§ 2295. Assistance for the independent states
The President is authorized to provide assistance to the independent states of the former Soviet Union under this part for the following activities:
(1)
Urgent humanitarian needs
Meeting urgent humanitarian needs (including those arising from the health effects of exposure to radiation in the Chernobyl region), in particular—
(2)
Democracy and rule of law
Establishing a democratic and free society by fostering—
(C)
the development of institutions of democratic governance, including electoral and legislative processes;
(D)
the institution and improvement of public administration at the national, intergovernmental, regional, and local level;
(E)
development and support of grass-roots and nongovernmental organizations promoting democracy, the rule of law, transparency, and accountability in the political process, including grants in small amounts to such organizations;
(F)
international exchanges and other forms of public diplomacy to promote greater understanding on how democracy, the public policy process, market institutions, and an independent judiciary function in Western societies;
(G)
political parties and coalitions committed to promoting democracy, human rights, and economic reforms;
(I)
the development of effective control by elected civilian officials over, and the development of a nonpolitical officer corps in, the military and security forces; and
(J)
strengthened administration of justice through programs and activities carried out in accordance with section
2295b
(e) of this title, including—
(i)
support for nongovernmental organizations, civic organizations, and political parties that favor a strong and independent judiciary;
(3)
Independent media
Developing free and independent media, including—
(B)
providing special support for, and unrestricted public access to, nongovernmental Internet-based sources of information, dissemination and reporting, including providing technical and other support for web radio services, providing computers and other necessary resources for Internet connectivity and training new Internet users in nongovernmental civic organizations on methods and uses of Internet-based media; and
(4)
Free market systems
Creating and developing private enterprise and free market systems based on the principle of private ownership of property, including—
(5)
Trade and investment
Creating conditions that promote trade and investment, and encouraging participation of the United States private sector in the development of the private sector in the independent states of the former Soviet Union.
(6)
Food distribution and production
Promoting market-based mechanisms for the distribution of the inputs necessary to agricultural production and for the handling, marketing, storage, and processing of agricultural commodities; encouraging policies that provide incentives for agricultural production; and creating institutions that provide technical and financial support for the agricultural sector.
(7)
Health and human services
Promoting programs to strengthen and build institutions that provide quality health care and voluntary family planning services, housing, and other services and policies that are components of a social safety net, particularly for infants, children, and people with disabilities.
(8)
Education and educational television
Promoting broad-based educational reform at all levels, in particular—
(9)
Energy efficiency and production
Promoting market-based pricing policies and the transfer of technologies that reduce energy wastage and harmful emissions; supporting developmentally sound capital energy projects that utilize United States advanced coal technologies; and promoting efficient production, use, and transportation of oil, gas, coal, and other sources of energy.
(10)
Civilian nuclear reactor safety
Implementing—
(A)
a program of short-term safety upgrade of civilian nuclear power plants, including the training of power plant personnel, implementation of improved procedures for nuclear power plant operation, the development of effective and independent regulatory authorities, and cost-effective hardware upgrades; and
(11)
Environment
Enhancing the human and natural environment and conserving environmental resources, including through—
(A)
facilitation of the adoption of environmentally-sound policies and technologies, environmental restoration, and sustainable use of natural resources;
(12)
Transportation and telecommunications
Improving transportation and telecommunications infrastructure and management, including intermodal transportation systems to ensure the safe and efficient movement of people, products, and materials.
(13)
Drug education, interdiction, and eradication
Promoting drug education, interdiction, and eradication programs.
(14)
Migration
Protecting and caring for refugees, displaced persons, and other migrants; addressing the root causes of migration; and promoting the development of appropriate immigration and emigration laws and procedures.