    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2005, Book I)]
    [May 5, 2005]
    [Pages 751-752]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Letter to Congressional Leaders on Continuation of the National
    Emergency Blocking Property of Certain Persons and Prohibiting the
    Export of Certain Goods to Syria
    May 5, 2005

    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 national emergency declared in
    Executive Order 13338 of May 11, 2004, blocking property of certain
    persons and prohibiting the exportation and reexportation of certain
    goods to Syria, is to continue in effect beyond May 11, 2005,to the
    Federal Register for publication.
        The actions of the Government of Syria in supporting terrorism,
    pursuing weapons of mass destruction and missile programs, undermining
    United States and international efforts with respect to the
    stabilization and reconstruction of Iraq, and with respect to Lebanon
    pose a continuing, unusual, and extraordinary threat to the national
    security, foreign policy, and economy of the United States. For these
    reasons, I have determined that it is necessary to continue in effect
    the national emergency authorizing the blocking of property of certain
    persons and prohibiting the exportation and reexportation of certain
    goods to Syria, and to maintain in force the sanctions to respond to
    this threat.

    [[Page 752]]

             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. The notice is listed in Appendix D at the end of this volume.