22 U.S.C. § 2296a — Economic assistance

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.