§2452a. Exchange program with countries in transition from totalitarianism to democracy
(a) Authorization of activities; grants or contracts for exchanges with foreign countries
Pursuant to the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961 [22 U.S.C. 2451 et seq.] and using the authorities contained therein, the President is authorized, when the President considers that it would strengthen international cooperative relations, to provide, by grant, contract, or otherwise, for exchanges with countries that are in transition from totalitarianism to democracy, which include, but are not limited to Poland, Hungary, Czechoslovakia, Bulgaria, and Romania-
(1) by financing studies, research, instruction, and related activities-
(A) of or for American citizens and nationals in foreign countries; and
(B) of or for citizens and nationals of foreign countries in American private businesses, trade associations, unions, chambers of commerce, and local, State, and Federal Government agencies, located in or outside the United States; and
(2) by financing visits and interchanges between the United States and countries in transition from totalitarianism to democracy.
The program under this section shall be coordinated by the Department of State.
(b) Transfer of funds
The President is authorized to transfer to the appropriate appropriations account of the Department of State such sums as the President shall determine to be necessary out of the travel accounts of the departments and agencies of the United States, except for the Department of State, as the President shall designate. Such transfers shall be subject to the approval of the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate. In addition, the President is authorized to accept such gifts or cost-sharing arrangements as may be proffered to sustain the program under this section.
(
References in Text
The Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961, referred to in subsec. (a), is
Codification
Section was enacted as part of the National and Community Service Act of 1990, and not as part of the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961 which comprises this chapter.
Amendments
1998-Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (b).
Effective Date of 1998 Amendment
Amendment by
Russian Leadership Program
"(a)
"(1) a pilot program within the Library of Congress for fiscal years 1999 and 2000; and
"(2) a permanent program within the Executive agency designated by the President of the United States for fiscal years 2001 and thereafter,
to enable emerging political leaders of Russia at all levels of government to gain significant, firsthand exposure to the American free market economic system and the operation of American democratic institutions through visits to governments and communities at comparable levels in the United States.
"(b)
"(1)
"(2)
"(3)
"(4)
"(A)
"(i) may contract with nongovernmental organizations having expertise in carrying out the activities described in subsection (a) for the purpose of carrying out the administrative functions of the program (other than the awarding of grants); and
"(ii) may, without regard to the civil service laws and regulations (or, in the case of the Librarian of Congress, any requirement for competition in hiring), appoint and terminate an executive director and such other additional personnel as may be necessary to enable the administering agency to perform its duties under this section.
"(B)
"(c)
"(1) the costs and expenses incurred by each program participant in traveling between Russia and the United States and in traveling within the United States;
"(2) the costs of providing lodging in the United States to each program participant, whether in public accommodations or in private homes; and
"(3) such additional administrative expenses incurred by organizations in carrying out the program as the head of the administering agency may prescribe.
"(d)
"(1)
"(2)
"(A) describe the activities for which assistance under this section is sought;
"(B) include the number of program participants to be supported;
"(C) describe the qualifications of the individuals who will be participating in the program; and
"(D) provide such additional assurances as the head of the administering agency determines to be essential to ensure compliance with the requirements of this section.
"(3)
"(e)
"(1)
"(2)
"(A) two members appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, of whom one shall be designated by the Majority Leader of the House of Representatives and one shall be designated by the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives;
"(B) two members appointed by the President pro tempore of the Senate, of whom one shall be designated by the Majority Leader of the Senate and one shall be designated by the Minority Leader of the Senate;
"(C) the Librarian of Congress;
"(D) a private individual with expertise in international exchange programs, designated by the Librarian of Congress; and
"(E) an officer or employee of the administering agency, designated by the head of the administering agency.
"(3)
"(f)
"(g)
"(1)
"(A)
"(B)
"(2)
"(A)
"(B)
"(h)
"(1)
"(A) for fiscal years 1999 and 2000, the Library of Congress; and
"(B) for fiscal year 2001, and subsequent fiscal years, the Executive agency designated by the President of the United States under subsection (a)(2).
"(2)
"(3)
"(4)