Received by R?gistration Unit 03/30/2017 6:31:11 PM zoo M.Street 9 1703.40 Washington}. Z, November 16, 2016 An Open Letter to Members of Congress: There is growing concern among those of us who have served our country that-a law passed by Congress in September, the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act (JASTA), places US. service men and women around'the world. at risk. As veteran's, we sabri?ce'm'uch in service to car nation and bebause of thativve are especially sensitive to laws that can increase. our vulnerability. We believe that JASTA, while providing Americans-with some additional options fer civil litigation, places an undue amount _of risk for U8. service members of?sials in foreign service. and. those who serve in unof?cial That is Why. with the elections now behind us, We strongly urge Congress to make the repeal of the JASTA a legislative 2016'. While we certainly support 9/11 families and their right-to seekjustice. this law, is not the correct way to accomplish, this. The unintended consequences are potentially disastrous. One of the major concerns for veterans is impact on the principle of sovereign immunity. This widely?held international principle has pretested diplomats, intelligence of?ces and members of the military for centuries. It?s what has prevented US. troops trombone punished orimprisoned by a foreign country'er swans in the line of duty. \Mthout soVereign immUnity, weexpose service members to hostile foreign powers and their brand of ?justice?. The 0,8, has-a larger international footprint and is more exposed than any other country in the world. If other countries answer JASTA with reciprocal legislation of'their own, serving abroad Will become immediate targets fer lawsuits from hostile fore'ig'n'governments. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Joseph Donfo'r'd outlined this concern in his letter to Congress before the veto override vote stating, ?Any legislation that risks reciprocal treatment by foreign governments would increase the vulnerability of US. Service members to foreign legal action while acting in an of?cial capacity.? In fact, government factions in Iraq, TUrkey and even top allies su?ch as France have already advocated legislation in their Own conntrie?s.? It is not dif?cult to see how families or individuals killed in US. dronezstrikes could bring a case against members of the US. military. The intent of JASTA was to seek retribution against terrorists who caused so much pain and suffering here in the As veterans, completely understand this-desire, For many of us, 9/11 was a-cjall to protect our'njation and-do our part to bring those responsible to jastice. In Congress' attempt to achieve justiceagainst terrorism, however. it-has seirerely harmed our country?s-ability tp-?ght it. Now more than ever, the US. needs the heip of international partners to combat rise of extremism. In September, writing in the Wall Street Journal, Ambassador John Bolton and former Attorney General Michael Mukasey warned, ?We have far more to lose than other'nations from creating Received by Registration Unit 03/30/2017 6:31:11 PM Received by Registration Unit 03/30/2017 6:31:11 PM National Republican Trust PAC 2100 Street NW, Ste 170-340 Washington, DC 20037 exceptions to sovereign immunity that others could use against us. There is no shortage of people hostile to America. even in nominally friendly countries, who would welcome Jasta?s passage.? JASTA was passed through Congress hastily, without a- hearing in the House or Senate. It then became law despite Stfe'nudtm warnings from the nation?s top national security and fereig'n policy experts. With election season now over,? we encourage Congress to make this right. There needs to bee (solution that provides justice for and recognizes the victims of 9! 1 1, but does not completely the protections our'service members have whileserving a?round'the globe. we urgeCongres's to repeal JASTA immediately and ?nd a legitimate way tosupport the families of?the victimsof 9111 that rests on facts and does not undermine our ability to project US power overseas or put our service men and wqmen at risk'of being hauledbeiqre foreign coju'rls. Our national security and the Safety Of our military, our?diplomats and o'Ur'intelligenc'e of?cer's depend on it. Sincerely. Henderson, Navy Timethy Stueh'meyer. US Air For'c'e Diedrich Drafz, US. Army Andrew Hopkins, US Air Force National Guard Edward Richardson, 886. US. Army Richard Goor'e'y, USMC John C. Ellingboe. US Navy Bob Guersch, US. Army DAVID FERRARA, RiChard Linton. US Army 1954?1956 Gerald Misener, US Airfdroe Michael King MICHAEL E. SYRA, US Loy?d Baldvvin -- Navy Ron Sellman US. Navy Robert'D. Quinn, US Army Allah 'Siko'rski USN Received by Registration Un'it 03/30/2017 6:311:11 PM Received by Registration Unit 03/30/2017 6:31:11 PM Na'tibn'al Republican Trilst PAC 2100 Street Nina-Ste 170-340 Washington, at: 2:103? Patrick Burke. US. Army Robert Henson, US Army Sheldon Nothacke?r US. Army CdW'gill Jr', USAF Retired Dwight Freeman, Navy Perry Connally Sr, US Air Force Lary Hawkins; U.S. Navy Martha Patton. US. Naval Reserve Paul Good. US. Army Kenneth Mork, US Army (Retired) Frank J.. Brook's, U.S. Arrny? Daniel Wilkins USAF Phil'W. McConathy, U. 8. Army Reserves 1'00th Infantry Division 1970-1976. Bruce Bordelon, US. Navy Nelson Haas army Karen Gearreald on behalf of my deceased father, Lt. Col. Tull N. Gearreald. US. Army MSGT ARCHIE COOK USAF RET Daniel Tru'elo'ire, USAR Bruce Holopter. U. 8. Army Lloyd H. Treadwell, U.S. Marine Corp Charles Fiaccabrino, United States Navy Thomas- Coplin Air Walter J. Murphy Jr. United States Marine Corps Robert F- Hahn n, United States Navy (Rex) John Lott USMC Robert Hunter McMillan USNR Received by Registration Unit 03/30/2017 6:31:11 PM Received by ARA Registration U?it 03/30/2017 6:31:11 PM I I National Reptiblica?n Trust?PAC 2.1.0.0 170-340 [39 20037. Michael A Ricth Anny Mlliam S. Slayton, U.S. Anny Allen C. Jacobs, Jr. U. 8. Army Joe Flo'yd - .8. Army Jehn Valentine, USAF Ron Sullivan, USMC Robert weidig. us. AIR FORCE John V. Harris.USCG(Ret.) Viet Nam Veteran Joh?n Fargnoli, U.S. Navy Dan DUbe, US Ar'?iy Jerry Hale. Marines, Army Lawrence E. Vaupel, US Army Lavern E. Martinez. US Marines Charles E. Rouse. :Nayy Norman Boy'den, US Army Mike Landry. USMC Garret Jetl, US Army I Sieglinde .Sch cl?le, Army Leland Alan Aber. USAF 'Tqm McNieh, Col. USAF Craig A. USAF Retired Jerry McIntyre, US Navy Carl Schneider, Leon? Donahue. United States Air Force Sam SinderSon, US. Army Melvin D. Stoller. US Air Force Received by Registration Unit 03/30/2017 6:31:11 PM Received by ARA Registration Unit 03/30/2017 6:31:11 PM National Republican Tr'ust-z PAC 2100 StrEet NW, Ste 170-340 Wa?shin'gtdn, DC 20037 Fed?ribo Garcia, Ann'y Kathy L. SU?m'me?rs (Ret) Ar?rhy? Donald T. Duffy, US Navy Homer Wertz, .Jr, US Army Martin, Wells. us Navy Ward G. Brunkow, US Army National Guard Of?cer TSGT Brooke Bieh]. US Air Force/Army James KorteSky. US Army Jerry Harals?o'n, USNR John C. Meoney, United States Air Fores- Keith Sa?ord, US. Army Infantry Kenneth Gerber, USMC. Kenneth D, Keith, AF Leon Martinez, Army Roy BroWn, USN John L. Brown, US. Navy Captain Mario P. Fiori, USN (retired) Mel Davis. US Army. US Air Force Michele A Waller, USAF _M:i_ckey J. Wilson, US Air Force Capt James Grebas, USMC (rat) HoWard M. McDaniel, US Navy (retired) Herbert G.. Flaveil, USMC and US Army Gary Bloom. 1?-1 LT, US Army MI Frank Tsutras, US Air Force Jerry Ahl?er, US Army Received by ARA Registration Unit 03/30/2017 6:31-21] PM Received by NSD/FARA'Registration Unit 03/30/2017 6:31:11 PM National. Republican TrustPAC 2100 Street NW, Ste 170-340 waShir?Igto'n, 20037 Robert J.. Laporta, US Navy Ean Mason, US Army Ben Mathews! USMC and Arizona National Guard James Marie, US Army Bemard W. Hire, US Army Robert W. 'Tu_l_eya, US Marine Corps Bobby Pickron, U.S. Army' Ru?sisell Abel, USAF Rich Bull, U.S. Army Charles Struensee, USMC Daniel A. Bazikian. U.S. Army Richard J. Schneider, USAF Emil De'smarais, Army F.E. Honyotski, US New Colonel Jon Pale ?Hollabaught USMCR (Ret) Paul Bonanno (US Air Force) Paul Ti?rarnani. Army Ranzy Luster. U.S. Army Raymond MOrin'g', US Army Richard Sb'rbwl, U.S. Army Rebert Lindsey. USN Ronald L. Raymond, USAF Sherman L. Watson, U.S. Air Force Stephen Mivley. U.S. Navy Stephen G. Layton. USN Thomas M.. Fleming, US'Arr??y Received by Registration Unit 03/30/2017 6:31:11 PM Received by Registration Unit 03/30/2017 6:31:11 PM National Republican'Trust PAC 2100 Street NW, Ste?170-340 Washington, DC 2003? Thomas Richmond. United Sates Marine Corps Para] V. Fa?ris, (SW). Navy (retired) Wayne Hennie. US. Navy Douglas Howe, US Air Force Daniel Kennedy 8. Army Robert Holzer US. Army Reserve Kenneth Maciejeweki Air Forte Ronald Linden. US. Army William A Wledergott, U.S. Navy John Roller, US Army I Dale Johnson. United States Air Force Ronald Linden, U.S. 'A'rrny John F. Filon. US-AIR FORCE \Mllia'm T. Douglass, US. Marine Corps This is distributed by Gan/is on behalf of the Royal Embassy ofSoudi Arabia. Additiong?nforma?on is ova/{able at the Department of Justice, Washington, 0.6. Received by NSD/FARARegistratiOn Unit 03/30/2017 6:31:11 PM Received by Registration Unit 03/30/2017 6:31:12 PM What They?re A I A Saying: . JASTA and its effect'qn National-Security The Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act (JASTA), vetoed by President Obama but overridden on September 28, 2016 by the US. Congress, is now law. This legislation will likely trigger a chain of unin- tended and harmful consequences and 'is already leading to foreign lawsuits against the U.S., which could ultimately implicate U.S. personnel serving abroad. The legislation passed by Congress has received widespread opDQsition from the country's top defense and national security leaders and our military veterans. Administration 8; National Leaders: Defense Secretary Ash Carter] September 26. 2016 ?Allciviring our partners and allies?nothist designated state sponsor's cif terrorism?to be sabject to lawsuits inside the United States will inevitably undermine the trust and cooperation our'forces need to accomplish their important missions. By damaging our close and effective cooperation with other countries, this could ultimately have a chilling effect on our own counte?rterrorism efforts.? Chairman of the Joint Chiefs ofJS?taff General Joseph Dunford September 28, 2016 ?Any legislation that risks reciprocal treatment by foreign governments would increase the -lener'ability of Service members to foreign legal action while acting in an official capacity.? CIA Director John Brennan I septemeerza. 2.016 believe JIASTA will have grave implications for the national security of the United States. The most damaging consequence would be for those US. Government officials who dutifully work overseas on behalf of our cou ntry.? Former CIA Director David Chainnan of the KKB Global Inslitute I October 27, 2015 law, however. c'o?uld open the United States upto e'xtrabrdinary vulnerability in that it this undoe's that bedrock principle of international law'of sovereign immunity, we will be the ones that most likely will prove to be the most targeted, and the most vulnerable? November 2016 - 1 Received by ARA Registration Unit 03/3 0/201 7 6:31:12 PM Received by Registration Unit 03/30/2017 6:31:12 PM Former United. States Deputy Secretary of. Defense John. .Hamre. CEO of the Center fer Strategic and International Studies I September?22. 201s sounds great to voters who are still angry about 9/11. But it is establishing a dangerous prec- edent. American politician's feel that our virtue alloWs us to e?stabliSh laws that reach across our border to people in other countries. But we are now seeing other governments use our logic. and turning it against our interes'tsuin Russia, in China and even in more friendly states.? ?If JASTA is allowed to become law, it 'will completely undercut sovereign immunity protections upon which the United States and all sovereign nations have relied for centuries, and our troops, our diplo? mats and all US. government personnel working overseas could very well find themselves subject to lawsuits in other countries. This must not happen.? Military Veterans: Former Senator Leifry Pressler (BeSou'th' Dakota) IThe Hm I Septe'mber29, 2016 ?As a Vietnam combat vetetan, I could almost certainly be sued by the Vietnamese govemrnent or by a Vietnamese citizen. The Gulf War, Iraq War and Afghanistan War veterans are more protected by constitutional c?ongrestional actions, but We \?etnam Veteran's Will be raw targets if Americans can sue Saudi Arabia." col, David Smith (Bet), U.S. Marine Corps I Orlando Sentinel I NovemberZ. 2016 ?Like almost all Americans, I want?to see our members of Congress work togetherto help solve the tough foreign-policy issues that face our nation, but JASTA is not a solution. it is a flawed law with unintended consequenCes beyOnd imagination. The Pandora?s box that wedld be opened with this act is the reality of leaving bare all those in uniform serving overseas and the men and women who are charged with gathering the '_intelligenoe necessary to prevent future terrorist-attacks against the United States. All Of our assets become Vulnerable by the veil of' immunity being lifted, haVing all the pretee- tions of accepted law reversed. This would leave our trobps and the intelligence- community overly vulnerable to foreign laws and courts. Make no mistake. JASTA will make the world a more dangerous. place for America.? J.D-.- Sparks,- 2nd Battalion 8th Marines I Oldhar'n Era I October 27. 2015 a Marine Veteran who served in Panama, the Mediterranean and the Middle East, care deeply about issues affecting our military. I believe strongly that Congress has a responsibility to consider the impact their legislative actions co?uld hairs on the safety of our military men and Women around the world. JASTA takes foreign policy issues away from the United States govemment and places them in the hands of trial lawyers.? November?2016 - 2 Received by Registration Unit 03/30/2017 6:31:12 PM Received by Registration Unit 03/30/2017 6:31:12 PM Paul Crespo, Former O'fficer,? US. Marine Corps, Former Military Attache, U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency: Miami Herald [October 27, 2015 ?As a former Marine Corps officer, and US. military attache posted to US. embassies in hotspots worldwide, I can attest to the protection [sovereign immunity] provides. our military, diplomats and intelligence operatives in places like the Middle East. the Balkans, Latin America, Asia. and even Eu- rope- Without sovereign immunity. countries with questionable legal systems such as Russia. China. Pakistan or Venezuela. could prosecute our soldiers. diplomats and spies. or allow their citizens to file unwarranted lawsuits against'them, or the US. government, in their local courts. Th'e'ir claims would not need to have merit. Following the passage of an Iraqi group has-already taken legal steps to do just that. Others are expected to quickly follow suit.? - Angela Sinkovits, Attorney and Former Medical Specialistin the US. Army Denver Post I October 5, 2016 am a US. Army veteran, a? member of the Colorado Bar; and a resident of Lak'evirodd, and I am con- cerned about the potential negative effects of the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act. JASTA could undermine our ability to defend our interests anywhere in the-world,rand perhaps-even make the US. more vulnerable to terrorism.? Air'Force Major?General (Rat) William Russell Cotneyl Nashville Tennessean I.November4. 2016 will undermine our ability to defend our interests around the world. In their quest for justice against terrorism, Congress may be making the United States and our military and government offi- cials more vulnerable than they are today. JASTA would gut sovereign immunity. it is a move-that'will have graveconsequences, especially for our diplomats and military all across the world by encourag= ing other countries to bring Americans before foreign courts for carrying out their official duties and even make the government responsible for acts of private citizens.? Open Letter from the Military Community! September 22. 2.016 . . . . . . ?The unintended consequences of this legislation could bring about a chain reaction around'the world, giving other countries liCense to target the US. military and enable foreign courts-to bring suits against American servicemen and Women for actions taken in the line of duty." Open Letter from Military Veterans to Congressl November 15. 2016 ?One of the major concerns for veterans is impact on the principle of sovereign immunity. This widely-held international principle has protected US. officials, diplomats, intelligence offices and members Of the military for centuries. It?s what has prevented troops from being punished or imprisoned by a foreign country for actions taken in the line of duty. Without sovereign immunity, in? ternational law becomes the law of the jungle.? This is distributed by The Glover Park Group on behalf of the government of Saudi Arabia. Additional information is available at the Department of Justice. Washington. 0.0. November 2016 3 Received by Registration Unit 03/30/2017 6:31 :12 PM ReceiVed by Registration Unit 03/30/2017 6:31:14 PM DLA Piper LLP (us: 500 Eighth Street. NW Washington. DC 20004 DLA PIPER I Matthew C. Bernstein 202.799.4302 2027995302 S??ptent?ber '14. 2016 The Honorable United States House of Representatives Barnum House Qt?csBujlding Washington. DC 20515 Dear -: I am writing to follow up on our previous dissussion about Timor-Le'ste (the former EaStTim'or) and to see if you areavaitable to meet with Timer-Leste Prime Minister ~Rui Maria de Araujo and Ministeriand' former President and Prime Minister) Kay Rala Xanana Gusmao when they are in Washington on Wednesday. September 21?. As we discussed. the story of Timer-Leste's ingependencestruggle provides a salutary exampletp other new states making the transition from con?ict to independence - and for how the international community can support those efforts effectively. Now, Tirhb?r-Leste is embarked on the tranSition from fragility to stability and sustainability. it is fortunate to have signi?pant hydrocarbon and mineral resources that provide near?term revenues; but it seeks to diversify its economy-and prepare for the time when those assets are depleted. 'To that end, Timor?Leste has created a sovereign wealth fund modeled after the Norwegian petroleum fund to manage its resources transparently and sustainably, and .it has prepared a widely-heralded twenty-year development plan to diversify and ensure the sustainability of its economy. Key to Timor-Leste?s success in these ambitious plans is resolving its maritime boundaries with its neighbors, Indonesia and AUStra_lia. These issues are outlined in a policy paper and strategic development plan prepared by the Government of Timor-Leste. which are available through the following links: (1) policy paper (2) strategic development plan canten?uploads/Zm We Will follow up with your of?ce about-a possible meeting, but in the meantime. please feel free to coritaptme (202) 799-4302) or'my. colleague Jessica Woolley (202) 799-4359) with any questions: Sincerely, no Matthew C. Bernstein Received by Registration Unit 03/30/2017 6:3 1 1.4 PM