Eligibility of the Regional Security System (RSS) to Receive Defense Articles and Services under the Foreign Assistance Act and the Arms Export Control Act

President Bush determined that providing defense articles and services to the Regional Security System (RSS) — a Caribbean security cooperation organization comprising Eastern Caribbean nations — would strengthen U.S. security and promote world peace. This determination, made under the Foreign Assistance Act and Arms Export Control Act, authorizes such transfers and requires the Secretary of State to report the finding to Congress and publish it in the Federal Register.

Federal Register Open PDF 69 FR 2477

Impact dates

Date TBD
Report finding to Congress and publish in Federal Register

Key directives

Find that furnishing defense articles and services to RSS strengthens U.S. security and promotes world peace
Authorize and direct Secretary of State to report finding to Congress
Authorize and direct Secretary of State to publish finding in Federal Register

Who is ordered

Secretary of State · Department of State

Timeline

Immediate

Determination takes effect upon signing (January 5, 2004)
Secretary of State authorized to proceed with defense transfers to RSS

Near term (90d)

Secretary of State to report finding to Congress
Publication in Federal Register (completed January 14, 2004)

Long term

Ongoing eligibility of RSS for U.S. defense articles and services under FAA and AECA

Risks & tensions

Document does not specify timeframe for congressional reporting, creating procedural uncertainty
No explicit list of RSS member states or defense items covered, leaving scope to implementing agencies
Determination made during heightened post-9/11 focus on Caribbean security and potential terrorist transit routes