Over this period,  rule of law assistance totaled at least $970 million. Haiti received the most, primarily in connection  with U.S. and international efforts to restore peace and stability to the  country after a 1991 coup. Most countries (102 of the 184) received less  than $1 million. At least 35 entities from  the departments and agencies have a role in providing U.S. rule of law  assistance programs. 3.) Recipients of Rule of Law Assistance in the Region

In fiscal years 1993-98, the United States provided $349 million in rule of  law assistance to Latin America and the Caribbean (about 36 percent of the  worldwide total). Seven countries accounted for about 76 percent of the total regional  funding. Two of the seven—Haiti and El Salvador—accounted for just over  50 percent of the regional total, with $137.9 million and $40.7 million,  respectively. 4.) The United States provided large amounts of  assistance during this period in an attempt to restore order and democracy  after a coup in 1991. Rule of Law Assistance Activities in the Region

To help illustrate what rule of law assistance was used for in the Latin  America and the Caribbean region, we grouped rule of law assistance into  one of six categories based on descriptions provided by the cognizant  agencies. Assistance for judicial and court operations was the second largest  category, comprising $74.2 million (21 percent of the regional total). Assistance for civil government and military reform was the third largest  category—$47.6 million (13.6 percent). Scope and Methodology

To determine how much U.S. rule of law assistance was provided  worldwide in fiscal years 1993-98, and to identify the U.S. departments and  agencies involved, we reviewed program documentation and interviewed  officials at the Department of State, USAID, the Department of Defense,  and USIA—the principal sources of funding for U.S. rule of law programs. Many are law enforcement  agencies providing training and technical assistance to their counterparts  overseas. International Trade Administration
National Telecommunications and Information Administration
Office of General Counsel, Commercial Law Development Program
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
U.S. Air Force
U.S. Army
U.S. Marine Corps
U.S. Navy
Drug Enforcement Administration
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Immigration and Naturalization Service
Criminal Division
International Criminal Investigative Training Assistance Program
Office of Overseas Prosecutorial Development, Assistance and
Bureau of Diplomatic Security, Office of Antiterrorism Assistance
Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs
Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs (formerly Bureau of  Inter-American Affairs)
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms
Office of International Affairs
Office of Investigations
Federal Law Enforcement Training Center
Financial Crimes Enforcement Network
Internal Revenue Service
U.S. Secret Service U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)
U.S. Information Agency (USIA)

U.S. Funding for Rule of Law Assistance Categories for Latin America and the Caribbean, Fiscal Years 1993-98

To develop an overview of the types of activities being funded for the Latin  America and the Caribbean region, we grouped the U.S. rule of law  assistance program data for the region into six categories based on activity  descriptions provided by the cognizant departments and agencies. Well over half of all U.S. rule of law assistance to the region  was technical assistance and training for criminal justice and law  enforcement personnel—police, prosecutors, public defenders, and others.
Why GAO Did This Study

Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO provided information on U.S. rule of law assistance programs and activities, focusing on the: (1) amount of U.S. rule of law funding provided worldwide in fiscal years 1993-1998; and (2) U.S. Departments and agencies involved in providing rule of law assistance.

What GAO Found

GAO noted that: (1) based on the funding data cognizant Departments and agencies made available, during fiscal years 1993-1998, the United States provided at least $970 million in rule of law assistance to countries throughout the world; (2) the Latin America and the Caribbean region was the largest recipient of U.S. rule of law assistance over the period, accounting for $349 million, or more than one-third of the total assistance; (3) in recent years, Central European countries received an increasingly larger share and, in 1998, Central Europe was the largest regional recipient, accounting for about one-third of all rule of law assistance; (4) the United States provided at least some assistance to 184 countries--ranging from $138 million for Haiti to $2,000 for Burkina Faso; (5) while most countries received less than $1 million, 15 countries, including 7 in Latin America and the Caribbean, accounted for just over half of the total funding; (6) at least 35 entities from various U.S. Departments and agencies have a role in the U.S. rule of law assistance programs; (7) the Departments of State and Justice and the Agency for International Development are the principal organizations providing rule of law training, technical advice, and related assistance; (8) the Department of Defense, the U.S. Information Agency, numerous law enforcement agencies and bureaus, and other U.S. Departments and agencies also have a direct role; (9) 40 countries in the Latin America and the Caribbean region received some rule of law assistance; (10) more than three-fourths of the $349 million in assistance was provided to seven countries; (11) Haiti received nearly $138 million, or about 40 percent of the regional total, largely in connection with U.S. and international efforts to restore order and democracy after a September 1991 military coup; (12) six other countries in the region--ranging from about $41 million for El Salvador to $12 million for Panama--accounted for about $127 million, or nearly 37 percent of the regional total; (13) most of the rule of law assistance for Latin America and the Caribbean was provided to help the countries reform their criminal justice or law enforcement organizations, including training and technical assistance for prosecutors, public defenders, police officers, and investigators; and (14) a substantial amount was also dedicated to improving court operations, including modernizing court administration and enhancing public access to the judicial system.