| Subject: CONG: House Foreign Ops. Bill and
Report Language
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 1st Session 108-222 FOREIGN OPERATIONS, EXPORT
FINANCING, AND RELATED PROGRAMS APPROPRIATIONS BILL, 2004 July 24
(legislative day, JULY 21), 2003 H.R. 2800
TITLE III--MILITARY ASSISTANCE
Funds Appropriated to the President
INTERNATIONAL MILITARY EDUCATION AND TRAINING For necessary expenses to
carry out the provisions of section 541 of the Foreign Assistance Act of
1961, $91,700,000 (reduced by $600,000), of which up to $3,000,000 may
remain available until expended: Provided, That the civilian personnel for
whom military education and training may be provided under this heading
may include civilians who are not members of a government whose
participation would contribute to improved civil-military relations,
civilian control of the military, or respect for human rights: Provided
further, That funds appropriated under this heading for military education
and training for Guatemala may only be available for expanded
international military education and training and funds made available for
Nigeria and Guatemala may only be provided through the regular
notification procedures of the Committees on Appropriations.
FOREIGN MILITARY FINANCING PROGRAM Provided further, That none of the
funds appropriated under this heading shall be available for assistance
for Indonesia, Guatemala, Sudan, and Liberia:
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REPORT LANGUAGE
INDONESIA
The Committee reiterates that the Department of State must
make every effort to secure the active cooperation of the Indonesian
government in the investigation of the ambush and murder of two and severe
wounding of seven American citizens in Irian Jaya, New Guinea in August
2002. Although eight months have passed since this tragedy, no arrests
have been made. Most disturbing, the Committee understands that the
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has not found Indonesian officials
to be particularly cooperative.
The Committee believes that it is critically important to move forward
aggressively in this investigation. It is essential that the perpetrators
be brought to justice. The importance and severity of this issue to United
States/Indonesian bilateral relations cannot be overstated. It is the
responsibility of the Administration and the Department of State to carry
an unambiguous message to the Indoensian government that justice must be
carried out and cooperation with United States law enforcement
representatives is essential.
PROHIBITIONS
The Committee has included bill language prohibiting
military assistance to Indonesia, Guatemala, Sudan and Liberia. The
Administration did not request FMF appropriations for these nations in
fiscal year 2004.
ASIA:
OVERVIEW The Committee notes that Asia (beyond the Middle East)
is a region of paramount strategic and economic importance to the United
States. This is particularly evident since the events of September 11,
2001. The Department of State and USAID are encouraged to increase support
for programs that enhance the status of women in Islamic nations, to
support peace implementation in Sri Lanka, and to urge the Government of
Nepal to respect the rights of Tibetan refugees as it seeks help to
overcome a serious insurgency. The Committee is recommending general
provisions affecting funding levels for Afghanistan, Burma-Thai border
programs, and Tibet communities, and includes under the heading `Economic
Support Fund' report language addressing funding levels for Mongolia and
East Timor.
EAST TIMOR
The Committee recommends $13,500,000 in ESF for programs in
East Timor, as proposed in the budget request, to support income producing
projects and other reconstruction activities. $7,500,000 is allocated to
the Support for Democratic Transition strategic objective, for programs
such as strengthening government institutions. $6,000,000 is allocated to
the Economic Revitalization strategic objective, for programs such as the
`Cooperative Cafe Timor' project and coffee cooperative activities. In
addition, the Committee recommends that USAID allocate at least $4,000,000
from the Child Survival and Health Programs Fund to commence maternal
health, malaria, or vulnerable children projects in East Timor.
ADDITIONAL VIEWS OF HON. NITA M. LOWEY
The decision to fund the
Millennium Challenge Account at $800 million, combined with the
requirement to cut $1.769 billion from the President's request to meet our
302(b) allocation, has resolved in several program cuts. There is no
funding recommended for debt relief for the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Cuts in Economic Support Funds, Eastern Europe, the New Independent
States, and Development Assistance translate into probable cuts to Turkey,
Pakistan and Africa, and a limited capacity to restore misguided cuts
proposed by the Administration to Armenia, Cyprus, East Timor, Ireland,
Russia, Ukraine, Central Asia, Kosovo, and Bosnia.
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