Dreier Introduces International Security Enhancement Act of 2004

April 23, 2004

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman David Dreier (R-CA), Chairman of the House Rules Committee, introduced this week legislation aimed at improving the ability of the United States to identify and address the issues often associated with failing countries that may present a security risk to our national interests.

“Countries like Afghanistan and Iraq demonstrate clearly the security threats posed to our country in what is a very dangerous world,” Dreier said. “Having just returned from Afghanistan, I can say with certainty that our national interests are served by rebuilding the country where the September 11th plot was hatched. The military is a huge part of the rebuilding effort, but properly trained civilians are key as well. It's my hope that this legislation will help our government organize in way that will allow us to identify the problems in a country like Afghanistan before it's too late, and then rebuild it to prevent it from falling apart again.”

The International Security Enhancement Act of 2004, H.R. 4185, creates a new office within the Department of State with responsibility for planning and executing non-military aspects of overseas stability operations. The new office will also have responsibility for identifying and addressing failing and failed countries that have the capacity to harm U.S. national interests, before they become weapons proliferators or safe havens for terrorists. It will also include a training component that will be responsible for civilian training for non-military post-conflict operations, and maintaining a “ready-reserve” of civilian experts qualified to assist in stabilization and democracy-building operations. The legislation also reinforces that the military retains sole control of any military operation and maintains maximum flexibility for any Administration to meet these complex challenges.