[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 44, Number 29 (Monday, July 28, 2008)]
[Page 1025]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Statement on Signing an Executive Order Blocking Property of Additional 
Persons Undermining Democratic Processes or Institutions in Zimbabwe

July 25, 2008

    Today I have signed a new Executive order that expands our sanctions 
against the illegitimate Government of Zimbabwe. The new Executive order 
significantly enhances our ability to designate individuals in and 
entities connected to the Mugabe regime. Under the new Executive order, 
the Treasury Department will today designate several of these 
Government-controlled entities.
    This action is a direct result of the Mugabe regime's continued 
politically-motivated violence, disregarding calls from the Southern 
African Development Community, the African Union, and the United Nations 
to halt the attacks. The regime has also continued its ban against NGO 
activities that would provide assistance to the suffering and vulnerable 
people of Zimbabwe. No regime should ignore the will of its own people 
and calls from the international community without consequences.
    Should ongoing talks in South Africa between Mugabe's regime and the 
Movement of Democratic Change result in a new government that reflects 
the will of the Zimbabwean people, the United States stands ready to 
provide a substantial assistance package, development aid, and 
normalization with international financial institutions.
    In the meantime, I am reaffirming my commitment to support the 
suffering people of Zimbabwe, authorizing the use of up to $2.5 million 
from the U.S. Emergency Refugee and Migration Assistance Fund to assist 
Zimbabwean refugees and asylum seekers who have been displaced due to 
the ongoing violence in their country. We will also continue our efforts 
to provide food and health assistance as part of our commitment to help 
the people of Zimbabwe in their time of greatest need.

Note: The statement referred to President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe; and 
Executive Order 13469.