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02 February 2004

Proposed Fiscal 2005 Budget for International Affairs Programs

Total of $31.5 billion proposed for U.S. foreign operations and assistance

Following is the text of a State Department fact sheet on the international affairs portion of the Bush administration's proposed fiscal year 2005 budget:

(begin fact sheet)

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
February 2, 2004

FACT SHEET

International Affairs-FY 2005 Budget

The President's FY 2005 International Affairs Budget for the Department of State, USAID, and other foreign affairs agencies totals $31.5 billion:

-- Foreign Operations -- $21.3 billion

-- State Operations -- $8.4 billion

-- P.L. 480 Food Aid -- $1.2 billion

-- International Broadcasting -- $569 million

-- U.S. Institute of Peace -- $22 million

The President's budget proposal:

-- Targets over $5.7 billion in military and economic assistance to front-line states in the war on terror;

-- Affirms our commitment to the citizens of Afghanistan by providing $1.2 billion for economic reconstruction, security and democracy building;

-- Maintains strong U.S. leadership by providing $2.8 billion to combat AIDS in the most afflicted countries in Africa and the Caribbean;

-- Provides $2.5 billion for the second year of the Millennium Challenge Account paving the way to reach the President's commitment of $5 billion in 2006;

-- Continues a multi-year effort to secure all overseas embassies and posts to protect U.S. Government employees;

-- Supports the war on terrorism by increasing security staff and meeting new staffing requirements; and

-- Strengthens protection of U.S. borders by effectively screening visa applicants and expanding the use of biometrics to improve security of U.S. visas and passports.

Highlights of the Budget

Foreign Operations and Related Agencies:

-- Over $5.7 billion in counter-terrorism and other assistance programs to coalition partners that have joined us in the war on terrorism.

-- $5.3 billion for the President's bold initiatives to fight HIV/AIDS ($2.8 billion) and create the Millennium Challenge Corporation ($2.5 billion).

-- $2.75 billion in development and child survival and health assistance programs.

-- $1.5 billion for Multilateral Development Banks, including $59 million for arrears.

-- $1.2 billion in disaster, transition, famine, refugee and conflict victim's assistance.

-- $1.2 billion in food assistance to address emergencies and disasters.

-- $731 million in counter-narcotics funding for the Andean Counterdrug Initiative, including $463 million for Colombia.

-- $401 million for the Peace Corps to meet the President's goal of reaching 14,000 volunteers by the end of 2007.

State Operations and Related Programs:

-- $1.5 billion for security-related construction and major rehabilitation requirements of U.S. embassies and consulates.

-- $659 million to increase security for diplomatic personnel and facilities in the face of terrorism.

-- $836 million to improve protection of U.S. borders through the Border Security Program.

-- $831 million from all funding sources to exploit information technology.

-- $309 million for public diplomacy to influence foreign opinion and encourage support for U.S. foreign policy goals.

-- $345 million for strategic educational and cultural exchanges.

-- $1.2 billion for U.S. obligations to international organizations.

-- $650 million to back UN peacekeeping missions.

(end fact sheet)

(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)