Department of State: Nonproliferation, Anti-terrorism, Demining, and Related Programs Follow Legal Authority, but Some Activities Need Reassessment
GAO-04-521
Published: Apr 30, 2004. Publicly Released: Apr 30, 2004.
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Highlights
The Department of State requested $415 million to fund programs in the Nonproliferation, Antiterrorism, Demining, and Related Programs (NADR) appropriations account for fiscal year 2005. Interest has been expressed in learning about whether programs are being implemented in accord with the law, and in the extent to which programs use experts hired on a contractual basis. GAO was asked to determine (1) the legal authorizations for the programs and the extent to which programs are implemented in accord with these authorizations and (2) the extent to which program management and implementation use outside experts.
Recommendations
Matter for Congressional Consideration
| Matter | Status | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| The Congress may want to consider conditioning future year funding requests for the Tracker export control system until the Secretaries of State and Commerce have determined whether the two systems should be integrated. |
Closed – Implemented
|
Given the actions by State and Commerce, Commerce no longer has the involvement in the program referred to and congressional action is no longer relevant or required. |
| The Congress may also want to consider clarifying through legislation its intent with respect to the scope and direction of the NDF's activities. |
Closed – Not Implemented
|
Our research through the congressional record and congressional reports that included the Nonproliferation and Disarmament Fund indicated no evidence that Congress enacted any clarifying language. |
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Department of Commerce | The Secretaries of State and Commerce should evaluate the extent to which the export control activities of the Nonproliferation and Disarmament Fund and the Export Control and Related Border Security Assistance Program are integrated and thus ensure that recipient countries are receiving comprehensive assistance to improve their export control systems. |
Closed – Implemented
In response to the GAO recommendation, State reported and GAO confirmed that Tracker was transferred from the Nonproliferation and Disarmament Fund to the Export Control and Border Security Assistance (EXBS) program in 2005. Also, Commerce reported that the Office of International Programs has dissolved in the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) and is now back with the Department of State. Therefore, Commerce no longer has the program referred to and congressional action is no longer relevant or required.
|
| Department of State | The Secretaries of State and Commerce should evaluate the extent to which the export control activities of the Nonproliferation and Disarmament Fund and the Export Control and Related Border Security Assistance Program are integrated and thus ensure that recipient countries are receiving comprehensive assistance to improve their export control systems. |
Closed – Implemented
In response to the GAO recommendation, State reported and GAO confirmed that Tracker was transferred from the Nonproliferation and Disarmament Fund to the Export Control and Border Security Assistance (EXBS) program in 2005. Also, Commerce reported that the Office of International Programs has dissolved in the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) and is now back with the Department of State. Therefore, Commerce no longer has the program referred to and congressional action is no longer relevant or required.
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