For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
January 21, 2003
Presidential Letter
January 20, 2003
Dear Mr. Speaker: (Dear Mr. President:)
Section 202(d) of the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1622(d))
provides for the automatic termination of a national emergency unless,
prior to the anniversary date of its declaration, the President
publishes in the Federal Register and transmits to the Congress a
notice stating that the emergency is to continue in effect beyond the
anniversary date. In accordance with this provision, I have sent the
enclosed notice, stating that the emergency declared with respect to
foreign terrorists who threaten to disrupt the Middle East peace
process is to continue in effect beyond January 23, 2003, to the
Federal Register for publication. The most recent notice continuing
this emergency was published in the Federal Register on January 22,
2002 (67 FR 3033).
The crisis with respect to the grave acts of violence committed by
foreign terrorists that disrupt the Middle East peace process that led
to the declaration of a national emergency on January 23, 1995, as
expanded on August 20, 1998, has not been resolved. Terrorist groups
continue to engage in activities that have the purpose or effect of
threatening the Middle East peace process and that are hostile to
United States interests in the region. Such actions constitute an
unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security, foreign
policy, and economy of the United States. On August 20, 1998, the
President identified four additional persons, including Usama bin
Ladin, who threaten to disrupt the Middle East peace process. For
these reasons, I have determined that it is necessary to continue the
national emergency declared with respect to foreign terrorists who
threaten to disrupt the Middle East peace process and to maintain in
force the economic sanctions against them to respond to this threat.
Sincerely,
GEORGE W. BUSH
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