US Senate links foreign aid to extradition

[Eugene]

http://today.reuters.com/News/newsArticle.aspx?type=topNews&storyID=2005-07-20T215529Z_01_N20214630_RTRIDST_0_NEWS-USA-CONGRESS-AID-DC.XML

US Senate links foreign aid to extradition
Wed Jul 20, 2005 5:55 PM ET

By Vicki Allen

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Senate on Wednesday voted to cut off most
U.S. aid to countries that refuse to extradite people charged with
crimes in the United States, as it passed a $31.8 billion foreign
aid bill.

Following a similar push in the House of Representatives, senators
voted 85-13 for an amendment to block funds to countries that do not
cooperate in turning over individuals charged with U.S. crimes in
non-death penalty cases.

<snip>

Georgia Republican Sen. Saxby Chambliss said his amendment was not
intended to deny aid to countries but to "provide a substantial
incentive for recalcitrant countries to reform their extradition
laws."

Chambliss cited countries including Mexico, Costa Rica, Spain,
Venezuela and Portugal that oppose life sentences, and in some cases
will not extradite an individual who faces a sentence beyond a
specified limit.

more...

As one critic noted, Israel does not extradite its citizens
to the U.S.

[54anickel]

1. I didn't realize these countries oppose life sentences. That's

interesting. Wonder if they believe in rehabilitation of criminals as well.

Seems we've done away with most rehab services and just lock 'em up and throw away the key. Then again, prison has become a big corporate enterprise these days. Fill 'em up boys, so we can build new ones!

[Mass]

2. The amendment does NOT concern people faced with a death sentence.

but Portugal. for example, does not extradite toward a country where the person could be charged with a sentence higher than for the same crime in Portugal (even in the EU).

[54anickel]

3. WTF is this MCA about? I've not heard of it before. A gov't corp?

Like the House bill, the Senate bill slashed Bush's request for his signature program to reward poor countries that make reforms, providing just $1.8 billion of the $3 billion he wanted for the Millennium Challenge Account.


So I google and find this. Sounds like some corporate bonus/merit program.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/infocus/developingnations/millennium.html

snip>
In his March 14 speech President Bush directed that countries be identified based on “a set of clear and concrete and objective criteria” that would be applied “rigorously and fairly.” The President stated that the Millennium Challenge Account will “reward nations that root out corruption, respect human rights, and adhere to the rule of law... invest in better health care, better schools and broader immunization... have more open markets and sustainable budget policies, nations where people can start and operate a small business without running the gauntlets of bureaucracy and bribery.”

snip>

The MCA will be administered by a new government corporation designed to support innovative strategies and to ensure accountability for measurable results.


The Corporation will be supervised by a Board of Directors composed of Cabinet level officials. The Secretary of State will be the Chairman of the Board.
- The CEO of the Millennium Challenge Corporation will be nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate.
- Personnel will be drawn from a variety of government and non-government agencies and would serve limited-term appointments.
- The Corporation will be designed to make maximum use of flexible authorities to optimize efficiency in contracting, program implementation, and personnel.


Heh, check out the board:

http://www.mca.gov/about_us/board/index.shtml

Then there's the senior officials:

http://www.mca.gov/about_us/senior_officials/index.shtml

[AlamoDemoc]

4. This bill is similar to an earlier senate bill

to coerce other countries to sign the "Non Surrender Agreements", or risk curtailment of military and other economic aid and assistance... This is utter blackmail and intimidation putting enormous pressure on poor countries.