Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Year 1979

Summary

Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Year 1979 - Title I: Department of State - Authorizes appropriations to the Department of State for fiscal year 1979 to conduct the foreign affairs of the United States for functions relating to: (1) the administration of foreign affairs; (2) international organizations and conferences; (3) international commissions; (4) migration and refugee assistance; and (5) increases in salary, pay, retirement, and employee benefits. Authorizes appropriations to be set aside from the above Department of State authorization under this Act for: (1) the undocumented alien program; (2) the United Nations Conference on Science and Technology for Development; and (3) assistance for refugees settling in Isreal; and (4) assistance for refugees in Africa. Authorizes the Secretary of State to provide emergency medical assistance and dietary supplements to destitute United States citizens abroad. Authorizes the Secretary of State to consolidate administrative services with other Federal agencies if such consolidation would result in the better performance of such services. Amends the Foreign Service Act of 1946 to authorize the Secretary to establish medical treatment and health care facilities at foreign posts where sufficient personnel are employed to warrant such facilities. Requires the Secretary of State to demonstrate solar energy and other renewable energy technologies by using such energy sources in Foreign Service buildings located abroad. Directs the Secretary to consult with the Secretary of Energy concerning the most viable techniques adaptable to the local resources and environmental conditions of the host country. Requires the Secretary of State to insure that projects under this Act are demonstrated to, and are available for inspection by, officials and other citizens of the host country. Directs the Secretary to give priority to projects in less developed countries. Declares it to be the sense of Congress that the President should direct the United States Ambassador to the United Nations to use all means to obtain action by the General Assembly to terminate the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People and the Special Unit on Palestinian Rights. Changes the position of Deputy Under Secretary of State to Under Secretary of State for Management. Establishes in the Department of State an Assistant Secretary of State for International Narcotics Matters and requires the Assistant Secretary to be responsible for the overall coordination of the role of the Department of State in the international aspects of narcotics problems. Title II: International Communication Agency - Authorizes appropriations for the International Communication Agency for fiscal year 1979, to carry out international communication, educational, cultural, and exchange programs. Renames the United States Information Agency the International Communication Agency. Title III: Board for International Broadcasting - Authorizes appropriations through fiscal year 1979 for the Board for International Broadcasting. Prohibits funding of Radio Free Europe and Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) if any Communist country is permitted to use its broadcasting facilities, unless that country permits RFE/RL to use that country's broadcasting facilities on a comparable basis. Title IV: Foreign Service and Other Personnel - Amends the Foreign Service Act of 1946 to redefine the term "Chief of mission." Sets forth provisions affecting Foreign Service employees concerning: (1) assignments to public or private nonprofit organizations; (2) career counseling; (3) orientation and language training for family members; (4) special computation of annuities for foreign service employees; (5) special allowances; (6) per diem and subsistence allowances; (7) the responsibilities of a Chief of mission; (8) detailed State Department personnel; and (9) compensatory time off at posts in foreign areas. Title V: Science, Technology, and American Diplomacy - Makes findings that: (1) the consequences of modern scientific and technological advances are of major significance in United States foreign policy; and (2) many opportunities for development in diplomacy lie in scientific and technological fields. Declares it to be the policy of the United States to maximize the benefits and to minimize the adverse consequences of science and technology in the conduct of foreign policy. Sets forth responsibilities of the President and the Secretary of State in order to achieve this policy goal, including: (1) an annual report submitted by the President to Congress; and (2) requiring the Secretary, who is directed to have primary responsibility with respect to all science and technology agreements and activities between the United States and foreign governments, to make grants and other measures to achieve the policy goal. Title VI: Commission on Proposals for a Center for Conflict Resolution - Makes findings that: (1) many conflicts are largely the results of misunderstanding and poor communication; and (2) the techniques of conflict resolution are teachable and usable. Establishes the Commission on Proposals for a Center for Conflict Resolution to study: (1) whether to establish a Center for Conflict Resolution; and (2) the application of the behavioral sciences to the peaceful resolution of disputes. Requires the Commission to issue a report to the President and to the Congress. Title VII: Institute for International Human Rights - Institute for International Human Rights Act - Establishes as an independent agency of the United States a body corporate to be known as the Institute for International Human Rights in order to promote universal respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms. Authorizes the Institute to provide assistance, primarily to nongovernmental organizations and individuals for programs that promote respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms. Directs the Institute to only carry out or provide assistance for activities relating to human rights and fundamental freedoms in foreign countries. Vests management of the Institute in a board of directors. Sets forth the powers of the Institute. Requires the Institute to report annually to Congress. Title VIII: Miscellaneous Provisions - Increases the annual authorization of appropriations for the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe. Authorizes $60,000,000 to be appropriated to the President to acquire tin metal to contribute to the buffer stock of the International Tin Council.

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3 official files

• Public Law (PDF)

  Public Law · EN · 8 October 1978

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• Conference report filed in House

  summary · EN · 6 September 1978

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• Introduced in House

  summary · EN · 8 May 1978

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