    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1998, Book I)]
    [May 28, 1998]
    [Pages 850-851]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Letter to Congressional Leaders on Continuation of the National
    Emergency With Respect to the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and
    Montenegro) and the Bosnian Serbs
    May 28, 1998

    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 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 Bosnia and Herzegovina, is to
    continue in effect beyond May 30, 1998.
        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
    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 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 past year, further substantial progress has been achieved to bring
    about a settlement of the conflict in the former Yugoslavia acceptable
    to the parties. Additional elections occurred in 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 is being addressed on a case-by-case basis.
        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, 1998.

    [[Page 851]]

            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.