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Committee on International Relations

Oversight of the Committee
108th Congress

Rule X, clause 2 (d) of the Rules of the House of Representatives requires that each standing Committee adopt an oversight plan for the two-year period of the Congress and submit the plan to the Committees on Government Reform and House Administration not later than February 15 of the first session of the Congress. Rule XI, clause 1 (d) requires that the Committee report, at the end of each Congress, on the recommendations made with respect to its oversight plan and any recommendations made or actions taken thereon.

This is the oversight plan of the Committee on International Relations for the 108th Congress. It includes the areas in which the Committee hopes to conduct oversight during this Congress. As the Committee's priorities change, the oversight work of the Committee may change. The fact that an issue is listed here does not mean that the Committee will necessarily hold a formal meeting devoted solely to that issue. The Committee, in the course of its oversight work, may also rely on briefings by business and non-governmental organizations and by US government officials, officials of foreign governments, as well as on member and staff travel, and investigations. It is the intention of the Committee that, wherever practicable, oversight activities will be planned on a bipartisan basis. The Committee will consult with other Committees having jurisdiction over the same or related laws, programs, or agencies as are within its jurisdiction, including its special oversight jurisdiction; it will use such mechanisms as joint briefings and coordination of staff work and travel to meet the requirements of Rule X(2)((d)(1)(A). As required by Rule X(2)(d)(1)(C), in the course of its oversight work it will remain continually alert for the existence of Federal rules, regulations, statutes, and court decisions that are ambiguous, arbitrary, or nonsensical, or that impose severe financial burdens on individuals.
 

  1. General  
    1. Meetings with foreign political leaders. The Committee's ongoing program of informal and formal meetings with foreign political leaders gives it the opportunity to explore the effectiveness of United States foreign policy
    2. Meetings with Administration officials. The Committee's formal and informal meetings with Administration officials allows Members and staff to explore the effectiveness of the Administration's implementation of foreign policy
       
  2. International Security/UN/Peacekeeping/General
    1. Oversight of arms transfer procedures and legislation, including implementation of previous laws and modifications made to the AECA regarding arms transfers. Review of specific major proposed arms sales including helicopters to Turkey, and F-16s to Chile. Review of the Taiwan Relations Act to ensure effective implementation. Review efforts to negotiate multilateral "Code of Conduct" regarding conventional arms transfers. Review newly-enacted law establishing a government-to-government arms sales end-use monitoring program
    2. Export Controls – Review of the Administration's efforts to promote the Defense Trade and Security Initiative (DTSI) and other efforts to promote defense cooperation and integration among friendly countries. Review of policies regarding exports of supercomputers. Review of munitions control list including exports of commercial communication satellites
    3. Peacekeeping oversight including Administration policy implementing existing Presidential Decision Directives on peacekeeping; supporting new peacekeeping operations and terminating existing missions; U.N. Peacekeeping Reform; command and control issues; special attention to the status of the international peacekeeping effort in Kosovo, Bosnia, Africa (particularly Sierra Leone, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eritrea-Ethiopia), East Timor, and the Middle East
    4. "Rogue Regimes" -- Review of the problems of security threats from so-called "rogue regimes" that have or could gain the power to create or use weapons of mass destruction, including but not limited to Iraq, Iran, and North Korea
    5. Nunn-Lugar program -- Review implementation of program aimed at dismantlement and destruction of nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons in the former Soviet Union Review of National/International Missile Defense and its relationship to U.S. relations with allies, Russia, China and others; its impact ob long-germ U.S. security and nonproliferation goals and other related issues.
    6. National Missile Defense -- overall review of foreign policy aspects including review of the Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) Treaty and Demarcation and Multilateralization and other proposed amendments to the treaty
    7. Compliance with existing arms control agreements including the Conventional Forces in Europe (CFE) Treaty and START treaties and review of agreements to which the U.S. is not party including the Comprehensive Test Ban (CTBT) Treaty and the Land Mine Ban Treaty
    8. Review of nonproliferation sanctions regimes
    9. Other nonproliferation and disarmament topics:
      1. Effectiveness of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), particularly with respect to its role in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea
      2. Status of Fissile Material Production Ban
      3. Review effectiveness of existing and proposed nuclear weapon free zones in Latin America, the South Pacific, Africa, South Asia, and Southeast Asia
      4. Review of bilateral non-proliferation and arms control agreements with Russia and specific oversight of efforts by the U.S. and Russia to curtail exports of sensitive military technologies to Iran and other states; assessment of Iran's nuclear capabilities and a review of the need for legislation to address these problems; implementation of Iran Nonproliferation Act
      5. Review of programs regarding the disposition and elimination of excess weapons-grade plutonium stores worldwide
      6. The status of the land mine treaty ban and U.S. efforts to develop alternative landmine technologies.
      7. Implementation of the U.S.-China Nuclear Cooperation Agreement
      8. Implementation of U.S. sanctions laws regarding weapons of mass destruction and missiles
      9. Review of South Asia and sanctions issues.
    10. Security Assistance -- Review overall effectiveness and implementation of security assistance programs including foreign military financing (FMF), economic support fund (ESF), international military education and training (IMET), anti-terrorism, and the newly authorized account for non-proliferation and export control assistance. Review of "Reinvention of the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) Program" by DSCA. Specific programs requiring additional oversight include security assistance for new NATO member states and Middle East states
    11. Implementation of UN reform/arrearages legislation and progress of international organization reform efforts. review of U.S. policies promoting the hiring of Americans by the UN and other international organizations.
    12. International crime issues:
      1. Russian organized crime, and the international response to it, as well as its impact on American and other investment in the Russia and elsewhere
      2. Impact of U.S. foreign assistance in the rule of law and anticorruption areas on U.S. ability to combat international crime
      3. International criminal organizations in Africa and implementation of plans for an International Law Enforcement Academy for Africa in Botswana.
    13. Oversight of agency implementation of the Government Performance and Results Act ("GPRA")
    14. Narcotics oversight
      1. The emerging heroin crisis and the Administration's plans for dealing with it
      2. Source nations strategy, with special attention to Colombia and Peru
      3. Eradication efforts and their effectiveness; alternative development
      4. The "certification process" and the annual drug certification determinations for the major drug producing and transit nations around the globe
      5. Plans for riverine interdiction program
      6. Aggressive oversight of the war on drugs in the hemisphere and of the Administration's implementation of the major portions of H.R. 4300 of the 105th Congress known as "The Western Hemisphere Drug Elimination Act," including a focus on the provision and use of helicopters in Columbia to eradicate opium production
      7. Efforts to avoid disruption of U.S. counternarcotics operations as a result of the scheduled termination of the U.S. military presence in Panama after December 31, 1999
    15. Terrorism/espionage oversight
      1. The AMIA (Buenos Aries Jewish Community building) bombing and the emerging threat of Islamic-fundamentalist based terrorism in Latin America
      2. Effectiveness of the US technological response to terrorism
      3. Border security programs, to include overseas visa lookout system in the light of the new provisions of law relative to the exclusion of aliens on membership in foreign terrorist organizations
      4. Security of US government facilities abroad
      5. Oversight and evaluation of the State Department's post-East Africa terrorist bombings security program plans and expenditure of the monies provided by the 105th Congress to increase post security around the globe. This oversight to include review of personnel increases and asset management to minimize cost of property acquisition
    16. Effectiveness and expansion of Multilateral export controls, including international code of conduct for arms sales: Role of Waassenar export control arrangement and other international fora.
    17. Monitor US policy position on the 2001 election of the UN Secretary General
       
  3. State Department and related agencies operations
    1. Review of smaller international organizations to which the U.S. belongs
    2. Overseas property management, including a hearing on management of the Office of Foreign Buildings; expenditures of supplemental funds; progress on asset management (property disposal and acquisitions); review of supplemental spending plan
    3. Management of the Foreign Affairs agencies' workforce: Implementation and development of staffing models, including review of the future of the Foreign Service, personnel practices, and management of overseas presence; assignment process; utilization of the civil service; size of the senior foreign service and senior executive service
    4. American Institute in Taiwan (general oversight)
    5. International Border Commissions
    6. Hearing with the Secretary of State on the FY 2002 budget and authorization issues, including GPRA issues, supplemental spending plans, public diplomacy and reorganization plans etc.
    7. Review of the separation of the International Broadcasting function and the organizational structure of the newly independent agency. Review language service modernization plans.. Also review quality control issues of VOA and RFE/RL and the Broadcasting Board of Governors responsibility to assure broadcasts are of the highest quality
    8. Review of management of worldwide refugee programs and emergency response capability.
    9. Oversight of the jointly managed Diplomatic Telecommunications Service and new legislation enacted in the 106th Congress
    10. Review practice and procedures for receiving foreign parliamentarians
    11. Review of exchange program issues respecting coordination and overlap, competition for management of the Fulbright program, mission planning on exchange participants
    12. Review of the linkage of resources to foreign policy objectives
    13. Review of public diplomacy programs and issues arising from the consolidation of now conducted by the United States Information Agency
    14. Review implementation of the Intercountry Adoption Act.
    15. Review Office of Children's Services with emphasis on services related to abducted and adopted children.
    16. Progress on modernizing information management systems, including connectivity between computer systems within overseas mission and between U.S. and overseas systems.
    17. Review of implementation of key Overseas Presence Advisory Panel recommendations
       
  4. Foreign Assistance Oversight
    1. Review cost, management, donor coordination and impact of U.S. foreign assistance programs. Special emphasis will be given to major aid programs in:
      1. Eastern Europe
      2. the New Independent States of the former Soviet Union
      3. Drug-producing countries
      4. Haiti
      5. Africa
      6. Activities that are research and promotional in character relating to international cooperation on environmental and other scientific issues
      7. Review of implementation of the Northern European Initiative and the Northern Europe Cross-Border Cooperation Act, especially environmental issues related to decommissioned Russian nuclear submarines
    2. Review size, purpose and effectiveness of FY2002 and FY2003 International Affairs Function 150 budgets. Special emphasis will be given to expected Administration initiatives, such as:
      1. Increased aid to the NIS
      2. Increases in the Economic Support Fund program
    3. Conduct special review of programs with noted problems focusing on activities highlighted in AID Inspector General and GAO reports. Special emphasis will be given to AID --
      1. Missions and Operations
      2. Microenterprise Programs
      3. AID's New Management System
      4. Strategic Objectives
      5. Enterprise Fund Management
      6. The "R4" ("Review of Resources, Requirements, and Results") process
      7. Oversight of HIV/AIDS and other infectious disease initiative oversight.
      8. Oversight of "monetization" programs
    4. Special attention will be given to the effectiveness of programs that have consumed large amounts of Congressional attention in recent years, including:
      1. U.S. participation in and contributions to international population planning activities and related programs and policies
      2. U.S. participation in and contributions to international child survival activities and related programs and policies
      3. Review of refugee and migration assistance programs and administrative expenses of the bureau charged with carrying out the purposes of the Migration and Refugee Assistance Act of 1962
    5. Tour of world-wide progress of democracy; review efficiency and effectiveness of USG funded democracy programs; review support for the democratic opposition in Iraq
       
  5. Review of Anticorruption foreign assistance programs and other programs designed to reduce corruption in foreign countries.
  6. Europe
    1. Periodic reviews of the region with the Assistant Secretary of State for European Affairs
    2. Review of U.S. policy towards Russia and other states of the former Soviet Union
    3. Oversight of SEED Act assistance programs
    4. Enterprise Funds in Eastern Europe and the NIS
    5. Developments in the Baltic Region (to assess U.S. interests, policy and events in the Baltic states and the surrounding region)
    6. Developments in and U.S. policy toward Serbia & Montenegro and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, including developments at the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia
    7. New Independent States:
      1. Oversight of FREEDOM Support Act assistance program, Nunn-Lugar Enhanced Threat Reduction Initiative Assistance program, and other programs of assistance by agencies such as USIA and DOE in the New Independent States
      2. US-Russian relations
      3. Democratic reform and the independence of media in Russia
      4. Assessing Russian foreign policy objectives
      5. Russian relations with China
      6. Developments in and examinations of U.S. policy toward the Western New Independent States of the former Soviet Union -- Ukraine, Belarus and Moldova
      7. Developments in Armenia, including the status and policy assessment of the conflict over the region of Nagorono-Karabakh
      8. Developments in Russia as well as an examination into Russian military deployments in the other New Independent States
      9. Oversight of debt rescheduling through Paris Club
      10. Review of NATO Enlargement process and related legislation, as well as other NATO-related issues, including internal restructuring of the Alliance
    8. U.S.-E.U. relations (political, security, trade and financial issues; European monetary union; and the process of European integration; unilateral imposition of design standards on imports; government enforcement of private regulations ("co-regulation"); transparency in European rulemaking and legislating)
    9. Review of developments in and U.S. policy toward Bosnia and Kosovo
    10. Review of Cyprus
    11. Review of Northern Ireland
    12. Examination of U.S. policy towards the East European States
    13. Examination of U.S. policy towards Southeast Europe: Romania, Bulgaria and Macedonia
    14. Status of British and French war debt.
       
  7. Middle East/South Asia
    1. Periodic reviews of the region with the Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs and the Assistant Secretary for South Asia
    2. Review of U.S. policy toward Iraq, including the implementation of the Iraq Liberation Act of 1998 and outstanding claims by U.S. nationals against Iraq.
    3. Review of U.S. policy, relations, and sanctions towards Iran with focus on the role of the Iran Libya Sanctions Act and the issues that need to be addressed in its possible reauthorization
    4. Review of Middle East peace process and related assistance, including the need for a program authorizing regional people-to-people programs.
    5. Review of Gulf policy (Saudi Arabia and Gulf Cooperation Council states)
    6. Review of Iranian foreign policy objectives in the Middle East
    7. Review of U.S. economic assistance to countries in the region.
    8. Review of U.S. economic interests, and economic development in the Middle East and North
    9. Review of US military assistance and related programs.
    10. Review of Peace Corps policies and activities
    11. The future of embassy security in Israel, Lebanon, Syria, and Qatar.
    12. Review of potential US involvement in international peacekeeping in the Jordan Valley.
    13. Foreign Assistance Oversight - review cost, management, donor coordination and impact of US foreign assistance programs, with special emphasis on West Bank/Gaza, Jordan, Lebanon, and Egypt.
    14. Progress on moving the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
    15. Oversight of US preparedness against terrorist activities directed at US diplomatic and military assets in the region.
    16. Preparing for UNIFIL's departure of Southern Lebanon.
    17. Oversight of AID activities in South Asia and India earthquake relief and recovery assistance oversight.
    18. India-Pakistan nuclear stalemate (moved from Asia)
    19. Resource sharing issues between India, Bangladesh, and Nepal (moved from Asia)
    20. The future of Afghanistan (moved from Asia)
    21. U.S. interests in the Central Asian republics (moved from Asia/Europe)
    22. Intercommunal violence in Sri Lanka (4)
    23. India's role in Asia. (4)
       
  8. Asia
    1. U.S. - China economic and political relations; options for U.S. policy toward China; monitor China's implementation of bilateral/multilateral trade agreements as it accedes to the WTO.
    2. Overview of U.S. interests in East Asia
    3. AID activities in Asia
    4. North Korean political instability; KEDO; Foreign Aid to North Korea; North-South dialogue; trading with North Korea; the Agreed Framework Policy and an assessment of its intended effectiveness; North Korean missile proliferation; human rights and refugee policy (primarily "economic migrants" in Northeast China) - protection from forced repatriation.
    5. Military balance across the Taiwan Strait
    6. Review of POW-MIA issues for both Vietnam and Korea
    7. US-Burma relations
    8. US-Indonesia relations; potential instability in Indonesia
    9. Agricultural exports to Asia
    10. China technology transfer
    11. East Timor - transition to independence under UN authority.
    12. Military-to-military relations in Asia (The U.S. relies on a network of relationships to maintain its forward presence in Asia; this is supplemented by training and education)
    13. U.S. democracy promotion activities in Asia
    14. Overview of Hong Kong since Reversion; Macau's Future - Reversion
    15. Economic and demographic change in the PRC
    16. American energy development business potential in Asia
    17. The "Great Power Game" in Asia: China, Japan, Russia, and the U.S.
    18. U.S. and Republic of Korea relations
    19. Taiwan's relations with the PRC and the Taiwan Relations Act
    20. Democracy and human rights in Cambodia, and developments in international tribuanal on Khmer Rouge crimes against humanity.
    21. Regional cooperation in Southeast Asia
    22. Sex trade and child abuse in Asia
    23. Review of the CINCPAC, East-West Center, Asia-Pacific Center, and Joint Task Force Full Accounting
    24. Chinese nonproliferation practices
    25. The Chinese People's Liberation Army: Its goals, influence, and commercial ties
    26. Taiwan's effort to be admitted to the United Nations and other international organizations
    27. U.S.-Japan Alliance
    28. Human Rights in China and Beijing's Candidacy to host the 2008 Olympic Games; Crackdown on the Falun Gong
    29. The security relationship between the U.S. and New Zealand
    30. The security relationship between the U.S. and New Zealand
    31. The future of ASEAN
    32. The impact of U.S. sanctions policy in Asia
    33. U.S. and South Asian Relations
    34. The various nations economic and military interests in the South China Sea
    35. Cambodia's fragile government
    36. Democracy and rule of law in China
    37. Theater missile defense: The Asian perspective
    38. Overview of the Pacific compacts
    39. Vietnam -- Prospects for closer relations; movement on legislation on free trade
    40. Human Rights and Beijing's candidacy to host the 2008 Olympic Games
    41. Bejing's reaction to NMD and TMD; implications for China's security.
    42. Monitoring of effectiveness of Seoul's "sunshine policy"; and U.S. policy in the region, including security cooperation with the ROK and Japan toward North Korea; confidence building measures/family reunions/accountability for food aid to North Korea. pp.Monitoring sighs of economic reform in North Korea following Kim Jong Il's visit to China.
    43. Political stability in the Philippines
    44. Elections in Japan
    45. Corruption in Asia - catalyst for mass movements
    46. Congressional mechanisms for monitoring China human rights following passage of PNTR.
       
  9. Western Hemisphere
    1. In General -- U.S. efforts in support of democratic institutions, political stability and economic growth in the region. Implementation of agreements from the Summit of the Americas.
    2. Trade -- U.S. efforts to implement the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA); Reauthorization of the Andean Trade Preferences.
    3. Central America -- Regional economic and political integration, counter-drug cooperation; Nicaragua (elections, property, disaster assistance); El Salvador (disaster assistance); Guatemala (disaster assistance, peace process); Honduras (disaster assistance)
    4. Security -- U.S. counter-narcotics assistance in general and U.S. support for Plan Colombia in particular; Criminal and terrorist threats in the Andean region (including Panama) and the Argentina-Brazil-Paraguay tri-border area; U.S. military and police training in the region (Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation).
    5. South America -- Argentina (intellectual property rights judicial and police reform); Chile (free trade agreement, advanced arms sales); Peru (elections; GAO review of U.S. democracy assistance); Ecuador ("dollarization," stability); Colombia (peace process, elections); Bolivia (stability); Venezuela (Oil/OPEC, democracy); Paraguay (democracy)
    6. Cuba -- internal dissident movements; Cuba broadcasting; implementation of Libertad Act
    7. Mexico -- political reforms; Drug cooperation and corruption; border issues.
    8. Canada - trade, defense, and border issues
    9. Haiti -- policy review; law enforcement, support for democratic institutions; promoting sustainable investment/jobs
    10. Other Caribbean nations (drug cooperation, economic stability)
    11. U.S. relations with the Organization of American States
       
  10. Africa
    1. Periodic review of the region with the Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs
    2. Review of African human rights issues and rule of law/good governance issues, including their relation to trade and development
    3. Review of ongoing democratization efforts in Africa
    4. Review of African arms proliferation issues including small arms trafficking.
    5. U.S. relations with African regional and subregional organizations, eg. OAU, COMESA, SADC.
    6. Review of the impact of multilateral and bilateral debt of African economies.
    7. Review of US trade and investment in Africa; oversight of the African Growth and Opportunity Act; (2) review of non-tariff trade barriers and their connection to trade, corruption, and development .
    8. Oversight of the Administration's efforts to combat HIV/AIDS.
    9. Review of developments in African countries gripped by conflict e.g. Angola, Democratic Republic of Congo, Sierra Leone, Guinea, Sudan, etc., and the ongoing conflict resolution efforts, including peacekeeping issues in Ethiopia-Eritrea, Western Sahara.
    10. Review of worldwide efforts to stem the direct and indirect trade of conflict diamonds from Sierra Leone, Angola, and the Democratic Republic of Congo and other countries.
    11. Slavery in Africa
    12. Monitor the problems of corruption and organized crime in Africa
    13. The African Crisis Response Initiative, Operation Focus Relief, and other US efforts to provide training, equipment, and support for regional peace keeping efforts in Africa.
    14. Review the development of independent radio in Africa
    15. Review of relations with critical states of South Africa and Nigeria.
    16. Review of U.S. policy towards North Africa, with special attention to Libya (Moved from Middle East section)
    17. Impact of higher energy prices on Africa.
    18. Diplomatic presence gaps in Africa.
    19. Special problems with Charles Taylor (Liberia) and Robert Mugabe (Zimbabwe).
       
  11. Human Rights
    1. Review of human rights country reports
    2. Implementation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other internationally recognized human rights
    3. Torture Victims Relief issues
    4. Child Labor - Administration efforts to implement International Labor Organization child labor conventions; slave labor; and related practices
    5. International refugee protection and resettlement
    6. International trafficking in women and children - implementation of Trafficking Victims Protection Act
    7. Religious persecution - Oversight of implementation of the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998
    8. Review of People's Republic of China (political and religious repression, forced abortion and sterilization, forced labor, situation of Tibetan and Uighur minorities)
    9. Sudan (slavery, religious and race-based persecution, genocide)
    10. Central Africa (human rights and refugee issues in, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Congo, and surrounding countries)
    11. Vietnam (religious and political persecution, access to U.S. resettlement programs, and related issues)
       
  12. Economic Policy and the Environment
    1. Enterprise Funds
    2. Overview of global trade situation and implementation of International Monetary Fund terms and conditions
    3. Trade distorting actions by foreign governments (bribery, economic espionage, manipulation of customs rules, import licensing, skewing health and safety standards, etc.); Mutual Recognition Agreements ("MRAs");efforts by other foreign governments to implement the OECD Anti Bribery Convention
    4. OPIC/TDA/EXIM Oversight; Commerce Department trade promotion and enforcement activities.
    5. Overview of the Export Administration Act (EAA) and the views of the Administration on legislation reauthorizing and modernizing its provisions.
    6. Implementation of Iraq, Iran and other sanctions regimes by State and Treasury
    7. Global environmental trends: International instability and national security
    8. The U.S. government position on global warming/Kyoto Protocol.
    9. How environmental cooperation can enhance bilateral relations and U.S. interests abroad
    10. Impact on US business of lack of Foreign export credit agency environmental standards
    11. Role of regional trade agreements in promoting a new global trade round and global economic growth; progress toward a new global trade round.
    12. Foreign government adoption of standards adverse to US interests.

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Committee on International Relations
 Oversight Plan for the 107th Congress
Adopted February 14, 2001