§2350m Participation in European program on multilateral exchange of surface transportation services

Summary

The Secretary of Defense can let the Department of Defense join the SEOS program run by the Movement Coordination Centre Europe if the Secretary of State agrees. Joining can include trading or transferring surface transportation services by paying back costs, swapping similar services, or exchanging services of equal value. Any participation must be in a written agreement between the Secretary of Defense (with the Secretary of State’s agreement) and the Centre. The Secretary must tell the congressional defense committees about any such agreement. If DoD uses its facilities, equipment, or funds, the agreement must say how costs will be shared. Any credits or debts from unequal trades must be settled through SEOS at least once every five years. The Secretary may pay the DoD share of operating costs from operation and maintenance funds and assign military or civilian personnel, within U.S. European Command–authorized positions, to work at the Centre. Money received can be returned to the account that paid the cost or to another proper account. Within 30 days after each fiscal year ends, the Secretary must report to the congressional defense committees on DoD’s SEOS activity, including costs paid and amounts received and which country provided them. This does not allow use of foreign sealift in ways that would violate section 2631.