Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA)
Before WWII the USA was concerned about influence
of Nazi Germany sponsored organization on the US government and the stability of the USA political system.
This is when Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) was adopted to suppress such an activities.
Later the USA became the major destabilizing force itself operating via network of NGO to sponsor
color revolutions. For example, The NDI is a U.S. government financed organization. It is a "nonprofit
organization" in the same sense that the U.S. Armed Forces are a "nonprofit organization", or, more
correctly, CIA is a non-profit.
The CIA used to handle all the subversive activities of the US Government abroad until the Church
and Pike commissions opened up that can of worms. That forced Reagan regime to repackage the US Government's
efforts at subversion of foreign governments and make the State Department and NGO the central
actors in such efforts. Among organizations created for this purpose were:
These were apparently modeled on the CIA's set of organizations that was founded in Germany, during
the USA administration of West Germany after WWII:
Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) was an important and innovative legislative efforts designed
to protect the state from activities of the fifth column, and now to restrict activites of foreign NGOs.
Protection from NGO activities is vital as they are brain centers and sponsors of color revolutions.
Recently several countries reused the USA experience in this area and created law modeled of FARA that
limits the degrees of freedom of such organization. Among them Israel, Russia, Malaysia and in
2014 (successfully, just before the coup) Ukraine.
It proved to be a potent tool of fighting Color revolutions,
a regime change scheme which became one of the major tools of the foreign policy of some states.
It make "bombing country with dollars for regime change substantially more difficult. It is especially
effective when regime change efforts are wrapped in democracy promotion hypocrisy as commitment to democratic
values of financed local NGO and humal rights activists is often directly proportional to the dollar
flow in the country.
The act declared that an agent of a foreign principal is any individual or organization which acts
at the order, request, or under the direction or control of a foreign principal, or
whose activities are directed by a foreign principal who:
- Engages in political activities.
- Acts in a public relations capacity for a foreign principal.
- Solicits or dispenses anything of value within the United States for a foreign principal.
- Represents the interests of a foreign principal before any agency or official of the U.S. government.
[2]
In the USA FARA registrations and disclosures are administered by the FARA Registration Unit
of the Counterespionage Section in the National Security Division of the Justice Department.
FARA disclosure forms require much more information than lobbyist disclosure forms filed under the
Lobbyist
Disclosure Act of 1995.
- FARA registrants must disclose the names of each individual person they lobby in any branch
of government along with the date of the contact.
- Also disclosed are any efforts outside of lobbying to influence the public at large. This can
include setting up informational booths in public places, handing out flyers regarding vacation information
in regards to visiting the foreign country, paid advertising, or any other paid efforts to influence
public opinion in regards to the company or country. FARA disclosures also must contain the
actual legal agreement between the two parties.
The analysis of Russian variant of FARA from the US positions can be found in
Russia - NGO Law Monitor
- Research Center - ICNL
| Ministry of Justice |
| Of 220,000 NCOs, 50% are public associations |
| Certain persons, including foreign persons
and stateless persons, may not become founders, members, or participants. Registration procedures
are overly bureaucratic, with excessive documentation requirements.
|
| Burdensome reporting requirements. Supervisory
power allowing for interference with internal affairs of public associations and NCOs
|
| Potential restrictions against NCO advocacy
activity may arise through application of criminal or administrative penalties codes |
| No legal barriers |
| Foreign or international organizations wishing
to make tax-exempt grants to Russian citizens or NCOs must be on a list of organizations approved
by the Russian Government; access to this list is severely limited.
NCOs that carry out political activities and receive foreign funding are labeled "NCOs carrying
functions of a foreign agent."
|
Pending NCO Legislative / Regulatory Initiatives
On December 19, the Duma passed in the second reading the draft of FEDERAL LAW № 186614-6
On Measures of Influence of Persons, Relating to Violation of Human Rights, Rights and Freedoms
of Citizens of the Russian Federation. It was initiated by a large group of deputies and is
designed as a countermeasure to the Magnitsky bill, which is intended to punish Russian officials
that were thought to be responsible for the death of Russian attorney Sergei Magnitsky by prohibiting
their entrance to the United States and use of their banking system. The present text includes
provisions restricting American citizens who violated human rights or the rights and freedoms
of Russian citizens from entering Russia and from owning property in Russia. In addition, the
present text restricts the adoption of Russian children by American citizens and a number of
other provisions restricting the activities of NGOs. Such provisions are summarized below:
- Activities of NGOs participating in political activities or implementing other activities
constituting threat to interests of Russia and receiving funds from US citizens or organizations
shall be suspended and their assets seized.
- Citizens with dual US-Russian citizenship are prohibited from membership or participation
in the management of Russian NGOs or registered offices of foreign NGOs that participate
in political activities in the territory of the Russian Federation.
- The Ministry of Justice may issue a decision to restart activities of an NGO whose activity
was previously suspended, after the NGO stops receiving funding from US citizens or organizations.
The third reading and adoption is scheduled for December 21. It is likely that the law will
come into effect shortly after.
Please help keep us informed; if you are aware of other pending initiatives, write to ICNL
at [email protected].
...Subsection 611 defines the term foreign principal as (1) a government of a foreign country
and a foreign political party; (2) a person outside of the United States; or (3) a partnership, association,
corporation, organization… organized under the laws of or having its principal place of business
in a foreign country.[3]
An agent of a foreign principal is defined as "any person who acts as an agent, representative,
employee or servant, or any person who acts in any other capacity at the order, request, or under
the direction or control of a foreign principal…whose activities are directly or indirectly supervised,
directed, controlled, financed or subsidized in whole or in major part by a foreign principal."[4]
The term "political activities" means any activity that the person engaging in believes will,
or that the person intends to, in any way influence any agency or official of the Government of the
United States or any section of the public within the United States with reference to formulating,
adopting, or changing the domestic or foreign policies of the United States or with reference to
the political or public interests, policies, or relations of a government of a foreign country or
a foreign political party; interests of such foreign principal (i) in the form of prints, or (ii)
in any other form which is reasonably adapted to being, or which he believes will be, or which he
intends to be, disseminated or circulated among two or more persons shall, not later than forty-eight
hours after the beginning of the transmittal thereof, file with the Attorney General two copies thereof.
(b) Identification statement It shall be unlawful for any person within the United States who is
an agent of a foreign principal and required to register under the provisions of this subchapter
to transmit or cause to be transmitted in the United States mails or by any means or instrumentality
of interstate or foreign commerce any informational materials for or in the interests of such foreign
principal without placing in such informational materials a conspicuous statement that the materials
are distributed by the agent on behalf of the foreign principal, and that additional information
is on file with the Department of Justice, Washington, District of Columbia.
The Attorney General may by rule define what constitutes a conspicuous statement for the purposes
of this subsection. (c) Public inspection The copies of informational materials required by this
subchapter to be filed with the Attorney General shall be available for public inspection under such
regulations as he may prescribe. (d) Library of Congress For purposes of the Library of Congress,
other than for public distribution, the Secretary of the Treasury and the United States Postal Service
are authorized, upon the request of the Librarian of Congress, to forward to the Library of Congress
fifty copies, or as many fewer thereof as are available, of all foreign prints determined to be prohibited
entry under the provisions of section 1305 of title 19 and of all foreign prints excluded from the
mails under authority of section 1717 of title 18. Notwithstanding the provisions of section 1305
of title 19 and of section 1717 of title 18, the Secretary of the Treasury is authorized to permit
the entry and the United States Postal Service is authorized to permit the transmittal in the mails
of foreign prints imported for governmental purposes by authority or for the use of the United States
or for the use of the Library of Congress. (e) Information furnished to agency or official of United
States Government It shall be unlawful for any person within the United States who is an agent of
a foreign principal required to register under the provisions of this subchapter to transmit, convey,
or otherwise furnish to any agency or official of the Government (including a Member or committee
of either House of Congress) for or in the interests of such foreign principal any political propaganda
or to request from any such agency or official for or in the interests of such foreign principal
any information or advice with respect to any matter pertaining to the political or public interests,
policies or relations of a foreign country or of a political party or pertaining to the foreign or
domestic policies of the United States unless the propaganda or the request is prefaced or accompanied
by a true and accurate statement to the effect that such person is registered as an agent of such
foreign principal under this subchapter. (f) Appearances before Congressional committees Whenever
any agent of a foreign principal required to register under this subchapter appears before any committee
of Congress to testify for or in the interests of such foreign principal, he shall, at the time of
such appearance, furnish the committee with a copy of his most recent registration statement filed
with the Department of Justice as an agent of such foreign principal for inclusion in the records
of the committee as part of his testimony. (June 8, 1938, ch. 327, § 4, 52 Stat. 632; Aug. 7, 1939,
ch. 521, § 3, 53 Stat. 1246; Apr. 29, 1942, ch. 263, § 1, 56 Stat. 255; Pub. L. 89–486, § 4, July
4, 1966, 80 Stat. 246; Pub. L. 91–375, § 4(a), Aug. 12, 1970, 84 Stat. 773; Pub. L. 104–65, § 9(4)–(6),
Dec. 19, 1995, 109 Stat. 700.) CODIFICATION Section 1717 of title 18, referred to in subsec. (d),
was in the original ''section 1 of title XII of the Act of June 15, 1917 (40 Stat. 230)'' which was
classified to section 343 of former Title 18, Criminal Code and Criminal Procedure. ''Section 1717
of title 18'' substituted for ''section 343 of title 18'' on authority of act June 25, 1948, ch.
645, 62 Stat. 683, section 1 of which enacted Title 18, Crimes and Criminal Procedure. PRIOR PROVISIONS
Prior to general amendment of act June 8, 1938, by act Apr. 29, 1942, section related to retention
of statements as public records. Provisions on that subject were incorporated in section 616 of this
title by 1942 amendment. AMENDMENTS 1995-Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 104–65, § 9(4)(B), which directed striking
out ''and a statement, duly signed by or on behalf of such an agent, setting forth full information
as to the places, times, and extent of such transmittal'' after ''Attorney General two copies thereof'',
was executed by striking out such language, which read in part ''on behalf of such agent'', to reflect
the probable intent of Congress. Pub. L. 104–65, § 9(4)(A), substituted ''informational materials''
for ''political propaganda''. Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 104–65, § 9(5), substituted ''informational materials
for or'' for ''political propaganda for or'' and substituted ''without placing in such informational
materials a conspicuous statement that the materials are distributed by the agent on behalf of the
foreign principal, and that additional information is on file with the Department of Justice, Washington,
District of Columbia. The Attorney General may by rule define what constitutes a conspicuous statement
for the purposes of this subsection.'' for cls. (i) and (ii) and concluding provisions which made
it unlawful for an agent of a foreign principal to transmit in the United States political propaganda
unless the propaganda identified the agent and contained information about the registration of the
agent and authorized the Attorney General to prescribe regulations relating to the information to
be provided. Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 104–65, § 9(6), substituted ''informational materials'' for ''political
propaganda''. 1966-Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 89–486, § 4(1), inserted ''for or in the interests of such
foreign principal'' after ''political propaganda'' and substituted ''file with the Attor ney General
two copies thereof'' for ''sent to the Librarian of Congress two copies thereof and file with the
Attorney General one copy thereof''. Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 89–486, § 4(2), inserted ''for or in the
interests of such foreign principal'' after ''political propaganda'', where first appearing, and
''the relationship or connection between the person transmitting the political propaganda or causing
it to be transmitted and such propaganda;'' after ''setting forth'' and substituted ''such foreign
principal'' for each of his foreign principals''. Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 89–486, § 4(3), substituted
''filed with the Attorney General'' for ''sent to the Librarian of Congress''. Subsecs. (e), (f).
Pub. L. 89–486, § 4(4), added subsecs. (e) and (f). 1942-Act Apr. 29, 1942, amended section generally.
1939-Act Aug. 7, 1939, amended section generally. EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1995 AMENDMENT Amendment by Pub.
L. 104–65 effective Jan. 1, 1996, except as otherwise provided, see section 24 of Pub. L. 104–65,
set out as an Effective Date note under section 1601 of Title 2, The Congress. EFFECTIVE DATE OF
1966 AMENDMENT Amendment by Pub. L. 89–486 effective ninety days after July 4, 1966, see section
9 of Pub. L. 89–486, set out as a note under section 611 of this title. EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1942 AMENDMENT
Amendment by act Apr. 29, 1942, effective on the sixtieth day after Apr. 29, 1942, except that prior
to such sixtieth day the Attorney General may make, prescribe, amend, and rescind such rules, regulations,
and forms as may be necessary to carry out act Apr. 29, 1942, see section 3 of act Apr. 29, 1942,
set out as a note under section 611 of this title. TRANSFER OF FUNCTIONS In subsec. (d), ''United
States Postal Service'' substituted for ''Postmaster General'' in two places pursuant to Pub. L.
91–375, § 4(a), Aug. 12, 1970, 84 Stat. 773, set out as a note under section 201 of Title 39, Postal
Service, which abolished office of Postmaster General of Post Office Department and transferred its
functions to United States Postal Service. § 615. Books and records Every agent of a foreign principal
registered under this subchapter shall keep and preserve while he is an agent of a foreign principal
such books of account and other records with respect to all his activities, the disclosure of which
is required under the provisions of this subchapter, in accordance with such business and accounting
practices, as the Attorney General, having due regard for the national security and the public interest,
may by regulation prescribe as necessary or appropriate for the enforcement of the provisions of
this subchapter and shall preserve the same for a period of three years following the termination
of such status. Until regulations are in effect under this section every agent of a foreign principal
shall keep books of account and shall preserve all written records with respect to his activities.
Such books and records shall be open at all reasonable times to the inspection of any official charged
with the enforcement of this subchapter. It shall be unlawful for any person willfully to conceal,
destroy, obliterate, mutilate, or falsify, or to attempt to conceal, destroy, obliterate, mutilate,
or falsify, or to cause to be concealed, destroyed, obliterated, mutilated, or falsified, any books
or records required to be kept under the provisions of this section. (June 8, 1938, ch. 327, § 5,
52 Stat. 633; Apr. 29, 1942, ch. 263, § 1, 56 Stat. 256; Pub. L. 89–486, § 5, July 4, 1966, 80 Stat.
247.) PRIOR PROVISIONS Prior to general amendment of act June 8, 1938, by act Apr. 29, 1942, section
related to penalties. Provisions on that subject were incorporated in section 618 of this title by
1942 amendment. AMENDMENTS 1966-Pub. L. 89–486 inserted ''in accordance with such business and accounting
practices,'' after ''under the provisions of this subchapter,''. 1942-Act Apr. 29, 1942, amended
section generally. EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1966 AMENDMENT Amendment by Pub. L. 89–486 effective ninety
days after July 4, 1966, see section 9 of Pub. L. 89–486, set out as a note under section 611 of
this title. EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1942 AMENDMENT Amendment by act Apr. 29, 1942, effective on the sixtieth
day after Apr. 29, 1942, except that prior to such sixtieth day the Attorney General may make, prescribe,
amend, and rescind such rules, regulations, and forms as may be necessary to carry out act Apr. 29,
1942, see section 3 of act Apr. 29, 1942, set out as a note under section 611 of this title. § 616.
Public examination of official records; transmittal of records and information (a) Permanent copy
of statement; inspection; withdrawal The Attorney General shall retain in permanent form one copy
of all registration statements furnished under this subchapter, and the same shall be public records
and open to public examination and inspection at such reasonable hours, under such regulations, as
the Attorney General may prescribe, and copies of the same shall be furnished to every applicant
at such reasonable fee as the Attorney General may prescribe. The Attorney General may withdraw from
public examination the registration statement and other statements of any agent of a foreign principal
whose activities have ceased to be of a character which requires registration under the provisions
of this subchapter. (b) Secretary of State The Attorney General shall, promptly upon receipt, transmit
one copy of every registration statement filed hereunder and one copy of every amendment or supplement
thereto filed hereunder, to the Secretary of State for such comment and use as the Secretary of State
may determine to be appropriate from the point of view of the foreign relations of the United States.
Failure of the Attorney General so to transmit such copy shall not be a bar to prosecution under
this subchapter. (c) Executive departments and agencies; Congressional committees The Attorney General
is authorized to furnish to departments and agencies in the executive branch and committees of the
Congress such information obtained by him in the administration of this subchapter, including the
names of registrants under this subchapter, copies of reg istration statements, or parts thereof,
or other documents or information filed under this subchapter, as may be appropriate in the light
of the purposes of this subchapter. (d) Public database of registration statements and updates (1)
In general The Attorney General shall maintain, and make available to the public over the Internet,
without a fee or other access charge, in a searchable, sortable, and downloadable manner, to the
extent technically practicable, an electronic database that- (A) includes the information contained
in registration statements and updates filed under this subchapter; and (B) is searchable and sortable,
at a minimum, by each of the categories of information described in section 612(a) of this title.
(2) Accountability The Attorney General shall make each registration statement and update filed in
electronic form pursuant to section 612(g) of this title available for public inspection over the
Internet as soon as technically practicable after the registration statement or update is filed.
(June 8, 1938, ch. 327, § 6, 52 Stat. 633; Apr. 29, 1942, ch. 263, § 1, 56 Stat. 256; Pub. L. 89–486,
§ 6, July 4, 1966, 80 Stat. 247; Pub. L. 104–65, § 9(7), Dec. 19, 1995, 109 Stat. 700; Pub. L. 110–81,
title II, § 212(b), Sept. 14, 2007, 121 Stat. 749.) PRIOR PROVISIONS Prior to general amendment of
act June 8, 1938, by act Apr. 29, 1942, section related to rules and regulations. Provisions on that
subject were incorporated in section 620 of this title by 1942 amendment. Provisions on this subject
were contained in section 614 of this title prior to general amendment of act June 8, 1938, by act
Apr. 29, 1942. AMENDMENTS 2007-Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 110–81 added subsec. (d). 1995-Subsec. (a). Pub.
L. 104–65, § 9(7)(A), struck out ''and all statements concerning the distribution of political propaganda''
after ''all registration statements''. Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 104–65, § 9(7)(B), struck out '', and
one copy of every item of political propaganda'' after ''supplement thereto''. Subsec. (c). Pub.
L. 104–65, § 9(7)(C), struck out ''copies of political propaganda,'' after ''parts thereof,''. 1966-Pub.
L. 89–486 designated existing provisions as subsec. (a) and added subsecs. (b) and (c). 1942-Act
Apr. 29, 1942, amended section generally. EFFECTIVE DATE OF 2007 AMENDMENT Amendment by Pub. L. 110–81
effective on the 90th day after Sept. 14, 2007, see section 212(c) of Pub. L. 110–81, set out as
a note under section 612 of this title. EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1995 AMENDMENT Amendment by Pub. L. 104–65
effective Jan. 1, 1996, except as otherwise provided, see section 24 of Pub. L. 104–65, set out as
an Effective Date note under section 1601 of Title 2, The Congress. EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1966 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 89–486 effective ninety days after July 4, 1966, see section 9 of Pub. L. 89–486,
set out as a note under section 611 of this title EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1942 AMENDMENT Amendment by act
Apr. 29, 1942, effective on the sixtieth day after Apr. 29, 1942, except that prior to such sixtieth
day the Attorney General may make, prescribe, amend, and rescind such rules, regulations, and forms
as may be necessary to carry out act Apr. 29, 1942, see section 3 of act Apr. 29, 1942, set out as
a note under section 611 of this title. § 617. Liability of officers Each officer, or person performing
the functions of an officer, and each director, or person performing the functions of a director,
of an agent of a foreign principal which is not an individual shall be under obligation to cause
such agent to execute and file a registration statement and supplements thereto as and when such
filing is required under subsections (a) and (b) of section 612 of this title and shall also be under
obligation to cause such agent to comply with all the requirements of sections 614(a) and (b) and
615 of this title and all other requirements of this subchapter. Dissolution of any organization
acting as an agent of a foreign principal shall not relieve any officer, or person performing the
functions of an officer, or any director, or person performing the functions of a director, from
complying with the provisions of this section. In case of failure of any such agent of a foreign
principal to comply with any of the requirements of this subchapter, each of its officers, or persons
performing the functions of officers, and each of its directors, or persons performing the functions
of directors, shall be subject to prosecution therefor. (June 8, 1938, ch. 327, § 7, 52 Stat. 633;
Apr. 29, 1942, ch. 263, § 1, 56 Stat. 256; Aug. 3, 1950, ch. 524, § 2, 64 Stat. 400.) PRIOR PROVISIONS
Section 7 of act June 8, 1938, prior to the general amendment of that act by act Apr. 29, 1942, provided
for the effective date of the 1938 act. See Effective Date note set out under section 611 of this
title. AMENDMENTS 1950-Act Aug. 3, 1950, continued the obligation of officers, directors, and persons
acting as such to comply with this subchapter despite the dissolution of a foreign agent. 1942-Act
Apr. 29, 1942, amended section generally. EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1942 AMENDMENT Amendment by act Apr.
29, 1942, effective on the sixtieth day after Apr. 29, 1942, except that prior to such sixtieth day
the Attorney General may make, prescribe, amend, and rescind such rules, regulations, and forms as
may be necessary to carry out act Apr. 29, 1942, see section 3 of act Apr. 29, 1942, set out as a
note under section 611 of this title. § 618. Enforcement and penalties (a) Violations; false statements
and willful omissions Any person who- (1) willfully violates any provision of this subchapter or
any regulation thereunder, or (2) in any registration statement or supplement thereto or in any other
document filed with or furnished to the Attorney General under the provisions of this subchapter
willfully makes a false statement of a material fact or willfully omits any material fact required
to be stated therein or willfully omits a material fact or a copy of a material document necessary
to make the statements therein and the copies of documents furnished therewith not misleading, shall,
upon conviction thereof, be punished by a fine of not more than $10,000 or by imprisonment for not
more than five years, or both, except that in the case of a violation of subsection (b), (e), or
(f) of section 614 of this title or of subsection (g) or (h) of this section the punishment shall
be a fine of not more than $5,000 or imprisonment for not more than six months, or both. (b) Proof
of identity of foreign principal In any proceeding under this subchapter in which it is charged that
a person is an agent of a foreign principal with respect to a foreign principal outside of the United
States, proof of the specific identity of the foreign principal shall be permissible but not necessary.
(c) Removal Any alien who shall be convicted of a violation of, or a conspiracy to violate, any provision
of this subchapter or any regulation thereunder shall be subject to removal pursuant to chapter 4
of title II of the Immigration and Nationality Act [8 U.S.C. 1221 et seq.]. (d) Repealed. Pub. L.
104–65, § 9(8)(B), Dec. 19, 1995, 109 Stat. 700 (e) Continuing offense Failure to file any such registration
statement or supplements thereto as is required by either section 612(a) or section 612(b) of this
title shall be considered a continuing offense for as long as such failure exists, notwithstanding
any statute of limitation or other statute to the contrary. (f) Injunctive remedy; jurisdiction of
district court Whenever in the judgment of the Attorney General any person is engaged in or about
to engage in any acts which constitute or will constitute a violation of any provision of this subchapter,
or regulations issued thereunder, or whenever any agent of a foreign principal fails to comply with
any of the provisions of this subchapter or the regulations issued thereunder, or otherwise is in
violation of the subchapter, the Attorney General may make application to the appropriate United
States district court for an order enjoining such acts or enjoining such person from continuing to
act as an agent of such foreign principal, or for an order requiring compliance with any appropriate
provision of the subchapter or regulation thereunder. The district court shall have jurisdiction
and authority to issue a temporary or permanent injunction, restraining order or such other order
which it may deem proper. (g) Deficient registration statement If the Attorney General determines
that a registration statement does not comply with the requirements of this subchapter or the regulations
issued thereunder, he shall so notify the registrant in writing, specifying in what respects the
statement is deficient. It shall be unlawful unlawful for any person to act as an agent of a foreign
principal at any time ten days or more after receipt of such notification without filing an amended
registration statement in full compliance with the requirements of this subchapter and the regulations
issued thereunder. (h) Contingent fee arrangement It shall be unlawful for any agent of a foreign
principal required to register under this subchapter to be a party to any contract, agreement, or
understanding, either express or implied, with such foreign principal pursuant to which the amount
or payment of the compensation, fee, or other remuneration of such agent is contingent in whole or
in part upon the success of any political activities carried on by such agent. (June 8, 1938, ch.
327, § 8, as added Apr. 29, 1942, ch. 263, § 1, 56 Stat. 257; amended Sept. 23, 1950, ch. 1024, title
I, § 20(b), 64 Stat. 1005; June 27, 1952, ch. 477, title IV, § 402(d), 66 Stat. 276; Aug. 1, 1956,
ch. 849, § 1, 70 Stat. 899; Pub. L. 89–486, § 7, July 4, 1966, 80 Stat. 248; Pub. L. 98–620, title
IV, § 402(26), Nov. 8, 1984, 98 Stat. 3359; Pub. L. 104–65, § 9(8), Dec. 19, 1995, 109 Stat. 700;
Pub. L. 104–208, div. C, title III, § 308(e)(19), Sept. 30, 1996, 110 Stat. 3009–621.) REFERENCES
IN TEXT The Immigration and Nationality Act, referred to in subsec. (c), is act June 27, 1952, ch.
477, 66 Stat. 163, as amended. Chapter 4 of title II of the Act is classified generally to part IV
(§ 1221 et seq.) of subchapter II of chapter 12 of Title 8, Aliens and Nationality. For complete
classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 1101 of Title
8 and Tables. PRIOR PROVISIONS Provisions on this subject were contained in section 615 of this title
prior to general amendment of act June 8, 1938, by act Apr. 29, 1942. AMENDMENTS 1996-Subsec. (c).
Pub. L. 104–208 substituted ''removal pursuant to chapter 4 of title II of the Immigration and Nationality
Act'' for ''deportation in the manner provided by sections 1251 to 1253 of title 8''. 1995-Subsec.
(a)(2). Pub. L. 104–65, § 9(8)(A), struck out ''or in any statement under section 614(a) of this
title concerning the distribution of political propaganda'' after ''or supplement thereto''. Subsec.
(d). Pub. L. 104–65, § 9(8)(B), struck out subsec. (d) which read as follows: ''The United States
Postal Service may declare to be nonmailable any communication or expression falling within clause
(2) of section 611(j) of this title in the form of prints or in any other form reasonably adapted
to, or reasonably appearing to be intended for, dissemination or circulation among two or more persons,
which is offered or caused to be offered for transmittal in the United States mails to any person
or persons in any other American republic by any agent of a foreign principal, if the United States
Postal Service is informed in writing by the Secretary of State that the duly accredited diplomatic
representative of such American republic has made written representation to the Department of State
that the admission or circulation of such communication or expression in such American republic is
prohibited by the laws thereof and has requested in writing that its transmittal thereto be stopped.''
1984-Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 98–620 struck out provision that the proceedings shall be made a preferred
cause and expedited in every way. exception provision. Subsecs. (f) to (h). Pub. L. 89–486, § 7(2),
added subsecs. (f) to (h). 1956-Act Aug. 1, 1956, amended credit to section by redesignating section
20(b) of act Sept. 23, 1950, as section 20. 1952-Subsec. (c). Act June 27, 1952, substituted ''sections
1251 to 1253 of title 8'' for ''sections 155 and 156 of title 8''. 1950-Subsec. (e). Act Sept. 23,
1950, added subsec. (e). EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1996 AMENDMENT Amendment by Pub. L. 104–208 effective,
with certain transitional provisions, on the first day of the first month beginning more than 180
days after Sept. 30, 1996, see section 309 of Pub. L. 104–208, set out as a note under section 1101
of Title 8, Aliens and Nationality. EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1995 AMENDMENT Amendment by Pub. L. 104–65
effective Jan. 1, 1996, except as otherwise provided, see section 24 of Pub. L. 104–65, set out as
an Effective Date note under section 1601 of Title 2, The Congress. EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1984 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 98–620 not applicable to cases pending on Nov. 8, 1984, see section 403 of Pub.
L. 98–620, set out as an Effective Date note under section 1657 of Title 28, Judiciary and Judicial
Procedure. EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1966 AMENDMENT Amendment by Pub. L. 89–486 effective ninety days after
July 4, 1966, see section 9 of Pub. L. 89–486, set out as a note under section 611 of this title.
EFFECTIVE DATE Section effective on the sixtieth day after Apr. 29, 1942, except that prior to such
sixtieth day the Attorney General may make, prescribe, amend, and rescind such rules, regulations,
and forms as may be necessary to carry out act Apr. 29, 1942, see section 3 of act Apr. 29, 1942,
set out as an Effective Date of 1942 Amendment note under section 611 of this title. § 619. Territorial
applicability of subchapter This subchapter shall be applicable in the several States, the District
of Columbia, the Territories, the Canal Zone, the insular possessions, and all other places now or
hereafter subject to the civil or military jurisdiction of the United States. (June 8, 1938, ch.
327, § 9, as added Apr. 29, 1942, ch. 263, § 1, 56 Stat. 257; amended Proc. No. 2695, July 4, 1946,
11 F.R. 7517, 60 Stat. 1352.) REFERENCES IN TEXT For definition of Canal Zone, referred to in text,
see section 3602(b) of this title. CODIFICATION Words ''including the Philippine Islands,'' omitted
from section pursuant to Proc. No. 2695, which granted independence to the Philippine Islands under
the authority of section 1394 of this title, under which section Proc. No. 2695 is set out as a note.
EFFECTIVE DATE Section effective on the sixtieth day after Apr. 29, 1942, except that prior to such
sixtieth day the Attorney General may make, prescribe, amend, and rescind such rules, regulations,
and forms as may be necessary to carry out act Apr. 29, 1942, see section 3 of act Apr. 29, 1942,
set out as an Effective Date of 1942 Amendment note under section 611 of this title. § 620. Rules
and regulations The Attorney General may at any time make, prescribe, amend, and rescind such rules,
regulations, and forms as he may deem necessary to carry out the provisions of this subchapter. (June
8, 1938, ch. 327, § 10, as added Apr. 29, 1942, ch. 263, § 1, 56 Stat. 257.) PRIOR PROVISIONS Provisions
on this subject were contained in section 616 of this title prior to general amendment of act June
8, 1938, by act Apr. 29, 1942. EFFECTIVE DATE Section effective on the sixtieth day after Apr. 29,
1942, except that prior to such sixtieth day the Attorney General may make, prescribe, amend, and
rescind such rules, regulations, and forms as may be necessary to carry out act Apr. 29, 1942, see
section 3 of act Apr. 29, 1942, set out as an Effective Date of 1942 Amendment note under section
611 of this title. § 621. Reports to Congress The Attorney General shall every six months report
to the Congress concerning administration of this subchapter, including registrations filed pursuant
to the subchapter, and the nature, sources and content of political propaganda disseminated and distributed.
(June 8, 1938, ch. 327, § 11, as added Apr. 29, 1942, ch. 263, § 1, 56 Stat. 258; amended Pub. L.
104–65, § 19, Dec. 19, 1995, 109 Stat. 704.) AMENDMENTS 1995-Pub. L. 104–65 added text and struck
out former text which read as follows: ''The Attorney General shall, from time to time, make a report
to the Congress concerning the administration of this subchapter, including the nature, sources,
and content of political propaganda disseminated or distributed.'' EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1995 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 104–65 effective Jan. 1, 1996, see section 24 of Pub. L. 104–65, set out as
an Effective Date note under section 1601 of Title 2, The Congress. EFFECTIVE DATE Section effective
on the sixtieth day after Apr. 29, 1942, except that prior to such sixtieth day the Attorney General
may make, prescribe, amend, and rescind such rules, regulations, and forms as may be necessary to
carry out act Apr. 29, 1942, see section 3 of act Apr. 29, 1942, set out as an Effective Date of
1942 Amendment note under section 611 of this title. CHAPTER 12-CLAIMS COMMISSIONS §§ 661 to 672.
Omitted CODIFICATION Sections 661 to 672, which established the American Mexican Claims Commission
in 1942 for the settlement of certain claims, expired pursuant to the provisions of section 661(d),
which provided that the authority of the Commission shall terminate at the expiration of four years
after the date on which a majority of its members first appointed took office. Section 661, acts
Dec. 18, 1942, ch. 766, § 2, 56 Stat. 1058; Apr. 3, 1945, ch. 52, § 5, 59 Stat. 50; Oct. 28, 1949,
ch. 782, title XI, § 1106(a), 63 Stat. 972, established American Mexican Claims Commission, prescribed
its composition, provided for compensation of its members, and specified its termination date. Acts
Dec. 18, 1942, ch. 766, § 2, 56 Stat. 1058; Apr. 3, 1945, ch. 52, § 5, 59 Stat. 50,
The text of FARA
601. Repealed. June 25, 1948, ch. 645, § 21, 62 Stat. 862, eff. Sept. 1, 1948 Section, acts June
15, 1917, ch. 30, title VIII, § 3, 40 Stat. 226; Mar. 28, 1940, ch. 72, § 6, 54 Stat. 80, related to
acting as a foreign agent without notice to Secretary of State. See section 951 of Title 18, Crimes
and Criminal Procedure.
SUBCHAPTER II REGISTRATION OF FOREIGN PROPAGANDISTS EX. ORD. NO. 9176. TRANSFER OF REGISTRATION FUNCTIONS
FROM THE SECRETARY OF STATE TO THE ATTORNEY
Ex. Ord. No. 9176, May 29, 1942, 7 F.R. 4127, provided: By virtue of the authority vested in me by Title
I of the First War Powers Act, 1941, approved December 18, 1941 (Public Law No. 354, 77th Congress [section
601 et seq. of Title 50, Appendix, War and National Defense]), and as President of the United States,
it is hereby ordered as follows:1. All functions, powers and duties of the Secretary of State under
the act of June 8, 1938 (52 Stat. 631), as amended by the act of August 7, 1939 (53 Stat. 1244), requiring
the registration of agents of foreign principals, are hereby transferred to and vested in the Attorney
General.
2. All property, books and records heretofore maintained by the Secretary of State with respect to
his administration of said act of June 8, 1938, as amended, are hereby transferred to and vested in
the Attorney General.
3. The Attorney General shall furnish to the Secretary of State for such comment, if any, as the
Secretary of State may desire to make from the point of view of the foreign relations of the United
States, one copy of each registration statement that is hereafter filed with the Attorney General in
accordance with the provisions of this Executive order.
4. All rules, regulations and forms which have been issued by the Secretary of State pursuant to
the provisions of said act of June 8, 1938, as amended, and which are in effect shall continue in effect
until modified, superseded, revoked or repealed by the Attorney General.
5. This order shall become effective as of June 1, 1942. FRANKLIN D ROOSEVELT.
As used in and for the purposes of this subchapter-
(a) The term ''person'' includes an individual, partnership, association, corporation, organization,
or any other combination of individuals;
(b) The term ''foreign principal'' includes -
(1) a government of a foreign country and a foreign political party;
(2) a person outside of the United States, unless it is established that such person is an individual
and a citizen of and domiciled within the United States, or that such person is not an individual
and is organized under or created by the laws of the United States or of any State or other place
subject to the jurisdiction of the United States and has its principal place of business within the
United States; and
(3) a partnership, association, corporation, organization, or other combination of persons organized
under the laws of or having its principal place of business in a foreign country.
(c) Expect 1 as provided in subsection (d) of this section, the term ''agent of a foreign principal''
means-
(1) any person who acts as an agent, representative, employee, or servant, or any person who acts
in any other capacity at the order, request, or under the direction or control, of a foreign principal
or of a person any of whose activities are directly or indirectly supervised, directed, controlled,
financed, or subsidized in whole or in major part by a foreign principal, and who directly or through
any other person-
(i) engages within the United States in political activities for or in the interests of such foreign
principal;
(ii) acts within the United States as a public relations counsel, publicity agent, information- service
employee or political consultant for or in the interests of such foreign principal;
(iii) within the United States solicits, collects, disburses, or dispenses contributions, loans,
money, or other things of value for or in the interest of such foreign principal; or
(iv) within the United States represents the interests of such foreign principal before any agency
or official of the Government of the United States; and
(2) any person who agrees, consents, assumes or purports to act as, or who is or holds himself out
to be, whether or not pursuant to contractual relationship, an agent of a foreign principal as defined
in clause (1) of this subsection.
(d) The term ''agent of a foreign principal'' does not include any news or press service or association
organized under the laws of the United States or of any State or other place subject to the jurisdiction
of the United States, or any newspaper, magazine, periodical, or other publication for which there is
on file with the United States Postal Service information in compliance with section 3611 2 of title
39, published in the United States, solely by virtue of any bona fide news or journalistic activities,
including the solicitation or acceptance of advertisements, subscriptions, or other compensation therefore,
so long as it is at least 80 per centum beneficially owned by, and its officers and directors, if any,
are citizens of the United States, and such news or press service or association, newspaper, magazine,
periodical, or other publication, is not owned, directed, supervised, controlled, subsidized, or financed,
and none of its policies are determined by any foreign principal defined in subsection (b) of this section,
or by any agent of a foreign principal required to register under this subchapter;
(e) The term ''government of a foreign country'' includes any person or group of persons exercising
sovereign de facto or de jure political jurisdiction over any country, other than the United States,
or over any part of such country, and includes any subdivision of any such group and any group or agency
to which such sovereign de facto or de jure authority or functions are directly or indirectly delegated.
Such term shall include any faction or body of insurgents within a country assuming to exercise governmental
authority whether such faction or body of insurgents has or has not been recognized by the United States;
(f) The term ''foreign political party'' includes any organization or any other combination of individuals
in a country other than the United States, or any unit or branch thereof, having for an aim or purpose,
or which is engaged in any activity devoted in whole or in part to, the establishment, administration,
control, or acquisition of administration or control, of a government of a foreign country or a subdivision
thereof, or the furtherance or influencing of the political or public interests, policies, or relations
of a government of a foreign country or a subdivision thereof;
(g) The term ''public-relations counsel'' includes any person who engages directly or indirectly
in informing, advising, or in any way representing a principal in any public relations matter pertaining
to political or public interests, policies, or relations of such principal;
(h) The term ''publicity agent'' includes any person who engages directly or indirectly in the publication
or dissemination of oral, visual, graphic, written, or pictorial information or matter of any kind,
including publication by means of advertising, books, periodicals, newspapers, lectures, broadcasts,
motion pictures, or otherwise;
(i) The term ''information-service employee'' includes any person who is engaged in furnishing, disseminating,
or publishing accounts, descriptions, information, or data with respect to the political, industrial,
employment, economic, social, cultural, or other benefits, advantages, facts, or conditions of any country
other than the United States or of any government of a foreign country or of a foreign political party
or of a partnership, association, corporation, organization, or other combination of individuals organized
under the laws of, or having its principal place of business in, a foreign country;
(j) Repealed. Pub. L. 104–65, § 9(1)(A), Dec. 19, 1995, 109 Stat. 699.
(k) The term ''registration statement'' means the registration statement required to be filed with
the Attorney General under section 612(a) of this title, and any supplements thereto required to be
filed under section 612(b) of this title, and includes all documents and papers required to be filed
therewith or amendatory thereof or supplemental thereto, whether attached thereto or incorporated therein
by reference;
(l) The term ''American republic'' includes any of the states which were signatory to the Final Act
of the Second Meeting of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the American Republics at Habana, Cuba,
July 30, 1940;
(m) The term ''United States'', when used in a geographical sense, includes the several States, the
District of Columbia, the Territories, the Canal Zone, the insular possessions, and all other places
now or hereafter subject to the civil or military jurisdiction of the United States;
(n) The term ''prints'' means newspapers and periodicals, books, pamphlets, sheet music, visiting
cards, address cards, printing proofs, engravings, photographs, pictures, drawings, plans, maps, patterns
to be cut out, catalogs, prospectuses, advertisements, and printed, engraved, lithographed, or autographed
notices of various kinds, and, in general, all impressions or reproductions obtained on paper or other
material assimilable to paper, on parchment or on cardboard, by means of printing, engraving, lithography,
autography, or any other easily recognizable mechanical process, with the exception of the copying press,
stamps with movable or immovable type, and the typewriter;
(o) The term ''political activities'' means any activity that the person engaging in believes will,
or that the person intends to, in any way influence any agency or official of the Government of the
United States or any section of the public within the United States with reference to formulating, adopting,
or changing the domestic or foreign policies of the United States or with reference to the political
or public interests, policies, or relations of a government of a foreign country or a foreign political
party;
(p) The term ''political consultant'' means any person who engages in informing or advising any other
person with reference to the domestic or foreign policies of the United States or the political or public
interest, policies, or relations of a foreign country or of a foreign political party. (June 8, 1938,
ch. 327, § 1, 52 Stat. 631; Aug. 7, 1939, ch. 521, § 1, 53 Stat. 1244; Apr. 29, 1942, ch. 263, § 1,
56 Stat. 249; Proc. No. 2695, July 4, 1946, 11 F.R. 7517, 60 Stat. 1352; Sept. 23, 1950, ch. 1024, title
I, § 20(a), 64 Stat. 1005; Aug. 1, 1956, ch. 849, § 1, 70 Stat. 899; Pub. L. 87–366, § 1, Oct. 4, 1961,
75 Stat. 784; Pub. L. 89–486, § 1, July 4, 1966, 80 Stat. 244; Pub. L. 91–375, § 6(k), Aug. 12, 1970,
84 Stat. 782; Pub. L. 104–65, § 9(1), Dec. 19, 1995, 109 Stat. 699.)
REFERENCES IN TEXT
For definition of Canal Zone, referred to in subsec. (m), see section 3602(b) of this title.
CODIFICATION
Words ''including the Philippine Islands,'' omitted from definition of ''United States'' in subsec.
(m) pursuant to Proc. No. 2695, which granted independence to the Philippines under the authority of
section 1394 of this title, under which section Proc. No. 2695 is set out as a note.
AMENDMENTS
1995-Subsec. (j). Pub. L. 104–65, § 9(1)(A), struck out subsec. (j) which read as follows: ''The
term 'political propaganda' includes any oral, visual, graphic, written, pictorial, or other communication
or expression by any person (1) which is reasonably adapted to, or which the person disseminating the
same believes will, or which he intends to, prevail upon, indoctrinate, convert, induce, or in any other
way influence a recipient or any section of the public within the United States with reference to the
political or public interests, policies, or relations of a government of a foreign country or a foreign
political party or with reference to the foreign policies of the United States or promote in the United
States racial, religious, or social dissensions, or (2) which advocates, advises, instigates, or promotes
any racial, social, political, or religious disorder, civil riot, or other conflict involving the use
of force or violence in any other American republic or the overthrow of any government or political
subdivision of any other American republic by any means involving the use of force or violence. As used
in this subsection the term 'disseminating' includes transmitting or causing to be transmitted in the
United States mails or by any means or instrumentality of interstate or foreign commerce or offering
or causing to be offered in the United States mails;''.
Subsec. (o). Pub. L. 104–65, § 9(1)(B), substituted ''any activity that the person engaging in believes
will, or that the person intends to, in any way influence'' for ''the dissemination of political propaganda
and any other activity which the person engaging therein believes will, or which he intends to, prevail
upon, indoctrinate, convert, induce, persuade, or in any other way influence''.
Subsec. (p). Pub. L. 104–65, § 9(1)(C), substituted a period for semicolon at end.
Subsec. (q). Pub. L. 104–65, § 9(1)(D), struck out subsec.
(q) which read as follows: ''For the purpose of section 613(d) of this title, activities in furtherance
of the bona fide commercial, industrial or financial interests of a domestic person engaged in substantial
commercial, industrial or financial operations in the United States shall not be deemed to serve predominantly
a foreign interest because such activities also benefit the interests of a foreign person engaged in
bona fide trade or commerce which is owned or controlled by, or which owns or controls, such domestic
person: Provided, That
(i) such foreign person is not, and such activities are not directly or indirectly supervised, directed,
controlled, financed or subsidized in whole or in substantial part by, a government of a foreign country
or a foreign political party, (ii) the identity of such foreign person is disclosed to the agency or
official of the United States with whom such activities are conducted, and (iii) whenever such foreign
person owns or controls such domestic person, such activities are substantially in furtherance of the
bona fide commercial, industrial or financial interests of such domestic person.''
1970-Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 91–375 substituted ''file with the United States Postal Service information
in compliance with section 3611 of title 39'' for ''file with the Postmaster General a sworn statement
in compliance with section 2 of the Act of August 24, 1912 (37 Stat. 553), as amended''.
1966-Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 89–486, § 1(1), redesignated former pars. (3) and (4) as (2) and (3), substituted
in such par. (3) ''combination of persons'' for ''combination of individuals'' and struck out from definition
of ''foreign principal'' former pars. (2), (5), and (6) which included ''(2) an individual affiliated
or associated with, or supervised, directed, controlled, financed, or subsidized, in whole or in part,
by any foreign principal defined in clause (1) of this subsection''; ''(5) a domestic partnership, association,
corporation, organization, or other combination of individuals, subsidized directly or indirectly, in
whole or in part, by any foreign principal defined in clause (1), (3), or (4) of this subsection'';
and ''(6) a domestic partnership, association, corporation, or other combination of individuals, supervised,
directed, controlled, or financed, in whole or in substantial part, by any foreign government or foreign
political party''.
Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 89–486, § 1(2), amended provisions generally to redefine ''agent of a foreign
principal'' by specifying four categories of activities creating the agency relationship where person
acts as agent, employee, representative, or servant or at the order of, or under the control of, a foreign
principal, by requiring a showing not only of foreign connections but also of certain activities performed
by the agent for foreign interests, by making change as it relates to problem of indirect control exerted
by foreign principals over their agents, by including political activities and actions as political
consultant, by excluding attorneys from the relationship, by incorporating provisions of former par.
(3) in par. (2) where a person assumes or purports to act as an agent of a foreign principal, and by
eliminating the separate category for military or governmental officials contained in former par. (4).
Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 89–486, § 1(3), struck out ''clause (1), (2), or (4) of'' before ''subsection
(b)''.
Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 89–486, § 1(4), inserted ''public relations'' before ''matter pertaining to''
and ''of such principal'' after ''or relations''.
Subsecs. (o) to (q). Pub. L. 89–486, § 1(5), added subsecs. (o) to (q).
1961-Subsec. (b)(6). Pub. L. 87–366 added par. (6).
1956-Subsec. (c)(5). Act Aug. 1, 1956, repealed par. (5) which included within definition of ''agent
of a foreign principal'' any person trained in foreign espionage systems with certain exceptions. See
sections 851 and 852 of Title 50, War and National Defense.
1950-Subsec. (c)(5). Act Sept. 23, 1950, added par. (5). 1942-Act Apr. 29, 1942, amended section
generally to redefine terms used in this subchapter.
1939-Act Aug. 7, 1939, amended section generally to redefine terms used in this subchapter.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1995 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 104–65 effective Jan. 1, 1996, except as otherwise provided, see section 24
of Pub. L. 104–65, set out as an Effective Date note under section 1601 of Title 2, The Congress.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1970 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 91–375 effective within 1 year after Aug. 12, 1970, on date established therefor
by Board of Governors of United States Postal Service and published by it in Federal Register, see section
15(a) of Pub. L. 91–375, set out as an Effective Date note preceding section 101 of Title 39, Postal
Service.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1966 AMENDMENT
Section 9 of Pub. L. 89–486 provided that: ''This Act [enacting sections 219 and 613 of Title 18,
Crimes and Criminal Procedure, and amending this section and sections 612 to 616 and 618 of this title]
shall take effect ninety days after the date of its enactment [July 4, 1966].''
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1942 AMENDMENT
Section 3 of act Apr. 29, 1942, provided that: ''This Act [amending this subchapter] shall take effect
on the sixtieth day after the date of its approval, except that prior to such sixtieth day the Attorney
General may make, prescribe, amend, and rescind such rules, regulations, and forms as may be necessary
to carry out the provisions of this Act [amending this subchapter].''
EFFECTIVE DATE
Section 7 of act June 8, 1938, provided that: ''This Act [enacting this subchapter] shall take effect
on the ninetieth day after the date of its enactment [June 8, 1938].''
SHORT TITLE
Section 14 of act June 8, 1938, as added by act Apr. 29, 1942, § 1, provided that: ''This Act [enacting
this subchapter] may be cited as the 'Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938, as amended'.''
SEPARABILITY; EFFECT ON EXISTING LAW
Sections 12 and 13 of act June 8, 1938, as added by act Apr. 29, 1942, § 1, provided that:
''SEC. 12. If any provision of this Act [enacting this subchapter], or the application thereof to
any person or circumstances, is held invalid, the remainder of the Act, and the application of such
provisions to other persons or circumstances, shall not be affected thereby.
''SEC. 13. This Act [enacting this subchapter] is an addition to and not in substitution for any
other existing statute.''
TRANSFER OF FUNCTIONS
Section 2 of act Apr. 29, 1942, provided that: ''Upon the effective date of this Act [see Effective
Date of 1942 Amendment note above], all powers, duties, and functions of the Secretary of State under
the Act of June 8, 1938 (52 Stat. 631), as amended [this subchapter], shall be transferred to and become
vested in the Attorney General, together with all property, books, records, and unexpended balances
of appropriations used by or available to the Secretary of State for carrying out the functions devolving
on him under the above-cited Act. All rules, regulations, and forms which have been issued by the Secretary
of State pursuant to the provisions of said Act, and which are in effect, shall continue in effect until
modified, superseded, revoked, or repealed.''
POLICY AND PURPOSE OF SUBCHAPTER
Act Apr. 29, 1942, amending generally act June 8, 1938, added an opening paragraph preceding section
1 of the latter act and reading as follows: ''It is hereby declared to be the policy and purpose of
this Act [enacting this subchapter] to protect the national defense, internal security, and foreign
relations of the United States by requiring public disclosure by persons engaging in propaganda activities
and other activities for or on behalf of foreign governments, foreign political parties, and other foreign
principals so that the Government and the people of the United States may be informed of the identity
of such persons and may appraise their statements and actions in the light of their associations and
activities.''
(a) Filing; contents No person shall act as an agent of a foreign principal unless he has filed with
the Attorney General a true and complete registration statement and supplements thereto as required
by subsections (a) and (b) of this section or unless he is exempt from registration under the provisions
of this subchapter. Except as hereinafter provided, every person who becomes an agent of a foreign principal
shall, within ten days thereafter, file with the Attorney General, in duplicate, a registration statement,
under oath on a form prescribed by the Attorney General. The obligation of an agent of a foreign principal
to file a registration statement shall, after the tenth day of his becoming such agent, continue from
day to day, and termination of such status shall not relieve such agent from his obligation to file
a registration statement for the period during which he was an agent of a foreign principal. The registration
statement shall include the following, which shall be regarded as material for the purposes of this
subchapter: (1) Registrant's name, principal business address, and all other business addresses in the
United States or elsewhere, and all residence addresses, if any;
(2) Status of the registrant; if an individual, nationality; if a partnership, name, residence addresses,
and nationality of each partner and a true and complete copy of its articles of copartnership; if an
association, corporation, organization, or any other combination of individuals, the name, residence
addresses, and nationality of each director and officer and of each person performing the functions
of a director or officer and a true and complete copy of its charter, articles of incorporation, association,
constitution, and bylaws, and amendments thereto; a copy of every other instrument or document and a
statement of the terms and conditions of every oral agreement relating to its organization, powers,
and purposes; and a stat
(3) A comprehensive statement of the nature of registrant's business; a complete list of registrant's
employees and a statement of the nature of the work of each; the name and address of every foreign principal
for whom the registrant is acting, assuming or purporting to act or has agreed to act; the character
of the business or other activities of every such foreign principal, and, if any such foreign principal
be other than a natural person, a statement of the ownership and control of each; and the extent, if
any, to which each such foreign principal is supervised, directed, owned, controlled, financed, or subsidized,
in whole or in part, by any government of a foreign country or foreign political party, or by any other
foreign principal;
(4) Copies of each written agreement and the terms and conditions of each oral agreement, including
all modifications of such agreements, or, where no contract exists, a full statement of all the circumstances,
by reason of which the registrant is an agent of a foreign principal; a comprehensive statement of the
nature and method of performance of each such contract, and of the existing and proposed activity or
activities engaged in or to be engaged in by the registrant as agent of a foreign principal for each
such foreign principal, including a detailed statement of any such activity which is a political activity;
(5) The nature and amount of contributions, income, money, or thing of value, if any, that the registrant
has received within the preceding sixty days from each such foreign principal, either as compensation
or for disbursement or otherwise, and the form and time of each such payment and from whom received;
(6) A detailed statement of every activity which the registrant is performing or is assuming or purporting
or has agreed to perform for himself or any other person other than a foreign principal and which requires
his registration hereunder, including a detailed statement of any such activity which is a political
activity;
(7) The name, business, and residence addresses, and if an individual, the nationality, of any person
other than a foreign principal for whom the registrant is acting, assuming or purporting to act or has
agreed to act under such circumstances as require his registration hereunder; the extent to which each
such person is supervised, directed, owned, controlled, financed, or subsidized, in whole or in part,
by any government of a foreign country or foreign political party or by any other foreign principal;
and the nature and amount of contributions, income, money, or thing of value, if any, that the registrant
has received during the preceding sixty days from each such person in connection with any of the activities
referred to in clause (6) of this subsection, either as compensation or for disbursement or otherwise,
and the form and time of each such payment and from whom received;
(8) A detailed statement of the money and other things of value spent or disposed of by the registrant
during the preceding sixty days in furtherance of or in connection with activities which require his
registration hereunderement of its ownership and control; and which have been undertaken by him either
as an agent of a foreign principal or for himself or any other person or in conection 1 with any activities
relating to his becoming an agent of such principal, and a detailed statement of any contributions of
money or other things of value made by him during the preceding sixty days (other than contributions
the making of which is prohibited under the terms of section 613 2 of title 18) in connection with an
election to any political office or in connection with any primary election, convention, or caucus held
to select candidates for any political office;
(9) Copies of each written agreement and the terms and conditions of each oral agreement, including
all modifications of such agreements, or, where no contract exists, a full statement of all the circumstances,
by reason of which the registrant is performing or assuming or purporting or has agreed to perform for
himself or for a foreign principal or for any person other than a foreign principal any activities which
require his registration hereunder;
(10) Such other statements, information, or documents pertinent to the purposes of this subchapter
as the Attorney General, having due regard for the national security and the public interest, may from
time to time require; (11) Such further statements and such further copies of documents as are necessary
to make the statements made in the registration statement and supplements thereto, and the copies of
documents furnished therewith, not misleading.
(b) Supplements; filing period Every agent of a foreign principal who has filed a registration statement
required by subsection
(a) of this section shall, within thirty days after the expiration of each period of six months succeeding
such filing, file with the Attorney General a supplement thereto under oath, on a form prescribed by
the Attorney General, which shall set forth with respect to such preceding six months' period such facts
as the Attorney General, having due regard for the national security and the public interest, may deem
necessary to make the information required under this section accurate, complete, and current with respect
to such period. In connection with the information furnished under clauses (3), (4), (6), and (9) of
subsection (a) of this section, the registrant shall give notice to the Attorney General of any changes
therein within ten days after such changes occur. If the Attorney General, having due regard for the
national security and the public interest, determines that it is necessary to carry out the purposes
of this subchapter, he may, in any particular case, require supplements to the registration statement
to be filed at more frequent intervals in respect to all or particular items of information to be furnished.
(c) Execution of statement under oath The registration statement and supplements thereto shall be
executed under oath as follows:
If the registrant is an individual, by him; if the registrant is a partnership, by the majority of
the members thereof; if the registrant is a person other than an individual or a partnership, by a majority
of the officers thereof or persons performing the functions of officers or by a majority of the board
of directors thereof or persons performing the functions of directors, if any.
(d) Filing of statement not deemed full compliance nor as preclusion from prosecution The fact that
a registration statement or supplement thereto has been filed shall not necessarily be deemed a full
compliance with this subchapter and the regulations thereunder on the part of the registrant; nor shall
it indicate that the Attorney General has in any way passed upon the merits of such registration statement
or supplement thereto; nor shall it preclude prosecution, as provided for in this subchapter, for willful
failure to file a registration statement or supplement thereto when due or for a willful false statement
of a material fact therein or the willful omission of a material fact required to be stated therein
or the willful omission of a material fact or copy of a material document necessary to make the statements
made in a registration statement and supplements thereto, and the copies of documents furnished therewith,
not misleading.
(e) Incorporation of previous statement by reference If any agent of a foreign principal, required
to register under the provisions of this subchapter, has previously thereto registered with the Attorney
General under the provisions of section 2386 of title 18, the Attorney General, in order to eliminate
inappropriate duplication, may permit the incorporation by reference in the registration statement or
supplements thereto filed hereunder of any information or documents previously filed by such agent of
a foreign principal under the provisions of said section.
(f) Exemption by Attorney General The Attorney General may, by regulation, provide for the exemption-
(1) from registration, or from the requirement of furnishing any of the information required by this
section, of any person who is listed as a partner, officer, director, or employee in the registration
statement filed by an agent of a foreign principal under this subchapter, and
(2) from the requirement of furnishing any of the information required by this section of any agent
of a foreign principal. where by reason of the nature of the functions or activities of such person
the Attorney General, having due regard for the national security and the public interest, determines
that such registration, or the furnishing of such information, as the case may be, is not necessary
to carry out the purposes of this subchapter.
(g) Electronic filing of registration statements and supplements
A registration statement or supplement required to be filed under this section shall be filed in
electronic form, in addition to any other form that may be required by the Attorney General.
(June 8, 1938, ch. 327, § 2, 52 Stat. 632; Apr. 29, 1942, ch. 263, § 1, 56 Stat. 251; Aug. 3, 1950,
ch. 524, § 1, 64 Stat. 399; Pub. L. 89–486, § 2, July 4, 1966, 80 Stat. 245; Pub. L. 110–81, title II,
§ 212(a), Sept. 14, 2007, 121 Stat. 749.)
REFERENCES IN TEXT
Section 613 of title 18, referred to in subsec. (a)(8), was repealed by Pub. L. 94–283, title II,
§ 201(a), May 11, 1976, 90 Stat. 496.
CODIFICATION
In subsec. (e), ''section 2386 of title 18'' was in the original ''the Act of October 17, 1940 (54
Stat. 1201)'', which had been classified to sections 14 to 17 of title 18. ''Section 2386 of title 18''
substituted for ''sections 14 to 17 of title 18'' on authority of act June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat.
863, section 1 of which enacted Title 18, Crimes and Criminal Procedure.
PRIOR PROVISIONS
Provisions on this subject were contained in sections 612 and 613 of this title prior to general
amendment of act June 8, 1938, by act Apr. 29, 1942.
AMENDMENTS
2007-Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 110–81 added subsec. (g).
1966-Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 89–486, § 2(1), struck out requirement for transmittal of registration
statements by the Attorney General to the Secretary of State and provision declaring a failure of transmission
not to be a bar to prosecutions, now covered in section 616(b) of this title.
Subsec. (a)(3). Pub. L. 89–486, § 2(2), struck out '', unless, and to the extent, this requirement
is waived in writing by the Attorney General'' after ''statement of the nature of the work of each''
and provided for a statement of the extent to which a foreign principal is supervised, directed, etc.,
by any other foreign principal.
Subsec. (a)(4), (6). Pub. L. 89–486, § 2(3), (4), inserted '', including a detailed statement of
any such activity which is a political activity''.
Subsec. (a)(7). Pub. L. 89–486, § 2(5), required certain information pertaining to control and financial
arrangements with respect to those persons, not themselves foreign principals, who are so related to
a foreign principal that their agents when engaged in political activities in the interests of the principal
are required to register.
Subsec. (a)(8). Pub. L. 89–486, § 2(6), inserted requirement that agent report the money or other
things of value spent or disposed of in connection with his becoming the agent of his foreign principal
and all political contributions made during the preceding sixty days, other than contributions made
on behalf of their principals, such contributions being prohibited under section 613 of title 18.
Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 89–486, § 2(7), added subsec. (f).
1950-Subsec. (a). Act Aug. 3, 1950, made failure to register a continuing offense.
1942-Act Apr. 29, 1942, amended section generally. EFFECTIVE DATE OF 2007 AMENDMENT
Pub. L. 110–81, title II, § 212(c), Sept. 14, 2007, 121 Stat. 750, provided that: ''The amendments
made by this section [amending this section and section 616 of this title] shall take effect on the
90th day after the date of the enactment of this Act [Sept. 14, 2007].''
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1966 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 89–486 effective ninety days after July 4, 1966, see section 9 of Pub. L. 89–486,
set out as a note under section 611 of this title.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1942 AMENDMENT
Amendment by act Apr. 29, 1942, effective on the sixtieth day after Apr. 29, 1942, except that prior
to such sixtieth day the Attorney General may make, prescribe, amend, and rescind such rules, regulations,
and forms as may be necessary to carry out act Apr. 29, 1942, see section 3 of act Apr. 29, 1942, set
out as a note under section 611 of this title.
FEES FOR NECESSARY EXPENSES OF REGISTRATION UNIT
Pub. L. 102–395, title I, Oct. 6, 1992, 106 Stat. 1831, provided in part that: ''In addition, notwithstanding
31 U.S.C. 3302, for fiscal year 1993 and thereafter, the Attorney General shall establish and collect
fees to recover necessary expenses of the Registration Unit (to include salaries, supplies, equipment
and training) pursuant to the Foreign Agents Registration Act [probably means Foreign Agents Registration
Act of 1938, as amended, 22 U.S.C. 611 et seq.], and shall credit such fees to this appropriation, to
remain available until expended.''
The requirements of section 612(a) of this title shall not apply to the following agents of foreign
principals:
(a) Diplomatic or consular officers A duly accredited diplomatic or consular officer of a foreign
government who is so recognized by the Department of State, while said officer is engaged exclusively
in activities which are recognized by the Department of State as being within the scope of the functions
of such officer;
(b) Officials of foreign government Any official of a foreign government, if such government is recognized
by the United States, who is not a public-relations counsel, publicity agent, information-service employee,
or a citizen of the United States, whose name and status and the character of whose duties as such official
are of public record in the Department of State, while said official is engaged exclusively in activities
which are recognized by the Department of State as being within the scope of the functions of such official;
(c) Staff members of diplomatic or consular officers Any member of the staff of, or any person employed
by, a duly accredited diplomatic or consular officer of a foreign government who is so recognized by
the Department of State, other than a public-relations counsel, publicity agent, or information-service
employee, whose name and status and the character of whose duties as such member or employee are of
public record in the Department of State, while said member or employee is engaged exclusively in the
performance of activities which are recognized by the Department of State as being within the scope
of the functions of such member or employee;
(d) Private and nonpolitical activities; solicitation of funds
Any person engaging or agreeing to engage only (1) in private and nonpolitical activities in furtherance
of the bona fide trade or commerce of such foreign principal; or (2) in other activities not serving
predominantly a foreign interest; or (3) in the soliciting or collecting of funds and contributions
within the United States to be used only for medical aid and assistance, or for food and clothing to
relieve human suffering, if such solicitation or collection of funds and contributions is in accordance
with and subject to the provisions of subchapter II of chapter 9 of this title, and such rules and regulations
as may be prescribed thereunder;
(e) Religious, scholastic, or scientific pursuits Any person engaging or agreeing to engage only
in activities in furtherance of bona fide religious, scholastic, academic, or scientific pursuits or
of the fine arts;
(f) Defense of foreign government vital to United States defense Any person, or employee of such
person, whose foreign principal is a government of a foreign country the defense of which the President
deems vital to the defense of the United States while, (1) such person or employee engages only in activities
which are in furtherance of the policies, public interest, or national defense both of such government
and of the Government of the United States, and are not intended to conflict with any of the domestic
or foreign policies of the Government of the United States, (2) each communication or expression by
such person or employee which he intends to, or has reason to believe will, be published, disseminated,
or circulated among any section of the public, or portion thereof, within the United States, is a part
of such activities and is believed by such person to be truthful and accurate and the identity of such
person as an agent of such foreign principal is disclosed therein, and (3) such government of a foreign
country furnishes to the Secretary of State for transmittal to, and retention for the duration of this
subchapter by, the Attorney General such information as to the identity and activities of such person
or employee at such times as the Attorney General may require. Upon notice to the Government of which
such person is an agent or to such person or employee, the Attorney General, having due regard for the
public interest and national defense, may, with the approval of the Secretary of State, and shall, at
the request of the Secretary of State, terminate in whole or in part the exemption herein of any such
person or employee;
(g) Persons qualified to practice law Any person qualified to practice law, insofar as he engages
or agrees to engage in the legal representation of a disclosed foreign principal before any court of
law or any agency of the Government of the United States: Provided, That for the purposes of this subsection
legal representation does not include attempts to influence or persuade agency personnel or officials
other than in the course of judicial proceedings, criminal or civil law enforcement inquiries, investigations,
or proceedings, or agency proceedings required by statute or regulation to be conducted on the record.
(h) Agents of foreign principals Any agent of a person described in section 611(b)(2) of this title
or an entity described in section 611(b)(3) of this title if the agent has engaged in lobbying activities
and has registered under the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 [2 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.] in connection with
the agent's representation of such person or entity. (June 8, 1938, ch. 327, § 3, 52 Stat. 632; Aug.
7, 1939, ch. 521, § 2, 53 Stat. 1245; Apr. 29, 1942, ch. 263, § 1, 56 Stat. 254; Pub. L. 87–366, § 2,
Oct. 4, 1961, 75 Stat. 784; Pub. L. 89–486, § 3, July 4, 1966, 80 Stat. 246; Pub. L. 104–65, § 9(2),
(3), Dec. 19, 1995, 109 Stat. 700; Pub. L. 105–166, § 5, Apr. 6, 1998, 112 Stat. 39.)
REFERENCES IN TEXT
The Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995, referred to in subsec. (h), is Pub. L. 104–65, Dec. 19, 1995,
109 Stat. 691, which is classified principally to chapter 26 (§ 1601 et seq.) of Title 2, The Congress.
For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 1601
of Title 2 and Tables.
PRIOR PROVISIONS
Prior to general amendment of act June 8, 1938, by act Apr. 29, 1942, section related to additional
registration statements after each six months period. Provisions on that subject were incorporated in
section 612 of this title by 1942 amendment.
AMENDMENTS
1998-Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 105–166 substituted ''has engaged in lobbying activities and has registered''
for ''is required to register and does register''.
1995-Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 104–65, § 9(2), substituted ''judicial proceedings, criminal or civil law
enforcement inquiries, investigations, or proceedings, or agency proceedings required by statute or
regulation to be conducted on the record'' for ''established agency proceedings, whether formal or informal''.
Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 104–65, § 9(3), added subsec. (h). 1966-Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 89–486, § 3(a),
designated existing provisions as cls. (1) and (3), struck out ''financial or mercantile'' before ''activities''
in cl. (1), and inserted the cl. (2) exemption of any person engaging or agreeing to engage in other
activities not serving predominantly a foreign interest.
Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 89–486, § 3(b), added subsec. (g).
1961-Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 87–366 substituted ''private and nonpolitical financial or mercantile activities
in furtherance'' for ''private, non-political, financial, mercantile, or other activities in furtherance''.
1942-Act Apr. 29, 1942, amended section generally.
1939-Act Aug. 7, 1939, amended section generally.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1995 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 104–65 effective Jan. 1, 1996, except as otherwise provided, see section 24
of Pub. L. 104–65, set out as an Effective Date note under section 1601 of Title 2, The Congress.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1966 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 89–486 effective ninety days after July 4, 1966, see section 9 of Pub. L. 89–486,
set out as a note under section 611 of this title.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1942 AMENDMENT
Amendment by act Apr. 29, 1942, effective on the sixtieth day after Apr. 29, 1942, except that prior
to such sixtieth day the Attorney General may make, prescribe, amend, and rescind such rules, regulations,
and forms as may be necessary to carry out act Apr. 29, 1942, see section 3 of act Apr. 29, 1942, set
out as a note under section 611 of this title.
(a) Copies to Attorney General; statement as to places, times, and extent of transmission Every person
within the United States who is an agent of a foreign principal and required to register under the provisions
of this subchapter and who transmits or causes to be transmitted in the United States mails or by any
means or instrumentality of interstate or foreign commerce any informational materials for or in the
interests of such foreign principal (i) in the form of prints, or (ii) in any other form which is reasonably
adapted to being, or which he believes will be, or which he intends to be, disseminated or circulated
among two or more persons shall, not later than forty-eight hours after the beginning of the transmittal
thereof, file with the Attorney General two copies thereof.
(b) Identification statement It shall be unlawful for any person within the United States who is
an agent of a foreign principal and required to register under the provisions of this subchapter to
transmit or cause to be transmitted in the United States mails or by any means or instrumentality of
interstate or foreign commerce any informational materials for or in the interests of such foreign principal
without placing in such informational materials a conspicuous statement that the materials are distributed
by the agent on behalf of the foreign principal, and that additional information is on file with the
Department of Justice, Washington, District of Columbia. The Attorney General may by rule define what
constitutes a conspicuous statement for the purposes of this subsection.
(c) Public inspection The copies of informational materials required by this subchapter to be filed
with the Attorney General shall be available for public inspection under such regulations as he may
prescribe.
(d) Library of Congress For purposes of the Library of Congress, other than for public distribution,
the Secretary of the Treasury and the United States Postal Service are authorized, upon the request
of the Librarian of Congress, to forward to the Library of Congress fifty copies, or as many fewer thereof
as are available, of all foreign prints determined to be prohibited entry under the provisions of section
1305 of title 19 and of all foreign prints excluded from the mails under authority of section 1717 of
title 18. Notwithstanding the provisions of section 1305 of title 19 and of section 1717 of title 18,
the Secretary of the Treasury is authorized to permit the entry and the United States Postal Service
is authorized to permit the transmittal in the mails of foreign prints imported for governmental purposes
by authority or for the use of the United States or for the use of the Library of Congress.
(e) Information furnished to agency or official of United States Government It shall be unlawful
for any person within the United States who is an agent of a foreign principal required to register
under the provisions of this subchapter to transmit, convey, or otherwise furnish to any agency or official
of the Government (including a Member or committee of either House of Congress) for or in the interests
of such foreign principal any political propaganda or to request from any such agency or official for
or in the interests of such foreign principal any information or advice with respect to any matter pertaining
to the political or public interests, policies or relations of a foreign country or of a political party
or pertaining to the foreign or domestic policies of the United States unless the propaganda or the
request is prefaced or accompanied by a true and accurate statement to the effect that such person is
registered as an agent of such foreign principal under this subchapter.
(f) Appearances before Congressional committees Whenever any agent of a foreign principal required
to register under this subchapter appears before any committee of Congress to testify for or in the
interests of such foreign principal, he shall, at the time of such appearance, furnish the committee
with a copy of his most recent registration statement filed with the Department of Justice as an agent
of such foreign principal for inclusion in the records of the committee as part of his testimony. (June
8, 1938, ch. 327, § 4, 52 Stat. 632; Aug. 7, 1939, ch. 521, § 3, 53 Stat. 1246; Apr. 29, 1942, ch. 263,
§ 1, 56 Stat. 255; Pub. L. 89–486, § 4, July 4, 1966, 80 Stat. 246; Pub. L. 91–375, § 4(a), Aug. 12,
1970, 84 Stat. 773; Pub. L. 104–65, § 9(4)–(6), Dec. 19, 1995, 109 Stat. 700.)
CODIFICATION
Section 1717 of title 18, referred to in subsec. (d), was in the original ''section 1 of title XII
of the Act of June 15, 1917 (40 Stat. 230)'' which was classified to section 343 of former Title 18,
Criminal Code and Criminal Procedure. ''Section 1717 of title 18'' substituted for ''section 343 of
title 18'' on authority of act June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 683, section 1 of which enacted Title
18, Crimes and Criminal Procedure.
PRIOR PROVISIONS
Prior to general amendment of act June 8, 1938, by act Apr. 29, 1942, section related to retention
of statements as public records. Provisions on that subject were incorporated in section 616 of this
title by 1942 amendment.
AMENDMENTS
1995-Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 104–65, § 9(4)(B), which directed striking out ''and a statement, duly
signed by or on behalf of such an agent, setting forth full information as to the places, times, and
extent of such transmittal'' after ''Attorney General two copies thereof'', was executed by striking
out such language, which read in part ''on behalf of such agent'', to reflect the probable intent of
Congress.
Pub. L. 104–65, § 9(4)(A), substituted ''informational materials'' for ''political propaganda''.
Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 104–65, § 9(5), substituted ''informational materials for or'' for ''political
propaganda for or'' and substituted ''without placing in such informational materials a conspicuous
statement that the materials are distributed by the agent on behalf of the foreign principal, and that
additional information is on file with the Department of Justice, Washington, District of Columbia.
The Attorney General may by rule define what constitutes a conspicuous statement for the purposes of
this subsection.'' for cls. (i) and (ii) and concluding provisions which made it unlawful for an agent
of a foreign principal to transmit in the United States political propaganda unless the propaganda identified
the agent and contained information about the registration of the agent and authorized the Attorney
General to prescribe regulations relating to the information to be provided.
Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 104–65, § 9(6), substituted ''informational materials'' for ''political propaganda''.
1966-Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 89–486, § 4(1), inserted ''for or in the interests of such foreign principal''
after ''political propaganda'' and substituted ''file with the Attor ney General two copies thereof''
for ''sent to the Librarian of Congress two copies thereof and file with the Attorney General one copy
thereof''.
Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 89–486, § 4(2), inserted ''for or in the interests of such foreign principal''
after ''political propaganda'', where first appearing, and ''the relationship or connection between
the person transmitting the political propaganda or causing it to be transmitted and such propaganda;''
after ''setting forth'' and substituted ''such foreign principal'' for each of his foreign principals''.
Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 89–486, § 4(3), substituted ''filed with the Attorney General'' for ''sent to
the Librarian of Congress''.
Subsecs. (e), (f). Pub. L. 89–486, § 4(4), added subsecs. (e) and (f).
1942-Act Apr. 29, 1942, amended section generally.
1939-Act Aug. 7, 1939, amended section generally.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1995 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 104–65 effective Jan. 1, 1996, except as otherwise provided, see section 24
of Pub. L. 104–65, set out as an Effective Date note under section 1601 of Title 2, The Congress.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1966 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 89–486 effective ninety days after July 4, 1966, see section 9 of Pub. L. 89–486,
set out as a note under section 611 of this title.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1942 AMENDMENT
Amendment by act Apr. 29, 1942, effective on the sixtieth day after Apr. 29, 1942, except that prior
to such sixtieth day the Attorney General may make, prescribe, amend, and rescind such rules, regulations,
and forms as may be necessary to carry out act Apr. 29, 1942, see section 3 of act Apr. 29, 1942, set
out as a note under section 611 of this title.
TRANSFER OF FUNCTIONS
In subsec. (d), ''United States Postal Service'' substituted for ''Postmaster General'' in two places
pursuant to Pub. L. 91–375, § 4(a), Aug. 12, 1970, 84 Stat. 773, set out as a note under section 201
of Title 39, Postal Service, which abolished office of Postmaster General of Post Office Department
and transferred its functions to United States Postal Service.
Every agent of a foreign principal registered under this subchapter shall keep and preserve while
he is an agent of a foreign principal such books of account and other records with respect to all his
activities, the disclosure of which is required under the provisions of this subchapter, in accordance
with such business and accounting practices, as the Attorney General, having due regard for the national
security and the public interest, may by regulation prescribe as necessary or appropriate for the enforcement
of the provisions of this subchapter and shall preserve the same for a period of three years following
the termination of such status. Until regulations are in effect under this section every agent of a
foreign principal shall keep books of account and shall preserve all written records with respect to
his activities. Such books and records shall be open at all reasonable times to the inspection of any
official charged with the enforcement of this subchapter. It shall be unlawful for any person willfully
to conceal, destroy, obliterate, mutilate, or falsify, or to attempt to conceal, destroy, obliterate,
mutilate, or falsify, or to cause to be concealed, destroyed, obliter records required to be kept under
the provisions of this section.
(June 8, 1938, ch. 327, § 5, 52 Stat. 633; Apr. 29, 1942, ch. 263, § 1, 56 Stat. 256; Pub. L. 89–486,
§ 5, July 4, 1966, 80 Stat. 247.)
PRIOR PROVISIONS
Prior to general amendment of act June 8, 1938, by act Apr. 29, 1942, section related to penalties.
Provisions on that subject were incorporated in section 618 of this title by 1942 amendment.
AMENDMENTS
1966-Pub. L. 89–486 inserted ''in accordance with such business and accounting practices,'' after
''under the provisions of this subchapter,''.
1942-Act Apr. 29, 1942, amended section generally.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1966 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 89–486 effective ninety days after July 4, 1966, see section 9 of Pub. L. 89–486,
set out as a note under section 611 of this title.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1942 AMENDMENT
Amendment by act Apr. 29, 1942, effective on the sixtieth day after Apr. 29, 1942, except that prior
to such sixtieth day the Attorney General may make, prescribe, amend, and rescind such rules, regulations,
and forms as may be necessary to carry out act Apr. 29, 1942, see section 3 of act Apr. 29, 1942, set
out as a note under section 611 of this title.
(a) Permanent copy of statement; inspection; withdrawal
The Attorney General shall retain in permanent form one copy of all registration statements furnished
under this subchapter, and the same shall be public records and open to public examination and inspection
at such reasonable hours, under such regulations, as the Attorney General may prescribe, and copies
of the same shall be furnished to every applicant at such reasonable fee as the Attorney General may
prescribe.
The Attorney General may withdraw from public examination the registration statement and other statements
of any agent of a foreign principal whose activities have ceased to be of a character which requires
registration under the provisions of this subchapter.
(b) Secretary of State
The Attorney General shall, promptly upon receipt, transmit one copy of every registration statement
filed hereunder and one copy of every amendment or supplement thereto filed hereunder, to the Secretary
of State for such comment and use as the Secretary of State may determine to be appropriate from the
point of view of the foreign relations of the United States. Failure of the Attorney General so to transmit
such copy shall not be a bar to prosecution under this subchapter.
(c) Executive departments and agencies; Congressional committees
The Attorney General is authorized to furnish to departments and agencies in the executive branch
and committees of the Congress such information obtained by him in the administration of this subchapter,
including the names of registrants under this subchapter, copies of reg istration statements, or parts
thereof, or other documents or information filed under this subchapter, as may be appropriate in the
light of the purposes of this subchapter.
(d) Public database of registration statements and updates
(1) In general The Attorney General shall maintain, and make available to the public over the Internet,
without a fee or other access charge, in a searchable, sortable, and downloadable manner, to the extent
technically practicable, an electronic database that-
(A) includes the information contained in registration statements and updates filed under this subchapter;
and
(B) is searchable and sortable, at a minimum, by each of the categories of information described
in section 612(a) of this title.
(2) Accountability The Attorney General shall make each registration statement and update filed in
electronic form pursuant to section 612(g) of this title available for public inspection over the Internet
as soon as technically practicable after the registration statement or update is filed.
(June 8, 1938, ch. 327, § 6, 52 Stat. 633; Apr. 29, 1942, ch. 263, § 1, 56 Stat. 256; Pub. L. 89–486,
§ 6, July 4, 1966, 80 Stat. 247; Pub. L. 104–65, § 9(7), Dec. 19, 1995, 109 Stat. 700; Pub. L. 110–81,
title II, § 212(b), Sept. 14, 2007, 121 Stat. 749.)
PRIOR PROVISIONS
Prior to general amendment of act June 8, 1938, by act Apr. 29, 1942, section related to rules and
regulations. Provisions on that subject were incorporated in section 620 of this title by 1942 amendment.
Provisions on this subject were contained in section 614 of this title prior to general amendment of
act June 8, 1938, by act Apr. 29, 1942.
AMENDMENTS
2007-Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 110–81 added subsec. (d).
1995-Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 104–65, § 9(7)(A), struck out ''and all statements concerning the distribution
of political propaganda'' after ''all registration statements''. Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 104–65, § 9(7)(B),
struck out '', and one copy of every item of political propaganda'' after ''supplement thereto''.
Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 104–65, § 9(7)(C), struck out ''copies of political propaganda,'' after ''parts
thereof,''.
1966-Pub. L. 89–486 designated existing provisions as subsec. (a) and added subsecs. (b) and (c).
1942-Act Apr. 29, 1942, amended section generally.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 2007 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 110–81 effective on the 90th day after Sept. 14, 2007, see section 212(c) of
Pub. L. 110–81, set out as a note under section 612 of this title.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1995 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 104–65 effective Jan. 1, 1996, except as otherwise provided, see section 24
of Pub. L. 104–65, set out as an Effective Date note under section 1601 of Title 2, The Congress.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1966 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 89–486 effective ninety days after July 4, 1966, see section 9 of Pub. L. 89–486,
set out as a note under section 611 of this title. Amendment by act Apr. 29, 1942, effective on the
sixtieth day after Apr. 29, 1942, except that prior to such sixtieth day the Attorney General may make,
prescribe, amend, and rescind such rules, regulations, and forms as may be necessary to carry out act
Apr. 29, 1942, see section 3 of act Apr. 29, 1942, set out as a note under section 611 of this title.
Each officer, or person performing the functions of an officer, and each director, or person performing
the functions of a director, of an agent of a foreign principal which is not an individual shall be
under obligation to cause such agent to execute and file a registration statement and supplements thereto
as and when such filing is required under subsections (a) and (b) of section 612 of this title and shall
also be under obligation to cause such agent to comply with all the requirements of sections 614(a)
and (b) and 615 of this title and all other requirements of this subchapter. Dissolution of any organization
acting as an agent of a foreign principal shall not relieve any officer, or person performing the functions
of an officer, or any director, or person performing the functions of a director, from complying with
the provisions of this section. In case of failure of any such agent of a foreign principal to comply
with any of the requirements of this subchapter, each of its officers, or persons performing the functions
of officers, and each of its directors, or persons performing the functions of directors, shall be subject
to prosecution therefor.
(June 8, 1938, ch. 327, § 7, 52 Stat. 633; Apr. 29, 1942, ch. 263, § 1, 56 Stat. 256; Aug. 3, 1950,
ch. 524, § 2, 64 Stat. 400.)
PRIOR PROVISIONS
Section 7 of act June 8, 1938, prior to the general amendment of that act by act Apr. 29, 1942, provided
for the effective date of the 1938 act. See Effective Date note set out under section 611 of this title.
AMENDMENTS
1950-Act Aug. 3, 1950, continued the obligation of officers, directors, and persons acting as such
to comply with this subchapter despite the dissolution of a foreign agent.
1942-Act Apr. 29, 1942, amended section generally.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1942 AMENDMENT
Amendment by act Apr. 29, 1942, effective on the sixtieth day after Apr. 29, 1942, except that prior
to such sixtieth day the Attorney General may make, prescribe, amend, and rescind such rules, regulations,
and forms as may be necessary to carry out act Apr. 29, 1942, see section 3 of act Apr. 29, 1942, set
out as a note under section 611 of this title.
(a) Violations; false statements and willful omissions Any person who-
(1) willfully violates any provision of this subchapter or any regulation thereunder, or
(2) in any registration statement or supplement thereto or in any other document filed with or furnished
to the Attorney General under the provisions of this subchapter willfully makes a false statement of
a material fact or willfully omits any material fact required to be stated therein or willfully omits
a material fact or a copy of a material document necessary to make the statements therein and the copies
of documents furnished therewith not misleading, shall, upon conviction thereof, be punished by a fine
of not more than $10,000 or by imprisonment for not more than five years, or both, except that in the
case of a violation of subsection (b), (e), or (f) of section 614 of this title or of subsection (g)
or (h) of this section the punishment shall be a fine of not more than $5,000 or imprisonment for not
more than six months, or both.
(b) Proof of identity of foreign principal In any proceeding under this subchapter in which it is
charged that a person is an agent of a foreign principal with respect to a foreign principal outside
of the United States, proof of the specific identity of the foreign principal shall be permissible but
not necessary.
(c) Removal Any alien who shall be convicted of a violation of, or a conspiracy to violate, any provision
of this subchapter or any regulation thereunder shall be subject to removal pursuant to chapter 4 of
title II of the Immigration and Nationality Act [8 U.S.C. 1221 et seq.].
(d) Repealed. Pub. L. 104–65, § 9(8)(B), Dec. 19, 1995, 109 Stat. 700
(e) Continuing offense Failure to file any such registration statement or supplements thereto as
is required by either section 612(a) or section 612(b) of this title shall be considered a continuing
offense for as long as such failure exists, notwithstanding any statute of limitation or other statute
to the contrary.
(f) Injunctive remedy; jurisdiction of district court Whenever in the judgment of the Attorney General
any person is engaged in or about to engage in any acts which constitute or will constitute a violation
of any provision of this subchapter, or regulations issued thereunder, or whenever any agent of a foreign
principal fails to comply with any of the provisions of this subchapter or the regulations issued thereunder,
or otherwise is in violation of the subchapter, the Attorney General may make application to the appropriate
United States district court for an order enjoining such acts or enjoining such person from continuing
to act as an agent of such foreign principal, or for an order requiring compliance with any appropriate
provision of the subchapter or regulation thereunder. The district court shall have jurisdiction and
authority to issue a temporary or permanent injunction, restraining order or such other order which
it may deem proper.
(g) Deficient registration statement If the Attorney General determines that a registration statement
does not comply with the requirements of this subchapter or the regulations issued thereunder, he shall
so notify the registrant in writing, specifying in what respects the statement is deficient. It shall
be unlawful for any person to act as an agent of a foreign principal at any time ten days or more after
receipt of such notification without filing an amended registration statement in full compliance with
the requirements of this subchapter and the regulations issued thereunder.
(h) Contingent fee arrangement It shall be unlawful for any agent of a foreign principal required
to register under this subchapter to be a party to any contract, agreement, or understanding, either
express or implied, with such foreign principal pursuant to which the amount or payment of the compensation,
fee, or other remuneration of such agent is contingent in whole or in part upon the success of any political
activities carried on by such agent.
(June 8, 1938, ch. 327, § 8, as added Apr. 29, 1942, ch. 263, § 1, 56 Stat. 257; amended Sept. 23,
1950, ch. 1024, title I, § 20(b), 64 Stat. 1005; June 27, 1952, ch. 477, title IV, § 402(d), 66 Stat.
276; Aug. 1, 1956, ch. 849, § 1, 70 Stat. 899; Pub. L. 89–486, § 7, July 4, 1966, 80 Stat. 248; Pub.
L. 98–620, title IV, § 402(26), Nov. 8, 1984, 98 Stat. 3359; Pub. L. 104–65, § 9(8), Dec. 19, 1995,
109 Stat. 700; Pub. L. 104–208, div. C, title III, § 308(e)(19), Sept. 30, 1996, 110 Stat. 3009–621.)
REFERENCES IN TEXT
The Immigration and Nationality Act, referred to in subsec. (c), is act June 27, 1952, ch. 477, 66
Stat. 163, as amended. Chapter 4 of title II of the Act is classified generally to part IV (§ 1221 et
seq.) of subchapter II of chapter 12 of Title 8, Aliens and Nationality. For complete classification
of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 1101 of Title 8 and Tables.
PRIOR PROVISIONS
Provisions on this subject were contained in section 615 of this title prior to general amendment
of act June 8, 1938, by act Apr. 29, 1942.
AMENDMENTS
1996-Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 104–208 substituted ''removal pursuant to chapter 4 of title II of the
Immigration and Nationality Act'' for ''deportation in the manner provided by sections 1251 to 1253
of title 8''.
1995-Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 104–65, § 9(8)(A), struck out ''or in any statement under section 614(a)
of this title concerning the distribution of political propaganda'' after ''or supplement thereto''.
Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 104–65, § 9(8)(B), struck out subsec. (d) which read as follows: ''The United
States Postal Service may declare to be nonmailable any communication or expression falling within clause
(2) of section 611(j) of this title in the form of prints or in any other form reasonably adapted to,
or reasonably appearing to be intended for, dissemination or circulation among two or more persons,
which is offered or caused to be offered for transmittal in the United States mails to any person or
persons in any other American republic by any agent of a foreign principal, if the United States Postal
Service is informed in writing by the Secretary of State that the duly accredited diplomatic representative
of such American republic has made written representation to the Department of State that the admission
or circulation of such communication or expression in such American republic is prohibited by the laws
thereof and has requested in writing that its transmittal thereto be stopped.''
1984-Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 98–620 struck out provision that the proceedings shall be made a preferred
cause and expedited in every way. exception provision.
Subsecs. (f) to (h). Pub. L. 89–486, § 7(2), added subsecs. (f) to (h).
1956-Act Aug. 1, 1956, amended credit to section by redesignating section 20(b) of act Sept. 23,
1950, as section 20.
1952-Subsec. (c). Act June 27, 1952, substituted ''sections 1251 to 1253 of title 8'' for ''sections
155 and 156 of title 8''.
1950-Subsec. (e). Act Sept. 23, 1950, added subsec. (e).
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1996 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 104–208 effective, with certain transitional provisions, on the first day of
the first month beginning more than 180 days after Sept. 30, 1996, see section 309 of Pub. L. 104–208,
set out as a note under section 1101 of Title 8, Aliens and Nationality.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1995 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 104–65 effective Jan. 1, 1996, except as otherwise provided, see section 24
of Pub. L. 104–65, set out as an Effective Date note under section 1601 of Title 2, The Congress.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1984 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 98–620 not applicable to cases pending on Nov. 8, 1984, see section 403 of Pub.
L. 98–620, set out as an Effective Date note under section 1657 of Title 28, Judiciary and Judicial
Procedure.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1966 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 89–486 effective ninety days after July 4, 1966, see section 9 of Pub. L. 89–486,
set out as a note under section 611 of this title.
EFFECTIVE DATE Section effective on the sixtieth day after Apr. 29, 1942, except that prior to such
sixtieth day the Attorney General may make, prescribe, amend, and rescind such rules, regulations, and
forms as may be necessary to carry out act Apr. 29, 1942, see section 3 of act Apr. 29, 1942, set out
as an Effective Date of 1942 Amendment note under section 611 of this title. § 619. Territorial applicability
of subchapter This subchapter shall be applicable in the several States, the District of Columbia, the
Territories, the Canal Zone, the insular possessions, and all other places now or hereafter subject
to the civil or military jurisdiction of the United States.
(June 8, 1938, ch. 327, § 9, as added Apr. 29, 1942, ch. 263, § 1, 56 Stat. 257; amended Proc. No.
2695, July 4, 1946, 11 F.R. 7517, 60 Stat. 1352.)
REFERENCES IN TEXT
For definition of Canal Zone, referred to in text, see section 3602(b) of this title.
CODIFICATION
Words ''including the Philippine Islands,'' omitted from section pursuant to Proc. No. 2695, which
granted independence to the Philippine Islands under the authority of section 1394 of this title, under
which section Proc. No. 2695 is set out as a note.
EFFECTIVE DATE
Section effective on the sixtieth day after Apr. 29, 1942, except that prior to such sixtieth day the
Attorney General may make, prescribe, amend, and rescind such rules, regulations, and forms as may be
necessary to carry out act Apr. 29, 1942, see section 3 of act Apr. 29, 1942, set out as an Effective
Date of 1942 Amendment note under section 611 of this title.
This subchapter shall be applicable in the several States, the District of Columbia, the Territories,
the Canal Zone, the insular possessions, and all other places now or hereafter subject to the civil
or military jurisdiction of the United States.
(June 8, 1938, ch. 327, § 9, as added Apr. 29, 1942, ch. 263, § 1, 56 Stat. 257; amended Proc. No.
2695, July 4, 1946, 11 F.R. 7517, 60 Stat. 1352.)
REFERENCES IN TEXT
For definition of Canal Zone, referred to in text, see section 3602(b) of this title.
CODIFICATION
Words ''including the Philippine Islands,'' omitted from section pursuant to Proc. No. 2695, which
granted independence to the Philippine Islands under the authority of section 1394 of this title, under
which section Proc. No. 2695 is set out as a note.
EFFECTIVE DATE
Section effective on the sixtieth day after Apr. 29, 1942, except that prior to such sixtieth day
the Attorney General may make, prescribe, amend, and rescind such rules, regulations, and forms as may
be necessary to carry out act Apr. 29, 1942, see section 3 of act Apr. 29, 1942, set out as an Effective
Date of 1942 Amendment note under section 611 of this title.
The Attorney General may at any time make, prescribe, amend, and rescind such rules, regulations,
and forms as he may deem necessary to carry out the provisions of this subchapter.
(June 8, 1938, ch. 327, § 10, as added Apr. 29, 1942, ch. 263, § 1, 56 Stat. 257.)
PRIOR PROVISIONS
Provisions on this subject were contained in section 616 of this title prior to general amendment
of act June 8, 1938, by act Apr. 29, 1942.
EFFECTIVE DATE
Section effective on the sixtieth day after Apr. 29, 1942, except that prior to such sixtieth day
the Attorney General may make, prescribe, amend, and rescind such rules, regulations, and forms as may
be necessary to carry out act Apr. 29, 1942, see section 3 of act Apr. 29, 1942, set out as an Effective
Date of 1942 Amendment note under section 611 of this title.
The Attorney General shall every six months report to the Congress concerning administration of this
subchapter, including registrations filed pursuant to the subchapter, and the nature, sources and content
of political propaganda disseminated and distributed.
(June 8, 1938, ch. 327, § 11, as added Apr. 29, 1942, ch. 263, § 1, 56 Stat. 258; amended Pub. L.
104–65, § 19, Dec. 19, 1995, 109 Stat. 704.)
AMENDMENTS
1995-Pub. L. 104–65 added text and struck out former text which read as follows: ''The Attorney General
shall, from time to time, make a report to the Congress concerning the administration of this subchapter,
including the nature, sources, and content of political propaganda disseminated or distributed.''
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1995 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 104–65 effective Jan. 1, 1996, see section 24 of Pub. L. 104–65, set out as
an Effective Date note under section 1601 of Title 2, The Congress.
EFFECTIVE DATE
Section effective on the sixtieth day after Apr. 29, 1942, except that prior to such sixtieth day
the Attorney General may make, prescribe, amend, and rescind such rules, regulations, and forms as may
be necessary to carry out act Apr. 29, 1942, see section 3 of act Apr. 29, 1942, set out as an Effective
Date of 1942 Amendment note under section 611 of this title.
CHAPTER 12-CLAIMS COMMISSIONS
§§ 661 to 672. Omitted
CODIFICATION
Sections 661 to 672, which established the American Mexican Claims Commission in 1942 for the settlement
of certain claims, expired pursuant to the provisions of section 661(d), which provided that the authority
of the Commission shall terminate at the expiration of four years after the date on which a majority
of its members first appointed took office.
Section 661, acts Dec. 18, 1942, ch. 766, § 2, 56 Stat. 1058; Apr. 3, 1945, ch. 52, § 5, 59 Stat.
50; Oct. 28, 1949, ch. 782, title XI, § 1106(a), 63 Stat. 972, established American Mexican Claims Commission,
prescribed its composition, provided for compensation of its members, and specified its termination
date. Acts Dec. 18, 1942, ch. 766, § 2, 56 Stat. 1058; Apr. 3, 1945, ch. 52, § 5, 59 Stat. 50,
- 20191204 : Butina blowback: foreign agents law against Russian fifth column ( Dec 04, 2019 , www.bloomberg.com )
- 20190826 : Russian version of FARA ( Aug 26, 2019 , www.moonofalabama.org )
- 20190815 : Mueller Dragnet Snags Ex-Clintonista, Obama Lawyer The American Conservative ( Aug 15, 2019 , www.theamericanconservative.com )
- 20190426* Jared Kushner, Not Maria Butina, Is America's Real Foreign Agent by Philip Giraldi ( Apr 25, 2019 , ronpaulinstitute.org ) [Recommended]
- 20171031 : Sorting Out the Russia Mess ( www.strategic-culture.org )
- 20150131 : Finding the Foreign Agents by Philip Giraldi ( January 30, 2015 , The American Conservative )
- 20150131 : Petition AIPAC MUST REGISTER AS FOREIGN AGENT! ( Petition AIPAC MUST REGISTER AS FOREIGN AGENT!, )
- 20150131 : Sic Semper Tyrannis DOJ asked to register AIPAC as Foreign Agent ( Sic Semper Tyrannis DOJ asked to register AIPAC as Foreign Agent, )
- 20150131 : AIPAC and Foreign Agent Status The Washington Note by Steven Clemons ( AIPAC and Foreign Agent Status The Washington Note by Steven Clemons, )
- 20150131 : The DOJ Orders the American Zionist Council to Register as a Foreign Agent ( The DOJ Orders the American Zionist Council to Register as a Foreign Agent, )
- 20150131 : 'Outrageous': Critics angered by new law making it illegal to wear a mask at unlawful protests ( National Post )
- 20150131 : Is Israel's Controversial NGO Law Simply a 'Foreign Agent Registration Act' ( Commentary Magazine )
- 20150131 : In Ukraine participation in peaceful protest in masks and helmets is now prohibited ( January 18, 2014 )
- 20140118 : To Protect the Public, Government Plans to "Make" NGOs Foreign Agents ( 16 January 2014 , risu.org.ua )
- 20140118 : Ukraine: Repeal Repressive New Legislation ( January 18, 2014 , www.hrw.org )
- 20140118 : Countering Color Revolutions: NGOs to get 'foreign agent' tag in Russia ( July 2, 2012 , stratrisks.com )
- 20140118 : Foreign-Funded Nonprofits in Russia Face New Hurdle by ELLEN BARRY ( Foreign-Funded Nonprofits in Russia Face New Hurdle, Jan 18, 2014 )
- 20140118 : Russia - NGO Law Monitor - Research Center - ICNL ( Russia - NGO Law Monitor - Research Center - ICNL, )
Better late then never ;-)
Notable quotes:
"... That person then will land on a special list of "agents" and will be obliged to register as a company so that his or her funding is transparent to the state. A Russian journalist working for Voice of America also becomes a foreign agent under the law. ..."
"... Butina was charged under a different though similar statute , which also requires foreign agents to register with the U.S. government. Even U.S. officials sometimes confuse the regulations, and it's not easy for a layman to understand what actions make one a foreign agent under them. ..."
"... Butina, for example, was sentenced to 18 months for trying to establish contacts with Republican operatives and National Rifle Association members ..."
"... Putin was annoyed by the Butina case. "They grabbed the girl, put her behind bars, and they had nothing to show for it," he commented after her sentencing. ..."
"... Now comes the retaliation -- and as usual under Putin, mainly against Russians he sees as a Western fifth column ..."
Putin's Russia Sees Foreign Agents Everywhere by Leonid Bershidsky
... ... ...
The new law makes it possible to
apply the foreign agent label to individuals, specifically to those who spread content from
media or other organizations determined to be foreign agents and who receive any kind of
funding from a foreign or foreign-financed source...
That person then will land on a special list of "agents" and will be obliged to
register as a company so that his or her funding is transparent to the state. A Russian
journalist working for Voice of America also becomes a foreign agent under the law.
... ... ...
Failure to register, open a company or mark one's stories or posts as coming from a foreign
agent will be punishable by a yet-undetermined fine.
Andrei Klimov, one of the drafters of the law, recently told
the government-owned daily Rossiyskaya Gazeta:
Unlike our foreign counterparts, we envisage no criminal liability. We don't grab people,
we don't toss them into torture chambers, like some other countries that do it for five or
fifteen years. We are capable of getting results with administrative measures.
It's clear from his comment that the Russian law is a response to the sudden
prominence of foreign-agent registration, a previously obscure requirement best known to
professional lobbyists, in the Donald Trump-Russia investigations of special counsel Robert
Mueller. He had political operatives Paul Manafort and Rick Gates indicted for violating the
Foreign Agent Registration Act of 1938, previously a laxly enforced law.
Butina was charged under a different
though similar statute , which also requires foreign
agents to register with the U.S. government. Even U.S. officials sometimes confuse the regulations, and it's not
easy for a layman to understand what actions make one a foreign agent under them.
Butina, for example, was sentenced to 18 months for trying to establish contacts with
Republican operatives and National Rifle Association members on behalf of a Russian
Central Bank official who may have wanted to set up a back channel between the Kremlin and the
Republican elite in the U.S.
Putin was annoyed by the Butina case. "They grabbed the girl, put her behind bars, and
they had nothing to show for it," he commented after her sentencing.
Now comes the retaliation -- and as usual under Putin, mainly against Russians he sees
as a Western fifth column rather than against the U.S. as such. Also as usual under Putin,
the response is asymmetrical.
... ... ...
BM , Aug 25 2019 16:42 utc |
15
The MoA Week
In Review - OT 2019-50
Thanks for that Soros link, Snake:
On November 30th 2015, Zerohedge reported, Russian Prosecutor General's Office issued
a statement in which it recognised George Soros's Open Society Institute and another
affiliated organisation as "undesirable groups", banning Russian citizens and organisations
from participation in any of their projects.
–prosecutors said the activities of the Open Society Institute and the Open
Society Institute Assistance Foundation were a threat to the foundations of Russia's
Constitutional order and national security.
...
The Law on Undesirable Foreign Organisations came into force in early June this year.
It requires the Prosecutor General's Office and the Foreign Ministry to draw up an official
list of undesirable foreign organisations and outlaw their activities. Once a group is
recognised as undesirable, its assets in Russia must be frozen, its offices closed and the
distribution of any of its materials must be banned.
Isn't it about time all other countries around the world enacted similar laws and
policies against foreign-funded WMD NGOs? HK and Venezuela particularly come to mind, of
course, and Brazil could have avoided the Bolsonaro nuclear explosion through such laws if
they had been put into effect in time.
Mueller Dragnet Snags Ex-Clintonista, Obama Lawyer
Greg Craig took money from a pro-Russian regime, just like jailed ex-Trump aide Paul Manafort. Welcome to the
swamp.
By
Barbara Boland
•
August 15, 2019
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U.S. President Barack Obama (R) greets White House counsel Gregory Craig (L) during an event on January 21,
2009.(Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)
Robert Mueller's investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election has snagged its first high-profile
Democrat: Gregory Craig, former special counsel to President Bill Clinton during his impeachment and Barack Obama's
first White House counsel.
In a trial expected to last two weeks, a jury will hear how the former partner of the
prestigious Washington firm Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP allegedly made false statements to the U.S.
government and concealed the extent of his work for the pro-Russian Ukrainian regime. Due to a delay over jury
selection, opening arguments are
expected
to begin Friday.
The case against Craig is the latest in a series of prosecutions arising from the Department of Justice's revamped
enforcement of the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), which requires people to make fairly extensive disclosures if
they engage in political or quasi-political activities on behalf of foreign governments or officials. Almost all
high-profile cases against unregistered foreign agents in the last two years have stemmed from Mueller's investigation.
Previously, the law had been lightly enforced.
Mueller's probe led to FARA charges against Paul Manafort and his deputy Rick Gates. The charges against Manafort
stem from work he did on behalf of President Viktor Yanukovych and his pro-Russia party. Mueller's team convicted
Manafort, Gates, and former Trump national security adviser Michael Flynn. Manafort received a seven and a half year
sentence for conspiracy and financial crimes, some of it related to his work for Yanukovych.
Advertisement
With Craig, "the Justice Department is going after some high-profile scalps,"
says
Matthew T. Sanderson, a
defense lawyer who specializes in foreign lobbying cases for the law firm Caplin and Drysdale.
Prosecutors say Craig was engaged by the Ukrainian regime to conduct an independent inquiry into the fairness of
former prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko's 2011 conviction, with the hopes of quelling international concerns that it was
politically motivated by then-president and rival Yanukovych.
Manafort was also working with the regime to improve Yanukovych's image. Craig's law firm received $4.6 million for
his work.
After Craig briefed American journalists on the report, Manafort effusively praised him in an email.
"Well done," wrote Manafort to Craig. Officials in Kiev "are especially happy with the way the media is playing it.
You are 'THE MAN.'"
Journalists who published stories citing Craig's work would not have known that he had been paid to write the report
by a Ukrainian operative, as prosecutors now claim. Craig insists that he only discussed the document after it had
become public to "correct misinformation," according to court filings.
"I never discussed the findings of our report with any U.S. officials and certainly did not lobby any U.S. officials
on behalf of Ukraine," Craig said in a
statement
proclaiming his innocence. "I did not help Ukraine promote its spin when it released our report."
If journalists had known that the report had been paid for by Tymoshenko's rivals, it would have affected media
coverage, points out Ben Freeman, director of the Foreign Influence Transparency Initiative at the Center for
International Policy.
According to the indictment, although the report concluded that the evidence presented at Tymoshenko's trial
supported her conviction, in a memo for his own files, Craig wrote that the evidence against her was "virtually non
existent."
Craig backdated a letter and invoice to hide who had really paid for the report, which aided the Ukrainian
government's lies about its cost, prosecutors wrote in a 22-page indictment filed in April.
"I don't want to register as a foreign agent under FARA. I think we don't have to with this assignment, yes?" Craig
wrote
to another partner in the firm on February 13, 2012, reports
Bloomberg
.
In response to a partner's suggestion that another lawyer at the firm could decide whether he should register, Craig
wrote, "I don't really care who you ask but we need an answer from someone who we can rely on with a straight face."
Firms that take clients from countries with human rights abuses and other public relations difficulties don't appear
to have trouble attracting other clients, but they do charge a premium for that work, according to Freeman.
"Normally, if a Washington firm is going to write a report about a country, they can't get $4 million for it,"
Freeman says. "But a report written for someone who is friends with Vladimir Putin is going to cost more money."
Craig flouted FARA's reporting requirements and did not register because he did not want to limit his future career
prospects, according to prosecutors.
The idea that registering as a foreign agent is a stigma, a "scarlet letter" that will prevent agents from getting
other work, certainly prevails in Washington, "but the fact of the matter is, there's nearly 2,000 registered foreign
agents walking the streets of America," says Freeman. "They're not exactly a rare breed, and a lot of the firms that
work for foreign governments also work for domestic clients. They're lobbying for big American businesses too."
A big reason companies may prefer to register under the Lobbying Disclosure Act, as opposed to FARA, is that the
latter requires significantly more disclosure. With FARA, agents need to list the member's offices they visited,
everyone they spoke to, the days they met, and what issues were discussed -- and that's a lot of additional work, says
Freeman.
In January, Skadden agreed to register under FARA and pay a $4.6 million fine, an amount that equals what it paid for
the Ukraine report. Craig left the firm in April 2018.
The DOJ's renewed interest in investigating and prosecuting FARA crimes may make Washington insiders think twice
about concealing what foreign interests they represent. FARA registrations jumped 46 percent from 2016 to 2017, the year
after Mueller was appointed special counsel and former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort's home was raided.
"I think the Craig case and the other cases like it change the calculus for folks who work for foreign entities or
are doing this type of lobbying and PR work," says Freeman. "It sends a clear message that if you're at all uncertain if
you should register under FARA, it behooves you to play it safe."
Barbara Boland is
's foreign policy and national security reporter. Follow her
on Twitter
@BBatDC.
Highly recommended!
Notable quotes:
"... FARA requires all individuals and organizations acting on behalf of foreign governments to registered with the Department of Justice and to report their sources of income and contacts. Federal prosecutors have claimed that Butina was reporting back to a Russian official while deliberating cultivating influential figures in the United States as potential resources to advance Russian interests, a process that is described in intelligence circles as "spotting and assessing." ..."
"... Selective enforcement of FARA was, ironically, revealed through evidence collected and included in the Mueller Report relating to the only foreign country that actually sought to obtain favors from the incoming Trump Administration. That country was Israel and the individual who drove the process and should have been fined and required to register with FARA was President Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner. As Kushner also had considerable "flight risk" to Israel, which has no extradition treaty with the United States, he should also have been imprisoned. ..."
"... Kushner reportedly aggressively pressured members of the Trump transition team to contact foreign ambassadors at the United Nations to convince them to vote against or abstain from voting on the December 2016 United Nations Security Council Resolution 2334 condemning Israeli settlements. The resolution passed when the US, acting under direction of President Barack Obama, abstained, but incoming National Security Adviser Michael Flynn did indeed contact the Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak twice and asked for Moscow's cooperation, which was refused. Kushner, who is so close to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that the latter has slept at the Kushner apartment in New York City, was clearly acting in response to direction coming from the Israeli government. ..."
"... Another interesting tidbit revealed by Mueller relates to Trump foreign policy adviser George Papadopoulos's ties to Israel over an oil development scheme. Mueller "ultimately determined that the evidence was not sufficient to obtain or sustain a conviction" that Papadopoulos "committed a crime or crimes by acting as an unregistered agent of the Israeli government." Mueller went looking for a Russian connection but found only Israel and decided to do nothing about it. ..."
The Mueller Special Counsel inquiry is far from over even though a
final report on its findings has been issued. Although the investigation had a mandate to
explore all aspects of the alleged Russian interference in the 2016 US election, from the start
the focus was on the possibility that some members of the Trump campaign had colluded with the
Kremlin to influence the outcome of the election to favor the GOP candidate. Even though that
could not be demonstrated, many prominent Trump critics, to include Laurence Tribe of the
Harvard Law School,
are demanding that the investigation continue until Congress has discovered "the full facts
of Russia's interference [to include] the ways in which that interference is continuing in
anticipation of 2020, and the full story of how the president and his team welcomed, benefited
from, repaid, and obstructed lawful investigation into that interference and the president's
cooperation with it."
Tribe should perhaps read the report more carefully. While it does indeed confirm some
Russian meddling, it does not demonstrate that anyone in the Trump circle benefited from it or
cooperated with it. The objective currently being promoted by dedicated Trump critics like
Tribe is to make a case to impeach the president based on the alleged enormity of the Russian
activity, which is not borne out by the facts: the Russian role was intermittent, small scale
and basically ineffective.
One interesting aspect of the Mueller inquiry and the ongoing Russophobia that it has
generated is the essential hypocrisy of the Washington Establishment. It is generally agreed
that whatever Russia actually did, it did not affect the outcome of the election. That the
Kremlin was using intelligence resources to act against Hillary Clinton should surprise no one
as she described Russian President Vladimir Putin as Hitler and also made clear that she would
be taking a very hard line against Moscow.
The anti-Russia frenzy in Washington generated by the vengeful Democrats and an
Establishment fearful of a loss of privilege and entitlement claimed a number of victims. Among
them was Russian citizen Maria Butina, who has a court date and will very likely be
sentenced tomorrow .
Regarding Butina, the United States Department of Justice would apparently have you believe
that the Kremlin sought to subvert the five-million-member strong National Rifle Association
(NRA) by having a Russian citizen take out a life membership in the organization with the
intention of corrupting it and turning it into an instrument for subverting American democracy.
Maria Butina has, by the way, a long and well documented history as an advocate for gun
ownership and was a co-founder in Russia of Right to Bear Arms, which is not an intelligence
front organization of some kind. It is rather a genuine lobbying group with an active
membership and agenda. Contrary to what has been reported in the mainstream media, Russians can
own guns but the licensing and registration procedures are long and complicated, which Right to
Bear Arms, modeling itself on the NRA, is seeking to change.
Butina, a graduate student at American University, is now in a federal prison, having been
charged with collusion and failure to register as an agent of the Russian Federation. She was
arrested on July 15, 2018. It is decidedly unusual to arrest and confine someone who has failed
to register under the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938 (FARA) , but she has not been granted bail because, as a
Russian citizen, she is considered to be a "flight risk," likely to try to flee the US and
return home.
FARA requires all individuals and organizations acting on behalf of foreign governments to
registered with the Department of Justice and to report their sources of income and contacts.
Federal prosecutors have claimed that Butina was reporting back to a Russian official while
deliberating cultivating influential figures in the United States as potential resources to
advance Russian interests, a process that is described in intelligence circles as "spotting and
assessing."
Maria eventually pleaded guilty of not registering under FARA to mitigate any punishment,
hoping that she would be allowed to return to Russia after a few months in prison on top of the
nine months she has already served. She has reportedly fully cooperated the US authorities,
turning over documents, answering questions and undergoing hours of interrogation by federal
investigators before and after her guilty plea.
Maria Butina basically did nothing that damaged US security and it is difficult to see where
her behavior was even criminal, but the prosecution is asking for 18 months in prison for her
in addition to the time served. She would be, in fact, one of only a handful of individuals
ever to be imprisoned over FARA, and they all come from countries that Washington considers to
be unfriendly, to include Cuba, Saddam's Iraq and Russia. Normally the failure to comply with
FARA is handled with a fine and compulsory registration.
Butina was essentially convicted of the crime of being Russian at the wrong time and in the
wrong place and she is paying for it with prison. Selective enforcement of FARA was,
ironically, revealed through evidence collected and included in the Mueller Report relating to
the only foreign country that actually sought to obtain favors from the incoming Trump
Administration. That country was Israel and the individual who drove the process and should
have been fined and required to register with FARA was President Donald Trump's son-in-law
Jared Kushner. As Kushner also had considerable "flight risk" to Israel, which has no
extradition treaty with the United States, he should also have been imprisoned.
Kushner reportedly aggressively
pressured members of the Trump transition team to contact foreign ambassadors at the United
Nations to convince them to vote against or abstain from voting on the December 2016 United
Nations Security Council Resolution 2334 condemning Israeli settlements. The resolution passed
when the US, acting under direction of President Barack Obama, abstained, but incoming National
Security Adviser Michael Flynn did indeed contact the Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak twice
and asked for Moscow's cooperation, which was refused. Kushner, who is so close to Prime
Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that the latter has slept at the Kushner apartment in New York
City, was clearly acting in response to direction coming from the Israeli government.
Another interesting tidbit revealed by Mueller relates to Trump foreign policy adviser
George Papadopoulos's ties to Israel over an oil development scheme. Mueller "ultimately
determined that the evidence was not sufficient to obtain or sustain a conviction" that
Papadopoulos "committed a crime or crimes by acting as an unregistered agent of the Israeli
government." Mueller went looking for a Russian connection but found only Israel and decided to
do nothing about it.
As so often is the case, inquiries that begin by looking for foreign interference in
American politics start by focusing on Washington's adversaries but then comes up with Israel.
Noam Chomsky
described it best "First of all, if you're interested in foreign interference in our
elections, whatever the Russians may have done barely counts or weighs in the balance as
compared with what another state does, openly, brazenly and with enormous support. Netanyahu
goes directly to Congress, without even informing the president, and speaks to Congress, with
overwhelming applause, to try to undermine the president's policies -- what happened with Obama
and Netanyahu in 2015. Did Putin come to give an address to the joint sessions of Congress
trying to -- calling on them to reverse US policy, without even informing the president? And
that's just a tiny bit of this overwhelming influence."
Maria Butina is in jail for doing nothing while Jared Kushner, who needed a godfathered
security clearance due to his close Israeli ties, struts through the White House as senior
advisor to the president in spite of the fact that he used his nepotistically obtained access
to openly promote the interests of a foreign government. Mueller knows all about it but
recommended nothing, as if it didn't happen. The media is silent. Congress will do nothing. As
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi put it "We in Congress stand by
Israel. In Congress, we speak with one voice on the subject of Israel." Indeed.
Reprinted with permission from
Strategic Culture Foundation .
Notable quotes:
"... Paul Manafort was indicted for supposedly establishing a relationship with a foreign government that was not covered by the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA). ..."
"... Speaking of FARA, when is someone in the US government or the totally corrupted and bought-off US Congress going to demand that Israel and AIPAC be registered under FARA? And then: When will investigations begin into some of the truly treasonous acts and legislation shepherded by this foreign agent called AIPAC: -- like its interference with Free Speech protections in the US Bill of Rights, and this latest: Something about residents of some town in Texas forced to sign a loyalty pledge in support of Israel in order to receive funds to rebuild their stricken landscape ??? Is Israel putting up the money for disaster relief projects in America? If so, how did this come about? ..."
Knomore , October 31, 2017 at 2:20 pm
A sardine is hauled in and the big fish swim away. This story seems to suggest either massive
chutzpah on the part of the Clinton campaign or stupidity fueled by desperation.
That they would allow Mueller's investigation to go forward when they were sitting on a mountain
of graft, collusion and other malfeasance (i.e., uranium sold to Russia for among other things
half a million straight into Billl's pocket) all of it, really quite amazing.
We got two uniformly bad candidates in the 2016 elections, both of whom were/are ardent supporters
of Israel. How did that happen?
And Paul Manafort was indicted for supposedly establishing a relationship with a foreign
government that was not covered by the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA).
Speaking of FARA, when is someone in the US government or the totally corrupted and bought-off
US Congress going to demand that Israel and AIPAC be registered under FARA? And then: When will
investigations begin into some of the truly treasonous acts and legislation shepherded by this
foreign agent called AIPAC: -- like its interference with Free Speech protections in the US Bill
of Rights, and this latest: Something about residents of some town in Texas forced to sign a loyalty
pledge in support of Israel in order to receive funds to rebuild their stricken landscape ???
Is Israel putting up the money for disaster relief projects in America? If so, how did this come
about?
In monitoring the activities of foreign organizations, the DOJ often gives powerful political
lobbies a pass.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Meets with AIPAC Leaders on January 14, 2015. Kobi Gideon / GPO
In high school civics classes, Americans are brought up to believe that in their nation a rule
of law prevails. Justice is depicted as blind and the rules apply to everyone. All Americans will
receive the same fair hearing in court or at the hands of the government. Of course the reality is
that experience tells us that those who trust in impartial justice are somewhat delusional as the
criminal justice and regulatory systems do not operate in a reliably mechanical fashion. Many factors
determine whether a suspect actually goes to trial or whether an organization is regulated or investigated
and there are a number of roadblocks along the way that influence the outcome.
One of the federal government regulatory bodies that few have heard about is the board at the
United States Department of Justice's Counterespionage Section that administers the
Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA). The original FARA was passed in 1938 just before the
outbreak of war in Europe and was intended to monitor the activities of front organizations being
directed by the German and Italian governments. From its inception FARA was politicized and selective.
Rome and Berlin were potential enemies while the extremely active British government efforts to draw
the United States into what eventually became a European and then a world war were largely ignored.
The original act was loosely worded to include anyone propagandizing for a foreign power but an
amended version in 1966 narrowed the definition of whom would be covered to include only actual "agents
of a foreign principal" working directly for a foreign government in an attempt to influence U.S.
economic or political decision making. Since 1966 there have been no successful criminal prosecutions
under FARA and nearly all compliance has been more-or-less voluntary. There have, however, been a
number of civil cases and administrative resolutions in which the government asserted the viability
of the act. In 2004, for example, Susan Lindauer, a former congressional staffer,
was charged with taking payments from an Iraqi government source. Her case was finally dropped
in 2009.
There are somewhat less than 2,000 foreign agents
registered under the act representing more than 100 countries. Their names and their periodic
financial and activities filings are
accessible by the public at the FARA Unit office in Washington. Most are associated with law
or lobbying firms that represent foreign governments as part of their business. Former Speaker of
the House Dennis Hastert was, for a time, a
registered agent for Turkey when he held that account while working for the Dickstein Shapiro
law firm, which he joined after leaving congress. Former Congressman Dick Gephardt also headed a
company engaged in lobbying for Turkey. Both Gephardt and Hastert were involved in lobbying Congress
to oppose pending legislation calling the First World War massacre of Turkish Armenians a "genocide."
The disadvantage of registering under FARA is that you have to disclose your sources of income
and you also have to detail what you are doing on behalf of the foreign government. Organizations
that do not consider that they are actually directed by a foreign government or who assess their
relationship to be borderline are consequently reluctant to comply.
FARA inevitably is selective in its targeting. Agents of nations hostile to the United States
are pursued with some vigor while organizations linked to powerful domestic political lobbies tend
to get a pass. This has been historically true of Irish republican groups as well as of the predecessor
of the powerful American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), which was founded in 1949 as the
American Zionist Council. The American Zionist Council was funded directly by the Jewish Agency
for Israel. Attorney General Robert Kennedy
ordered the group to register in 1962 but the death of his brother led to an intense lobbying
campaign to influence his strongly pro-Israel successor Lyndon B. Johnson who obligingly instructed
the Justice Department to stand down.
Since that time repeated
efforts to compel AIPAC
to register have failed due to White House and Justice Department unwillingness to confront the
issue but a new initiative by the Israeli government might well be construed as having crossed the
line in violation of FARA. In early January the Prime Minister's Office of the Israeli government
funded a joint project to be run by the government's National Information Directorate and StandWithUS,
which has been
described as an "American hasbara organization." In Hebrew the name, hasbara, means
literally "public explanation" but the expression is generally applied to anyone involved in generating
pro-Israeli propaganda. It is also sometimes more politely described as a program of "perception
management," a
euphemism made popular by the Donald Rumsfeld Pentagon in 2004.
Israel has long been
paying students as part-time bloggers or exploiting diaspora Jews as volunteers to get its message
out. In 2009 the Israeli Foreign Ministry wrote to a number of pro-Israel organizations emphasizing
the "importance of the internet as the new battleground for Israel's image." Haaretz
reported in 2013 how Prime Minister Netanyahu's office collaborated with the National Union of
Israeli Students to create "semi-military covert units" at the seven national universities organized
to work in situation rooms. Students use different names and IP addresses, which enable them to make
multiple posts, and
are paid as much as $2,000 monthly to work the online targets.
The hasbara
program includes recruitment, training, Foreign Ministry-prepared information sheets, and internet
alerts to potential targets. It is essentially an internet-focused "information war." It is supported
by a desktop tool called Megaphone that provided daily updates on articles appearing on the internet
that are singled out for confrontation or attack. The hasbara commenters flood websites where
commentary critical of Israel is observed in the belief that if something is repeated often enough
in many different places it will gain credibility and create doubts regarding contrary points of
view. They also can hound critics and even destroy careers in journalism. Veteran CNN reporter Jim
Clancy was
forced to resign last week after an exchange of tweets with hasbara over the Paris terror
attacks.
The joint enterprise between the American foundation and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office
is more of the same. It
reportedly is intended to strengthen "Israeli hasbara on social media platforms," with
StandWithUs running "interactive media war rooms." The National Information Directorate's role will
be to draft the talking points and monitor the progress of the "war."
StandWithUs, which was
founded to "educate others about Israel," originated in Los Angeles. It now has 18 chapters in
the U.S., Canada, Britain, and also in Israel. Incorporated as the Israel Emergency Alliance, StandWithUs
is a 501(c)(3) organization, which means it has successfully claimed to be a tax exempt educational
foundation. It is reportedly
largely funded by Las Vegas multi billionaire casino magnate Sheldon Adelson, who also has been
active in supporting Republican candidates perceived as particularly friendly to Israel. StandWithUs
is aggressive in its defense of Israel, to include a
secret program to compile critical dossiers on pro-Palestinian speakers as part of an effort
to help "Israel advocates respond to and counter anti-Israel speakers who come to your campus."
The project is ostensibly being run through the StandWithUs chapter in Israel, but it will include
the training of British and American students, and the parent organization is itself American in
both funding and its incorporation. As it has no other function than promoting the Israeli government
point of view so as to influence decision making in the United States and in the United Kingdom.
It would be a clear case where registry with FARA would be mandatory as the political direction and
half the funding for the project are coming directly from the Israeli government. If StandWithUS
is compelled to register under FARA it will have to reveal all its funding and its tax exempt status
will presumably be revoked by the Internal Revenue Service.
And StandWithUs is far from alone. Israel is certainly entitled to make its case to the American
and international audience and one might observe that it has done so extremely tenaciously and very
effectively. But a number of organizations in the Israel Lobby are little more than fronts for promoting
the Israeli right wing government talking points in an attempt to shape American policy, which indisputably
makes them foreign agents as defined by FARA. As foreign agents, they should be subject to some supervision
of and restraints on their activities and there would also be a certain transparency in terms of
who they are and what they represent which just might make the media less inclined to go to them
for commentary.
One suspects that the Barack Obama/Eric Holder Justice department has little stomach for going
after any organization linked to Israel and that reticence is regrettable, particularly as Israel
will undoubtedly be using the upcoming Netanyahu visit to ratchet up the intensity of its own campaign
to convince the American public that war with Iran should be a compelling U.S. national interest.
If the American public were made aware that much of the war fever is being drummed up by organizations
that are actually acting as agents of a foreign government it just might make a difference in how
that sales pitch is perceived. But even if that were not the case, it would not be a bad thing to
observe that the United States government does indeed, at least occasionally, play by its own rules.
Philip Giraldi, a former CIA officer, is executive director of the Council for the National
Interest.
AIPAC, or the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, describes itself as the most important
organization affecting the U.S. relationship with Israel. With a budget of $65 million, and membership
now standing at over 100,000, it is no wonder that congressional staffers consider it one of the
most powerful and effective lobbies on Capitol Hill.
This 100,000-strong group has been described as an agent of the Israeli government, and those accusations
were substantiated in 2005 when a pentagon analyst plead guilty to passing military secrets to two
AIPAC employees en route to Israel. After some political wrangling, all charges were dropped against
the two Jewish AIPAC employees in 2009, even though the analyst agreed to testify against the AIPAC
employees, and the government had overwhelming evidence to prosecute. It was reported by Time magazine
that Jane Harman, a Jewish congresswoman, was bribed by AIPAC to lobby the Department of Justice
to drop the spying charges against the AIPAC employees. In 2009, CQ politics reported that Harman
was caught on a NSA wiretap telling an Israeli agent that she would lobby the Department of Justice
to drop the case.
The Foreign Registration Act clearly states that any lobby that acts on behalf of a foreign government
must register as a foreign agent. Even though AIPAC: has been caught spying for Israel, shamelessly
campaigns to give American tax dollars to Israel for weapons that are used to kill Palestinian civilians,
and lobbies for American soldiers to die in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Iran for Israel's hegemony of
the Middle East, it is still the only foreign lobby in Washington that does not have to register
under the act. We must Abolish AIPAC NOW. If they wish to lobby, they too must be required to register
as lobbyist for a foreign agent!
Through back room dealings, bribery, and corruption, AIPAC has secured Israel hundreds of billions
of dollars in aid since the 1950′s. Some Americans are aware of the annual $3 billion in direct foreign
aid to Israel, but very few Americans know about the tens of billions of dollars that are given every
year under the table in terms of valuable military equipment deemed "scrapped," loan guarantees,
preferential contracts, and upfront payments that should be distributed over the course of a year.
In the most recent affront to justice, AIPAC had US approve 1 BILLION for Israeli missile systems
while US states go broke! Read Full Declaration...
http://solidarityus.org/AIPAC.html
19 March 2010
News release:
http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/us-department-of-justice-asked-to-regulate-aipac-as-a-foreign-agent-of-the-israeli-government-88190712.html
***************************Release************************************
US Department of Justice Asked to Regulate AIPAC as a Foreign
Agent of the Israeli Government
Washington, DC - The US Department of Justice has been formally
asked to begin regulating the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) as
the foreign agent of the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs. A 392 page legal
filing presented by a four person IRmep delegation in a two hour meeting with top
officials of the Internal Security Section substantiated the following case for AIPAC's
immediate registration:
1. AIPAC is a spinoff of an organization
already ordered by the DOJ to register as an Israeli foreign agent. In November
of 1962 the American Zionist Council was ordered by the Attorney General to begin
filing disclosures as an Israeli foreign agent under the 1938 Foreign Agents Registration
Act. http://www.IRmep.org/1962Order.pdf
Six weeks later, former AZC employees incorporated the American Israel Public
Affairs Committee in Washington, DC, taking over the AZC's lobbying activities.
http://www.IRmep.org/AIPAC.pdf
AIPAC did not register as a foreign agent.
2. AIPAC's founder Isaiah L. Kenen was the
chief information officer for the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs in New York
and for a time duly registered in that role.
http://www.IRmep.org/Kenen.pdf The Justice
Department ordered Kenen to personally re-register after he formally left the Israeli
Ministry of Foreign Affairs to head up private lobbying and publicity for the Israeli
government at the nonprofit American Zionist Council. Kenen never complied with
the order. http://www.IRmep.org/order.pdf
3. Espionage related FBI investigations
in 1984 and 2005 reveal AIPAC's ongoing stealth foreign agency activities. Declassified
FBI files released on the Internet last week reveal that in 1984 AIPAC and the Israeli
Ministry of Economics were investigated for jointly obtaining and circulating classified
US economic data to obtain favorable trade benefits for Israel.
http://www.irmep.org/ila/economy In
2005 Pentagon Colonel Lawrence Franklin pled guilty and two AIPAC employees were indicted
for obtaining and circulating classified US national defense information to Israeli
government officials allegedly in the interest of fomenting US action against Iran.
4. AIPAC's executive committee consists
of the original member organizations of the AZC in addition to newer members.
The Conference of Presidents of Major Jewish Organizations, the umbrella group of
AIPAC's executive committee, is housed in the same New York office as the World Zionist
Organization - American Section, a registered foreign agent that is heavily involved
in illegal settlement expansion according to Israeli prosecutor Thalia Sasson.
According to Grant F. Smith, director of IRmep, the case for
reregulating AIPAC as a foreign agent immediately is compelling. "AIPAC was
designed to supplant the American Zionist Council as the arm of the Israeli
Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the United States after the DOJ ordered the AZC to
register as a foreign agent. As such, Americans should have full public access
to biannual FARA registrations detailing AIPAC's publicity campaigns, lobbying expenditures,
funding flows, activities of its offices in Israel and internal consultations
with its foreign principals-particularly over such controversial issues as illegal
settlements and US foreign aid."
Concerned organizations and individuals who wish to supplement
the Department of Justice filing or participate in future negotiations with law enforcement
officials should contact the Institute for Research: Middle Eastern Policy, Inc. at
[email protected] or 202-342-7325. IRmep is
a private nonprofit that studies how warranted law enforcement and civil action can
improve U.S. Middle East policy.
March 23, 2007
(Israeli Ambassador to Italy and former Foreign Ministry Deputy Director General for Public
Affairs Gideon Meir: AIPAC can help so much it hurts)
Even the best informed of us can be just real dumb on Friday mornings. I never knew that
AIPAC was NOT compelled to register under the
Foreign Agents Registration Act.
Apparently, the criminal investigation of two AIPAC employees,
Steve Rosen and Keith Weissman,
has many in the US-Israel policy community
worried that a
conviction would compel FARA registration for the organization. I had not seen this debate previously.
One would think that it was obvious that AIPAC was an agent for Israel's interests and thus would
have to register as such.
Then again, to take the alternative position, I guess that there can be "undirected" agents of
interest and that AIPAC members are simply advocating policies that they feel are good for the United
States with regards to Israel - without direction from Jerusalem.
There is some sense in this. If I wanted to advocate on behalf of smarter U.S. policy towards
Cuba, towards Japan, towards Palestine, or towards the United Arab Emirates, then I should be able
to do so without a need to register as an agent of foreign interests - particularly since I am taking
no direction from those foreign interests.
This is fascinating and explains a mystery that has bothered me for some time.
Pat Choate's famous book,
Agents of Influence: How
Japan's Lobbyists Manipulate America's Political and Economic System, has an appendix listing
all of the known lawyers and lobbyists operating in Washington on behalf of foreign interests.
But Israel is one of the very few nations not listed. One might have surmised that Pat Choate
had enough trouble taking on the Japan lobby at that time that he didn't want to take on the Israeli
lobby as well - but the reason seems to be that AIPAC was not required to file as a foreign agent
and thus would not be listed in the book's appendix.
There are others who can weigh in on whether or not AIPAC is taking instructions from Israel's
government and political leaders. If former Prime Minister Netanyahu is giving orders from his Likud
seat, or Prime Minister Ehud Olmert is making requests of AIPAC in its roster of political action
efforts, then AIPAC should be registered appropriately. It's an interesting question.
But one thing that I can report from my trip to Israel last year is that there are some in the
Israeli government who do not want to own AIPAC's actions and advocacy.
Then Israeli Foreign Ministry Deputy Director General for Public Affairs Gideon Meir (and now
Israel's Ambassador to Italy) told me that "AIPAC does not represent the interests of the Israeli
government. This organization may mean well but these diaspora organizations - in order to keep and
retain their members - present battles in black and white and see only two sides. I have to deal
with five sides - or seven sides - to a problem; and sometimes AIPAC and these diaspora groups undermine
our efforts."
This would argue against AIPAC registering as a foreign agent. But if memos came down the pike
that Israel is giving AIPAC clear instructions, then the requirement of registration should be implemented.
– Steve Clemons
"Attached hereto is the entire file relating to the American Zionist Council and our efforts to obtain
its registration under the terms of the Foreign Agents Registration Act..."
Documents
In the early 1960's Israel funneled $5 million (more than $35 million
in today's dollars) into US propaganda and lobbying operations. The funds
were channeled via the quasi governmental Jewish Agency's New York office
into an Israel lobby umbrella group, the American Zionist Council. Senate Foreign Relations
Committee investigations and hearings documented funding flows, propaganda,
and public relations efforts and put them into the
record. But the
true fate of the American Zionist Council was never known, except that its major functions
were visibly shut down and shifted over to a former
AZC unit known as the "Kenen Committee," called the American Israel Public Affairs Committee
(or AIPAC) in the late 1960's. The following chronology
provides links to images of original Department of Justice case files released
on June 10, 2008 under a Freedom of Information Act
filing.
John F. Kennedy President, Robert F. Kennedy Attorney General
| Document/File Date |
Contents |
|
08/27/1962 |
AZC internal memo - Lenore Karp to Rabbi Jerome Unger
about AZC Department of Public Information literature
distribution. |
|
Undated |
1962-1963 AZC Public Relations Plan summary |
|
10/31/1962 |
Assistant Attorney General and Director
of the Internal Security Division J. Walter Yeagley notifies
Attorney General Robert
F. Kennedy "...we are soliciting next
week the registration of the American Zionist Council under the Foreign Agents Registration
Act...You may be aware that the American Zionist Council is composed of
representatives of the various Zionist organizations in the United States including the Zionist
Organization of America." |
|
11/06/1962 |
Nathan B. Lenvin, head of the
FARA section, memo to central files,
about a meeting with Jewish Agency representative
Maurice M. Boukstein who asks about FARA applicability to
AZC. "...in his view it was doubtful that any great protest would
be made since in the discussions he has had with various officials connected both with the
Zionist Council and the Jewish Agency he had made it clear in his view an agency relationship
would result which may require registration.'" |
|
11/14/1962 |
Edwin Guthman letter to Attorney General
Robert F. Kennedy and Deputy Attorney General Nicholas Katzenbach about
future AZC FARA registration order. "I doubt very much there
will be any fuss. I don't think the American Zionist Council is in any position to do
so...the Council has compromised its position." OK'd by Robert F.
Kennedy. |
|
11/21/1962 |
DOJ orders AZC to register
under FARA "...receipt of such funds from the American Section of the Jewish Agency for Israel
constitutes the Council an agent of a foreign principal...the Council's registration is requested." |
|
12/06/1962 |
AZC President Rabbi Irving Miller response to DOJ
"The request for registration contained in your letter raises many questions of fact and of
relationships which first must be resolved by us before compliance can be made. Therefore,
it is requested that you be good enough to grant us a delay of 120 days..." |
01/02/1963
Archive |
Isaiah L. Kenen incorporates the American Israel Public
Affairs Committee in Washington, DC |
|
01/24/1963 |
DOJ draft file memo about
01/23/1963 DOJ meeting with AZC head legal counsel
Simon H. Rifkind "...he had advised his client to discontinue completely the agency relationship
and cut off the receipt of any additional funds...Mr. Lenvin pointed out specifically that
the termination of the 'activities' on the part of AZC did not absolve it of its obligation
to register..."
|
|
01/25/1963 |
Article in the National Jewish Post,
filed in FARA Section - "AZC Gives Up $ to Avoid Foreign Agent Registration" |
|
02/01/1963 |
DOJ Executive Assistant Thomas Hall memo
to Nathan Lenvin updating meeting notes "Mr. Hall emphasized that a contrary conclusion would
not of course be reached during the course of this meeting and suggested that the subject submit
a detailed argument as to why it was of the opinion it should not be required to register...." |
|
02/08/1963 |
DOJ AZC January 23, 1963 meeting notes
by Nathan Lenvin filed "discontinuance of receipt of such funds thus terminating the agency
relationship did not absolve the Council of its obligation to register." |
|
02/19/1963 |
American Council for Judaism (AJC) newsletter.
"The American Zionist Council (coordinating political action arm of all U.S. Zionist organizations)
was asked last month by the Justice Department to register as a 'foreign agent' of the State
of Israel." |
|
03/07/1963 |
New York Times reporter Tony Lewis calls
FARA section to verify AZC foreign agent order state AJC press release. |
|
3/23/1963 |
AZC Counsel "Memorandum of Law in support
of our position that the American Zionist Council is not required to register under the Foreign
Agents Registration Act of 1938." |
|
04/01/1963 |
Nathan Lenvin file memo of DOJ AZC meeting
on April 1, 1963- AZC Memorandum of Law rejected. "...if necessary I would be willing
to recommend, if the representatives of the Council insisted upon these points, that the matter
be litigated." |
|
04/05/1963 |
Thomas Hall memo with J. Walter Yeagley
notes "Okay, but let's get it concluded. Have we sent them J.A. reg[istration] statement?" |
|
05/02/1963 |
Nathan Lenvin file memo of
DOJ AZC meeting on May 2, 1963 "Finally, Judge Rifkind raised the point...that the vast
number of Jews who adhered to the principles of Zionism could not understand how 'our administration'
could do such harm to the Zionist movement and impair the effectiveness of the Council by insistence
on registration. He appealed to the discretionary power of the Department...Mr. Katzenbach
then noted that if the Council made a full disclosure of the receipt and expenditure of the
funds it had received from the Jewish Agency so that such information would then be available
for public inspection the purposes and objectives of the Registration Act might well be accomplished
and very likely there would be nothing further for the Government to do..."
|
| 05/23/1963 |
First Senate
Foreign Relations Committee Hearings on Israeli Foreign Agents (Senate Records) |
|
06/28/1963 |
Wall Street Journal article "Federal
lawyers near decision on whether to require the American Zionist Council to register as an
agent of the Israeli government. High Justice Department officials weigh the risk of
offending Jewish opinion in the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Chairman Fulbright
also eyes the council's activities." |
|
06/28/1963-07/26/1963 |
Citizen telegrams and letters urging
FARA decision based on legal merits rather than political considerations. |
|
07/02/1963 |
Irene Bowman FARA section
file memo on a June 28, 1963 DOJ AZC meeting, "Mr. Adrian W. DeWind and a Mr. Kahn (ph) of
the law firm Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison ...for the purpose of submitting for
the Department's examination a stack of publications and several books prepared by the American
Zionist Council....Prior to Mr. DeWind's departure he said he was disturbed by what he described
as the speed with which the American Council on Judaism learned that the Department had solicited
the registration of the American Zionist Council. He wondered whether there was a leak
in the Department." |
|
07/15/1963 |
Congressman Donald Rumsfeld letter to
Robert F. Kennedy about status of AZC FARA registration. |
|
07/19/1963 |
Thomas K. Hall Memo to Deputy AG Katzenbach
and J. Walter Yeagley on Wall Street Journal Article. Yeagley notes "I called Judge Rifkind
Thursday July 18. He said he thought the material had been submitted and was 'embarrassed.'
Fri[day] someone else from the firm called asking for still another 2 or 3 weeks as their controller
or someone is in Europe." |
|
07/19/1963 |
J. Walter Yeagley responds to Rumsfeld
"ultimate determination will be based on the law as applied to the facts...not on any consideration
of its effect on the public opinion of the Jewish community..." |
|
07/26/1963 |
American Council for Judaism Letter to
RFK about AZC FARA registration "I am enclosing latest issue of our newsletter, Brief, featuring
our comments on the Department of Justice investigation of the American Zionist Council..." |
|
07/26/1963 |
Theresa Green FARA memo about AZC phone
call request for two week filing deadline extension. |
|
7/30/1963 |
Routing memo from Deputy AG Nicholas
Katzenbach to J. Walter Yeagley "I guess this is the correct response. Rifkind should
be needled, but much depends on Fulbright, too." |
| 8/1/1963 |
Second Senate
Foreign Relations Committee Hearings on Israeli Foreign Agents (Senate Records) |
|
08/14/1963 |
FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover
offers J. Walter Yeagley FBI assistance to
investigate the AZC "In view of recent
public hearings...it is requested that you advise whether any investigation is desired...." |
|
8/14/1963 |
J. Walter Yeagley response to 7/30/1963
Katzenbach routing memo (copy from above) "Mr. Hall - is it time to write Rifkind-or send memo
to A.G. or send in FBI?" |
|
08/15/1963 |
Thomas K. Hall internal
FARA memo about AZC legal counsel "stalling hoping that time
will resolve the difficulties faced by the AZC...We should go on record
with the AG (copy to deputy) outlining the posture of this matter and indicate the need for
more drastic action..." |
|
8/16/1963 |
Irene Bowman, FARA section analysis on
alleged AZC FARA violations derived from Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearings.
"...the Department should insist on the immediate registration of the American Zionist Council
under the Foreign Agents Registration Act, and if such registration is not forthcoming, appropriate
action should be taken to enforce such a request." |
|
08/17/1963 |
AZC Executive Director Rabbi Jerome Unger
letter and filing to FARA Section "Enclosed wherewith are the two reports of Income and Expenditures
of the American Zionist Council..." |
|
08/20/1963 |
Nathan Lenvin query asking if Irene Bowman
would accept as FARA registration, Bowman: "Absolutely not!" |
|
08/22/1963 |
J. Walter Yeagley memo to Nicholas Katzenbach:
"There is also attached a proposed letter from me to Judge Rifkind requesting a registration
to be filed within ten days." |
|
08/23/1963 |
J. Walter Yeagley to FBI Director "..registration
was originally solicited by letter dated November 21, 1962...Pending a determination as to
whether further letter should be written insisting on registration no investigation will be
required. You will be kept advised of developments in this matter." |
|
10/11/1963 |
DOJ Demand for AZC Registration "the
Department expects a response from you within 72 hours with regard to this matter." |
|
10/17/1963 |
J. Walter Yeagley notes of DOJ AZC meeting
attended by Nicholas Katzenbach. "Judge Rifkind then made a plea for no registration,
stating it was the opinion of most of the persons affiliated with the Council that such registration
would be so publicized by the American Council on Judaism that it would eventually destroy
the Zionist movement...he did not believe his clients would file any papers or sign any papers
indicating that the organization was an agent of a foreign principal. I told him that
any such information or material that is supplied on that basis would be made part of the Department's
public files available for inspection by the public..." |
Lyndon B. Johnson President, Robert F. Kennedy Attorney General
|
12/11/1963 |
AZC Counsel to DOJ "...our client is
not prepared to register as an agent of a foreign government. It has, however, no reluctance
to make this information available voluntarily..." |
|
01/02/1964 |
Deputy AG Katzenbach asks DOJ FARA section
to prepare a "reply for his signature in a friendly rather than a hostile tone...to the effect
that the material he submitted is not satisfactory..." |
|
01/10/1964 |
Deputy AG Katzenbach letter to AZC counsel
"The material you submitted is much less useful than what I had expected you were going to
submit and of course there is no disclosure unless the data is available for public inspection." |
|
01/16/1964 |
AZC counsel Rifkind to Katzenbach "I
shall try to accommodate my trip to Washington to some occasion when I am there on other business.." |
|
02/03/1964 |
Nathan Lenvin meetings with AZC counsel
Rifkind "Judge Rifkind opened the meeting by showing me a pamphlet distributed by the American
Council for Judaism which contained charges that Zionists were acting as propaganda agents
for the State of Israel...he was concerned that any disclosure which were being made should
not be such as to substantiate these charges made by the American Council [for Judaism]...
Mr. Rothenberg made one caviat, that they would have to be sure anything they submitted would
not ultimately prejudice the organization in the eyes of the public." |
|
02/10/1964 |
Ed Guthman Letter to J. Walter Yeagley
"I don't see how we can accept a caveat that an organization won't submit information that
might prejudice it publicly." |
|
02/10/1964 |
J. Walter Yeagley letter to AZC counsel
Rothenberg "the Department is not concerned with the Council's expenditures in connection with
exempt activities such as Hebrew education and culture but requests that the Council submit
a statement detailing its other expenditures and particularly those under the category of the
Department of Information and Public Relations..." |
|
02/12/1964 |
AZC counsel Rothenberg acknowledgement
"I acknowledge receipt of your letter..." |
|
03/16/1964 |
AZC counsel Rothenberg letter to Lenvin
- "You are familiar, I know, with the agreement reached between Judge Rifkind and Mr. Katzenbach,
in the presence of Mr. Yeagley, with regard to additional information to be furnished your
Section. Such agreement was reached, as I understand it, in the realization by Mr. Katzenbach
that with the present size of the staff of the Council it would be indeed burdensome to furnish
your department with itemization of expenses of the past two years. A sample itemization
was therefore forwarded to you for a period of approximately three months." |
|
03/16/1964 |
James Weldon FARA letter to Rothenberg
"it is requested you advise of your progress in this matter". |
|
04/28/1964 |
AZC counsel Rothenberg letter to Weldon
"Reference is made to my letter of March 16 addressed to Mr. Nathan B. Lenvin." |
|
04/30/1964 |
Assistant AG
Yeagley note to Deputy Attorney General Katzenbach "This is the most blatant stall we have
encountered. Do you mind suggesting what we do next because all of us here would call
their records before a grand jury." |
|
05/4/1964 |
Assistant AG
Yeagley note to Katzenbach forwarding 3/16/1964 Rothenberg inquiry "Here is tickler from Rothenberg
about his March 16 letter on the American Zionist Council. Do you want me to do something
on this?" |
Lyndon B. Johnson President, Nicholas Katzenbach acting Attorney General
|
10/07/1964 |
Acting AG Katzenbach letter to AZC counsel
Rothenberg "While we have endeavored to make our requests as reasonable as possible, we cannot
accept your suggestion since the information offered is not in compliance with the Act or what
we thought our understanding was with Judge Rifkind." |
|
10/20/1964 |
Irene Bowman FARA section review of AZC
filing for 1962 and 1962 - "sample itemization deemed deficient." |
|
10/30/1964 |
Nathan Lenvin notes October 22, 1964
DOJ-AZC meeting - "Mr. Katzenbach had to excuse himself shortly after the meeting commenced
because of urgent business elsewhere, but before he left he made clear to Mr. Rothenberg that,
in response to the latter's assertion that to submit all of the financial information we had
previously requested for a two- to two-and-a-half year period would be a great burden on the
subject, we would accept a statement as to a typical three month expenditure projected for
the entire period concerned." Assistant
AG Yeagley notes "They are
to include the names for confid[ential] info of the Dept.-not for public file." |
|
11/04/1964 |
AZC counsel Rothenberg letter "Pursuant
to understanding reached at our meeting...I write to give you an outline of the information
to be submitted." |
|
11/09/1964 |
Nathan Lenvin FARA section cover memo
to Bowman "looks okay to me, please prepare a reply" |
|
11/18/1964 |
J. Walter Yeagley letter to AZC counsel
Rothenberg "Your proposed outline of the information to be contained in the report appears
to be in accordance with our understanding." |
|
11/23/1964 |
AZC counsel Rothenberg letter to Nathan
Lenvin, FARA section - "In accordance with our understanding I have asked the American Zionist
Council to proceed with the preparation of the report." |
|
01/19/1965 |
Irene Bowman FARA section memo to Nathan
Lenvin - "To date to my knowledge no such report has been submitted." |
Lyndon B. Johnson President, Nicholas Katzenbach Attorney General
|
02/25/1965 |
Nathan Lenvin FARA memo to files - "The
delay, according to Mr. Rothenberg, was caused by the inability of the subject to collect all
of the information we wanted in the detail it was indicated..." |
|
03/02/1965 |
Harry A. Steinberg, Executive Director
AZC cover letter and filing to FARA
section "There is also enclosed herewith, in duplicate, a listing of persons
who have received funds as shown in the record of disbursements. Mr. Rothenberg has requested
of you that this listing be kept separate and apart from the record of disbursements in any
public files in your Section."
|
|
03/02/1965 |
AZC FARA section filing
for April 1, 1962 to June 30, 1962 (public) |
|
03/02/1965 |
AZC FARA section filing
for April 1, 1962 to June 30, 1962 (non-public) |
|
03/23/1965 |
Irene Bowman, FARA memo that AZC filing
is in "substantial compliance" Irene Bowman handwritten note "I agree with the conclusion
that the material be accepted and put into form for public examination." |
|
03/24/1965 |
Irene Bowman, FARA retraction and list
of AZC filing inadequacies "While it appears possible to make up a registration statement from
documents furnished by a prospective registrant, these documents should furnish all of the
information required by the Act to be stated in a registration statement. The above material,
none of which is executed under oath, fails to provide the following information which is material
for the purpose of the Act...:" |
|
03/31/1965 |
Nathan Lenvin file transfer to J. Walter
Yeagley - "Attached hereto is the entire file relating to the American Zionist Council and
our efforts to obtain its registration under the terms of the Foreign Agents Registration Act...In
her memorandum to Files, Mrs. Bowman points out certain lacunae, which fail to establish all
of this material as meeting all of the requirements for registration...we were well aware that
no full and complete registration statement in the ordinary sense would ever be received...only
alternative to a refusal to accept what has been submitted as compliance with the Act would
be to institute prosecutive proceedings, which would be impractical...no useful purpose would
be served by including these names in the material which would be made available for public
inspection." |
|
4/08/1965 |
Nathan Lenvin instruction memo to Ulda
Eldred, FARA section "The material filed by the American Zionist Council (AZC) was filed in
accordance with an understanding between the Department and the AZC...If you should receive
inquiries as to whether the AZC is registered under the Act, you should respond in the negative.
You should advise, however, that the AZC has filed information with this Section which is available
for public examination. |
|
05/17/1965 |
Nathan Lenvin / J. Walter Yeagley notice
to files - "...material of the AZC was placed in an expandable portfolio to distinguish it
in appearance from the registration statements which are filed in manila folders. In
the event Mrs. Eldred receives inquiries as to whether the AZC is registered under the Act,
she has been instructed to respond in the negative." |
|
05/14/1965 |
J. Walter Yeagley
Yeagley requests closure of AZC case at the FBI "the material
does not comprise a registration statement but does supply basic information regarding the
activities of the AZC financed in part by the Jewish Agency..." |
|
05/20/1965 |
Nathan Lenvin to J. Walter Yeagley on
special handling/case
closure - Yeagley handwritten
note "OK. This seems to be what attorney
Gen[eral] Kennedy and the then Dep[uty] AG Katzenbach had in mind." |
|
06/22/1965 |
05/17/1965 New York Times article:
AZC convenes a major meeting at Jewish Agency New York headquarters
"revising its program to strengthen every phase of Jewish religious and cultural life in this
country....there should be no appeasement at the expense of Israel."
FARA section file copy, reviewed by DOJ officials. |
11/27/1967
Archive |
The American Israel Public Affairs Committee AIPAC applies
for a federal tax exemption. The US Treasury Department grants it-backdated to 1953. |
New law makes it illegal to wear a mask at unlawful protests
OTTAWA – A new change to the Criminal Code that makes it illegal to wear a mask at a protest or
riot is likely to be challenged in the courts as limiting freedom of expression, experts say.
The clause makes it a crime for a person to attend an unlawful protest "while wearing a mask or other
disguise to conceal their identity without lawful excuse." Supporters say it is one more tool to
help the police maintain order, while civil liberties advocates say it tramples constitutional freedoms.
"It's outrageous, there's all kinds of legitimate reasons to mask your face in terms of a protest,"
said Micheal Vonn, policy director with the British Columbia Civil Liberties Association.
The bill, which just passed the Senate and awaits royal assent, is similar to a bylaw in Montreal
that restricts mask-wearing during protests. A challenge to the constitutionality of that bylaw is
before Quebec's Superior Court.
Israel's deputy minister of foreign affairs, Danny Ayalon, has written a persuasive defense of
the Knesset's new inquiry panel that will investigate whether Israeli NGOs involved in the anti-Israel
delegitimization movement are funded by foreign governments. Critics of the initiative have compared
it to McCarthyism and say that it unfairly targets groups for their political beliefs. But Ayalon
argues that the law is no different from the U.S. Foreign Agent Registration Act:
The Knesset panel of inquiry is simply about transparency. If there are groups who receive funds
from foreign nations then the Israeli public deserves the right to know. Some voices have mistakenly
declared that this type of inquiry is reminiscent of undemocratic regimes. Perhaps they should take
a look at America's Foreign Agents Registration Act which is, according to the U.S. Department of
Justice website, a "disclosure statute that requires persons acting as agents of foreign principals
in a political or quasi-political capacity to make periodic public disclosure of their relationship
with the foreign principal, as well as activities, receipts and disbursements in support of those
activities."
But while FARA laws apply equally to all individuals and organizations, regardless of political affiliation,
it's unclear whether Israel's new law will apply only to groups involved in the delegitimization
movement. Plus, FARA rules put the onus on foreign agents to register and disclose their own affiliations,
while the whole concept of an investigative government panel is much more proactive. The American
Jewish Committee, which normally doesn't comment on Israeli domestic policy, issued a harsh criticism
of the new initiative yesterday.
"The selective targeting of groups critical of the IDF runs counter to Israel's legal and political
tradition, and does no service to the one state that is a beacon of democracy in the Middle East,"
said AJC executive director David Harris in a press release. "If there is a concern that foreign,
and possibly malign, forces are funding civic or political groups in Israel, then let there be
a debate on the advisability of requiring full disclosure of the revenues, and their sources,
of all such groups across the political spectrum."
I definitely applaud the idea of a FARA law for Israel, but I agree with the AJC that the policy
shouldn't be based on the politics of the organization. News reports have indicated that the law
singles out left-wing delegitimization groups; but from Ayalon's defense, I get the sense that it
applies to all NGOs.
Of course, the Knesset obviously doesn't have time to investigate every NGO in Israel, and I'm
sure politics will play a sizable role in which organizations ultimately get scrutinized.
Google translation... The law was quickly repealed and its repletion was instrumental in overthouth
of legitimate (abeit corrupt) government of President Yanukovich and installation of far right junta
with neofascist Galician nationalists such as Parubiy holding prominent positions.
January 18, 2014
Another innovation for the rules of conduct during public events. Participate
in peaceful protest with guns or fireworks, as well as masks and helmets - will be banned . Penalty
- a fine of up to four thousand two hundred hryvnia or 15 days jail term. The police say that such
a rule is typical for the EU countries , in particular, Germany.
16 January 2014 | risu.org.ua
Today the Parliament of Ukraine adopted the Law "Introducing Amendments to the Law of Ukraine
'On the Judicial System and Status of Judges' and to Procedural Laws for Additional Measures to Protect
the Security of Citizens," which envisages changes to the new law on NGOs concerning "public associations
performing the functions of a foreign agent,"
Hromadskyi
Prostir informs.
The law is supposed to strengthen security measures in respect to certain categories of persons
and subjects, to increase penalties for certain criminal and administrative offenses, establish additional
enforcement measures for the protection of public order, the rights and legitimate interests of citizens.
However, the bill includes the following:
2) Paragraph 14.1 in Article 14 will be supplemented with the sub-paragraph 14.1.371:
"14.1.371. A public association performing the functions of a foreign agent is a public association
that in order to carry out its activity receives money or property from foreign states, their
state structures, NGOs of other countries, international NGOs, foreign nationals, stateless persons
or their authorized representatives who receive money or other property from specified sources,
and is also involved in, including in the interest of foreign sources, political activity in Ukraine."
It seems that the Russian scenario for NGOs is being introduced here:
"A public association that has a legal status and intends to receive money or other property
from foreign sources and to participate in political activities in the territory of Ukraine is
obliged to submit (send), before it begin such activities, to the competent authority responsible
for registration, with which it is registered, an application for inclusion in the Register of
Public Associations information on a public association's activities as a public association performing
the functions of a foreign agent. Information on a public association carrying out its activities
with the status of a public association performing the functions of a foreign agent shall be included
in the Register of Public Associations within five days of receiving the relevant application
by the competent authority responsible for registration."
The definition of "a public association performing the functions of a foreign agent" is to appear
in the new law on NGOs if the president signs the bill.
Amendments to the same bill affect articles of the Criminal Code of Ukraine: Extremist activity,
Article 1511. Slander and much more which puts an end to democratic rights and freedoms.
In July 2012, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed the federal law "Introducing Amendments
to Certain Legislative Acts of the Russian Federation Regarding the Regulation of Activities of Non-commercial
Organizations Performing the Functions of Foreign Agents."
... new legislation that requires some independent groups to register as "foreign agents" and
introduces numerous restrictions on public demonstrations, media, and the Internet. The legislation,
which consists of dozens of amendments to numerous laws, was rammed through parliament in two days.
The amendments require Ukrainian groups that receive funding from foreign sources and participate
in "political activities" to register as "foreign agents." They also criminalize libel, impose additional
restriction on mass media and the Internet, and introduce administrative and criminal penalties for
a wide range of violations related to protest activities.
"These amendments are a serious blow to basic freedoms, association, and expression," said
Yulia Gorbunova, Ukraine
researcher at Human Rights Watch. "They are obviously a response to the recent protests and are the
biggest setback to rights in Ukraine in years."
... ... ...
During the morning of the session on January 16, several opposition deputies blocked the podium
and prevented the parliament's chairman from leaving his office. Once the session started, and several
minutes after the vote on the 2014 budget, the vice speaker proposed adding to the agenda other draft
laws in the remaining time. The vice speaker also announced that since the opposition was trying
to block the parliament's work, the voting on remaining laws would continue without debate and with
a show of hands instead of using the electronic voting system.
Within 20 minutes, parliament had approved all the amendments and seven additional laws.
The amendments affect a series of Ukrainian laws, including the Code of Administrative Offenses,
the Criminal Code, the Law on Civic Associations, the Law on Security Services, the Tax Code, the
Law on the Status of Judges, and the Law on Telecommunications.
The amendments borrow heavily from similar legislation adopted in 2012 in
Russia and used for
cracking down on independent groups there. They require nongovernmental organizations that receive
foreign funding and participate in "political activity" to register as "foreign agents" and include
the words "foreign agent" in their names and all their materials. Political activities are broadly
defined as involvement in "decision-making by state bodies, changing their defined public policy,
and for forming public opinion for the above purposes."
Groups will have three months to register, and failure to comply may lead to the organization
being disbanded by a court. "Foreign agent" groups will have additional tax burdens and extensive
additional reporting requirements.
... ... ...
The amendments also introduce criminal responsibility for libel, decriminalized in Ukraine in
2001. They further criminalize "extremist activity," broadly defined as production, possession, and
dissemination of "extremist" materials that may contain calls to capture state power by force or
"interfere with activities of state authorities," including through media and the Internet as well
as at public gatherings and rallies. Penalties range from a fine to up to three years in prison.
... ... ...
The law also introduces harsh criminal sanctions for certain violations – for example, up to five
years in prison for blocking administrative buildings and premises.
The new legislative amendments introduce mandatory licensing of Internet providers and require
all mass media that provides information services to the public to obtain state registration as an
"information agency." They further allow the state to limit access to an information agency or an
Internet resource that disseminates information that is "against the law" or operates without a license,
including by blocking access to Internet sites without a court decision.
The ruling United Russia party, which sponsored the bill, says it is aimed at preventing foreign
states from influencing Russia's domestic politics and emulates US legislation on foreign-funded
NGOs.
"Obviously there are gaps in our legislation," one of the bill's authors, Alexander Sidyakin,
a member of parliament for United Russia, told AFP on Monday.
He said the first reading was scheduled for Friday, while the second and third readings will take
place next week. Under the broad bill, all Russian NGOs that are funded from abroad and ruled to
be involved in politics or acting in the interests of foreign states and other international donors
will have to register as "foreign agents" and submit to more rigorous checks by the authorities.
A breach of the law would be punishable by hefty fines or jail time. Lyudmila Alexeyeva, 84-year-old
head of the Moscow Helsinki Group, one of the first rights campaigners to appear in the Soviet Union,
said her organisation would not register as a "foreign agent."
"They could cancel our registration - then we will work without registration like in Soviet times,"
she said. "The notion of 'a besieged fortress' has a strong hold on the minds in our country, and
a 'foreign agent' is a stigma." The label "foreign agent" in Russian does not necessarily implicate
the individual or organisation in espionage but does signal they receive finances from abroad and
are acting in the interests of a foreign power.
Sidyakin is also an author of a controversial law that sharply raised fines for opposition protesters.
It was rushed through parliament last month despite pleas from rights activists. In the run-up to
parliamentary elections in December, Putin lashed out at Western attempts to "influence the course
of the election campaign" through Russian NGOs, warning this was "money thrown to the wind".
His stinging criticism was widely seen as being directed at Moscow-based Golos, a small foreign-funded
election observer which said the December parliamentary campaign and March presidential polls were
riddled with irregularities.
July 2, 2012 | NYT
The bill would also put new burdens on nonprofit groups with foreign financing
that are judged to be involved in politics, including annual audits and unannounced checks for the
use of "extremist speech" in published materials. Organizations could face fines of as much as 1
million rubles, or $30,000, for violations.
Rights activists have excoriated the proposal as an attempt to discredit
their work, arguing that Russian donors are afraid to support organizations that criticize the government,
which then leaves them dependent on foreign sources for money.
... ... ...
The bill's sponsors say the law is no more restrictive than the Foreign
Agents Registration Act, an American law requiring organizations to disclose foreign support. That
law, however, applies only to entities that represent governments; the Russian proposal includes
individual and private financial support as well.
Aleksandr Sidyakin, a United Russia deputy who also sponsored the law on
demonstrations, has said that Russians need to be able to distinguish between civic initiatives and
"the influence of foreign capital and foreign ideas."
"The ultimate goal of funding nonprofit organizations, as a form of 'soft
power,' is a colored revolution," like the street protests that toppled leaders in Georgia and Ukraine,
Mr. Sidyakin wrote on his blog on Friday. "This is not a myth of government propaganda, it is objective
political reality. The United States is trying to affect Russian politics."
Mr. Sidyakin specifically mentioned nonprofit organizations that monitor
elections - an activity that took on added relevance after widespread reports of election fraud set
off protests in December.
The most prominent such organization, Golos, has been monitoring Russian elections for 11 years
and is financed by two American agencies, the National Endowment for Democracy and the United States
Agency for International Development. President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia seemed to single out
Golos in a speech late last year, attacking "so-called grant recipients" and adding, "Judas is not
the most respected biblical figure among our people."
... ... ...
The analysis of Russian variant of FARA from the US positions.
| Ministry of Justice |
| Of 220,000 NCOs, 50% are public associations |
| Certain persons, including foreign persons
and stateless persons, may not become founders, members, or participants.
Registration procedures are overly bureaucratic, with excessive documentation requirements. |
| Burdensome reporting requirements.
Supervisory power allowing for interference with internal affairs of public associations and
NCOs |
| Potential restrictions against NCO advocacy
activity may arise through application of criminal or administrative penalties codes |
| No legal barriers |
| Foreign or international organizations wishing
to make tax-exempt grants to Russian citizens or NCOs must be on a list of organizations approved
by the Russian Government; access to this list is severely limited.
NCOs that carry out political activities and receive foreign funding are labeled "NCOs carrying
functions of a foreign agent." |
Pending NCO Legislative / Regulatory Initiatives
On December 19, the Duma passed in the second reading the draft of FEDERAL LAW № 186614-6 On Measures
of Influence of Persons, Relating to Violation of Human Rights, Rights and Freedoms of Citizens of
the Russian Federation. It was initiated by a large group of deputies and is designed as a countermeasure
to the Magnitsky bill, which is intended to punish Russian officials that were thought to be responsible
for the death of Russian attorney Sergei Magnitsky by prohibiting their entrance to the United States
and use of their banking system. The present text includes provisions restricting American citizens
who violated human rights or the rights and freedoms of Russian citizens from entering Russia and
from owning property in Russia. In addition, the present text restricts the adoption of Russian children
by American citizens and a number of other provisions restricting the activities of NGOs. Such provisions
are summarized below:
- Activities of NGOs participating in political activities or implementing other activities
constituting threat to interests of Russia and receiving funds from US citizens or organizations
shall be suspended and their assets seized.
- Citizens with dual US-Russian citizenship are prohibited from membership or participation
in the management of Russian NGOs or registered offices of foreign NGOs that participate in political
activities in the territory of the Russian Federation.
- The Ministry of Justice may issue a decision to restart activities of an NGO whose activity
was previously suspended, after the NGO stops receiving funding from US citizens or organizations.
The third reading and adoption is scheduled for December 21. It is likely that the law will come
into effect shortly after.
Please help keep us informed; if you are aware of other pending initiatives, write to ICNL at
[email protected].
Pending NCO Legislative / Regulatory Initiatives
On December 19, the Duma passed in the second reading the draft of FEDERAL LAW № 186614-6 On Measures
of Influence of Persons, Relating to Violation of Human Rights, Rights and Freedoms of Citizens of
the Russian Federation. It was initiated by a large group of deputies and is designed as a countermeasure
to the Magnitsky bill, which is intended to punish Russian officials that were thought to be responsible
for the death of Russian attorney Sergei Magnitsky by prohibiting their entrance to the United States
and use of their banking system. The present text includes provisions restricting American citizens
who violated human rights or the rights and freedoms of Russian citizens from entering Russia and
from owning property in Russia. In addition, the present text restricts the adoption of Russian children
by American citizens and a number of other provisions restricting the activities of NGOs. Such provisions
are summarized below:
- Activities of NGOs participating in political activities or implementing other activities
constituting threat to interests of Russia and receiving funds from US citizens or organizations
shall be suspended and their assets seized.
- Citizens with dual US-Russian citizenship are prohibited from membership or participation
in the management of Russian NGOs or registered offices of foreign NGOs that participate in political
activities in the territory of the Russian Federation.
- The Ministry of Justice may issue a decision to restart activities of an NGO whose activity
was previously suspended, after the NGO stops receiving funding from US citizens or organizations.
The third reading and adoption is scheduled for December 21. It is likely that the law will come
into effect shortly after.
Please help keep us informed; if you are aware of other pending initiatives, write to ICNL at
[email protected].
Legal Analysis
Organizational Forms
The Russian Federation (Russia) recognizes a large number of organizational forms of non-governmental,
non-commercial organizations (NCOs), resulting in a complex and oftentimes contradictory regulatory
framework. The Civil Code and the Federal Law on Non-commercial Organizations (NCO Law) establish
the primary NCO legal framework and define a variety of NCO forms (approximately 27), including public
organizations, foundations, institutions, non-commercial partnerships; and autonomous non-commercial
organizations. The primary requirements are that NCOs, whatever their type, do not have the generation
of profit as their primary objective and do not distribute any such profit among their participants
(Article
50(1), Civil Code). The Federal Law on Public Associations builds upon this framework and carves
out a sub-category of NCOs called "public associations" which consist of public organizations, mass
movements, public foundations, public institutions, and several other forms. Some 220,000 NCOs are
registered in Russia; approximately 50% of them are public associations.
Public Benefit Status
NCOs may register as a charity pursuant to the Charities Law. Federal law, however, does not provide
any benefits that are particular to registered charities. Although legislation at the regional and
local levels offers tax benefits to charities, they do not necessarily require the organization to
be registered as a charity at the federal level. Tax benefits under Russian law are primarily tied
to the support or performance of particular activities specified in the Tax Code. Registration of
an NCO as a charity pursuant to the Charities Law provides the organization with a particular status
and subjects the organization to heightened scrutiny, but this status does not in itself provide
any unique tax benefits.
Amendments enacted to the NCO Law in April 2010 introduced the status of "socially oriented" organizations
("SOOs"). Under the new law, SOOs are potentially eligible for governmental support. SOOs engage
in a broad range of activities, including traditional charitable work, the provision of free-of-charge
legal aid and the protection of human rights.
Barriers to Entry
Russian law defines certain restrictions regarding potential founders of NCOs.
Regarding non-citizens, only those foreign nationals and stateless persons who are "legally domiciled
in the Russian Federation" may be founders, members, or participants in public associations or NCOs.
Certain persons may not become founders, members or participants, including:
- Foreign nationals or stateless persons whose stay is deemed "undesirable";
- Persons appearing on a money laundering and anti-terrorist financing watch list maintained
by the Russian government;
- Organizations that have been suspended under the Law Countering Extremist Activities;
- Persons found by court decision to show signs of participating in extremist activity; and
- Persons who are currently incarcerated as a result of conviction of a crime.
Public associations, such as public organizations and public foundations, by definition can be
created only by natural persons. These organizations cannot be founded by legal persons, but other
public organizations may join as members (Articles 18 and 19, Law on Public Associations). By comparison,
legal persons, including commercial entities, may found all other forms of NCOs.
A non-commercial organization shall be subject to state registration in compliance
with the NCO law. Public associations shall be subject to state registration in
compliance with the Law on Public Associations. The registration process for all types of NCOs is
overly bureaucratic, with a long list of documents required to be submitted to the authorized governmental
body. The same is true for foreign NCOs seeking to establish a branch office.
Barriers to Operational Activity
Non-commercial organizations, as a rule, have virtually no restrictions on the activities they
may pursue as their primary objectives including mutual benefit activities (Article
6(1), NCO Law, and
Articles 5, 8, Law on Public Associations).
All foundations are required to engage in public benefit activities (Article
118(1), Civil Code,
Article 7(1), NCO Law, and
Article 10, Law on Public Associations). The primary activities of institutions are broadly defined
as any managerial, socio-cultural or other activities of a not-for-profit nature (Article
120, Civil Code,
Article 9, NCO Law, and
Article 11, Law on Public Associations). Charities are required to promote at least one of the
enumerated charitable activities indicated in the law (Article
2, Charities Law). Certain restrictions apply to activities of certain specialized organizations,
such as political organizations and labor unions.
Articles 29 and 38 of the Law on Public Associations impose burdensome reporting requirements
on public associations (PAs), by requiring them to submit information about the funding and property
they receive from foreign and international organizations and foreign persons to the registration
authority. Article 32 of the Law on NCOs imposes reporting requirements for NCOs and requires NCOs
to report on their use of funds and other assets received from both foreign and local sources. Repeated
failure on the part of a PA or an NCO to provide the information required in a timely fashion is
grounds for the registration authority to bring a claim in court requesting a ruling that the organization
terminate its activities as a legal entity, which then leads to its exclusion from the Unified State
Register of Legal Entities. More recently, new electronic reporting forms for NCOs, prepared by the
Ministry of Justice, have substantially simplified the reporting process.
Articles 29 and 38 of the Law on Public Associations and Article 32 of the NCO Law authorize governmental
registration authorities to engage in highly intrusive means of scrutiny of public associations and
NCOs without appropriate procedural protections. The registration authority may use the following
tools to interfere in the internal operations of a PA or NCO:
- The power to summon resolutions of the organization's governing body. The registration
authority has the ability to demand documents dealing with the details of an organization's governance,
including day-to-day policy decisions, supervision of the organization's management, and oversight
of its finances.
- The power to send representatives to an organization's events. The Law allows the
government to send a representative to all of an organization's events, without restriction, including
internal strategy sessions and grant selection meetings, for example.
- The power to review the extent to which an organization's activities comply with its statutory
goals, including review of its expenditures and property management. The registration authority
has authority to review the compliance of organizations with their goals – even though the registration
authority itself lacks expertise needed to judge whether particular activities are designed to
meet an organization's goals.
Article 23 of the NCO Law also provides the registration authority with two additional intrusive
supervisory powers over the branches, representative offices, and affiliates of foreign NCOs. The
government can issue a written decision banning the implementation of any existing program of a branch
office of a foreign NCO. The Law does not provide any guidance with respect to the grounds on which
the government may make this decision, which appear to be entirely discretionary. Upon receipt of
a decision, the office of the foreign NCO must terminate the activity, and if it fails to do so,
it risks exclusion from the register and liquidation of the office. The Law also allows the registration
authority to issue a written decision banning the transfer by an foreign NCO's branch, representative
office, or affiliate of funds or other resources to particular recipients for the purposes of protecting
the basis of the Constitutional system, morality, health, rights and lawful interests of other persons,
and with the aim of defending the country and the state security. The Law does provide foreign NCOs
the right to appeal against actions taken against them by the government.
Recent changes to the NCO Law and to the Law on Public Associations, which relate to NCOs performing
functions of "foreign agents," further increase the administrative burden on NCOs by requiring NCOs
designated as "foreign agents" to: 1) maintain separate accounting of funds and other property generated
through local and foreign sources; 2) submit activity reports on a biannual basis; and 3) submit
reports on expenditures of funds and other property on a quarterly basis (unlike other Russian NCOs
which are required to submit activities and expenditures reports annually) . NCOs-foreign agents
are also required to pass through an annual independent audit. Reporting forms are to be determined
by the authorized government agency and could be burdensome if overly complex. In addition, the Law
gives to the government invasive powers to interfere in the internal operations of an NCO and even
to suspend their activities. These include:
- The government will conduct scheduled audits of NCOs-foreign agents annually and will have
additional the grounds to conduct additional audits of activities of NCOs.
- The government will have the authority to suspend the activities of an NCO-foreign agent for
up to six months if the NCO failed to register as a foreign agent but was receiving foreign funding
and conducting political activities.
- The authorized government agency (which we expect will be Rosfinmonitoring) will review an
NCO's activities and expenditures reports and may require submission of additional information
if a NCO receives a transfer above the 200,000 ruble threshold.
( Article 32.3, NCO Law)
The MoJ has the discretion to decide whether an NCO qualifies as a "foreign agent" (i.e. whether
an NCO received or has the intent to receive funding from foreign sources and whether a NCO conducted
or has the intent to conduct political activities). An authorized government official, at his/her
discretion, can decide to suspend the activities of any NCO, if, according to his/her opinion, the
NCO carried out the functions of a foreign agent but failed to apply for registration in the registry
of NCOs carrying out the functions of foreign agents, regardless of how defensible this decision
might be.
An NCO whose activities have been suspended has the right to appeal the MoJ's suspension decision
to either the highest body of the MoJ or to a court. The NCO Law does not determine what will happened
to a NCO if, after the suspension of its activities, it does not apply for registration within the
timeframe set by the MOJ. The NCO Law also provides an unclear description of legal consequences
of suspending an NCO's activities. An NCO whose activities have been suspended will also be prohibited
from conducting mass actions and public events and making bank deposits, with the exception of settling
accounts related to economic activities and labor contracts, paying assessed damages, resulting from
its activities, and paying taxes, dues and penalties.
Under the NCO Law, foreign organizations operating in Russia through registered offices will be
subject to the following new requirements:
- They must undergo an annual independent audit by a Russian auditing company and submit the
resulting audit report to an authorized government agency (MoJ);
- The authorized government agency will post all such reports as well as reports on the finances
and activities of foreign organizations operating in Russia on its website and provide them to
the media;
- In addition to the mandatory independent audit, the authorized government agency will also
have the authority to conduct its own audits of the registered offices of foreign organizations.
Barriers to Speech / Advocacy
Neither the Civil Code nor the NCO Law limits the ability of NCOs to engage in advocacy or political
activities. All forms of public associations may participate in advocacy and lobbying activities.
Under the law, NCOs generally may also engage in election campaigns for federal and local elections,
subject to federal election laws (Article
27, Law on Public Associations).
Recent amendments to the NCO Law, relating to NCOs performing functions of a foreign agent, may
potentially restrict political activities of NCOs. According to these amendments NCOs carrying political
activities and receiving foreign funding, or, even intending to do so, are required to register in
a special registry, maintained by the Ministry of Justice. Such registration, and, especially, labeling
as "foreign agent" may result in additional administrative burdens for NCOs, as well as in damaging
reputation of NCOs ( i"foreign agent" in Russian translation is perceived by general public as a
"foreign spy). The threat of being labeled a "foreign agent" may discourage many organizations to
carry political activities.
An NCO is considered to carry out political activity, if, regardless of its statutory goals and
purposes, it participates (including through financing) in organizing and implementing political
actions aimed at influencing the decision-making by state bodies intended for the change of state
policy pursued by them, as well as in the shaping of public opinion for the aforementioned purposes.
Such activities are considered political, regardless of whether a NCO is conducting them in the interest
of foreign funding sources or without such purpose. A NCO carries political activities for the purpose
of the Law if such activity takes place on the territory of the Russian Federation. (Article 2, NCO
Law). An NCO is considered to be carrying out political activity if it even participates in such
activities organized and financed for by other organizations.
Charities are expressly prohibited from using their assets to support political parties, movements,
and campaigns (Article 2(2), Charities Law). In addition, religious organizations, governmental and
municipal institutions, international public associations, and international movements are prohibited
from making donations to candidates (Article
58 (6), Federal Law No. 19-FZ "On RF President elections," January 10, 2003, and
Article 66 (7), Federal Law No. 175-FZ "On RF State Duma deputies elections," July 20, 2002, as amended).
However, these prohibitions do not appear to extend to involvement in lobbying or other politically-related
activities.
In June 2012, increases to existing fines for violating rules on participation in and organization
of public protests were enacted when President Putin signed into law amendments to Code of the Russian
Federation on administrative violations and to the Federal Law "On Assemblies, Meetings, Demonstrations,
Marches and Picketing on June 8. These fines have a deterrent effect on the right to peaceful assembly.
Fines for breaching provisions on holding public assemblies were increased by 150 times for individuals
and 300 times for organizations. The new maximum penalty for participation in a protest that is not
in accordance with government regulations is up to 300,000 rubles (approximately $9,000) for individuals
and up to one million rubles (approximately $32,000) for organizations.
In July 2012, defamation was reintroduced as a criminal offence in Russia. The law was likely
enacted to inhibit media criticism of Russia's leaders since media outlets can be fined up to two
million rubles (approximately $61,000) for producing defamatory public statements.
Also in July 2012, changes introduced to the Law on Protecting Children from Information Harmful
to Their Health and Development mandated the creation of a registry of websites that contain information
which has been prohibited by a court order. Once a website is placed on this registry it can then
be shut down without a court order. Government officials can interpret the law in a way that would
increase Internet censorship and curb the freedom of expression of organizations that hold views
that are different from the government's or the majority's views.
Barriers to International Contact
There are no legal barriers to international communication and contact.
Barriers to Resources
Foreign Funding
Russia enacted the law On Introducing Amendments to Certain Legislative Acts of the Russian
Federation Regarding the Regulation of Activities of Non-commercial Organizations, Performing the
Functions of Foreign Agents in November 2012. According to these amendments, NCOs carrying out
"political activities" and receiving foreign funding, or, even intending to do so, are required to
register in a special registry maintained by the Ministry of Justice. Such registration, and, especially,
being labeled as a "foreign agent" may result in additional administrative burdens for NCOs, as well
as in damaging the reputation of NCOs. The threat of being labeled a "foreign agent" may discourage
many organizations to seek foreign funding.
Another formidable legal barrier against foreign funding relates to the giving of tax-exempt grants.
Foreign or international organizations wishing to make tax-exempt grants to Russian citizens or NCOs
must be on a list of organizations approved by the Russian Government. Such grants may be made only
for purposes specified by Russian Tax Code: for the implementation of specific programs in the sphere
of education, art, culture, health care (AIDS, drug addiction, children oncology, including oncohematology,
children endocrinology, hepatitis, tuberculosis) environmental protection, protection of human and
civil rights, social services of the disadvantaged and vulnerable groups of citizens, as well as
for holding specific scientific research.
In June of 2008, the Russian Government adopted Decree #485, regarding the Government's pre-approved
list of foreign grantors (hereinafter referred to as the "List"). Decree #485 contained a reduced
number of approved international organizations and made clear that as of January 1, 2009, only international
organizations mentioned in the Decree could remain on the List. Grants from foreign organizations
not included on the List are considered taxable income for Russian recipients, unless they otherwise
qualify as donations under Russian law. (The current regulation is applicable only to grants; donations,
including those from foreign organizations to non-commercial organizations are tax exempt.)
On March 24, 2009, Prime Minister Putin signed Decree #252, amending Decree #485. Decree #485
empowered the Ministry of Finance to make changes and additions to the List. Decree #252 instead
authorizes interested ministries – and not solely the Ministry of Finance – to initiate changes and
additions to the List.
In addition, NCOs must provide information regarding donations obtained from foreign organizations
to the Ministry of Justice.
Domestic Funding
An NCO may engage in economic activities to the extent they advance the purposes for which the
organization was created, but may not pursue the generation of profit as its primary purpose (Article
50(3), Civil Code,
Articles 2 and 24(2), NCO Law,
Article 37, Law on Public Associations, and
Article 12, Charities Law). Profit from the economic activities of NCOs, including charities,
is generally taxed in the same manner as for commercial organizations. Lower tax rates may be offered
by regional or local authorities for qualifying NCOs. Registration as a charity does not affect or
limit the right of an NCO to engage in economic activities (Article
12, Charities Law).
In July 2011, the Russian Parliament adopted amendments to the Russian Tax Code that substantially
improve the taxation of NCOs. For example, NCOs no longer have to pay profit tax or value added tax
(VAT) on the value of in-kind contributions (services or property rights) they receive. Moreover,
the amendments extend VAT exemptions previously applied to state budget funded institutions providing
social services (i.e. in the areas of culture, art, health care, education, and services to the needy)
to NCOs providing the same services.
Tags: Legislation,
RAPSI exclusive,
U.S,
Russia12:57 27/07/2012
by Ingrid Burke, RAPSI
President Putin signed off on a high-profile bill that will relegate politically active
NGOs receiving funding from abroad to a registry of "foreign agents." Once registered, these
NGOs will face heightened scrutiny. They will be required to file regular disclosures with
the government and to label all materials disseminated through major channels with their "foreign
agent" status.
Responding to critics, Duma legislator and bill co-sponsors Alexander Sidyakin has pointed
to the similarities between the law and the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), a similarly
worded US statute. In an effort to add depth to public discourse on the law, we have decided
to take a look first at the similarities and differences between the law and its purported
US counterpart, and then at the direct impact that the law will have on top Russian NGOs.
FARA and the NGO law: a brief comparison
The glaring similarities between these two laws are found in the nearly identical language
used to describe certain provisions. Under both laws, individuals and organizations that meet
their respective statutory definitions are designated as "foreign agents." Both laws are aimed
at exposing actors engaged in political activity, and thus the supporters of both claim that
the key benefit of each is in its capacity to increase transparency.
Another key similarity is in the hefty criminal sanctions that both laws carry if violated.
FARA's sentencing guidelines provide for a fine of up to $10,000 or five years in prison for
its violation. Violation of the NGO law can lead to a fine of up to one million rubles ($33,000)
or a prison sentence of up to four years. Note, however, that the administrative sanctions
and the penalty scheme will be thoroughly reviewed in the Duma's Fall session
Despite the similar wording of certain provisions of FARA and the NGO law, two key distinctions
emerge when comparing the two side by side. First: whereas FARA - in its current form - is
geared toward lobbying firms, the NGO law is geared directly and explicitly toward NGOs. Second:
whereas under FARA the burden of proof for actions taken under the statute lies with the government,
it is unclear who carries the burden of proof under the NGO law.
With regard to the first point, NGOs can theoretically be held to account under FARA if
funded by a foreign principle and if failing to meet one of the very broad exemptions. Still,
this has been extremely rare in practice. The purpose of the law is to reveal the amount of
money paid to lobbyists in order to impact US government policy on behalf of foreign principles.
And as discussed above, the exemptions are far-reaching enough to generally weed out organizations
that weren't meant to fall within the law's scope, such as members of civil society.
If the NGO law was a mirror image of FARA, top Russian NGOs GOLOS and Transparency International
Russia (TI-R) would likely fall under the FARA exemption that reaches organizations engaged
in "activities not serving predominantly a foreign interest." To get a sense of the practical
implications the law might carry for these NGOs, RAPSI spoke with GOLOS Association Deputy
Executive Director Grigory Melkonyants and TI-R Director Elena Panfilova.
Doubts harbored by NGOs
Speaking to the comparison between the NGO law and FARA, Panfilova noted, "We have TI-USA,
which is in an absolutely similar position with my organization. It receives domestic funding,
it receives corporate funding, and of course… like [TI-R] - they receive funding from abroad
from the TI secretariat [and it has not been targeted under the law.]" This owes both to the
wording of this specific provision, and to our next point: the burden of proof.
Melkonyants believes that the differences might be even further reaching, speculating that
the problem lies in the very attempt to juxtapose a US law with the Russian codes in the first
place. He explained, "When copying a law from abroad, [the government] must consider the general
population, and the underlying philosophy of the legal system, and the law's relationship to
other laws, and the citizens to whom it will apply. If FARA had been adopted in the form in
which it is applied in the US, it would not have affected GOLOS or any other human rights organizations.
So Russia's 'analog' of the law has nothing to do with FARA."
Defending Russia's national interests
Critics of the law have expressed concern over the term "foreign agent" itself. Many fear
that identification as a foreign agent will discredit NGOs at best, or cast them as spies at
worst. Sidyakin dismissed these concerns while speaking about the law with RIA Novosti earlier
this month, reasoning that, "the idea that 'foreign agent' means 'spy' is…. a hangover from
the Soviet period in which our parents grew up…. "I don't think younger generations see the
expression this way. We should try to get over Cold War terminology. I believe there is nothing
insulting in this term."
Sidyakin went on to explain that the law was drafted in response to attempts to "affect
Russian politics." He specifically called GOLOS out in a parliamentary meeting earlier this
month, lambasting the "$2 million given to the organization in 2011 to dirty the Russian authorities."
Federation Council speaker Valentina Matvienko has voiced her support for the law. She explained
in an interview with RIA Novosti that in her view, "the necessity of the law is obvious because
any state is obligated to defend its national interests from foreign influence."
Vice-speaker of the State Duma Sergei Zheleznyak explained that there is currently a need
for the law because "it is unclear in whose interest and on whose dime these NGOs were operating."
The USDOJ on FARA
The US Department of Justice (USDOJ) National Security Division spokesman Dean Boyd took
the time to speak with RAPSI about FARA. Boyd stressed two major points about the law:
its utility - as a public disclosure statute - in increasing legislative transparency, and
the extent to which it is narrowly tailored to reach only as far as it needs to in order to
serve the spirit of the law.
Speaking to the first point, Boyd explained, "The US Foreign Agents Registration Act is
a public disclosure statute designed to ensure that the US Government and the people of the
United States are informed of the source of information and the identity of persons attempting
to influence US public opinion, policy, and laws. It is certainly appropriate for foreign governments
and foreign political parties to lobby the United States - as long as they register with the
Justice Department and publicly disclose their foreign affiliation with the U.S. government
pursuant to FARA."
Another way to view this point is in terms of transparency. The measure is generally considered
to promote transparency by virtue of the fact that it enables the general public to educate
itself on the sources of income of powerful lobbies. In other words, the electorate has a right
to know if a foreign government or other such entity is spending large amounts of money in
the US for the sole purpose of influencing the policies established by their elected officials.
When asked about the effectiveness of the Act toward this end, Dean explained, "We believe
FARA has been successful in helping the American public and the US government evaluate the
information from and activities of such persons in light of their foreign associations."
On the second point, Boyd explained that FARA contains enough exemptions to ensure that
individuals and organizations targeted under the law reflect the spirit of the law. "For example,
diplomats and officials of foreign governments, and their staffs, are exempt if properly recognized
by the US State Department. Persons whose activities are of a purely commercial nature or solely
of a religious, scholastic, academic, scientific or fine arts nature are exempt," he explained.
Humanitarian relief efforts are exempt from the law as well. As Boyd noted, "Certain soliciting
or collecting of funds to be used for medical aid, or for food and clothing to relieve human
suffering are also exempt."
Foreign lawyers are protected as well. "Lawyers engaged in legal representation of foreign
principals in the courts or similar type proceedings, so long as the attorney does not try
to influence policy at the behest of his client, are exempt," he added.
Vagueness issues with the NGO law
Melkonyants and Panfilova are both currently bracing for the NGO law's impact. GOLOS and
TI-R informed us of their respective plans to challenge the law.
Panfilova told us that TI-R is prepared to seek clarification on the meaning of "political
activity" under the law once it has been enacted. Besides, "the… law is still pretty vague
and [it is] difficult to comprehend what it means to influence public opinion," she explained.
Finally, Panfilova noted that TI-R is going to ask the Constitutional Cort for clarification:
"We are going to the Constitutional Court because it's not clear to what extent actions will
be voluntary and at what point…. actions against those who are not going to get registered
voluntarily will start."
On a whole, Panfilova explained that the law's biggest problem is a moral one. "It is altogether
only a moral problem because I do believe that it's not right to label an organization which
is not a foreign agent [as one]… But it's all about the dignity of an organization. It's all
about the integrity of the organization and our name. Nothing else. And even signing
things [with "foreign agent" status will be] okay."
GOLOS plans to pursue clarification on the meaning of "political activity" as well, but
will seek this information out from the Justice Ministry.
Meanwhile, both NGOs would seek to challenge efforts to compel their adoption of foreign-agent
status on the basis of the vague wording of "political activity." Melkonyants explained that
GOLOS does not plan to be included in the registry because, "We are not engaged in political
activities."
Funding options
When asked whether GOLOS would entertain the idea of foregoing foreign funding in order
to escape the reach of the NGO law, Melkonyants answered, "It is entirely possible that GOLOS
will have to consider [cutting its receipt of foreign support].... However, such a decision
must be made responsibly and assume the presence of domestic sources capable of offering financial
support comparable to foreign sources." Reflecting on the law's practical implications,
Melkonyants explained, "At GOLOS people work for an ideal, and money is only a means of doing
this work more efficiently. Of course, in the event of funding cuts, the scope of election
observation may be affected. However, we will do our best to raise more funds domestically
and to be more efficient."
TI-R, however, lacks the option of foregoing foreign funding based on its status as a branch
of an international organization. According to Panfilova, "The format in which we exist doesn't
provide us with the possibility not to have any [foreign funding] because we are part of an
international organization, and of course [many of our activities are] covered by Transparency
International as a big organization…. Love it or leave it, we do have foreign funding and it's
not something we can do anything about."
In its current form, the law leaves Russian NGOs understandably anxious. The sanctions for
its violation are steep, and its wording is fairly misleading. These provisions, however, are
not yet set in stone. TI-R and GOLOS' readiness to seek clarification from Constitutional Court
and the Justice Ministry, respectively, may help to reduce the tension. The sanctions may be
fleeting, as the Duma plans to revisit them in the Fall
Khaled Abdel-Latif Dumeisi, an Iraqi immigrant living outside Chicago, was
arrested
yesterday for having provided Saddam Hussein with intelligence on opposition figures residing in
the United States. He was charged not with espionage, but rather for "acting as an unregistered agent
of a foreign government." Who qualifies as a foreign agent, and why do they have to register?
The Foreign Agent Registration Act stipulates that anyone in the United States who "acts at the
order, request, or under the direction or control of a foreign principal" must make his connections
known to the Department of Justice. The law was passed in 1938, in response to covert efforts by
Nazi Germany to spread propaganda through American intermediaries. The most infamous of these was
public-relations pioneer Ivy Lee. Ostensibly employed by the German Dye Trust, Lee actually worked
for the Third Reich, which was looking to burnish its image in the United States; among Lee's ideas
was a campaign to portray the Nazi rearmament program as integral to "preventing for all time the
return of the Communist peril." FARA was drafted to ensure that the American public would know who
was really funding such flackery.
The law requires that people representing "foreign principals"-primarily governments, but also
some opposition parties, state companies (such as tourist boards or airlines), and individuals-register
with the DOJ, make public all their related income and expenditures, and keep copious records of
all activities. Any statements that the registrant publishes on behalf of her client must include
a footnote stating that the author is acting as an agent of a foreign principal.
Lobbyists for a few foreign corporations, like Japan's Hitachi, are registered under FARA, but
most such K Street habitués opt instead to register under the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995. This
law allows people representing nongovernmental foreign clients to register with Congress rather than
the DOJ, and its reporting requirements are considered far less stringent. Diplomats, academics,
and charity workers are also exempt from FARA.
Many FARA registrants belong to white-shoe PR firms like Hill & Knowlton or Burson-Marsteller,
which specialize in creating positive images inside the Beltway. For example, according to the last
FARA report, the DCI Group has the unenviable task of "improving relations between the Governments
of the United States and the Union of Myanmar." (The company was paid at least $100,000 for its communications
work.) Also among past FARA registrants is Bob Dole, who signed up in 1998 while advising the government
of Taiwan.
Before Dumeisi's arrest, there had been only three criminal cases involving FARA violations, which
now carry a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison; none of the three ended in a conviction.
law.cornell.edu
a) Whoever, being a public official, is or acts as an agent of a foreign principal required to
register under the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938 or a lobbyist required to register under
the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 in connection with the representation of a foreign entity, as
defined in section 3(6) of that Act shall be fined under this title or imprisoned for not more than
two years, or both.
(b) Nothing in this section shall apply to the employment of any agent of a foreign principal as
a special Government employee in any case in which the head of the employing agency certifies that
such employment is required in the national interest. A copy of any certification under this paragraph
shall be forwarded by the head of such agency to the Attorney General who shall cause the same to
be filed with the registration statement and other documents filed by such agent, and made available
for public inspection in accordance with section 6 of the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938,
as amended.
(c) For the purpose of this section "public official" means Member of Congress, Delegate, or Resident
Commissioner, either before or after he has qualified, or an officer or employee or person acting
for or on behalf of the United States, or any department, agency, or branch of Government thereof,
including the District of Columbia, in any official function, under or by authority of any such department,
agency, or branch of Government.
Online access
In May 2007, the Justice Department launched a searchable online database of filings under the
act. A spokesperson stated "This has been underway for years...Part of the statute calls for this
to be publicly available and we are just doing it in a way that is more user-friendly." Previously,
the FARA database had been available to the public only at the agency's Washington D.C. office, during
limited hours.[3]
Contact details
Department of Justice
Registration Unit
1400 New York Avenue, N.W.
1st Floor - Public Office
Suite 100
Washington, D.C. 20005
Website: http://www.usdoj.gov/criminal/fara
0671743392
Institutionalized corruption in America's political system, July 22, 1997 By A Customer
This review is from: Agents Of Influence (Hardcover) A onetime Vice Presidential Candidate of
Ross Perot's, political expert and Washington insider Pat Choate exposes the roots of political corruption
endemic in America's highest elected offices.
Mr. Choate tries to shock us awake with examples of how American interests are being quashed by
paid lobbyists working for foreign entities who repeatedly beat us by our own rules of political
accessibility.
The style is typically dry, but the subject matter is truly horrifying. You won't believe how
our highest government officials are selling us out.
Every year foreign governments spend hundreds of millions of dollars hiring lobbying and public
relations firms to increase their influence in the United States. Lobbyists working on behalf of
these foreign governments (foreign lobbyists) contact policymakers thousands of times annually, and
the members of the "Super Committee" are no exception. Through lobbyists, foreign governments safeguard
their interests in Washington. This is critically important now as some of the proposals currently
being considered, such as cuts to
foreign aid and
U.S. subsidies to the security of foreign nations, would affect foreign interests. Foreign lobbyists
have taken note and are already beginning their efforts to shape the work of the Super Committee.
For instance, lobbyists for South Korea have muscled in on Super Committee action. The
top foreign lobbying firm in the U.S., Patton Boggs, LLP, was hired in February 2010 on behalf
of both the non-profit Korean International Trade Association and the Embassy of South Korea to advocate
for passage of the U.S.-Korea free trade agreement. They targeted committee co-chair Senator Patty
Murray (D-WA) in a September 14, 2011 letter at least partly on the basis of her work on the Super
Committee.
The letter from Patton Boggs' senior partner Thomas Hale Boggs, Jr., to Murray states:
Ambassador Han would like to discuss the status of the pending US-Korea Free Trade Agreement
(KORUS FTA), including in the context of the ongoing deficit reduction discussions in which you
play a crucial role…The Ambassador is anxious to discuss these matters, as well as to update you
on KORUS's benefits for the United States, particularly the State of Washington.
Senator Murray's office confirmed that her office met with lobbysts with Patton Boggs on September
29, according to
an article by Janie Lorber of Roll Call. Lorber noted that the Super Committee "itself
is not expected to address the pending deals in its budget reduction proposal, but Murray, who has
supported past free-trade deals, could have access to information about how the timing of the debt
deliberations could affect passage of the free-trade agreements."
Foreign Lobbyists Have Lobbied Current Super Committee Members in the Past
Murray's meeting with foreign lobbyists is not unique: in the past year, all twelve members of
the Super Committee have been contacted by at least one foreign lobbyist. Over that same period,
all but two members, Senator Jon Kyl (R-AZ) and Representative Jeb Hensarling (R-TX), have received
campaign contributions from foreign lobbyists, according to
Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) records.
From contacting Representative Dave Camp (R-MI) about
promoting the sale of F-16's to Taiwan, to meeting with Senator Rob Portman's (R-OH) chief of
staff to
promote U.S.-Philippines trade legislation, the agents of foreign governments have had these
legislators in their cross-hairs.
Based upon FARA records filed in 2011, members of the Super Committee have also received more
than $50,000 in direct campaign contributions from foreign lobbyists, and untold more through fundraisers
held by these lobbying firms. While this is just a fraction of the more than $6 million the members
of the Super Committee have raised in the 2012 election cycle, according to
data
from the non-profit Center for Responsive Politics
(CRP), the timing of these contributions raises questions as they often coincide with Congressional
contacts.
israel today
Israel's cabinet on Sunday approved two bills that will significantly hinder the ability of foreign
governments and organizations to influence Israeli politics.
The first bill passed by the Ministerial Committee for Legislation puts an NIS 20,000 (approx.
$5,500) annual limit on the amount of foreign donations that can be received by an Israeli NGO that
seeks to influence Israeli government policy.
The second bill then slaps a 45 percent tax on any of those donations that came from foreign governments.
NGOs that also receive direct funding from the Israeli government - such
as educational or social welfare organizations - will remain tax-exempt.
The bills were hotly debated both in the cabinet and by the Israeli public.
Opponents of the bills, including six government ministers, argued that they were detrimental
to the democratic nature of the Jewish State, and could be perceived as discrimination against certain
sectors of society.
Proponents argued that the bills do not target any particular sector of society - all NGOs will
be subject to the new rules - and that they are perfectly in line with similar laws in other Western
democracies.
For instance, the American Foreign Agent Registration Act requires NGOs supported by foreign
funds to register as "foreign agents" and to make public their relationship to their foreign donors.
It is also prohibited for foreign governments and organizations to contribute financially to the
election campaigns of American officials.
Still, many in Israel argued that the Netanyahu government had gone a step too far by cutting
off the foreign money lifeline of many NGOs, a move they insisted would limit free speech.
But do foreign governments have a right to free speech within the political framework of a sovereign
nation?
Writing for the popular conservative blog Volokh Conspiracy,
David Bernstein responded to
European pressure that Netanyahu shelf the NGO bills:
"So the idea here, obviously is that a 'democratic' country must allow foreign governments, who
represent foreign citizens and not Israelis, to interfere in its domestic politics by supporting
organizations that range from the fringe left to beyond the fringe left. ...Imagine if Israel was
funneling millions of Euros annually to Basque separatists in Spain, Flemish nationalists in Belgium,
or to one of numerous neo-fascist fronts in Norway and France. I have a very strong feeling that
the EU's views of what 'democratic' countries must tolerate from foreign governments would change
rather quickly."
The NGOs that are likely to be most affected by these new bills are left-wing organizations that
receive much of their funding from the European Union, often from the governing body itself. It is
telling that these NGOs are often unable to raise significant funds among the Israeli public.
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