    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2008, Book II)]
    [October 16, 2008]
    [Page 1315]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Letter to Congressional Leaders on Continuation of the National
    Emergency With Respect to Significant Narcotics Traffickers Centered in
    Colombia
    October 16, 2008

    Dear Madam 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 to the
    Federal Register for publication the enclosed notice stating that the
    emergency declared with respect to significant narcotics traffickers
    centered in Colombia is to continue in effect beyond October 21, 2008.
        The circumstances that led to the declaration on October 21, 1995,
    of a national emergency have not been resolved. The actions of
    significant narcotics traffickers centered in Colombia continue to pose
    an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security, foreign
    policy, and economy of the United States and to cause unparalleled
    violence, corruption, and harm in the United States and abroad. For
    these reasons, I have determined that it is necessary to maintain
    economic pressure on significant narcotics traffickers centered in
    Colombia by blocking their property and interests in property that are
    in the United States or within the possession or control of United
    States persons and by depriving them of access to the U.S. market and
    financial system.
             Sincerely,

                                                              George W. Bush

    Note: Identical letters were sent to Nancy Pelosi, 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 October 17.
    The notice of October 16 is listed in Appendix D at the end of this
    volume.