Executive Order Waiving Sanctions on the PLO
(November 29, 2002)
This order effectively blames the Palestinians for
violence, charging that Arafat's Palestinian Authority and the PLO have not taken steps
to stop militants. Still, President Bush decided not to impose sanctions,
which could include closing the PLO office
in Washington. A memorandum that prefaces the report waives sanctions, saying they would
be against U.S. security interests and that the United States "must
maintain contacts with all sides."
Presidential Determination No. 2003-04
November 29, 2002
MEMORANDUM FOR THE SECRETARY OF STATE
SUBJECT: Imposition and Waiver of Sanctions Under Section 604 of the
Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Year 2003
Pursuant to the authority contained in section 604 of the Foreign Relations
Authorization Act, Fiscal Year 2003 (the "Act") (Public Law
107-228), and pursuant to section 603 of that Act, regarding noncompliance
by the PLO and the Palestinian Authority with certain commitments, I
hereby impose the sanction set out in section 604(a)(2), "Downgrade
in Status of the PLO Office in the United States." This sanction
is imposed for a period of 180 days from the date hereof or until such
time as the next report required by section 603 of the Act is transmitted
to the Congress, whichever is later. You are authorized and directed
to transmit to the appropriate congressional committees the initial
report described in section 603 of the Act.
Furthermore, I hereby determine that it is in the national security
interest of the United States to waive that sanction, pursuant to section
604 of the Act. This waiver shall be effective for a period of 180 days
from the date hereof or until such time as the next report required
by section 603 of the Act is transmitted to the Congress, whichever
is later.
You are hereby authorized and directed to transmit this determination
to the Congress and to publish it in the Federal Register.
GEORGE W. BUSH
Sources: The White House |