    [Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 42, Number 3 (Monday, January 23, 2006)]
    [Page 80]
    [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 18, 2006

    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 to the
    Federal Register for publication 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, 2006. The most recent notice continuing this emergency was
    published in the Federal Register on January 21, 2005 (70 FR 3277).
        The crisis with respect to the grave acts of violence committed by
    foreign terrorists who 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 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. 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.