[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2002, Book II)]
[July 30, 2002]
[Page 1328]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Letter to Congressional Leaders on Continuation of the National 
Emergency With Respect to Iraq
July 30, 2002

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 Iraq emergency is to continue in 
effect beyond August 2, 2002, to the Federal Register for publication. 
The most recent notice continuing this emergency was published in the 
Federal Register on August 1, 2001, (66 Fed Reg. 40105).
    The crisis between the United States and Iraq that led to the 
declaration of a national emergency on August 2, 1990, has not been 
resolved. The Government of Iraq continues to engage in activities 
inimical to stability in the Middle East and hostile to U.S. interests. 
Such Iraqi actions pose a continuing unusual and extraordinary threat to 
the national security and foreign policy of the United States. For these 
reasons, I have determined that it is necessary to continue the national 
emergency declared with respect to Iraq and to maintain in force the 
broad authorities necessary to apply economic pressure on the Government 
of Iraq.
    Sincerely,

                                                          George W. Bush

Note: Identical letters were sent to J. Dennis Hastert, Speaker of the 
House of Representatives; and Richard B. Cheney, President of the 
Senate. This letter was released by the Office of the Press Secretary on 
August 1. The notice of July 30 is listed in Appendix D at the end of 
this volume.