Action Alert: May 3, 2000

Ranking member of the House International Relations Committee, Congressman Sam Gejdenson (D-CT) has introduced H.R.4249, also referred to as the "Cross-Border Cooperation and Environmental Safety in Northern Europe Act of 2000" or NEI bill. The legislation is being marked up in committee this week and additional co-sponsors are being sought, particularly from members of the Baltic Caucus. Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania stand to benefit from continued United States support for programs funded to the Baltic region and Northern Europe.

H.R. 4249 is designed to determine threats to the environmental security in the region, "presented by Russian marine nuclear reactors, waste and contamination" and also to identify possibilities for "new and expanded United States multilateral assistance programs for environmental clean-up in Northwest Russia." The language of the bill recognizes, among other things, the Baltic countries commitment to regional cooperation and integration into Western institutions. It highlights other continuing partnership projects which affect the Baltic countries and the region in general. The Northern Europe Initiative (NEI) provides the framework for U.S. policy in the region and is focused on further developing a cooperative network of business and trade promotion, law enforcement, the environment, energy, civil society and public health.

H.R. 4249 will derive funding from the SEED account (not less than $2 million) and Freedom Support Act (not less than $2 million). Estonia, Latvia have graduated from SEED (Assistance for Eastern Europe and the Baltic States), and Lithuania will follow over the coming five months. H.R.4249 keeps alive SEED funding to the Baltic region, including Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.

Please ask your Representative, especially members of the House Baltic Caucus, to support H.R.4249. Remind your Member of Congress that an active United States foreign policy is essential in maintaining stability and democratization in Europe.

A listing of House Baltic Caucus member links is available on the following webpage: http://www.expandnato.org/baltcau.html

For additional information on getting in touch with Congress, please contact JBANC, the Capitol Switchboard at: 202-224-3121 or check your telephone catalogue’s blue pages.