[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 36 (Wednesday, February 28, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1040-S1041]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        ARMS SALES NOTIFICATION

  Mr. CARDIN. Madam President, section 36(b) of the Arms Export Control 
Act requires that Congress receive prior notification of certain 
proposed arms sales as defined by that statute. Upon such notification, 
the Congress has 30 calendar days during which the sale may be 
reviewed. The provision stipulates that, in the Senate, the 
notification of proposed sales shall be sent to the chairman of the 
Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
  In keeping with the committee's intention to see that relevant 
information is available to the full Senate, I ask unanimous consent to 
have printed in the Record the notifications which have been received. 
If the cover letter references a classified annex, then such annex is 
available to all Senators in the office of the Foreign Relations 
Committee, room SD-423.
  There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

                                                  Defense Security


                                           Cooperation Agency,

                                                   Washington, DC.
     Hon. Benjamin L. Cardin,
     Chairman, Committee on Foreign Relations,
     U.S. Senate, Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. Chairman: Pursuant to the reporting requirements 
     of Section 36(b)(1) of the Arms Export Control Act, as 
     amended, we are forwarding herewith Transmittal No. 24-22, 
     concerning the Army's proposed Letter(s) of Offer and 
     Acceptance to the Government of Germany for defense articles 
     and services estimated to cost $281 million. We will issue a 
     news release to notify the public of this proposed sale upon 
     delivery of this letter to your office.
           Sincerely,
                                                  James A. Hursch,
                                                         Director.
       Enclosures.


                         Transmittal No. 24-22

     Notice of Proposed Issuance of Letter of Offer Pursuant to 
         Section 36(b)(1) of the Arms Export Control Act, as 
         amended
       (i) Prospective Purchaser: Government of Germany.
       (ii) Total Estimated Value:
       Major Defense Equipment* $0.
       Other $281 million.
       Total $281 million.
       (iii) Description and Quantity or Quantities of Articles or 
     Services under Consideration for Purchase:
       Major Defense Equipment (MDE):
       None.
       Non-MDE: Included are AN/PRC-117 radios; AN/PRC-160 radios; 
     spare and repair parts; support equipment; tools and test 
     equipment; diagnostic equipment; technical data and 
     publications; personnel training and training equipment; U.S. 
     Government and contractor technical assistance; technical and 
     logistics support services; and other related elements of 
     logistics and program support.
       (iv) Military Department: Army (GY-B-XBU, GY-B-XBV, GY-B-
     XBW, GY-B-XBX).
       (v) Prior Related Cases, if any: None.
       (vi) Sales Commission, Fee, etc., Paid, Offered, or Agreed 
     to be Paid: None.
       (vii) Sensitivity of Technology Contained in the Defense 
     Article or Defense Services Proposed to be Sold: See Attached 
     Annex.
       (viii) Date Report Delivered to Congress: February 27, 
     2024.
       * As defined in Section 47(6) of the Arms Export Control 
     Act.


                          POLICY JUSTIFICATION

Germany--High-Frequency, Very-High Frequency, and Ultra-High Frequency 
                                 Radios

       The Government of Germany has requested to buy AN/PRC-117 
     radios; AN/PRC-160 radios; spare and repair parts; support 
     equipment; tools and test equipment; diagnostic equipment; 
     technical data and publications; personnel training and 
     training equipment; U.S. Government and contractor technical 
     assistance; technical and logistics support services; and 
     other related elements of logistics and program support. The 
     estimated total cost is $281 million.
       This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and 
     national security of the United States by improving the 
     security of a NATO Ally that is an important force for 
     political and economic stability in Europe.
       The proposed sale will improve interoperability between 
     Germany and other NATO military forces and will increase 
     secure communications effectiveness to help combat current 
     and future threats. Germany will have no difficulty absorbing 
     this equipment into its armed forces.
       The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not 
     alter the basic military balance in the region.
       The principal contractor will be L3Harris Global 
     Communications, Inc., Rochester, NY. There are no known 
     offset agreements in connection with this potential sale.
       Implementation of this proposed sale will not require the 
     assignment of U.S. Government or contractor representatives 
     to Germany.
       There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness 
     as a result of this proposed sale.


                         Transmittal No. 24-22

  Notice of Proposed Issuance of Letter of Offer Pursuant to Section 
                36(b)(l) of the Arms Export Control Act

                           Annex Item No. vii

       (vii) Sensitivity of Technology:
       1. The AN/PRC-117 and AN/PRC-160 radios and their 
     accessories are used to transmit and receive voice and data 
     information using Type-1 encryption.
       2. The highest level of classification of defense articles, 
     components, and services included in this potential sale is 
     SECRET.
       3. If a technologically advanced adversary were to obtain 
     knowledge of the hardware and software elements, the 
     information could be used to develop countermeasures or 
     equivalent systems which might reduce system effectiveness or 
     be used in the development of a system with similar or 
     advanced capabilities.
       4. A determination has been made that Germany can provide 
     substantially the same degree of protection for the sensitive 
     technology being released as the U.S. Government. This sale 
     is necessary in furtherance of the U.S. foreign policy and 
     national security objectives outlined in the Policy 
     Justification.
       5. All defense articles and services listed in this 
     transmittal have been authorized for release and export to 
     Germany.

                        SFRC Meeting Memorandum

     To: Chairman Cardin.
     From: Charlotte Oldham-Moore, Molly Barlow, Stephanie Oviedo.
     Date: Tuesday, February 27, 2024.
     Re: Meeting with ICRC President Mirjana Spoljaric Egger.
       Meeting Purpose: On Thursday, February 29 at 11:30AM in SH-
     509, YOU will have a meeting with Mirjana Spoljaric Egger, 
     President of the International Committee of the Red Cross 
     (ICRC), Charlotte will staff. Ms. Spoljaric would like to 
     discuss the ICRC's operations in Israel/Gaza, Ukraine, and

[[Page S1041]]

     Sudan as well as the prospects for passage of U.S. 
     supplemental funding.


                             BLC Objectives

       Express your commitment to upholding international 
     humanitarian law and addressing global humanitarian crises, 
     including by passing the supplemental funding.
       [Israel/Gaza point to be provided by Team MENA]


                   BLC Message & Suggested Questions

       Israel and Gaza:
       [questions and talking points to follow from Team MENA]
       Kidnapped Ukrainian Children: I know that the ICRC has a 
     unique perspective as one of the few interlocutors that talks 
     to both sides and with the ability to operate in occupied 
     territories in Ukraine as well as within the Russian 
     Federation.
       How do you engage with the Russian government on questions 
     of kidnapped children? Have you found more success engaging 
     with certain Russian agencies than others?
       How does the ICC arrest warrant for Putin and his 
     Commissioner for Children's Rights influence the Russian 
     response to engagement on kidnapped children? Is there 
     additional leverage that the international community could 
     bring to bear to help you succeed in your mission of 
     reuniting families?
       War Crimes and Atrocities in Ukraine:
       Can you discuss the nature of war crimes and atrocities 
     being committed in occupied territories now? Is there 
     additional engagement or resources from the international 
     community necessary to help support victims and prevent 
     future such atrocities and war crimes?
       Sudan: There has been bipartisan and bicameral support for 
     increasing U.S. leadership to resolve the horrific crisis in 
     Sudan. I was pleased to see the Administration name a Special 
     Envoy for Sudan, which I expect to put us in a much better 
     position to exert diplomatic pressure to bring about a 
     ceasefire. In addition to increasing our diplomatic efforts, 
     we need greater resources to address the humanitarian 
     catastrophe.
       Where can the U.S. do more to support the work of the ICRC 
     and other humanitarian organizations in Sudan?
       What is your impression of the effectiveness of U.S. 
     mediation efforts?
       Armenia: USAID has committed more than $4 million in 
     additional humanitarian assistance to people displaced by 
     Azerbaijan's military operation in Nagorno Karabkah. But with 
     over 74,000 refugees, I know that the needs are great.
       Has the international response been sufficient to support 
     the vulnerable population from Karabakh forced to leave their 
     entire lives behind?
       Humanitarian Funding: As you know, the Senate's bill for 
     supplemental funding, which includes more than $9 billion for 
     humanitarian assistance, is still under consideration in the 
     House. This funding is critical to addressing the massive 
     shortfall between available assistance and growing needs.
       Given the growing humanitarian needs, how can Congress more 
     effectively assist the ICRC and push other countries--
     including partners that have traditionally not provided 
     substantial foreign assistance--to step up to the plate?


                               Background

       Gaza: In response to the, October 7 attacks, the ICRC 
     scaled up its humanitarian response in Israel and Gaza. As 
     part of this effort, the ICRC has actively advocated for the 
     release of all hostages immediately and unconditionally. 
     Concurrently, the ICRC has asked to visit the hostages, to 
     check on their conditions, to deliver medical care, and to 
     facilitate communication with their families. When political 
     agreements allowed hostages to be released, the ICRC played 
     the role of neutral intermediary to facilitate the release, 
     transfer, and return of 109 hostages from Gaza to their 
     families. ICRC also facilitated the release, transfer and 
     return of 154 Palestinian detainees from Israeli places of 
     detention to their families. The ICRC works closely with its 
     partners in the International Red Cross and Red Crescent 
     Movement and continues to work closely with local service-
     providers, communities and other partners on the ground.
       Ukraine: With over 800 staff working in eight locations, 
     Ukraine is the ICRC's largest operation in 2024. Working 
     alongside partners from the International Red Cross and Red 
     Crescent Movement, the ICRC has provided humanitarian 
     assistance to over 11.6 million people since February 2022. 
     ICRC staff have visited almost 2,400 prisoners of war on both 
     sides, sharing news and updates directly with thousands of 
     families. The ICRC continues to push for access to all 
     prisoners of war through bilateral dialogue and to advocate 
     for the reunification of kidnapped Ukrainian children with 
     their families.
       Sudan: The ICRC's work in Sudan, in cooperation with the 
     Sudanese Red Crescent Society (SRCS), includes promoting 
     respect for International Humanitarian Law (IHL), supporting 
     hospitals and health facilities with equipment and supplies, 
     working with local water authorities on improving people's 
     access to clean water and supporting the authorities in 
     providing rehabilitation services for people with 
     disabilities. The ICRC is helping families separated by 
     conflict or displacement to keep in touch with their loved 
     ones, and has facilitated the release of detainees upon 
     request of the parties. Since the beginning of the conflict 
     between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and Rapid Support 
     Forces (RSF) in April 2023, the ICRC has acted as a neutral 
     intermediary between parties to the conflict and conducted 
     various activities to protect and assist those affected by 
     the consequences of the crisis.
       ICRC Funding: The ICRC is appealing for $2.34 billion in 
     2024, a 13% cut from the previous year's appeal. One quarter 
     of the ICRC's total funding comes from the United States. The 
     Senate-passed supplemental included $3.5 billion in the 
     Migration and Refugee Assistance (MRA) account, which 
     includes funding for the ICRC.
       Biography: Ms. Mirjana Spoljaric Egger has been ICRC 
     President since October 2022. From 2018 to 2022, she served 
     as the United Nations Assistant Secretary-General, Assistant 
     Administrator of the UN Development Program (UNDP), and 
     Director of the Regional Bureau for Europe and the CIS. Prior 
     to joining the UN, Ms. Spoljaric had many years of 
     distinguished service with the Swiss Diplomatic Corps, where 
     she served as Ambassador and Head of the United Nations and 
     International Organizations Division, and as Counsellor and 
     Head of the Political Team at the Permanent Mission of 
     Switzerland to the UN. From 2010-2012, Ms. Spoljaric was 
     seconded to the Office of the Commissioner-General of the UN 
     Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near 
     East (UNRWA) as Senior Advisor covering organizational 
     development, management reforms, and external relations. Ms. 
     Spoljaric studied Philosophy, Economics and International Law 
     at the Universities of Basel and Geneva and holds a master's 
     degree.

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