Russian Democracy Act of 2002

Russian Democracy Act of 2002 - (Sec. 3) Declares it shall be U.S. policy to: (1) facilitate Russia's integration into the Western community of nations, including supporting the establishment of a stable democracy and a market economy within the framework of the rule of law and respect for individual rights, and including its membership in appropriate international institutions; (2) engage the Government of the Russian Federation and Russian society to strengthen democratic reform and institutions, and to promote transparency and good governance in all aspects of society, including fair and honest business practices, accessible and open legal systems, freedom of religion, and respect for human rights; (3) incorporate democratic reforms, the promotion of an independent media, and economic reforms in a broader U.S. dialogue with such Government; (4) encourage such Government to address, in a cooperative and transparent manner consistent with internationally recognized and accepted principles, cross-border issues, including the nonproliferation of weapons of mass destruction, environmental degradation, crime, trafficking, and corruption; (5) consult with such Government and the Russian Parliament on the adoption of economic and social reforms necessary to sustain Russian economic growth and to ensure Russia's transition to a market economy and membership in the World Trade Organization; (6) persuade the Government of the Russian Federation to honor its commitments to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) at the November 1999 Istanbul Conference and to be a good neighbor toward other independent states of the former Soviet Union in the spirit of internationally accepted principles of regional cooperation; and (7) encourage G-8 partners and international financial institutions, including the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development to develop financial safeguards and transparency practices in lending to the Russian Federation. (Sec. 4) Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to include among activities eligible for U.S. assistance to the independent states of the former Soviet Union any activities for the promotion of democracy, rule of law, transparency, international exchanges and other forms of public diplomacy, human rights, economic reforms, administration of justice, and the development of a free and independent media in Russia. Authorizes the President to carry out specified related activities in providing such assistance to Russia. (Sec. 5) Urges Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and the Voice of America to use new and innovative techniques, in cooperation with local independent media sources and using local languages as appropriate and as possible, to disseminate information throughout the Russian Federation relating to democracy, free-market economics, rule of law, and human rights. (Sec. 6) Authorizes appropriations for FY 2003.

Russian Democracy Act of 2001 - Declares it shall be U.S. policy to: (1) facilitate Russia's integration into the Western community of nations, including supporting the establishment of a stable democracy and a market economy, and including its membership in appropriate international institutions; (2) engage the Government of the Russian Federation to strengthen democratic reform and institutions, and to promote good governance principles based on the internationally recognized norms of transparency in business practices, the rule of law, religious freedom, and human rights; (3) incorporate democratic reforms, the promotion of an independent media, and economic reforms in the broad U.S. agenda with such Government; (4) encourage such Government to address cross-border issues, including the environment, crime, trafficking, and corruption in a cooperative and transparent manner consistent with internationally recognized principles of the rule of law; (5) persuade the Government of the Russian Federation to honor its commitments to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) at the November 1999 Istanbul Conference and to be a good neighbor toward other independent states of the former Soviet Union in the spirit of internationally accepted principles of regional cooperation; and (6) encourage G-7 partners and international financial institutions, including the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development to develop financial safeguards and transparency practices in lending to the Russian Federation. (Sec. 4) Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to include among activities eligible for U.S. assistance to the independent states of the former Soviet Union activities for the promotion of democracy, rule of law, international exchanges, human rights, economic reforms, administration of justice, and the development of a free and independent media in Russia. Authorizes the President to carry out specified related activities in providing such assistance to Russia. (Sec. 5) Urges Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and the Voice of America to use new and innovative techniques, in cooperation with local independent media sources, to disseminate information throughout the Russian Federation relating to democracy, free-market economics, rule of law, and human rights. (Sec. 6) Authorizes appropriations for FY 2002.

Russian Democracy Act of 2001 - Declares it shall be U.S. policy to: (1) engage the Government of the Russian Federation to strengthen democratic reform and institutions, and to promote good governance principles based on the internationally recognized norms of transparency in business practices, the rule of law, religious freedom, and human rights; (2) incorporate democratic reforms, independent media, and economic reforms in the broad U.S. agenda with such Government; and (3) encourage such Government to address cross-border issues, including the environment, crime, trafficking, and corruption in a cooperative and transparent manner consistent with internationally recognized principles of the rule of law. Expresses the sense of Congress that the Government of the Russian Federation, as obliged under existing bilateral agreements, should resolve outstanding taxation issues that hinder the deliverance of U.S. assistance programs. Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to include among activities eligible for U.S. assistance to the independent states of the former Soviet Union activities for the promotion of democracy, rule of law, human rights, economic reforms, administration of justice, and the development of a free and independent media in Russia. Authorizes the President to carry out specified related activities in providing such assistance to Russia.