Sec. 301. Syria Transition Fund
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There is established a Syria Transition Fund (in this title referred to as the Transition Fund ) from which funds may be made available, notwithstanding any other provision of law that restricts the provision of United States economic or non-military assistance in Syria, for assistance and contributions to promote security and support the objectives described in section 4. The Transition Fund may rely upon the administrative authorities of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 ( 22 U.S.C. 2151 et seq. ), and obligation of such funds may not occur until 15 days after the date on which the President has provided notice of intent to obligate to the appropriate congressional committees and the Committees on Appropriations of the Senate and the House of Representatives.
The notification required under subparagraph
(A)may be waived if failure to do so would pose a substantial risk to human health or welfare, in which case notification shall be provided as early as practicable, but in no event later than three days after taking the action to which such notification requirement was applicable in the context of the circumstances necessitating such waiver. Any notification provided pursuant to such a waiver shall contain an explanation of the emergency circumstances. The purpose of the Transition Fund is to provide support in the early transition period to enable an effective political transition to a more democratic and inclusive political structure and provide for initiatives that will improve the security of the United States, United States partners and allies, and the people of Syria. The Transition Fund may be used to support programs in the following areas and in priority order: Programs to train, equip, and professionalize law enforcement and military forces in Syria, including police and border protection forces, to protect the people of Syria. Programs to support government agencies and law enforcement and military forces in Syria, as well as those in neighboring countries, to provide support to refugees from Syria, to stem the flow of weapons and fighters out of Syria into other nations, and to prevent the proliferation of chemical or other weapons of mass destruction, including preventing such weapons from falling into the hands of al Qaeda, Hizballah, and other terrorist groups. Programs to reduce the likelihood of retribution or sectarian violence in the aftermath of the end of the Assad regime and to promote the creation of a stable center, including improving relations between the moderate Sunni, Alawite, and Christian communities. Technical assistance, capacity building, and training programs that— facilitate the development of an accountable, effective, and representative democratic government; protect the rule of law during the transition; support the development and administration of a modern justice system; assist with the development of a Syrian constitution that fosters a sense of unity and contributes to national reconciliation among different components of Syrian society; and support the establishment of an inclusive and transparent electoral system in Syria. Technical assistance, capacity building, and training programs that support the resumption of economic activity, restore access to international markets, promote international investment, provide for financial transparency and fiscal stability, and empower the private sector. Technical assistance, capacity building, and training programs to provide basic civil government services to the people of Syria. Programs that support the collection of evidence related to the activities of those individuals who target or lead units or organizations that target civilian populations and vulnerable populations, including women and children, or have engaged in otherwise unlawful acts, and to ensure that they are held accountable for their actions. In addition to other assistance authorized under law, there is authorized to be appropriated to the Transition Fund, out of amounts appropriated for the support of political and economic transition in the Middle East and North Africa, up to $250,000,000 annually for fiscal years 2013 through 2015. Notwithstanding any other provision of law that restricts the provision of United States assistance in Syria, up to $100,000,000 of the funds authorized to be appropriated annually under subsection
(c)may also be transferred to and merged with funds made available to carry out in Syria the purposes of chapter 9 of part II of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 ( 22 U.S.C. 2349bb et seq. ; nonproliferation and export control assistance). In addition to other transfer authorities available to the Department of State, the Department of Defense, or other United States Government agencies or departments, funds available for foreign assistance or funds of the Department of Defense or other United States Government agencies or departments that are specifically allocated towards addressing the situation in Syria may be transferred to the Transition Fund by the agencies or departments to which the funds are available, subject to existing reprogramming requirements and limitations, including congressional notification and approval requirements. Amounts so transferred shall be merged with funds otherwise made available under this section and remain available until expended for the purposes specified in subsection (b). The total amount of funds made available to the Transition Fund may not exceed $250,000,000 in any fiscal year. Funds available to carry out assistance authorized by this section may be transferred to an agency or account determined most appropriate to facilitate the provision of assistance authorized by this section. The transfer authorities in paragraphs
(1)and
(3)are in addition to any other transfer authority available to the Department of State or other United States Government agencies. Unless specifically renewed, the Transition Fund shall terminate on September 30, 2015. Not later than 180 days after the establishment of the Transition Fund, and annually thereafter for the duration of the Transition Fund, the Secretary of State, in collaboration with the Secretary of Defense and other appropriate agencies, shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report on United States efforts to assist the political transition in Syria with a specific focus on the efforts supported by the Transition Fund. The Secretary shall also provide an update briefing to the appropriate congressional committees every 180 days. The report required under paragraph
(1)shall include the following elements: A description of the efforts undertaken and planned to be undertaken by the United States Government through the Transition Fund to support the policy objectives outlined in section 4. A description of the efforts supported by the Transition Fund to support an effective and secure political transition in Syria and how those activities align with the purposes described in subsection (b). A specific accounting of all monies obligated through the Transition Fund by program and project. Metrics and benchmarks to make allocations from the Transition Fund and measure the performance of the Transition Fund and programs funded by the Transition Fund. A description of efforts undertaken to coordinate with other donors and ensure that there is not a duplication of efforts, including among Federal agencies. The report under paragraph
(1)shall be submitted in unclassified form, but may include a classified annex.
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