[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 38, Number 31 (Monday, August 5, 2002)]
[Pages 1291-1292]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

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

July 30, 2002

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 Iraq emergency is to continue in 
effect beyond August 2, 2002, to the Federal Register for publication. 
The most recent notice continuing this emergency was published in the 
Federal Register on August 1, 2001, (66 Fed Reg. 40105).
    The crisis between the United States and Iraq that led to the 
declaration of a national emergency on August 2, 1990, has not been 
resolved. The Government of Iraq continues

[[Page 1292]]

to engage in activities inimical to stability in the Middle East and 
hostile to U.S. interests. Such Iraqi actions pose a continuing unusual 
and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of 
the United States. For these reasons, I have determined that it is 
necessary to continue the national emergency declared with respect to 
Iraq and to maintain in force the broad authorities necessary to apply 
economic pressure on the Government of Iraq.
    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. This letter was released by the Office of the Press Secretary on 
August 1.