Fact Sheet
Office of the Spokesman
Washington, DC
February 3, 2003
International Affairs-FY 2004 BudgetThe President’s FY 2004 International Affairs Budget for the Department of State, USAID, and other foreign affairs agencies totals $28.5 billion.
The President’s budget proposal:
- Targets security assistance to sustain key countries supporting the United States in the war on terrorism;
- Combats illegal drugs in the Andean Region and bolsters democracy in one of that region’s most important countries, Colombia;
- Strengthens the U.S. commitment to fighting AIDS and alleviating human hardships;
- Launches the Millennium Challenge Account, a new partnership to support countries that rule justly, invest in their people, and encourage economic freedom;
- Reinforces a world-class diplomatic corps, focusing on the people, places, and tools needed to promote U.S. foreign policies; and
- Funds embassy and consulate security to protect American officials assigned abroad.
Highlights of the Budget
Foreign Operations and Related Agencies:
- $4.7 billion in direct counter-terrorism and other assistance programs to countries that have joined us in the war on terrorism.
- Over $2 billion in new programs for the war against poverty and despair:
- $1.3 billion for the Millennium Challenge Account, which ties increased development assistance to performance.
- $450 million to combat the AIDS pandemic, especially in Africa and the Caribbean. This combined with $1.55 billion will bring the overall FY 2004 total to $2 billion.
- $200 million for emergency food or grant assistance to support dire famine needs on a case-by-case basis.
- $100 million for an Emerging Crises Fund to allow swift responses to unforeseen complex foreign crises.
- $731 million in narcotics funding for the Andean Counterdrug Initiative, including $463 million for Colombia.
- $2.84 billion in development and child survival and health assistance programs.
- $235.5 million in disaster assistance and $55 million for transition initiatives.
- $1.185 billion in food assistance to address emergencies and disasters.
- $359 million for the Peace Corps to support 10,000 volunteers by the end of 2004.
- $1.55 billion for Multilateral Development Banks, including $196 million for arrears.
- $395 million in debt restructuring.
State Operations and Related Programs:
- Diplomatic Readiness Platform:
- $97 million to hire 399 staff, completing a three-year program to hire 1,158 new employees.
- $1.514 billion for security-related construction and rehabilitation of U.S. embassies and consulates.
- Information Technology – $157 million (plus $114 million in expedited passport fees) to keep pace with increased user demand and technology improvements.
- $646.7 million in security upgrades to enhance the security of our diplomatic facilities and personnel, including hiring 85 agents and other security professionals.
- $736 million in MRV fees for the Border Security Program.
- $1 billion to meet our commitments to the United Nations and other international organizations.
- $550 million to pay our share of international peacekeeping operations.
- $345 million for educational and cultural exchange programs.
- $563.5 million for the Broadcasting Board of Governors, including $30 million to initiate a new Arabic-language satellite TV network.
Released on February 3, 2003
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