    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1997, Book I)]
    [May 28, 1997]
    [Pages 668-669]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Message to the Congress on Continuation of the National Emergency With
    Respect to the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro)
    and the Bosnian Serbs
    May 28, 1997

    To the Congress of the United States:
        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 to the Federal Register for publication, stating that
    the emergency declared with respect to the Federal Republic of
    Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro), as expanded to address the actions
    and policies of the Bosnian Serb forces and the authorities in the
    territory that they control within the Republic of Bosnia and
    Herzegovina, is to continue in effect beyond May 30, 1997.
        On December 27, 1995, I issued Presidential Determination No. 96-7,
    directing the Secretary of the Treasury, inter alia, to suspend the
    application of sanctions imposed on the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
    (Serbia and Montenegro) and to continue to block property previously
    blocked until provision is made to address claims or encumbrances,
    including the claims of the other successor states of the former
    Yugoslavia. This sanctions relief, in conformity with United Nations
    Security Council Resolution 1022 of November 22, 1995 (hereinafter the
    ``Resolution''), was an essential factor motivating Serbia and

    [[Page 669]]

    Montenegro's acceptance of the General Framework Agreement for Peace in
    Bosnia and Herzegovina initialed by the parties in Dayton on November
    21, 1995, and signed in Paris on December 14, 1995 (hereinafter the
    ``Peace Agreement''). The sanctions imposed on the Federal Republic of
    Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro) were accordingly suspended
    prospectively, effective January 16, 1996. Sanctions imposed on the
    Bosnian Serb forces and authorities and on the territory that they
    control within the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina were subsequently
    suspended prospectively, effective May 10, 1996, also in conformity with
    the Peace Agreement and the Resolution.
        Sanctions against both the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia
    and Montenegro) and the Bosnian Serbs were subsequently terminated by
    United Nations Security Council Resolution 1074 of October 1, 1996. This
    termination, however, did not end the requirement of the Resolution that
    blocked funds and assets that are subject to claims and encumbrances
    remain blocked, until unblocked in accordance with applicable law. In
    the last year, substantial progress has been achieved to bring about a
    settlement of the conflict in the former Yugoslavia acceptable to the
    parties. Elections occurred in the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina,
    as provided for in the Peace Agreement, and the Bosnian Serb forces have
    continued to respect the zones of separation as provided in the Peace
    Agreement. The ultimate disposition of the various remaining categories
    of blocked assets are now being addressed, beginning with the unblocking
    of five Yugoslav vessels located in various United States ports
    effective May 19, 1997.
        Until the status of all remaining blocked property is resolved, the
    Peace Agreement implemented, and the terms of the Resolution met, this
    situation continues to pose a continuing unusual and extraordinary
    threat to the national security, foreign policy interests, and the
    economy of the United States. For these reasons, I have determined that
    it is necessary to maintain in force these emergency authorities beyond
    May 30, 1997.

                                                          William J. Clinton

    The White House,

    May 28, 1997.

    Note: The notice is listed in Appendix D at the end of this volume.