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• U.S. Space Programs: Civilian, Military, and Commercial [Updated April 22, 2003]

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  "The 108th Congress is addressing a broad range of civilian, military, and commercial space issues. [...] The appropriate role of the government in facilitating commercial space businesses is an ongoing debate. For many years, the focus has been on commercial space launch services, but commercial remote sensing satellites also pose complex questions in terms of encouraging the development of commercial satellites that provide high quality data, while protecting national security."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Smith, Marcia S.

  2003-04-22
• Iraq War: Background and Issues Overview [Updated April 22, 2003]

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  The Iraq war was launched on March 19, 2003, with a strike against a location where Iraqi President Saddam Hussein and top lieutenants were believed to be meeting. Although some resistance was encountered after U.S. troops entered Iraq, all major Iraqi population centers had been brought under U.S. control by April 14. Analysts and officials are concerned about the risk of instability and ethnic fragmentation in Iraq after the war. U.S. plans for post-war governance of Iraq are just starting to be implemented, and the role of the United Nations in administering, if any, Iraq is still under debate. Whether the overthrow of Iraq President Saddam Hussein will lead to democratization in Iraq and the wider Middle East, or promote instability and an intensification of anti-U.S. attitudes, is also an issue in debate. The Iraq war has created concerns over the humanitarian situation, particularly in Baghdad and other cities affected by the war. International legal issues remain, however, with respect to launching a pre-emptive war against Iraq and the prospective occupation. This CRS 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.

  2003-04-22
• Cuba: U.S. Restrictions on Travel and Legislative Initiatives [Updated April 22, 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. 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 holds jurisdiction to restrict travel for foreign policy reasons.

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Sullivan, Mark P.

  2003-04-22
• India-U.S. Economic Relations [April 22, 2003]

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  "India's economy has shown relatively healthy growth since 1991 when an economic crisis caused the government to implement various economic reforms. Yet, many analysts view India's economy as falling below its potential, especially when compared to a country such as China, which has achieved far greater economic success over the past decade. The United States is India's largest trading partner. India is a relatively minor U.S. trading partner, although U.S. officials argue that it could be a potentially large market if India implemented further economic reforms. This report will be updated as events warrant."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Kronstadt, K. Alan; Morrison, Wayne M.

  2003-04-22
• Continuity of Operations (COOP) in the Executive Branch: Background and Issues for Congress [April 21, 2003]

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  "In the wake of the September 2001 terrorist attacks, subsequent anthrax incidents, and occasional warnings of terrorist reprisals in response to U.S. interventions in Afghanistan and Iraq, federal policymakers have given renewed attention to continuity of operations (COOP) issues. COOP planning is a segment of federal government contingency planning that refers to the internal effort of an organization, such as a branch of government, department, or office, to assure that the capability exists to continue essential operations in the aftermath of a comprehensive array of potential operational interruptions...Government-wide, COOP planning is critical because much of the recovery from an incident, which might include the maintenance of civil authority, and infrastructure repair, among other recovery activities, presumes the existence of an ongoing, functional government to fund, support, and oversee actions taken. In the executive branch, COOP planning can be viewed as a continuation of basic emergency preparedness planning, and a bridge between that planning and efforts to maintain continuity of government in the event of a significant disruption to government activity or institutions. Because the number and types of potential interruptions are unknown, effective COOP planning must provide, in advance of an incident, a variety of means to assure contingent operations. This report discusses the background of COOP planning, discusses elements of an effective COOP plan, and reviews the current policies governing COOP planning in the executive branch. The final two sections address issues and policy questions, including, among other matters, the status of agency preparedness, maintaining COOP preparedness, congressional committee oversight of COOP activity, and funding for contingency planning." -- Summary

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Petersen, R. Eric

  2003-04-21
• NASA's Space Shuttle Columbia: Quick Facts and Issues for Congress [Updated April 17, 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 Report RS21411, and CRS Report RS21419. This report will be updated often."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Smith, Marcia S.

  2003-04-17
• Iraq: Oil-For-Food Program, International Sanctions, and Illicit Trade [Updated April 16, 2003]

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  "The 'oil-for-food' program has been the centerpiece of a 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 were not accessible to the regime of Saddam Hussein. Prior to the 2003 war, there has been a consensus among observers that the program, in operation since December 1996, 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 Hussein'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. U.N. Security Council Resolution 1472, adopted March 28, 2003, restarts and adjusts the program to enable it to serve as a vehicle to provide humanitarian relief for the wartime period and lays the groundwork to continue the program into the post-war period. The program had been suspended on the eve of the March 17, 2003 start of hostilities against Iraq."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Katzman, Kenneth

  2003-04-16
• Iraq: Weapons Threat, Compliance, Sanctions, and U.S. Policy [Updated November 19, 2002]

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  "In a September 12 speech before the United Nations, President Bush implied that U.S. military action would be taken against Iraq if the United Nations did not act to implement existing U.N. Security Council resolutions on Iraq. On October 11, Congress completed passage of legislation (H.J.Res.114, P.L. 107-243) authorizing the President to use force against Iraq. On November 8, the Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 1441, giving U.N. weapons inspectors new authorities. Iraq reluctantly accepted the new resolution and an advance team of inspectors began work in Iraq on November 18."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Katzman, Kenneth

  2003-04-16
• Iraq: Weapons Programs, U.N. Requirements, and U.S. Policy [Updated April 16, 2003]

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  "On November 8, 2002, the Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 1441, giving U.N. weapons inspectors new authorities; inspections began November 27. After several reports by the U.N. weapons inspectors on their work, the U.N. Security Council did not agree to authorize use of force against Iraq. All inspectors were withdrawn, and the United States, Britain, and a few other allies began a military offensive against Iraq on March 19, 2003. Saddam Hussein's regime vacated Baghdad on April 9."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Katzman, Kenneth

  2003-04-16
• Iraq: United Nations and Humanitarian Aid Organizations [Updated April 16, 2003]

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  "The war with Iraq, which began on March 19, 2003, has now moved into a new phase as a result of coalition forces controlling all of the major cites in Iraq and the demise of the Iraqi political and military leadership. Currently, the United Nations (U.N.) and other international aid organizations, including nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), are coordinating and providing humanitarian assistance to the Iraqi people, and the U.S. Office of Reconstruction and Humanitarian Assistance (ORHA) is overseeing the reconstruction of Iraq. This report provides an annotated list of U.N. agencies that currently have programs in Iraq, key U.S. government agencies, and a sample list of major international and U.S.-based aid organizations that may provide humanitarian assistance to Iraq in the event of war. Internet links of the U.N. agencies and humanitarian aid organizations are also provided."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Coipuram, Tom

  2003-04-16
• Cuba: Issues for the 108th Congress [Updated April 16, 2003]

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  "Cuba remains a hard-line Communist state, with a poor record on human rights that has deteriorated significantly in 2003. 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. In the aftermath of Cuba's crackdown against democracy activists and independent journalists in March 2003, some observers expect that the Bush Administration will adopt a harder line toward Cuba."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Sullivan, Mark P.

  2003-04-16
• 'Junk E-mail': An Overview of Issues and Legislation Concerning Unsolicited Commercial Electronic Mail ('Spam') [Updated April 15, 2003]

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  "Unsolicited commercial e-mail (UCE), also called 'spam' or 'junk e-mail,' aggravates many computer users. Not only can it be a nuisance, but its cost may be passed on to consumers through higher charges from Internet service providers who must upgrade their systems to handle the traffic. Proponents of UCE insist it is a legitimate marketing technique and protected by the First Amendment. Legislation to place limits on UCE was considered by the last three Congresses (105th-107th ), but no federal law was enacted (27 states have anti-spam laws, however). Two bills have been introduced in the 108th Congress: S. 563 (Dayton) and S. 877 (Burns). This report will be updated."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Smith, Marcia S.

  2003-04-15
• War On Drugs: Legislation in the 108th Congress and Related Developments [Updated April 14, 2003]

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  "In recent years, Congress has taken an increasingly punitive stance toward drug addicts and casual users alike. A different approach has been taken by certain countries in Europe and elsewhere that are experimenting with less restrictive policies such as decriminalization and 'harm reduction' programs. The 108th Congress will receive strong encouragement from the Executive Branch to continue on its current path. [...] Other drug control issues likely to be taken up in the first session include the drug control budget for FY2004 and nomination of a new administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) due to the confirmation of the current administrator as Under-Secretary in the new Department of Homeland Security."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Eddy, Mark

  2003-04-14
• Iraq: U.S. Military Operations [Updated April 14, 2003]

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  "Iraq's chemical, biological, and nuclear weapons programs, together with Iraqi long-range missile development and support for terrorism, are the primary justifications put forward for military action. On March 17, 2003 President Bush issued an ultimatum demanding that Saddam Hussein and his sons depart from Iraq within 48 hours. On March 19, offensive operations began with air strikes against Iraqi leadership positions. As of April 13, after 25 days of operations, coalition forces are in relative control of all major Iraqi cities. Iraqi political and military leadership has disintegrated, though few of these officials have been captured Though sporadic firefights continue, the major challenge to coalition forces is now the restoration of civil order and the provision of basic services to the urban population. As the U.S. ground offensive approached Baghdad, DOD civilian leadership came under criticism for not permitting the deployment of sufficient U.S. ground forces to maintain the offensive, protect lines of supply, and secure rear areas where sporadic Iraqi resistance continues. With the fall of Baghdad, Mosul, and Kirkuk, this criticism has been muted. There has been no use of chemical or biological (CB) weapons, and no confirmed CB weapons caches have been found."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Bowman, Steve

  2003-04-14
• Russia [Updated April 14, 2003]

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  "Vladimir Putin, catapulted into the Kremlin by Boris Yeltsin's resignation, was elected President on March 26, 2000 by a solid majority that embraced his military campaign in Chechnya. Parties backing Putin did well in the December 1999 Duma election, giving Putin a stable parliamentary majority as well. Putin's top priority is to revive the economy and integrate Russia into the global marketplace. He has also strengthened the central government vis-a-vis the regions and brought TV and radio under tighter state control. Federal forces have suppressed large-scale military resistance in Chechnya but face the prospect of prolonged guerilla warfare. The economic upturn that began in 1999 is continuing. The GDP [Gross Domestic Product] and domestic investment are growing after a decade-long decline, inflation is contained, the budget is balanced, and the ruble is stable. Major problems remain: one fourth of the population live below the official poverty line, foreign investment is very low, crime, corruption, capital flight, and unemployment remain high. Putin appears to seek simultaneously to tighten political control and introduce economic reforms."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Goldman, Stuart D. (Stuart Douglas), 1943-

  2003-04-14
• Terrorism, the Future, and U.S. Foreign Policy [April 11, 2003]

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  "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. […]The Department of State's 'Annual Patterns of Global Terrorism', 2002 report is expected to be released at the end of April. The annual report to Congress provides a snapshot of international terrorism related activity and trends during the previous calendar year as well as background on terrorist organizations and the terrorism situation in various countries. The report is also expected to describe efforts to counter Al Qaeda and other international terrorist groups as well as the U.S. efforts to respond to state sponsors of terrorism. In a meeting with reporters on April 9, Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge expressed concern over the danger of surface to air missiles to commercial aviation and suggested the federal government may have to pay for the installation of anti-missile devises on commercial aircraft.. The Secretary's remarks come in the wake of rising calls for stricter international efforts aimed at regulation and accountability of 'shoulder fired' missiles, of which as many as 700,000 may exist. (See CRS [Congressional Research Service] Report RL31741.)"

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Perl, Raphael

  2003-04-11
• Syria: U.S. Relations and Bilateral Issues [Updated April 11, 2003]

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  "U.S.-Syrian relations, frequently strained by longstanding disagreements over regional and international policy, have warmed somewhat as a result of several developments: the collapse of the Soviet Union, Syria's participation in the allied coalition against Iraq in 1990-91, and Syrian agreement to participate in Arab-Israeli peace talks. This thaw in bilateral relations led some Members of Congress to inquire whether U.S. Administrations had made any private commitments to Syria, such as an undertaking to relax economic sanctions, in return for Syrian support on regional issues. Several legislative proposals have sought to condition relaxation of aid and trade restrictions on further changes in Syrian policy. Recent U.S. Administrations, though not inclined to lift sanctions on Syria at this time, tend to believe it is in U.S. interests to encourage Syria to play a positive role in the Arab-Israeli peace process. The issue for U.S. policy makers is the degree to which the United States should work for better relations with Syria in an effort to enlist Syrian cooperation on regional issues."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Prados, Alfred B.

  2003-04-11
• Africa: U.S. Foreign Assistance Issues [Updated April 11, 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 April 1, 2003, the House Committee on International Relations held a hearing on the U.S. response to famines in East Africa. Andrew Natsios, Administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), testified that over the next five years, his agency would be 'renewing its leadership in agricultural development assistance.' In March 2003, USAID issued fact sheets detailing U.S. emergency assistance being provided in response to droughts in Ethiopia and Eritrea; the food security crisis, partly related to HIV/AIDS, in southern Africa; and a complex emergency in Burundi involving ethnic strife and food shortages."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Copson, Raymond W.

  2003-04-11
• U.S. Use of Preemptive Military Force [Updated April 11, 2003]

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  From the Summary: "This report reviews the historical record regarding the uses of U.S. military force in a "preemptive" manner, an issue that emerged during public debates prior to the use of U.S. military force against Iraq in 2003. It examines and comments on military actions taken by the United States that could be reasonably interpreted as preemptive in nature. For purposes of this analysis a preemptive use of military force is considered to be the taking of military action by the United States against another nation so as to prevent or mitigate a presumed imminent military attack or use of force by that nation against the United States. The deployment of U.S. military forces in support of U.S. foreign policy, without their engaging in combat, is not deemed to be a preemptive use of military force. This review includes all noteworthy uses of military force by the United States since the establishment of the Republic. A listing of such instances can be found in CRS [Congressional Research Service] Report RL30172, Instances of Use of United States Armed Forces Abroad, 1798-2001. For an analysis of international law and preemptive force see CRS Report RS21314, International Law and the Preemptive Use of Force Against Iraq. This report will be updated if significant events warrant."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Grimmett, Richard F.

  2003-04-11
• Homeland Security Act of 2002: Legislative History and Pagination Key [Updated April 11, 2003]

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  "President George W. Bush, on November 25, 2002, signed the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (P.L. 107-296). On November 22, 2002, Congress completed its action on the proposal to establish a Department of Homeland Security when the House agreed to the amendment to H.R. 5005, as passed by the Senate on November 19, 2002. H.R. 5005, as amended, passed the House on July 26, 2002. H.R. 5710, an expanded proposal, was introduced November 13, 2002 and passed the House, with one amendment, the same day. An amendment (S.Amdt. 4901) identical to H.R. 5710 was offered in the Senate to H.R. 5005 on November 13. On November 19, 2002, the Senate adopted that amendment and passed H.R. 5005. This report presents an abbreviated legislative history of the Homeland Security Act of 2002, providing information on the sequence of events leading up to passage and references to related legislative proposals. A pagination key is provided. The pagination is based on the text of P.L. 107- 296, as published by the Government Printing Office. It can be referenced under H.R. 5005, as enacted (enrolled version), accessible on the Legislative Information System (LIS) at [http://www.congress.gov]. Also available at that site is a link to the CRS Web page, which links to CRS Current Legislative Issues and the Homeland Security topic."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Gressle, Sharon S.

  2003-04-11
• International Law and the Preemptive Use of Force Against Iraq [Updated April 11, 2003]

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  "On March 19, 2003, the United States, aided by Great Britain and Australia, initiated a military invasion of Iraq. Both the U.S. and Great Britain contended that they had sufficient legal authority to use force against Iraq pursuant to Security Council resolutions adopted in 1990 and 1991. But President Bush also contended that, given the 'nature and type of threat posed by Iraq,' the U.S. had a legal right to use force 'in the exercise of its inherent right of self defense, recognized in Article 51 of the UN Charter.' Given that the U.S. had not previously been attacked by Iraq, that contention raised questions about the permissible scope of the preemptive use of force under international law. This report examines that issue as it has developed in customary international law and under the United Nations Charter. It will be updated as events warrant. (For historical information on the preemptive use of force by the U.S., see CRS Report RS21311, 'U.S. Use of Preemptive Military Force'.)"

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Ackerman, David M.

  2003-04-11
• Budget for Fiscal Year 2004 [April 10, 2003]

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  "The President's fiscal year (FY) 2004 budget includes a deficit of $307 billion (an estimated 2.7% of gross domestic product, GDP). Under the President's proposals and estimates, the deficit shrinks through FY2008, the last year of the Administration's estimates, when it will reach $190 billion (1.4% of GDP). The proposals call for speeding up and making permanent many of the tax cuts enacted over the last two years, along with tax changes for economic stimulus, tax incentives, and expiring tax provisions. The tax proposals would reduce taxes an estimated $493 billion between FY2004 and FY2008 and by $1,461 billion between FY2004 and FY2013. The President would increase spending in some areas (health) and reduce it in others (natural resources and environment). Overall, the proposals reduce outlays -- when measured against the baseline estimates -- by $40 billion in FY2004 and by $529 billion over the five years. Even with these changes from baseline levels, both total receipts and total outlays would be larger in FY2004 than they are estimated to be in FY2003, and larger in FY2008 than in FY2004."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Winters, Philip D.

  2003-04-10
• Middle East Peace Talks [Updated April 10, 2003]

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  "The end of the Cold War, the decline of the Soviet Union, and the U.S.-led victory in the Gulf war facilitated the beginning of a new peace process in 1991. Israel and the Palestinians discussed a 5-year period of interim self-rule leading to a final settlement. Israel and Syria discussed Israeli withdrawal from the Golan Heights in exchange for peace. Israel and Jordan discussed relations. Israel and Lebanon focused on Israel' s withdrawal from its self-declared security zone in south Lebanon and reciprocal Lebanese actions. On September 13, 1993, Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) signed a Declaration of Principles (DOP), providing for Palestinian empowerment and some territorial control. Israel and Jordan signed a peace treaty agenda on September 14, 1993; Prime Minister Rabin and King Hussein affirmed the end of the state of belligerency between Israel and Jordan on July 25; a Peace Treaty was signed on October 26, 1994. Israel and the Palestinians signed an Interim Self-Rule in the West Bank/Oslo II accord on September 28, 1995. Israel continued implementing it despite the November 4 assassination of Prime Minister Rabin. Israel suspended talks with Syria after terror attacks in February/March 1996. They resumed in December 1999, but were 'postponed indefinitely' after January 2000. A January 1997 protocol produced Israeli redeployment from Hebron. An October 15-23, 1998, summit resulted in the Wye River Memorandum on implementation of earlier agreements. The Israeli cabinet froze implementation on December 20. 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 held 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. On December 23, President Clinton presented bridging proposals."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Migdalovitz, Carol

  2003-04-10
• Senate Consideration of Treaties [Updated April 10, 2003]

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  "The consideration of treaties and nominations constitutes the executive business of the Senate. When the President submits a treaty to the Senate, the treaty and any supporting materials are referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. Paragraph 3 of Senate Rule XXIX requires that all treaties and 'all remarks, votes, and proceedings thereon shall also be kept secret, until the Senate shall, by their resolution, take off the injunction of secrecy.' At the time the treaty is referred to committee, the Senate typically agrees by unanimous consent to remove the 'injunction of secrecy.' Treaties, unlike bills and other legislative measures, may remain before the Senate from one Congress to the next. Paragraph 2 of Rule XXX states in part that 'all proceedings on treaties shall terminate with the Congress, and they shall be resumed at the commencement of the next Congress as if no proceedings had previously been had thereon.' Thus, if the Foreign Relations Committee fails to report a treaty before the end of a Congress, the treaty remains on the committee calendar during the next Congress. If the committee has reported a treaty but the Senate has not completed floor consideration of it when the Congress ends, the treaty is recommitted to the committee, and the committee must report it again before the Senate may consider it on the floor."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Rundquist, Paul S.; Bach, Stanley

  2003-04-10
• Sri Lanka: Background and U.S. Relations [Updated April 9, 2003]

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  "This report provides historical, political, and economic background on Sri Lanka and examines U.S.-Sri Lankan relations and policy concerns. Congressional interest in Sri Lanka focuses on the current peace process that seeks to end a two-decade-old civil war, terrorist activity, human rights, and U.S. appropriations for food, economic, and military assistance."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Kronstadt, K. Alan

  2003-04-09
• Critical Infrastructures: Background, Policy, and Implementation [Updated April 9, 2003]

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  "The nations health, wealth, and security rely on the production and distribution of certain goods and services. The array of physical assets, processes and organizations across which these goods and services move are called critical infrastructures (e.g. electricity, the power plants that generate it, and the electric grid upon which it is distributed). Computers and communications, themselves critical infrastructures, are increasingly tying these infrastructures together. There has been growing concern that this reliance on computers and computer networks raises the vulnerability of the nations critical infrastructures to 'cyber' attacks. In May 1998, President Clinton released Presidential Decision Directive No. 63. The Directive set up groups within the federal government to develop and implement plans that would protect government-operated infrastructures and called for a dialogue between government and the private sector to develop a National Infrastructure Assurance Plan that would protect all of the nations critical infrastructures by the year 2003. While the Directive called for both physical and cyber protection from both man-made and natural events, implementation focused on cyber protection against man-made cyber events (i.e. computer hackers). However, given the physical damage caused by the September 11 attacks and the subsequent impact on the communications, finance, and transportation services, physical protections of critical infrastructures is receiving greater attention."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Moteff, John D.

  2003-04-09
• Abu Sayyaf: Target of Philippine-U.S. Anti-Terrorism Cooperation [Updated April 8, 2003]

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  "This report provides an overview and policy analysis of the Abu Sayyaf terrorist group in the Philippines and the Philippine-U.S. program of military cooperation against it. It examines the origins and operations of Abu Sayyaf, the efforts of the Philippine government and military to eliminate it, and the implications of a greater U.S. military role in attempts to suppress it."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Niksch, Larry A.

  2003-04-08
• India-U.S. Relations [Updated April 8, 2003]

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  "Although the end of the cold war freed India-U.S. relations from the constraints of global bipolarity, New Delhi-Washington relations continued for a decade to be affected by the burden of history, most notably the longstanding India-Pakistan rivalry. Recent years, however, have witnessed a sea change in bilateral relations, with more positive interactions becoming the norm. India's swift offer of full support for U.S.-led anti-terrorism operations after the September 2001 attacks on the United States is widely viewed as reflective of such change. Continuing U.S. concern in South Asia focuses especially on the historic and ongoing tensions between nuclear-armed India and Pakistan, tensions rooted in unfinished business from the 1947 Partition, and competing claims to the former princely state of Kashmir. The United States also seeks to prevent the regional proliferation of nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles. Both India and Pakistan have so far resisted U.S. and international pressure to sign the major international nonproliferation treaties."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Kronstadt, K. Alan

  2003-04-08
• China and Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction and Missiles: Policy Issues [Updated April 5, 2005]

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  From the Summary: "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. This CRS [Congressional Research Service] Report 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. A table summarizes the U.S. sanctions imposed on PRC entities for weapons proliferation. This CRS Report will be updated as warranted. Since 1991, China has taken some steps to mollify concerns about its role in weapons proliferation. Nonetheless, supplies from China have aggravated trends that result in ambiguous technical aid, more indigenous capabilities, longer range missiles, and secondary (retransferred) proliferation. As the Director of Central Intelligence (DCI) has reported, China remains a 'key supplier' of weapons technology -- particularly missile or chemical technology."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Kan, Shirley

  2003-04-05
• War On Drugs: Legislation in the 108th Congress and Related Developments [Updated April 4, 2003]

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  "In recent years, Congress has taken an increasingly punitive stance toward drug addicts and casual users alike. A different approach has been taken by certain countries in Europe and elsewhere that are experimenting with less restrictive policies such as decriminalization and 'harm reduction' programs. The 108th Congress will receive strong encouragement from the Executive Branch to continue on its current path. [...] Other drug control issues likely to be taken up in the first session include: the drug control budget for FY2004; nomination of a new administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) due to the confirmation of the current administrator as Under-Secretary in the new Department of Homeland Security; and further measures to control the use of MDMA (Ecstasy) and other so-called 'club drugs.'"

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Eddy, Mark

  2003-04-04