping force in Kosovo once an agreement was reached. Continued Serbian rejection of the agreement led NATO to launch an extended air strike campaign against Yugoslav targets on March 24. Air strikes did not deter Serb forces from their onslaught in Kosovo, driving hundreds of thousands of refugees into neighboring countries. Other CRS reports relating to this topic include CRS Issue Brief 98041, Kosovo and U.S. Policy, CRS Issue Brief 93056, Bosnia and Kosovo: U.S. Military Operations, and CRS Report 98-752, Kosovo Conflict Chronology: January-August 1998. This report will not be updated."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Kim, Julie

  1999-04-06
• Iraq: Post-War Challenges and U.S. Responses, 1991-1998 [Updated March 31, 1999]

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  From the Abstract: "This CRS [Congressional Research Service] report reviews cease-fire terms that followed the Gulf war in early 1991; highlights provisions that Iraq has tended to violate; describes ensuing confrontations between the United States and Iraq since 1991, together with international reactions; and summarizes related points of congressional interest. The report is designed as a source of ready reference for congressional offices interested in previous instances of use of force by the United States against Iraq after the Gulf war. The report will be updated if similar confrontations continue on a large scale. Related CRS products are IB92117, 'Iraqi Compliance with Cease-Fire Terms,' by Kenneth Katzman, updated regularly; IB94049, 'Iraq-U.S. Confrontation,' 1997- 1999, by Alfred B. Prados and Kenneth Katzman, which describes the most recent and ongoing confrontations."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Prados, Alfred B.

  1999-03-31
• Drug Certification of Mexico in 1999: Arguments For and Against Congressional Resolutions of Disapproval [Updated March 30, 1999]

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  "This report presents arguments for and against congressional resolutions to disapprove President Clinton's February 26, 1999 certification of Mexico as a fully cooperative country in efforts to control illicit narcotics. These resolutions (H.J.Res. 1 35--Bachus, and H.J.Res. 43--Mica and Gilman) would disapprove the President's certification, but would permit him to avoid withholding of assistance to Mexico if he determined that vital national interests required such assistance. While the drug certification legislation requires that Congress act within 30 calendar days after the President's certification, H.J.Res. 43 contains a rule of construction providing that congressional approval would be deemed to have been enacted within the 30-day period. Supporters of the resolutions might argue that Mexico's performance does not justify certification, that Mexico has failed to take adequate action against corruption and drug traffickers, and that passage would send a message of seriousness that would encourage greater Mexican efforts. Opponents might argue that the action would be seen as a unilateral and punitive approach, that disapproval of Mexico might have negative effects within the United States and might fail to encourage greater Mexican cooperation in counter-narcotics efforts, and that disapproval may negatively affect other areas of bilateral cooperation."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Storrs, K. Larry (Keith Larry), 1937-

  1999-03-30
• Kosovo's Future Status: Alternative Models [May 26, 1999]

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  From the Document: "This report focuses on the question of Kosovo's future status after the immediate crisis is ended. It looks at broader U.S. interests which may be at stake in any Kosovo settlement and against which Congress is likely to judge any outcome. It presents alternative long-term solutions that have been suggested for Kosovo and looks at possible strengths and weaknesses of each model, in light of historical experiences with each. For CRS analysis and information on all aspects of the Kosovo crisis, refer to the daily Kosovo Situation Report and CRS Products on Kosovo from the CRS Home Page. The report will be updated as needed, particularly when congressional action related to an ultimate settlement warrants."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Miko, Francis T.

  1999-03-26
• Mexico and Drug Certification in 1999: Consequences of Decertification [March 4, 1999]

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  "This report summarizes the drug certification requirements mandated by Congress, and indicates the types of U.S. assistance that could be suspended if Mexico were to be decertified. It also indicates the types of assistance that could be exempted from suspension, or be provided by the President anyway, using special authorities. It also indicates how the negative votes of U.S. representatives would affect multilateral development bank lending to Mexico."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Storrs, K. Larry (Keith Larry), 1937-

  1999-03-04
• Foreign Policy Roles of the President and Congress [June 1, 1999]

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  "The United States Constitution divides foreign policy powers between the President and the Congress so that both share in the making of foreign policy. The executive and legislative branches each play important roles that are different but that often overlap. Both branches have continuing opportunities to initiate and change foreign policy, and the interaction between them continues indefinitely throughout the life of a policy. This report reviews and illustrates 12 basic ways that the United States can make foreign policy. The practices illustrated in this report indicate that making foreign policy is a complex process, and that the support of both branches is required for a strong and effective U.S. foreign policy. For a detailed discussion of how war-making powers are shared, see War Powers Resolution: Presidential Compliance."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Grimmett, Richard F.

  1999-02-01
• Joint Combined Exchange Training (JCET) and Human Rights: Background and Issues for Congress [January 26, 1999]

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  From the Document: "Recent press articles describe U.S. special operations forces (SOF) training under the Joint Combined Exchange Training (JCET) program in countries where human rights abuses have allegedly or actually taken place. Joint Combined Exchange Training is carried out under provisions in 10 USC 2011. The law allows the regional commanders and the commander of the U.S. Special Operations Command to pay for deploying and training U.S. SOF teams as long as the primary purpose of the activity is to train the U.S. special operations forces. One of the primary unconventional warfare / foreign internal defense missions of U.S. SOF is to train other militaries. SOF uses JCET deployments to practice training foreign militaries. 10 USC 2011 requires the Secretary of Defense (SecDef) to submit an annual report to Congress covering various JCET details. […] Congress has taken steps to enact legislation to bring JCET more into alignment with policies and establish more stringent oversight. The Leahy Amendment to the Department of Defense FY1999 Appropriations Act (P.L. 105-262) prohibits the U.S. military from training with human rights abusers (unless waived by the Secretary of Defense). Two other bills in the 105th Congress, the Security Assistance Act of 1998 (S.2463) and the International Military Training and Accountability Act (H.R.3802), would have banned all forms of U.S. military training to countries ineligible for the international military education and training (IMET) program. One other bill, the International Military Training Transparency and Accountability Act (H.R.4874), would specifically ban JCETs for countries under IMET restrictions. Several alternative courses of action and additional issues remain. Balancing national security issues and human rights policies may require difficult choices and uncertain trade-offs."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Story, William C., Jr.

  1999-01-26
• Standard of Proof in Senate Impeachment Proceedings [Updated January 7, 1999]

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  From the Summary: "The Constitution gives the United States Senate the responsibility for trying impeachments, but does not address the standard of proof that is to be used in such trials. This report concludes that an examination of the constitutional language, history, and the work of legal scholars provides no definitive answer to the question of what standard is to be applied. In the final analysis the question is one which historically has been answered by individual Senators guided by their own consciences."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Ripy, Thomas B.

  1999-01-07
• Iraq: U.S. Policy Options [Updated December 23, 1998]

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  From the Summary: "In the aftermath of the December 16-19 U.S.-British bombing campaign against Iraq (Operation Desert Fox), the United States continues to search for a sustainable and effective means of ending the threat posed by Iraq. Many in Congress believe that U.S. policy should focus primarily on removing Saddam Husayn from power. The Administration says it is working toward that outcome but that achieving it will be difficult. According to the Administration, near term U.S. policy should focus primarily on preventing any restart of Iraq's weapons of mass destruction (WMD) programs and on containing Iraq's ability to threaten its neighbors. This report will be updated to reflect regional, diplomatic, or legislative developments."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Katzman, Kenneth

  1998-12-23
• Appropriations for FY1999: Defense [December 18, 1998]

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  "Congress completed action on FY1999 defense authorization and appropriations bills on October 1. The House approved the conference report on the defense authorization bill (H.R. 3616) on September 24 and the Senate on October 1. The President signed the bill into law (P.L. 105-261) on October 17. The House approved the conference report on the defense appropriations bill (H.R. 4103) on September 28 and the Senate on September 29. The President signed the bill into law (P.L. 105-262) on October 17, as well. Later Congress approved additional funding for defense programs in the FY1999 Omnibus Consolidated and Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act (H.R. 4328, P.L. 105-277), which the House approved on October 20 and the Senate on October 21, and which the President signed later that day. The authorization conference agreement resolved a number of contentious issues, include restrictions on technology transfers to China in the House bill; gender-integrated basic training, which the House wanted to restrict, while the Senate supported the current system; restrictions on base consolidation included in the Senate bill; options for producing tritium for nuclear weapons; and a few major weapons issues, including funding for the Theater High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system and Senate provisions requiring more testing of the F-22 fighter."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Daggett, Stephen

  1998-12-18
• Immigration: Visa Entry/Exit Control System [Updated November 9, 1998]

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  "Section 110 of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 (Division C of P.L. [Public Law] 104-208) requires the Attorney General to establish an automated entry/exit control system to record non-citizen arrivals and departures at all ports of entry by September 30, 1998. The FY1999 Omnibus Consolidated and Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act (P.L. 105-277) amends Section 110 to extend the September 30, 1998 deadline to March 31, 2001 for land border and sea ports of entry, but leaves the FY1998 deadline (now October 15, 1998) in place for air ports of entry. This report provides background and analysis on Section 110 and issues related to increasing arrival/departure management at air, land border, and sea ports of entry. This report reflects final action of the 105th Congress and will not be updated."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Krouse, William J.; Wasem, Ruth Ellen

  1998-11-09
• Impeachment Grounds: A Collection of Selected Materials [Updated October 29, 1998]

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  From the Summary: "This is a sampling of the material available on the question of what constitutes impeachable conduct for purposes of Article II, section 4 of the United States Constitution. It is arranged in chronological segments. The first covers those materials available on impeachment at the time the Constitution was drafted, [...] The second consists of the debates at the Constitutional Convention and the state ratifying conventions. The third includes explanations from those who participated in the Convention and their contemporaries. [...] The fourth is a summary of major American impeachment cases under the Constitution. [...] The fifth is made up of material prepared at the time of the Douglas and Nixon impeachment inquiries including then-Congressman Gerald Ford's remarks. The collection ends with a very limited assembly of scholarly views from treatises and law reviews."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Doyle, Charles

  1998-10-29
• Maritime Security Program (MSP) in an International Commercial Context: A Discussion [Updated October 28, 1998]

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  "The Maritime Security Program (MSP) is a national defense sealift program that provides commercial assistance to ocean ship operators, primarily containership operators. A rationale for the commercial assistance is to assure a continuing presence of U.S.-flag ships in international trade. Another rationale is to assure, in the event of a national defense need, the availability of an adequate number of trained and experienced ship personnel who are U.S. citizens to operate these and other ships. This report discusses the MSP in an international commercial context. Maritime policies of other nations may adversely affect the U.S.-flag containership industry. These policies could be addressed in international negotiations."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Thompson, Stephen J.

  1998-10-28
• Women in the Armed Forces [Updated September 29, 1998]

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  From the Summary: "Women have become an integral part of the armed forces, but they are excluded from most combat jobs. Several issues remain. One is whether to reduce, maintain, or expand the number of women in the services as the total forces are being reduced. Difficulties in obtaining enough qualified males led to increasing recruitment of women during the 1970s and 1980s, and women now comprise more than 13% of the armed forces. The percentages vary among the services from 5.3% for the Marines to over 17% for the Air Force. The reduction of armed forces, in response to a changing world situation and budget pressures, and the availability of enough qualified males, could change the perception of need for military women. […] The two basic considerations involve national security and the role of women in American society. Would national security be jeopardized or enhanced by increasing reliance on women in the armed forces? Should women have equal opportunities and responsibilities in national defense? Or do role and physical differences between the sexes, the protection of future generations, and other social norms require limiting the assignments of women in the armed forces? Opinion in the United States is deeply divided on the fundamental issues involved."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Burrelli, David F., 1958-

  1998-09-29
• Iraqi Chemical & Biological Weapons (CBW) Capabilities [Updated September 4, 1998]

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  Since 1991, the United Nations Special Commission (UNSCOM) has destroyed over 38,000 filled and unfilled chemical weapons (CW) munitions, 690 metric tons of CW agents, 3,000 metric tons of CW precursor chemicals, and over 400 pieces of CW production equipment. The Iraqi government maintains that all its chemical and biological weapons (CBW) arsenal and production capability has been destroyed either by UNSCOM or in 1991 by the Iraqis themselves in unauthorized activities which violated U.N. Security Council Resolution 687. UNSCOM maintains that Iraq has not provided verification of this destruction, and has a substantial record of deception and omission in its CBW declarations to the United Nations. British and U.S. intelligence reports in February 1998 and the UNSCOM report to the Security Council in April 1998 assert that Iraq has not accounted for and may still possess a significant CBW capability, including: 500-700 mustard agent artillery shells, over 150 bombs filled with BW agents, and 45 CBW missile warheads. In addition, UNSCOM believes that Iraq manufactured over 200 metric tons of the persistent nerve agent VX, but has accounted for only 3.9 tons. Growth medium sufficient to produce 16,000 liters of anthrax has also not been accounted for. These reports are based on defector debriefings, records of purchases, and Iraqi documents. U.N., British, and U.S. officials believe that without continuous U.N. monitoring, Iraq would be capable of restoring its CBW production within months. Owing to obstruction of UNSCOM inspections, the question of airstrikes against suspected CBW sites has arisen, but lack of certainty about targets and concerns about collateral casualties have inhibited action. Potential casualties from the purposeful of use of CBW were estimated by the Office of Technology Assessment, using a Washington DC scenario, to range from several hundred to several million, depending on the agent used and weather. A glossary of CBW terms is appended to this report. This report will be updated only to reflect substantial new information. For additional information, see CRS Issue Brief 92117 Iraqi Compliance with Cease-fire Agreements, by Kenneth Katzman.

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Bowman, Steve

  1998-09-04
• Terrorism: U.S. Response to Bombings in Kenya and Tanzania: A New Policy Direction? [Updated September 1, 1998]

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  "On August 20, 1998 the United States launched retaliatory and preemptive missile strikes against training bases and infrastructure in Afghanistan used by groups affiliated with radical extremist and terrorist financier Usama bin Laden. A "pharmaceutical" plant in Sudan, making a critical nerve gas component, was destroyed as well. This is the first time the U.S. has unreservedly acknowledged a preemptive military strike against a terrorist organization or network. This has led to speculation that faced with a growing number of major attacks on U.S. persons and property and mounting casualties, U.S. policymakers may be setting a new direction in counter-terrorism-- a more proactive and global policy, less constrained when targeting terrorists, their bases, or infrastructure. Questions raised include: What is the nature and extent of any actual policy shift; what are its pros and cons; and what other policy options exist? Issues of special concern to Congress include: (1) U.S. domestic and overseas preparedness for terrorist attacks and retaliatory strikes; (2) the need for consultation with Congress over policy shifts which might result in an undeclared type of war; and (3) sustaining public and Congressional support for a long term policy which may prove costly in: (a) dollars; (b) initial up-front loss of human lives, and (c) potential restrictions on civil liberties. Whether to change the presidential ban on assassinations, and whether to place Afghanistan on the 'terrorism' list, warrants attention as well. This short report is intended for Members and staffers who cover terrorism, as well as U.S. foreign and defense policy."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Perl, Raphael

  1998-09-01
• Immigration: Visa Entry/Exit Control System [Updated August 26, 1998]

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  "Section 110 of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 (Division C of P.L. 104-208) requires the Attorney General to establish an automated entry/exit control system to record non-citizen arrivals and departures at all ports of entry by September 30, 1998. This report provides background and analysis on Section 110 and issues related to increasing arrival/departure management at air, land, and sea ports of entry. It will be updated as needed to track legislative action."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Krouse, William J.; Wasem, Ruth Ellen

  1998-08-26
• Drug Control: Reauthorization of the Office of National Drug Control Policy [Updated August 26, 1998]

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  From the Document: "The Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) was scheduled to sunset on September 30, 1997, but Congress approved ONDCP funding under the Treasury, Postal Appropriations Act, FY1998 (P.L. 105-61). Several measures have been introduced in the 105 Congress to reauthorize ONDCP. On October 21, 1997, the House passed H.R. 2610, as amended, the National Narcotics Leadership Act. On November 6, 1997, the Senate Judiciary Committee reported H.R. 2610, replacing the language of the House-passed version with a new version, the Office of National Drug Control Policy Reauthorization Act. On July 29, 1998, the Senate approved an amendment (S. Amdt. 3367/Hatch and Biden) to the Treasury, Postal Appropriations Act, FY 1999 (S. 2312/Campbell) that differs from the House-passed version of H.R. 2610."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Teasley, David

  1998-08-26
• Research and Development in Russia: An Important Factor for the Future [August 24, 1998]

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  From the Abstract: "The Russian government reduced its research and development (R&D) funding by about 76% in real dollars from 1990 to 1996 as part of the restructuring and downsizing of Russia's R&D system and its reorientation toward civilian research and development following the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. The report assesses a number of recent changes in the Russian R&D system, including the large funding and personnel decreases, the evolving structure of a new Russian R&D system, and Russian R&D priorities under the new system. The report identifies issues for Congress, including whether U.S. cooperative R&D programs, recently established to assist Russia's peaceful transition to a market economy, are contributing to that goal and whether such programs should be continued in light of Russia's uncertain future and possible U.S. national security concerns. This report will be updated as circumstances warrant."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Boesman, William C.

  1998-08-24
• Critical Infrastructures: A Primer [August 13, 1998]

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  The nation's health, wealth, and security rely on the supply 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. Computers and communications, themselves critical infrastructures, are increasingly tying these infrastructures together. There is concern that this reliance on computers and computer networks makes the nation's critical infrastructures vulnerable to "cyber" attacks, be they from mischievous teenage hackers or information warriors from foreign countries. In May 1998, the President released Presidential Decision Directive No. 63. The Directive organizes the federal government to develop and implement plans that would protect government-operated infrastructures and calls for a dialogue between government and the private sector to develop a National Infrastructure Assurance Plan that would protect the nation's critical infrastructures by the year 2003.

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Moteff, John D.

  1998-08-13
• Iraq: Humanitarian Needs, Impact of Sanctions, and the 'Oil for Food' Program [August 13, 1998]

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  "Much of the Iraqi civilian population is suffering from shortages of food, medical care, and an infrastructure damaged by the 1991 Gulf War. This report discusses these shortages, and what the "oil for food" program, established by the U.N. Security Council, is doing to alleviate them. It discusses the conflicting views about the extent and cause of the civilian suffering and the reliability of the available data. Information on the political and military situation in Iraq since the 1991 Gulf War can be found in the CRS Issue Brief 92117, Iraqi Compliance with Cease-Fire Agreements."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  McHugh, Lois

  1998-08-13