Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation

United Nations Security Council Resolution 1546 (2004) requires the U.N. Secretary-General to report to the Security Council on the situation in Iraq every three months. Secretary General Ban Ki Moon just issued his latest report on June 11, 2007. The report details the Iraq Government’s progress towards meeting the 18 benchmarks laid out in the FY2007 Supplemental spending package signed into law by President Bush on May 25.

Analysis of the House Appropriations Committee Markup of the 2008 Homeland Security Appropriations Act (H.R. 2638)

The House Appropriations Committee completed its work on H.R. 2638, the FY’08 Homeland Security Appropriations Act, on June 8. The bill includes $36.3 billion in new budget authority for the Department of Homeland Security. This is $2.5 billion above the amount approved for FY’07 and $2.1 billion above the President’s FY’08 request. The full House is expected to take up consideration of the legislation the week of June 11.

Analysis of the FY 2007 Supplemental (H.R. 2206) Spending Package Signed by President Bush (P.L. 110-28)

On May 25, 2007, President Bush signed into law H.R. 2206, the FY2007 Supplemental spending package. The Supplemental provides $94.7 billion to the Department of Defense - $3.2 billion more than the administration’s request - to support military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. The legislation also includes $1 billion for National Guard and Reserve equipment, $1.1 billion for military housing, and $3 billion - $1.2 billion more than the administration’s request – for Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicles (MRAP).

Federal Funding for Biological Weapons Prevention and Defense, Fiscal Years 2001 to 2008

Since the 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States, the U.S. government has spent or allocated over $40 billion among 11 federal departments and agencies to address the threat of biological weapons. For Fiscal Year 2008 (FY2008), the Bush Administration is proposing an additional $6.77 billion in bioweapons-related spending, approximately $550 million (9%) more than the amount that Congress appropriated for FY2007.

House Energy & Water Appropriations Subcommittee zeroes out funding for new nuclear warheads and boosts programs to fight nuclear terrorism and proliferation

Washington, D.C. – The Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation hailed the funding levels approved today for nuclear non-proliferation programs for FY 2008 as a significant step forward for protecting US security.

Experts Criticize Department of Energy-hosted GNEP Ministerial

Washington, D.C.- Experts criticized the Department of Energy-hosted ministerial meeting of US, Chinese, French, Japanese and Russian officials to discuss the Global Nuclear Energy Partnership (GNEP) despite significant concerns about the nuclear proliferation implications and despite the absence of public cost and time estimates for the program. Reprocessing spent fuel pursuant to GNEP reverses a thirty-year-old practice of not reprocessing due to proliferation and cost concerns.

OTHER RECENT CENTER ANALYSIS

Analysis of the Conference Agreement on the Fiscal Year 2007 Supplemental Spending Request (H.R. 1591/S. 968)

Analysis of House Strategic Forces Subcommittee Markup: FY2008 Defense Authorization (H.R. 1585)

FAQ: The Potential Impact of Delayed Enactment of Emergency Supplemental Funding on U.S. Forces and Military Operations

Analysis of the House Appropriations Committee Mark-up of the Fiscal Year 2007 Supplemental Spending Request (H.R. 1591)

Monday, October 16, 2006

South Korea asks Russian help with North
The Houston Chronicle, Courtesy of the AP

South Korea called Monday for Russia to play an active role in resolving the nuclear standoff with North Korea. Meanwhile, China inspected cargo trucks bound for North Korea on Monday as Australia banned the North's ships from its ports and Japan considered more sanctions to punish the reclusive nation for its proclaimed nuclear test. "Efforts to resolve the issue through dialogue should not be abandoned in difficult situations," South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun told his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, in a telephone conversation, according to Roh's office.

China Erects Fence Along N. Korea Border
The Sun (OK), Courtesy of the AP

China has been building a massive barbed wire and concrete fence along parts of its border with North Korea in the most visible sign of Beijing's strained ties with its once-cozy communist neighbor. Scores of soldiers have descended on farmland near the border-marking Yalu River to erect concrete barriers 8 to 15 feet tall and string barbed wire between them, farmers and visitors to the area said. Last week, they reached Hushan, a collection of villages 12 miles inland from the border port of Dandong.

China Inspects North Korean Cargo
The Columbian (WA) News, courtesy of the AP

North Korea appeared to slip further into isolation on Monday, as China - under intense pressure to enforce new U.N. sanctions - inspected cargo trucks bound for its communist ally and stepped up construction of a border fence.
Japan - once a major trading partner with the North Korea - said it was considering further sanctions, and Australia banned the North's ships from its ports.

US in diplomatic drive to enforce North Korea sanctions
The Manila Times

The United States has launched a diplomatic drive to add real teeth to UN sanctions against North Korea over its nuclear test amid divisions over how tough a stance should be taken against Pyongyang. A Japanese government spokesman said US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice would hold talks Thursday with the foreign ministers of Japan and South Korea on how to enforce the measures. Washington sent its point man on North Korea, Christopher Hill, to lay the groundwork. He was due in Japan later Monday before heading to South Korea.

World united against N.Korea nuclear arms: Bush
Reuters

President George W. Bush on Saturday called a new United Nations Security Council resolution on North Korea swift and tough, and said it showed the world's unity against Pyongyang's nuclear ambitions. Bush told reporters that the message from the U.N. resolution on North Korea was that "The world is united in our opposition to its nuclear weapons plans." The U.N. Security Council voted 15-0 on Saturday to impose financial and arms sanctions on North Korea to punish the reclusive Communist nation for its nuclear weapon test.