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• Iraq: Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) Capable Missiles and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) [Updated March 3, 2003]

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  "This report addresses Iraq's post-Gulf-War missile and UAV [Unmanned Aerial Vehicle] programs, system capabilities, and operational employment considerations. The UN has recently ordered Iraq to destroy its Al Samoud 2 missiles and associated engines which the UN claims are in violation of UN Security Council Resolutions (UNSCR) 687 and 715. Iraq is also estimated to have illegally retained up to 20 Al Hussein SCUD variant missiles and may have also attempted to extend the range of their Ababil-100 (also referred to as Al Fatah) missiles to proscribed limits. Iraq has also been accused of modifying L-29 Czech jet trainers to be used as UAVs to disseminate chemical or biological agents. This report will be updated as events warrant."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Feickert, Andrew

  2003-03-03
• Saudi Arabia: Current Issues and U.S. Relations [Updated March 3, 2003]

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  "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. In January 2003, Crown Prince Abdullah (who has effectively headed the government during the illness of King Fahd) proposed an 'Arab Charter' advocating internal reforms, increased political participation, and regional economic integration. […] 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."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Prados, Alfred B.

  2003-03-03
• Africa: U.S. Foreign Assistance Issues [Updated February 28, 2003]

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  "Amounts requested by the Bush Administration for assistance to Africa in FY2004 closely parallel amounts provided in FY2003. However, Africa would receive aid increases if the President's Global AIDS Initiative and the proposed Millennium Challenge Account are funded. […] On February 20, 2003, President Bush signed into law the FY2003 Omnibus Appropriations measure (H.J.Res. 2/P.L. 108-7), funding Africa-related foreign assistance programs. […] The President, in his January 28 State of the Union Message, announced a major new commitment of resources to the struggle against the international HIV/AIDS pandemic. As part of the commitment, a proposed Global AIDS Initiative, to be headquartered at the Department of State, would provide assistance to twelve African countries. […] Andrew Natsios, Administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), said on February 13 that his Agency would be restoring a focus on agricultural development, which had been diminished due to budget reductions in the 1980s. On January 17, the Administrator announced additional food aid for famine-stricken Ethiopia. In a speech at the Heritage Foundation on January 7, he said that apart from humanitarian assistance, U.S. aid should focus on 'good performers' with respect to democracy and governance reforms. The speech echoed findings of a major USAID report, 'Foreign Aid in the National Interest', released the same day."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Copson, Raymond W.

  2003-02-28
• Iraq: Oil-For-Food Program, International Sanctions, and Illicit Trade [February 28, 2003]

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  "The 'oil-for-food' program has been the centerpiece of the long-standing U.N. Security Council effort to alleviate human suffering in Iraq while maintaining key elements of the Gulf war-related sanctions regime. In order to ensure that Iraq remains contained and that only humanitarian needs are served by the program, U.N. Security Council resolutions have mandated substantial controls on Iraqi oil exports and humanitarian imports. All Iraqi oil revenues earned under the program are held in a U.N.-controlled escrow account and cannot be accessed by the Iraqi government. After six years of the program's operations (1996-2002), there is a consensus among observers that the program has substantially eased, but not eliminated, human suffering in Iraq. Concerns about the program's early difficulties prompted criticism of the United States; critics asserted that the U.S. strategy was to maintain sanctions on Iraq indefinitely as a means of weakening Saddam Husayn's grip on power. At the same time, growing regional and international sympathy for the Iraqi people resulted in a pronounced relaxation of regional enforcement -- or even open defiance -- of the Iraq sanctions. The United States argued that continued sanctions were critical to preventing Iraq from acquiring equipment that could be used to reconstitute banned weapons of mass destruction (WMD) programs."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Katzman, Kenneth

  2003-02-28
• Latin America and the Caribbean: Issues for the 108th Congress [Updated February 28, 2003]

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  "This report, which will be updated periodically, examines issues in U.S. policy toward Latin America and the Caribbean, focusing especially on the role of Congress and congressional concerns. For more details and discussion, see the listed CRS [Congressional Research Service] products after each section. [...] Congressional attention to Latin America in the 108th Congress will likely focus on counter-narcotics and counter-terrorism efforts in the Andean region, trade issues, and potential threats to democracy and stability. U.S. counter-narcotics efforts will focus on continuation of the Andean Regional Initiative supporting Colombia and its neighbors in their struggle against drug trafficking and drug-financed terrorist groups. With regard to trade, now that negotiations with Chile for a bilateral free trade agreement are completed, Congress will likely consider implementing legislation for the agreement under fast track procedures. Congressional oversight also may focus on negotiations for a Free Trade Area of the Americas agreement, scheduled for completion in January 2005, and on negotiations for a free trade agreement with Central America. Congress may also pay increased attention to economic, social, and political tensions in South America that could threaten democratic order, particularly in Venezuela and Argentina. In the Caribbean, Congress will likely continue to debate the appropriate U.S. policy approach to Cuba, the region's only holdout to democracy, as it has for the past several years, while Haiti's persistent poverty and political instability may also remain a congressional concern. Finally, Congress will likely maintain an active interest in neighboring Mexico, with a myriad of trade, migration, border and drug trafficking issues dominating U.S.-Mexico bilateral relations."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Sullivan, Mark P.; Hornbeck, J. F. (John F.); Storrs, K. Larry (Keith Larry), 1937- . . .

  2003-02-28
• Homeland Security Act of 2002: Critical Infrastructure Information Act [February 28, 2003]

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  "The Critical Infrastructure Information Act of 2002 ("CIIA"), to be codified at 6 U.S.C. 131 - 134, was passed on November 25, 2002 as subtitle B of Title II of the Homeland Security Act (P.L. 107-296, 116 Stat. 2135, sections 211 - 215), and regulates the use and disclosure of information submitted to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) about vulnerabilities and threats to critical infrastructure. This report examines the CIIA. For further information, see CRS Report RL30153, Critical Infrastructures: Background, Policy, and Implementation, by John Moteff. This report will be updated as warranted." - Summary. Background: "The President's National Strategy for Homeland Security, which proposed the creation of a new Department of Homeland Security (DHS), established as one of the Department's core missions the protection of America's infrastructure. The proposal had the new Department responsible for comprehensively evaluating the vulnerabilities of America's critical infrastructure, including food and water systems, agriculture, health systems and emergency services, information and telecommunications, banking and finance, energy, transportation (air, road, rail, ports, waterways), the chemical and defense industries, postal and shipping entities, and national monuments and icons. Working closely with state and local officials, other federal agencies, and the private sector, the proposal had the Department helping to ensure that proper steps are taken to protect high-risk targets. Information sharing between public and private entities about threats and vulnerabilities to critical infrastructures was a central component of the President's proposal which was subsequently introduced by request as H.R. 5005 (Armey), the Homeland Security Act of 2002. Section 204 of H.R. 5005 exempted infrastructure vulnerabilities information from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552)[.]"

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Stevens, Gina Marie

  2003-02-28
• North Korea's Nuclear Weapons Program [Updated February 27, 2003]

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  "North Korea's decisions to restart nuclear installations at Yongbyon that were shut down under the U.S.-North Korean Agreed Framework of 1994 and withdraw from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty create an acute foreign policy problem for the United States. North Korea's major motive appears to be to escalate pressure on the Bush Administration to negotiate over Pyongyang's proposed nonaggression pact and/or a new nuclear agreement that would provide new U.S. benefits to North Korea. However, re-starting the Yongbyon facilities opens up a possible North Korean intent to stage a 'nuclear breakout' of its nuclear program and openly produce nuclear weapons within six months. North Korea's actions follow the disclosure in October 2002 that North Korea is operating a secret nuclear program based on uranium enrichment and the decision by the Korean Peninsula Energy Development Organization (KEDO) in November 2002 to suspend shipments of heavy oil to North Korea. The main elements of Bush Administration policy are (1) terminating the Agreed Framework; (2) no bilateral negotiations with North Korea until it satisfies U.S. concerns over its nuclear program; (3) assembling an international coalition to pressure North Korea; and (4) proposing multilateral talks involving North Korea and other countries, possibly under United Nations auspices; (5) warning and planning for future economic sanctions against North Korea; and (6) warning North Korea not to reprocess nuclear weapons-grade plutonium, including asserting that 'all options are open,' including military options."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Niksch, Larry A.

  2003-02-27
• Remedies Available to Victims of Identity Theft [Updated July 9, 2003]

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  According to the Federal Trade Commission, identity theft is the most common complaint from consumers in all fifty states.1 Victims of identity theft may incur damaged credit records, unauthorized charges on credit cards, and unauthorized withdrawals from bank accounts. Oftentimes, victims must change their addresses, telephone numbers, and even their Social Security numbers. This report provides an overview of the federal laws that could assist victims of identity theft with purging inaccurate information from their credit records and removing unauthorized charges from credit accounts, as well as federal laws that impose criminal penalties on those who assume another person's identity through the use of fraudulent identification documents. Similar state laws and recent legislative proposals aimed at preventing identity theft and providing additional remedies will also be discussed. To date, several bills (S. 22, S. 153, S. 223, S. 228, H.R. 220, H.R. 637, H.R. 818, and H.R. 858) related to identity theft have been introduced in the 108th Congress. This report will be updated as events warrant.

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Welborn, Angie A.

  2003-02-27
• Identity Theft and the Fair Credit Reporting Act: An Analysis of TRW v. Andrews and Current Legislation [Updated February 27, 2003]

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  One of the ways in which victims of identity theft may recover for financial harm is by filing suit under the Fair Credit Reporting Act. However, the Act imposes a two year statute of limitations on suits filed. On November 13, 2001, the Supreme Court decided a case interpreting when the Act's statute of limitations begins to run. In that case, the Court held that the statute of limitations begins to run when inaccurate disclosures first occur, and not when the consumer learns of the inaccuracies in his report. Several pieces of legislation attempting to provide consumers with additional time to file suit have been introduced in response to the Court's decision. This report will provide a brief summary of the Fair Credit Reporting Act provisions in question, as well as an analysis of the recent Supreme Court decision and an overview of recent legislation (S. 22 and H.R. 818) introduced in response to that decision. This report will be updated as events warrant.

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Welborn, Angie A.

  2003-02-27
• Immigration Legislation Enacted in the 107th Congress [February 26, 2003]

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  From the Document: "This report provides brief summaries of 16 immigration-related laws enacted by the 107th Congress, organized by issue areas. However, it does not cover appropriations provisions."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Bruno, Andorra

  2003-02-26
• China and Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction and Missiles: Policy Issues [February 26, 2003]

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  "Congress has long been concerned about whether U.S. policy advances the U.S. interest in reducing the role of the People's Republic of China (PRC) in the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and missiles that could deliver them. Recipients of China's technology include Pakistan and countries that the State Department says support terrorism, such as Iran, North Korea, and Libya. The terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, added an urgent U.S. interest in weapons nonproliferation. This CRS [Congressional Research Service] Report (superseding CRS Issue Brief IB92056) discusses the national security problem of China's role in weapons proliferation and issues related to the U.S. policy response, including legislation, since the mid-1990s. The table at the end of this report summarizes the U.S. sanctions imposed on PRC entities for weapons proliferation. This CRS Report will be updated as warranted."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Kan, Shirley

  2003-02-26
• Iraq War? Current Situation and Issues for Congress [Updated February 26, 2003]

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  "On November 8, 2002, the United Nations Security Council, acting at U.S. urging, adopted Resolution 1441, giving Iraq a final opportunity to "comply with its the disarmament obligations" or "face serious consequences." During January and February 2003, the U.S. military buildup in the Persian Gulf continued, and analysts speculated that mid-March seemed the most likely time for U.S. forces to launch a war. President Bush, other top U.S. officials, and British Prime Minister Tony Blair have repeatedly indicated that Iraq has little time left to offer full cooperation with U.N. weapons inspectors. However, leaders of France, Germany, Russia, and China, are urging that the inspections process be allowed more time. The Administration asserts that Iraq is in defiance of 17 Security Council resolutions requiring that it fully declare and eliminate its weapons of mass destruction (WMD). Skeptics, including many foreign critics, maintain that the Administration is exaggerating the Iraqi threat. [...] This CRS [Congressional Research Service] report summarizes the current situation and U.S. policy with respect to the confrontation with Iraq, and reviews a number of war-related issues.

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Copson, Raymond W.

  2003-02-26
• Homeland Security: Human Resources Management [Updated February 26, 2003]

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  "P.L. 107-296, Homeland Security Act of 2002 (H.R. 5005), authorizes the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Director of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to establish, and from time to time adjust, a human resources management (HRM) system for some or all of the organizational units of the new department. The law states specific requirements for the HRM system. Federal workforce improvements to be applied government wide also are authorized by P.L. 107-296. OPM has established several working groups to begin developing the new HRM system and hopes to have a draft proposal of the system ready by June 1, 2003. Key issues to be considered in establishing an HRM system for the new department might include staffing requirements and hiring and pay systems. Other issues likely to be considered would include the kind of automated human resources and payroll systems the various agencies proposed for transfer to the new department currently have and how those systems might be merged if a consolidation of HRM services were to occur. This report discusses the provisions of P.L. 107-296 as they relate to human resources management. It does not discuss provisions of the law which relate to labor management relations and collective bargaining."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Schwemle, Barbara L.

  2003-02-26
• Homeland Security: Department Organization and Management - Legislative Phase [Updated February 25, 2003]

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  From the Summary: "After substantial congressional entreatment, President George W. Bush gave impetus to the creation of a Department of Homeland Security when, on June 6, 2002, he proposed the establishment of such an entity by Congress. At the time, bills to mandate a department were pending in both houses of Congress. The President's action was viewed as an effort to move beyond the coordination efforts of the Office of Homeland Security, established by E.O. 13228 of October 8, 2001, to a strong administrative structure for managing consolidated programs concerned with border security and effective response to domestic terrorism incidents. The President transmitted his department proposal to the House of Representatives on June 18, where it was subsequently introduced by request (H.R. 5005). The House approved the bill in amended form on July 26. The Senate did not begin consideration of the legislation until after the August congressional recess. Senate deliberations on the matter were slower due to partisan and parliamentary factors as well as a few highly contentious issues, such as the civil service protections and collective bargaining rights of the employees of the new department. When both houses of Congress reconvened after the fall elections, a new, compromise department bill was introduced in the House (H.R. 5710), which considered and adopted the measure on November 13. Six days later, the Senate approved the original House bill (H.R. 5005) as modified with the language of the compromise legislation (H.R. 5710), which had been offered as an amendment. The House cleared the Senate-passed measure for the President's signature. Ultimately, President Bush largely obtained what he wanted in the legislation mandating the department (P.L. 107-296; 116 Stat. 2135). This report is no longer being updated. CRS [Congressional Research Service] Report RL31751, Homeland Security: Department Organization and Management--Implementation Phase, assesses the implementation of the Department of Homeland Security provisions of the Homeland Security Act of 2002."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Relyea, Harold

  2003-02-25
• NASA's Space Shuttle 'Columbia': Quick Facts and Issues for Congress [Updated February 24, 2003]

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  "On February 1, 2003, NASA's Space Shuttle 'Columbia' broke apart while returning to Earth from a 16-day science mission in orbit. All seven astronauts -- six Americans and one Israeli -- were killed. An investigation is underway. This report provides quick facts about 'Columbia', her crew, the STS-107 mission, the status of the investigation, and a brief discussion of issues for Congress. Additional information on the space shuttle program is available in CRS [Congressional Research Service] Issue Brief IB93062. CRS Reports RS21411 and RS21419 describe space shuttle funding, and provide excerpts from recent reports and hearings on shuttle safety, respectively. This report will be updated often."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Smith, Marcia S.

  2003-02-24
• Palestinians and Middle East Peace: Issues for the United States [Updated February 24, 2003]

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  "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.

  2003-02-24
• Libya [Updated February 24, 2003]

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  "The United Nations Security Council passed three resolutions that placed sanctions on Libya until Libya surrendered for trial two men suspected of bombing Pan Am flight 103 in 1988 and French flight UTA 772 in 1989. Libya surrendered the two men on April 5, 1999, and the U.N. suspended the sanctions the same day. U.S. sanctions against Libya remain in place. Libyan-U.S. relations have been plagued by a series of incidents between U.S. and Libyan armed forces, Libyan policies of supporting terrorism, Libya's search for chemical and nuclear weapons, and Libyan meddling in other nations' internal affairs. Al-Qadhafi has proposed bilateral and multilateral unions with his neighbors and several other countries, and envisions himself as carrying on for Egypt's Nasir in unifying the Arab, Islamic, and African worlds. Libyan leader Muammar al-Qadhafi implemented a form of participatory democracy in Libya, where villages elect Peoples' Congresses, which in turn elect Peoples' Congresses for geographic regions and the central government. In addition, there are Peoples' Congresses representing industries or institutions, such as education, medicine, or broadcasting. Despite the presence and apparent activity of the Peoples' Congresses, it is clear that members of the Revolutionary Command Council, created after the 1969 coup, and their cohort continue to exercise great influence, perhaps dictatorial authority, over Libya. Libya's economy depends upon oil; current production is running at 1.4 million barrels per day of high quality crude, most of which is exported to Western Europe."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Mark, Clyde R.

  2003-02-24
• Cuba: U.S. Restrictions on Travel and Legislative Initiatives [Updated February 24, 2003]

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  "Restrictions on travel to Cuba have been a key and often contentious component in U.S. efforts to isolate the communist government of Fidel Castro for much of the past 40 years. Over time, there have been numerous changes to the restrictions, and for 5 years, from 1977 until 1982, there were no restrictions on travel to Cuba. This report surveys changes to the travel restrictions dating back to the 1960s, summarizes major arguments for and against lifting such restrictions, and tracks legislative initiatives to ease restrictions on travel to Cuba. Major arguments made for lifting the Cuba travel ban are it hinders efforts to influence conditions in Cuba and may be aiding Castro by helping restrict the flow of information; it abridges the rights of ordinary Americans; and Americans can travel to other countries with communist or authoritarian governments. Major arguments in opposition to lifting the Cuba travel ban are American tourist travel would support Castro's rule by providing his government with millions of dollars in tourist receipts; there are legal provisions allowing travel to Cuba for humanitarian purposes that are used by thousands of Americans each year; and the President should be free to restrict travel for foreign policy reasons."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Sullivan, Mark P.

  2003-02-24
• Cuba: Issues for the 108th Congress [Updated February 24, 2003]

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  "Cuba remains a hard-line Communist state, with a poor record on human rights. Fidel Castro has ruled since he ousted the corrupt government of Fulgencio Batista from power in 1959. With the cutoff of assistance from the former Soviet Union, Cuba experienced severe economic deterioration from 1989 to 1993. There has been some improvement since 1994 as Cuba has implemented limited reforms. Since the early 1960s, U.S. policy toward Cuba has consisted largely of isolating the island nation through comprehensive economic sanctions. The principal tool of policy remains comprehensive sanctions, which were tightened with the Cuban Democracy Act (CDA) in 1992 and the Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity Act in 1996. Another component of U.S. policy consists of support measures for the Cuban people, including private humanitarian donations and U.S.-sponsored radio and television broadcasting to Cuba."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Sullivan, Mark P.

  2003-02-24
• Egypt-United States Relations [February 24, 2003]

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  "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.

  2003-02-24
• Sudan: Humanitarian Crisis, Peace Talks, Terrorism, and U.S. Policy [Updated April 23, 2003]

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  "Sudan, geographically the largest country in Africa, has been ravaged by civil war intermittently for 4 decades. An estimated 2 million people have died over the past decade due to war-related causes and famine, and millions have been displaced from their homes. According to the United Nations, an estimated 3 million people are in need of emergency food aid. The relief operation is being coordinated by Operation Lifeline Sudan (OLS), established in 1989 in response to the 1988 humanitarian crisis in which over 200,000 people died of starvation. The OLS, a consortium of U.N. agencies and three dozen non-governmental organizations (NGOs), operates in both government and rebel-controlled territories. The 20-year civil war has been and continues to be a major contributing factor to recurring humanitarian crisis. There have been many failed attempts to end the civil war in southern Sudan, including efforts by Nigeria, Kenya, Ethiopia, former President Jimmy Carter, and the United States. To that end, the heads of state from Ethiopia, Eritrea, Kenya and Uganda formed a mediation committee under the aegis of the Inter-Governmental Authority for Development (IGAD) and held the first formal negotiations in March 1994. The basis of these talks is the Declaration of Principles (DOP), which includes the right of self-determination, separation of religion and the state (secularism), and a referendum to be held in the south with secession as an option. Although the National Islamic Front (NIF) government reluctantly accepted the DOP in 1994, the government in Khartoum has repeatedly resisted secularism, walking out on peace talks in September 1994 and returning in July 1997 after a series of military defeats. In July 2002, the Sudan government and the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) signed a peace framework agreement in Kenya. In early September, the government of Sudan walked out of the Machakos talks and returned under pressure in early October 2002."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Dagne, Theodore S.

  2003-02-23
• HIV/AIDS International Programs: Appropriations, FY2002 - FY2004 [Updated February 21, 2003]

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  "The Administration's FY2004 request for international HIV/AIDS spending would commit $450 million to a new Global AIDS Initiative to be administered by the Department of State. This is the principal component of the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, announced in the State of the Union Message on January 28, 2003. The Administration is seeking $300 million for the President's Mother and Child HIV Prevention Initiative in FY2004, up from $200 million in the FY2003 request. The request for a contribution to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria is $200 million, while Congress made available $350 million for the Global Fund in FY2003."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Copson, Raymond W.

  2003-02-21
• Critical Infrastructure: Control Systems and the Terrorist Threat [Updated February 21, 2003]

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  "Much of the U.S. critical infrastructure is potentially vulnerable to cyber-attack. Industrial control computer systems involved in this infrastructure are specific points of vulnerability, as cyber-security for these systems has not been perceived as a high priority. Industries potentially affected by a cyber-attack on industrial control systems include the electrical, telephone, water, chemical and energy sectors. The federal government has issued a warning regarding an increase in terrorist interest in the cyber-security of industrial control systems, citing both interest by international terrorist organizations in critical infrastructure and increases in cyber-attack on critical infrastructure computer systems. The potential consequences of a successful cyber-attack on critical infrastructure industrial control systems could be high, ranging from a temporary loss of service to catastrophic infrastructure failure affecting multiple states for an extended duration."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Shea, Dana A.

  2003-02-21
• China and the World Trade Organization [Updated February 20, 2003]

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  "China has sought over the past several years to become a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO), the international agency that administers multilateral trade rules. China's WTO membership (as well as that of Taiwan's) was formally approved at the WTO Ministerial Conference in Doha, Qatar in November 2001. On December 11, 2001, China officially became a WTO member. WTO membership will require China to significantly liberalize its trade and investment regimes, which could produce significant new commercial opportunities for U.S. businesses. A main concern for Congress is to ensure that China fully complies with its WTO commitments. This report will be updated as events warrant." -- Abstract

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Morrison, Wayne M.

  2003-02-20
• Iraq: Weapons Threat, Compliance, Sanctions, and U.S. Policy [Updated February 19, 2003]

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  "On November 8, 2002, the Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 1441, giving U.N. weapons inspectors new authorities; new inspections began November 27. The chief inspectors reported to the Security Council on January 27, 2003, that Iraq has cooperated on 'process but not substance.' In his State of the Union message on January 28 and subsequent statements, President Bush said that Iraq is not disarming in accordance with Resolution 1441 and that the United States would lead a coalition to disarm Iraq if peaceful efforts fail. The inspectors' reports to the Security Council on February 14 indicated improved cooperation, adding that many of their findings thus far are consistent with Iraq's declarations."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Katzman, Kenneth

  2003-02-19
• Islam: A Primer [February 19, 2003]

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  "There are about one billion Muslims in the world, concentrated primarily in North Africa, the Middle East, and South and Southeast Asia. Islam teaches that Allah selected Muhammad, a merchant from Mecca, as the last of the prophets following Adam, Moses, Jesus, and others, to deliver God's message to mankind. The report includes short descriptions of the historical background, the tenets of Islam, jihad, the status of women in Islam, and other aspects of Islam."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Mark, Clyde R.

  2003-02-19
• Privacy: Total Information Awareness Programs and Related Information Access, Collection, and Protection Laws [Updated February 14, 2003]

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  "This report describes the Total Information Awareness (TIA) programs in the Defense Research Projects Agency (DARPA) of the Department of Defense, and related information access, collection, and protection laws. TIA is a new technology under development that plans to use data mining technologies to sift through personal transactions in electronic data to find patterns and associations connected to terrorist threats and activities. Data mining technologies are currently used by federal agencies for various purposes. DARPA has underway a five year research project to develop and integrate information technologies into a prototype system or systems to identify foreign terrorists for use by the intelligence, counterintelligence, law enforcement, and homeland security communities. Recent increased awareness about the existence of the TIA project provoked expressions of concern about the potential for the invasion of privacy of law-abiding citizens by the Government, and about the direction of the project by John Poindexter, a central figure in the Iran-Contra affair. While the law enforcement and intelligence communities argue that more sophisticated information gathering techniques are essential to combat today's sophisticated terrorists, civil libertarians worry that the Government's increased capability to assemble information will result in increased and unchecked government power, and the erosion of individual privacy."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Stevens, Gina Marie

  2003-02-14
• Congressional Action on Iraq 1990-2003: A Compilation of Legislation

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  "This report is a compilation of legislation on Iraq from 1990 to the present. The list is composed of resolutions and public laws relating to military action or diplomatic pressure to be taken against Iraq. The list does not include foreign aid appropriations bills passed since FY1994 that deny U.S. funds to any nation in violation of the United Nations sanctions regime against Iraq. Also, measures that were not passed only in either the House or the Senate are not included (with the exception of the proposals in the 108th Congress and several relevant concurrent and joint resolutions from previous Congresses). For a more in-depth analysis of U.S. action against Iraq, see CRS Issue Brief IB92117, 'Iraq, Compliance, Sanctions and U.S. Policy'. This report will be updated as developments unfold."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Sharp, Jeremy Maxwell

  2003-02-14
• NASA's Space Shuttle Columbia: Quick Facts and Issues for Congress [Updated February 13, 2003]

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  "On February 1, 2003, NASA's Space Shuttle Columbia broke apart while returning to Earth from a 16-day science mission in orbit. All seven astronauts -- six Americans and one Israeli -- were killed. An investigation is underway. This report provides quick facts about Columbia, her crew, the STS-107 mission, the status of the investigation, and a brief discussion of issues for Congress. Additional information on the space shuttle program is available in CRS Issue Brief IB93062. CRS Reports RS21411 and RS21419 describe space shuttle funding, and provide excerpts from recent reports and hearings on shuttle safety, respectively. This report will be updated daily."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Smith, Marcia S.

  2003-02-13
• NATO Enlargement [Updated February 13, 2003]

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  "This report provides a brief summary of the last round of NATO enlargement, then analyzes recent events. The report analyzes the key military and political issues that affect the current debate over seven prospective members named at NATO's Prague summit. 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 recent legislation on enlargement. This report will be updated as needed."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Gallis, Paul E.

  2003-02-13