- TXT
-
PDF
(PDF provides a complete and accurate display of this text.)
Tip
?
104th Congress Report
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
2d Session 104-600
_______________________________________________________________________
FOREIGN OPERATIONS, EXPORT FINANCING, AND RELATED PROGRAMS
APPROPRIATIONS BILL, 1997
_______
May 29,1996.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the
State of the Union and ordered to be printed
_______________________________________________________________________
Mr. Callahan, from the Committee on Appropriations, submitted the
following
R E P O R T
[To accompany H.R. 3540]
The Committee on Appropriations submits the following
report in explanation of the accompanying bill making
appropriations for Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and
Related Programs, and for sundry independent agencies and
corporations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1997, and
for other purposes.
INDEX TO BILL AND REPORT
_______________________________________________________________________
Page
Bill Report
Summary of bill
Foreign Assistance in a Changing World.............
3
Committee Recommendations..................................
7
Title I--Export and Investment Assistance:
Export-Import Bank of the United States............ 2
9
Overseas Private Investment Corporation............ 4
9
Trade and Development Agency....................... 6
10
Title II--Bilateral Economic Assistance:
Child Survival and Disease Programs Fund........... 6
11
Development Assistance............................. 7
11
Development Fund for Africa........................
23
International Disaster Assistance.................. 10
23
Debt Restructuring................................. 11
24
Micro and Small Enterprise Development Program..... 11
25
Housing and Other Credit Guaranty Program.......... 12
25
Payment to the Foreign Service Retirement and
Disability Fund................................ 13
26
AID Operating Expenses............................. 13
26
Operating Expenses of the Agency for International
Development--Office of the Inspector General... 14
26
Economic Support Fund.............................. 15
27
International Fund for Ireland..................... 15
30
Assistance for Eastern Europe and the Baltics...... 15
31
Assistance for the New Independent States of the
Former Soviet Union............................ 17
32
Independent Agencies:
African Development Foundation..................... 22
36
Inter-American Foundation.......................... 23
36
Peace Corps........................................ 23
36
State Department:
International Narcotics Control.................... 24
37
Migration and Refugee Assistance................... 24
37
Refugee Resettlement Assistance.................... 25
39
Emergency Refugee and Migration Assistance Fund.... 25
39
Nonproliferation and Disarmament Fund..............
39
Nonproliferation, Anti-terrorism, Demining and
Related Programs............................... 26
40
Title III--Military Assistance:
International Military Education and Training...... 27
42
Foreign Military Financing Program................. 28
43
Special Defense Acquisition Fund...................
46
Peacekeeping Operations............................ 31
47
Title IV--Multilateral Economic Assistance:
International Financial Institutions Summary.......
47
International Bank for Reconstruction and
Development (IBRD)............................. 32
48
Global Environment Fund............................ 32
48
International Finance Corporation (IFC)............ 33
50
International Development Association (IDA)........
49
Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).............. 33
51
Multilateral Investment Fund....................... 34
51
Asian Development Bank (ADB)....................... 34
51
Asian Development Fund (ADF)....................... 34
52
African Development Fund (AFDF)....................
52
European Bank for Reconstruction and Development
(EBRD)......................................... 35
53
North American Development Bank (NADBank).......... 35
53
Bank for Economic Cooperation and Development in
the Middle East and North Africa...............
54
Enhanced Structural Adjustment Facility............
54
Department of State:
International Organizations and Programs........... 36
54
Title V--General Provisions................................ 37
55
Miscellaneous Information:
Comparison with budget resolution..................
61
Five-year projection of outlays....................
61
Assistance to State and local governments..........
62
Inflationary impact statement......................
62
Changes in the application of existing law.........
62
Compliance with rule XIII--clause 3................
67
Summary of the Bill
The Committee has recommended foreign assistance and export
financing funding at a level that is $1,003,740,100 below the
Administration's fiscal year 1997 request in discretionary
budget authority. The resulting total of $11,949,743,710 in
discretionary appropriations is needed to meet the essential
requirements of the United States and its President in
conducting foreign policy and meeting urgent humanitarian needs
abroad.
The bill is $256,290 below the Committee's fiscal year 1997
602(b) allocation for discretionary budget authority, and
consumes almost all of its allocation for outlays.
Foreign Assistance in a Changing World
continued retooling and restructuring of foreign aid
The Committee notes that revolutionary changes continue to
sweep the globe, as they have since 1989. The demise of
communism now appears less final than once thought, and the
broad collapse of authoritarianism continues to be resisted in
China and Vietnam. Other developments are more welcome. The
trend toward democracy continues in Latin America and Africa,
with some notable exceptions, such as Cuba. The intellectual
victory of the free market system is tempered by local
experience and the sometimes absence of the responsible self-
restraint that sustained capitalism during most of this
century.
The Committee continues to believe that these changes
mandate a full review of America's foreign policy priorities
and a complementary retooling and restructuring of the
principal instruments of this policy. That has not happened,
although the International Relations Committee and Secretary of
State have attempted to begin this process.
The Committee notes, as it did last year, that the
necessity to balance the federal budget by 2002 adds an
additional imperative--the need to review the foreign
operations budget with a careful eye to ensuring the most cost-
effective use of these increasingly scarce dollars. The
Committee further notes that while this year's bill continues
this review, it by no means finishes it. The road ahead will be
an arduous one and the decisions facing the Committee will be
increasingly difficult, particularly if mandatory programs
continue to evade scrutiny. Our actions in the area of foreign
assistance are perhaps unique in that they directly affect not
only the lives and security of all Americans but also that of
billions of less fortunate human beings around the world.
the private sector roads to development: promoting durable economic
growth
The Committee notes that today the old fashioned models of
state-led development have been abandoned in much of Asia and
Latin America, and are faltering in Africa. Now, after years of
mixed signals, the World Bank looks to private investment as a
key to economic growth in poorer nations. The Committee
believes that genuine and sustainable development will be
promoted far faster by the example and investment of real
entrepreneurs than through the advice of development
consultants or international conferences.
The Committee further notes that private infrastructure
projects in areas such as energy and telecommunications are the
fastest growing sector of American business abroad. At the same
time, the Committee highlights the fact that these are the very
same areas of investment so coveted by underdeveloped countries
because they form the essential underpinnings of any developed
economy. Furthermore, the scale and scope of these projects are
measured not in millions of dollars but rather in billions of
dollars. It is obvious to the Committee that U.S. bilateral
assistance will never be able to provide the resources
necessary to sustain these critical building blocks for 21st
century economies. The price is simply too high. The Committee
expects that American business, working in cooperation with the
government, can generate the expertise and dollars to make this
kind of broad-based economic growth a reality. Furthermore, the
Committee notes that this investment is a critical action
forcing event which compels developing countries to adopt free
market reforms in order to assure investor confidence; changes
which are absolutely critical if these nations are to
dramatically raise the living standards of their citizens.
The Committee is convinced that if American companies are
to help serve as the accelerators of development growth in the
developing world, then the United States government must be a
part of this effort. The Committee would note that these mega-
projects in the developing world involve a mix of private
equity and financing plus insurance and guarantees from federal
agencies. But neither the traditional exporters of manufactured
goods nor the private infrastructure companies can compete
overseas without limited support from the Overseas Private
Investment Corporation (OPIC) and the Export-Import Bank.
The Committee also notes that there are many near-term
problems facing the developing world which still require
immediate direct intervention and assistance by the United
States through its more traditional humanitarian aid programs.
But even here the Committee knows the help of the private
sector, particularly private voluntary organizations, is
essential. Furthermore, the Committee has not changed its view
that the United States must continue to provide substantial
assistance to the world's most needy, particularly its
children. The Committee believes this must be one of its
highest priorities.
making children a priority
The Committee strongly believes that even while the overall
budget continues to be restricted, there is one priority which
must remain unshaken and that is the Committee's commitment to
helping the world's neediest citizens, its children. The
Committee firmly believes that child survival must not be
threatened even as other parts of the foreign assistance budget
are being significantly reduced. As a result, for a second
year, funding levels for child survival and efforts to combat
infectious diseases are increased over the prior year's level.
Equally important, the Committee is again recommending a
separate account for these activities, the Child Survival and
Disease Programs Fund. This special account, which includes
basic education for children, will be funded at $600,000,000 in
fiscal year 1997. The Committee's action focuses these valuable
resources on a singular priority, one which enjoys the support
of all Americans, ensuring child survival.
foreign aid in a time of transition
The Committee is committed to three broad-based development
goals: assistance that; (1) is focused on the private sector;
(2) supports privatization and the enhancement of market-based
economies; and, (3) directly supports child welfare, education,
nutrition, and other humanitarian needs. At the same time, the
Committee is convinced that the United States cannot support
development assistance in every country that believes it has a
claim to such assistance. The Committee commends AID for taking
the initiative to withdraw from certain countries that have
sufficient resources and support from other developed nations.
The Committee also believes AID, in consultation with Congress,
must continue the process of withdrawing fully staffed missions
from countries that have either advanced beyond the need for
such assistance or refused to participate in market-based
solutions to their problems.
sustaining the middle east peace process
The Committee notes that since 1985 United States taxpayers
have committed at least $5.1 billion each year to our Camp
David peace partners, Israel and Egypt. This investment
reflects the Committee's ongoing commitment to these nations.
The Committee also believes it has proven critical in fostering
peace and security in the region. The Committee notes that the
Gulf conflict in 1990 and 1991 illustrated dramatically how
potentially volatile this region remains. The Committee
strongly believes that the United States' active involvement
and leadership in the Middle East remains critical to
maintaining the peace in this important strategic region. It
does not believe that Middle East peace requirements can be
permitted to crowd out all other foreign policy and
humanitarian programs.
The Committee's actions in this bill continue its tradition
of strong support for Israel and the success of the Middle East
peace process. The Committee supports the Administration's full
request for $1.8 billion for military assistance and $1.2
billion for economic assistance for fiscal year 1997. The
Committee stresses that Israel remains a key friend and ally in
the Middle East and its unremitting resolve to achieve peaceful
agreements with the Palestinians and its Arab neighbors
warrants the United States' continued strong support.
The Committee reaffirms its strong support for Egypt and
recommends that Egypt receive the full Administration request
of $1.3 billion for military assistance and $815 million in
economic assistance. Egypt plays a critical role in the Middle
East and remains a major contributor to the peace process.
helping the survivors of communism in russia and elsewhere
The Committee notes that bipartisan support for aid to
Russia enabled President Clinton to gain approval of a $2.5
billion package of aid in 1993. The Committee is disappointed
to note that while our aid program was an important recognition
of the historic changes that had occurred in Russia, there is
insufficient evidence to date to suggest that it has had a far-
reaching and positive effect on Russia's transition toward a
free-market democracy. Indeed, some Russians assert that it
derailed that transition. Furthermore, on the eve of critical
elections in Russia, tensions in our bilateral relations are of
great concern to the Committee.
Nonetheless, the Committee is convinced that our relations
with Russia, Ukraine, and the nations of the Caucasus remain
important. At the same time, it is clear to the Committee that
it cannot indefinitely sustain the level of funding currently
provided to Russia, nor should it. The Committee believes that
United States assistance is of limited importance in
determining Russia's destiny. More than many realized in 1993,
Russia's future is in its own hands. Using the backlog of
appropriations from the 1994, 1995 and 1996 appropriations
acts, combined with the smaller amount of funds appropriated in
this Act, the Committee recommends a smaller program of
assistance, limited to the people and regions of Russia willing
to encourage Russian democrats and entrepreneurs, that will
best serve American national interests.
The Committee notes that other survivors of communism in
Central and Eastern Europe are beginning to realize success in
capitalism, and our aid programs are closing in Estonia and the
Czech Republic. The major recipient of aid in the region this
year is Bosnia, for which $200 million is requested. As a
result, the Committee recommendation for the region remains
higher than anticipated last year prior to the Dayton Accords.
supporting common security and international military cooperation
The Committee notes that grant military assistance to our
friends and allies has declined significantly over the past
decade, reaching $3.151 billion in fiscal year 1995. Of this
amount, Israel and Egypt accounted for $3.1 billion. Given the
importance of maintaining our military aid commitments to
Israel and Egypt while at the same time revitalizing the other
elements of this program, the Committee expresses its continued
support for security assistance as an important contribution to
ensuring America's national security interests, particularly in
strategic regions like the Middle East.
The Committee also supports the President's request for
funding for the Warsaw Initiative. As the Committee noted
earlier, helping the survivors of communism through this
critical transition period remains a high priority for the
Committee. The Committee continues to strongly support the
President's request to help the Central and East European
states develop the means to participate productively in the
European security environment.
helping the survivors of natural and man-made disasters
The Committee notes that humanitarian, disaster, and
refugee assistance enjoy the strong support of a generous
American people. The Committee has supported the President's
budget request for each of these areas in the past, and
continues to view these areas as high priorities.
The separate international disaster assistance program was
funded at a level of $181 million in fiscal year 1996. However,
the Committee sees little prospect that this program can be
reduced significantly in the near term. Therefore, the
Committee recommendation provides the full request of $190
million in fiscal year 1997 for this critical program and its
lifesaving humanitarian activities. The Committee also notes
that man-made disasters continue to ravage many countries and
the human toll often dwarfs that of natural disasters.
Continued Participation in International Organizations that Serve
American Interests
The Committee believes the United States can utilize
international organizations such as the United Nations to
further American interests. But at the same time, the Committee
notes that the budget realities, dictated by the Congress'
commitment to a balanced budget, forces the Committee to make
difficult choices. It is the view of the Committee that
administrative costs in New York, Geneva, and Vienna should be
a lower priority than those international programs that deal
directly with the pressing needs of the world's less fortunate
people.
The Committee also notes that a number of international
organizations already have proven track records of directly and
indirectly promoting our national interests. As a result, the
Committee believes that funding should be preserved for
organizations such as the International Atomic Energy Agency,
the World Meteorological Organization and others.
Looking to the Future
The Committee is encouraged that in the first session, this
Congress began to link foreign aid objectives to resources, and
resources to policy. The Committee remains convinced that the
United States can lead with fewer resources than were needed a
decade ago. The Committee strongly believes that no price tag
need be placed on leadership. Money matters in foreign policy,
to be sure, but not nearly as much as consistent policy and
constantly engaged leaders.
As noted earlier, the Committee notes that the budgetary
resources for foreign aid are already extremely limited and are
likely to be even more so in the future. From the Committee's
perspective, this simply means it is now more imperative than
ever that the Committee forge a strong bipartisan consensus
which will shape how scarce resources can be most effectively
used to help the world's less fortunate achieve the same level
of prosperity and opportunity presently enjoyed by all
Americans. Last year this bill received broad bipartisan
support (although every member had strong reservations about
individual items). This bill marks an essential second step in
that direction.
Committee Recommendations
For export and investment assistance programs the Committee
has recommended a gross total of $913,614,000, which is
partially offset by collections of $282,000,000. The subsidy
appropriation for the Export Import Bank is $726,000,000 and
the Trade and Development Agency is funded at $38,000,000. The
Committee has provided $102,000,000 for the Overseas Private
Investment Corporation.
The Committee has recommended $800,529,710 of the
$1,425,568,810 requested for the international financial
institutions. The overall reduction is $632,039,100 below this
year's request.
For development assistance, the Committee has recommended a
total of $1,958,500,000 of which $600,000,000 is for child
survival and disease prevention programs. Another
$1,150,000,000 is for longer-term development assistance. The
Committee has also included $190,000,000 for disasters
worldwide. Much of all three categories of assistance is likely
to be used in Africa, but the Committee did not provide a
specific regional earmark. The Committee has included
$10,000,000 for debt restructuring for poor countries, with
authority to transfer another $12,000,000 from other
development assistance programs.
The Committee has established a new account for child
survival and disease programs. It is designed to ensure that
there will not be reductions in these vital programs as the
overall bilateral assistance program is constrained. The
emphasis is on programs that directly affect younger children,
including basic education, and on accelerating efforts to
eradicate diseases that threaten younger children and
caregivers alike. The account does not include population
funding which will be funded through the development assistance
account. It does provide for a grant to UNICEF at the current
level of $100,000,000, rejecting the requested reduction of
$10,000,000.
The Committee has included a total of $590,000,000 in
assistance to the new independent states of the former Soviet
Union, and $475,000,000 for Eastern Europe and the Baltics.
The Committee has recommended a total of $705,000,000 for
refugee programs.
For economic assistance under the Economic Support Fund,
the Committee has recommended a total of $2,336,000,000.
The Committee has recommended $135,000,000 for a new
Nonproliferation, Anti-terrorism and Demining account which
includes funding for the Non-proliferation and Disarmament
Fund, anti-terrorism assistance, demining activities, United
States participation in the Korean Energy Development
Organization (KEDO), and the U.S. voluntary contribution to the
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). This change
eliminates two existing accounts (Anti-terrorism and the
Nonproliferation and Disarmament Fund) and combines these
activities with similar nonproliferation and anti-terrorism
activities currently funded in the IO&P and FMF accounts. It
also includes the recent budget amendment of $50,000,000 for
counterterrorism assistance to Israel. The resulting single
budget account will provide improved flexibility and
accountability for the administration in implementing these
important priorities.
For Foreign Military Financing, the Committee has
recommended a grant program of $3,222,250,000 and a loan
subsidy appropriation of $35,000,000. The FMF loan value
supported by the loan subsidy appropriation is limited to
$323,815,000.
TITLE I--EXPORT AND INVESTMENT ASSISTANCE
Export-Import Bank of the United States
subsidy appropriation
Fiscal year 1996 level.................................. $744,551,000
Fiscal year 1997 request................................ 736,551,000
Committee recommendation................................ 726,000,000
administrative expenses
Fiscal year 1996 level.................................. $45,614,000
Fiscal year 1997 request................................ 47,614,000
Committee recommendation................................ 47,614,000
The Committee has recommended a subsidy appropriation for
the Export-Import Bank of $726,000,000 and an appropriation of
$47,614,000 for administrative expenses. The latter increase is
needed to support the Export-Import Bank's increased activities
involving small businesses and project finance, both of which
require more staff resources than traditional Eximbank lending
sectors.
The Committee has continued prior year language limiting
the export of nuclear technology or fuel to certain countries.
The Committee has included language making possible Export-
Import Bank activity in Eastern Europe and the Baltics, and the
Committee has required the notification of all tied-aid or
mixed credit financing by the Bank.
The Committee provided for the request level of $50,000,000
for a tied-aid ``war chest'', a reduction of $50,000,000 from
its 1996 capitalization. These funds, if not used for tied-aid
purposes, may be used to support loans. The war chest has
largely served its purpose of countering predatory finance
offers by other nations at less cost than expected. At present,
it is expected to continue to be effective with the recommended
appropriation. If more funds are needed for the war chest, the
Committee will promptly consider any additional requests from
the President.
With the budgetary outlook indicating the Committee will be
hard pressed to sustain appropriations for the Eximbank at
current levels in future years, the Bank management is
encouraged once again to begin consulting with the Committee
regarding its plans for overcoming the likely gap between
demand and federal resources in the near future. This
consultation should begin immediately.
Overseas Private Investment Corporation
SUBSIDY APPROPRIATION
Fiscal year 1996 level.................................. $72,000,000
Fiscal year 1997 request................................ 72,000,000
Committee recommendation................................ 72,000,000
ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES
Fiscal year 1996 level.................................. $26,000,000
Fiscal year 1997 request................................ 32,000,000
Committee recommendation................................ 30,000,000
The Committee has recommended $72,000,000 for the subsidy
appropriation for the OPIC direct and guaranteed loan credit
programs and has recommended $30,000,000 for operating
expenses. Although the subsidy appropriation is the same as
last year and the request for 1997, the Committee is unable to
recommend the requested 23 percent increase in administrative
expenses.
The Committee has continued prior year language required by
the Federal Credit Reform Act and addressing representation
expenses and availability of funds.
The Committee recognizes the ongoing public debate about
the future of elements of the export and investment assistance
programs funded in title I. Although the Committee recommends
no immediate change in the status of the affected agencies, it
notes that the Overseas Private Investment Corporation did
comply with the Committee's directive to report to it on the
viability of a privatization program for OPIC's insurance
programs. The report went beyond the Committee's directive to
include all OPIC operations, concluding that a one-time
negative budgetary impact would likely result from complete
privatization.
OPIC and the Export-Import Bank continue to be vital
supports for the export sectors which sustain America's current
economic growth, but both institutions should focus on
activities that cannot be undertaken by the private sector.
Trade and Development Agency
Fiscal year 1996 level.................................. $40,000,000
Fiscal year 1997 request................................ 40,000,000
Committee recommendation................................ 38,000,000
The Committee has recommended funding for the Trade and
Development Agency at the level of $38,000,000. This reduction
is made because of limited budgetary resources.
The Committee believes that this export agency has made
significant contributions to non-traditional American exports
in the service sectors such as consulting engineering. It is
beginning to move away from its previous status as an all-grant
agency. The Committee commends TDA for recognizing that it
needs to recoup some or all of the costs of its tax-financed
assistance, especially when large and profitable companies
benefit from TDA grants.
To assist TDA, the Committee has included bill language
which would allow it to accept reimbursements from agencies for
the costs of grants. It would also extend the availability of
funds from one to two years.
TITLE II--BILATERAL ECONOMIC ASSISTANCE
Latin America and the Caribbean
This year the Committee's highest priority in the bilateral
economic assistance title is reversing the declining percentage
of assistance provided to Latin America and the Caribbean
region. While great strides have been made to consolidate peace
and democracy in the region, and to commit to market-oriented
economic policies, nearly half of the region remains in
poverty.
Latin American and Caribbean nations will continue to need
U.S. Government engagement in policy and trade matters as well
as foreign assistance if they are to become full participants
in the proposed Free Trade Area of the Americas and consumers
of United States goods and services. Foreign aid levels
allocated to the region have dropped precipitously over the
past several years and the Committee firmly rejects the notion
that they can be reduced further in 1997.
The Committee has included a general provision (section
561) providing for the equitable allocation of development and
economic support fund assistance among nations of the Caribbean
and Latin America. This will prevent the over-concentration of
resources on a crisis country such as Haiti or El Salvador, at
the expense of continuing programs in other countries.
Funds Appropriated to the President
Agency for International Development
Development Assistance
The Committee, in order to give the President more
flexibility, has recommended funding two accounts for
development assistance programs currently administered by the
Agency for International Development. The bill provides for an
overall Development assistance account and an account for child
survival, children's basic education, and disease prevention
and treatment activities.
The President's budget request for bilateral development
assistance totals $1,960,000,000. The total Committee
recommendation is $1,958,500,000, or $1,500,000 below the
request. However, the Committee recommendation includes
$100,000,000 in funding for a grant to the United Nations
Children's Fund (UNICEF) that in the past has been appropriated
in ``International Organizations and Programs'' in title IV.
Therefore, on a comparable basis the Committee
recommendation is $101,500,000 below the budget request for
development assistance, a reduction of approximately five
percent. On the same basis, the recommendation reflects a
reduction of one percent from the fiscal year 1996 enacted
level.
Child Survival and Disease Programs Fund
Fiscal year 1996 level.................................. $0
Fiscal year 1997 request................................ 0
Committee recommendation................................ 600,000,000
The Committee has recommended $600,000,000 for a new
account, ``Child Survival and Disease Programs Fund''. It
includes bilateral programs intended to reduce infant mortality
and improve the health and nutrition of children, especially in
the poorest nations, as well as an increase of $27,000,000 for
targeted global programs to end infectious diseases such as
polio, tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS and measles. It also includes
$100,000,000 for the annual United States contribution to the
United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), as well as funding for
children's basic education at not to exceed $98,000,000.
Funding for this account is derived from child survival
programs and adult disease programs previously provided in the
Development assistance account, the Economic Support Fund
(other than Egypt), Assistance for Eastern Europe and the
Baltic States, Assistance for the New Independent States of the
Former Soviet Union, and the UNICEF portion of International
Organizations and Programs.
Funding for child survival activities, basic education, and
non-child disease programs would be allocated as follows:
Child survival.......................................... $245,000,000
Non-child diseases...................................... 157,000,000
Children's basic education.............................. 98,000,000
Grant to UNICEF......................................... 100,000,000
--------------------------------------------------------
____________________________________________________
Total in this account............................. 600,000,000
Child survival in Egypt-ESF and disaster assistance..... 55,000,000
--------------------------------------------------------
____________________________________________________
Total in all accounts............................. 655,000,000
Funds in this account may be used for activities in the New
Independent States of the Soviet Union, Eastern and Central
Europe, sub-Saharan Africa, as well as other developing
countries. Funds would not be used for noninfectious adult
diseases.
Of the funds provided in this account, $100,000,000 shall
be provided as a contribution in grant form to the United
Nations Children's Fund. However, this does not preclude the
Agency for International Development from providing additional
funding for specific UNICEF projects as may be appropriate.
The Committee supports increasing the proportion of child
survival funding allocated to United States private voluntary
organizations and indigenous non-governmental organizations.
The Committee intends that child survival funds in this
account be used for traditional child survival programs.
The total for child survival programs from all accounts
should be a minimum of $300,000,000 in fiscal year 1997.
eradication of polio
The Committee recommendation includes $25,000,000 for the
program initiated by the Committee last year to eradicate
polio. Funds should be used to provide for the delivery of
vaccines, and the development of the infrastructure necessary
to implement the program. This funding is meant to be in
addition to the resources for the regular immunization program
of the Agency for International Development and is intended to
supplement other related activities. The Committee requests a
report by December 1, 1996, on AID's plans to fully implement
this program.
vitamin a, iodine and micronutrient deficiency
The Committee supports continuation of programs for vitamin
A deficiency, iodine deficiency and other micro-nutrient
deficiencies and supports continuing these programs at the 1996
recommended level of $25,000,000.
tuberculosis
The Committee continues to be extremely concerned about the
global tuberculosis epidemic. By itself, tuberculosis is the
largest cause of death from a single infectious agent, and is
responsible for one-quarter of the preventable deaths in the
world.
The Committee notes that tuberculosis is preventable and
easily cured. Modern tuberculosis treatments are among the most
cost effective health interventions according to the World
Bank. In addition, the Committee notes that the United States
is also experiencing a deadly and costly rise in TB prevalence.
The Committee also recommends that AID strengthen its own
program related to TB and coordinate its program with AIDS and
other related programs.
AIDS prevention and control
The global HIV/AIDS pandemic is already having profound
economic, political and social consequences in many nations.
The World Health Organization (WHO) projects a doubling in
number of those infected by the year 2000, with approximately
90% of these cases occurring in the developing world. Half of
these cases are expected to occur among women under the age of
25.
The Committee supports the United States leadership in the
United Nations AIDS program and that body's effort to increase
the coordination of multilateral AIDS efforts. The Committee
urges that support be increased for the global AIDS
initiatives, specifically those that are directed toward women,
children, and youth, and vaccine and microbicide development.
Also, the Committee asks AID to examine how it can assist with
the creation of appropriate care and secondary prevention
programs in hardest hit nations.
The Committee urges the continuation of the AIDS Prevention
and Control Program and recommends that $117,500,000 be
provided through this account for these activities. Within this
level, support for non-governmental organizations and private
voluntary organizations should be given priority, particularly
those working in populations where rapid spread of HIV can
still be prevented.
displaced children
The Committee continues to support programs for displaced
children and urges the Agency for International Development to
adequately fund this program in fiscal year 1997. The Committee
urges AID to make the best effort to provide funding for the
overall program of $10,000,000.
Development assistance
Fiscal year 1996 level.................................. $1,675,000,000
Fiscal year 1997 request................................ 1,006,000,000
Committee recommendation................................ 1,150,000,000
The Committee has recommended $1,150,000,000 for a general
account for development assistance. The amount recommended is
$144,000,000 more than the amount requested by the
Administration and $525,000,000 less than the amount provided
in fiscal year 1996. Funding in this account includes
activities for agriculture, rural development, population,
adult literacy and adult basic education, environment, energy,
science and technology and other programs related to longer-
term development. However, a different mix of programs was
provided in 1996 and in the budget request which partially
explains the disparity in funding levels.
The Committee recommendation moves funding for child
survival activities and disease prevention programs from this
account to the new ``Child Survival and Disease Programs
Fund''. The Development assistance account again includes
activities that were funded in separate population and Africa
region accounts prior to 1996.
In addition, the Committee recommendation includes bill
language to provide for discretionary transfer authority to
allow up to $12,000,000 to be transferred from this account to
``Debt restructuring''. Such transfer, if proposed, would be
subject to existing reprogramming procedures.
The Committee is aware that reduced funding for
``Development assistance'' will require AID to target limited
resources more effectively. For instance, the Committee notes
that major funding is proposed for India in the 1997 budget
request. While the Committee values the relationship between
India and the United States, recent positive economic trends
suggest that the assistance program for India can be reduced
without affecting the good relations between the two countries.
restrictions on use of population funds
The Committee has continued prior year language in the bill
that requires that none of the funds appropriated in this bill
or any unobligated balances be made available to any
organization or program which, as determined by the President,
supports and participates in the management of a program of
coercive abortion or involuntary sterilization. The bill
language also states that funds cannot be used to pay for the
performance of abortions as a method of family planning or to
motivate or coerce any person to practice abortions. Further,
the language indicates that in order to reduce reliance on
abortions in developing countries, population funds shall be
available only to voluntary family planning projects which
offer, either directly or through referral, information about
access to a broad range of family planning methods and
services. An additional provision in the bill requires that in
awarding grants for natural family planning under Section 104
of the Foreign Assistance Act, no applicant shall be
discriminated against because of such applicant's religious or
conscientious commitment to offer only natural family planning.
The Committee has also continued prior year language that
states that nothing in the Development assistance account
portion of the bill is to alter any existing statutory
prohibitions against abortion which are included under section
104 of the Foreign Assistance Act. Sections 518 and 518A also
address this matter.
latin america and the caribbean
The Committee is concerned the Agency for International
Development did not adequately respond to last year's report
language urging that greater emphasis be provided for programs
in the Latin America and the Caribbean region. Therefore, the
Committee is recommending bill language to provide that funding
for this region (and for sub-Saharan Africa) should be
provided, on a proportional basis, at least at the level of the
budget request for the region. The Committee has concluded that
such language is necessary in order to establish a priority for
this important and strategic region of the world.
The regional allocations for Latin America and the
Caribbean and for sub-Saharan Africa for development assistance
should be provided consistent with the bureau allocations
identified on page 22 of the draft congressional presentation
of the Agency for International Development. In applying the
bill language, AID should not consider the grant to UNICEF
contained in the Child Survival and Disease Programs account to
be part of development assistance.
latin america and the caribbean: el salvador
The 1992 Peace Accords, negotiated with the support of the
United States, brought an end to twelve years of war in El
Salvador. The Committee believes that the ongoing
implementation of those accords is critical to post-war
development in El Salvador, and it strongly supports AID
funding related to the peace accords and the strengthening of
an accountable government. The United States has been an
important actor in the peace process and should see the process
through to completion.
The Committee recognizes and applauds the Salvadoran
government's generally successful transition from war to peace.
However, there are still aspects of the agreements that remain
incomplete. The new police force needs to be more open and
accountable. Important judicial reforms need to pass the
National Assembly. Electoral reforms agreed to by the major
political parties have not been enacted into law. In addition,
while much progress has been made in land reform, the process
of providing titles to individual property holders should
continue.
latin america and the caribbean: honduras
The current government of Honduras deserves greater
consideration in its efforts to reduce poverty, increase
economic growth, and uncover the fate of those who disappeared
during the 1980's struggle for Central America. The Committee
recommends that the United States Government direct additional
assistance and trade concessions to Honduras and make available
to civilian authorities in that country declassified documents
on the cases of the disappeared.
latin america and the caribbean: jamaica
The Committee continues to have a special interest in
Jamaica. Over the past five years, United States assistance has
helped Jamaica undertake economic reforms, implement trade
liberalization measures, improve access to health care, and
combat the illicit flow of narcotics. In each of these areas,
Jamaica has become a model of development and cooperation for
other Caribbean nations. Earlier this year, for example,
Jamaica successfully completed an IMF-sponsored reform program,
allowing it to terminate its borrowing relationship with that
institution.
The Committee is convinced that continued assistance to
Jamaica, despite the budgetary situation, through bilateral
aid, multilateral support, and debt reduction programs, will
pay demonstrable dividends to the United States. The Committee
is concerned, however, because elements of Jamaica's assistance
program were severely cut during the fiscal year 1996
reallocation process, and, consequently, are reflected in low
request levels for fiscal year 1997. Last year, in its report
accompanying this bill, the Committee expressed its strong
views that assistance to Jamaica should remain a priority. The
Committee believes AID should make every effort to provide
additional resources for Jamaica.
latin america and the caribbean: mexico
Relations between the United States and Mexico are not
directly affected by appropriations recommended in this bill,
although Mexico does benefit from funds provided indirectly,
through the World Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank,
and the International Monetary Fund. Nevertheless, the
Committee encourages the Administration to give a higher
profile to the issue of human rights in Mexico.
latin america and the caribbean: nicaragua
The completion of Nicaragua's transition from war to peace
depends on a successful election and transition in the final
months of 1996. The Committee urges the government of Nicaragua
to adhere to its electoral calendar and to carry out
scrupulously free and fair elections on schedule. In the
interim, the Committee urges Nicaragua to implement the law
passed in December 1995 to establish an impartial and
independent ombudsman office to promote human rights.-
The Committee commends AID for establishing a Sustainable
Development Scholarship Program in Nicaragua, and urges
continuing support for this project. This program will provide
scholarships for study in selected disciplines related to
Nicaragua's development needs. It received $700,000 during 1996
and is expected to receive at least the same amount during
1997.
latin america and the caribbean: guatemala
The Committee commends the government of Guatemala for its
commitment to negotiate a peaceful end to the civil war in
Guatemala. The Committee supports the work of the United
Nations Human Rights Verification mission (MINUGUA) to monitor
compliance with the March 1994 human rights accord, and urges
the government to fully comply the MINUGUA's recommendations,
especially those related to strengthening the capacity of the
criminal justice system to combat impunity.
The Committee urges the government of Guatemala to make
progress in investigating and prosecuting outstanding human
rights cases. Of particular concern are the threats and
intimidations of judges, prosecutors and witnesses in these and
other cases involving the Guatemalan military. The Committee
continues to be concerned about human rights violations
associated with the military-directed civil defense patrols and
urges the government of Guatemala to dissolve such patrols and
to prevent their conversion into military-directed ``peace and
development '' committees.
The Committee urges the Administration to expedite
declassification of U.S. documents related to major human
rights cases in Guatemala. The Committee also urges the
Administration to ensure adequate funding for peace accord
implementation once a final agreement is signed in Guatemala.
latin america and the caribbean: parks in peril
The Committee notes its strong support for the existing AID
Parks in Peril program, a partnership with the private sector
to promote biodiversity conservation in imperiled ecosystems
throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. Parks in Peril is
currently working in 28 sites in twelve different countries,
helping to protect 18,000,000 acres of land. The program has
made measurable progress in turning ``paper parks'' into
genuine protected areas with full-time personnel and long-term
management plans. Funding for this program has stimulated
significant private sector matching contributions in excess of
$5,000,000, both in the United States and overseas. The
Committee encourages this trend, as the budget situation makes
long-term federal funding problematic.
latin america and the caribbean: neotropical migratory birds
The Committee recommends that $750,000 in fiscal year 1997
be provided to the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation for
continued implementation of the Neotropical forest and
grassland migratory bird conservation initiative. The decline
in populations of Neotropical migratory birds has been linked
to habitat loss and degradation in Central America and the
Caribbean. Recent scientific evidence suggests that further
decline of these 350 species could pose significant domestic
economic and environmental problems, as these birds play a
significant role in control of forest and agricultural pests.
The Committee urges AID to make this program part of its budget
request for fiscal year 1998 in order to provide the year-to-
year continuity required to fully implement this program.
africa: greater horn of africa initiative
The Committee supports the Greater Horn of Africa
initiative, which is designed to alleviate the food insecurity
that has plagued that portion of the continent. It is designed
to provide a coordinated, rational approach to providing food
aid and promoting economic development in the region in order
to prevent the crises of the past. The Committee particularly
recommends active support for those countries that are taking
necessary steps to help themselves, such as Ethiopia, Uganda,
and Eritrea.
The Committee welcomes the recent revitalization of the
Intergovernmental Agreement on Development (IGAD) and the
decision to integrate conflict prevention/mitigation into the
Greater Horn of Africa initiative.
Since food security is the fundamental underpinning of the
Greater Horn of Africa initiative, AID program funding both
regionwide and within the individual countries of the Greater
Horn should reflect this priority.
In keeping with the lessons learned in the Greater Horn of
Africa, the Committee urges that AID require integrated
strategic planning for every country experiencing an ongoing
crisis and/or transitioning out of an ongoing crisis. All AID
mechanisms, including development assistance, disaster
assistance, Food for Peace, and global programs, should be
integrated at the field level within a single strategic
framework in an effort to maximize effective utilization of all
resources. The role of USAID/Washington is to ensure support
for field-driven integrated strategic plans.
south africa initiative
The Committee supports the continuation of transitional
assistance to South Africa. The Committee notes that the
assistance package is intended to provide an infusion of
resources to enable the new government to consolidate its new
democracy and to promote full participation of the
disadvantaged majority in the economic and social development
of South Africa. Given other needs in sub-Saharan Africa, and
South Africa's potential of attaining a strong and self-
sustaining economy capable of meeting the needs of the South
African population, the Committee understands that the AID
grant portion of the enhanced assistance package to South
Africa should be considered transitional, rather than long-
term, just as aid that is being provided to the former Soviet
Union, Eastern Europe and other countries that are now
receiving United States foreign assistance is transitional.
However, the Committee is concerned about reports the AID
mission in South Africa did not function in accordance with
established procurement law and regulations. Such practices
appear to have continued after the mission was told that
changes were necessary. Accordingly, the Committee is
recommending that all funds for South Africa be subject to
reprogramming in order to adequately review AID programs and
operations in that country.
nigeria
The Committee is very concerned about the human rights
situation in Nigeria and encourages the United States Executive
Directors at the African Development Bank and the International
Bank for Reconstruction and Development to urge Nigeria to take
steps to improve its human rights performance.
SUDAN
The Committee authorizes AID to use development and
disaster assistance funds for capacity building purposes in
areas of Southern Sudan outside the control of the government
of Sudan. The Committee strongly encourages AID to make funds
from these accounts available to non-governmental organizations
for this purpose. The committee expects that these funds will
not be used in areas controlled by Southern factions that have
and continue to cooperate with the government of Sudan.
sierra leone
The Committee commends the Government of Sierra Leone for
its recent successful democratic elections, and for its
valuable assistance in assisting refugees from Liberia. The
Committee also urges the Administration to actively consider
increasing assistance to that country in order to assist in the
transition to democracy.
kenya
The Committee is gravely concerned about Kenya's lack of
progress in embracing democracy and human rights. It strongly
urges the government of Kenya to take immediate steps to ensure
that the upcoming Presidential elections are free and fair.
private and voluntary organizations
The Committee has continued prior year language that
requires that private voluntary organizations obtain not less
than 20 percent of their total funding from sources other than
the United States Government. In addition, the Committee has
continued new language from last year's bill stating that
support for private voluntary organizations should be made
available at a level equivalent to that provided in fiscal year
1995.
The Committee continues to strongly support adequate
funding for the Office of Private and Voluntary Cooperation
(PVC) which leverages private resources by PVOs and
cooperatives. PVC is the heart of the non-profit portion of the
partnership between AID and the private sector. This office
supports PVO micro-enterprise, child survival, and Vitamin A
grants; strengthens cooperative development efforts; and
administers the PL 480-funded Farmer-to-Farmer program. PVC
also backstops the Advisory Committee on Voluntary Foreign Aid
that was initially created by President Truman.
The Committee expects the Administration to make every
effort to adequately fund this key office. If AID intends to
increase funding for PVOs and cooperatives from 27 percent to
40 percent over the next five years, the PVC office needs to
ensure that the private, non-profit sector is capable of
effective management of its increased responsibilities. It also
serves as a link between PVOs and the United States Government
so that federally-funded PVO activity is generally consistent
with foreign policy objectives.
As AID further reduces its staff and eliminates missions,
it will have to rely more on potentially less costly private
sector solutions, including PVOs, to maintain an American
presence overseas and to consolidate development gains. When
PVOs are willing to cooperate with the United States
Government, PVC can help these not-for-profit organizations
fill gaps in helping the less fortunate overseas as official
funding levels continue to decline.
biodiversity and aid
The Committee reaffirms its commitment to the conservation
of biodiversity and the protection of tropical forests, and
requests that AID provide as high a level of funding as
possible for these efforts. The protection of global
biodiversity may prove critical to US security and economic
growth, and is particularly vital for the US agricultural and
pharmaceutical industries.
AID conservation activities should continue to emphasize
the use of NGOs as a cost-effective means of delivering
biodiversity conservation programs. Furthermore, as it reduces
its presence overseas, AID, through NGO partnerships, should
remain active in regions that are significant in terms of
global biodiversity, even in countries where missions have been
closed or have never been located.
energy and environmental technology promotion
The Committee urges that the Office of Energy, Environment,
and Technology be funded at an adequate level, no less than its
fiscal 1995 core budget. AID did not comply with the Committee
of Conference's directives last year, although public
statements of AID senior officials stress the importance of the
Office's activities. The Office promotes United States
industrial leadership in the areas of power sector
privatization, innovative technologies to reduce pollutants
from fossil fuels, and renewable energy. The Committee
reaffirms its support for an improved global environment
through support for improved efficiency in energy production
and use, especially in fossil fuels, recognizing that growing
economies will require additional capacity for power generation
from a wide range of sources.
The Committee again recommends that AID continue funding
for projects which promote power sector efficiency, energy
efficiency, and renewable energy, recognizing U.S. industrial
leadership in these areas.
The projects should be developed and carried out in
collaboration with United States industry and should be located
in countries with the greatest potential for early success,
without regard for the presence or absence of an AID field
mission. Included in these efforts should be host country
institutional capacity building, legal and regulatory reform,
project preparation, innovative project financing, trade and
reverse trade missions, training, technology transfer and
collaboration.
women in development
The Committee urges that not less than $11,000,000 be
provided for AID's Office of Women in Development. The
Committee supports efforts to better integrate the concerns of
women into AID's programs and policies, and encourages AID to
undertake the institutional changes needed to support women in
development. Investing in women is crucial to increasing family
well-being, educating the next generation, and to achieving
sustainable economic growth as well as to reducing poverty
worldwide.
The Committee notes that women in developing countries with
personal incomes or higher family incomes have fewer offspring
than those who have no personal income or whose family incomes
are stagnant. This fact should be incorporated into objectives
relating to population and poverty. Once again, the Committee
urges AID to concentrate on involving women at all levels in
the planning and implementation of child survival, population,
and health programs.
microenterprise
The Committee recommends that microenterprise funding be
provided at least at the level of fiscal year 1996, and
supports additional funding for the program above this level to
the maximum extent possible. This program has proven its
effectiveness in promoting economic growth in the poorest
countries. Of these funds, at least fifty percent should be
devoted to poverty lending programs, and a significant portion
should be channeled through central mechanisms such as
nongovernmental organizations. For purposes of implementing
this program, poverty lending programs are defined as loans of
under $300 made to the poorest fifty percent of those living
below the poverty line, or the institutional development of
organizations primarily engaged in making such loans.
In addition, the Committee directs AID to monitor and
report regularly to the Committees on Appropriations on the
actual amount of microenterprise credit made available to the
poverty target population as a result of each microenterprise
project or program, and to monitor and report on the amount of
funding allocated to institutions primarily engaged in making
loans of under $300 to the poverty target population.
higher education
The Committee notes that over the years a number of quality
educational institutions have received both development and
Economic Support Fund assistance, including the American
University of Beirut, the Feinberg Graduate School of the
Weizmann Institute, the Hadassah Medical Organization in
Israel, the Lebanese American University, and the Beirut
University College. The Committee recommends that best efforts
be made to continue assistance for institutions of this nature,
with the highest priority assigned to those lacking alternative
sources of funding. The Committee notes that institutions such
as Hadassah, which are open to all individuals regardless of
ethnic or religious orientations and which are largely funded
from outside sources, remain one of the most cost effective
ways to leverage American foreign aid dollars.
The Committee also supports a proposal to establish an
electronic interconnection using the internet and satellite
networks involving colleges and universities in Latin America
for the purpose of sharing educational resources, teaching
courses via satellite and internet, and sharing in common
research projects.
In addition, the Committee recommends that AID continue
involving community colleges and Hispanic Serving Institutions
(HSI's) in the delivery of vocational and occupational
education and training elements of development assistance
projects.
cass scholarship program
The Committee has supported the scholarship programs
currently known as the Cooperative Association of States for
Scholarships [CASS] since 1985. This program utilizes more than
30 community-based institutions around the United States
offering 2 year degrees in various technical and vocational
fields. The Committee believes AID should continue funding for
this program at the same level provided in fiscal year 1996.
sustainable agriculture
The Committee continues to emphasize the importance of
support for sustainable agriculture. Finding and implementing
sustainable, environmentally safe, agricultural techniques and
crops is critical to providing long-term indigenous food
security in Africa and around the world.
The Committee has been made aware of the serious human
health and environmental problems associated with the misuse
and overuse of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and
herbicides. The Committee continues to request that AID give
greater attention to non-chemical, organic, scientifically-
based soil enhancers, pest control technologies, and poultry
feed additives. The Committee strongly recommends that
approximately one percent of the AID funds allocated to Egypt
be used for a program to test organic, non-chemical
agricultural products.
The Committee also supports the continuation of
collaborative research support programs (CRSP), such as the
small ruminants CRSP, which promote sustainable agriculture in
the developing world in conjunction with the U.S. land grant
system of higher education.
dairy development
The Committee continues to support dairy development, and
recommends that the Agency for International Development make
its best efforts to continue funding for this program at the
current level. Throughout Central and Eastern Europe and
Russia, cooperative programs have been carried out to support
the emergency of member-owned dairy cooperatives, new
collection and private extension systems for small farmers, and
higher quality dairy products for better nutrition. The program
has resulted in expanded exports of United States dairy
technologies and investments in the Polish feed and dairy
sectors.
development of credit unions and cooperatives
The Committee strongly supports programs to develop credit
unions and cooperatives overseas, especially in Central Europe
and the New Independent States of the former Soviet Union.
Credit unions teach free market skills, while self-sustaining
cooperatives can help build markets for U.S. exports and
promote U.S. products and technologies overseas.
rehabilitation services for victims of torture
The Committee urges AID to incorporate support for
treatment of torture as an integral part of its promotion of
human rights and development. In identifying appropriate
countries in which to provide such services, AID should give
special consideration to the State Department's Country Reports
for Human Rights Practices. The agency should also work with
organizations such as the United Nations Voluntary Fund for the
Victims of Torture and the Center for Victims of Torture.
continuation of programs in countries without AID missions
The Committee encourages AID to carry out regional programs
in countries where AID has no formal mission. In a number of
cases, private sector, environmental, AIDS and other programs
can be carried out without the presence of a mission in a
country, and many of these programs should continue.
Development Fund for Africa
Fiscal year 1996 level.................................. $0
Fiscal year 1997 request................................ 704,000,000
Committee recommendation................................ 0
Funds provided under the unified Development assistance
account for fiscal year 1997 are to be used to implement the
tenth full year of the Development Fund for Africa (DFA).
Recognizing that sub-Saharan African nations face unique
development challenges, the DFA was created to permit the
Agency for International Development to use development
assistance resources in a more flexible fashion. As in 1996,
the Committee does not recommend a separate development
assistance account for Africa or any other region.
The Committee's recommendation does not indicate a
lessening of interest on the part of the Committee on
activities in Africa. The Committee expects that a significant
portion of the resources provided for the Child Survival and
Disease Programs Fund and the Development assistance account
will be committed to programs in sub-Saharan Africa, and
expects AID to provide close coordination between activities
funded in those accounts and the Development Fund for Africa.
In addition, the Committee expects that AID should focus
its limited resources on a smaller number of countries where
the governments are committed to development policies that will
promote equitable and sustainable economic growth. The Greater
Horn of Africa initiative is a good example of such an effort.
The authorities available for the Development Fund for
Africa shall apply in providing assistance to sub-Saharan
African through ``Development assistance''.
International Disaster Assistance
Fiscal year 1996 level.................................. $181,000,000
Fiscal year 1997 request................................ 190,000,000
Committee recommendation................................ 190,000,000
The Committee has recommended $190,000,000 for the
International Disaster Assistance account, the amount requested
by the Administration and an increase of $9,000,000 over the
amount provided in fiscal year 1996. Activities to be funded
under this account include relief, rehabilitation,
reconstruction and capacity building.
assistance for sub-saharan Africa
The Committee continues to recommend that $100,000,000 in
disaster assistance funds be used in sub-Saharan Africa, in
such countries as the Sudan. The Committee encourages AID to
utilize funds made available for nongovernmental organizations
in southern Sudan outside government control to include
capacity building activities in addition to traditional relief
programs.
Debt Restructuring
Fiscal year 1996 level.................................. $10,000,000
(By transfer)....................................... (5,000,000)
Fiscal year 1997 request................................ 47,000,000
Committee recommendation................................ 10,000,000
(By transfer)....................................... (12,000,000)
The Committee has provided $10,000,000 for debt
restructuring for fiscal year 1997. This is the same as the
1996 level, but $37,000,000 below the request. The Committee
has not included bill language to expand the authorities
available under this account to allow for the restructuring of
debt generated by Commodity Credit Corporation loans and Public
Law 480 loans. This issue should be addressed by the
appropriate authorizing committee.
While the full budget request has not been provided for
this activity, the Committee has provided discretionary
transfer authority to allow for up to $12,000,000 to be
transferred to this account from ``Development assistance.''
This would provide the full request for ``Naples Terms'' debt
restructuring for the poorest countries. Any proposed transfer
would be subject to the normal reprogramming procedures of the
Committee. The Committee believes that debt restructuring is a
component of development assistance, and that it is appropriate
to provide the Administration with the flexibility to shift
funds from traditional development assistance activities for
this purpose.
The Committee supports the elimination of the debt overhang
among Latin American and Caribbean countries as the highest
priority for the use of funds appropriated in this account,
particularly for countries that are implementing economic
reforms. Similarly, the Committee is pleased to note that
several countries--including Jamaica and Peru--have expressed
interest in the debt buyback provisions first enacted as part
of P.L. 104-107 and included in this Act. Jamaica was a
successful participant in the Enterprise for the Americas
Initiative (EAI) and, as of June 1995, has channeled the
proceeds of earlier debt relief to over 71 environmental and
sustainable resources activities. At no budget cost, this
program is an effective way to reduce debt burdens and advance
United States development goals. The Committee urges the
Administration to move forward with this program with all
deliberate speed.
The Committee notes that debt restructuring for Cote
d'Ivoire is the largest component of the budget request, and
would expect that if the discretionary transfer authority is
utilized for this purpose, funds allocated for sub-Saharan
Africa should be the source of the reprogramming for such
transfer.
The Committee is concerned that at the same time debt is
forgiven for a developing country, an additional debt burden
not be placed on such nations. In last year's committee report,
the Committee requested a report on the expected new debt that
would be assumed by any country proposed for debt
restructuring, and the reasons why such additional debt is
desirable. Such a report has not been submitted by the
Administration. The Committee reiterates the need for such a
report, and expects that it will be submitted prior to a
notification for the obligation of funds from this account. A
requirement for prior notifications of obligations from this
account has been included in bill language.
Micro and Small Enterprise Development Program
subsidy appropriations
1996 enacted............................................ $1,500,000
1997 budget request..................................... 1,500,000
Committee recommendation................................ 1,500,000
estimated level of guaranteed loans
1996 enacted............................................ ($16,700,000)
1997 budget request..................................... (17,000,000)
Committee recommendation................................ (17,000,000)
operating expenses
1996 enacted............................................ $500,000
1997 budget request..................................... 500,000
Committee recommendation................................ 500,000
The Committee is recommending $1,500,000 in subsidy
appropriations for the micro and small enterprise program. This
level is the same as the 1996 enacted level and the budget
estimate.
The proposed level of funding will provide $17,000,000 in
guarantee authority.
In addition, the Committee is recommending $500,000 in
administrative expenses, the same as the 1996 enacted level and
the budget request.
Housing and Other Credit Guaranty Program
subsidy appropriations
Fiscal year 1996 level.................................. $4,000,000
Fiscal year 1997 request................................ 5,000,000
Committee recommendation................................ 500,000
estimated level of guaranteed loans
Fiscal year 1996 level.................................. ($33,700,000)
Fiscal year 1997 request................................ (42,000,000)
Committee recommendation................................ (10,000,000)
operating expenses
Fiscal year 1996 level.................................. $7,000,000
Fiscal year 1997 request................................ 6,000,000
Committee recommendation................................ 6,000,000
The Committee has provided $500,000 for subsidy
appropriations for the housing and other credit guaranty
program. This program is directed primarily at more advanced
developing nations, and the Committee believes that limited
development assistance funding should be targeted for least
developed countries or transition countries, specifically for
housing activities. Therefore the Committee recommendation
would provide only for the housing program requested for South
Africa.
An appropriation of $6,000,000 is recommended for operating
expenses in order that the Agency for International Development
retain the ability to manage and monitor the remaining loan
portfolio of approximately $2,800,000,000. The recommendation
is $1,000,000 below the enacted level but the same as the
budget request.
Payment to the Foreign Service Retirement and Disability Fund
Fiscal year 1996 level.................................. $43,914,000
Fiscal year 1997 request................................ 43,826,000
Committee recommendation................................ 43,826,000
The Committee has provided the budget request for the
mandatory payment to the Foreign Service Retirement and
Disability Fund.
Operating Expenses of the Agency for International Development
Fiscal year 1996 level.................................. $465,750,000
Fiscal year 1997 request................................ 495,000,000
Committee recommendation................................ 465,750,000
The Committee has recommended funding for Agency for
International Development operating expenses at a level of
$465,750,000 which is $29,250,000 below the Administration's
request and the same as the amount provided for fiscal year
1996.
The Committee recommendation continues prior year language
limiting funding for publications.
It is the Committee's position that funds for a possible
move of the Agency for International Development should be
obligated only pursuant to an authorization of appropriations
for said purpose, or upon a certification to the Congress by
the Director of the Office of Management and Budget that such a
move will result in savings to the government compared to other
options. The Administration should take no steps to remove AID
from its current buildings until a formal plan has been
developed.
Operating Expenses of the Agency for International Development--Office
of the Inspector General
Fiscal year 1996 level.................................. $30,200,000
Fiscal year 1997 request................................ 30,000,000
Committee recommendation................................ 30,000,000
The Committee has recommended $30,000,000 for the Office of
the Inspector General of AID for fiscal year 1997.
new management system
The Committee is very concerned with reports it has
received from the Inspector General that the new management
system of AID, particularly the AID-Worldwide Accounting and
Control System (AWACS), is nonfunctional. In the latest
Semiannual Report to the Congress, the Inspector General notes:
``The designs and controls of AWACS have neither been
documented nor tested. . . . the Agency has not yet
demonstrated that AWACS is a reliable system capable of
producing accurate accounting data. . . . basic system controls
and procedures do not exist. . . . Critical milestone dates for
bringing the system on-line have been missed and basic internal
controls are lacking. Originally scheduled to be fully
operational by October 1, 1995, the implementation of AWACS in
Washington and in all of the Agency's 44 accounting centers
worldwide has yet to take place.''
The Committee is also concerned that AID management has
failed to keep the Committee informed of progress on, and
problems with, AWACS and the other new management systems.
Therefore the Committee requests that the Inspector General
closely follow developments in this area in the coming year. It
also requests that the Inspector General report regularly on
this matter, including whether 1) the costs associated with the
new management systems are worth the anticipated benefits; 2)
AID should abandon efforts to develop its own financial
management system, or turn to another agency or the private
sector; and 3) procurement law and regulations have been
followed in the purchase of goods and services for the new
management systems.
Economic Support Fund
Fiscal year 1996 level.................................. $2,340,000,000
Fiscal year 1997 request................................ 2,408,000,000
Committee recommendation................................ 2,336,000,000
The Committee has recommended a total of $2,336,000,000 for
the Economic Support Fund, an amount that is $72,000,000 below
the request and $4,000,000 less than the 1996 enacted level.
israel
The Committee recommends that not less than $1,200,000,000
in Economic Support Funds be provided for Israel, which is the
fiscal year 1996 level and the amount requested by the
Administration. The Committee also requires in bill language
that these funds be provided to Israel as a cash grant within
thirty days of the signing of this act or by October 31, 1996,
whichever is later.
egypt
The Committee recommends that not less than $815,000,000 in
Economic Support Funds be provided for Egypt on a grant basis,
which is the fiscal year 1996 level and the amount requested by
the Administration. Cash transfer may be provided with the
understanding that Egypt will continue to implement significant
economic reforms. The Committee also strongly recommends that
not less than $200,000,000 of the funds allocated for Egypt be
used for Commodity Import Program assistance.
non-military exports
The Committee strongly urges the President to ensure, in
providing cash transfer assistance to Egypt and Israel, that
the level of such assistance does not cause an adverse impact
on the total level of non-military exports from the United
States to each such country.
camp David accords
The Committee emphasizes that the recommended levels of
assistance for Israel and Egypt are based in great measure upon
their continued participation in the Camp David accords and
upon the Egyptian-Israeli peace process.
west bank and gaza
The Committee supports providing the full request in fiscal
year 1997 for assistance to the West Bank and Gaza. The
Committee continues to believe that support by the United
States for the economic and social development of Palestinians
is an important contribution to the peace process.
telecommunications and economic reform in egypt
The Committee continues to support aid to Egypt which
effectively utilizes the technology and expertise of the
American private sector to promote continued economic reform
and modernization in Egypt. The Committee continues to support
the Telecommunication Sector Support Project (TSSP) as one such
example of how American aid working in tandem with industry can
become a growth multiplier in the underdeveloped world. This
project can significantly improve the Egyptian
telecommunications network while at the same time enabling
Egypt to put its national telephone company in a position to
become a private enterprise in due course. While mindful of
sensitivities regarding the pace of reform in Egypt, the
Committee again urges the government of Egypt to implement its
National Telecommunications Policy as soon as possible in order
to implement these important reforms.
middle east regional cooperation
The Committee continues to support the Middle East Regional
Cooperation program. The proposed Middle East and Mediterranean
Desert Development Program for Combating Desertification
through Sustainable Desert Development offers an excellent
opportunity to expand these successful efforts throughout the
region and provide a framework for regional cooperation in the
21st century.
lebanon
The Committee believes support for the people of Lebanon
continues to be in the United States national interest. As
Lebanon emerges from fifteen years of civil conflict, American
support remains important. The Committee supports continued
funding for Lebanon from both the Development assistance and
Economic Support Fund accounts.
economic boycott of Israel
The Committee has once again included language in the bill
addressing the Arab League boycott of Israel under Sec. 542
cyprus
The Committee recommends that every effort be made to
provide $15,000,000 in Economic Support Funds for scholarships
and bicommunal projects in Cyprus. This amount is the same as
the Administration's request and the same as that appropriated
in the past several years. The Committee makes this
recommendation as a demonstration of support for a peaceful
reunification of the island in accordance with relevant United
Nations resolutions and in the belief that greater bicommunal
cooperation will facilitate such goals as the withdrawal of
Turkish troops and demilitarization of the island. The
Committee strongly urges the Administration to carry through on
its pledge to make resolution of the Cyprus situation a top
priority in 1997.
latin america and the caribbean
The Committee urges the administration to meet the fiscal
year 1997 Economic Support Fund request for Latin America to
the maximum extent possible. It remains the Committee's strong
belief that given the importance of the region and the long
history of United States support, it is essential that aid
levels not be reduced further.
The Committee believes it remains in our country's interest
to help our neighbors stabilize their economies and combat
severe levels of poverty. In doing so, we help strengthen
emerging democracies and create new markets for American
exports. This growing trade activity supports millions of jobs
here at home.
The Committee reiterates its longstanding view that our
interests in this region of the world, in this time of
transition, are vital and our obligations continue. It is
essential that the people of Latin America and the Caribbean
understand our commitment to the democratic development of this
hemisphere.
haiti
The Committee expects that U.S. assistance to Haiti will be
implemented in a manner which significantly advances market-
based economic policies and reforms, representative democracy
and respect for the rule of law. The Committee emphasizes that
funding for Haiti is being provided with the clear
understanding that it will only be provided if the Haitian
government is embarked upon a meaningful restructuring of the
Haitian economy through open, free-market reforms. The
privatization of parastatal companies, an urgent overhaul of
public sector spending and fiscal policies, and strict
accountability for the effective use of donor resources are
expected core reforms which must be undertaken immediately.
The Committee also expects the administration to abide by
its express written commitments to consult the Congress on the
provision of aid to the Government of Haiti consistent with the
terms of section 583 of P.L. 104-107 (the Dole amendment) and a
similar provision in this bill, which requires thorough
investigation of political violence and extrajudicial killings
in Haiti.
religious freedom
The Committee is concerned by the rising number of reports
of anti-Christian persecution around the world. In particular,
the Committee is concerned that in some cases these reports
come from countries which receive United States foreign
assistance. The Committee urges the Department of State to be
attentive to this growing problem and to reiterate United
States support for religious freedom around the world. The
Committee also urges the Department of State to actively
express the strong concern of the United States Government to
countries where known cases of religious prosecution occur.
expropriation
The Committee is concerned that without the full support of
the United States Government, fair compensation for
expropriated property will not be forthcoming. For example, in
December 1995, the Dominican Government agreed to a settlement
of an especially egregious expropriation by its military
forces, but this agreement has yet to be implemented by that
Government. Until the agreement is implemented, the Committee
does not believe it is appropriate for the Dominican Republic
to receive further United States assistance until a newly
elected government in that country has addressed this issue.
The Committee notes that assistance to the Dominican Republic
is subject to special notification under the terms of section
520.
zaire
The Committee has continued prior year language prohibiting
Economic Support Funds to Zaire.
availability of funds
The Committee has continued language that funds in this
account are to remain available for obligation for two years.
International Fund for Ireland
Fiscal year 1996 level.................................. $19,600,000
Fiscal year 1997 request................................ 0
Committee recommendation................................ 19,600,000
The Committee recommends $19,600,000 for the International
Fund for Ireland in support of the Anglo-Irish Accord. Funding
of this amount was requested for this activity through the
Economic Support Fund, but the Committee recommendation would
continue a separate account for assistance to Ireland. The
amount is the same as the 1996 enacted level.
The International Fund for Ireland continues to meet the
task of bringing new economic and commercial life to the areas
of Northern Ireland that have suffered most severely from the
division of Ireland and the strife of the last two decades. The
Committee urges continued commitment by the European Community
in their support for the Fund.
The Committee strongly urges the International Fund for
Ireland to take every step possible to ensure that all
recipients of Fund support are promoting equality of
opportunity and non-discrimination in employment.
Assistance for Eastern Europe and the Baltics
Fiscal year 1996 level.................................. $522,000,000
Fiscal year 1997 request................................ 475,000,000
Committee recommendation................................ 475,000,000
The Committee has recommended $475,000,000 for Assistance
for Eastern Europe and the Baltics for fiscal year 1997. This
is the same as the budget request, but $47,000,000 below the
1996 enacted level, which included a supplemental appropriation
of $198,000,000 for Bosnia. Of this amount, $200,000,000 is
provided for reconstruction efforts in Bosnia.
bosnia and herzegovina
The Committee recommendation includes $200,000,000 for
assistance to Bosnia and Herzegovina, as proposed in the budget
request. The Committee expects funds will be made available to
private voluntary organizations (PVO's) to foster
reconciliation and assist in the process of reconstruction in
Bosnia. Many PVO's have been active in the region for a number
of years, and are uniquely qualified to assist AID in
implementing reconstruction programs.
The Committee has recommended bill language, similar to
that enacted as part of the Bosnia supplemental appropriation
in Public Law 104-122, that prohibits the use of funds for the
construction or repair of housing or residences, unless
directly related to the efforts of United States troops to
promote peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina; requires the written
approval of the Administrator of AID for loans and projects
under the Economic Reconstruction Program; and subjects such
funds to section 531.
albania
While the Committee commends the government of Albania for
seeking to overcome decades of repression, it is concerned with
reports regarding problems faced by religious and ethnic
minorities. The Committee is especially concerned about reports
that the Greek minority is experiencing difficulties in
education and employment, and urges the government of Albania
to seek to address these problems.
LEGAL INITIATIVES
The Committee encourages the Agency for International
Development to continue to provide financial support for the
Central and Eastern European Law Initiative (CEELI), a project
of the American Bar Association. CEELI has received grants to
help Central and East Europe and the NIS create new legal
frameworks based on the rule of law rather than through Party
doctrine or caprice.
Through a variety of program components, CEELI is making
available legal expertise to assist countries that are in the
process of modifying or restructuring their laws or legal
systems. CEELI emphasizes long-term engagement country-by-
country and supports projects that facilitate extensive
consultations with policy-makers, legal scholars, judges, and
attorneys. CEELI has focused work in several critical priority
areas: constitutional reform; judicial restructuring; criminal
law and procedure; and local government law reform, and has
sought to emphasize projects involving reform of the legal
profession and commercial law development.
Assistance for the New Independent States of the Former Soviet Union
Fiscal year 1996 level.................................. $641,000,000
Fiscal year 1997 request................................ 640,000,000
Committee recommendation................................ 590,000,000
The Committee has recommended $590,000,000 for Ukraine,
Armenia, Georgia, Russia, and the new independent republics of
the former Soviet Union. This is $51,000,000 less than the
request, and $50,000,000 less than the enacted 1996 level. The
recommendation is $5,000,000 less than the amount recommended
to the House in the 1996 bill.
The Committee has continued prior year language providing
the funds ``notwithstanding any other provision of law'' and
applying the provisions of section 498B(j) of the Foreign
Assistance Act. The Committee has included long-standing
language on territorial integrity, human rights, non-use of
funds for enhancing military capacities, providing funds to the
maximum extent feasible through the private sector, private
voluntary organizations, and non-governmental organizations,
and providing all funds subject to notification. The Committee
also has included language making Mongolia eligible to receive
funds provided in this section.
The Committee has specifically continued several new
provisions from the 1996 Act, P.L. 104-107, relating to:
Russian cooperation with Iran's nuclear program, cost-sharing
and regional experience, among grantees and contractors,
interest earned by enterprise funds, and humanitarian
assistance within Azerbaijan.
The Committee believes that few relationships are more
important to the long-term security of the United States than
the strategic relationship with Russia. If Russian reform fails
and if Russia reverts to a dictatorship or collapses into
anarchy, the potential of nuclear confrontation could return.
The Russian people are struggling to build a free society and a
market economy. Their success is important to America in
reduced nuclear threat, lower defense budgets than would
otherwise be possible, and open markets to fuel global
prosperity and help create jobs.
At the same time, the Committee believes that the other
nations of the NIS, including Ukraine, Armenia and Georgia, are
important to United States security interests in the region.
Over the past three years, despite adverse circumstances,
Ukraine and Armenia have taken major steps in political and
economic reform. The continued development of democratic and
free-market institutions in Ukraine, Armenia and the other NIS
nations are endangered by adverse developments in Russia. The
Committee is encouraged that the United States is making a
greater effort to develop more effective assistance programs
for Ukraine, Armenia and other NIS countries that promote
political and economic reform and that are specific to the
needs of each individual country.
role of coordinator
The Committee commends the Coordinator of U.S. Assistance
to the New Independent States of the Former Soviet Union who
has the concurrent responsibilities of Special Advisor to the
President. The Committee has structured its bill in a way that
the individual holding these dual offices can continue to
allocate the funds appropriated for any activities within his
scope of responsibility as determined by the President's
charter of April 4, 1995.
the situation in the Russian Federation
The Committee is discouraged by the status of economic
reform at this time in the Russian Federation. Nonetheless,
economic reform and recovery in many of the cities and regions
of Russia and the emergence of civic institutions and
entrepreneurs across the eleven time zones of the Federation do
give hope that Russia will succeed, events in the Kremlin
notwithstanding. The Committee recognizes that continuing
United States assistance to the central Government of the
Russian Federation may not be warranted under certain
circumstances. On the eve of the elections, the Committee
concludes that it would not be prudent to anticipate negative
developments in Russia that may not occur, but it commends the
efforts of the Coordinator and AID to move toward a much
smaller program of assistance to Russia that is directed toward
localities and civic institutions that warrant continued
support by the United States.
the situation in Ukraine
The Committee commends the Administration for its support
during fiscal year 1996 for reform efforts in Ukraine, a
struggling nation whose independence is key to a peaceful
Europe. Although the Committee has not earmarked funds for
Ukraine, or any other nation, it expects the Coordinator to
allocate to Ukraine approximately the requested level of
funding, subject to continuing progress in economic reform. The
Committee is concerned about several programs that involve the
use of United States funds to pay for recurring costs of gas or
oil imports by the Ukraine government. It expects to be kept
closely informed about events in Ukraine, and told well in
advance of any new commitments to Ukraine.
the situation in the Caucasus
Many members of the House have contacted the Committee
regarding the physical isolation of Armenia, and the failure of
international efforts to resolve conflicts in the southern
Caucasus region. The Committee continues from the 1996 bill two
provisions affecting the region: the ``Humanitarian Corridor
Act'' (Sec. 559) and the limited waiver of section 907 of the
FREEDOM Support Act for certain humanitarian activities in
Azerbaijan. The activities contemplated by proponents of both
provisions, suspension of aid to nations blocking access to
Armenia and more extensive assistance to displaced persons in
Azerbaijan and in Nagorno-Karabagh, could, in fact, be
undertaken by the President in the absence of both provisions.
The Committee is aware of ongoing discussions among the nations
of the Caucasus region that may lead to the lifting of the
blockades of Armenia and compliance with section 907. In an
effort to promote a settlement of conflicts in the region, the
Committee recommends continuation of both provisions, and
continues to advise the Executive branch to utilize them with
caution, and only after full consultation with Congress.
The Committee has included a new subsection (m) within the
account providing assistance to the Newly Independent States of
the Former Soviet Union. The purpose of this subsection is to
provide for the improved delivery of humanitarian assistance in
Azerbaijan and for the delivery of humanitarian assistance in
Nagorno-Karabagh. The provision clarifies that non-governmental
organizations and private voluntary organizations not be
precluded from using facilities, such as hospitals, or vehicles
of the Government of Azerbaijan to provide humanitarian
assistance to refugees and internally displaced persons in
Azerbaijan.
The Committee intends that this provision also allow non-
government organizations to use assistance funds to make
necessary repairs to government facilities such as health
clinics and housing that are used to care for refugees and
internally displaced persons. The Committee also intends that
government personnel be allowed to distribute commodities, such
as doctors giving out medicine to needy civilians, and that
commodities may be transferred to government personnel for
distribution purposes.
The Committee expresses no view whatsoever on the political
status of Nagorno-Karabagh.
armenia
The Committee recognizes the important economic reforms
being made by Armenia and strongly supports the continued
maintenance of adequate levels of economic and humanitarian
assistance to Armenia.
training, exchanges, and partnerships in the former Soviet Union and
Central Europe
Training, exchanges, and Partnerships between the United
States and the nations of Eurasia and Central Europe are
essential to the process of sustaining democracy and serve the
interests of the United States. The Committee endorses full
funding for the Russian, Eurasian, and East European Research
and Training Program (Title VIII) from the two appropriation
accounts for the NIS and Central Europe. The Committee also
supports funding for other graduate fellowship and training
projects in both regions such as the Central and Eastern
European Graduate Fellowship program. Student exchange
programs, in general, are to be distributed in a balanced
manner among high school, college, and graduate/post-graduate
categories. Committee support for high school exchanges is
contingent upon establishment by the Coordinator of a better
balance between this form of exchange and those involving more
advanced students.
The Committee also supports increased funding for
institutional partnership projects in the former Soviet Union
as well as their extension into Central Europe and the Baltic
states. Such grass roots partnerships, especially medical
partnerships, have been highly successful at relatively low
cost in improving business management, agricultural reform, and
improved health care.
The Committee continues to support the Russia-United States
Science, Education and Economic Development project in
Pushchino, Russia. Since the Committee previously endorsed this
project in the 1994 statement of managers, the Pushchino
Project has fully met expectations and merits renewal for the
final three years of the six year project.
Russian-American and other enterprise funds
The Committee expects to examine carefully any request for
obligation of funds from this account for the Defense
Enterprise Fund, which prior to this year was funded through
the Cooperative Threat Reduction Program (Nunn-Lugar) in
another appropriation bill. The use of U.S. funds for defense
conversion in Russia is the subject of intense debate in
Congress, and the Defense Enterprise Fund should take
Congressional concerns into account before approaching the
Committee for funding.
This Committee expects the Coordinator to continue his
efforts to establish a Trans-Caucasus Enterprise Fund prior to
September 30, 1997, as directed in the 1996 act. It encourages
the participation of other institutions and private investors
in the establishment of this enterprise fund.
In general, the Committee expects the Coordinators,
officials of all enterprise funds, and AID to keep it closely
informed about matters affecting enterprise funds. Aware of
different operating procedures in each fund, the Committee
encourages each enterprise fund to minimize administrative
costs incurred in the United States. Furthermore, the Committee
directs the Coordinators, in consultation with AID and the
enterprise fund boards, to provide the Committee no later than
November 1, 1996, with a written summary of their respective
roles in policy, operations, and financial accountability.
The Committee reminds the enterprise fund boards that it
opposes the use of regular appropriations to fund activities
that require subsidy appropriations under the 1990 Credit
Reform Act. Any use of ``Notwithstanding any other provision of
law'' authority to evade the Credit Reform Act would be unwise.
matching funds for civilian scientists and engineers
The Committee suggests that the Coordinator and Special
Advisor to the President seriously consider providing adequate
funds to match private and Department of Defense funds in
support of the R&D Foundation located at the National Science
Foundation that supports civilian, non-defense research and
development activities through private sector linkages between
scientists and engineers in the United States and in the states
of the former Soviet Union. The Foundation is authorized by
section 511 of P.L. 102-511 and is governed by a Board of
Directors.
To date, $5,000,000 has been provided by the private Soros
Foundation. In addition, the Soros Foundation has spent
$100,000,000 to support the faltering civilian and academic
scientific institutions in Russia, Ukraine and other states of
the former Soviet Union. The R&D Foundation is in no way
connected with the Defense Department activities that employ
scientists and engineers formerly engaged in designing weapons
of mass destruction.
funding of peace corps activities in the NIS region
The Committee strongly supports Peace Corps programs in the
NIS. The Committee recommends no less than $12,000,000 for this
purpose from funds appropriated for the region.
treasury technical assistance program
The Committee expects that the Coordinators for the NIS and
for Eastern Europe will transfer funds (both from this account
and from ``Assistance for Eastern Europe and the Baltic
States'') to the Treasury Department for the Treasury Technical
Assistance Program rather than allocate funds for this program
to individual AID missions in the former Soviet Union and
Eastern Europe as is currently planned in 1997.
farmer-to-farmer program
The Committee encourages the Agency for International
Development to continue VOCA's Farmer-to-Farmer programs in
developing and newly democratic countries as a cost-effective
way to transfer practical skills and know-how to farmers and
their agribusinesses. The Committee supports sustained funding
for such programs in the New Independent States so that VOCA
volunteers can achieve a critical mass for maximum impact in
key regions to demonstrate the benefits of private agriculture.
INDEPENDENT AGENCIES
African Development Foundation
Fiscal year 1996 level.................................. [$11,500,000]
Fiscal year 1997 request................................ 12,500,000
Committee recommendation................................ 11,500,000
The Committee has recommended funding for the African
Development Foundation at a level of $11,500,000, $1,000,000
less than the amount requested by the Administration and the
same as the amount provided in fiscal year 1996 through the
``Development assistance'' account.
The Committee continues to encourage the Foundation to
explore alternative sources of funding, both public and
private.
Inter-American Foundation
Fiscal year 1996 level.................................. [$20,000,000]
Fiscal year 1997 request................................ 20,000,000
Committee recommendation................................ 20,000,000
The Committee recommendation provides $20,000,000 for the
Inter-American Foundation, the same amount provided in fiscal
year 1996 through ``Development assistance'', and the same as
the budget request.
The Committee continues to encourage the Foundation to
explore alternative sources of funding, both private and
public.
Peace Corps
Fiscal year 1996 level.................................. $205,000,000
Fiscal year 1997 request................................ 220,000,000
Committee recommendation................................ 212,000,000
The Committee recommends Peace Corps funding of
$212,000,000. This is $8,000,000 less than the request, but
$7,000,000 above the 1996 enacted level. When the recommended
transfer of $12,000,000 from the NIS account is factored in,
consistent with prior year practice, the amount available to
the Peace Corps will be $220,000,000. Prior year language
addressing purchase of motor vehicles, abortion, and ability of
funds have been continued in the bill.
The Committee supports the work of the Peace Corps, but
notes that the Corps has undertaken a process of consolidation
after its expansion in recent years. The Peace Corps entered
numerous new countries, five of which are in Eastern Europe,
since 1989. While this rapid expansion was welcome at the time
and reflective of a worldwide trend toward democracy, the new
determination to move toward a balanced budget led the Peace
Corps to anticipate probable future reductions in funding. The
Committee commends the Director for his leadership in this
regard. The Congress has traditionally taken the lead in
ensuring adequate funding levels for the Peace Corps.
programs in the new independent states
The Committee notes that much of the fiscal year 1996 Peace
Corps program in the New Independent States was funded from the
NIS account. The Committee encourages the Peace Corps to
continue to work closely with the Coordinator for the NIS. The
Committee expects that not less than $12,000,000 for the fiscal
year 1997 program in the NIS will be transferred from the NIS
account.
DEPARTMENT OF STATE
International Narcotics Control
Fiscal year 1996 level.................................. $115,000,000
(By transfer)....................................... (20,000,000)
Fiscal year 1997 request................................ 213,000,000
Committee recommendation................................ 150,000,000
The Committee has recommended $150,000,000 for the
International Narcotics Control program. This is $35,000,000
above the appropriated level for 1996.
The Committee is concerned that international narcotics
control programs are not adequately coordinated with other
United States government narcotics programs, both foreign and
domestic. While the Committee is recommending an increase of
this account, it believes more targeted, coordinated
antinarcotic efforts may be a more effective strategy against
international narcotics trafficking. The Committee requests
that the Department of State report by March 1, 1997, on the
degree to which programs in this account are coordinated with
other government narcotics control programs; the nature of this
coordination; the costs and benefits of a wide-ranging program
versus a carefully targeted program; and the measurable results
in all regions of the world that have occurred as a consequence
of the investments made in the program (as opposed to results
generated by external factors) since its inception.
The Committee notes that section 520 applies to the use of
narcotics control funds for countries such as Colombia and
Peru.
Migration and Refugee Assistance
Fiscal year 1996 level.................................. $671,000,000
Fiscal year 1997 request................................ 650,000,000
Committee recommendation................................ 650,000,000
The Committee has recommended $650,000,000 under the
Migration and Refugee Assistance account, the amount requested
by the President but $21,000,000 below funding provided for
fiscal year 1996. A limitation of $12,000,000 is recommended
for administrative expenses. Combined with the Emergency
Refugee and Migration Assistance Fund and Refugee Resettlement
Assistance, there will be a total of $705,000,000 available in
fiscal year 1997 for assistance to refugees. The Committee
believes that in light of the world wide refugee emergency,
funding for refugee assistance should not be below the budget
request.
The Committee is concerned that the State Department make
every effort to ensure that a potential increase in refugees
from Tibet can be met within available funding. Since 1991, the
United States has provided humanitarian assistance for Tibetan
refugees living in exile, and the Committee would expect that
such support be continued.
refugees resettling in Israel
The Committee strongly recommends continuation of the
$80,000,000 provided last year for the resettlement of Soviet,
Eastern European and other refugees resettling in Israel. Large
numbers of refugees are continuing to come to Israel from the
former Soviet Union and Eastern Europe.
The Committee is concerned about an audit performed by the
State Department Office of Inspector General on the grant
provided to implement this refugee assistance. The audit raised
questions about the degree to which the State Department has
been monitoring the use of funds provided for this program, and
the use of some of the funds provided through the grant. In
last year's report, the Committee requested that the Department
maintain proper oversight on this grant, and report on the
steps it has taken to implement the recommendations made by the
Inspector General. The Committee has not received such a
report, and directs that it be provided to the Committee within
one month of enactment of this Act.
rwandese refugees
Approximately 1,700,000 refugees from Rwanda are currently
living in refugee camps in eastern Zaire and Tanzania. In 1996,
the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) will
spend an estimated $288,400,000 on such camps. This represents
more than 20 percent of the budget available to UNHCR.
At the same time, these camps serve as a ``government-in-
exile'' for many of those involved in the genocide that
occurred in Rwanda. Elements of the former government of Rwanda
have effectively formed a quasi-government within the camps,
and appear to be collecting arms for activities against the new
government in that country.
For both political and monetary reasons, the indefinite
maintenance of these camps by the international community is
not sustainable. The Committee is concerned that the funding
drain on the budget of UNHCR represented by continued support
for these camps will lead to diminished resources for other
regions of the world.
The Committee supports efforts by the United Nations and
others to remove from the camps those involved in genocide in
Rwanda, or those exploiting the refugees for personal or
political gain. It also urges the State Department to take
steps to deal with this situation. It that regard, it urges the
Secretary of State to involve his office directly in this
effort by requiring the Special Coordinator for Rwanda and
Burundi to report directly to him and not through
intermediaries.
If effective steps cannot be taken in the near term, it may
be necessary to consider reducing funding for the camps in
order to prevent continuing indirect support for those involved
in the genocide in Rwanda--and thus to reduce continuing
support for those involved in planning armed conflict against
the current government of Rwanda.
The Committee has included bill language subjecting funds
for support of refugees from Rwanda to the regular notification
procedures of the Committees on Appropriations.
extension of refugee status
The Committee looks favorably upon a one year extension of
existing law, which facilitates the granting of refugee status
for certain historically persecuted groups in the former Soviet
Union and Indochina. Furthermore, the Committee instructs the
Administration to take into account the history of persecution
of certain minorities, including Jews from the former Soviet
Union, when deciding refugee applications from such groups.
refugee resettlement assistance
Fiscal year 1996 level.................................. $5,000,000
Fiscal year 1997 request................................ 0
Committee recommendation................................ 5,000,000
The Committee recommendation includes $5,000,000 for the
targeted assistance program for refugee resettlement
administered by the Department of Health and Human Services.
There was no budget request for this item.
These funds will augment the 10-percent of the targeted
assistance program which is set-aside for grants to localities
most heavily impacted by the influx of refugees such as Laotian
Hmong, Cambodians and Soviet Pentecostals, including secondary
migrants who entered the United States after October 1, 1979.
United States Emergency Refugee and Migration Assistance Fund
Fiscal year 1996 level.................................. $50,000,000
Fiscal year 1997 request................................ 50,000,000
Committee recommendation................................ 50,000,000
The Committee has recommended $50,000,000 for the Emergency
Refugee and Migration Assistance Fund.
anti-terrorism assistance
Fiscal year 1996 level.................................. $16,000,000
Fiscal year 1997 request................................ 17,000,000
Committee recommendation................................ 0
The Committee has combined these activities with those
funded in the following account and two programs previously
funded in ``International Organizations and Programs'' in a new
``Nonproliferation, Anti-terrorism, Demining, and Related
Programs'' account.
Nonproliferation and Disarmament Fund
Fiscal year 1996 level.................................. $20,000,000
Fiscal year 1997 request................................ 20,000,000
Committee recommendation................................ 0
The Committee has combined these activities with those
funded in the previous account and two programs previously
funded in ``International Organizations and Programs'' in a new
``Nonproliferation, Anti-terrorism, Demining, and Related
Programs'' account.
Nonproliferation, Anti-terrorism, Demining and Related Programs
Fiscal year 1996 level.................................. $0
Fiscal year 1997 request................................ 0
Committee recommendation................................ 135,000,000
In response to the increased emphasis the Congress and the
President have placed on nonproliferation and anti-terrorism
activities, as well as to provide the executive branch with
more flexibility in administering funds for these activities,
the committee has created a new account for ``Nonproliferation,
Anti-terrorism, Demining, and Related Programs''.
This new account integrates funding for activities
previously funded in ``Anti-terrorism Assistance'' and the
``Nonproliferation and Disarmament Fund'' into a single account
for these similar activities. Demining activities which were
previously funded in ``Foreign Military Financing Program'' are
also included. Funding for two nonproliferation activities (the
Korean Peninsula Energy Development Organization and the U.S.
voluntary contribution to the International Atomic Energy
Agency) are also in this new account. Finally, the President's
request for $50,000,000 for Israeli anti-terrorism assistance
is similarly included.
NONPROLIFERATION, ANTI-TERRORISM, DEMINING AND RELATED PROGRAMS
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- FY96-- FY97 request-- Committee
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Anti-terrorism......................................... $16,000,000- $17,000,000-- $15,000,000
NDF.................................................... 20,000,000 20,000,000-- 15,000,000
Demining--............................................. 6,000,000- 6,000,000-- 6,000,000
IAEA---................................................ 43,000,000- 36,000,000-- 36,000,000
KEDO---................................................ 22,000,000- 25,000,000-- 13,000,000
Israel Anti-terrorism-................................. 50,000,000- 50,000,000-- 50,000,000
--------------------------------------------------------
Total---......................................... 157,000,000- 154,000,000-- 135,000,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The committee fully funds the administration request for
demining, the U.S. contribution to the IAEA, and anti-terrorism
assistance to Israel.-
anti-terrorism assistance
The Committee recommends $15,000,000 for anti-terrorism
assistance. In fiscal year 1996 the administration requested
$15,000,000 for this account, however, the Congress provided
$16,000,000 to enable the administration to respond to certain
immediate activities of concern to the Congress. The Committee
believes that the additional $1,000,000 provided for this
program last year, as well as certain programmatic overlaps in
activities which may be funded using Israeli anti-terrorism
assistance, combine to justify the committee's recommended
level of $15,000,000 in fiscal year 1997 for this important and
worthwhile program.
nonproliferation and disarmament fund
The Committee recommends $15,000,000 for the
Nonproliferation and Disarmament Fund which is $5,000,000 less
than the administration request. The Committee strongly
supports the core nonproliferation activities of the NDF which
are currently funded at $10,000,000. The Committee has however
reduced the administration request for export control
activities from $10,000,000 to $5,000,000. It is the
Committee's view that this program, while worthwhile, does not
meet the Committee's criteria for NDF funding only for urgent,
unanticipated nonproliferation activities of immediate concern
to the United States. Longer term programmatic activities, such
as export controls, should be funded in the appropriate portion
of the State Department budget where they will be subject to
the normal conditions for legislative oversight and review. The
Committee expects the administration to make this transition
during this fiscal year and therefore has provided $5,000,000
to facilitate this transition.
demining activities
The Committee strongly supports the administration's
request of $6,000,000 for demining activities. The Committee
urges the administration to substantially improve interagency
coordination of the U.S. government's demining activities and
to unify, to the extent feasible, the budget for this important
activity which enjoys strong support in the Congress. The
Committee directs the Secretary of State, in consultation with
the Secretary of Defense, to provide a report to the Committees
on Appropriations not later than January 15, 1997, which (a)
details the interagency process for coordination of demining
activities and identifies the principal agencies and offices in
the U.S. government which have responsibility for demining
policy or programmatic activities, (b) identifies all U.S.
government funds which are utilized to support international
humanitarian demining activities, and (c) details actions taken
by the executive branch to improve the coordination of demining
policy and activities in the U.S. government and, actions taken
by the executive branch to integrate the budget for these
various activities into a unified humanitarian demining budget.
korean peninsula energy development organization
-The Committee also provides that not to exceed $13,000,000
may be made available for the United States contribution to the
Korean Peninsula Energy Development Organization (KEDO) and
these funds may only be used for administrative expenses and
heavy fuel oil costs. The Committee notes that in justifying a
United States contribution to KEDO, the administration
repeatedly briefed the Congress that the annual U.S.
contribution to the heavy fuel oil portion of the Agreed
Framework would be $10,000,000 per year and that the remaining
costs associated with the heavy fuel oil commitment were to be
raised by the administration from other donor nations. The
Committee fully supported the administration's 1996 request for
heavy fuel oil and administrative expenses associated with KEDO
($13,000,000) and recommends the same level for 1997. The
Committee did not provide the additional funds requested this
year for heavy fuel costs. The Committee has also repeatedly
emphasized that in these tight budgetary times it could not
justify additional funds for heavy fuel oil. In doing so, the
Committee has strongly supported the administration's plan to
enlist other international donors to share this commitment. The
Committee notes, however, that while administration officials
have repeatedly stated that this activity is a presidential
priority, the United States international fundraising efforts
to date do not reflect Presidential attention or priority. The
Committee believes it is essential that other nations share the
financial burden in responding to the North Korean nuclear
threat. The United States already spends over $2,500,000,000
per year to ensure stability and peace on the Korean peninsula
and therefore the Committee fully expects other nations to fund
the heavy fuel component of the Agreed Framework. The Committee
did not waive the statutory provisions which currently prohibit
the provision of assistance to North Korea.
TITLE III--MILITARY ASSISTANCE
Funds Appropriated to the President
International Military Education and Training
Fiscal year 1996 level.................................. $39,000,000
Fiscal year 1997 request................................ 45,000,000
Committee recommendation................................ 45,000,000
The Committee recommends the administration request of
$45,000,000 for the International Military Education and
Training program. The Committee recommendation reflects its
continued support for the IMET program, particularly those new
programs initiated in the NIS and Central Europe since 1991.
The Committee continues prior year bill language
prohibiting IMET funding for Zaire and Guatemala and language
allowing expanded IMET only for Indonesia. With respect to
Indonesia, the Committee strongly urges the administration to
continue to carefully review candidates from Indonesia to make
certain they have not been involved in previous human rights
abuses. The Committee hopes that making expanded IMET available
to Indonesia will substantially improve the human rights
performance of the Indonesian military.
peru
The Committee believes the Government of Peru has made
considerable progress in the areas of political pluralization
and meaningful free market reform. As a result of this laudable
progress, the Committee has deleted Peru from the list of
nations prohibited from receiving FMF funds. However, the
Committee also emphasizes that it expects the Government of
Peru to continue to improve its human rights performance and
maintain its commitment to ongoing political and judicial
reform. As a result, the Committee notes that the
administration has not requested FMF funds for Peru in 1997 and
the Committee supports this position. The Committee would
further note that if FMF funds are requested in FY97 the
request would be subject to the regular notification procedures
of the Committees on Appropriations.
imet, human rights and economic development
The Committee continues to support both the IMET program
and its ``Expanded IMET'' component. The Committee supports a
substantial human rights component in programs for all IMET
countries, including information on international human rights
conventions, human rights law in the recipient's country,
American human rights law and policy, and appropriate behavior
by military personnel. The Committee supports the holding of
IMET field seminars that bring together elements of the
military and indigenous human rights groups. The Committee also
supports inclusion of a substantial number of civilian
employees of foreign governments in IMET programs. The
Committee believes that the IMET program and its expanded IMET
component offer the military of other nations full exposure to
how the United States military performs as a professional,
highly respected institution in a civil, democratic society
governed by the rule of law. It is the Committee's view that
the attainment of such a military must be a fundamental
objective of any underdeveloped nation in its pursuit of
economic growth and prosperity and that the IMET program plays
an important role in supporting this objective.
school of the Americas
The Committee urges the Department of Defense to continue
its ongoing efforts to incorporate human rights training into
the School of the Americas' regular training curriculum. The
Committee further believes that the human rights component of
the curriculum should be increased. The Committee also urges
the Department of State and the Department of Defense to
rigorously screen potential students to make certain they have
not taken part in past human rights abuses. The Committee will
continue to carefully review the activities of the School of
the Americas and urges the Department of State and the
Department of Defense to place increased emphasis on monitoring
the human rights performance of its graduates.
In this regard, the Committee instructs the Secretary of
Defense, in consultation with the Secretary of State, to
prepare and submit to the Committees on Appropriations no later
than January 15, 1997, a report which (a) details the overall
selection process for potential students, (b) describes the
process used to screen potential students to determine if they
have participated in past human rights abuses, and (c)
describes the long-term monitoring of School of the Americas'
graduates in the area of human rights, to include cases of
human rights abuses as well as cases where graduates make
significant contributions to democracy-building and improved
human rights practices.
Foreign Military Financing Program
grants
Fiscal year 1996 level.................................. $3,278,390,000
Fiscal year 1997 request................................ 3,228,250,000
Committee recommendation................................ 3,222,250,000
subsidy appropriations
Fiscal year 1996 level.................................. $64,400,000
Fiscal year 1997 request................................ 40,000,000
Committee recommendation................................ 35,000,000
loans
Fiscal year 1996 level.................................. ($544,000,000)
Fiscal year 1997 request................................ (370,028,000)
Committee recommendation................................ (323,815,000)
The Committee has recommended $3,222,250,000 in Foreign
Military Financing grants, and $35,000,000 as a subsidy
appropriation for loans. The amount provided for the subsidy
appropriation will support a loan program totaling
$323,815,000. Thus, the total program level of foreign military
grants and loans for fiscal year 1996 is $3,546,065,000. This
program level is $52,213,000 below the amount requested by the
President for fiscal year 1997 and $276,325,000 below last
year's program level for grants and loans.
israel
The Committee recommends a total Foreign Military Financing
Program of not less than $1,800,000,000 in grants for Israel.
These funds are to be disbursed within thirty days of enactment
of this act or by October 31, 1996, whichever is later.
The Committee also recommends that to the extent that the
Government of Israel requests that FMF grant funds for Israel
be used for such purposes, and as agreed by Israel and the
United States, funds may be made available for advanced weapons
systems of which not to exceed $475,000,000 shall be available
for the procurement in Israel of defense articles and defense
services, including research and development.
The Committee is concerned that Israel's technological
military edge could erode as a result of the unrestrained sales
of advanced military equipment to Israel's potential
adversaries by other nations and the increasing sophistication
and cost of advanced weapons systems. Therefore, the Committee
continues to believe the United States must make every effort
to carry out its long-standing policy of ensuring that Israel's
technological edge is maintained.
egypt
The Committee recommends a total Foreign Military Financing
Program for Egypt of not less than $1,300,000,000 in Foreign
Military Financing grants.
The Committee remains extremely concerned about the extent
of cash flow financing of Egyptian arms acquisitions financed
by FMF funds. The Committee directs the Secretary of Defense to
submit to the Committees on Appropriations, no later than
January 15, 1997, a report which provides a detailed
description of the present status of Egyptian cash flow
financed arms transfers as well as any plans to enter into
future cash flow financing agreements with Egypt.
jordan f-16's
The Committee notes that the administration request for FMF
grants includes $30,000,000 for Jordan. These funds will be
used to support the transfer of 16 F-16 fighter aircraft to the
Government of Jordan. The Committee also notes that the overall
downsizing of the U.S. defense industry is costing thousands of
American defense-related jobs. The Committee therefore urges
the Department of Defense to give priority consideration to
American defense firms in awarding contracts for upgrades and
other major improvements to these aircraft prior to their
delivery to the Government of Jordan.
warsaw initiative and partnership for peace nations
The Committee continues to support the President's January
1994 Warsaw Initiative to provide military assistance to
Partnership for Peace (PFP) nations. The Committee believes the
1997 request will continue to enhance security and stability in
Europe by promoting the standardization and interoperability,
as well as the continued downsizing, of the armed forces of
participating nations, particularly those of nations most
likely to be considered for NATO membership. The
administration's fiscal year 1997 request for $60,000,000 will
continue to support transfers of equipment to enhance the
interoperability of PFP forces with NATO forces, to improve the
capability of PFP nations to participate in NATO-led
peacekeeping efforts, and to enable the new democracies in
Central Europe to continue the process of reorienting their
militaries in the post-Cold War era.
partnership for peace notification
The Committee includes a provision stating that no FMF
grant assistance shall be available for any non-NATO country
participating in the Partnership for Peace Program except
through the regular notification procedures of the Committees
on Appropriations. The Committee would note that while Russia
is a member of the Partnership for Peace, the Committee
strongly believes it is still extremely premature to consider
providing military assistance to Russia.
administrative expenses
The Committee has continued a limitation on administrative
expenses of $23,250,000, the level requested by the
Administration and the same level approved for 1996.
foreign military financing surcharge
The Committee has included an overall limitation of Foreign
Military Financing operating costs of $355,000,000, unless
notified through the Committee's fifteen day notification
process. The Committee believes that it is important to retain
this overall limitation, which is the same level included in
last year's bill, in order to ensure that funds collected to
pay for personnel dedicated to the operation of the FMF system
are used for that purpose only.
excess subsidy costs
The Committee has included prior year language allowing the
subsidy costs of direct loans to be used to supplement funds
available for grants under certain conditions and vice versa.
fmf expenditure rate
The Committee continues bill language that requires that
Foreign Military Financing funds be expended at the minimum
rate necessary to make timely payments for defense articles and
services.
loans
The Committee has included a provision in the bill limiting
loans to $323,815,000.
procurement agreements
The Committee has continued prior year language requiring
recipients of Foreign Military Financing to sign agreements
with the United States prior to using FMF funds to finance the
procurement of any item not sold by the United States under the
Arms Export Control Act.
administrative expenses
The Committee expects the Department of Defense to
carefully review administrative expenses in an effort to reduce
expenditures.
prohibitions
The Committee has included bill language prohibiting
military assistance to Zaire, Sudan, Liberia, and Guatemala.
The administration did not request military assistance for
these countries for fiscal year 1997.
fmf loans for greece and turkey
The Committee reaffirms that last year marked the
graduation of both Greece and Turkey as annual FMF loan program
recipients for the purpose of supporting major new weapons
acquisitions. However, in last year's report the Committee
noted that it would entertain future sustainment requests for
either country based upon the request's individual merit. The
administration's fiscal year 1997 request for FMF loans for
Greece and Turkey is a significant reduction from the 1996
program level and is to be used to support upgrades or
replacement parts for existing U.S. origin equipment currently
in the inventories of the Turkish and Greek armed forces.
special defense acquisition fund
No language was requested by the administration for this
account which continues to be drawn down. The Committee
included language in the fiscal year 1994 bill which required
that all receipts to the Fund be returned to the Treasury. This
remains in effect and will produce a reduction in the deficit
of approximately $166,000,000 in fiscal year 1997.
Peacekeeping Operations
Fiscal year 1996 level.................................. $70,000,000
Fiscal year 1997 request................................ 70,000,000
Committee recommendation................................ 65,000,000
The Committee recommends $65,000,000 for voluntary
contributions for International Peacekeeping Operations. This
amount is $5,000,000 below the level provided in fiscal year
1996 and the President's request.
This account funds voluntary contributions to help defray
costs of peacekeeping activities undertaken on a voluntary
basis by regional organizations such as the Organization for
Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and the Organization
for African Unity (OAU). It also funds one-third of the
Multinational Force and Observers (Sinai), a critical component
of the Egypt/Israel peace accords.
The Committee's recommendation assumes that the
Administration will focus its support on high-priority, on-
going peacekeeping operations and activities. Up to $3,000,000
could be used to support implementation of the agreement
between the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan and the Kurdistan
Democratic Party.
voluntary contribution to war crimes tribunal
The Committee strongly supports the efforts of the War
Crimes Tribunal in its work to ensure the impartial
administration of justice regarding war crimes committed during
the Bosnian conflict. To further this effort, up to $3,000,000
of the funds appropriated in this account may be provided to
the Tribunal as a voluntary contribution.
TITLE IV--MULTILATERAL ECONOMIC ASSISTANCE
International Financial Institutions
The budgetary situation forces the Committee to begin a
process of choosing among the nine multilateral development
banks (MDBs) it has traditionally supported. This year funding
is requested for the first time for an eleventh institution,
the Middle East Bank for Economic Cooperation and Development.
The request includes two institutions that were not funded last
year. The 1997 budget estimate of $1,432,568,810 is more
realistic than the 1996 request of $2,303,865,000, but the
Committee cannot recommend full funding this year under its
reduced budget allocation for this appropriations bill. This
allocation must accommodate several other high priority items:
the $200,000,000 annual reconstruction effort in Bosnia, a new
$50,000,000 counter-terrorism program for Israel, and an
increase of $35,000,000 for international narcotics control.
In approaching this dilemma, the Committee is keenly aware
of the fact that the multilateral development banks have served
American interests in many ways. Many of them have supported,
and continue to support, American businesses in opening new
markets and securing financing unavailable from commercial
markets. The ``leveraging effect'' of more than $20 made
available to developing economies for every dollar appropriated
by Congress has enabled the Committee to prudently reduce the
size of its Foreign Operations Appropriations Acts over the
past decade. These factors, the impact on American business and
maximum ``leveraging'' ratios, have guided the Committee in its
recommendations.
Another factor entered into the Committee's deliberations:
the growing role of the private sector in developing nations
that have until recently chosen to undertake development
through centrally planned or state-dominated economic models.
Last year, the Committee heard dramatic testimony about the
fast growing sector for American exports, private sector
infrastructure projects, mostly in the areas of energy and
telecommunications. Several successful participants in such
projects have volunteered that certain of the MDBs had been
vital to their undertakings which promote sustainable
development abroad and good jobs in the United States. Reports
from the private sector about the impact of new restrictions on
United States firms seeking to bid on projects funded by the
International Development Association (IDA) have also affected
the Committee recommendations.
Finally, no major reevaluation of the role of the
multilateral development banks has been undertaken and
completed by the United States Government since the Reagan
Administration in 1982. In prior years, the Committee has noted
that the Reagan Administration concluded that ``the value of
the MDBs lies primarily in their cost effective contribution to
LDC economic growth and stability.'' This is still a valid
point, but it may not be equally true for all of the
institutions.
The present Administration and its industrial partners
undertook a review of the MDBs as part of the Halifax Economic
Summit last year. The Committee looks forward to consulting
with the Treasury Department about its conclusions. In
reviewing requests for the MDBs the Committee took into account
the following criteria, as well as those discussed in previous
reports.
To what extent does the institution promote private
sector growth, and how long has it done so?
To what extent does the institution support American
business interests?
To what extent does the institution share the
attributes of a commercial bank, or does it extend
credit on terms approaching a foundation making grants?
Do the U.S. shares retain significant market value?
Does the institution focus on regions vital to the
United States, or on regions where significant amounts
of United States bilateral assistance is directed?
Contribution to the International Bank for Reconstruction and
Development
paid-in capital
Fiscal year 1996 level.................................. $28,189,963
Fiscal year 1997 request................................ 0
Committee recommendation................................ 0
Contribution to the Global Environment Facility
Fiscal year 1996 level.................................. $35,000,000
Fiscal year 1997 request................................ 100,000,000
Committee recommendation................................ 30,000,000
The Committee has no request for ordinary paid-in capital
for the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development
(IBRD) for which $28,189,963 was provided for fiscal year 1996.
The Committee recommends $30,000,000 for the Global Environment
Facility (GEF), administered by the IBRD. The recommendation is
$5,000,000 less than the 1996 enacted level, and the same as
the amount agreed to by the House in two recorded votes on June
27, 1995.
The Committee views the restructured GEF as a potentially
important multilateral funding mechanism for addressing global
environmental problems such as the loss of tropical forests.
The Committee expects to consider future requests for the GEF
according to its success in meeting three policy objectives:
(1) focus of GEF resources on conservation of the most
biologically diverse ecosystems; (2) development of effective
mechanisms for implementation of GEF projects in cooperation
with private and voluntary organizations; and (3) substantial
operating independence of the GEF with respect to the World
Bank group and the United Nations.
Contribution to the International Development Association
Fiscal year 1996 level.................................. $700,000,000
Fiscal year 1997 request................................ 934,503,100
Committee recommendation................................ 525,000,000
The Committee is providing $525,000,000 toward the U.S.
contribution to the Tenth Replenishment of the International
Development Association, a reduction of $175,000,000 below the
1996 enacted level. The 1997 request for $934,503,100 would
have fully met all remaining pledges to IDA X. The recommended
substantial reduction from the Administration's request will
mean that the U.S. will be unable to fulfill its commitment to
IDA X recently renegotiated with other donors in Tokyo. The
Committee wishes to make clear that the decision to provide
less than the full request is a result of necessary budgetary
constraints and regret over the decision by other donors to
deny American companies access to initial procurement under IDA
XI.
explanation of recommendation
The Committee is concerned about the formation of an
Interim Trust Fund within the International Development
Association (IDA), because American companies will be denied
the opportunity to bid on contracts and projects funded from
this entity. Therefore the Committee has prohibited the
obligation of any of the funds provided for IDA until the
Secretary of the Treasury submits a report detailing efforts
made by U.S. officials to oppose the formation of such Fund and
discussing the adverse impacts of other potential alternatives
to the Fund.
The exclusion of American contractors from the opportunity
to bid on any project is highly unusual and contrary to long
established practices of multilateral banks. The Committee
expects to receive this report in a timely fashion and expects
to be informed immediately of any future attempts to exclude
American contractors from bidding on any World Bank projects.
Despite the historical precedent for this Interim fund concept
and the extent of U.S. arrears to the International Development
Association, there is no justification for the exclusion of
American companies especially given the prominent and pivotal
role the U.S. has played in multilateral banks historically.
Punitive restrictions by IDA on procurement by U.S.
companies cannot be ignored by the Committee in light of its
uncomplaining provision of more than 20 percent of IDA funds
over the past 35 years while receiving only 10 percent of IDA
procurement.
The Committee, with exceptions, supports U.S. participation
in this development program which is directed toward the
poorest countries in the world, but also finances relatively
well-off nations. The Committee recognizes that IDA could play
an important role in building markets for U.S. exports, as well
as enhancing the effectiveness of U.S. bilateral export
promotion programs. This is not possible in 1997 as a result of
the short-sighted and punitive position taken by certain other
donors who lack appreciation of the historic sacrifices made by
American taxpayers to finance nine previous replenishments of
IDA, much less the generous attitude toward their countries by
American taxpayers in the aftermath of World War II.
ida and china
The Committee continues to have serious reservations about
China receiving IDA loans, given its current strong economic
and financial status and its human rights record. Last year,
the Committee was encouraged that the Treasury Department had
committed to graduating China from IDA. The Committee is
disappointed that Treasury has had only limited success at this
effort and continues to oppose the eligibility of China to
continue receiving IDA's loans. The Department should continue
to use every opportunity to accelerate the graduation from IDA
of China.
future role of ida
IDA, as the single largest source of external financing in
the low-income nations for market-oriented policy reform, as
well as for education, health and the environment, could play
an indispensable role in helping the poorest countries become
integrated into the global economy. The Committee notes that
the Treasury Department did consult with Congress with regard
to annual U.S. contributions to IDA XI.
International Finance Corporation
Fiscal year 1996 level.................................. $60,900,000
Fiscal year 1997 request................................ 6,656,000
Committee recommendation................................ 6,656,000
The Committee recommends $6,656,000 for the International
Finance Corporation, the amount requested, and $54,244,000 less
than the 1996 level.
The Committee continues to be concerned about the negative
environmental impacts of certain IFC investments and financing
operations. The Committee reiterates that the U.S. executive
director and Treasury Department officials should use their
influence to bring IFC into compliance with section 521 of P.L.
101-240 (known as the Pelosi amendment).
Contribution to the Inter-American Development Bank
inter-regional paid-in capital
Fiscal 1996 level....................................... $25,952,110
Fiscal 1997 request..................................... 25,610,667
Committee recommendation................................ 25,610,667
(Limitation on callable capital)
1996 level..............................................($1,523,767,142)
1997 request............................................ (1,503,718,910)
Committee recommendation................................ (1,503,718,910)
Fund for Special Operations
Fiscal 1996 level....................................... $10,000,000
Fiscal 1997 Request..................................... 31,411,000
Committee recommendation................................ 10,000,000
The Committee has recommended funding for Inter-regional
paid-in capital of $25,610,667 for fiscal year 1997, the same
amount as the President's request for the Inter-American
Development Bank. The Committee has recommended a limitation on
callable capital of $1,503,718,910 for fiscal year 1997. The
Committee recommends $10,000,000 for fiscal year 1997, the same
as the amount provided in fiscal year 1996, for the soft-loan
Fund for Special Operations. The Committee notes that Inter-
American Development Bank management is considering a plan to
make the FSO self-sustaining within a few years. Confirmation
of this graduation policy will be of interest to the Committee.
Multilateral Investment Fund
Fiscal year 1996 level.................................. $53,750,000
Fiscal year 1997 request................................ 27,500,000
Committee recommendation................................ 27,500,000
The Committee has fully funded the Administration's request
of $27,500,000 for the U.S. contribution to the Multilateral
Investment Fund. It was not consulted about the Administration
decision to cut the MIF request by almost 50 percent from the
1996 enacted level. The request is substantially less than the
amount scheduled in agreements with Japan and other donors to
the MIF. The Committee suggests that the Treasury Department
explain to other donors that the reduction was undertaken
solely for budgetary reasons and not because of lack of support
of the MIF. The Committee notes that the Administration plans
to seek appropriations in future year to meet United States
commitments to the MIF.
The MIF has emerged as a cost-effective way of promoting
micro-enterprise and private sector-led development among
countries in Latin America and the Caribbean who have a proven
commitment to economic reform.
Contribution to the Asian Development Bank
paid-in capital
Fiscal 1996 level....................................... $13,221,596
Fiscal 1997 request..................................... 13,221,596
Committee recommendation................................ 13,221,596
(Limitation on callable capital)
Fiscal 1996 level....................................... ($647,858,204)
Fiscal 1997 request..................................... (647,858,204)
Committee recommendation................................ (647,858,204)
Asian Development Fund
Fiscal 1996 level....................................... $100,000,000
Fiscal 1997 request..................................... 100,000,000
Committee recommendation................................ 100,000,000
The Administration is requesting $13,221,596 for paid-in
capital and a limitation of $647,858,204 on callable capital
subscriptions (which do not require appropriations) of the
Asian Development Bank. The Committee recommends an amount that
is the same as the request and the 1996 enacted level.
The request for the soft-loan Asian Development Fund is
$100,000,000, the same as the amount provided in fiscal year
1996 but less than half of the amount scheduled to be requested
this year. The Committee is reluctant to exceed the request,
and recommends the same.
The Committee has been informed that the Asian Development
Bank is considering procurement limitations similar to those
invoked by IDA against American (and, in this case, Singapore)
firms. In this case, the hesitation to fund the institution in
a more timely manner originated in the Executive branch, but
putative procurement restrictions against American firms by the
Asian Development Bank and Fund would drastically reduce the
Committee's willingness to consider future requests.
African Development Bank
Paid-in Capital
Fiscal 1996 level....................................... 0
Fiscal 1997 request..................................... $16,000,000
Committee recommendation................................ 0
(limitation on callable capital)
Fiscal 1996 level....................................... (0)
Fiscal 1997 request..................................... ($112,000,000)
Committee recommendation................................ (0)
Contribution to the African Development Fund
Fiscal 1996 level....................................... 0
Fiscal 1997 Budget Estimate............................. $50,000,000
Committee recommendation................................ 0
The Committee cannot agree to renew funding for the African
Development Bank or Fund at this time. Although encouraged by
the new management of the Bank and Fund, the Committee cannot
appropriate funds in the absence of an agreement by the members
of the Bank to fully reform its procedures and replenish its
resources. The Committee requests that the Treasury Department
keep it fully informed of the status of replenishment
negotiations and reform measures undertaken by the Bank and
Fund.
Contribution to the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development
paid-in capital
Fiscal 1996 level....................................... $70,000,000
Fiscal 1997 request..................................... 11,916,447
Committee recommendation................................ 11,916,447
(Limitation on callable capital)
Fiscal 1996 level....................................... ($163,333,333)
Fiscal 1997 request..................................... (27,805,043)
Committee recommendation................................ (27,805,043)
The Committee is recommending $11,914,447 for the European
Bank for Reconstruction and Development. This amount is
significantly less than the $70,000,000 provided in fiscal year
1996 and the same as the President's request. A somewhat larger
request is anticipated for fiscal year 1998 as part of the
EBRD's planned first and only replenishment.
After a difficult start-up period, the EBRD has made
exceptional progress in its aim of financing the private sector
in Central and Eastern Europe. During 1995, more than 70
percent of EBRD's commitments went to the new private sector in
the region. For the most part, this financing was available
only through the EBRD.
As the Committee begins to cut back somewhat on its
bilateral appropriations for Central Europe, it anticipates
that market-rate credits from multilateral institutions such as
the EBRD and the IBRD can finance the economic growth that is
needed to support democracy and free markets in the region. The
Committee is encouraged the EBRD has agreed that its
forthcoming replenishment will be its first and last request
for public sector funds. The EBRD expects to become the first
multilateral bank to become self-sustaining and dependent on
profits and private funds.
North American Development Bank
paid-in capital
Fiscal 1996 level....................................... $56,250,000
Fiscal 1997 request..................................... 56,250,000
Committee recommendation................................ 50,625,000
(limitation on callable capital)
Fiscal 1996 level....................................... ($318,750,000)
Fiscal 1997 request..................................... (318,750,000)
Committee recommendation................................ (318,750,000)
The Administration is requesting $56,250,000 for paid-in
capital and a limitation of $318,750,000 on callable capital
subscriptions (which do not require appropriations) of the
North American Development Bank. The request is the same as the
1996 enacted level. The Committee recommends $50,625,000 in
paid-in capital, an amount that is 90 percent of the request.
The $5,625,000 reduction is deferred until needed in future
years, and does not reflect any reduction in the Committee's
support for the NADBank. The deferred amount was intended to
fund the third year of an economic development effort that is
only now becoming operational. The $11,250,000 already
available for obligation and the amount deferred will fund a
new program affecting non-border localities.
The North American Development Bank was created and is
governed by the United States and Mexico as part of the North
American Free Trade Agreement. This is the second year funding
has been requested in this bill; an initial U.S. investment to
mobilize NADBank was directly appropriated in the NAFTA
Implementation Act.
The NADBank is unique among the multilateral development
banks, as it is specifically designed to fund projects that
will have either a direct or indirect impact on the United
States and its citizens. It was designed to provide between
$2,000,000,000 and $3,000,000,000 in financing for high
priority environmental infrastructure projects, ninety percent
of which are within 60 miles of the border and ten percent
elsewhere when directly tied to NAFTA-related job displacement.
The primary purpose of NADBank is to finance environmental
infrastructure projects along the U.S.-Mexican border,
particularly in the areas of wastewater treatment, drinking
water, and municipal solid waste. Only projects certified by
the U.S.-Mexican Border Environment Cooperation Commission, a
new institution designed to assist border states and local
communities in coordinating border clean-up, will be eligible
for NADBank financing.
Bank for Economic Cooperation and Development in the Middle East and
North Africa
paid-in capital
Fiscal 1996 level....................................... 0
Fiscal 1997 request..................................... $52,500,000
Committee recommendation................................ 0
(limitation on callable capital)
Fiscal 1996 level....................................... (0)
Fiscal 1997 request..................................... ($157,500,000)
Committee recommendation................................ (0)
The Committee has not provided funds for this proposed new
institution.
International Monetary Fund
Contribution to the Enhanced Structural Adjustment Facility
Fiscal 1996 level....................................... 0
Fiscal 1997 request..................................... $7,000,000
Committee recommendation................................ 0
The Committee is unable to recommend any funding in fiscal
1997 for the Enhanced Structural Adjustment Facility of the
International Monetary Fund. The President requested $7,000,000
for this purpose, less than 30 percent of the amount requested
and denied in fiscal year 1996.
International Organizations and Programs
Fiscal year 1996 level.................................. $285,000,000
Fiscal year 1997 request................................ 325,000,000
Committee recommendation................................ 136,000,000
The Committee is recommending $136,000,000 for
International Organizations and Programs. This is $149,000,000
below the fiscal year 1996 level and $189,000,000 below the
President's request. However, the Committee has shifted
$100,000,000 for a grant to UNICEF from this account to ``Child
Survival and Disease Programs Fund'' under title II. It has
also shifted funds for the International Atomic Energy Agency
(IAEA) and the Korea Peninsula Energy Development Organization
(KEDO) from this account to ``Nonproliferation, anti-terrorism,
demining and related programs'' under title II. Therefore, on a
comparable basis, the recommendation is approximately the same
as the 1996 level.
The Committee recommendation includes bill language carried
in the 1996 appropriations act that limits funding for the
United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) to a maximum level of
$25,000,000, the 1996 House-passed level. It also states that
none of the funds provided to UNFPA shall be made available for
activities in China, and that no funds may be made available to
UNFPA unless the Secretary of State certifies that UNFPA
activities in China have ended and that the organization has no
plans to resume activities in China during fiscal year 1997.
china and hong kong
The Committee supports the creation of strong democratic
institutions in Hong Kong and the protection of its status
after transfer to China. It is concerned by increasing reports
of limitations on freedom of the press leading up to the
transfer of the Colony.
organization funding levels
The Committee is aware that the recommended funding level
will require reductions in the request for contributions to
many organizations. However, the highest priority should be
given to funding for the United Nations Voluntary Fund for
Victims of Torture at a level at least equal to the budget
request. The Committee also supports the goals of the United
Nations Development Program (UNDP) and supports funding for
UNDP to the maximum extent possible.
TITLE V--GENERAL PROVISIONS
The Committee recommends that many of the general
provisions carried in the fiscal year 1996 bill be dropped.
These provisions are either addressed elsewhere in permanent
law, have been considered by the authorizing Committee, or are
no longer necessary.
The Committee has recommended the following new and revised
general provisions.
prohibition on financing nuclear goods
The Committee has revised section 506 to exempt
``Nonproliferation, Anti-terrorism, Demining and Related
Programs'' from the general prohibition on financing nuclear
goods with funds appropriated under this Act. Previously,
``International Organizations and Programs'' had been exempt
from this prohibition.
prohibition against direct funding for certain countries
The Committee has revised section 507, that prohibits
direct funding to selected countries, by deleting Serbia from
the list of prohibited countries. Serbia has been added to
section 520.
transfers between accounts
The Committee has revised section 509 by deleting language
exempting transfers from the regular notification procedure
requirements.
deobligation/reobligation authority
The Committee has updated the authority of section 510 for
another fiscal year regarding its application to bilateral
economic assistance funds under title II and funds to carry out
section 23 of the Arms Export Control Act.
notification requirements
The bill continues the existing provision on congressional
notifications in section 515. The text has been updated to
reflect changes in the bill account structure, including the
addition of the ``Child Survival and Diseases Program Fund,''
``Debt restructuring,'' and ``Nonproliferation, Anti-terrorism,
Demining and Related Programs''.
limitation of availability of funds for international organizations and
programs.
The Committee has updated section 516 making funds that are
returned or not made available for organizations and programs
because of this section or similar provisions of law, available
for obligation through September 30, 1998.
population assistance funding limitations
The Committee has replaced section 518A with new language
regarding limitations on population assistance funding. Under
section 518A, foreign private or nongovernmental organizations
can receive population assistance funds appropriated under this
Act only if the organization certifies that it will not perform
abortions in any foreign country, except where the life of the
mother would be endangered if the fetus were carried to term or
in the case of forcible rape or incest. An organization further
cannot receive funds under this Act until it certifies that it
will not violate the laws of a foreign country concerning the
circumstances under which abortion is permitted, regulated, or
prohibited, or engage in an effort in a foreign country to
alter the laws or governmental policies concerning the
circumstances under which abortion is permitted, regulated, or
prohibited. If a foreign private or nongovernmental
organization does not issue these certifications, it may
receive population assistance appropriated under this Act for
fiscal year 1997, but at a level not to exceed 50 percent of
the funds made available to the organization in fiscal year
1995 at a rate of 8.34 percent per month for the first four
months of fiscal year 1997. Organizations that did not receive
funds in fiscal year 1995 must meet the certification
requirements in order to receive funds in fiscal year 1997.
Population assistance funds for fiscal year 1997 may be made
available in an amount not to exceed 65 percent of the total
amount appropriated for fiscal year 1995.
special notification requirements
The Committee has revised section 520, which requires prior
notification through the Committee's notification process, by
dropping Guatemala and Nicaragua from the notification
requirements of this section and adding Serbia and South
Africa. The Committee has also deleted language that exempted
prior notification for development assistance for Nicaragua.
reciprocal leasing
The Committee has updated section 524 on reciprocal leasing
to change the effective date from 1996 to 1997.
prohibition on bilateral assistance to terrorist countries
The Committee has revised section 527 by deleting text that
permitted the application of section 527 ``notwithstanding any
other provision of law.''
debt-for-development
The Committee has revised section 530, that allows NGOs to
deposit in interest bearing accounts appropriated funds or
local currencies, by requiring that such interest earned shall
be used for the same purpose for which the assistance was
provided to the organizations.
separate accounts
The Committee has revised the requirement of section 531
concerning separate accounts for local currencies. The Agency
for International Development would be required to take all
``necessary'' steps, rather than ``appropriate'' steps, to
ensure that local currencies disbursed from a special account
are used for the purposes agreed upon with the foreign
government. A new reporting requirement has also been added
requiring the AID Administrator to report annually, as part of
the justification documents, on the use of local currencies for
the administrative requirements of the U.S. Government.
pow/mia military drawdown
The Committee has updated section 534, which permits the
drawdown of U.S. military equipment related to POW/MIA
activities, to extend the drawdown authority for another fiscal
year.
mediterranean excess defense articles
The Committee has revised section 535, which requires that
excess defense equipment provided to Greece and Turkey be
provided at levels that closely approximate the ratio of
foreign military financing provided to the two countries, by
requiring that excess defense articles provided for the four-
year period beginning on October 1, 1996 shall be provided
consistent with the manner in which the President made
available excess defense articles during the four-year period
that began on October 1, 1992, pursuant to section 573(e) of
the 1990 Foreign Operations Appropriations Act.
authority to assist bosnia and herzegovina
The Committee has revised and updated section 539, which
provides permissive authority for the drawdown of United States
military equipment for Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Committee
has deleted out-dated congressional findings relating to the
U.N. arms embargo to any country of the former Yugoslavia and
language concerning the lifting of the U.N. arms embargo or a
unilateral lifting by the President. Section 539 continues the
authority permitting the drawdown of U.S. military equipment
for Bosnia and Herzegovina at an aggregate amount that totals
$100,000,000 for the combined two-year period of fiscal years
1996 and 1997.
restrictions on the termination of sanctions against serbia and
montenegro
The Committee has revised section 540 by deleting
subsection (d) that amended section 660(b) of the Foreign
Assistance Act of 1961 relating to assistance for police
training for sanctions monitoring and enforcement, and for the
reconstitution of civilian police authority in a nation
emerging from instability.
special authorities
The Committee has revised section 541, concerning special
authorities, by increasing from $40,000,000 to $50,000,000 the
amount available in fiscal year 1997 to the President under his
contingency authority authorized in section 451 of the Foreign
Assistance Act of 1961.
anti-narcotics activities
The Committee has revised section 543 by making adjustments
to references of provisions contained in section 534 of the
Foreign Assistance Act of 1961. ESF funds for Administration of
Justice programs may be provided consistent with section 534(b)
(previously section 534) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961.
In addition, the Committee has added two ``notwithstanding''
authorities, permitting the use of funds available under this
section, notwithstanding section 534(c) and the second sentence
of section 534(e) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961.
eligibility for assistance
The Committee has updated section 544 to continue the
authority for another fiscal year permitting Public Law 480
food assistance without regard to country restrictions
contained in this or any other Act.
limitation on assistance for the plo for the west bank and gaza
The Committee has updated section 553 by changing
references of the relevant presidential authority to section
604(a) of the Middle East Peace Facilitation Act of 1995.
LANDMINES
The Committee has revised section 556, concerning
landmines, by deleting a proviso that amended section 1365(c)
of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1993.
HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE
The Committee has revised section 559 by adding the section
title, ``Humanitarian Assistance.''
EQUITABLE ALLOCATION OF FUNDS
The Committee has added a new provision, section 561,
providing that no country in Latin America and the Caribbean
region can receive more than 20 percent of funds appropriated
by this Act for development assistance and ESF provided for
bilateral and Latin America and the Caribbean regional
programs.
INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION
The Committee has added a new provision, section 564,
authorizing $525,000,000 for a U.S. contribution to the tenth
replenishment of the International Development Association.
LIBERIA
The Committee has revised section 567, that permits
assistance for Liberia notwithstanding debt arrearages to the
U.S. Government, by deleting the text of an amendment to Public
Law 102-270.
GUATEMALA
The Committee has revised section 568, regarding military
assistance to Guatemalan military forces, by deleting
references to Guatemalan security forces.
SANCTIONS AGAINST COUNTRIES HARBORING WAR CRIMINALS
The Committee has revised section 569, concerning sanctions
against countries harboring war criminals, by including a
Presidential authorization to withhold bilateral assistance. In
addition, a requirement that the Secretary of the Treasury
instruct U.S. executive directors of the international
financial institutions to oppose loans to such countries is
modified by a provision stating that the Secretary should
instruct U.S. executive directors to oppose loans to such
countries.
LIMITATION ON ASSISTANCE FOR HAITI
The Committee has revised section 570 that prohibits non-
humanitarian assistance to the Government of Haiti unless the
President reports to Congress that the Government of Haiti is
investigating extrajudicial and political killings and
cooperating with U.S. authorities in such investigations. The
President may waive this section because of national interest
reasons, but only on a quarterly basis, and he may not delegate
the authority to make the national interest determination. The
Committee has deleted language permitting the waiver of this
section if it was necessary to assure the safe and timely
withdrawal of American forces from Haiti.
limitation of assistance to turkey
The Committee has included a new section 571 limiting
Economic Support Fund assistance to Turkey to $25,000,000.
reports regarding hong kong
The Committee has included a new section 572 similar to
section 576 in the 1996 act requiring reports on Hong Kong.
provisions retained from fiscal year 1996
The following general provisions from the fiscal year 1996
bill were retained in the fiscal year 1997 bill unchanged
except for new section numbers where appropriate:
Sec. 501. Obligations During Last Month of
Availability.
Sec. 502. Prohibition of Bilateral Funding for
International Financial Institutions.
Sec. 503. Limitation on AID Residential Expenses.
Sec. 504. Limitation on Expenses.
Sec. 505. Limitation on Representational Allowances.
Sec. 508. Military Coups.
Sec. 511. Availability of Funds.
Sec. 512. Limitation on Assistance to Countries in
Default.
Sec. 513. Commerce and Trade.
Sec. 514. Surplus Commodities.
Sec. 517. Economic Support Fund Assistance for
Israel.
Sec. 518. Prohibition on Funding for Abortions and
Involuntary Sterilizations.
Sec. 519. Reporting Requirement.
Sec. 521. Definition of Program, Project, and
Activity.
Sec. 522. Child Survival and AIDS Activities.
Sec. 523. Prohibition Against Indirect Funding to
Certain Countries.
Sec. 525. Notification on Excess Defense Equipment.
Sec. 526. Authorization Requirement.
Sec. 528. Commercial Leasing of Defense Articles.
Sec. 528A. Competitive Insurance.
Sec. 529. Stingers in the Persian Gulf Region.
Sec. 532. Compensation for U.S. Executive Directors.
Sec. 533. Compliance with UN Sanctions Against Iraq.
Sec. 536. Cash Flow Financing.
Sec. 537. Authorities for the Peace Corps, The Inter-
American Foundation and the African Development
Foundation.
Sec. 538. Impact on Jobs in the United States.
Sec. 542. Policy on Terminating the Arab League
Boycott of Israel.
Sec. 544A. Earmarks.
Sec. 545. Ceilings and Earmarks.
Sec. 546. Prohibition on Publicity or Propaganda.
Sec. 547. Use of American Resources.
Sec. 548. Prohibition of Payments to UN Members.
Sec. 549. Consulting Services.
Sec. 550. Private Voluntary Organizations--
Documentation.
Sec. 551. Prohibition on Assistance to Foreign
Governments that Export Lethal Military Equipment to
Countries Supporting International Terrorism.
Sec. 552. Withholding of Assistance for Parking Fines
Owed by Foreign Countries.
Sec. 554. Export Financing Transfer Authorities.
Sec. 555. War Crimes Tribunals.
Sec. 557. Restrictions Concerning the Palestinian
Authority.
Sec. 558. Prohibition on Payment of Certain Expenses.
Sec. 560. Withholding of Assistance to Countries
Supporting Nuclear Power Plant in Cuba.
Sec. 562. Purchase of American-Made Equipment and
Products.
Sec. 563. Limitation of Funds for North American
Development Bank.
Sec. 565. Special Debt Relief for the Poorest.
Sec. 566. Authority to Engage in Debt Buybacks or
Sales.
MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION
Comparison With Budget Resolution
Section 308(a)(1)(A) of the Congressional Budget and
Impoundment Control Act of 1974 (Public Law 93-344), requires
that the report accompanying a bill providing new budget
authority contain a statement detailing how the authority
compares with the reports submitted under section 602(b) of the
Act for the most recently agreed to concurrent resolution on
the budget for the fiscal year. This information follows:
FISCAL YEAR 1997 APPROPRIATIONS
[Dollars in millions]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Budget
authority Outlays
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sec. 602(b):
Discretionary....................... 11,950 13,311
Mandatory........................... 44 44
-------------------------------
Total............................. 11,994 13,355
===============================
This bill:
Discretionary....................... 11,950 13,297
Mandatory........................... 44 44
-------------------------------
Total............................. 11,994 13,341
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The bill provides no new spending authority as described in
section 401(c)(2) of the Congressional Budget and Impoundment
Control Act of 1974 (Public Law 93-344), as amended.
Five-Year Projection of Outlays
In compliance with section 308(a)(1)(C) of the
Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (Public Law 93-344 as
amended), the following table contains five-year projections
associated with the budget authority provided in the
accompanying bill.
Fiscal Year 1997 Appropriations
Millions
Budget authority........................................ $11,922
Outlays................................................. 11,605
Fiscal Year:
1997................................................ 5,088
1998................................................ 3,656
1999................................................ 1,162
2000................................................ 719
2001 and future years............................... 980
Assistance to State and Local Governments
Section 308(a)(1)(D) of the Congressional Budget Act of
1974 requires that the report accompanying any bill or
resolution providing new budget authority (other than
continuing appropriations shall contain a statement of the new
budget authority and budget outlays provided by that bill or
resolution for financial assistance to State and local
governments.
The amounts recommended in the accompanying bill contain no
budget authority or budget outlays for State or local
governments.
Inflationary Impact Statement
Clause 2(l)(4) of rule XI of the Rules of the House of
Representatives requires that each committee report on a bill
or resolution shall contain a statement as to whether enactment
of the bill or resolution would have an inflationary impact on
prices and costs in the operations of the national economy. The
reductions in the bill will have a positive impact on reducing
inflation.
Changes in the Application of Existing Law
Pursuant to clause 3, rule XXI of the Rules of the House of
Representatives, the following statements are submitted
describing the effects of provisions in the accompanying bill
which directly or indirectly change the application of existing
law. Most of the language has been provided in previous
measures including supplementals for the departments and
agencies carried in the accompanying bill.
1. The bill contains appropriations for a number of items
for which authorizations for fiscal year 1997 have not yet been
enacted. The bill allows funds appropriated in the bill to be
obligated notwithstanding the lack of authorizations of
appropriations.
2. The bill provides that a few of the appropriations shall
remain available for obligation beyond the current fiscal year.
In all cases it is deemed desirable to carry such language in
order to provide for orderly administration of such programs
and effective use of funds.
3. The bill contains a number of general provisions and
other language which have been carried in the bill in past
years.
4. Under ``Export-Import Bank'', the Committee permits up
to $50,000,000 be available for tied-aid grants purposes.
5. Under ``Overseas Private Investment Corporation'', the
corporation is authorized to make expenditures, and it is
stated that administrative expenses shall not include project-
specific costs and other related costs. In addition, funds are
authorized to be derived by transfer from the noncredit
account. Funds are also authorized to be provided for direct
loan obligations and loan guarantees. Finally, funds are
authorized for administrative expenses by transfer from the
noncredit account.
6. Funds are provided for the Trade and Development Agency,
and the agency is authorized to receive reimbursements from
corporations and other entities to cover the costs of grants
for feasibility studies and other project planning services, to
be deposited as an offsetting collection and to be available
for obligation until September 30, 1997, for necessary
expenses. However, funds would not be available to cover the
direct or indirect costs of administration.
7. Under ``Contribution to the International Finance
Corporation'', the Committee limits the amount that can be used
to purchase capital stock and appropriates $6,656,000.
8. A new account has been added providing $600,000,000 for
``Child Survival and Disease Programs Fund''.
9. Under ``Development Assistance'', the Committee provides
that not to exceed $12,000,000 may be transferred to ``Debt
restructuring'', subject to the regular notification procedures
of the Committee.
10. Under ``Development Assistance'' the bill contains
provisions relating to abortion that were carried in the 1996
act.
11. Under ``Private and Voluntary Organizations'', the
Committee includes a provision that funds appropriated under
title II should be made available to PVOs at a level which is
equivalent to the level provided in fiscal year 1995. It also
continues provisions continued from last year on minimum funds
from private sources.
12. Under ``International Disaster Assistance'', funds are
made available for rehabilitation and reconstruction
assistance.
13. Under ``Debt restructuring'', funds are made available
for modifying direct loans and loan guarantees, including the
cost of selling, reducing, or canceling amounts, through debt
buybacks and swaps, owed to the United States as a result of
concessional loans made to eligible Latin American and
Caribbean countries.
14. In title II, funds are provided for micro and small
enterprise direct loans and loan guarantees, and administrative
expenses are appropriated which may be transferred to the
operating expenses account of the Agency for International
Development.
15. In title II, funds are appropriated for the
administrative costs of the housing guaranty program, and such
funds may be transferred to the operating expenses account of
the Agency for International Development. Program funds are
limited to South Africa.
16. Under ``Operating Expenses of the United States Agency
for International Development'', the Committee has placed a
ceiling of $1,475,000 on the amount of such funds that can be
used to pay printing costs.
17. Under ``Operating Expenses of the United States Agency
for International Development'', the Committee has placed
conditions on the proposed move of the agency to a building in
the Federal Triangle of the District of Columbia.
18. On page 22, under ``Economic Support Fund'', the
Committee has continued the prohibition on the transfer of
assistance to the Government of Zaire. The application of this
provision should be the same as in prior fiscal years.
19. Under ``International Fund for Ireland'', up to
$19,600,000 is provided, which shall be expended at the minimum
rate necessary to make timely payment for projects and
activities.
20. Under ``Assistance to Eastern Europe and the Baltic
States'', funds are provided notwithstanding any other
provision of law for economic assistance; authority is provided
for enterprise funds to deposit monies in interest-bearing
accounts without the requirement that such interest be returned
to the Treasury and without further appropriation by the
Congress; funds are made available as if they were considered
economic assistance under the Foreign Assistance Act; and funds
for Bosnia are subject to certain conditions, including
limitations on funds for housing.
21. Under ``Assistance for the New Independent States of
the Former Soviet Union'', the Committee has included a
provision regarding utilization of the private sector.
22. Under ``International Narcotics Control'', the
Department of State is provided the authority to use section
608 of the Foreign Assistance Act, without regard to its
limitations, to receive non-lethal excess property from an
agency of the United States government for the purpose of
providing it to a foreign country, subject to notification of
the Committees on Appropriations.
23. Funding is provided for ``Migration and Refugee
Assistance'', and a limitation of $12,000,000 is provided for
administrative expenses. Notification is required for funds for
Rwandese refugees.
24. Under ``United States Emergency Refugee and Migration
Assistance Fund'', funds are provided notwithstanding the
limitations contained in section 2(c)(2) of the Migration and
Refugee Assistance Act of 1962.
25. Under ``Nonproliferation, Anti-terrorism, Demining, and
Related Programs'', funds are made available to countries other
than the independent states of the former Soviet Union and
international organizations when it is in the national security
interest of the United States; funds are made available
notwithstanding any other provision of law; and the use of
funds is made subject to the notification procedures of the
Committees on Appropriations.
26. Under ``International Military Education and
Training'', the Committee provides IMET for Indonesia only for
expanded military education and training.
27. Under ``Foreign Military Financing Program'', the
Committee has provided that not to exceed $475,000,000 in FMF
grants shall be available for the procurement in Israel of
defense articles and defense services, that FMF grants for any
non-NATO country participating in the Partnership for Peace
Program shall be subject to the Committee's regular
notification procedures, and that FMF loans for Greece and
Turkey shall not exceed $103,471,000 and $147,816,000,
respectively and included other provisions.
28. Funds are made available for the United States share of
the paid-in portion of the increase in capital stock of the
Inter-American Development Bank and a limitation is placed on
callable capital subscriptions.
29. Funds are made available for the United States share of
the paid-in portion of the increase in capital stock of the
Asian Development Bank and a limitation is placed on callable
capital subscriptions.
30. Under ``Contribution to the European Bank for
Reconstruction and Development'', the Committee has limited to
$11,916,447 the amount appropriated that may be expended for
the purchase of stock during fiscal year 1997 and placed a
limit on callable capital.
31. The Committee has provided funds for the paid-in
capital stock of the ``North American Development Bank'' and
placed a limit on callable capital.
32. Under ``International Organizations and Programs'', the
Committee has prohibited and conditioned the funding of certain
organizations and programs.
33. Under ``International Organizations and Programs'', the
Committee provides that not more than $25,000,000 shall be
available for UNFPA and imposes other limitations.
34. On pages 59 through 156, under ``General Provisions'':
Sec. 506, regarding a prohibition on financing nuclear
goods, is revised so that the prohibition applies to
Nonproliferation, Anti-terrorism, Demining and Relating
Programs instead of International Organizations and Programs.
Sec. 507, prohibiting direct funding for certain countries,
is revised by deleting Serbia from the list of prohibited
countries.
Sec. 509, regarding transfers between accounts, is revised
by deleting language triggering notification procedure
requirements for all transfers between accounts.
Sec. 510, regarding deob/reob authority, has been updated.
Sec. 515 continues the provision for congressional
notification requirements, updating it to reflect the new bill
account structure and account titles.
Sec. 516, limiting the availability of funds for
international organizations and programs, has been updated to
permit funds which are returned or not made available to
organizations and programs because of the limitations of this
section to remain available for obligation through September
30, 1998.
Sec. 518A, placing restrictions and limitations on
population assistance, is revised. Under section 518A, foreign
private or nongovernmental organizations can receive population
assistance funds appropriated under this Act only if the
organization certifies that it will not perform abortions in
any foreign country, except where the life of the mother would
be endangered if the fetus were carried to term or in the case
of forcible rape or incest. An organization further cannot
receive funds under this Act until it certifies that it will
not violate the laws of a foreign country concerning the
circumstances under which abortion is permitted, regulated, or
prohibited, or engage in an effort in a foreign country to
alter the laws or governmental policies concerning the
circumstances under which abortion is permitted, regulated, or
prohibited. If a foreign private or nongovernmental
organization does not issue these certifications, it may
receive population assistance appropriated under this Act for
fiscal year 1997, but at a level not to exceed 50 percent of
the funds made available to the organization in fiscal year
1995 and apportioned at not more than 8.34% for the first four
months of 1997. Organizations that did not receive funds in
fiscal year 1995 must meet the certification requirements in
order to receive funds in fiscal year 1997. Population
assistance funds for fiscal year 1997 may be made available in
an amount not to exceed 65 percent of the total amount
appropriated for fiscal year 1995.
Sec. 520 has been revised by dropping Guatemala and
Nicaragua from the notification requirements of this section,
adding South Africa and Serbia, and deleting text that applied
to only Nicaragua.
Sec. 524, regarding reciprocal leasing, has been updated.
Sec. 527, prohibiting bilateral assistance to terrorist
countries, is revised by deleting text permitting the
application of section 527 ``notwithstanding any other
provision of law.''
Sec. 530 continues the authority in debt-for-development
programs for NGOs to deposit funds in interest bearing accounts
and using the interest earned. Section 530 is revised to
require that such interest shall be used for the same purpose
for which the assistance was provided to the organizations.
Sec. 531, regarding separate accounts, is revised by
requiring the Agency for International Development to take all
``necessary'' steps, rather than ``appropriate'' steps, to
ensure that local currencies disbursed from a special account
are used for the purposes agreed upon with the foreign
government. A new reporting requirement has also been added
concerning the use of local currencies for the administrative
requirements of the U.S. Government.
Sec. 534 continues POW/MIA military drawdown authority for
fiscal year 1997.
Sec. 535, regarding excess defense articles for Greece and
Turkey, continues the requirement that such articles be
provided at levels that closely approximate the ratio of
foreign military financing provided to the two countries. It is
revised by extending the authority for a four-year period
beginning on October 1, 1996, to be provided consistent with
the manner in which the President made available excess defense
articles during the four-year period that began on October 1,
1992, pursuant to section 573(e) of the FY 1990 Foreign
Operations Appropriations Act.
Sec. 539 continues the drawdown authority for defense
articles for Bosnia and Herzegovina for another fiscal year,
but limits the value of such articles to an aggregate total of
$100 million for the combined two-year period of fiscal years
1996 and 1997. Section 539 is also revised by deleting out-
dated congressional findings relating to the U.N. arms embargo
to any country of the former Yugoslavia and language concerning
the lifting of the U.N. arms embargo or a unilateral lifting by
the President.
Sec. 541 continues special authorities in prior year
legislation and increases the President's contingency authority
to $50 million.
Sec. 543, regarding anti-narcotics activities, is continued
and revised by making adjustments to references of provisions
contained in section 534 of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961,
including the addition of two ``notwithstanding'' authorities
covering section 534(c) and the second sentence of section
534(e) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961.
Sec. 544, regarding eligibility for assistance, has been
continued and updated.
Sec. 553, regarding limitations for the PLO for the West
Bank and Gaza, is revised by changing references of the
relevant presidential authority to section 604(a) of the Middle
East Peace Facilitation Act of 1995.
Sec. 554, regarding export financing transfer authorities,
has been updated.
Sec. 561, a new provision, provides that no country in
Latin America and the Caribbean can receive more than 20
percent of funds appropriated by this Act for development
assistance and ESF provided for bilateral and Latin America and
the Caribbean regional programs.
Sec. 564, a new provision, authorizes $525 million for a
U.S. contribution to the tenth replenishment of the
International Development Association.
Sec. 568, regarding military assistance to Guatemala, is
revised by deleting references to Guatemalan security forces.
Sec. 569, concerning sanctions against countries harboring
war criminals, is revised by deleting a mandatory prohibition
on bilateral assistance to such countries and substituting a
permissive Presidential authorization to withhold such
assistance. In addition, a requirement that the Secretary of
the Treasury shall instruct U.S. executive directors of the
international financial institutions to oppose loans to such
countries is replaced by a provision stating that the Secretary
should instruct U.S. executive directors to such institutions
to oppose loans to countries harboring war criminals.
Sec. 570, placing limitations on non-humanitarian
assistance to Haiti, is revised to require any Presidential
waiver of restrictions of such assistance to be made on a
quarterly basis and by directing that a determination to waive
the restrictions must by made by the President and cannot be
delegated. Language has been deleted that permitted the waiver
of this section if it was necessary to assure the safe and
timely withdrawal of American forces from Haiti.
Sec. 572, continues for an additional year the reports on
Hong Kong carried as section 576 in the 1996 act.
compliance with rule XIII--Clause 3
In compliance with clause 3 of rule XIII of the Rules of
the House of Representatives, changes in existing law made by
the bill, as reported, are shown as follows (existing law
proposed to be omitted is enclosed in black brackets, new
matter is printed in italic, existing law in which no change is
proposed is shown in roman).
reciprocal leasing
The accompanying bill in section 524 would amend section
61(a) of the Arms Export Control Act and extend the leasing
authority of that section through fiscal year 1997, as follows:
Sec. 61. Leasing Authority.--(a) The President may lease
defense articles in the stocks of the Department of Defense to
an eligible foreign country or international organization if--
(1) he determines that there are compelling foreign
policy and national security reasons for providing such
articles on a lease basis rather than on a sales basis
under this Act;
(2) he determines that the articles are for the time
not needed for public use;
(3) the President first considers the effects of the
lease of the articles on the national technology and
industrial base, particularly to the extent, if any, to
which the lease reduces the opportunities of entities
in the national technology and industrial base to sell
new equipment to the country or countries to which the
articles are leased; and
(4) the country or international organization has
agreed to pay in United States dollars all cost
incurred by the United States Government in leasing
such articles, including reimbursement for depreciation
of such articles while leased, the costs of restoration
and replacement if the articles are damaged while
leased, and the replacement cost (less any depreciation
in the value) of the articles if the articles are lost
or destroyed while leased.
The requirement of paragraph (4) shall not apply to leases
entered into for purposes of cooperative research of
development, military exercises, or communications or
electronics interface projects, or to any defense article which
has passed three-quarters of its normal service life.
The President may waive the requirement of paragraph
(4) with respect to a lease which is made in exchange
with the lessee for a lease on substantially reciprocal
terms of defense articles for the Department of
Defense, except that this waiver authority--
(A) may be exercised only if the President submits to
the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on
Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the
Committee on Foreign Relations and the Committee on
Appropriations of the Senate, in accordance with the
regular notification procedures of those Committees, a
detailed notification for each lease with respect to
which the authority is exercised; and
(B) may be exercised only during the fiscal year
[1996] 1997 and only with respect to one country,
unless the Congress hereafter provides otherwise.
The preceding sentence does not constitute authorization of
appropriations for payments by the United States for leased
articles.
reports regarding hong kong
The accompanying bill in section 572 would amend section
301 of the United States-Hong Kong Policy Act of 1992 (22
U.S.C. 5731) by inserting an additional date, ``March 31,
1997'', for the submission of the mandated report, as follows:
Sec. 301. Reporting Requirement.--Not later than March 31,
1993, March 31, 1995, March 31, 1996, March 31, 1997, March 31,
1997, March 31, 1998, March 31, 1999, and March 31, 2000, the
Secretary of State shall transmit to the Speaker of the House
of Representatives and the chairman of the Committee on Foreign
Relations of the Senate a report on conditions in Hong Kong of
interest to the United States.
Appropriations Not Authorized by Law
Pursuant to clause 3 of rule XXI of the House of
Representatives, the following table lists the appropriations
in the accompanying bill which are not authorized by law:
Export-Import Bank Tied-Aid Grants
Sec. 572 continues for an additional year the reports on
Hong Kong carried as section 576 in the 1996 act.
Trade and Development Agency
Child Survival and Disease Programs Fund
Development Assistance
International Disaster Assistance
Debt Restructuring
Micro and Small Enterprise Development Program Account
Housing Guaranty Program Account
AID Operating Expenses
AID Operating Expenses, Office of Inspector General
Economic Support Fund
International Fund for Ireland
Assistance for Eastern Europe and the Baltics
Assistance for the New Independent States of the Former Soviet Union
African Development Foundation
Peace Corps
International Narcotics Control
Inter-American Foundation
Refugee Resettlement Assistance
Migration and Refugee Assistance
Nonproliferation, Anti-Terrorism, Demining and Related Programs
International Military Education and Training
Foreign Military Financing Program
Peacekeeping Operations
Global Environment Fund
International Development Association
International Organizations and Programs
Committee Votes
Pursuant to the provisions of clause 2(l)(2)(b) of rule XI
of the House of Representatives, the results of each roll call
vote on an amendment or on the motion to report, together with
the names of those voting for and those voting against, are
printed below:
rollcall no. 1
Date: May 29, 1996.
Measure: FY 1997 Foreign Operating Appropriations Bill.
Motion by: Mr. Wilson (Texas).
Description of Motion: Presidential certification regarding
International Family Planning.
Results: Rejected 20 to 24.
Members Voting Yea Members Voting Nay
Mr. Chapman Mr. Bonilla
Mr. Coleman Mr. Bunn
Mr. Durbin Mr. Callahan
Mr. Fazio Mr. Forbes
Mr. Frelinghuysen Mr. Istook
Mr. Hoyer Mr. Kingston
Ms. Kaptur Mr. Knollenberg
Mr. Kolbe Mr. Lewis
Mrs. Lowey Mr. Lightfoot
Mr. Obey Mr. Livingston
Ms. Pelosi Mr. McDade
Mr. Porter Mr. Miller
Mr. Sabo Mr. Myers
Mr. Serrano Mr. Nethercutt
Mr. Skaggs Mr. Neumann
Mr. Stokes Mr. Packard
Mr. Torres Mr. Parker
Mr. Visclosky Mr. Riggs
Mr. Wilson Mr. Rogers
Mr. Yates Mr. Skeen
Mrs. Vucanovich
Mr. Walsh
Mr. Wicker
Mr. Wolf