[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1992, Book I)]
[May 30, 1992]
[Page 868]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Letter to Congressional Leaders on the National Emergency With Respect 
to Yugoslavia

May 30, 1992
Dear Mr. Speaker:  (Dear Mr. President:)
    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 in order to declare a national emergency to 
respond to the threat to the national security created by the actions 
and policies of the Governments of Serbia and Montenegro, acting under 
the name of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia or the Federal 
Republic of Yugoslavia, and to issue an Executive order that blocks all 
property including bank deposits of the Governments of Serbia and 
Montenegro, as well as property in the name of the Government of the 
Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia or the Government of the 
Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, in the United States or in the control 
of U.S. persons including their overseas branches.
    The Secretary of the Treasury is authorized to issue regulations 
implementing these prohibitions.
    I am enclosing a copy of the Executive order that I have issued.
    I have authorized these measures in response to the actions and 
policies of the Governments of Serbia and Montenegro, acting under the 
name of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia or the Federal 
Republic of Yugoslavia, in their involvement in and support for groups 
attempting to seize territory in Croatia and Bosnia-Hercegovina by force 
and violence utilizing, in part, the forces of the so-called Yugoslav 
National Army. The grave events in Serbia and Montenegro constitute an 
unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security, foreign 
policy, and economy of the United States. The measures that I have taken 
today express our outrage at the actions of the Serbian and Montenegrin 
Governments and will prevent those governments from drawing on monies 
and properties within U.S. control.
    Sincerely,

                                                             George Bush

                    Note: Identical letters were sent to Thomas S. 
                        Foley, Speaker of the House of Representatives, 
                        and Dan Quayle, President of the Senate. The 
                        Executive order is listed in Appendix E at the 
                        end of this volume.