Embassy of Afghanistan Legislative Update for October 2007
At this crucial moment in time, the Embassy of Afghanistan is actively engaging the U.S. Congress to provide the resources and commitment necessary to successfully rebuild Afghanistan. As part of these efforts, we will provide regular updates on legislative activity pertinent to Afghanistan and the region.
US Legislation
2008 Emergency War Supplemental
President Bush requested additional funding from Congress to pay for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. This official funding would make the total war request of 2008 equal approximately $200 billion. However, the Chairman of the Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee has noted that Congress is likely to delay consideration of this request until early next year. Instead, Congress may provide “bridge” funding to assist the Pentagon in war spending. The final version of the Defense appropriations bill including this bridge fund (HR 3222) should be approved by a House-Senate conference November 1.
House passes bill to regulate security contractors in war zones
On October 4th, the US House of Representatives passed a bill (HR 2740) to bring US security contractors under the jurisdiction of the Military Extraterritorial Jurisdiction Act, the law that applies federal criminal law to Defense Department contractors and civilian employees. Another bill passed by the House (HR 1585) also addresses the recently publicized accountability questions surrounding civilian contractors operating in Iraq and Afghanistan. HR 1585 restricts contracting in Iraq and Afghanistan after 2007, pending an agreement between the US Department of State, Department of Defense, and USAID defining each agency’s responsibilities in the war zones, including decisions determining which contractors may use weapons and under what circumstances.
Meetings with the US Congress
Several important meetings took place between Government of Afghanistan officials and members of the US Congress this month. In addition to a meeting between Ambassador Said T. Jawad and Congressman Paul Hodes—president of the Democratic Congressional “freshmen class”—Afghan Minister of Defense Rahim Wardak, Minister of Finance Anwar Ul-Haq Ahady and President of the National Assembly Mohammad Yunus Qanooni each met with key leaders of the US Congress.
Afghan Defense Minister Wardak met with Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee Rep. Ike Skelton; Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee Senator Carl Levin; Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Committee Rep. Duncan Hunter; Chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense Rep. John Murtha; and Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, Senator Daniel Inoye. Minister Wardak provided detailed briefings on the security situation in Afghanistan, itemized the specific accomplishments and challenges of the Afghan National Army and thanked the US Congress for its continued support for Afghanistan.
Minister of Finance Ahady met with Chairwoman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations Rep. Nita Lowey; Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations Rep. Frank Wolf; Co-Chair of the House US-Afghan Caucus, Rep. Joseph Wilson; and members of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations Rep. Betty McCollum and Rep. Steve Rothman. Minister Ahady also spoke at a dinner at the US Capitol Building for the World Bank Parliamentarian Network. Minister Ahady met with members of the US Congress to discuss the conditions of the Afghan economy, aspects of the reconstruction process and donor and private investment in Afghanistan.
President of the Afghan Assembly Qanooni met with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi; Chairman of the House International Relations Committee Rep. Tom Lantos; Ranking Member of the House International Relations Committee Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen; Chairman of the House International Relations Subcommittee on the Middle East and South Asia Rep. Gary Ackerman; Chair and Co-Chair of the House US-Afghan Caucus Rep. Shila Jackson-Lee and Rep. Joe Wilson; and member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Senator Chuck Hagel. President Qanooni had fruitful discussions with his counterparts in the US Congress about the development of Afghanistan’s Parliament into a strong democratic institution. Leaders in the US Congress reiterated their firm support and commitment to Afghanistan and expressed their desire to continue to assist Afghanistan’s democracy-building efforts.
Congressional Hearings
House Subcommittee on Middle East and South Asia Hearing on US Counter narcotics Strategy and Police Training in Afghanistan
On Thursday, October 4th, the House Committee on Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Middle East and South Asia received testimony on US counter narcotics strategy and police training in Afghanistan. Testimony was heard from U.S. Department of State Coordinator for Counter narcotics and Justice Reform in Afghanistan Mr. Thomas Schweich and Senior Vice President of the International Crisis Group Mr. Mark Schneider. The hearing discussed progress and obstacles in pursuing key reform objectives of new and existing counter narcotics and police training strategies. Committee chairman Congressman Gary L. Ackerman expressed concerns about the new counter narcotics strategy introduced in August. Mr. Schweich and Mr. Schneider discussed adjustments to counter narcotics and police training strategy, noting subsequent progress in areas such as police pay and rank reform and reduced poppy harvests in some areas, while emphasizing the importance of actively combating the illegal drug trade, which continues to undermine security, economic, and political progress in Afghanistan.
House Armed Services Committee Hearing on the Role of the US Department of Defense in Provincial Reconstruction Teams in Afghanistan and Iraq
On Thursday, October 4th, the House Armed Services Committee Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee received testimony on the role of the Department of Defense in Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRTs) in Afghanistan and Iraq. Noted in testimony was the evolution of PRTs from a single US-led pilot project in 2002 to a fully international effort involving 25 teams in the majority of Afghanistan’s provinces—PRTs now representing a major element of the mission to expand the reach of the Afghan government throughout the country. US-led PRTs are civil-military, interagency groups (DoD, State, USAID, USDA) tasked with assisting the Government of Afghanistan to extend its authority in order to facilitate the development of a stable and secure environment, enabling security sector reform and reconstruction efforts. Testimony highlighted the contributions of PRTs to both the Afghanistan National Development Strategy and counterinsurgency efforts, and expressed the need for sustained support and additional civilian expert capacities to ensure the continued success of PRTs.
House Armed Services Committee Hearing on Security Challenges Involving Pakistan and Policy Implications for DoD
On October 10th, the House Armed Services Committee held a hearing to discuss security challenges involving Pakistan. The focus of discussion was the question of Pakistan’s internal security and relations with neighboring countries, including Afghanistan, and the US policy and mission implications of such. In order to ensure Pakistan’s continued partnership in combating violent extremism, speakers offered suggestions on how to best foster mutually beneficial working relationships between the US, Pakistan, and her neighbors. Among suggestions were: assuring Pakistan that the US has a long-term commitment to regional security and stability; a more proactive US role in promoting closer Pakistan-Afghan relations, including cooperation in border region security; and Congressional support to help build Pakistan’s law enforcement capabilities, better enabling the interception of violent elements operating in or leaving the country.
