Authorizing Transferof items in war reserves stockpile for Allies, Korea
AUTHORIZING TRANSFER OF ITEMS IN WAR RESERVES STOCKPILE FOR ALLIES, KOREA -- (House of Representatives - December 18, 2005)
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Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of Senate bill 1988, a bill to authorize the transfer of items in the War Reserve Stockpile for Allies, Korea.
Section 514 of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 provides no U.S. Department of Defense articles which have been set aside for future use by any foreign country may be made available for that country's use, unless the transfer is authorized under that act, the Arms Control Export Act, or subsequent corresponding legislation. Consistent with that provision of law, Senate bill 1988 would authorize the President to transfer to the Republic of Korea certain obsolete or surplus U.S. Department of Defense munitions, equipment, and other materiel.
The prepositioned stocks established by the U.S. Department of Defense in Korea and Japan in 1973 in order to supplement Korea's military sustainment now constitutes an aging stockpile. Senate bill 1988 would permit the Department of Defense to seek concessions, such as fair market value, from the Republic of Korea in exchange for the transfer of these stocks to Korea's inventory. This approach would be consistent with the ongoing realignment of the United States Armed Forces in Korea and the objective of increased Korean self-sufficiency. It would also reduce the costs to the United States, otherwise necessitated by transporting this materiel back to the United States for disposal and demilitarization.
Senate bill 1988's provisions are nearly identical to those contained in section 752 of House Resolution 2601, the Foreign Relations Authorization Act for the Fiscal Years 2006 and 2007. H.R. 2601 passed the House on July 20 by a recorded vote of 351-78. The Senate has not yet completed floor consideration of a Foreign Relations Authorization Act. It passed a stand-alone bill, Senate bill 1988, on November 9, 2005, authorizing the transfer of these stocks to the Republic of Korea. Since timely action was necessary to assure the proper management and the disposition of reserved stocks located in that region, this limited purpose bill is before us today. I hope my colleagues will join me in supporting this bill.
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