    [Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 34, Number 53 (Monday, January 4, 1999)]
    [Pages 2537-2538]
    [Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    <R04>
    Letter to Congressional Leaders on Continuation of the National
    Emergency With Respect to Libya

    December 30, 1998

    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

    [[Page 2538]]

    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 Libyan
    emergency is to continue in effect beyond January 7, 1999, to the
    Federal Register for publication. Similar notices have been sent
    annually to the Congress and published in the Federal Register. The most
    recent notice was signed on January 2, 1998, and appeared in the Federal
    Register on January 6, 1998.
        The crisis between the United States and Libya that led to the
    declaration of a national emergency on January 7, 1986, has not been
    resolved. The Government of Libya has continued its actions and policies
    in support of terrorism, despite the calls by the United Nations
    Security Council, in Resolutions 731 (1992), 748 (1992), and 883 (1993),
    that Libya demonstrate by concrete actions its renunciation of
    terrorism. Such Libyan actions and policies pose a continuing unusual
    and extraordinary threat to the national security and vital foreign
    policy interests of the United States. Furthermore, the Libyan
    government has not delivered the two Lockerbie bombing suspects for
    trial, even though the United States and United Kingdom accepted Libya's
    proposal to try the suspects in a Scottish court in a third country.
    Libya's stalling in handing over the suspects is yet another indication
    of Libya's continued support for terrorism and rejection of
    international norms. For these reasons, I have determined that it is
    necessary to maintain in force the broad authorities necessary to apply
    economic pressure to the Government of Libya to reduce its ability to
    support international terrorism.
        Sincerely,
                                                William J. Clinton

    Note: Identical letters were sent to Newt Gingrich, Speaker of the House
    of Representatives, and Albert Gore, Jr., President of the Senate.