VOLUME No: 63 Issue No:4

Washington, D.C. - July 23, 2004

Free Trade Agreement Signed with Morocco

On Wednesday, in a show of bipartisan support for free trade, the Senate voted overwhelmingly (85-13) to lift restrictions on trade with Morocco , one of America 's oldest allies and trading partners in the Muslim world. Morocco will become the seventh nation to hold a free trade agreement with the United States . Others include Australia , Canada , Jordan , Mexico , Israel , Chile and Singapore .

The new trade agreement will help Moroccans gain access to America 's $10trilllion market while cutting the average 20 percent tariff on US exports into Morocco . Currently, trade between the two nations is an estimated $1Billion.

Social Security Reform Introduced

Congressman Paul Ryan R-Wisconsin, introduced legislation this week that would create voluntary personal retirement accounts. The plan allows workers to choose investment funds to create tax-free accounts in hopes of achieving a solution for Social Security problems. There is concern that with many baby-boomers retiring soon, Social Security will lack the resources to properly pay them without significantly raising payroll taxes. Supporters of Congressman Ryan's plan argue that personal retirement accounts will be a way to avoid this scenario.

Islamic Free Market Institute Foundation Hosts Viewing of
“Saddam's Mass Graves ” and Panel Discussion

The Islamic Free Market Institute Foundation (IFMIF) hosted the first formal Washington DC viewing of the Jano Rosebiani film, “Saddam's Mass Graves.” The viewing and panel discussion was the first in a series which will visit many major American cities from coast to coast. The program is being coordinated by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and will visit many non governmental organizations in the coming weeks.

Also making presentations and taking questions at the forum were Ibrahim, Director of the Free Prisoners Association of Iraq and Tiamour, a survivor of the Anfal massacres in 1988. After viewing the film, the audience, which also included several members of the print and broadcast media, shared their impressions from the film and asked the panelists and director questions.

More information on this subject can be found at:

http://www.usaid.gov/iraq/legacyofterror.html

http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/27000.htm

USAID Press office at 202-712-4320

Senate Passes Tobacco Regulation

A bill that would allow the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to regulate tobacco products in return for a multi-billion dollar buyout for tobacco farmers has passed through the Senate. Senators Mike DeWine, R-Ohio and Edward M. Kennedy, D-Massachusetts sponsored the bill that received bipartisan support.

The House does not seem as open to the idea of tobacco regulation. Majority leader Tom Delay, R-Texas is opposed because FDA regulation goes against a traditional conservative principle of less government interference in business. The bill is currently making its way through a conference committee.

Election Update

Congressional Speakers Chosen for the Conventions

Republicans announced that congressional speakers for their national convention include: Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-TN) and Senators John McCain (R-AZ), Elizabeth Dole (R-NC), Rick Santorum (R-PA), Sam Brownback (R-KS), and Zell Miller (D-GA).

House members include: House Speaker Denis Hastert (R-IL) and Representatives Heather Wilson (R-NM), and Anne Northup (R-KY).

Note : The full Republican Convention Speaker List has not Been Released

Democratic congressional speakers at their national convention include: Senators Hillary Clinton (D-NY), Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), Tom Daschle (D-SD), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Edward Kennedy (D-MA), John Edwards (D-NC), Bob Graham (D-FL), Harry Reid (D-NV), Joe Biden (D-DE), Joe Lieberman (D-CT), and John Kerry (D-MA).

House members include: House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-MD) and Representatives Kendrick Meek (D-FL), Stephanie Tubbs-Jones (D-OH), Jim Turner (D-TX), Dick Gephardt (D-MO), Mike Honda (D-CA), Jim Langevin (D-RI), Elijah Cummings (D-MD), Dennis Kucinich (D-OH), Greg Meeks (D-NY), James Clyburn (D-SC), Ed Markey (D-MA), Janita Millender-McDonald (D-CA), and Louise Slaughter (NY).