Newsline for April 17, 2000

I'M BOB ELLISON. OUR REPORT RUNS 1:10.

HERE IS A SUGGESTED LEAD: AN EFFORT TO LIFT UNILATERAL TRADE SANCTIONS FACES AN UPHILL STRUGGLE IN CONGRESS. BOB ELLISON REPORTS.

ACTUALITIES COME FROM AMERICAN FARM BUREAU GOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS SPECIALIST AUDRAE ERICKSON.

THERE ARE TWO EXTRA ACTUALITIES FOLLOWING THE STORY. IN THE FIRST EXTRA ACTUALITY, ERICKSON SAYS MEMBERS OF CONGRESS NEED TO HEAR FROM THEIR CONSTITUENTS ON SANCTIONS LEGISLATION. IN THE SECOND EXTRA ACTUALITY, ERICKSON SAYS WHILE THE BOTTOM LINE IS GETTING FARM EXPORTS INTO CURRENTLY SANCTIONED COUNTRIES, THE OVERALL ISSUE IS MORE COMPLICATED THAN THAT.

STAND BY, THE STORY COMES FIRST IN 3...2...1...

(ELLISON) LEGISLATION TO LIFT TRADE SANCTIONS ON CUBA, LIBYA, IRAN, NORTH KOREA AND SUDAN FACES OPPOSITION IN CONGRESS. THE AMERICAN FARM BUREAU'S AUDRAE ERICKSON SAYS A BILL SPONSORED BY REPUBLICAN SENATORS JESSE HELMS OF NORTH CAROLINA AND JOHN ASHCROFT OF MISSOURI SEEMS TO HAVE THE BEST CHANCE TO PASS.

(ERICKSON) OUR CHALLENGE WILL CLEARLY BE IN THE HOUSE. AND THERE ARE ELEMENTS WITHIN THE HELMS BILL THAT ARE MORE PALATABLE TO CERTAIN MEMBERS OF CONGRESS IN THE HOUSE THAT WOULD MAKE IT AN EASIER SALE.

(ELLISON) ERICKSON SAYS THE HELMS-ASHCROFT BILL WOULD AUTOMATICALLY LIFT SANCTIONS AND WOULD MAKE IT HARDER FOR THEM TO BE REPLACED.

(ERICKSON) THE PRESIDENT COULD ONLY REINSTATE A SANCTION ON THOSE MARKETS FOR AGRICULTURAL GOODS IF HE RECEIVES JOINT RESOLUTION APPROVAL BY BOTH HOUSES OF CONGRESS. SO IT SETS A VERY HIGH HURDLE.

(ELLISON) ERICKSON SAYS HELMS-ASHCROFT DOES CALL FOR SANCTIONED COUNTRIES TO GET SPECIAL LICENSES, WHICH COULD BE USED TO RESTRICT TRADE.

(ERICKSON) LICENSING IS A WAY FOR THE U-S GOVERNMENT TO NOT ONLY TRACK WHAT PRODUCT IS MOVING TO WHAT COUNTRY BUT ALSO TO, IF FOR REASONS OF FOREIGN POLICY PERHAPS, REJECT A LICENSE.

(ELLISON) ERICKSON SAYS CONSTITUENTS NEED TO TELL THEIR REPRESENTATIVES AND SENATORS WHAT THEY WANT. THE SENATE IS SCHEDULED TO VOTE ON A SANCTIONS BILL NEAR THE END OF THIS MONTH.

BOB ELLISON, WASHINGTON.

STAND BY FOR THE FIRST EXTRA ACTUALITY. THE CUT RUNS 16 SECONDS IN 3...2...1...

(ERICKSON) THE BEST WAY THAT ONE COULD SUPPORT THIS BILL IS TO CALL IN AND ASK FOR SUPPORT OR CO-SPONSORSHIP OF THE SANCTIONS BILL IN THE SENATE, THAT IS ASHCROFT'S BILL, OR THE SANCTIONS BILL THAT IS SPONSORED BY REPRESENTATIVE NETHERCUTT IN THE HOUSE.

(ELLISON) STAND BY FOR THE SECOND EXTRA ACTUALITY. THE CUT RUNS 21 SECONDS IN 3...2...1...

(ERICKSON) CERTAINLY IN TODAY'S TIMES OF DIRE ECONOMIC CIRCUMSTANCES, LOW COMMODITY PRICES, THERE IS A MOVEMENT AFOOT TO OPEN UP AGRICULTURE EXPORT MARKETS AND HELP OUT FARMERS AND RANCHERS. BUT THERE REMAINS THE POLITICAL ISSUE OF CUBA AND AGAIN THAT IS ONE THAT WILL CLEARLY BE A BATTLE IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

(ELLISON) THE FARM BUREAU RADIO NEWSLINE IS UPDATED EVERY MONDAY, WEDNESDAY AND FRIDAY AT 5 P.M. EASTERN TIME. THANK YOU FOR LISTENING.