    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1997, Book II)]
    [October 17, 1997]
    [Page 1397]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Letter to Congressional Leaders on Continuation of the National
    Emergency With Respect to Narcotics Traffickers Centered in Colombia
    October 17, 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 to the Federal Register for publication, stating that
    the emergency declared with respect to significant narcotics traffickers
    centered in Colombia is to continue in effect for 1 year beyond October
    21, 1997.
        The circumstances that led to the declaration on October 21, 1995,
    of a national emergency have not been resolved. The actions of
    significant narcotics traffickers centered in Colombia continue to pose
    an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security, foreign
    policy, and economy of the United States and to cause unparalleled
    violence, corruption, and harm in the United States and abroad. For
    these reasons, I have determined that it is necessary to maintain in
    force the broad authorities necessary to maintain economic pressure on
    significant narcotics traffickers centered in Colombia by blocking their
    property subject to the jurisdiction of the United States and by
    depriving them of access to the U.S. market and financial system.
            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.