September 28, 2001

Dear Member of Congress:

We are writing to express our concerns about language in the Administration's proposed anti-terrorism legislation that would waive restrictions on U.S. weapons exports and military assistance to countries that may assist the U.S. in its fight against terrorism. As representatives of religious, development, arms control and human rights organizations working to limit the negative impact of the weapons trade on international peace and security, we are concerned that the proposed language could undermine the core values of U.S. foreign policy - freedom, democracy, and respect for human life - and ultimately jeopardize American security.

Specifically, we believe that Congress should continue to oversee U.S. arms exports and military assistance while not sacrificing the following central foreign policy goals:

• •Long-term Regional Stability - the United States should not export weapons and provide military assistance that could destabilize countries and regions;



• •Respect for Human Rights - the United States should not supply weapons and military aid to governments that would use them to violate the human rights of or deny basic freedoms to their citizens;



• •Civilian Rule - the United States should not provide weapons or military aid to those countries whose duly elected head of government is deposed by decree or military coup;



• •State Sponsors of Terrorism - the United States should not provide weapons or aid to countries that sponsor terrorism;



• •Arms Trade Boomerang - the U.S. should not provide weapons or military assistance to foreign parties if there is a reasonable possibility that they could be used against U.S. personnel or U.S. interests in the future.

Current U.S. law already includes emergency provisions that permit the President to provide military equipment and aid to allies in times of crisis. Before exercising such national security waivers, we urge Congress and the President to consider the broader foreign policy goals articulated above and to take steps to ensure that any waiver be limited in both scope and duration.

Existing restrictions on U.S. weapons exports and military aid have been carefully crafted over the last fifty years to protect U.S. national security and prevent the misuse or diversion of U.S. military assistance or equipment. The tragic events of September 11 demonstrate that the U.S. must take steps to protect the country and bring to justice those responsible for the terrorist attacks. But in an effort to overcome the threat of terrorism, the U.S. should not reverse laws and policies that have served to keep weapons out of the hands of governments and terrorists who may threaten U.S. national security.

Sincerely,