In this task, you are given text for US Congressional and California state bills, your task is to generate a summary for this bill.
Q: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ''Silk Road Strategy Act of 1997''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

Congress makes the following findings:
(1) The ancient Silk Road, once the economic lifeline of
Central Asia and the South Caucasus, traversed much of the
territory now within the countries of Armenia, Azerbaijan,
Georgia, Kazakstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and
Uzbekistan.
(2) Economic interdependence spurred mutual cooperation
among the peoples along the Silk Road and restoration of the
historic relationships and economic ties between those peoples
is an important element of ensuring their sovereignty as well
as the success of democratic and market reforms.
(3) The development of strong political and economic ties
between countries of the South Caucasus and Central Asia and
the West will foster stability in the region.
(4) The development of open market economies and open
democratic systems in the countries of the South Caucasus and
Central Asia will provide positive incentives for international
private investment, increased trade, and other forms of
commercial interactions with the rest of the world.
(5) The Caspian Sea Basin, overlapping the territory of the
countries of the South Caucasus and Central Asia, contains
proven oil and gas reserves that may exceed $4,000,000,000,000
in value.
(6) The region of the South Caucasus and Central Asia will
produce oil and gas in sufficient quantities to reduce the
dependence of the United States on energy from the volatile
Persian Gulf region.
(7) United States foreign policy and international
assistance should be narrowly targeted to support the economic
and political independence of the countries of the South
Caucasus and Central Asia.

SEC. 3. POLICY OF THE UNITED STATES.

It shall be the policy of the United States in the countries of the
South Caucasus and Central Asia--
(1) to promote and strengthen independence, sovereignty,
and democratic government;
(2) to assist actively in the resolution of regional
conflicts;
(3) to promote friendly relations and economic cooperation;
(4) to help promote market-oriented principles and
practices;
(5) to assist in the development of the infrastructure
necessary for communications, transportation, and energy and
trade on an East-West axis in order to build strong
international relations and commerce between those countries
and the stable, democratic, and market-oriented countries of
the Euro-Atlantic Community; and
(6) to support United States business interests and
investments in the region.

SEC. 4. UNITED STATES EFFORTS TO RESOLVE CONFLICTS IN GEORGIA,
AZERBAIJAN, AND TAJIKISTAN.

It is the sense of Congress that the President should use all
diplomatic means practicable, including the engagement of senior United
States Government officials, to press for an equitable, fair, and
permanent resolution to the conflicts in Georgia and Azerbaijan and the
civil war in Tajikistan.

SEC. 5. AMENDMENT OF THE FOREIGN ASSISTANCE ACT OF 1961.

Part I of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2151 et
seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following new chapter:

''Chapter 12--Support for the Economic and Political Independence of
the Countries of the South Caucasus and Central Asia

''SEC. 499. UNITED STATES ASSISTANCE TO PROMOTE RECONCILIATION AND
RECOVERY FROM REGIONAL CONFLICTS.

''(a) Purpose of Assistance.--The purposes of assistance under this
section are--
''(1) to create the basis for reconciliation between
belligerents;
''(2) to promote economic development in areas of the
countries of the South Caucasus and Central Asia impacted by
civil conflict and war; and
''(3) to encourage broad regional cooperation among
countries of the South Caucasus and Central Asia that have been
destabilized by internal conflicts.
''(b) Authorization for Assistance.--
''(1) In general.--To carry out the purposes of subsection
(a), the President is authorized to provide humanitarian
assistance and economic reconstruction assistance under this
Act, and assistance under the Migration and Refugee Assistance
Act of 1962 (22 U.S.C. 2601 et seq.), to the countries of the
South Caucasus and Central Asia to support the activities described in
subsection (c).
''(2) Definition of humanitarian assistance.--In this
subsection, the term 'humanitarian assistance' means assistance
to meet urgent humanitarian needs, in particular meeting needs
for food, medicine, medical supplies and equipment, and
clothing.
''(c) Activities Supported.--Activities that may be supported by
assistance under subsection (b) are limited to--
''(1) providing for the essential needs of victims of the
conflicts;
''(2) facilitating the return of refugees and internally
displaced persons to their homes; and
''(3) assisting in the reconstruction of residential and
economic infrastructure destroyed by war.
''(d) Policy.--It is the sense of Congress that the United States
should, where appropriate, support the establishment of neutral,
multinational peacekeeping forces to implement peace agreements reached
between belligerents in the countries of the South Caucasus and Central
Asia.

''SEC. 499A. ECONOMIC ASSISTANCE.

''(a) Purpose of Assistance.--The purpose of assistance under this
section is to foster the conditions necessary for regional economic
cooperation in the South Caucasus and Central Asia.
''(b) Authorization for Assistance.--To carry out the purpose of
subsection (a), the President is authorized to provide technical
assistance to the countries of the South Caucasus and Central Asia to
support the activities described in subsection (c).
''(c) Activities Supported.--Activities that may be supported by
assistance under subsection (b) are limited to the development of the
structures and means necessary for the growth of private sector
economies based upon market principles.
''(d) Policy.--It is the sense of Congress that the United States
should--
''(1) assist the countries of the South Caucasus and
Central Asia to develop laws and regulations that would
facilitate the ability of those countries to join the World
Trade Organization;
''(2) provide permanent nondiscriminatory trade treatment
(MFN status) to the countries of the South Caucasus and Central
Asia; and
''(3) consider the establishment of zero-to-zero tariffs
between the United States and the countries of the South
Caucasus and Central Asia.

''SEC. 499B. DEVELOPMENT OF INFRASTRUCTURE.

''(a) Purpose of Assistance.--The purposes of assistance under this
section are--
''(1) to develop the physical infrastructure necessary for
regional cooperation among the countries of the South Caucasus
and Central Asia; and
''(2) to encourage closer economic relations between those
countries and the United States and other developed nations.
''(b) Authorization for Assistance.--To carry out the purposes of
subsection (a), the following types of assistance to the countries of
the South Caucasus and Central Asia are authorized to support the
activities described in subsection (c):
''(1) Activities by the Export-Import Bank to complete the
review process for eligibility for financing under the Export-
Import Bank Act of 1945.
''(2) The provision of insurance, reinsurance, financing,
or other assistance by the Overseas Private Investment
Corporation.
''(3) Assistance under section 661 of this Act (relating to
the Trade and Development Agency).
''(c) Activities Supported.--Activities that may be supported by
assistance under subsection (b) are limited to promoting actively the
participation of United States companies and investors in the planning,
financing, and construction of infrastructure for communications,
transportation, and energy and trade including highways, railroads,
port facilities, shipping, banking, insurance, telecommunications
networks, and gas and oil pipelines.
''(d) Policy.--It is the sense of Congress that the United States
representatives at the International Bank for Reconstruction and
Development, the International Finance Corporation, and the European
Bank for Reconstruction and Development should encourage lending to the
countries of the South Caucasus and Central Asia to assist the
development of the physical infrastructure necessary for regional
economic cooperation.

''SEC. 499C. SECURITY ASSISTANCE.

''(a) Purpose of Assistance.--The purpose of assistance under this
section is to assist countries of the South Caucasus and Central Asia
to secure their borders and implement effective controls necessary to
prevent the trafficking of illegal narcotics and the proliferation of
technology and materials related to weapons of mass destruction (as
defined in section 2332a(c)(2) of title 18, United States Code), and to
contain and inhibit transnational organized criminal activities.
''(b) Authorization for Assistance.--To carry out the purpose of
subsection (a), the President is authorized to provide the following
types of assistance to the countries of the South Caucasus and Central
Asia to support the activities described in subsection (c):
''(1) Assistance under chapter 5 of part II of this Act
(relating to international military education and training).
''(2) Assistance under chapter 8 of this part of this Act
(relating to international narcotics control assistance).
''(3) The transfer of excess defense articles under section
516 of this Act (22 U.S.C. 2321j).
''(c) Activities Supported.--Activities that may be supported by
assistance under subsection (b) are limited to assisting those
countries of the South Caucasus and Central Asia in developing
capabilities to maintain national border guards, coast guard, and
customs controls.
''(d) Policy.--It is the sense of Congress that the United States
should encourage and assist the development of regional military
cooperation among the countries of the South Caucasus and Central Asia
through programs such as the Central Asian Battalion and the
Partnership for Peace of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

''SEC. 499D. STRENGTHENING DEMOCRACY, TOLERANCE, AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF
CIVIL SOCIETY.

''(a) Purpose of Assistance.--The purpose of assistance under this
section is to promote institutions of democratic government and to
create the conditions for the growth of pluralistic societies,
including religious tolerance.
''(b) Authorization for Assistance.--To carry out the purpose of
subsection (a), the President is authorized to provide the following
types of assistance to the countries of the South Caucasus and Central
Asia.
''(1) Technical assistance for democracy building.
''(2) Technical assistance for the development of
nongovernmental organizations.
''(3) Technical assistance for development of independent
media.
''(4) Technical assistance for the development of the rule
of law.
''(5) International exchanges and advanced professional
training programs in skill areas central to the development of
civil society.
''(c) Activities Supported.--Activities that may be supported by
assistance under subsection (b) are limited to activities that directly
and specifically are designed to advance progress toward the
development of democracy.
''(d) Policy.--It is the sense of Congress that the Voice of
America and RFE/RL, Incorporated, should maintain high quality
broadcasting for the maximum duration possible in the native languages
of the countries of the South Caucasus and Central Asia.

''SEC. 499E. INELIGIBILITY FOR ASSISTANCE.

''(a) In General.--Except as provided in subsection (b), assistance
may not be provided under this chapter for a country of the South
Caucasus or Central Asia if the President determines and certifies to
the appropriate congressional committees that the country--
''(1) is engaged in a consistent pattern of gross
violations of internationally recognized human rights;
''(2) has, on or after the date of enactment of this
chapter, knowingly transferred to another country--
''(A) missiles or missile technology inconsistent
with the guidelines and parameters of the Missile
Technology Control Regime (as defined in section 11B(c)
of the Export Administration Act of 1979 950 U.S.C.
App. 2410b(c); or
''(B) any material, equipment, or technology that
would contribute significantly to the ability of such
country to manufacture any weapon of mass destruction
(including nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons)
if the President determines that the material,
equipment, or technology was to be used by such country
in the manufacture of such weapons;
''(3) has supported acts of international terrorism;
''(4) is prohibited from receiving such assistance by
chapter 10 of the Arms Export Control Act or section 306(a)(1)
and 307 of the Chemical and Biological Weapons Control and
Warfare Elimination Act of 1991 (22 U.S.C. 5604(a)(1), 5605);
or
''(5) has initiated an act of aggression against another
state in the region after the date of enactment of the Silk
Road Strategy Act of 1997.
''(b) Exception to Ineligibility.--Notwithstanding subsection (a),
assistance may be provided under this chapter if the President
determines and certifies in advance to the appropriate congressional
committees that the provision of such assistance is important to the
national interest of the United States.

''SEC. 499F. ADMINISTRATIVE AUTHORITIES.

''(a) Assistance Through Governments and Nongovernmental
Organizations.--Assistance under this chapter may be provided to
governments or through nongovernmental organizations.
''(b) Use of Economic Support Funds.--Except as otherwise provided,
any funds that have been allocated under chapter 4 of part II for
assistance for the independent states of the former Soviet Union may be
used in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.
''(c) Terms and Conditions.--Assistance under this chapter shall be
provided on such terms and conditions as the President may determine.
''(d) Superseding Existing Law.--The authority to provide
assistance under this chapter supersedes any other provision of law,
except for--
''(1) this chapter;
''(2) section 634A of this Act and comparable notification
requirements contained in sections of the annual foreign
operations, export financing, and related programs Act;
''(3) section 907 of the Freedom for Russia and Emerging
Eurasian Democracies and Open Markets Support Act of 1992 (22
U.S.C. 5812 note; relating to restriction on assistance to
Azerbaijan), except such section shall not apply with respect
to--
''(A) activities to provide humanitarian assistance
under the Migration and Refugee Assistance Act of 1962
(22 U.S.C. 2601 et seq.);
''(B) activities to support democratic reforms and
democratic governance;
''(C) assistance for the control of narcotic and
psychotropic drugs and other controlled substances, or
for other anticrime purposes, under section 481(a)(4)
of this Act (22 U.S.C. 2291(a)(4));
''(D) assistance under programs carried out under
section 1424 of the National Defense Authorization Act
for Fiscal Year 1997 (50 U.S.C. 2333);
''(E) assistance provided by the Trade and
Development Agency under section 661 of this Act (22
U.S.C. 2421) ; and
''(F) activities carried out by the United States
and Foreign Commercial Service; and
''(4) section 1341 of title 31, United States Code
(commonly referred to as the ''Anti-Deficiency Act''), the
Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974, the
Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, and
the Budget Enforcement Act of 1990.

''SEC. 499G. DEFINITIONS.

''In this chapter:
''(1) Appropriate congressional committees.--The term
'appropriate congressional committees' means the Committee on
Foreign Relations of the Senate and the Committee on
International Relations of the House of Representatives.
''(2) Countries of the south caucasus and central asia.--
The term 'countries of the South Caucasus and Central Asia'
means Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakstan, Kyrgystan,
Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.''.

SEC. 6. ANNUAL REPORT.

Beginning one year after the date of enactment of this Act, and
annually thereafter, the President shall submit a report to the
appropriate congressional committees--
(1) identifying the progress of United States foreign
policy to accomplish the policy identified in section 3;
(2) evaluating the degree to which the assistance
authorized by chapter 12 of part I of the Foreign Assistance
Act of 1961, as added by section 5 of this Act, was able to
accomplish the purposes identified in those sections; and
(3) recommending any additional initiatives that should be
undertaken by the United States to implement the policy and
purposes contained in this Act.

SEC. 7. DEFINITIONS.

In this Act:
(1) Appropriate congressional committees.--The term
''appropriate congressional committees'' means the Committee on
Foreign Relations of the Senate and the Committee on
International Relations of the House of Representatives.
(2) Countries of the south caucasus and central asia.--The
term ''countries of the South Caucasus and Central Asia'' means
Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakstan, Kyrgystan, Tajikistan,
Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.
A:
Silk Road Strategy Act of 1997 - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to authorize specified assistance, including humanitarian, economic, migration and refugee, development, security, and technical assistance to the South Caucasus and Central Asia countries to: (1) promote sovereignty and independence with democratic government; (2) assist in the resolution of regional conflicts; (3) promote economic cooperation and market-oriented principles; (4) assist in the development of infrastructure necessary for communications, transportation, and energy and trade on an East-West axis in order to build strong relations and commerce between those countries and the democratic, market-oriented countries of the Euro-Atlantic community; and (5) support U.S. business interests and investments in the region.
Prohibits assistance to such countries (unless it is important to the U.S. national interest) if the President determines and certifies to the appropriate congressional committees that they: (1) are engaged in a consistent pattern of gross violations of internationally recognized human rights; (2) have knowingly transferred controlled missiles or missile technology to another country, or any equipment or technology that would contribute to the ability of such country to manufacture weapons of mass destruction (including nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons); (3) have supported acts of international terrorism; (4) are prohibited from receiving such assistance by specified Acts; or (5) have initiated an act of aggression against another state in the region.
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should use all diplomatic means to press for an equitable, fair, and permanent resolution to the conflicts in Georgia, Azerbaijan, and the civil war in Tajikistan.