22 USC 2295 - Assistance for the independent states

Collapse to view only § 2295. Assistance for the independent states

§ 2295. Assistance for the independent states
§ 2295a. Criteria for assistance to governments of the independent states
§ 2295b. Authorities relating to assistance and other provisions
§ 2295c. Authorization of appropriations

§ 2295. Assistance for the independent statesThe President is authorized to provide assistance to the independent states of the former Soviet Union under this part for the following activities:

(1) Urgent humanitarian needsMeeting urgent humanitarian needs (including those arising from the health effects of exposure to radiation in the Chernobyl region), in particular—

(A) meeting needs for medicine, medical supplies and equipment, and food, including the nutritional needs of infants such as processed baby food; and

(B) continuing efforts to rebuild from the earthquake in Armenia.

(2) Democracy and rule of lawEstablishing a democratic and free society by fostering—

(A) political, social, and economic pluralism;

(B) respect for internationally recognized human rights and the rule of law;

(D) the institution and improvement of public administration at the national, intergovernmental, regional, and local level;

(E) development and support of grass-roots and nongovernmental organizations promoting democracy, the rule of law, transparency, and accountability in the political process, including grants in small amounts to such organizations;

(F) international exchanges and other forms of public diplomacy to promote greater understanding on how democracy, the public policy process, market institutions, and an independent judiciary function in Western societies;

(G) political parties and coalitions committed to promoting democracy, human rights, and economic reforms;

(H) support for civic organizations committed to promoting human rights;

(I) the development of effective control by elected civilian officials over, and the development of a nonpolitical officer corps in, the military and security forces; and

(J) strengthened administration of justice through programs and activities carried out in accordance with section 2295b(e) of this title, including—

(i) support for nongovernmental organizations, civic organizations, and political parties that favor a strong and independent judiciary;

(ii) support for local organizations that work with judges and law enforcement officials in efforts to achieve a reduction in the number of pretrial detainees; and

(iii) support for the creation of legal associations or groups that provide training in human rights and advocacy, public education with respect to human rights-related laws and proposed legislation, and legal assistance to persons subject to improper government interference.

(3) Independent mediaDeveloping free and independent media, including—

(A) supporting all forms of independent media reporting, including print, radio, and television;

(B) providing special support for, and unrestricted public access to, nongovernmental Internet-based sources of information, dissemination and reporting, including providing technical and other support for web radio services, providing computers and other necessary resources for Internet connectivity and training new Internet users in nongovernmental civic organizations on methods and uses of Internet-based media; and

(C) training in journalism, including investigative journalism techniques that educate the public on the costs of corruption and act as a deterrent against corrupt officials.

(4) Free market systemsCreating and developing private enterprise and free market systems based on the principle of private ownership of property, including—

(A) the development of private cooperatives, credit unions, and labor unions;

(B) the improvement in the collection and analysis of statistical information;

(D) the protection of intellectual property.

(5) Trade and investment

(6) Food distribution and production

(7) Health and human services

(8) Education and educational televisionPromoting broad-based educational reform at all levels, in particular—

(A) by assisting the development of curricula and by making available textbooks, other educational materials, and appropriate telecommunications technologies for the delivery of educational and instructional programming; and

(B) by assisting the development of the skills necessary to produce educational television programs aimed at promoting basic skills and the human values associated with a democratic society and a free market economy.

(9) Energy efficiency and production

(10) Civilian nuclear reactor safetyImplementing—

(A) a program of short-term safety upgrade of civilian nuclear power plants, including the training of power plant personnel, implementation of improved procedures for nuclear power plant operation, the development of effective and independent regulatory authorities, and cost-effective hardware upgrades; and

(B) a program to retire those civilian nuclear power plants whose capacity could be more cost-effectively replaced through energy efficiency.

(11) EnvironmentEnhancing the human and natural environment and conserving environmental resources, including through—

(A) facilitation of the adoption of environmentally-sound policies and technologies, environmental restoration, and sustainable use of natural resources;

(B) promotion of the provision of environmental technology, education, and training by United States businesses, not-for-profit organizations, and institutions of higher education; and

(C) promotion of cooperative research efforts to validate and improve environmental monitoring of protracted radiation exposure.

(12) Transportation and telecommunications

(13) Drug education, interdiction, and eradication

(14) Migration

(Pub. L. 87–195, pt. I, § 498, as added Pub. L. 102–511, title II, § 201, Oct. 24, 1992, 106 Stat. 3324; amended Pub. L. 107–246, § 4(a), Oct. 23, 2002, 116 Stat. 1514.)

§ 2295a. Criteria for assistance to governments of the independent states

(a) In generalIn providing assistance under this part for the government of any independent state of the former Soviet Union, the President shall take into account not only relative need but also the extent to which that independent state is acting to—

(1) make significant progress toward, and is committed to the comprehensive implementation of, a democratic system based on principles of the rule of law, individual freedoms, and representative government determined by free and fair elections;

(2) make significant progress in, and is committed to the comprehensive implementation of, economic reform based on market principles, private ownership, and integration into the world economy, including implementation of the legal and policy frameworks necessary for such reform (including protection of intellectual property and respect for contracts);

(3) respect internationally recognized human rights, including the rights of minorities and the rights to freedom of religion and emigration;

(4) respect international law and obligations and adhere to the Helsinki Final Act of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe and the Charter of Paris, including the obligations to refrain from the threat or use of force and to settle disputes peacefully;

(5) cooperate in seeking peaceful resolution of ethnic and regional conflicts;

(6) implement responsible security policies, including—

(A) adhering to arms control obligations derived from agreements signed by the former Soviet Union;

(B) reducing military forces and expenditures to a level consistent with legitimate defense requirements;

(D) restraining conventional weapons transfers;

(7) take constructive actions to protect the international environment, prevent significant transborder pollution, and promote sustainable use of natural resources;

(8) deny support for acts of international terrorism;

(9) accept responsibility for paying an equitable portion of the indebtedness to United States firms incurred by the former Soviet Union;

(10) cooperate with the United States Government in uncovering all evidence regarding Americans listed as prisoners-of-war, or otherwise missing during American operations, who were detained in the former Soviet Union during the Cold War; and

(11) terminate support for the communist regime in Cuba, including removal of troops, closing military and intelligence facilities, including the military and intelligence facilities at Lourdes and Cienfuegos, and ceasing trade subsidies and economic, nuclear, and other assistance.

(b) Ineligibility for assistanceThe President shall not provide assistance under this part—

(1) for the government of any independent state that the President determines is engaged in a consistent pattern of gross violations of internationally recognized human rights or of international law;

(2) for the government of any independent state that the President determines has failed to take constructive actions to facilitate the effective implementation of applicable arms control obligations derived from agreements signed by the former Soviet Union;

(3) for the government of any independent state that the President determines has, on or after October 24, 1992, knowingly transferred to another country—

(A) missiles or missile technology inconsistent with the guidelines and parameters of the Missile Technology Control Regime; or

(B) any material, equipment, or technology that would contribute significantly to the ability of such country to manufacture any weapon of mass destruction (including nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons) if the President determines that the material, equipment, or technology was to be used by such country in the manufacture of such weapon;

(4) for the government of any independent state that is prohibited from receiving such assistance by section 2799aa or 2799aa–1 of this title or sections 5604(a)(1) and 5605 of this title;

(5) for the government of any independent state effective 30 days after the President has determined and certified to the appropriate congressional committees (and Congress has not enacted legislation disapproving the determination within that 30-day period) that such government is providing assistance for, or engaging in nonmarket based trade (as defined in section 2295b(k)(3) of this title) with, the Cuban Government; or

(6) for the Government of Russia if it has failed to make significant progress on the removal of Russian or Commonwealth of Independent States troops from Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania or if it has failed to undertake good faith efforts, such as negotiations, to end other military practices that violate the sovereignty of the Baltics 1

1 So in original. Probably should be “Baltic”.

states.

(c) Exceptions to ineligibilityAssistance prohibited by subsection (b) or any similar provision of law, other than assistance prohibited by the provisions referred to in subsection (b)(4), may be furnished under any of the following circumstances:

(1) The President determines that furnishing such assistance is important to the national interest of the United States.

(2) The President determines that furnishing such assistance will foster respect for internationally recognized human rights and the rule of law or the development of institutions of democratic governance.

(3) The assistance is furnished for the alleviation of suffering resulting from a natural or man-made disaster.

(4) The assistance is provided under the secondary school exchange program administered by the United States Information Agency.

The President shall immediately report to the Congress any determination under paragraph (1) or (2) or any decision to provide assistance under paragraph (3).

(d) Reduction in assistance for support of intelligence facilities in Cuba

(1) Reduction in assistance

(2) Waiver

(A) The President may waive the requirement of paragraph (1) to withhold assistance if the President certifies to the appropriate congressional committees that the provision of such assistance is important to the national security of the United States, and, in the case of such a certification made with respect to Russia, if the President certifies that the Russian Government has assured the United States Government that the Russian Government is not sharing intelligence data collected at the Lourdes facility with officials or agents of the Cuban Government.

(B) At the time of a certification made with respect to Russia under subparagraph (A), the President shall also submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report describing the intelligence activities of Russia in Cuba, including the purposes for which the Lourdes facility is used by the Russian Government and the extent to which the Russian Government provides payment or government credits to the Cuban Government for the continued use of the Lourdes facility.

(D) For purposes of this paragraph, the term “appropriate congressional committees” includes the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence of the House of Representatives and the Select Committee on Intelligence of the Senate.

(3) Exceptions to reductions in assistanceThe requirement of paragraph (1) to withhold assistance shall not apply with respect to—

(A) assistance to meet urgent humanitarian needs, including disaster and refugee relief;

(B) democratic political reform or rule of law activities;

(D) the creation of private sector or nongovernmental organizations that are independent of government control;

(E) the development of a free market economic system;

(F) assistance under the secondary school exchange program administered by the United States Information Agency; or

(G) assistance for the purposes described in the Cooperative Threat Reduction Act of 1993 (title XII of Public Law 103–160) [22 U.S.C. 5951 et seq.].

(Pub. L. 87–195, pt. I, § 498A, as added Pub. L. 102–511, title II, § 201, Oct. 24, 1992, 106 Stat. 3326; amended Pub. L. 103–236, title VIII, § 826(c), Apr. 30, 1994, 108 Stat. 519; Pub. L. 104–114, title I, § 106(b), (c)(1), (3), (d)(2), Mar. 12, 1996, 110 Stat. 795–797.)

§ 2295b. Authorities relating to assistance and other provisions

(a) Assistance through governments and nongovernmental organizations

(b) Technical and managerial assistance

(d) Cooperative development and research projects

(e) Administration of justice programs

(f) Use of economic support funds

(g) Use of SEED agency funds and administrative authoritiesThe President may authorize any agency of the United States Government that has authority to conduct activities under the Support for East European Democracy (SEED) Act of 1989 [22 U.S.C. 5401 et seq.] to use—

(1) any funds that are available to it for activities related to international affairs outside Eastern Europe, and

(2) any administrative authorities that are available to it for activities with respect to Eastern Europe,

to conduct activities authorized by section 2295 of this title with respect to the independent states of the former Soviet Union.

(h) Procurement restrictionsFunds made available for assistance under this part may be used for procurement—

(1) in the United States, the independent states of the former Soviet Union, or a developing country; or

(2) in any other country but only if—

(A) the provision of such assistance requires commodities or services of a type that are not produced in and available for purchase in any country specified in paragraph (1); or

(B) the President determines, on a case-by-case basis, that procurement in such other country is necessary—

(i) to meet unforseen 1

1 So in original. Probably should be “unforeseen”.

circumstances, such as emergency situations, where it is important to permit procurement in a country not specified in paragraph (1), or

(ii) to promote efficiency in the use of United States foreign assistance resources, including to avoid impairment of foreign assistance objectives.

(i) Terms and conditions

(j) Waiver of certain provisions

(1) In generalFunds authorized to be appropriated for fiscal year 1993 by this part, and any other funds appropriated for fiscal year 1993 that are used under the authority of subsection (f) or (g), may be used to provide assistance under this part notwithstanding any other provision of law, except for—

(A) this part;

(B)section 2394–1 of this title and comparable notification requirements contained in sections of the annual foreign operations, export financing, and related programs Act;

(C) sections 2799aa and 2799aa–1 of this title and sections 5604 and 5605 of this title, to the extent that they apply to assistance to governments; and

(D)section 1341 of title 31 (commonly referred to as the “Anti-Deficiency Act”), the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974, the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, and the Budget Enforcement Act of 1990.

(2) Nuclear reactor safety and related activities

(k) Definitions

(1) Appropriate congressional committees

(2) Independent states of the former Soviet Union

(3) Nonmarket based tradeAs used in section 2295a(b)(5) of this title, the term “nonmarket based trade” includes exports, imports, exchanges, or other arrangements that are provided for goods and services (including oil and other petroleum products) on terms more favorable than those generally available in applicable markets or for comparable commodities, including—

(A) exports to the Cuban Government on terms that involve a grant, concessional price, guaranty, insurance, or subsidy;

(B) imports from the Cuban Government at preferential tariff rates;

(C) exchange arrangements that include advance delivery of commodities, arrangements in which the Cuban Government is not held accountable for unfulfilled exchange contracts, and arrangements under which Cuba does not pay appropriate transportation, insurance, or finance costs; and

(D) the exchange, reduction, or forgiveness of debt of the Cuban Government in return for a grant by the Cuban Government of an equity interest in a property, investment, or operation of the Cuban Government or of a Cuban national.

(4) Cuban Government

(A) The term “Cuban Government” includes the government of any political subdivision of Cuba, and any agency or instrumentality of the Government of Cuba.

(B) For purposes of subparagraph (A), the term “agency or instrumentality of the Government of Cuba” means an agency or instrumentality of a foreign state as defined in section 1603(b) of title 28, with each reference in such section to “a foreign state” deemed to be a reference to “Cuba”.

(Pub. L. 87–195, pt. I, § 498B, as added Pub. L. 102–511, title II, § 201, Oct. 24, 1992, 106 Stat. 3328; amended Pub. L. 103–236, title VIII, § 826(c), Apr. 30, 1994, 108 Stat. 519; Pub. L. 104–114, title I, § 106(c)(2), Mar. 12, 1996, 110 Stat. 796; Pub. L. 107–246, § 4(b), Oct. 23, 2002, 116 Stat. 1515.)

§ 2295c. Authorization of appropriations

(a) In general

(b) Operating expenses

(1) Authority to transfer program funds

(2) Limitation on amount transferred

(Pub. L. 87–195, pt. I, § 498C, as added Pub. L. 102–511, title II, § 201, Oct. 24, 1992, 106 Stat. 3330.)