[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 39, Number 4 (Monday, January 27, 2003)]
[Pages 90-91]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Letter to Congressional Leaders on Continuation of the National 
Emergency With Respect to Terrorists Who Threaten To Disrupt the Middle 
East Peace Process

January 20, 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 emergency declared with respect to 
foreign terrorists who threaten to disrupt the Middle East peace process 
is to continue in effect beyond January 23, 2003, to the Federal 
Register for publication. The most recent notice continuing this 
emergency was published in the Federal Register on January 22, 2002 (67 
FR 3033).
    The crisis with respect to the grave acts of violence committed by 
foreign terrorists that disrupt the Middle East peace process that led 
to the declaration of a national emergency on January 23, 1995, as 
expanded on August 20, 1998, has not been resolved. Terrorist groups 
continue to engage in activities that have the purpose or effect of 
threatening the Middle East peace process and that are

[[Page 91]]

hostile to United States interests in the region. Such actions 
constitute an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security, 
foreign policy, and economy of the United States. On August 20, 1998, 
the President identified four additional persons, including Usama bin 
Ladin, who threaten to disrupt the Middle East peace process. For these 
reasons, I have determined that it is necessary to continue the national 
emergency declared with respect to foreign terrorists who threaten to 
disrupt the Middle East peace process and to maintain in force the 
economic sanctions against them to respond to this threat.
     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 
January 21.