    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2008, Book I)]
    [March 11, 2008]
    [Page 354]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Message to the Congress on Continuation of the National Emergency With
    Respect to Iran
    March 11, 2008

    To the Congress of the United States:
        The crisis between the United States and Iran constituted by the
    actions and policies of the Government of Iran that led to the
    declaration of a national emergency on March 15, 1995, has not been
    resolved. The actions and policies of the Government of Iran are
    contrary to the interests of the United States in the region and pose a
    continuing unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security,
    foreign policy, and economy of the United States. Iran remains the
    world's most active state sponsor of terrorism, and continues to provide
    lethal support to Lebanese Hizballah, HAMAS, Palestinian Islamic Jihad
    and numerous other terrorist organizations in the region, as well as to
    the Taliban in Afghanistan and various Iraqi militant groups. For these
    reasons, I have determined that it is necessary to continue the national
    emergency declared with respect to Iran and maintain in force
    comprehensive sanctions against Iran to respond to this threat.
        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 Iran emergency declared on March 15, 1995, is to continue in effect
    beyond March 15, 2008.

                                                              George W. Bush

     The White House,

     March 11, 2008.

    Note: This message was released by the Office of the Press Secretary on
    March 12. The notice is listed in Appendix D at the end of this volume.