[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 39, Number 12 (Monday, March 24, 2003)]
[Page 346]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Memorandum on Determination Pursuant to Section 2(c)(1) of the Migration 
and Refugee Assistance Act of 1962, as Amended

March 20, 2003

 Presidential Determination No. 2003-17

Memorandum for the Secretary of State

Subject: Determination Pursuant to Section 2(c)(1) of the Migration and 
Refugee Assistance Act of 1962, as Amended

    Pursuant to section 2(c)(1) of the Migration and Refugee Assistance 
Act of 1962, as amended, 22 U.S.C. 2601(c)(1), I hereby determine that 
it is important to the national interest that up to $22 million be made 
available from the U.S. Emergency Refugee and Migration Assistance Fund 
to meet unexpected urgent refugee and migration needs that are 
anticipated in the event of a future humanitarian emergency in the 
Middle East, to include contingency planning for such needs. Such an 
emergency may arise if it becomes necessary for the United States and 
other nations to use military force to disarm the Iraqi regime of its 
weapons of mass destruction. These funds may be used, as appropriate, to 
provide contributions to international, governmental, and 
nongovernmental organizations, as well as for administrative expenses to 
manage this response by the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and 
Migration.
    You are authorized and directed to inform the appropriate committees 
of the Congress of this determination and the obligation of funds under 
this authority, and to publish this memorandum in the Federal Register.
                                                George W. Bush