[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.