United States
Foreign Relations Authorization Act for Fiscal Years 1994-95 (excerpt) (1993) [278]
FOREIGN RELATIONS AUTHORIZATION ACT
FISCAL YEARS 1994 AND 1995
103D CONGRESS
2d Session
REPORT 103-482
[p.KEY EXCERPTS OF THE ACT]
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE
This Act may be cited as the "Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1994 and 1995".
PART B--USIA AND RELATED AGENCIES
AUTHORITIES AND ACTIVITIES
SEC. 221. USIA OFFICE IN LHASA, TIBET.
(a) ESTABLISHMENT OF OFFICE.--The Director of the United States Information Agency shall seek to establish an office in Lhasa, Tibet for the purpose of--
(1) disseminating information about the United States;
(2) promoting discussions on conflict resolution and human rights;
(3) facilitating United States private sector involvement in educational and cultural activities in Tibet; and
(4) advising the United States Government with respect to Tibetan public opinion.
(b) REPORT BY THE DIRECTOR OF USIA.--Not later than April 1 of each year, the Director of the United States Information Agency shall submit a detailed report on developments relating to the implementation of this section to the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives.
SEC. 236. EDUCATIONAL AND CULTURAL EXCHANGES WITH TIBET.
The Director of the United States Information Agency shall establish programs of educational and cultural exchange between the United States and the people of Tibet. Such programs shall include opportunities for training and, as the Director considers appropriate, may include the assignment of personnel and resources abroad.
TITLE III--UNITED STATES
INTERNATIONAL BROADCASTING ACT
SEC. 301. SHORT TITLE.
This title may be cited as the "United States International Broadcasting Act of 1994."
SEC. 302. CONGRESSIONAL FINDINGS AND DECLARATION OF PURPOSES.
The Congress makes the following findings and declarations:
(1) It is the policy of the United States to promote the rights of freedom of opinion and expression, including the freedom "to seek, receive, and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers," in accordance with Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
(2) Open communication of information and ideas among the people of the world contributes to international peace and stability and the promotion of such communication is in the interests of the Unites States.
(3) It is in the interest of the United States to support broadcasting to other nations consistent with the requirements of this title.
(4) The continuation of existing United States international broadcasting, and the creation of a new broadcasting service to the people of the People's Republic of China and other countries of Asia which lack adequate sources of free information, would enhance the promotion of information and ideas, while advancing the goals of United States foreign policy.
(5) The reorganization and consolidation of United States international broadcasting will achieve important economies and strengthen the capability of the United States to use broadcasting to support freedom and democracy in a rapidly changing international environment.
SEC. 303. STANDARDS AND PRINCIPLES.
(a) BROADCASTING STANDARDS.--United States international broadcasting shall--
(1) be consistent with the broad foreign policy objectives of the United States;
(2) be consistent with the international telecommunications policies and treaty obligations of the United States;
(3) not duplicate the activities of private United States broadcasters;
(4) not duplicate the activities of government supported broadcasting entities of other democratic nations;
(5) be conducted in accordance with the highest professional standards of broadcast journalism;
(6) be based on reliable information about its potential audience; and
(7) be designed so as to effectively reach a significant audience.
(b) BROADCASTING PRINCIPLES.--United States international broadcasting shall include--
(1) news which is consistently reliable and authoritative, accurate, objective, and comprehensive;
(2) a balanced and comprehensive projection of United States thought and institutions, reflecting the diversity of United States culture and society;
(3) clear and effective presentation of the policies of the United States Government and responsible discussion and opinion on those policies;
(4) programming to meet needs which remain unserved by the totality of media voices available to the people of certain nations;
(5) information about developments on each significant region of the world;
(6) a variety of opinions and voices from within particular nations and regions prevented by censorship or repression form speaking to their fellow countrymen;
(7) reliable research capacity to meet the criteria under this section;
(8) adequate transmitter and relay capacity to support the activities described in this section; and
(9) training and technical support for independent indigenous media through government agencies or private United States entities.
SEC. 309. RADIO FREE ASIA.
(a)AUTHORITY.--
(1)Grants authorized under section 305 shall be available to make annual grants for the purpose of carrying out radio broadcasting to the following countries: The People's Republic of China, Burma, Cambodia, Laos, North Korea, Tibet, and Vietnam.
(2)Such broadcasting service shall be referred to as "Radio Free Asia".
(b)FUNCTIONS.--Radio Free Asia shall--
(1)provide accurate and timely information, news, and commentary about events in the respective countries of Asia and elsewhere; and
(2) be a forum for a variety of opinions and voices from within Asian nations whose people do not fully enjoy freedom of expression.
(c) SUBMISSION OF DETAILED PLAN FOR RADIO FREE ASIA.--
(1) No grant may be awarded to carry out this section unless the Board, through the Director of the United States Information Agency, has submitted to Congress a detailed plan for the establishment and operation of Radio Free Asia, including--
(A) a description of the manner in which Radio Free Asia would meet the funding limitations provided in subsection (d)(4);
(B) a description of the numbers and qualification of employees it proposes to hire; and
(C) how it proposes to meet the technical requirements for carrying out its responsibilities under this section.
(2) The plan required by paragraph (1) shall be submitted not later than 90 days after the date on which all members of the Board are confirmed.
(3) No grant may be awarded to carry out the provisions of this section unless the plan submitted by the Board includes a certification by the Board that Radio Free Asia can be established and operated within the funding limitations provided for in subsection (d)(4) and subsection (d)(5).
(4) If the Board determines that a Radio Free Asia cannot be established or operated effectively within the funding limitation provided for in this section, the Board may submit, through the Director of United States Information Agency, an alternative plan and such proposed changes in legislation as may be necessary to the appropriate congressional committees.
(d) GRANT AGREEMENT.--Any grant agreement or grants under this section shall be subject to the following limitations and restrictions:
(1)(A) This Board may not make any grant to Radio Free Asia unless the headquarters of Radio Free Asia and its senior administrative and managerial staff are in a location which ensures economy, operational effectiveness, and accountability to the Board.
(B) Not later than 90 days after confirmation of the Board, the Board shall provide a report of congress on the number of administrative, managerial, and technical staff of Radio Free Asia who will be located within the metropolitan area of Washington, D.C., and the number of employees whose principal place of business will be located outside the metropolitan area of Washington, D.C.
(2) Any grant agreement under this section shall require that any contract entered into by Radio Free Asia shall specify that all obligations are assumed by Radio Free Asia and not by the United States Government, and shall further specify that funds to carry out the activities of Radio Free Asia may not be available after September 30, 1999.
(3) Any grant agreement shall require that any lease agreements entered into by Radio Free Asia shall be, to the maximum extent possible, assignable to the United States Government.
(4) Grants made for the operating costs of Radio Free Asia may not exceed $22,000,000 in any fiscal year.
(5) The total amount of grant funds made available for one-time capital costs of Radio Free Asia may not exceed $8,000,000.
(6) Grants awarded under this section shall be made pursuant to a grant agreement which requires that grant funds be used only for activities consistent with this section, and that failure to comply with such requirements shall permit the grant to be terminated without fiscal obligation to the United States.
(e) LIMITATIONS ON ADMINISTRATIVE AND MANAGERIAL COSTS.--It is the sense of the Congress that administrative and managerial costs for operation of Radio Free Asia should be kept to a minimum and, to the maximum extent feasible, should not exceed the costs that would have been incurred if Radio Free Asia had been operated as a Federal entity rather than as a grantee.
(f) ASSESSMENT OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF RADIO FREE ASIA.--Not later than 3 years after the date on which initial funding is provided for the purpose of operating Radio Free Asia, the Board shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report on--
(1) whether Radio Free Asia is technically sound and cost-effective,
(2) whether Radio Free Asia consistently meets the standards for quality and objectivity established by this tile,
(3) whether Radio Free Asia is received by a sufficient audience to warrant its continuation,
(4) the extent to which such broadcasting is already being received by the target audience from other credible sources; and
(5) the extent to which the interests of the United States are being served by maintaining broadcasting of Radio Free Asia.
(g) SUNSET PROVISION.--The Board may not make any grant for the purpose of operating Radio Free Asia after September 30, 1998, unless the President of the United States determines in the President's fiscal year 1999 budget submission that continuation of funding for Radio Free Asia for 1 additional year is in the interest of the United States.
(h) NOTIFICATION AND CONSULTATION REGARDING DISPLACEMENT OF VOICE OF AMERICA BROADCASTING.--The Board shall notify the appropriate congressional committees before entering into any agreements for the utilization of Voice of America transmitters, equipment, or other resources that will significantly reduce the broadcasting activities of the Voice of America in Asia or any other region in order to accommodate the broadcasting activities of Radio Free Asia. The Chairman of the Board shall consult with such committees on the impact of any such reduction in Voice of America broadcasting activities.
(I) NOT A FEDERAL AGENCY OR INSTRUMENTALITY.--Nothing in this title may be construed to make Radio Free Asia a Federal agency or instrumentality.
SEC. 513.POLICY REGARDING THE CONDITIONS WHICH THE GOVERNMENT OF THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA SHOULD MEET TO CONTINUE TO RECEIVE NONDISCRIMINATORY MOST-FAVORED-NATION TREATMENT.
(a) FINDINGS.--The Senate makes the following findings:
(1) In an Executive Order of May 28, 1993, the President established conditions for renewal of most-favored-nation (MFN) status for the People's Republic of China in 1994.
(2) The Executive Order requires that in making a recommendation about the further extension of MFN status to China, the Secretary of State shall not recommend extension unless the Secretary determines that--
(A) extension will substantially promote the freedom of emigration objectives of section 402 of the Trade Act of 1974; and
(B) China is complying with the 1992 bilateral agreement between the United States and China concerning prison labor.
(3) The Executive Order further requires that in making a recommendation, the Secretary of State shall determine whether China has made overall, significant progress with respect to--
(A) taking steps to begin adhering to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights;
(B) releasing and providing an acceptable accounting for Chinese citizens imprisoned or detained for the nonviolent expression of their political and religious beliefs, including such expression of religious beliefs in connection with the Democracy Wall and Tiananmen Square movements;
(C) ensuring humane treatment of prisoners, such as by allowing access to prisons by international humanitarian and human rights organizations;
(D) protecting Tibet's distinctive religious and cultural heritage; and
(E) permitting international radio and television broadcasts into China.
(4) The Executive Order further requires the Executive Branch to resolutely pursue all legislative and executive action to ensure that China abides by its commitments to follow fair, nondiscriminatory trade practices in dealing with United States businesses, and adheres to the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty, the Missile Technology Control Regime guidelines and parameters, and other nonproliferation commitments.
(5) The Chinese government should cooperate with international efforts to obtain North Korea's full, unconditional compliance with the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
(6) The President has initiated an intensive high-level dialogue with the Chinese government which began last year with a meeting between the Secretary of State and the Chinese Foreign Minister, including a meeting in Seattle between the President and the President of China, meetings in Beijing with the Secretary of the Treasury, the Assistant Secretary for Human Rights and others, a recent meeting in Paris between the Secretary of State and the Chinese Foreign Minister, and recent meetings in Washington with several Under Secretaries and their Chinese counterparts.
(7) The President's efforts have led to some recent progress on some issues of concern to the United States.
(8) Notwithstanding this, substantially more progress is needed to meet the standards in the President's Executive Order.
(9) The Chinese government's overall human rights record in 1993 fell far short of internationally accepted norms as it continued to repress critics and failed to control abuses by its own security forces.
(b) SENSE OF SENATE.--It is the sense of the Senate that the President of the United States should use all appropriate opportunities, in particular more high-level exchanges with the Chinese government, to press for further concrete progress toward meeting the standards for continuation of MFN status as contained in the Executive Order.
SEC. 536. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS ON OCCUPIED TIBET
(a)REPORT ON UNITED STATES-TIBET RELATIONS.--Because Congress has determined that Tibet is an occupied sovereign country under international law and that its true representatives are the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan Government in exile--
(1)it is the sense of the Congress that the United States should seek to establish a dialogue with those recognized by Congress as the true representatives of the Tibetan people, the Dalai Lama, his representatives and the Tibetan Government in exile, concerning the situation in Tibet and the future of the Tibetan people and to expand and strengthen United States-Tibet cultural and educational relations, including promoting bilateral exchanges arranged directly with the Tibetan Government in exile; and
(2)not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of this Act, and every 12 months thereafter, the Secretary of State shall transmit to the Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Relations and the Speaker of the House of Representatives a report on the state of relations between the United States and those recognized by Congress as the true representatives of the Tibetan people, the Dalai Lama, his representatives, and the Tibetan Government in exile, and on conditions in Tibet.
(b)SEPARATE TIBET REPORTS.--
(1)It is the sense of the Congress that whenever a report is transmitted to the Congress on a country-by-country basis there should be included in the such report, where applicable, a separate report on Tibet listed alphabetically with its own state heading.
(2) The reports referred to in paragraph (1) include, but are not limited to, reports transmitted under sections 116(d) and 502(b) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (relating to human rights).