ANE Regional Activities

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ACTIVITY DATA SHEET PROGRAM: Asia and Near East Regional TITLE AND NUMBER: Middle East Regional Democracy Fund, 498-012 STATUS: Continuing PLANNED FY 2001 OBLIGATION AND FUNDING SOURCE: $3,986,000 ESF PROPOSED FY 2002 OBLIGATION AND FUNDING SOURCE: $7,000,000 ESF INITIAL OBLIGTATION: FY 1998    ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE: Continuing Summary: The development of a democratic culture in the Near East, based on representative government, strong civil society institutions, and respect for individual human rights, directly supports the U.S. goal of fostering democracy worldwide and enhances U.S. interests in peace and stability in the region. More democratic countries in the region that respect the rule of law and embrace civil society are likely to transfer power peacefully, resist the spread of extremism, promote investment by increasing confidence in the business sectors, and enhance the stability of the Near East region as a whole. The countries of the Middle East often are characterized by autocratic rule, the absence of political and civil rights, cumbersome bureaucracies, corruption, and failure to deliver basic services. These factors, combined with fundamentalist Islam, pose serious challenges to the region's democratic development. However, some positive democratic momentum in the Middle East has been generated in recent years. Public participation in political life in many states is increasing through the growth of active non-governmental organizations and the expanded role of elected legislatures/advisory councils. Morocco and Yemen have demonstrated a willingness to implement judicial reforms, as well as provide additional degrees of freedom to civil society organizations. While still nascent, potential openings for civil society, court reform, and legislative strengthening exist in Oman, Tunisia and Algeria. Key Results: An analysis of issues and opportunities to promote democracy and governance in the Middle East indicates the likelihood of achieving positive results in three important areas: Commitment to the rule of law, including respect for human rights and particularly women's rights; a strong legal system; and an independent judiciary, as evidenced by improvements in the administration of justice and increased independence of judicial officials making fair decisions; A strong and participatory civil sector, including non-governmental organizations and the media; Representative and accountable government, as evidenced by free and fair elections, more independent legislatures and improved constituency outreach. Performance and Prospects: This activity has defined a core program that directs resources to Morocco, Yemen, Oman and Algeria in areas that have been identified as most likely to generate results over a short period of time. In FY 2001, the fund ($4,000,000 ESF) will support activities focused on (but not limited to): - Algeria: parliamentary training; NGO/journalism training; judicial reform - Morocco: civil society advocacy, human rights monitoring, anticorruption programs, support for decentralization, women's rights advocacy, election support - Oman: judicial reform, State Council training; women's rights advocacy - Tunisia: civil society strengthening - Yemen: political party and parliamentary training, electoral assistance, judicial reform, support for decentralization The fund also supports a small grants program that will be separately notified by the Department of State. Possible Adjustments to Plans: None. Other Donor Programs: Assistance for democracy programming in the targeted countries has been limited. In Morocco, the European Union provides support to NGOs involved in human rights, women's rights, democracy and advocacy. In Yemen, the United Nations Development Program continues to provide support for elections and parliamentary strengthening. Principal Contractors, Grantees, or Agencies: U.S. partner organizations for democracy and governance activities include the National Democratic Institute, the International Republican Institute, the International Foundation for Election Systems, the American Bar Association, Freedom House and others to be determined. Selected Performance Indicators: Yemeni judicial code of conduct completed; Algerian Parliament acts on proposals to amend the country's family law; Omani government issues royal decrees containing specific legislation on civil rights; Moroccan civil society organizations are able to advocate for greater transparency and accountability in government; greater degrees of judicial freedom to question constitutionality of laws; selected public policies changed consistent with civil society advocacy; targeted NGOs have operational financial and management systems in place. U.S. Financing (In thousands of dollars)   Obligations   Expenditures   Unliquidated   Through September 30, 1999      DA 0 DA 0 DA   CSD 0 CSD 0 CSD 5,580 ESF 3,597 ESF 1,983 ESF 0 SEED 0 SEED 0 SEED 0 FSA 0 FSA 0 FSA 0 DFA 0 DFA 0 DFA Fiscal Year 2000   DA 0 DA     CSD 0 CSD 5,000 ESF 0 ESF 0 SEED 0 SEED 0 FSA 0 FSA 0 DFA 0 DFA Through September 30, 2000 0 DA 0 DA 0 DA 0 CSD 0 CSD 0 CSD 10,580 ESF 3,597 ESF 6,983 ESF 0 SEED 0 SEED 0 SEED 0 FSA 0 FSA 0 FSA 0 DFA 0 DFA 0 DFA Prior Year Unobligated Funds 0 DA   0 CSD 1,000 ESF 0 SEED 0 FSA 0 DFA Planned Fiscal Year 2001 NOA 0 DA   0 CSD 3,986 ESF 0 SEED 0 FSA 0 DFA Total Planned Fiscal Year 2001 0 DA   0 CSD 4,986 ESF 0 SEED 0 FSA 0 DFA       Future Obligations   Est. Total Cost   Proposed Fiscal Year 2002 NOA 0 DA 0 DA 0 DA 0 CSD 0 CSD 0 CSD 7,000 ESF 0 ESF 30,000 ESF 0 SEED 0 SEED 0 SEED 0 FSA 0 FSA 0 FSA 0 DFA 0 DFA 0 DFA

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