[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 45, Number 3 (Monday, January 26, 2009)]
[Page 95]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Executive Order 13487--Establishment of a Temporary Organization To 
Facilitate United States Government Support for Afghanistan

January 16, 2009

    By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and 
the laws of the United States of America, including section 202 of the 
Revised Statutes (22 U.S.C. 2656) and section 3161 of title 5, United 
States Code, it is hereby ordered as follows:
    Section 1. Establishment. There is established within the Department 
of State, in accordance with section 3161 of title 5, United States 
Code, a temporary organization to be known as the Afghanistan Support 
Office (ASO).
    Sec. 2. Purpose of the Temporary Organization. The purpose of the 
ASO shall be to perform the specific project of supporting executive 
departments and agencies in preventing Afghanistan from becoming a safe 
haven for terrorists, facilitating Afghanistan's progress to self-
sufficiency, and maintaining an effective diplomatic presence in 
Afghanistan.
    Sec. 3. Functions of the Temporary Organization. In carrying out its 
purpose set forth in section 2, the ASO shall:
(a)          support executive departments and agencies in building the 
            civilian capabilities of the Government of Afghanistan, 
            including expansion of central services by the Government of 
            Afghanistan, development of a thriving private sector 
            economy, and improvement in the governance of Afghanistan's 
            territory and borders; and
(b)          perform such other functions related to the specific 
            project set forth in section 2 as the Secretary of State 
            (Secretary) may assign.
    Sec. 4. Personnel and Administration. The ASO shall be headed by a 
Director selected by the Secretary. The ASO shall be jointly based in 
Washington, D.C., and Afghanistan, and the Secretary of State shall seek 
accreditation of employees as members of the United States Embassy Kabul 
as necessary.
    Sec. 5. General Provisions. (a) This order shall be implemented in 
accordance with applicable law, subject to the availability of 
appropriations, and consistent with presidential guidance.
(b)          This order is not intended to, and does not, create any 
            right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at 
            law or in equity, by any party against the United States, 
            its agencies, instrumentalities, or entities, its officers, 
            employees, or agents, or any other person.
(c)          The ASO shall terminate at the end of the maximum period 
            permitted by section 3161(a)(1) of title 5, United States 
            Code, unless sooner terminated by the Secretary.
                                                George W. Bush
 The White House,
 January 16, 2009.

 [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 11:15 a.m., January 21, 
2009]

Note: This Executive order was published in the Federal Register on 
January 22. This item was not received in time for inclusion in the 
appropriate issue.