Page images
PDF
EPUB

its support for the principles contained in the Vancouver Declaration.

[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]

Eme

rtners

[ocr errors][ocr errors]

(2) The Vancouver Declaration underscored that

(A) a dynamic and effective partnership between the United States and Russia is vital to the success of Russia's historic transformation;

(B) the rapid integration of Russia into the community of democratic nations and the world economy is important to the national interest of the United States; and

(C) cooperation between the United States and Russia is essential to the peaceful resolution of international conflicts and the promotion of democratic values, the protection of human rights, and the solution of global problems such as environmental pollution, terrorism, and narcotics trafficking.

(3) The Congress enacted the FREEDOM Support Act (Public Law 102-511), as well as other legislation such as the Soviet Nuclear Threat Reduction Act of 1991 (title II of Public Law 102-228) and the Former Soviet Union Demilitarization Act of 1992 (title XIV of Public Law 102-484), to help meet the historic opportunities and challenges presented by the transformation that has taken place, and is continuing to take place, in what once was the Soviet Union.

(4) The process of reform in Russia, Ukraine, and the other independent states of the former Soviet Union is ongoing. The holding of a referendum in Russia on April 25, 1993, that was free and fair, and that reflected the support of the Russian people for the process of continued and strengthened democratic and economic reform, represents an important and encouraging hallmark in this ongoing process.

(5) There remain in force many United States laws that are relics of the Cold War, and repeals or revisions of these provisions can play an important role in efforts to foster and strengthen the bonds of trust and friendship, as well as mutually beneficial trade and economic relations, between the United States and Russia, the United States and Ukraine, and the United States and the other independent states of the former Soviet Union.

SEC. 103. STATUTORY PROVISIONS THAT HAVE BEEN APPLICABLE TO THE SOVIET UNION.

(a) IN GENERAL.-There are numerous statutory provisions that were enacted in the context of United States relations with a country, the Soviet Union, that are fundamentally different from the relations that now exist between the United States and Russia, between the United States and Ukraine, and between the United States and the other independent states of the former Soviet Union.

(b) EXTENT OF SUCH PROVISIONS.-Many of the provisions referred to in subsection (a) imposed limitations specifically with respect to the Soviet Union, and its constituent republics, or utilized language that reflected the tension that existed between the United States and the Soviet Union at the time of their enactment. Other such provisions did not refer specifically to the Soviet Union, but nonetheless were directed (or may be construed as having been di

[graphic]
[ocr errors]

The Vancouver Declarat (A) a dynamic and ef United States and Russia istoric transformation; B) the rapid integrati of democratic nations and to the national interest of (C) cooperation between essential to the peaceful ids and the promotion fin of human rights, an such as environmental p

Democracies and Support and Help for Improved Partnership with a 12-511), as well as This Act may be cited as the "Act For Reform In Emerging New The Congress enacted t Russia, Ukraine, and Other New Independent States" or as thedear Threat Reductio

102-228) and the Form t of 1992 (title XIV of Publi opportunities and ch mation that has taken plac hat once was the Soviet U The process of reform i

Act), the terms "independent states of the former Soviet Union"endent states of the for

and "independent states" have the meaning given those terms by section 3 of the Freedom for Russia and Emerging Eurasian De

of a referendum in R and fair, and that reflect

mocracies and Open Markets Support Act of 1992 (22 U.S.C. 5801). the process of contin

TITLE I-POLICY OF FRIENDSHIP AND

[ocr errors]

onomic reform, represe
ark in this ongoing proc
There remain in force r
the Cold War, and r

can play an importa
en the bonds of trust
beneficial trade and
States and Russia, th
Cited States and the
Soviet Union.

ATUTORY PROVISIONS
THE SOVIET UNION.
GENERAL-There are n
ed in the context of U
et Union, that are fu
Dow exist between t

United States and
the other independ

OF SUCH PROVISI

bsection (a) impos et Union, and it reflected the tensi Soviet Union at t did not refer sp ere directed (or ma

its support for the principles contained in the Vancouver Declaration.

(2) The Vancouver Declaration underscored that

(A) a dynamic and effective partnership between the United States and Russia is vital to the success of Russia's historic transformation;

(B) the rapid integration of Russia into the community of democratic nations and the world economy is important to the national interest of the United States; and

(C) cooperation between the United States and Russia is essential to the peaceful resolution of international conflicts and the promotion of democratic values, the protection of human rights, and the solution of global problems such as environmental pollution, terrorism, and narcotics trafficking.

(3) The Congress enacted the FREEDOM Support Act (Public Law 102-511), as well as other legislation such as the Soviet Nuclear Threat Reduction Act of 1991 (title II of Public Law 102-228) and the Former Soviet Union Demilitarization Act of 1992 (title XIV of Public Law 102-484), to help meet the historic opportunities and challenges presented by the transformation that has taken place, and is continuing to take place, in what once was the Soviet Union.

(4) The process of reform in Russia, Ukraine, and the other independent states of the former Soviet Union is ongoing. The holding of a referendum in Russia on April 25, 1993, that was free and fair, and that reflected the support of the Russian people for the process of continued and strengthened democratic and economic reform, represents an important and encouraging hallmark in this ongoing process.

(5) There remain in force many United States laws that are relics of the Cold War, and repeals or revisions of these proviions can play an important role in efforts to foster and rengthen the bonds of trust and friendship, as well as mutuly beneficial trade and economic relations, between the nited States and Russia, the United States and Ukraine, and e United States and the other independent states of the "mer Soviet Union.

3. STATUTORY PROVISIONS THAT HAVE BEEN APPLICABLE TO THE SOVIET UNION.

GENERAL.-There are numerous statutory provisions that acted in the context of United States relations with a counSoviet Union, that are fundamentally different from the rethat now exist between the United States and Russia, behe United States and Ukraine, and between the United nd the other independent states of the former Soviet TENT OF SUCH PROVISIONS.-Many of the provisions rein subsection (a) imposed limitations specifically with rethe Soviet Union, and its constituent republics, or utilized that reflected the tension that existed between the United nd the Soviet Union at the time of their enactment. Other visions did not refer specifically to the Soviet Union, but Ss were directed (or may be construed as having been di

(2) Russian Democracy Act of 2002

Public Law 107–246 [H.R. 2121], 116 Stat. 1511, approved October 23, 2002

AN ACT To make available funds under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to expand democracy, good governance, and anti-corruption programs in the Russian Federation in order to promote and strengthen democratic government and civil society and independent media in that country.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1.1 SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the "Russian Democracy Act of 2002".

SEC. 2.2 FINDINGS AND PURPOSES.

(a) FINDINGS.-Congress makes the following findings:

(1) Since the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the leadership of the Russian Federation has publicly committed itself to building

(A) a society with democratic political institutions and practices, the observance of universally recognized standards of human rights, and religious and press freedom;

and

law.

(B) a market economy based on internationally accepted principles of transparency, accountability, and the rule of (2) In order to facilitate this transition, the international community has provided multilateral and bilateral technical assistance, and the United States' contribution to these efforts has played an important role in developing new institutions built on democratic and liberal economic foundations and the

rule of law.

(3)(A) Since 1992, United States Government democratic reform programs and public diplomacy programs, including training, and small grants have provided access to and training in the use of the Internet, brought nearly 40,000 Russian citizens to the United States, and have led to the establishment of more than 65,000 nongovernmental organizations, thousands of independent local media outlets, despite governmental opposition, and numerous political parties.

(B) These efforts contributed to the substantially free and fair Russian parliamentary elections in 1995 and 1999.

(4) The United States has assisted Russian efforts to replace its centrally planned, state-controlled economy with a market economy and helped create institutions and infrastructure for a market economy. Approximately two-thirds of the Russian Federation's gross domestic product is now generated by the

122 U.S.C. 2151 note.

222 U.S.C. 2295 note.

of 2002

[ocr errors]
[merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors]

private sector, and the United States recognized Russia as a market economy on June 7, 2002.

(5)(A) The United States has fostered grassroots entrepreneurship in the Russian Federation by focusing United States economic assistance on small- and medium-sized businesses and by providing training, consulting services, and small loans to more than 250,000 Russian entrepreneurs.

(B) There are now more than 900,000 small businesses in the Russian Federation, producing 12 to 15 percent, depending on the estimate, of the gross domestic product of the Russian Federation.

(C) United States-funded programs have contributed to fighting corruption and financial crime, such as money laundering, by helping to

(i) establish a commercial legal infrastructure;

(ii) develop an independent judiciary;

(iii) support the drafting of a new criminal code, civil code, and bankruptcy law;

(iv) develop a legal and regulatory framework for the Russian Federation's equivalent of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission;

(v) support Russian law schools;

(vi) create legal aid clinics; and

(vii) bolster law-related activities of nongovernmental organizations.

(6) Because the capability of Russian democratic forces and the civil society to organize and defend democratic gains without international support is uncertain, and because the gradual integration of the Russian Federation into the global order of free-market, democratic nations would enhance Russian cooperation with the United States on a wide range of political, economic, and security issues, the success of democracy in Russia is in the national security interest of the United States, and the United States Government should develop a far-reaching and flexible strategy aimed at strengthening Russian society's support for democracy and a market economy, particularly by enhancing Russian democratic institutions and education, promoting the rule of law, and supporting Russia's independent media.

(7) Since the tragic events of September 11, 2001, the Russian Federation has stood with the United States and the rest of the civilized world in the struggle against terrorism and has cooperated in the war in Afghanistan by sharing intelligence and through other means.

(8) United States-Russia relations have improved, leading to a successful summit between President Bush and President Putin in May 2002. resulting in a "Foundation for Cooperation".

(b) PURPOSES -The purposes of this Act are

(1) to strengthen and advance institutions of democratic government and of free and independent media, and to sustain the development of an independent civil society in the Russian

« PreviousContinue »