Advanced search Help
Resource Type or Special Collection is CRS Reports
Clear all search criteria
Only 2/3! You are seeing results from the Public Collection, not the complete Full Collection. Sign in to search everything (see eligibility).
-
Haiti: Issues for Congress [Updated November 21, 2001]
From the Summary: "Since the virtual withdrawal of U.S. troops and the inauguration of Rene Preval as President in February 1996, Congress has been concerned that U.S. assistance to Haiti be effective, that Haitian leaders pursue democratic reforms, including the holding of free and fair elections, adopt sound economic policies, improve security conditions in Haiti, and fully investigate reported human rights abuses. Concern over political stability increased with President Preval's controversial dissolution of the Haitian Parliament in January 1999, and his rule by decree after that. This followed an election dispute that had remained unresolved since April 1997 and the lack of a fully functioning government since the resignation of Prime Minister Rosny Smarth on June 9, 1997. This political paralysis has also contributed to economic stagnation, preventing major reforms from being finalized, and impeding access to over $500 million in international assistance. The Foreign Operations Appropriations bill for FY2002 would prohibit assistance to Haiti except through regular notification procedures; no other conditions on aid to Haiti are in the current bill. It would also allow Haiti to purchase defense articles and services for the Haitian Coast Guard. FY2000 assistance to Haiti was $82 million; the estimate for FY2001 is $76 million; the request for FY2002 is $55 million."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Taft-Morales, Maureen
2001-11-21
-
China's Holdings of U.S. Securities: Implications for the U.S. Economy [Updated November 20, 2008]
"Given its relatively low savings rate, the U.S. economy depends heavily on foreign capital inflows from countries with high savings rates (such as China) to help promote growth and to fund the federal budget deficit. China has intervened heavily in currency markets to limit the appreciation of its currency, especially against the dollar. As a result, China has become the world's largest and fastest growing holder of foreign exchange reserves (FER). China has invested a large share of its FER in U.S. securities, which, as of June 2008, totaled $1,205 billion, making China the 2nd largest foreign holder of U.S. securities (after Japan). These securities include long-term (LT) Treasury debt, LT U.S. agency debt, LT U.S. corporate debt, LT U.S. equities, and short-term debt. U.S. Treasury securities are issued to finance the federal budget deficit. Of the public debt that is privately held, about half is held by foreigners. As of December 2008, China's Treasury securities holdings were $727 billion, accounting for 23.6% of total foreign ownership of U.S. Treasury securities, making it the largest foreign holder of U.S. Treasuries (replacing Japan in September 2008). [...]The issue of China's large holdings of U.S. securities is part of a larger debate among economists over how long the high U.S. reliance on foreign investment can be sustained, to what extent that reliance poses risks to the economy, and how to evaluate the costs associated with borrowing versus the benefits that would accrue to the economy from that practice. This report will be updated as events warrant."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Labonte, Marc; Morrison, Wayne M.
2001-11-20
-
Cuba: Issues for Congress [Updated November 20, 2001]
"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. Legislative initiatives introduced in the 107th Congress reflect these divergent views on the direction of U.S. policy toward Cuba and also cover a range of issues including human rights, food and medical exports, travel restrictions, drug interdiction cooperation, and broadcasting to Cuba. On July 25, 2001, in action on the Treasury Department Appropriations for FY2002 (H.R. 2590), the House approved an amendment that would prohibit the Treasury Department from using funds to enforce restrictions on travel to Cuba. Ultimately, the Cuba travel provision was not included in the conference report to the bill."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sullivan, Mark P.; Taft-Morales, Maureen
2001-11-20
-
China and the World Trade Organization [Updated November 19, 2001]
"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. In September 2001, China completed its multilateral negotiations with the WTO Working Party handling its accession application and reached a trade agreement with Mexico, the last of the original 37 WTO members that requested a bilateral trade agreement with China. 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. China is expected to join the WTO on December 11, 2001. WTO accession commits China to significantly reducing a wide variety of tariff and non-tariff barriers. Legislation (H.R. 4444) granting China permanent normal trade relations (PNTR) status (once it joins the WTO) was enacted into law on October 10, 2000 ( P.L. 106-286). A main concern for Congress is to ensure that China fully complies with its WTO commitments once it accedes. This report will be updated as events warrant."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Morrison, Wayne M.
2001-11-19
-
Unfunded Mandates Reform Act: History, Impact, and Issues [November 18, 2011]
"The Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (UMRA) established requirements for enacting certain legislation and issuing certain regulations that would impose enforceable duties on state, local, or tribal governments or on the private sector. UMRA refers to obligations imposed by such legislation and regulations as 'mandates' (either 'intergovernmental' or 'private sector,' depending on the entities affected). The direct cost to affected entities of meeting these obligations are referred to as 'mandate costs,' and when the federal government does not provide funding to cover these costs, the mandate is termed 'unfunded.' UMRA incorporates numerous definitions, exclusions, and exceptions that specify what forms and types of mandates are subject to its requirements, termed 'covered mandates.' Covered mandates do not include many federal actions with potentially significant financial impacts on nonfederal entities. This report's primary purpose is to describe the kinds of legislative and regulatory provisions that are subject to UMRA's requirements, and, on this basis, to assess UMRA's impact on federal mandates. The report also examines debates that occurred, both before and since UMRA's enactment, concerning what kinds of provisions UMRA ought to cover, and considers the implications of experience under UMRA for possible future revisions of its scope of coverage. […] Also, solely for legislation that would impose covered intergovernmental mandates, UMRA establishes a point of order in each house of Congress through which the chamber can decline to consider the legislation. This report examines UMRA's implementation, focusing on the respective requirements for mandate cost estimates on legislation and regulations, and on the point of order procedure for legislation proposing unfunded intergovernmental mandates."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Dilger, Robert Jay, 1954-; Beth, Richard S.
2001-11-18
-
Trade Promotion Authority (Fast-Track Authority for Trade Agreements): Background and Developments in the 107th Congress [Updated November 16, 2001]
"One of the major trade issues in the 107th Congress will be whether or not Congress approves trade promotion authority (formerly called fast-track authority) for the President to negotiate trade agreements with expedited procedures for implementing legislation. Under this authority, Congress agrees to consider legislation to implement the trade agreements (usually nontariff trade agreements) under a procedure with mandatory deadlines, no amendment, and limited debate. The President is required to consult with congressional committees during negotiation and notify Congress before entering into an agreement. [...] On October 3, Ways and Means Chairman Thomas introduced H.R. 3005. This bill was reported out of the House Ways and Means Committee (H.Rept. 107-249, Part 1) on October 16, 2001. On October 4, Representative Rangel, Ways and Means Ranking Member, and Representative Levin, Ranking Member on the Ways and Means Subcommittee on Trade, released their own proposal, H.R. 3019. That bill was rejected by the Ways and Means Committee on October 9 by a 27- 12 vote. On October 11, Senator Baucus, Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, gave a major speech outlining his position on fast-track legislation. It is uncertain when the Senate might act on any legislation. On November 16, House Majority Leader Armey announced that the House would vote on TPA legislation (H.R. 3005) on December 6. No definite action in the Senate has been announced."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sek, Lenore
2001-11-16
-
Nuclear Arms Control: The U.S.-Russian Agenda [Updated November 16, 2001]
"Although arms control negotiations are not as important to the U.S.-Russian relationship as they were to the U.S.-Soviet relationship during the Cold War, the United States and Russia have continued to implement existing nuclear arms control agreements and to pursue negotiations on further reductions in their strategic offensive weapons and modifications to limits on ballistic missile defenses. This issue brief summarizes the contents of these agreements and tracks progress in their ratification and implementation."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Woolf, Amy F.
2001-11-16
-
Agriculture in Afghanistan and Neighboring Asian Countries [November 16, 2001]
"Agriculture's share of total economic activity - as measured by gross domestic product (GDP) - is significant in seven countries located in Central and South Asia: Afghanistan, Iran, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. Its share ranges from about one fifth in Tajikistan to more than one half in Afghanistan. [...] Agricultural workers account for almost one-third of all employment in Iran; in Afghanistan, farmers and related workers represent more than two-thirds of the labor force. [...] All seven countries are net food importers, meaning they do not produce enough to cover all their food needs. Even with food purchases, the World Bank considers a portion of each country's population to be malnourished due to poverty. [...] Largely for these reasons, the United Nation's (UN) World Food Program reports that Afghanistan and Tajikistan are in need of emergency food assistance over the next year to cover sizable food deficits."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Jurenas, Remy
2001-11-16
-
War Powers Resolution: After Twenty-Eight Years [November 15, 2001]
In the post-Cold War world, Presidents have continued to commit U.S. Armed Forces to potential hostilities without specific authorization from Congress, and the War Powers Resolution has come under new scrutiny. On June 7, 1995 the House defeated, by a vote of 217-201, an amendment to repeal the central features of the War Powers Resolution that have been deemed unconstitutional by every President since the law's enactment in 1973.
Section 3 requires that the "President in every possible instance shall consult with Congress before introducing" U.S. Armed Forces into hostilities or imminent hostilities. President Ford submitted four reports, President Carter one, President Reagan fourteen, and President George H. W. Bush six reports. The reports cover a range of military activities from embassy evacuations to full scale combat military operations, such as the Persian Gulf conflict, the intervention in Kosovo or the anti-terrorism actions in Afghanistan.
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Grimmett, Richard F.
2001-11-15
-
Afghanistan: Current Issues and U.S. Policy Concerns [Updated November 15, 2001]
"The rapid unraveling of the Taliban movement continued after its withdrawal from Kabul. Independent commanders from the Pashtun ethnic group -- Pashtuns are the largest Afghan group constituting about 40% of the population -- rebelled against the Taliban in the Pashtun-dominated areas of the south and east and took control of large swaths of territory in those areas. The collapse of the Taliban has enabled the United States to send in special forces to southern Afghanistan to search for Taliban and Al Qaeda leaders, including bin Ladin himself. Citizens in areas now under opposition control, although wary of the Northern Alliance, are also enjoying new personal freedoms that were forbidden under the Taliban. Although the Northern Alliance has emerged as the dominant force in the country, the United States, Pakistan, other countries, and the United Nations are urging the Alliance to negotiate with Pashtun representatives, including those of the former King Mohammad Zahir Shah, to form a broad-based government. The Northern Alliance has not announced a new government, but there is concern that, having captured Kabul, it will be unwilling to yield significant power to anti-Taliban Pashtuns. Reflecting international interest in establishing a broad-based, stable government, on November 14 the U.N. Security Council adopted Resolution 1378 calling for a 'central' U.N. role in establishing a transitional government. The Resolution also encourages U.N. members states to ensure the safety and security of areas no longer under Taliban control, presumably by sending forces to help keep peace and facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid to the Afghan people. The United States also has pledged substantial aid to help Afghanistan reconstruct after more than two decades of war."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Katzman, Kenneth
2001-11-15
-
Computer Attack and Cyberterrorism: Vulnerabilities and Policy Issues for Congress [Updated November 15, 2007]
"Cybercrime is becoming more organized and established as a transnational business. High technology online skills are now available for rent to a variety of customers, possibly including nation states, or individuals and groups that could secretly represent terrorist groups. The increased use of automated attack tools by cybercriminals has overwhelmed some current methodologies used for tracking Internet cyberattacks, and vulnerabilities of the U.S. critical infrastructure, which are acknowledged openly in publications, could possibly attract cyberattacks to extort money, or damage the U.S. economy to affect national security. In April and May 2007, NATO and the United States sent computer security experts to Estonia to help that nation recover from cyberattacks directed against government computer systems, and to analyze the methods used and determine the source of the attacks.1 Some security experts suspect that political protestors [sic] may have rented the services of cybercriminals, possibly a large network of infected PCs, called a 'botnet,' to help disrupt the computer systems of the Estonian government. DOD officials have also indicated that similar cyberattacks from individuals and countries targeting economic, political, and military organizations may increase in the future.2 Cybercriminals have reportedly made alliances with drug traffickers in Afghanistan, the Middle East, and elsewhere where profitable illegal activities are used to support terrorist groups. In addition, designs for cybercrime botnets are becoming more sophisticated, and future botnet architectures may be more resistant to computer security countermeasures.3"
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Wilson, Clay
2001-11-15
-
Middle East Peace Talks [Updated November 14, 2001]
"On September 4, 1999, Israeli Prime Minister Barak and Palestinian leader Arafat signed the Sharm al-Shaykh Memorandum on implementing Wye. Israel withdrew from south Lebanon on May 24, 2000. From July 11-24, President Clinton convened a summit with Israeli and Palestinian leaders at Camp David to reach a framework accord, but they did not succeed. A Palestinian uprising or 'intifadah' began in September and continues. On December 23, President Clinton presented bridging proposals. Ariel Sharon was elected Prime Minister of Israel on February 6, 2001. He said that the results of Camp David and subsequent talks are null and void. The international war against terrorism in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks on the United States has prompted renewed U.S. focus on ending the violence and resuming the peace process. Congress is interested in the peace talks because of its oversight role in the conduct of U.S. foreign policy, its support for Israel, and keen constituent interest. It is concerned about U.S. financial and other commitments and Palestinian fulfillment of commitments. Congress has appropriated aid for the West Bank and Gaza, with conditions intended to ensure PLO [Palestine Liberation Organization] compliance with agreements with Israel. Congress repeatedly has endorsed Jerusalem as the undivided capital of Israel, and opposed a possible Palestinian unilateral declaration of statehood."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Migdalovitz, Carol
2001-11-14
-
Biological and Chemical Weapons: Criminal Sanctions and Federal Regulations [November 13, 2001]
This CRS report examines domestic and international materials relevant to criminal sanctions attached to the development, production, possession, and use of biological and chemical weapons. It also addresses certain federal regulations associated with the development, production, and transportation of biological agents. More specifically, it reviews general penalties, possession offenses, mailing injurious articles, WMDs and providing material support to terrorists, and acts of terrorism transcending national boarders.
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Jennings, Christopher A.
2001-11-13
-
China's Maritime Territorial Claims: Implications for U.S. Interests [November 12, 2001]
"The collision on April 1, 2001, of a Chinese jet fighter with a U.S. navy reconnaissance plane over the South China Sea drew unusual public attention to the ocean areas south and east of the People's Republic of China (PRC): the South China Sea and the East China Sea. These relatively shallow, resource-rich waters are of growing economic and strategic importance, yet they often remain invisible in the American policy process. The United States, along with most of the international community, regards these as international waters. According to one estimate, more than half of the world's sea-going commercial shipments pass through this area each year, including the bulk of inter-Asian trade and most of Japan's annual oil imports. Consequently, a primary U.S. economic and strategic objective in the region has been the maintenance of freedom-of-navigation through these waters. This report provides an overview of which islands and reefs are in dispute and who claims them; background on Chinese assertions and justifications about the extent of Chinese sovereignty in these waters; the economic and strategic significance of the relevant sea lines of communication, both for Asia and for U.S. interests; an analysis of PRC military activity and interests in the region, as well as an overview of confrontations in the area; and an analysis of international legal interpretations of these issues. Finally, the report discusses the implications of competing South/East China Sea claims for U.S. economic and strategic interests, and the implications that U.S. treaty obligations to claimant states have for resolution of these claims."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Ackerman, David M.; Cronin, Richard P.; Dumbaugh, Kerry
2001-11-12
-
Trade and the Americas [Updated November 9, 2001]
"The Summit of the Americas, held in Miami in December 1994, led to ongoing congressional interest in three inter-related trade policy issues. The first involves an invitation extended to Chile to join the North America Free Trade Area (NAFTA). The second focuses on preferential tariff treatment for Caribbean and Central American countries. The third concerns movement towards a Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA), the concept of making the entire hemisphere a free-trade zone. A fourth issue has subsequently arisen concerning a request by the Andean countries to extend the Andean Trade Preferences Act (ATPA) beyond its scheduled December 4, 2001 expiration date. [...] The 1991 ATPA granted Andean countries tariff preferences for 10 years in an effort to help the countries fight narcotics trafficking. The House Ways and Means Committee approved an extension and expansion of the program (H.R. 3009) on October 5, 2001."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Ahearn, Raymond J.
2001-11-09
-
Intelligence Issues for Congress [Updated November 9, 2001]
"The U.S. Intelligence Community continues to adjust to the post-Cold War environment. Congressional and executive branch initiatives have emphasized enhancing cooperation among the different agencies that comprise the Community by giving greater managerial authority to the Director of Central Intelligence (DCI). Priority continues to be placed on intelligence support to military operations and on involvement in efforts to combat narcotics trafficking and, especially since September 11, 2001, international terrorism. Growing concerns about transnational threats are leading to increasingly close cooperation between intelligence and law enforcement agencies. This relationship is complicated, however, by differing roles and missions as well as statutory charters. [...] A particular concern for many in Congress has been the Intelligence Community's assessment of the missile attack capabilities of foreign countries, especially North Korea. Some believe that U.S. vulnerability to missile attack may arrive sooner than has been estimated by intelligence agencies."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Best, Richard A.
2001-11-09
-
National Ignition Facility: Management, Technical, and Other Issues [Updated November 8, 2001]
From the Summary: "The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is building a very large laser facility to provide scientific support for its program to maintain the safety, reliability, and performance levels of the nation's stockpile of nuclear weapons in the absence of nuclear testing. This National Ignition Facility (NIF), which is designed to simulate the behavior of nuclear explosions, is under construction at DOE's Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL). In August 1999, however, DOE announced that the project had run into some serious problems that would likely result in a significant increase in its cost estimate."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Rowberg, Richard
2001-11-08
-
Financing Issues and Economic Effects of Past American Wars [November 7, 2001]
The increased government outlays associated with wars can be financed in four ways: through higher taxes, reductions in other government spending, government borrowing from the public, or money creation. The first two methods are unlikely to have an effect on economic growth (aggregate demand) in the short run: the expansion in aggregate demand caused by greater military outlays is offset by the contraction in aggregate demand caused by higher taxes and/or lower non-military government spending. Just as wars typically boost aggregate demand, the reduction in defense expenditures after a war typically causes a brief economic contraction as the economy adjusts to the return to peacetime activities.
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Labonte, Marc
2001-11-07
-
Macedonia: Country Background and Recent Conflict [Updated November 7, 2001]
From the Document: "In 2001, ethnic Albanian rebels calling themselves the National Liberation Army (NLA) stepped up attacks on Macedonian security forces first in several villages near the city of Tetovo and by the western border with Kosovo, and later near the capital, Skopje. The NLA is thought to have ties to the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) and rebel Albanian forces operating in southern Serbia. In March, the Macedonian government began a counter-insurgency campaign. It opened talks on political reforms with elected ethnic Albanian representatives, but refused to negotiate with the rebels themselves. Clashes between the rebels and government forces continued, notwithstanding intermittent cease-fire agreements and ongoing political talks. With U.S. and European diplomatic intervention, the parties signed a framework agreement on August 13, amidst the deadliest violence to date. Deadlock in the Macedonian parliament over aspects of the accord has delayed implementation of the agreement by several weeks. In early 2001, the international community, including the United States, condemned the violent actions of the Albanian extremists and expressed support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Macedonia, while urging restraint on the part of the Macedonian forces. At the invitation of President Bush, Macedonian President Trajkovski came to Washington on May 2, where President Bush underscored U.S. support for Macedonia's efforts to resolve the conflict. While not leading NATO's Task Force Harvest mission, the United States supported the operation with medical, intelligence, and logistical assets provided by U.S. military forces and facilities already stationed in the Balkans. NATO allies have agreed to replace U.S. armed forces in the NATO Balkans missions if the United States needs to divert some of them to the anti-terrorist campaign in Afghanistan. U.S. officials have pressed the Macedonian and Albanian parties to implement the framework agreement.'"
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Kim, Julie
2001-11-07
-
Food Safety Issues in the 107th Congress [Updated November 7, 2001]
From the Summary: "The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate that each year in the United States 76 million people get sick, 325,000 are hospitalized, and 5,000 die from food-related illnesses. Food-borne illness is a serious public health problem. Often, people do not seek medical help and their illness is not officially reported. Yet consumers have become aware of the serious consequences of illnesses linked to a growing variety of foods, produced domestically or imported. Consumers want the government to regulate the food supply, and industry is interested in producing foods that are safe at a reasonable price. As a result there is congressional interest in oversight and legislation in this area. Several federal agencies, along with cooperating agencies in the states, are responsible for assuring the safety, wholesomeness, and proper labeling of all foods for human consumption in the United States."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Vogt, Donna U.
2001-11-07
-
China's Foreign Conventional Arms Acquisitions: Background and Analysis [Updated November 6, 2001]
"This CRS Report examines the major, foreign conventional weapon systems that China has acquired or has committed to acquire since 1990, with particular attention to implications for U.S. security concerns. It is not the assumption of this report that China's military, the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA), will engage in conflict with other forces in Asia. Nonetheless, since the mid-1990s, there has been increasing concern about China's assertiveness in Asia and military buildup against Taiwan."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Bolkcom, Christopher C.; O'Rourke, Ronald; Kan, Shirley
2001-11-06
-
Drug Certification Requirements and Proposed Congressional Modifications in 2001 [Updated November 6, 2001]
"Since the mid-1980s, Congress has required the President to certify that specified drug producing and drug-transit countries are cooperating fully with the United States in counter-narcotics efforts in order to avoid a series of sanctions, including suspension of U.S. foreign assistance and financing, and opposition to loans in the multilateral development banks. The sanctions would also apply if the Congress, within 30 calendar days, passes a joint resolution of disapproval to overturn the presidential certification, however, any resolution would be subject to veto. [...] The Senate Foreign Relations Committee approved and reported out a substitute version of S. 219 on April 5, 2001, with elements from the various proposed modifications, and on September 4, 2001, it reported out S. 1401, the Foreign Relations Authorization for FY2002-FY2003, with Sections 741-745 containing similar provisions. These provisions would modify the existing drug certification procedures for FY2002-FY2004, require the President to designate only the worst offending countries subject to sanctions, and encourage the convening of a high-level conference to develop an effective multilateral strategy. On October 24, 2001, the Senate passed the Foreign Operations Appropriations for FY2002 (H.R. 2506), with an amendment by Senators Dodd and Hutchison (S.Amdt. 1959), that generally incorporated the provisions of S. 219 and S. 1401 as reported, except that the modifications would apply only to FY2002 and would apply only to countries in the Western Hemisphere."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Storrs, K. Larry (Keith Larry), 1937-
2001-11-06
-
Nuclear Weapons in Russia: Safety, Security, and Control Issues [Updated November 5, 2001]
"Reports of Russian nuclear materials for sale on the black market, when combined with evidence of weaknesses in the security systems have raised concerns about the possible theft or diversion of nuclear materials from these facilities. The United States and Russia are cooperating in many fora to improve the safety, security, and control over Russia's nuclear weapons and materials. Through the Nunn- Lugar Cooperative Threat Reduction Program, the U.S. Department of Defense has provided assistance worth nearly $2 billion to help Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, and Belarus safely transport and store weapons and eliminate launchers under the START [Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty] Treaties. The Department of Energy's Materials Protection, Control and Accounting Program is helping Russia and other former Soviet republics secure nuclear materials at research and other facilities in the former Soviet Union. The nations have also held bilateral meetings to identify ways in which they might cooperate to improve security and resolve concerns. Some have proposed that the United States and Russia negotiate arms control agreements to reduce their stockpiles of nonstrategic nuclear weapons and to improve transparency and confidence in the elimination of those weapons. Others have proposed that the two sides agree to 'de-alert' their strategic nuclear weapons to reduce the pressures and relieve concerns about Russia's nuclear command and control system."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Woolf, Amy F.
2001-11-05
-
F-22 Raptor Aircraft Program [Updated November 5, 2001]
"The F-22 Raptor is a next-generation fighter/attack aircraft using the latest stealth technology to reduce detection by radar. Equipped with more advanced engines and avionics than the current F-15 Eagle, the F-22 is expected to maintain U.S. Air Force capabilities against more sophisticated aircraft and missiles in the 21st century. Some question the urgency of beginning production of the F-22 when production of comparable or better aircraft by other countries appears unlikely. Others argue that the F-22 should enter production as early as possible to cope with future threats from more advanced air defenses of potential enemies and to maintain the U.S. position in aviation technology and production. The airframe will be produced by Lockheed Martin in Marietta, GA, and Ft. Worth, TX, and by Boeing in Seattle, WA, with engines by Pratt & Whitney in West Palm Beach, FL."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Bolkcom, Christopher C.
2001-11-05
-
Terrorism, the Future, and U.S. Foreign Policy [Updated November 2, 2001]
"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."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Perl, Raphael
2001-11-02
-
Drug Control: International Policy and Options [Updated November 2, 2001]
"Efforts to greatly reduce the flow of illicit drugs from abroad into the United States have so far not succeeded. Moreover, over the past decade, worldwide production of illicit drugs has increased dramatically: opium and marijuana production has roughly doubled and coca production tripled. Despite national political resolve to deal with the drug problem, inherent contradictions regularly appear between U.S. anti-drug policy and other policy goals and concerns. U.S. narcotics policy seeks reduction of the supply of illicit drugs to the United States and reduction of user demand within the United States. On the other hand, important aspects of U.S. foreign policy aim at promoting the political and economic stability of U.S. friends and allies and avoiding excessive involvement in their internal affairs. [...] P.L.106-246, 'Plan Colombia,' a $1.3 billion military assistance focused initiative to provide emergency supplemental narcotics assistance to Colombia, was signed into law July 13, 2000. On April 9, 2001, President Bush requested $731 in FY2002 funds for the Andean Counterdrug Initiative. Policy options addressed in this brief include: (1) Expansion of efforts to reduce foreign production at the source. (2) Expansion of interdiction and enforcement activities to disrupt supply lines. (3) Expansion of efforts to reduce worldwide demand. (4) Expansion of economic disincentives for international drug trafficking."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Perl, Raphael
2001-11-02
-
State Department and Related Agencies FY2002 Appropriations [Updated November 2, 2001]
"On April 9, 2001, the President submitted his FY2002 budget request which included nearly $8 billion for the Department of State and the Broadcasting Board of Governors. This represents an increase of $925 million (or 13.1%) from the FY2001 enacted level which Congress passed and the President signed into law (P.L. 106-553) on October 27,2000. [...] In response to the September 11th attacks, Congress passed the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act totaling $40 billion. Of that total, the State Department received $390,000 for Diplomatic and Consular Programs. $7.5 million for its Capital Investment Fund, and $41 million for Emergencies in the Diplomatic and Consular Service account. These funds will be used for overseas personnel evacuations, information and reward money for apprehending terrorists, and improvement of emergency communications technology at U.S. and overseas facilities. In the absence of a signed CJS appropriation, the following continuing resolutions have kept the State Department running into the new fiscal year: H.J.Res.65 (P.L. 107-44) which expired October 16th, H.J.Res. 68 (P.L. 107-48) which expired October 23rd, H.J.Res. 69 (P.L. 107-53) which expired October 31st, and H.J.Res. 70 (P.L. 107-58) which expires November 16th, 2001."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Epstein, Susan B.
2001-11-02
-
Russia [Updated November 1, 2001]
"After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the United States sought a cooperative relationship with Moscow and supplied over $4 billion in grant aid to encourage democracy, market reform, and strategic threat reduction in Russia. Early hopes for a close partnership waned, in part because Russians grew disillusioned with perceived U.S. disregard for Russian interests, while Washington grew impatient with Russia's increasingly adversarial stance on issues in which their interests clash. Direct U.S. foreign aid to Russia, under congressional pressure, fell over the past decade. Indirect U.S. assistance, however, through institutions such as the IMF [International Monetary Fund], is very substantial. The United States has imposed economic sanctions on Russian organizations for exporting military technology and equipment to Iran and Syria. There are more restrictions on aid to Russia in the FY20- 01 foreign aid bill."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Goldman, Stuart D. (Stuart Douglas), 1943-
2001-11-01
-
Missile Defense, Arms Control, and Deterrence: A New Strategic Framework [October 31, 2001]
The Bush Administration has argued that a "new strategic framework" should shape the U.S. relationship with Russia. The Administration states that the United States no longer faces the threat of global nuclear war, and must instead respond to emerging threats. In this environment, it argues, the United States must rely on both offensive and defensive weapons to deter and repel attacks. The Administration maintains that Russia is no longer an enemy, so the United States and Russia need not rely on formal arms control agreements to manage the nuclear balance. Each can reduce its forces unilaterally and alter its forces according to its own needs. Most critics doubt that the United States and Russia can manage their relationship without formal arms control. They also argue that the Administration's plans for missile defense could undermine the U.S. relationship with Russia and upset international stability.
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
2001-10-31
-
Andean Regional Initiative (ARI): FY2002 Assistance for Colombia and Neighbors [Updated October 31, 2001]
"In April and May 2001, the Bush Administration proposed $882.29 million in FY2002 economic and counter-narcotics assistance, as well as extension of trade preferences and other measures, for Colombia and regional neighbors in an initiative called the 'Andean Regional Initiative' (ARI). Critics of the Andean Regional Initiative argue that it is a continuation of what they regard as the misguided approach of last year's Plan Colombia, with an overemphasis on military and counter-drug assistance, and with inadequate support for human rights and the peace process in Colombia. Supporters argue that it continues needed assistance to Colombia, while providing more support for regional neighbors and social and economic programs. [...] In action on the Andean Trade Preference Act, on October 5, 2001, the House Ways and Means Committee approved and ordered reported H.R. 3009, the Andean Trade Promotion and Drug Eradication Act, that would extend and expand theATPA through December 31, 2006."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Serafino, Nina M.; Storrs, K. Larry (Keith Larry), 1937-
2001-10-31
