    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2003, Book I)]
    [March 6, 2003]
    [Pages 255-256]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    [[Page 255]]

    Message to the Congress on the National Emergency With Respect to
    Zimbabwe
    March 6, 2003

    To the Congress of the United States:
        Pursuant to section 204(b) of the International Emergency Economic
    Powers Act, 50 U.S.C. 1703(b) and section 301 of the National
    Emergencies Act, 50 U.S.C. 1631, I hereby report that I have exercised
    my statutory authority to declare a national emergency with respect to
    the unusual and extraordinary threat to the foreign policy interests of
    the United States posed by the actions and policies of certain
    individuals who have formulated, implemented, or supported policies that
    have undermined Zimbabwe's democratic institutions.
        Over the course of more than 2 years, the Government of Zimbabwe has
    systematically undermined that nation's democratic institutions,
    employing violence, intimidation, and repressive means including
    legislation to stifle opposition to its rule. This campaign to ensure
    the continued rule of Robert Mugabe and his
    associates was clearly revealed in the badly flawed presidential
    election held in March 2002. Subsequent to the election, the Mugabe
    government intensified its repression of opposition political parties
    and those voices in civil society and the independent press calling on
    the government to respect the nation's democratic values and the basic
    human rights of its citizens. To add to the desperation of the besieged
    Zimbabwean people, the current government has engaged in a violent
    assault on the rule of law that has thrown the economy into chaos,
    devastated the nation's agricultural economy, and triggered a
    potentially catastrophic food crisis.
        As a result of the unusual and extraordinary threat posed to the
    foreign policy of the United States by the deterioration of Zimbabwe's
    democracy and the resulting breakdown in the rule of law, politically
    motivated violence, and the political and economic instability in the
    southern African region, I have exercised my statutory authority and
    issued an Executive Order which, except to the extent provided for in
    regulations, orders, directives, or licenses that may be issued pursuant
    to this order, and notwithstanding any contract entered into or any
    license or permit granted prior to the effective date:

        blocks all property and interests in property of the
                individuals listed in the Annex to the order;
        prohibits any transaction or dealing by United States
                persons or within the United States in property or interests
                in property blocked pursuant to the order, including the
                making or receiving of any contribution of funds, goods, or
                services to or for the benefit of the persons designated
                pursuant to the order.

        The Secretary of the Treasury is further authorized to designate any
    person determined, in consultation with the Secretary of State, to be
    owned or controlled by, or acting or purporting to act directly or
    indirectly for or on behalf of, any persons designated in or pursuant to
    the order. The Secretary of the Treasury is also authorized in the
    exercise of my authorities under the International Emergency Economic
    Powers Act to implement these measures in consultation with the
    Secretary of State. All Federal agencies are directed to take actions
    within their authority to carry out the provisions of the Executive
    Order.
        This Executive Order further demonstrates the U.S. commitment to
    supporting Zimbabwe's democratic evolution, and strengthens our
    cooperation with the European Union in efforts to promote that
    evolution. The European Union has acted to freeze the assets of 79
    individuals responsible for the political, economic, and

    [[Page 256]]

    social deterioration of Zimbabwe. With the exception of two individuals
    no longer associated with the Government of Zimbabwe, this order
    encompasses all those identified by the European Union.
        I have enclosed a copy of the Executive Order I have issued.

                                                              George W. Bush

     The White House,

     March 6, 2003.

    Note: This message was released by the Office of the Press Secretary on
    March 7. The Executive order of March 6 is listed in Appendix D at the
    end of this volume.