June 11, 1998

BRINGING COMMON SENSE TO U.S. SANCTIONS POLICY

Dear Colleague:

As members of the New Democrat Coalition, we are writing to urge you to join us in cosponsoring H.R. 2708, the Enhancement of Trade, Security and Human Rights through Sanctions Reform Act, which has been introduced by our colleague Rep. Lee Hamilton. This bill provides a common sense process for the implementation of unilateral economic sanctions for foreign policy purposes.

Economic sanctions have been used for many years to punish countries and companies for a myriad of reasons. While multi-national economic sanctions can be a useful foreign policy tool, too often the United States imposes unilateral economic sanctions that result in more harm to our economy than to the economy of the nation we are trying to punish. In addition, even though economic sanctions are not the most effective foreign policy tool available and do not usually achieve the desired result, the use of unilateral economic Sanctions seems to be accelerating. According to the President's Export Council, more than 75 nations are subject to or threatened by U.S. sanctions.

H.R. 2708 would set up a systematic process to be followed prior to the implementation of unilateral economic sanctions. Specifically, before sanctions could be imposed, Congress and the President would be required to analyze the projected impacts of the sanctions on U.S. foreign policy, economic and humanitarian interests. In addition, the Congressional Budget Office would be required to assess proposed legislative sanctions for their economic impact on American farmers, businesses and workers. The bill would also establish an annual review of all existing sanctions to determine their effectiveness in achieving foreign policy aims. The process created under the legislation would neither prohibit the imposition of economic sanctions, nor nullify any existing sanctions.

The recent events in India and Pakistan clearly illustrate the inadequacy of unilateral economic sanctions as an effective foreign policy tool. They also highlight the need to develop a system that provides for flexibility and a better understanding of the likely impact of such measures. H.R. 2708 establishes a sound decision-making process for the implementation of unilateral economic sanctions. It does not take away the ability of the President or the Congress to impose such Sanctions, but requires a careful analysis of their impact and efficacy.

Please join us in cosponsoring this responsible legislation. Please call David Weiner at the Committee on International Relations at 5-5973, if you would like to cosponsor.

Sincerely,

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