    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2003, Book I)]
    [January 20, 2003]
    [Page 68]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Letter to Congressional Leaders on Continuation of the National
    Emergency With Respect to Terrorists Who Threaten To Disrupt the Middle
    East Peace Process
    January 20, 2003

    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 emergency declared with respect to
    foreign terrorists who threaten to disrupt the Middle East peace process
    is to continue in effect beyond January 23, 2003, to the Federal
    Register for publication. The most recent notice continuing this
    emergency was published in the Federal Register on January 22, 2002 (67
    FR 3033).
        The crisis with respect to the grave acts of violence committed by
    foreign terrorists that disrupt the Middle East peace process that led
    to the declaration of a national emergency on January 23, 1995, as
    expanded on August 20, 1998, has not been resolved. Terrorist groups
    continue to engage in activities that have the purpose or effect of
    threatening the Middle East peace process and that are hostile to United
    States interests in the region. Such actions constitute an unusual and
    extraordinary threat to the national security, foreign policy, and
    economy of the United States. On August 20, 1998, the President
    identified four additional persons, including Usama bin Ladin,