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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