[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 2305 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
108th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. 2305
To authorize programs that support economic and political development
in the Greater Middle East and Central Asia and support for three new
multilateral institutions, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
April 8, 2004
Mr. Hagel (for himself and Mr. Lieberman) introduced the following
bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign
Relations
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To authorize programs that support economic and political development
in the Greater Middle East and Central Asia and support for three new
multilateral institutions, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Greater Middle East and Central Asia
Development Act of 2004''.
SEC. 2. PURPOSE.
The purpose of this Act is to authorize assistance for political
freedom and economic development, particularly through private sector
development, in the Greater Middle East and Central Asia, including
contributions to and participation in 3 new entities: a Trust for
Democracy, a Development Foundation, and a Development Bank.
SEC. 3. FINDINGS.
Congress makes the following findings:
(1) The terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, signaled a
turning point in United States foreign policy.
(2) Al Qaeda and affiliated groups have established a
terrorist network with linkages in Afghanistan, Pakistan,
throughout the Greater Middle East and Central Asia, and around
the world.
(3) The war on terrorism requires that the United States
consider the Greater Middle East and Central Asia as a
strategic region with its own political, economic, and security
dynamics.
(4) While rich in cultural, geographic, and language
diversity, the Greater Middle East and Central Asia face common
impediments to economic development and political freedom.
(5) Although poverty and economic underdevelopment do not
alone cause terrorism, the expansion of economic growth, free
trade, and private sector development can contribute to an
environment that undercuts radical political tendencies that
give rise to terrorism.
(6) Given the relationship between economic and political
development and winning the global war on terror, America's
support for freedom in the Greater Middle East and Central Asia
must be matched with expanded and new programs of partnership
with the people and governments of the region to promote good
governance, political freedom, private sector development, and
more open economies.
(7) The United States and other donors should support those
citizens of the Greater Middle East and Central Asia who share
our desire to undertake reforms that result in more open
political and economic systems.
(8) Turkey, which should be supported in its aspirations
for membership in the European Union, plays a pivotal and
unique role in efforts to bring economic development and
stability to the Greater Middle East and Central Asia.
(9) The President should seek new mechanisms to work
together with European and other nations, as well as with the
countries of the Greater Middle East and Central Asia to
promote political and economic development in the Greater
Middle East and Central Asia.
(10) Because the dynamics of the Greater Middle East and
Central Asia have a serious impact on global security, the
North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) should now shift its
strategic focus to the region, including expanded roles in
Iraq, Afghanistan, and the Mediterranean.
SEC. 4. DEFINITION; SPECIAL RULE.
(a) Greater Middle East and Central Asia Defined.--In this Act, the
term ``Greater Middle East and Central Asia'' means the 22 members of
the Arab League (Algeria, Bahrain, Comoros, Djibouti, Egypt, Iraq,
Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, the
Palestinian Authority, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria,
Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen), Afghanistan, Iran, Israel,
Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, and
Uzbekistan.
(b) Special Rule.--A country listed in subsection (a) may not
receive assistance under this Act if such country is identified as a
country supporting international terrorism pursuant to section
6(j)(1)(A) of the Export Administration Act of 1979 (as in effect
pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act; 50 U.S.C.
1701 et seq.), section 40(d) of the Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C.
2780(d)), section 620A of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C.
2371), or any other provision of law.
SEC. 5. AUTHORIZATION OF ASSISTANCE.
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the President is
authorized to provide assistance to the Greater Middle East and Central
Asia for the purpose of promoting economic and political freedoms, free
trade, and private sector development, including the programs described
in the following paragraphs:
(1) United states contribution to and membership in a
greater middle east and central asia development bank.--The
President is authorized to work with other donors and
representatives from the Greater Middle East and Central Asia
to establish a Greater Middle East and Central Asia Development
Bank to promote private sector development, trade, including
intra-regional trade, and investment in the Greater Middle East
and Central Asia.
(2) Creation of a greater middle east and central asia
development foundation.--The President is authorized to work
with other donors and representatives from the Greater Middle
East and Central Asia to establish a multilateral Greater
Middle East and Central Asia Development Foundation to assist in the
administration and implementation of assistance programs, including
public-private programs, pursuant to this Act, with specific emphasis
on programs at the grass-roots level, to include volunteer-based
organizations and other nongovernmental organizations that support
private sector development, entrepreneurship, and development of small-
and medium-size enterprises and exchanges.
(3) Creation of trust for democracy.--The President is
authorized to establish, together with other donors and private
sector and nongovernmental leaders from the Greater Middle East
and Central Asia, a multilateral, public-private Trust for
Democracy to support grass-roots development of civil society,
democratic reform, good governance practices, and rule of law
reform in the Greater Middle East and Central Asia. Private
foundations shall be encouraged to participate in the Trust
through the provision of matching funds.
SEC. 6. SENSE OF CONGRESS REGARDING COORDINATION OF ASSISTANCE TO THE
GREATER MIDDLE EAST AND CENTRAL ASIA.
Recognizing the importance of coordination of assistance to the
Greater Middle East and Central Asia, and the strategic imperatives
required by the war on terrorism, it is the sense of Congress that--
(1) the Secretary of State and the heads of other relevant
Government agencies should consider new approaches to the
coordination of the provision of political and economic support
for the Greater Middle East and Central Asia; and
(2) the Secretary of State should consider appointing a
Coordinator for Assistance to the Greater Middle East and
Central Asia.
SEC. 7. PROGRAM REPORTS.
(a) Requirement for Reports.--Beginning on January 31, 2005, and
annually thereafter, the President shall submit to Congress a report on
the progress of the Greater Middle East and Central Asia, the Greater
Middle East and Central Asia Development Bank, the Greater Middle East
and Central Asia Development Foundation, and the Trust for Democracy in
developing more open political and economic systems and the degree to
which United States assistance has been effective at promoting these
changes.
(b) Content.--The reports required by subsection (a) shall include
general information regarding such progress and specific information on
the progress of each of the Greater Middle East and Central Asia
Development Bank, the Greater Middle East and Central Asia Development
Foundation, and the Trust for Democracy in--
(1) encouraging entrepreneurial development and supporting
growth of small- and medium-size enterprises in the Greater
Middle East and Central Asia;
(2) promoting private sector development, democratic
political reform, good governance building, rule of law reform,
and other appropriate goals in the Greater Middle East and
Central Asia;
(3) fostering intra-regional trade and investment by United
States businesses and financial institutions in the Greater
Middle East and Central Asia;
(4) developing public-private partnerships to carry out the
purpose of this Act; and
(5) encouraging the involvement of the Greater Middle East
and Central Asia, and other donors in each institution.
SEC. 8. ENTERPRISE FUNDS REPORTS TO CONGRESS.
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the
President shall submit to Congress a comprehensive report evaluating
the appropriateness of the establishment of enterprise funds in the
Greater Middle East and Central Asia. The report shall evaluate whether
and to what extent enterprise funds might be an effective mechanism for
promoting economic reform and investment in the Greater Middle East and
Central Asia.
SEC. 9. REPORT ON COORDINATION OF ASSISTANCE TO THE GREATER MIDDLE EAST
AND CENTRAL ASIA.
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the
President shall submit to Congress a report that describes the measures
that have been employed, and the measures that are planned to be
employed, to improve the coordination within the Department of State
and among the heads of the relevant Government agencies of the
provision of support to the Greater Middle East and Central Asia.
SEC. 10. NOTIFICATIONS TO CONGRESS REGARDING ASSISTANCE.
Section 634A of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2394-
1) (relating to reprogramming notifications) shall apply with respect
to obligations of funds made available to carry out this Act.
SEC. 11. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
(a) Authorization of Appropriations.--In addition to funds
otherwise available for such purpose and for the countries to which
this Act applies, there are authorized to be appropriated to the
Department of State to carry out the provisions of this Act,
$1,000,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2005 through 2009.
(b) Availability of Funds.--Amounts appropriated pursuant to
subsection (a) shall remain available until expended.
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