[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 44, Number 5 (Monday, February 11, 2008)]
[Pages 157-158]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Notice--Continuation of the National Emergency Relating to Cuba and of 
the Emergency Authority Relating to the Regulation of the Anchorage and 
Movement of Vessels

February 6, 2008

    On March 1, 1996, by Proclamation 6867, a national emergency was 
declared to address the disturbance or threatened disturbance of 
international relations caused by the February 24, 1996, destruction by 
the Cuban government of two unarmed U.S.-registered civilian aircraft in 
international airspace north of Cuba. In July 1996 and on subsequent 
occasions, the Cuban government stated its intent to forcefully defend 
its sovereignty against any U.S.-registered vessels or aircraft that 
might enter Cuban territorial waters or airspace while involved in a 
flotilla or peaceful protest. Since these events, the Cuban government 
has not demonstrated that it will refrain from the future use of 
reckless and excessive force against U.S. vessels or aircraft that may 
engage in memorial activities or peaceful protest north of Cuba. On 
February 26, 2004, by Proclamation 7757, the scope of the national 
emergency was expanded in order to deny monetary and material support to 
the repressive Cuban government, which had taken a series of steps to 
destabilize relations with the United States, including threatening to 
abrogate the Migration Accords with the United States and to close the 
United States Interests Section. Further, Cuba's most senior officials 
repeatedly asserted that the United States intended to invade Cuba, 
despite explicit denials from the U.S. Secretaries of State and Defense 
that such action is planned. Therefore, in accordance with section 
202(d) of the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1622(d)), I am 
continuing the national emergency with respect to Cuba and the emergency 
authority relating to the regulation of the anchorage and movement of 
vessels set out in Proclamation 6867 as amended and expanded by 
Proclamation 7757.

[[Page 158]]

    This notice shall be published in the Federal Register and 
transmitted to the Congress.
                                                George W. Bush
 The White House,
 February 6, 2008.

 [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 11:19 a.m., February 6, 
2008]

Note: This notice was released by the Office of the Press Secretary on 
February 7, and it was published in the Federal Register on February 7.