From: rich@pencil.cs.missouri.edu (Rich Winkel)
Subject: FCNL Legislative Update 1/22/93
Followup-To: alt.activism.d
Originator: rich@pencil.cs.missouri.edu
Organization: PACH
Distribution: usa
Date: Sun, 24 Jan 1993 22:15:28 GMT

/** fcnl.updates: 16.0 **/
** Topic: FCNL LEGISLATIVE UPDATE [1/22/93] **
** Written  3:06 pm  Jan 22, 1993 by fcnl in cdp:fcnl.updates **
          FCNL LEGISLATIVE UPDATE -- [01/22/93]

This is the Friends Committee on National Legislation,
with updated legislative information.  To speak with a
staff member, call (202) 547-6000.

This message was prepared at 4:00 p.m on Friday,
January 22, 1993.  It contains information and action
suggestions on the following subjects: THE AMERICAN
INDIAN RELIGIOUS FREEDOM ACT AMENDMENTS OF 1993,
ABRAMS TANK SALE TO KUWAIT, and IRAQ. 

THE AMERICAN INDIAN RELIGIOUS FREEDOM ACT AMENDMENTS
OF 1993.  In 1978, Congress passed the American Indian
Religious Freedom Act (AIRFA).  The Act stated that it
was United States policy to protect the rights of
Native Americans to practice their traditional
religions.  However, this policy did not provide for
the enforcement of the protections it described.

Senator Inouye HI has cooperated with Native American
individuals and groups to write a series of amendments
to the 1978 AIRFA.  These amendments address the
specific concerns of Native Americans, including the
protection of sacred sites, allowing the religious use
of peyote, guaranteeing the rights of Native American
prisoners to practice their religions, and reforming
the process which grants permits for the possession of
eagle feathers.

ACTION:  Senator Inouye HI will introduce the AIRFA
Amendments on January 28.  Please urge your senators
to call the Senate Select Committee on Indian Affairs
(202/224-2251) to become original co-sponsors of the
bill.  Representative Richardson NM has agreed to
sponsor similar legislation in the House.  Please urge
your representative to contact Rep. Richardson for
information on the amendments.

For more information on the AIRFA Amendments of 1993
please send a self-addressed stamped envelope to FCNL
with a request for document G-206-NA.

ABRAMS TANK SALE TO KUWAIT.  On January 5, President
Bush announced to Congress a $4.5 billion sale of
advanced armor to Kuwait.  The sale, which includes
256 top-of-the-line M-1A2 Abrams tanks, undercuts the
Middle East Arms Control Initiative that Bush
introduced shortly after the Gulf War.  It also
appears hypocritical in light of U.S. attempts to halt
arms sales by other suppliers to the region.  Congress
needs to know that there is significant public
awareness about this sale.  Arms sales may make a good
profit, but the short term gain comes at the expense
of human lives and the proliferation of regional wars. 
Let's not let our military industries prove that the
next war is just an arms sale away. 

ACTION:  Congress has until February 4 to oppose this
sale.  Please contact your members of Congress and
express your deep concern about the $4.5 billion sale
of massive armor to Kuwait.  Emphasize your objections
to U.S. arms export promotion.  The U.S. needs to
strengthen its industrial base through comprehensive
legislation for economic conversion--not more arms
sales.  

IRAQ.  As President Bill Clinton completed his first
full day in the White House, U.S. fighter planes
attacked an Iraqi antiaircraft battery.  President
Clinton announced, "It is the American policy and
that's what we're going to stay with."  In his
inaugural address the day before, President Clinton
had challenged the American people to embrace change,
to celebrate renewal, and to force the spring. 
Foreign policy, and U.S. policy toward Iraq in
particular, desperately requires change, but a new
direction has not yet been expressed.

ACTION:  Send the message to President Clinton that
change is needed in U.S. policy toward Iraq.  It is
time to lift the economic sanctions which continue the
war against the Iraqi civilians.  Economic sanctions
have not seriously affected those in power, nor the
actions of the government. Rather, the sanctions have
greatly increased the suffering of the most
vulnerable.  FCNL strongly supports diplomatic
initiatives and nonmilitary efforts to establish
regional stability and to end the suffering of all the
peoples of Iraq.  Copies of your message should be
sent to your senators and representative.   

This concludes our message.  For more information,
please write to the Friends Committee on National
Legislation, 245 Second St., NE, Washington, DC 20002.
To follow these and related issues on a regular basis,
subscribe to the FCNL WASHINGTON NEWSLETTER.  Send $25
to the above address and receive 11 issues per year.   
** End of text from cdp:fcnl.updates **