United States: House International Relations Committee Bill to Include AECA, EAA Changes, Some Triggering Administration Opposition

At the May 6, 2003 meeting of the House International Relations Committee, Chairman Hyde included in his chairman's mark an extensive section with numerous amendments to the Arms Export Control Act and several to the Export Administration Act. The AECA amendments are the more significant and the Department of State is already registering strong opposition with Hyde. The EAA changes are reportedly viewed by the Administration as unnecessary, but not worth opposing.

The documents containing the bill text are available in PDF format (part 1, part 2). This would go into the larger bill known as the "Defense Trade and Security Assistance Act of 2003."

Much of the AECA language is intricate and will require careful analysis to fully understand the impact. There was an NSC meeting Monday to discuss the language, which resulted in a decision that the Administration will strongly oppose some proposed provisions. In particular, the draft bill would interfere with the current negotiations with the British and Australians over waivers from certain AECA licensing. The draft also would impose new licensing requirements for missile technology, and would tighten the restrictions on the Administration's efforts to continue the Canadian exemption. There is also language aimed at tightening dual-use exports to Chinese police and security organizations and their extended commercial affiliates.