Sec. 7115. THE USE OF ECONOMIC POLICIES TO COMBAT TERRORISM

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## SEC. 7115 THE USE OF ECONOMIC POLICIES TO COMBAT TERRORISM ###

(a)Findings Consistent with the report of the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States, Congress makes the following findings: ####

(1)While terrorism is not caused by poverty, breeding grounds for terrorism are created by backward economic policies and repressive political regimes. ####

(2)Policies that support economic development and reform also have political implications, as economic and political liberties are often linked. ####

(3)The United States is working toward creating a Middle East Free Trade Area by 2013 and implementing a free trade agreement with Bahrain, and free trade agreements exist between the United States and Israel and the United States and Jordan. ####

(4)Existing and proposed free trade agreements between the United States and countries with predominantly Muslim populations are drawing interest from other countries in the Middle East region, and countries with predominantly Muslim populations can become full participants in the rules-based global trading system, as the United States considers lowering its barriers to trade. ###

(b)Sense of Congress It is the sense of Congress that— ####

(1)a comprehensive United States strategy to counter terrorism should include economic policies that encourage development, open societies, and opportunities for people to improve the lives of their families and to enhance prospects for their children's future; ####

(2)one element of such a strategy should encompass the lowering of trade barriers with the poorest countries that have a significant population of Muslim individuals; ####

(3)another element of such a strategy should encompass United States efforts to promote economic reform in countries that have a significant population of Muslim individuals, including efforts to integrate such countries into the global trading system; and ####

(4)given the importance of the rule of law in promoting economic development and attracting investment, the United States should devote an increased proportion of its assistance to countries in the Middle East to the promotion of the rule of law.