[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 44, Number 18 (Monday, May 12, 2008)]
[Pages 671-672]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Message to the Congress on Continuation of the National Emergency 
Blocking Property of Certain Persons and Prohibiting the Export of 
Certain Goods to Syria

May 7, 2008

To the Congress of the United States:

    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 
national emergency declared in Executive Order 13338 of May 11, 2004, 
and expanded in scope in Executive Order 13399 of April 25, 2006, and 
Executive Order 13460 of February 13, 2008, authorizing the blocking of 
property of certain persons and prohibiting the exportation and re-
exportation of certain goods to Syria, is to continue in effect beyond 
May 11, 2008.

[[Page 672]]

    The actions of the Government of Syria in supporting terrorism, 
interfering in Lebanon, pursuing weapons of mass destruction and missile 
programs including the recent revelation of illicit nuclear cooperation 
with North Korea, and undermining U.S. and international efforts with 
respect to the stabilization and reconstruction of Iraq pose a 
continuing 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 in effect the national 
emergency declared with respect to this threat and to maintain in force 
the sanctions I have ordered to address this national emergency.
                                                George W. Bush
 The White House,
 May 7, 2008.