[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 36 (Thursday, March 6, 2003)]
[House]
[Page H1676]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   BLOCKING PROPERTY OF PERSONS UNDERMINING DEMOCRATIC PROCESSES OR 
  INSTITUTIONS IN ZIMBABWE--MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED 
                        STATES (H. DOC. 108-45)

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Bishop of Utah) laid before the House 
the following message from the President of the United States; which 
was read and, together with the accompanying papers, without objection, 
referred to the Committee on International Relations and ordered to be 
printed:

To the Congress of the United States:
  Pursuant to section 204(b) of the International Emergency Economic 
Powers Act, 50 U.S.C. 1703(b) and section 301 of the National 
Emergencies Act, 50 U.S.C. 1631, I hereby report that I have exercised 
my statutory authority to declare a national emergency with respect to 
the unusual and extraordinary threat to the foreign policy interests of 
the United States posed by the actions and policies of certain 
individuals who have formulated, implemented, or supported policies 
that have undermined Zimbabwe's democratic institutions.
  Over the course of more than 2 years, the Government of Zimbabwe has 
systematically undermined that nation's democratic institutions, 
employing violence, intimidation, and repressive means including 
legislation to stifle opposition to its rule. This campaign to ensure 
the continued rule of Robert Mugabe and his associates was clearly 
revealed in the badly flawed presidential election held in March 2002. 
Subsequent to the election, the Mugabe government intensified its 
repression of opposition political parties and those voices in civil 
society and the independent press calling on the government to respect 
the nation's democratic values and the basic human rights of its 
citizens. To add to the desperation of the besieged Zimbabwean people, 
the current government has engaged in a violent assault on the rule of 
law that has thrown the economy into chaos, devastated the nation's 
agricultural economy, and triggered a potentially catastrophic food 
crisis.
  As a result of the unusual and extraordinary threat posed to the 
foreign policy of the United States by the deterioration of Zimbabwe's 
democracy and the resulting breakdown in the rule of law, politically 
motivated violence, and the political and economic instability in the 
southern African region, I have exercised my statutory authority and 
issued an Executive Order which, except to the extent provided for in 
regulations, orders, directives, or licenses that may be issued 
pursuant to this order, and notwithstanding any contract entered into 
or any license or permit granted prior to the effective date:
  Blocks all property and interests in property of the individuals 
listed in the Annex to the order;
  Prohibits any transaction or dealing by United States persons or 
within the United States in property or interests in property blocked 
pursuant to the order, including the making or receiving of any 
contribution of funds, goods, or service to or for the benefit of the 
persons designated pursuant to the order.
  The Secretary of the Treasury is further authorized to designate any 
person determined, in consultation with the Secretary of State, to be 
owned or controlled by, or acting or purporting to act directly or 
indirectly for or on behalf of, any persons designated in or pursuant 
to the order. The Secretary of the Treasury is also authorized in the 
exercise of my authorities under the International Emergency Economic 
Powers Act to implement these measures in consultation with the 
Secretary of State. All Federal agencies are directed to take actions 
within their authority to carry out the provisions of the Executive 
Order.
  This Executive Order further demonstrates the U.S. commitment to 
supporting the Zimbabwe's democratic evolution, and strengthens our 
cooperation with the European Union in efforts to promote that 
evolution. The European Union has acted to freeze the assets of 79 
individuals responsible for the political, economic, and social 
deterioration of Zimbabwe. With the exception of two individuals no 
longer associated with the Government of Zimbabwe, this order 
encompasses all those identified by the European Union.
  I have enclosed a copy of the Executive Order I have issued.
                                                      George W. Bush.  
The White House, March 6, 2003.

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