22 U.S.C. § 2296b — Development of infrastructure

Page 771 TITLE 22—FOREIGN RELATIONS AND INTERCOURSE § 2296b § 2296. United States assistance to promote rec- onciliation and recovery from regional con- flicts (a) Purpose of assistance The purposes of assistance under this section include— (1) the creation of the basis for reconcili- ation between belligerents; (2) the promotion of economic development in areas of the countries of the South Caucasus and Central Asia impacted by civil conflict and war; and (3) the encouragement of broad regional co- operation among countries of the South Caucasus and Central Asia that have been de- stabilized by internal conflicts. (b) Authorization for assistance (1) In general To carry out the purposes of subsection (a), the President is authorized to provide humani- tarian assistance and economic reconstruction assistance for the countries of the South Caucasus and Central Asia to support the ac- tivities described in subsection (c). (2) Definition of humanitarian assistance In this subsection, the term ‘‘humanitarian assistance’’ means assistance to meet humani- tarian needs, including needs for food, medi- cine, medical supplies and equipment, edu- cation, and clothing. (c) Activities supported Activities that may be supported by assistance under subsection (b) include— (1) providing for the humanitarian needs of victims of the conflicts; (2) facilitating the return of refugees and in- ternally displaced persons to their homes; and (3) assisting in the reconstruction of residen- tial and economic infrastructure destroyed by war. (Pub. L. 87–195, pt. I, § 499, as added Pub. L. 106–113, div. B, § 1000(a)(2) [title V, § 596(b)], Nov. 29, 1999, 113 Stat. 1535, 1501A–123.) Editorial Notes PRIOR PROVISIONS A prior section 2296, Pub. L. 87–195, pt. I, § 499, as added Pub. L. 102–391, title V, § 594(a), Oct. 6, 1992, 106 Stat. 1692, authorized reduction of certain debts owed to the United States, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 102–549, title VI, § 602(b), Oct. 28, 1992, 106 Stat. 3669. Executive Documents DELEGATION OF FUNCTIONS For delegation of functions of President under this section, see Ex. Ord. No. 12163, Sept. 29, 1979, 44 F.R. 56673, as amended, set out as a note under section 2381 of this title. § 2296a. Economic assistance (a) Purpose of assistance The purpose of assistance under this section is to foster economic growth and development, in- cluding the conditions necessary for regional economic cooperation, in the South Caucasus and Central Asia. (b) Authorization for assistance To carry out the purpose of subsection (a), the President is authorized to provide assistance for the countries of the South Caucasus and Central Asia to support the activities described in sub- section (c). (c) Activities supported In addition to the activities described in sec- tion 2295 of this title, activities supported by as- sistance under subsection (b) should support the development of the structures and means nec- essary for the growth of private sector econo- mies based upon market principles. (Pub. L. 87–195, pt. I, § 499A, as added Pub. L. 106–113, div. B, § 1000(a)(2) [title V, § 596(b)], Nov. 29, 1999, 113 Stat. 1535, 1501A–124.) Executive Documents DELEGATION OF FUNCTIONS For delegation of functions of President under this section, see Ex. Ord. No. 12163, Sept. 29, 1979, 44 F.R. 56673, as amended, set out as a note under section 2381 of this title. § 2296b. Development of infrastructure (a) Purpose of programs The purposes of programs under this section include— (1) to develop the physical infrastructure necessary for regional cooperation among the countries of the South Caucasus and Central Asia; and (2) to encourage closer economic relations and to facilitate the removal of impediments to cross-border commerce among those coun- tries and the United States and other devel- oped nations. (b) Authorization for programs To carry out the purposes of subsection (a), the following types of programs for the coun- tries of the South Caucasus and Central Asia may be used to support the activities described in subsection (c): (1) Activities by the Export-Import Bank to complete the review process for eligibility for financing under the Export-Import Bank Act of 1945 [12 U.S.C. 635 et seq.]. (2) The provision of insurance, reinsurance, financing, or other assistance by the United States International Development Finance Corporation. (3) Assistance under section 2421 of this title (relating to the Trade and Development Agen- cy). (c) Activities supported Activities that may be supported by programs under subsection (b) include promoting actively the participation of United States companies and investors in the planning, financing, and construction of infrastructure for communica- tions, transportation, including air transpor- tation, and energy and trade including high- ways, railroads, port facilities, shipping, bank- ing, insurance, telecommunications networks, and gas and oil pipelines. (Pub. L. 87–195, pt. I, § 499B, as added Pub. L. 106–113, div. B, § 1000(a)(2) [title V, § 596(b)], Nov. Page 772 TITLE 22—FOREIGN RELATIONS AND INTERCOURSE § 2296c 29, 1999, 113 Stat. 1535, 1501A–124; amended Pub. L. 115–254, div. F, title VI, § 1470(j)(2), Oct. 5, 2018, 132 Stat. 3517.) Editorial Notes REFERENCES IN TEXT The Export-Import Bank Act of 1945, referred to in subsec. (b)(1), is act July 31, 1945, ch. 341, 59 Stat. 526, which is classified generally to subchapter I (§ 635 et seq.) of chapter 6A of Title 12, Banks and Banking. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 635 of Title 12 and Tables. AMENDMENTS 2018—Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 115–254, which directed amendment of ‘‘section 449B(b)(2)’’ of the Foreign As- sistance Act of 1961 by substituting ‘‘United States International Development Finance Corporation’’ for ‘‘Overseas Private Investment Corporation’’, was exe- cuted to this section, which is section 499B of the For- eign Assistance Act of 1961, to reflect the probable in- tent of Congress. Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries EFFECTIVE DATE OF 2018 AMENDMENT Amendment by Pub. L. 115–254 effective at the end of the transition period, as defined in section 9681 of this title, see section 1470(w) of Pub. L. 115–254, set out as a note under section 905 of Title 2, The Congress. § 2296c. Border control assistance (a) Purpose of assistance The purpose of assistance under this section includes the assistance of the countries of the South Caucasus and Central Asia to secure their borders and implement effective controls nec- essary to prevent the trafficking of illegal nar- cotics and the proliferation of technology and materials related to weapons of mass destruc- tion (as defined in section 2332a(c)(2) of title 18), and to contain and inhibit transnational orga- nized criminal activities. (b) Authorization for assistance To carry out the purpose of subsection (a), the President is authorized to provide assistance to the countries of the South Caucasus and Central Asia to support the activities described in sub- section (c). (c) Activities supported Activities that may be supported by assistance under subsection (b) include assisting those countries of the South Caucasus and Central Asia in developing capabilities to maintain na- tional border guards, coast guard, and customs controls. (Pub. L. 87–195, pt. I, § 499C, as added Pub. L. 106–113, div. B, § 1000(a)(2) [title V, § 596(b)], Nov. 29, 1999, 113 Stat. 1535, 1501A–124.) Executive Documents DELEGATION OF FUNCTIONS For delegation of functions of President under this section, see Ex. Ord. No. 12163, Sept. 29, 1979, 44 F.R. 56673, as amended, set out as a note under section 2381 of this title. § 2296d. Strengthening democracy, tolerance, and the development of civil society (a) Purpose of assistance The purpose of assistance under this section is to promote institutions of democratic govern- ment and to create the conditions for the growth of pluralistic societies, including reli- gious tolerance and respect for internationally recognized human rights. (b) Authorization for assistance To carry out the purpose of subsection (a), the President is authorized to provide the following types of assistance to the countries of the South Caucasus and Central Asia: (1) Assistance for democracy building, in- cluding programs to strengthen parliamentary institutions and practices. (2) Assistance for the development of non- governmental organizations. (3) Assistance for development of inde- pendent media. (4) Assistance for the development of the rule of law, a strong independent judiciary, and transparency in political practice and commercial transactions. (5) International exchanges and advanced professional training programs in skill areas central to the development of civil society. (6) Assistance to promote increased adher- ence to civil and political rights under section 2151n(e) of this title. (c) Activities supported Activities that may be supported by assistance under subsection (b) include activities that are designed to advance progress toward the devel- opment of democracy. (Pub. L. 87–195, pt. I, § 499D, as added Pub. L. 106–113, div. B, § 1000(a)(2) [title V, § 596(b)], Nov. 29, 1999, 113 Stat. 1535, 1501A–125.) Executive Documents DELEGATION OF FUNCTIONS For delegation of functions of President under this section, see Ex. Ord. No. 12163, Sept. 29, 1979, 44 F.R. 56673, as amended, set out as a note under section 2381 of this title. § 2296e. Administrative authorities (a) Assistance through governments and non- governmental organizations Assistance under this part may be provided to governments or through nongovernmental orga- nizations. (b) Use of economic support funds Except as otherwise provided, any funds that have been allocated under part IV of subchapter II of this chapter for assistance for the inde- pendent states of the former Soviet Union may be used in accordance with the provisions of this part. (c) Terms and conditions Assistance under this part shall be provided on such terms and conditions as the President may determine. (d) Available authorities The authority in this part to provide assist- ance for the countries of the South Caucasus