    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1997, Book I)]
    [January 2, 1997]
    [Page 1]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    [[Page 1]]

    Letter to Congressional Leaders on Continuation of the National
    Emergency With Respect to Libya
    January 2, 1997

    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 Libyan emergency is to continue in
    effect beyond January 7, 1997, to the Federal Register for publication.
    Similar notices have been sent annually to the Congress and the Federal
    Register since December 23, 1986. The most recent notice appeared in the
    Federal Register on January 3, 1996.
        The crisis between the United States and Libya that led to the
    declaration of a national emergency on January 7, 1986, has not been
    resolved. The Government of Libya has continued its actions and policies
    in support of terrorism, despite the calls by the United Nations
    Security Council, in Resolutions 731 (1992), 748 (1992), and 883 (1993),
    that it demonstrate by concrete actions its renunciation of such
    terrorism. Such Libyan actions and policies pose a continuing unusual
    and extraordinary threat to the national security and vital foreign
    policy interests of the United States. For these reasons, I have
    determined that it is necessary to maintain in force the broad
    authorities necessary to apply economic pressure to the Government of
    Libya to reduce its ability to support international terrorism.
        Sincerely,

                                                          William J. Clinton

    Note: Identical letters were sent to Newt Gingrich, Speaker of the House
    of Representatives, and Albert Gore, Jr., President of the Senate. The
    notice is listed in Appendix D at the end of this volume.