[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 39, Number 3 (Monday, January 20, 2003)]
[Pages 79-80]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Letter to Congressional Leaders on Continuation of the National 
Emergency With Respect to Sierra Leone and Liberia

January 16, 2003

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 Sierra Leone and Liberia emergency is 
to continue in effect beyond January 18, 2003, to the Federal Register 
for publication. The most recent notice continuing this emergency was 
published in the Federal Register on January 17, 2002 (67 FR 2547).
    The national emergency declared with respect to Sierra Leone on 
January 18, 2001, as expanded on May 22, 2001, with respect to Liberia, 
has not been resolved. Some 1,500 Revolutionary United Front (RUF) 
soldiers have crossed into Liberia in the past year, where they remain 
under arms and continue to pose a threat to the Government of Sierra 
Leone. They use illicit trade in diamonds to sustain themselves in 
Liberia and for weapons purchases. The Government of Liberia continues 
to support these RUF elements and give them sanctuary.
    These actions and policies are hostile to U.S. interests and pose a 
continuing unusual and extraordinary threat to the 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 Sierra Leone 
and Liberia and to maintain in force the sanctions imposed in response 
to the threat posed by the actions and policies of the RUF.
     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.

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