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Homeland Security; Management Positions for the Proposed Department [Updated September 3, 2002]
"Congress is currently considering proposals, H.R. 5005 and S. 2452, to create an executive department that will address the national need for homeland security. The proposals would transfer organizational units, functions, and personnel from several departments and agencies. A hierarchy of positions would be established to manage the department and its activities. Some would be newly created, and some would be drawn from those transferring agencies. This report analyzes the proposals in light of the provisions for appointment of that managerial hierarchy. It identifies the positions to be created and the apparent effect on current positions in the transferring agencies."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Hogue, Henry B.
2002-09-03
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U.S. Policy Regarding the International Criminal Court [Updated September 3, 2002]
"One month after the International Criminal Court (ICC) officially came into existence on July 1, 2002, the President signed legislation that limits U.S. government support and assistance to the ICC, curtails military assistance to many countries that have ratified the Rome Statute establishing the ICC, and most controversially among European allies, authorizes the President to use "all means necessary and appropriate to bring about the release" of certain U.S. and allied persons who may be detained or tried by the ICC...The (Bush) Administration initially vetoed a United Nations resolution to extend the peacekeeping mission in Bosnia because it did not contain any guarantee that U.S. participants would be immune to prosecution by the ICC. Ultimately, the Security Council and the U.S. delegation were able to reach a compromise that defers for one year any prosecution of participants in U.N. established or authorized missions, whose home countries have not ratified the Rome Statute. While the compromise falls short of the Administration's original goal of ensuring permanent immunity for U.S. citizens from the ICC, it suggests that the role of the U.N. Security Council under the Rome Statute may prove effective in addressing some of the concerns U.S. opponents of the ICC have voiced. This report outlines the main objections the United States has raised with respect to the ICC and analyzes the American Servicemembers' Protection Act (ASPA) enacted to regulate the U.S. cooperation with the ICC. The report concludes with a discussion of the implications for the United States, as a non-ratifying country, as the ICC comes into force, as well as the Administration's apparent strategy with regard to the ICC." -- Summary
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Elsea, Jennifer
2002-09-03
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India-U.S. Relations [Updated September 3, 2002]
"Although the end of the Cold War freed U.S.-India relations from the constraints of a bipolar world, bilateral relations continued for a decade to be affected by the burden of history, most notably the longstanding India-Pakistan regional rivalry. Recent years, however, have brought a sea change in U.S.- India relations, which was reflected in India's swift offer of full support for the U.S.-led war on terrorism following the September 11, 2001, terrorist attack on New York and Washington. The continuing U.S. concern in South Asia, however, is the reduction of tensions between India and Pakistan, which center on their competing claims to the former princely state of Kashmir, and the prevention of nuclear and ballistic missile proliferation. India and Pakistan have so far ignored U.S. and international pressure to sign the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty or the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT)."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Gupta, Amit
2002-09-03
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Terrorism, the Future, and U.S. Foreign Policy [September 3, 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
Perl, Raphael; Lee, Rensselaer W., 1937-
2002-09-03
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Terrorism and Extraterritorial Jurisdiction in Criminal Cases: Recent Developments [September 2, 2002]
From the Summary: "A nation's criminal jurisdiction is usually limited to its own territory. In a surprising number of instances, however, federal criminal law applies abroad to U.S. citizens and foreign nationals. The USA PATRIOT [Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism] Act and legislation implementing treaties on terrorist bombings and on financing terrorism enlarge the extent of federal extraterritorial criminal jurisdiction. The USA PATRIOT Act's contributions involve credit cards, money laundering, and the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States. Congress has enacted laws proscribing various common law crimes such as murder, robbery, or sexual assaults when committed within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States, i.e., when committed aboard an American vessel or within a federal enclave. Whether federal enclaves in other countries are included within the special territorial jurisdiction of the United States is a question that divides the lower courts. The Act provides that the overseas establishments of federal governmental entities and residences of their staffs are within the special territorial jurisdiction of the United States for purposes of crimes committed by or against U.S. nationals."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Doyle, Charles
2002-09-02
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Critical Infrastructure Information Disclosure and Homeland Security [Updated August 31, 2002]
"Critical infrastructures have been defined as those systems and assets so vital to the United States that the incapacity of such systems and assets would have a debilitating impact on the United States. One of the findings of the Presidents Commission on Critical Infrastructure Protection, established by President Clinton in 1996, was the need for the federal government and owners and operators of the nations critical infrastructures to share information on vulnerabilities and threats. However, the Commission noted that owners and operators are reluctant to share confidential business information, and the government is reluctant to share information that might compromise intelligence sources or investigations. Among the strategies to help owners and operators share information with the federal government was a proposal to exempt the information they share from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) was passed to ensure by statute citizen access to government information. Nine categories of information may be exempted from disclosure. Three of the nine exemptions provide possible protection against the release of critical infrastructure information: exemption 1 (national security information); exemption 3 (information exempted by statute); and exemption 4 (confidential business information). Congress has considered several proposals to exempt critical infrastructure information from the FOIA. Generally, the legislation has either created an exemption 3 statute, or codified the standard adopted by the D.C. Circuit in exemption 4 cases."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Moteff, John D.; Stevens, Gina Marie
2002-08-31
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Department of Homeland Security: Proposals to Consolidate Border and Transportation Security Agencies [August 30, 2002]
"To better prepare the United States against terrorist attacks, the Bush Administration released its plan to create a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on June 6, 2002. To prevent terrorists from entering, or smuggling 'instruments of terrorism' into, the United States and to prevent attacks on U.S. transportation, the plan calls for consolidating several federal agencies in a Border and Transportation Security division within a proposed DHS. These agencies include the Department of Justices Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS); the Department of the Treasury's U.S. Customs Service; the Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), the Department of Transportation's U.S. Coast Guard and Transportation Security Administration; and the General Services Administrations Federal Protective Service. On July 25, 2002, the Senate Committee on Governmental Affairs revised the National Homeland Security and Combating Terrorism Act of 2002 (S. 2452). This bill was previously ordered reported by the Committee on May 22, 2002. While it differs from the Administrations plan, particularly in regard to personnel management flexibility, the new version of S. 2452 was modified to more closely reflect not only that plan, but also other recommendations that had emerged in the course of congressional hearings and House consideration of similar proposals. This bill is scheduled for Senate consideration immediately following the August recess."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Krouse, William J.
2002-08-30
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Supplemental Appropriations for FY2002: Combating Terrorism and Other Issues [Updated August 30, 2002]
On March 21, 2002, President Bush requested $27.1 billion in emergency supplemental funding to continue the war on terrorism and provide additional assistance for New York City and aviation security as well as other homeland security needs. With the $1.3 billion FY2002 supplemental request for Pell grants in the President's February budget, the Administration's request was $28.4 billion. Although there was broad congressional support for the new supplemental, Congress debated the total spending level, the amount for homeland security, and inclusion of budget ceilings for FY2003, as well as other issues from the time that the bill was submitted in the spring to its final passage in late July. The initial draft conference version developed by the appropriators was rejected by the White House. A compromise package designed by Senate appropriators was then rejected by the House. House appropriators then put together a final $28.9 billion spending package that was acceptable to both houses and the Administration.
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Belasco, Amy; Nowels, Larry Q.
2002-08-30
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Central Asia's New States: Political Developments and Implications for U.S. Interests [August 30, 2002]
"After the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, the United States recognized the independence of all the former Central Asian republics and established diplomatic relations with each by mid-March 1992. The United States also supported their admission to the Organization on Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and other Western organizations, and elicited Turkish support in countering Iranian influence in the region. Congress was at the forefront in urging the formation of coherent U.S. policies for aiding these and other Eurasian states of the former Soviet Union, and approved the Freedom Support Act and other legislation for this purpose. After the terrorist attacks on America on September 11, 2001, all the Central Asian states offered overflight and other support to coalition anti-terrorist efforts in Afghanistan. Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan have hosted coalition troops and provided access to airbases. Since then, the United States has boosted its security assistance throughout the region for anti-terrorism, counter-narcotics, non-proliferation, border and customs, and defense cooperation programs, while also increasing aid for democratization and free market reforms. U.S. policy goals in Central Asia include fostering stability, democratization, free market economies, free trade and transport throughout the Eurasian corridor, denuclearization in the non-Russian states, and adherence to international human rights standards."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Nichol, James P.
2002-08-30
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Cuba: Issues for the 107th Congress [Updated August 30, 2002]
"There appears to be broad agreement among those concerned with Cuba on the overall objective of U.S. policy toward Cuba--to help bring democracy and respect for human rights to the island. But there have been several schools of thought on how to achieve that objective. Some advocate a policy of keeping maximum pressure on the Cuban government until reforms are enacted, while continuing current U.S. efforts to support the Cuban people. Others argue for an approach, sometimes referred to as constructive engagement, that would lift some U.S. sanctions that they believe are hurting the Cuban people, and move toward engaging Cuba in dialogue. Still others call for a swift normalization of U.S.-Cuban relations by lifting the U.S. embargo. Policy debate in the past several years has focused on whether to maintain U.S. restrictions on food and medical exports as well as on travel to Cuba."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sullivan, Mark P.; Taft-Morales, Maureen
2002-08-30
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Africa: U.S. Foreign Assistance Issues [Updated August 30, 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. […] U.S. assistance finds its way to Africa through a variety of channels, including the USAID-administered DA program, food aid programs, and indirect aid provided through international financial institutions and the United Nations. U.S. assistance through all such channels, though problematic to calculate, will probably total well above $2 billion in FY2002. […] USAID Administrator Andrew Natsios has testified that the Bush Administration is focusing on conflict prevention and resolution, working with NGOs [Non-Governmental Organizations] and faith-based organizations, poverty reduction, agricultural development, and health, including HIV/AIDS. In August 2002, at the World Summit on Sustainable Development, the Administration announced new initiatives on access to potable water, clean energy, reducing hunger, and development and conservation in the Congo River basin. The initiatives would make extensive use of public-private partnerships. The level of funding and other aspects of these initiatives have become subjects of debate. Other issues in 2002 may include the eligibility of African countries to participate in the Administration's proposed Millennium Challenge Account, and U.S. support for the New Partnership for Africa's Development, an African initiative linking increased aid with policy reform."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Copson, Raymond W.
2002-08-30
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Critical Infrastructures: What Makes an Infrastructure Critical? [August 30, 2002]
The Bush Administration's proposal for establishing a Department of Homeland Security includes a function whose responsibilities include the coordination of policies and actions to protect the nation's critical infrastructure. However, the proposal did not specify criteria for how to determine criticality or which infrastructures should be considered critical. Over the last few years, a number of documents concerned with critical infrastructure protection have offered general definitions for critical infrastructures and have provided short lists of which infrastructures should be included. Critical infrastructures now include national monuments (e.g. Washington Monument), where an attack might cause a large loss of life or adversely affect the nation's morale. They also include the chemical industry. Essentially the federal government will have to try to minimize the impact on the nation's critical infrastructure of any future terrorist attack, taking into account what those impacts might be and the likelihood of their occurring, and will set priorities for critical infrastructure protection based on a consistent methodology and an approach that will allow it to balance the cost and expected benefits.
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Moteff, John D.; Copeland, Claudia; Fischer, John
2002-08-30
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Egypt-United States Relations [August 29, 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.
2002-08-29
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Israeli-United States Relations [August 29, 2002]
"Israeli-U.S. relations are an important factor in U.S. policy in the Middle East, and Congress has placed considerable importance on the maintenance of a close and supportive relationship. The main vehicle for expressing support for Israel has been foreign aid; Israel currently receives about $3 billion per year in economic and military grants, refugee settlement assistance, and other aid. Congress has monitored the aid issue closely along with other issues in bilateral relations, and its concerns have affected Administration's policies. U.S.-Israeli relations have evolved from an initial American policy of sympathy and support for the creation of a Jewish homeland in 1948 to an unusual partnership that links a small but militarily powerful Israel, dependent on the United States for its economic and military strength, with the U.S. superpower trying to balance competing interests in the region. Some in the United States question the levels of aid and general commitment to Israel, and argue that a U.S. bias toward Israel operates at the expense of improved U.S. relations with various Arab states. Others maintain that democratic Israel is a strategic ally, and that U.S. relations with Israel strengthens the U.S. presence in the Middle East."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Mark, Clyde R.
2002-08-29
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WorldCom: The Accounting Scandal [Updated August 29, 2002]
"On June 25, 2002, WorldCom, the Nation's second largest long distance telecommunications company, announced that it had overstated earnings in 2001 and the first quarter of 2002 by more than $3.8 billion. The announcement stunned financial analysts and, coming on top of accounting problems at other corporations, had a noticeable effect on the financial markets. The accounting maneuver responsible for the overstatement -- classifying payments for using other companies' communications networks as capital expenditures -- was characterized by the press as scandalous, and it was immediately asked why Arthur Andersen, the company's outside auditor at the time, had not detected it. WorldCom filed for bankruptcy protection on July 21st. On August 8th, the company announced that it had also manipulated its reserve accounts in recent years, affecting an additional $3.8 billion. Response in Washington was swift. On June 26th, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) charged the company with massive accounting fraud and quickly obtained court order barring the company from destroying financial records, limiting its payments to past and current executives, and requiring an independent monitor. Hearings were held by the House Committee on Financial Services on July 8th and by the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation on July 30th. Several company officials have been indicted. The fundamental economic problem confronting WorldCom is the vast oversupply in the Nation's telecommunications capacity, a byproduct of overly optimistic projections of Internet growth. WorldCom and other telecommunications firms faced reduced demand as the dot--com boom ended and the economy entered recession. Their revenues have fallen short of expectations, while the debt they took on to finance expansion remains high. As the stock market value of these firms has plunged, corporate management has had a powerful incentive to engage in accounting practices that conceal bad news."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Lyke, Bob; Jickling, Mark
2002-08-29
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Palestinians and Middle East Peace: Issues for the United States [Updated August 29, 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 1,493 Palestinians and 585 Israelis have died in the continuing confrontation."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Mark, Clyde R.
2002-08-29
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Food Safety and Protection Issues in the 107th Congress [Updated August 28, 2002]
From the Summary: "The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), in the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), sets and enforces standards for safety of all domestic and imported foods, except for meat, poultry, and certain egg products. At issue for many years has been (1) whether the FDA has sufficient statutory authority over the food industry to bring about continued improvements in food safety and to take enforcement actions, and (2) whether the FDA has sufficient resources and personnel to inspect the volume of food it regulates. In addition to these ongoing concerns, the terrorist attacks and anthrax scares of fall 2001 have raised worries about the FDA's (and USDA's) readiness to prevent and respond to potential bioterrorist attacks on the nation's food supply. Congress maintains close oversight of the FDA's food safety activities, particularly its efforts to address the issue of microbiological contamination, which is responsible for an estimated 76 million illnesses and 5,000 deaths in the United States each year. On January 10, 2002, the President signed a $20 billion Defense supplemental bill into law that includes $328 million for USDA and $151.1 million for FDA food protection activities."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Vogt, Donna U.; Rawson, Jean M.
2002-08-28
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Immigration Legislation and Issues in the 107th Congress [Updated August 28, 2002]
"The basic U.S. law regulating immigration, the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), was enacted in 1952 and has been amended since then. The last major overhaul of the INA occurred in 1996 with the passage of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act (IIRIRA; Division C of P.L. 104-208). The Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) of the Department of Justice (DOJ) administers and enforces the INA. (For a basic introduction to immigration, see CRS [Congressional Research Service] Report RS20916, Immigration and Naturalization Fundamentals.) In the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, congressional interest in immigration was focused primarily on security-related issues, such as border security, admissions policy, and the tracking of foreign nationals in the United States. Major legislation was enacted in these areas. While security-related issues remain on the agenda and have gained renewed prominence with the Administration's proposal to establish a homeland security department, the 107th Congress is also considering other immigration issues. Top immigration-related issues currently before Congress are the reorganization of INS, admissions policy, and noncitizen eligibility for federal benefits. These issues are discussed, in turn, in the initial sections of this report. These discussions are followed by coverage of various proposed mechanisms for unauthorized aliens to obtain legal permanent resident (LPR) status and other immigration issues of significant congressional interest. (The 'Legislation' section at the end of the report lists enacted legislation and selected bills receiving action.)"
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Wasem, Ruth Ellen; Siskin, Alison; Ester, Karma . . .
2002-08-28
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Homeland Security: Side-by-Side Comparison of H.R. 5005 and S. 2452, 107th Congress [Updated August 26, 2002]
"Leaders within the United States are involved in developing a strategy for the prevention of further terrorist attacks and for effective response and recovery should an event arise. One aspect of the strategy is to consider how the federal government should be most effectively organized in order to carry out its role. H.R. 5005 and S. 2452 have emerged as the lead legislative proposals for the related reorganization of the federal government. H.R. 5005 would create a Department of Homeland Security. In addition to establishing a department, S. 2452 would also create the National Office for Combating Terrorism, a unit within the Executive Office of the President, and the National Strategy for Combating Terrorism and the Homeland Security Response. Both proposals would transfer the functions, responsibilities, personnel, and other assets of existing agencies into the departmental structure. Congress is considering the scope and efficacy of the proposals. This report provides a comparison of the two bills. The comparison briefly sets out the provisions in each title. It uses H.R. 5005, as passed by the House July 26, as an organization base for the side-by-side comparison. Committee action on S.2452 was completed July 25. That text is used for comparison with the other measure. Appendix A, a second comparison, is on the positions proposed to be created. Finally, in Appendix B, the report identifies the Homeland Security Team, and CRS analysts who have been researching and analyzing homeland security issues."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
2002-08-26
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Pakistan-U.S. Relations [Updated August 26, 2002]
"The major areas of U.S. concern in Pakistan include: nuclear nonproliferation; counterterrorism; regional stability; democratization and human rights; and economic reform and development. An ongoing Pakistan-India nuclear arms race, fueled by rivalry over Kashmir, continues to be the focus of U.S. nonproliferation efforts in South Asia and a major issue in U.S. relations with both countries. This attention intensified following nuclear tests by both India and Pakistan in May 1998. South Asia is viewed by some observers as a likely prospect for use of such weapons. India has developed short- and intermediate-range missiles, and Pakistan has acquired short-range missiles from China and medium-range missiles from North Korea. India and Pakistan have fought three wars since 1947. […] In October 1999, the government of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was overturned in a bloodless coup led by Chief of Army Staff Pervez Musharraf, who suspended the parliament and declared himself chief executive. In June 2001, General Musharraf assumed the post of president. The United States has strongly urged the Pakistan military government to restore the country to civilian democratic rule. President Musharraf has pledged to honor a Pakistan Supreme Court ruling ordering parliamentary elections to be held by late 2002. The Musharraf government has begun to address Pakistan's many pressing and longstanding problems, including the beleaguered economy, corruption, terrorism, and poor governance. Pakistan will receive well over one billion dollars in U.S. assistance and several billion dollars from international organizations to help strengthen the country as a key member of the U.S.-led anti-terrorism coalition."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Kronstadt, K. Alan
2002-08-26
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Terrorist Nuclear Attacks on Seaports: Threat and Response [August 23, 2002]
"This report focuses on a possible terrorist nuclear attack on a U.S. seaport, a low-probability but high-consequence threat. Ports are vulnerable, and an attack could affect the global economy as well as cause local devastation. Terrorists might obtain a bomb in several ways, though each presents difficulties. Current ability to detect a bomb appears limited. The United States is seeking to thwart a potential attack through intelligence, technology, cooperation with other nations, etc. Issues for Congress include choosing an appropriate level of effort, safeguarding foreign nuclear material, improving port security, and mitigating economic effects of an attack. This report will be updated as developments occur."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Medalia, Jonathan E.
2002-08-23
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Afghanistan: Current Issues and U.S. Policy [Updated August 23, 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. The Taliban ruled most of Afghanistan during 1996 until its collapse at the hands of the U.S. and Afghan opposition military campaign in November - December 2001. During its rule, the Taliban was opposed primarily by the Northern Alliance, a coalition of minority ethnic groups. 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. The defeat of the Taliban has enabled the United States and its coalition partners to send forces throughout Afghanistan to search for Taliban and Al Qaeda fighters and leaders that remain at large, including bin Laden himself. Afghan citizens are enjoying new personal freedoms that were forbidden under the Taliban, refugees are returning at a rapid rate, and women are returning to schools and their jobs and participating in politics."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Katzman, Kenneth
2002-08-23
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Importing Prescription Drugs [Updated August 22, 2002]
"In recent years the rising cost of prescription drugs has become an ongoing issue for Congress. International comparisons of pharmaceutical prices have shown that American consumers, particularly the elderly and uninsured, often pay a lot more for their prescriptions than do citizens in other countries. Frequently this price disparity stems from the fact that some countries, particularly those with nationalized health care systems, can negotiate lower prices due to a greater economy of scale. The lower pharmaceutical prices in these countries are often enough incentive for some U.S. citizens to purchase their prescription drugs from Internet or mail-order pharmacies, or when they travel outside the United States, especially to Canada or Mexico. As this practice has become more common in recent years, legislation has been offered in Congress to make it easier for less costly prescription drugs to be imported from foreign suppliers."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Vogt, Donna U.; Randall, Blanchard
2002-08-22
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Safeguarding the Nation's Drinking Water: EPA and Congressional Actions [Updated August 22, 2002]
"The events of September 11 raised concerns about the security of the nation's 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 drinking water sector in 1997, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), along 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. For several years, EPA has provided some research, information, and technical and financial assistance to improve preparedness and increase the security of drinking water systems and supplies. Some of these activities began pursuant to the 1998 Presidential Decision Directive (PDD) 63 on protecting the nation's critical infrastructure, but PDD-63 efforts were focused almost entirely on computer security issues. Since September 11; however, EPA has substantially broadened and expedited its efforts to help drinking water utilities safeguard facilities and supplies from terrorist or other threats. Congress has taken significant steps to improve security in the water sector since September 11. In the emergency supplemental appropriations for FY2002 (P.L. 107- 117, H.R.3338), Congress provided EPA with $175.6 million for several counterterrorism activities, including enhancing drinking water security."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Tiemann, Mary
2002-08-22
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Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act (P.L. 107-188): Provisions and Changes to Preexisting Law [Updated August 21, 2002]
"Last fall's anthrax attacks, though small in scale compared to the scenarios envisioned by bioterrorism experts, strained the public health system and raised concern that the nation is insufficiently prepared to respond to bioterrorist attacks. Improving public health preparedness and response capacity offers protection not only from bioterrorist attacks, but also from naturally occurring public health emergencies. On June 12, 2002, the President signed into law the Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act of 2002 (P.L. 107-188, H.R. 3448), which is intended to bolster the nation's ability to respond effectively to bioterrorist threats and other public health emergencies. The act builds on the programs and authorities established in Title III of the Public Health Service (PHS) Act by the Public Health Threats and Emergencies Act of 2000 (P.L. 106-505, Title I). The anti-bioterrorism legislation also includes provisions to protect the nation's food and drug supply and enhance agricultural security, including new regulatory powers for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to block the importation of unsafe foods. To protect the drinking water supply, the act requires community water systems to conduct vulnerability assessments and develop emergency response plans. P.L. 107-188 also reauthorizes the Prescription Drug Use Fee Act through FY2007."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Redhead, C. Stephen
2002-08-21
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Saudi Arabia: Current Issues and U.S. Relations [Updated August 21, 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. Between World War II and 1975, the United States provided a total of $328.4 million in economic and military aid to Saudi Arabia, reducing and ultimately terminating these programs as Saudi oil derived income burgeoned in the 1960s and 1970s. 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 approximately 5,000 U.S. troops remain in the country. […] 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.
2002-08-21
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Russian National Security Policy After September 11 [August 20, 2002]
"Russian President Putin appears to have made a strategic decision to shift Russian policy toward cooperation with the United States and the West. This is a major departure from the policy that Putin inherited from his predecessors, which saw Russia as the leader of a coalition aimed at opposing U.S. 'global domination.' Putin seized upon the events of September 11 to promote his new policy by: cooperating with the United States against Al Qaeda and the Taliban regime in Afghanistan; softening Russian opposition to NATO enlargement, including admission of former Soviet republics, and establishing a new cooperative relationship with NATO; acquiescing in U.S. decisions regarding withdrawal from the ABM [Anti-Ballistic Missile] Treaty, strategic nuclear force reductions, and missile defense; and closing Russia's large military intelligence base in Cuba. The principal reason given by Putin for the new policy is that Russia must integrate with the West in order to reconstruct its own economy and achieve a decent living standard for its people. Putin also acknowledges Russia's weakness and inability to act globally in opposition to the United States. He may also have rejected as unwise, the previous policy of de facto alliance with China against the United States, instead seeing China as a possible long-term threat to Russia. Putin's new policy does not seem to enjoy strong support among Russian political elites, the military and foreign policy establishment, and the general public. Putin's overall political power and prestige, however, may be sufficient to sustain the policy. The Bush Administration responded positively to the new Russian policy after September 11. The Administration, however, did not make many concessions on key issues related to arms control, missile defense, and NATO. It has been more forthcoming on some economic issues."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Goldman, Stuart D. (Stuart Douglas), 1943-
2002-08-20
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Department of Homeland Security: State and Local Preparedness Issues [Updated August 14, 2002]
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
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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
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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
