[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 44, Number 41 (Monday, October 20, 2008)]
[Page 1353]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Letter to Congressional Leaders on Continuation of the National 
Emergency With Respect to Significant Narcotics Traffickers Centered in 
Colombia

October 16, 2008

Dear Madam 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 significant narcotics traffickers 
centered in Colombia is to continue in effect beyond October 21, 2008.
    The circumstances that led to the declaration on October 21, 1995, 
of a national emergency have not been resolved. The actions of 
significant narcotics traffickers centered in Colombia continue to pose 
an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security, foreign 
policy, and economy of the United States and to cause unparalleled 
violence, corruption, and harm in the United States and abroad. For 
these reasons, I have determined that it is necessary to maintain 
economic pressure on significant narcotics traffickers centered in 
Colombia by blocking their property and interests in property that are 
in the United States or within the possession or control of United 
States persons and by depriving them of access to the U.S. market and 
financial system.
     Sincerely,
                                                George W. Bush

Note: Identical letters were sent to Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House 
of Representatives, and Richard B. Cheney, President of the Senate. This 
letter was released by the Office of the Press Secretary on October 17.