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ut I would say to the gentleman, at this time we are on the verge, on the brink, of seeing a real peace. The new prime minister, Prime Minister Barak, has been making every effort to move forward, to meeting with the other parties of the region to try to forge a real peace so that in our lifetime all of our investments and our commitment to that region of the world as a result of Camp David can become a reality. So it seems to me, and I agree with our distinguished chairman, this is not an opportune time to change the formula that has been very carefully crafted; that we should work together so we can see a real peace in the Middle East.
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And, again, I would say to the gentleman from California that I would join the gentleman in increasing aid to other parts of the world. We know of the real problem, the people who are in distress. And as the leader of the free world, at a time when our leadership is acknowledged, when there are problems with disease and problems of inadequate education and health care, we could make an additional difference.
So I hope we can work together and increase our assistance to other parts of the world, but not change this formula while we are at a moment of a breakthrough in the peace agreement.
Mr. BENTSEN. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the requisite number of words.
(Mr. BENTSEN asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)
Mr. BENTSEN. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to the amendment of the gentleman from California. This is a bad idea for a number of reasons.
First of all, this is a negotiated amount of funds. This is not a discretionary set of funds. And while the gentleman makes some interesting arguments about comparing what this would mean in per capita terms from one country versus Israel, I do not know that we can measure it quite that statistically.
This, as I said, is a negotiated amount. It goes back to the Camp David Accords. It also goes back to the more recent Wye River Accords. But perhaps most importantly, and I think the gentlewoman from New York was just discussing this, we have a new government in Israel which we have a strategic partnership with that has really only been in place for about 30 days. I think even as small a cut as the gentleman proposes undercuts the U.S. commitment to having the Barak government succeed in its effort in bringing peace to the region.
So I think while the gentleman is well intentioned in his goals, I think it is an amendment that would send the wrong message on the part of the United States and our commitment to Israel and our commitment to peace in the Middle East and in particular our commitment to seeing the Barak government succeed, and for that reason I oppose the amendment.
Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of this legislation, and the bill's provision to provide $3 billion in aid to Israel.
Since its founding in 1948, Israel and the U.S. have shared an important economic and strategic partnership. For more than 50 years, Israel has stood with the U.S. in countering the greatest threats to American interests in the region, including the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and state-sponsored terrorism by rogue regimes.
Israel has also been a reliable strategic partner, providing the United States with cutting-edge technology and valuable intelligence. Israel was the first country to sign a free trade agreement with the United States, which has resulted in a quadrupling of trade between the two countries. As Israel's economy continues to grow, the United States will continue to benefit from the wide-ranging economic partnership enjoyed by the two countries. The United States-Israel partnership has also been cost-effective, avoiding the expensive deployment of American troops. No United States troops have ever been required to protect Israel, while by comparison America maintains 135,000 troops in Europe and spends roughly $80 billion each year on the defense of Europe.
Thanks to the United States involvement in the Middle East peace process, Israel has been able to make significant advancements toward establishing peaceful relations with her Arab neighbors. With the election of Prime Minister Ehud Barak in May 1999, the search for peace in the Middle East appears to have taken meaningful steps forward. In the days following his election, Mr. Barak displayed his commitment to the peace process through his talks with Egyptian President Mubarak, and the formation of a `peace administration' of three negotiating teams, one each for Syria, Lebanon, and the Palestinians. In the 3 weeks since he's taken office, Mr. Barak has actively negotiated with Palestinian Authority Chairman Arafat in attempt to secure a permanent peace deal to determine Israel's borders, the future of Jerusalem, the fate of refugees, and the disposition of water resources. He has also begun negotiations with Syria regarding the status of the Golan Heights and the Hezbollah militia in southern Lebanon.
Prime Minister Barak understands that a negotiated peace is the best way to make Israel more stable and prosperous for the people of the Middle East. As the peace process moves forward, the U.S. must continue to support the principles of the Wye River agreement, including the land-for- peace commitments, cessation of terrorist aggression, and respect for existing peace agreements by all parties. While his Mr. Barak's progress has been encouraging, we should hold no illusions. The path ahead will be difficult and hold many hard decisions. As Israel takes these calculated risks for peace, the United States must continue to support Israel's defense. Part of that effort should be the final Congressional approval of an aid package that provides assistance to Israel, the Palestinian people and to Jordan as part of the implementation of the Wye River agreement. Making Israel stronger and making Palestinians and Jordanians more secure and more prosperous are all critical steps to building a just and lasting peace in the Middle East.
U.S. aid to Israel is one of America's most cost-effective foreign policy investments. The economic and military aid that America provides Israel serves the interests of both countries by promoting peace, security, and trade. I urge my colleagues to continue our support for Israel and to further our national interests by voting for this appropriations.
Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the requisite number of words.
Mr. Chairman, I have great respect for my friend from California. We have worked together on many issues, including a number of international relations issues, and he has made an attractive argument. As he has visited sub-Sahara Africa, I have as well, and just got through offering an amendment dealing with HIV/AIDS. But I would simply say to the gentleman that as attractive as support for the microcredit is, and I frankly saw the enormous impact that the microcredit funding has, I am rising in opposition for, I think, two to three reasons.
One, I believe we should make good on our commitment, and I think it is important to note that we have made a commitment to support Israel as it has downsized on its receipt of foreign aid from the United States. I think the Wye River agreement is extremely important and goes to our bond and our standing in the international arena as relates to the Mideast, with Israel being the freestanding or one singular democracy there.
Then, I think that, hopefully, we do not have a situation where we pit one community or one part of the world against another. There is a great need in Africa, and I would like to see us collaborate, as I started out in my remarks, on HIV/AIDS. I would like to see the foreign aid increased. I think it would be a shame that a powerful, wealthy Nation like this, where the American people would be willing to support our international efforts at a higher rate than 1 percent, and maybe that number has been increased but that is what sticks in my mind, even as high as 5 percent, and maybe we can go higher, if we begin to juxtapose one needy area against another needy area for different reasons.
So for that reason, and though I respect the gentleman in his intent and, in fact, look forward to working with the gentleman to find funds to increase those opportunities in sub-Sahara Africa, I would oppose his amendment.
The CHAIRMAN. The question is on the amendment offered by the gentleman from California (Mr. CAMPBELL).
The question was taken; and the Chairman announced that the noes appeared to have it.
Mr. CAMPBELL. Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.
The CHAIRMAN. Pursuant to House Resolution 263, further proceeding on the amendment offered by the gentleman from California (Mr. CAMPBELL) will be postponed.
The Clerk will read.
The Clerk read as follows:
INTERNATIONAL FUND FOR IRELAND
For necessary expenses to carry out the provisions of chapter 4 of part II of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, $19,600,000, which shall be available for the United States contribution to the International Fund for Ireland and shall be made available in accordance with the provisions of the Anglo-Irish Agreement Support Act of 1986 (Public Law 99-415): Provided, That such amount shall be expended at the minimum rate necessary to make timely payment for projects and activities: Provided further, That funds made available under this heading shall remain available until September 30, 2001.
ASSISTANCE FOR EASTERN EUROPE AND THE BALTIC STATES
(a) For necessary expenses to carry out the provisions of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 and the Support for East European Democracy (SEED) Act of 1989, $393,000,000, to
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(b) Funds appropriated under this heading shall be considered to be economic assistance under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 for purposes of making available the administrative authorities contained in that Act for the use of economic assistance.
(c) None of the funds appropriated under this heading may be made available for new housing construction or repair or reconstruction of existing housing in Bosnia and Herzegovina unless directly related to the efforts of United States troops to promote peace in said country.
(d) With regard to funds appropriated under this heading for the economic revitalization program in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and local currencies generated by such funds (including the conversion of funds appropriated under this heading into currency used by Bosnia and Herzegovina as local currency and local currency returned or repaid under such program) the Administrator of the Agency for International Development shall provide written approval for grants and loans prior to the obligation and expenditure of funds for such purposes, and prior to the use of funds that have been returned or repaid to any lending facility or grantee.
(e) The provisions of section 532 of this Act shall apply to funds made available under subsection (d) and to funds appropriated under this heading.
(f) The President is authorized to withhold funds appropriated under this heading made available for economic revitalization programs in Bosnia and Herzegovina, if he determines and certifies to the Committees on Appropriations that the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina has not complied with article III of annex 1-A of the General Framework Agreement for Peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina concerning the withdrawal of foreign forces, and that intelligence cooperation on training, investigations, and related activities between Iranian officials and Bosnian officials has not been terminated.
(g) Funds appropriated under this heading or in prior appropriations Acts that are or have been made available for an Enterprise Fund may be deposited by such Fund in interest-bearing accounts prior to the Fund's disbursement of such funds for program purposes. The Fund may retain for such program purposes any interest earned on such deposits without returning such interest to the Treasury of the United States and without further appropriation by the Congress. Funds made available for Enterprise Funds shall be expended at the minimum rate necessary to make timely payment for projects and activities.
ASSISTANCE FOR THE INDEPENDENT STATES OF THE FORMER SOVIET UNION
(a) For necessary expenses to carry out the provisions of chapter 11 of part I of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 and the FREEDOM Support Act, for assistance for the Independent States of the former Soviet Union and for related programs, $725,000,000, to remain available until September 30, 2001: Provided, That the provisions of such chapter shall apply to funds appropriated by this paragraph: Provided further, That such sums as may be necessary may be transferred to the Export-Import Bank of the United States for the cost of any financing under the Export-Import Bank Act of 1945 for activities for the Independent States: Provided further, That of the funds made available for the Southern Caucasus region, 17.5 percent should be used for confidence-building measures and other activities in furtherance of the peaceful resolution of the regional conflicts, especially those in the vicinity of Abkhazia and Nagorno-Karabagh.
(b) Funds appropriated under title II of this Act, including funds appropriated under this heading, may be made available for assistance for Mongolia: Provided, That funds made available for assistance for Mongolia may be made available in accordance with the purposes and utilizing the authorities provided in chapter 11 of part I of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961.
(c)(1) Of the funds appropriated under this heading that are allocated for assistance for the Government of the Russian Federation, 50 percent shall be withheld from obligation until the President determines and certifies in writing to the Committees on Appropriations that the Government of the Russian Federation has terminated implementation of arrangements to provide Iran with technical expertise, training, technology, or equipment necessary to develop a nuclear reactor, related nuclear research facilities or programs, or ballistic missile capability.
(2) Paragraph (1) shall not apply to--
(A) assistance to combat infectious diseases and child survival activities; and
(B) activities authorized under title V (Nonproliferation and Disarmament Programs and Activities) of the FREEDOM Support Act.
(d) Not more than 25 percent of the funds appropriated under this heading may be made available for assistance for any country in the region.
(e) Allocations for Georgia and for Armenia shall reflect a percentage of the amount appropriated under this heading that is at least equivalent to the percentage of the total funding available under this heading that was allocated for each nation in fiscal year 1999: Provided, That assistance under title V of the FREEDOM Support Act shall not be included in such calculations.
(f) Section 907 of the FREEDOM Support Act shall not apply to--
(1) activities to support democracy or assistance under title V of the FREEDOM Support Act and section 1424 of Public Law 104-201;
(2) any assistance provided by the Trade and Development Agency under section 661 of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2421);
(3) any activity carried out by a member of the United States and Foreign Commercial Service while acting within his or her official capacity;
(4) any insurance, reinsurance, guarantee, or other assistance provided by the Overseas Private Investment Corporation under title IV of chapter 2 of part I of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2191 et seq.);
(5) any financing provided under the Export-Import Bank Act of 1945; or
(6) humanitarian assistance including activities funded under the heading ``Child Survival and Disease Programs Fund''.
Independent Agency
PEACE CORPS
For expenses necessary to carry out the provisions of the Peace Corps Act (75 Stat. 612), $240,000,000, including the purchase of not to exceed five passenger motor vehicles for administrative purposes for use outside of the United States: Provided, That none of the funds appropriated under this heading shall be used to pay for abortions: Provided further, That funds appropriated under this heading shall remain available until September 30, 2001.
Department of State
INTERNATIONAL NARCOTICS CONTROL AND LAW ENFORCEMENT
For necessary expenses to carry out section 481 of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, $285,000,000: Provided, That not more than $20,000,000 of the funds made available under this heading shall be available for anti-crime programs and that all such programs shall be subject to the regular notification procedures of the Committees on Appropriations: Provided further, That during fiscal year 2000, the Department of State may also use the authority of section 608 of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, without regard to its restrictions, to receive excess property from an agency of the United States Government for the purpose of providing it to a foreign country under chapter 8 of part I of that Act subject to the regular notification procedures of the Committees on Appropriations.
AMENDMENT NO. 8 OFFERED BY MR. MICA
Mr. MICA. Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.
The CHAIRMAN. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
The text of the amendment is as follows:
Amendment No. 8 offered by Mr. MICA: Page 22, line 17, before the period insert the following: ``: Provided further, That of the amount appropriated under this heading, $37,500,000 shall be made available in assistance for the antinarcotics directorate (DANTI) of the Colombian National Police as follows: (1) $3,500,000 for GAU 19 protection systems for the 6 existing Black Hawk utility helicopters of the Colombian National Police, including 1 such system for each helicopter, mounting, installation, and a maintenance and training package; (2) $3,500,000 for .50 caliber ammunition for such GAU 19 protection systems; (3) $2,500,000 for upgrade of the hangar at the Guaymaral helicopter base; (4) $6,500,000 for construction of a hangar facility at the El Dorado Airport in Bogota, Colombia, to provide a secure area for storage and maintenance work on the fixed wing and rotar wing aircraft of the Colombian National Police; (5) $2,500,000 to purchase 19 additional MK-44 miniguns for the ``Huey'' II utility helicopters to be provided to the Colombian National Policy; (6) $3,500,000 for 7.62 ammunition for such MK-44 miniguns; (7) $8,000,000 for forward looking infra red (FLIR) systems for 15 of the ``Huey'' II utility helicopters referred to in paragraph (5); (8) $3,500,000 for field gear for aviation and ground officers of the Colombian National Police, including ballistic protective mats, ballistic protective vests, helmets and field harnesses, canteens, and magazines; (9) $3,000,000 for the establishment and operation of a Colombian National Police customs facility in Cartagena, Colombia, including additional training for Colombian National Police personnel by United States Customs Service personnel; and (10) $1,000,000 for intelligence equipment for the Colombian National Police, including sensors and monitoring and surveillance equipment.
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