ExecutiveOrdersEO
DetDeterminationG.W. Bush · R

Presidential Determination

Imposition and Waiver of Sanctions Under Section 604 of the FY 2003 Foreign Relations Authorization Act (Public Law 107-228)

President Bush imposed a sanction downgrading the PLO office status in the U.S. due to noncompliance by the PLO and Palestinian Authority with certain commitments, but simultaneously waived that same sanction for 180 days, citing national security interests. The Secretary of State is directed to transmit the required congressional report and publish this determination in the Federal Register.

Federal Register Open PDF 68 FR 74461

Impact dates

  1. Sanction imposition and waiver expire or extend based on next section 603 report

Key directives

  • Impose sanction under section 604(a)(2): downgrade in status of PLO Office in the United States
  • Waive same sanction pursuant to section 604, citing national security interest
  • Transmit section 603 report to appropriate congressional committees
  • Transmit this determination to Congress
  • Publish determination in the Federal Register

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

  • Sanction imposed and waived simultaneously
  • PLO office status downgrade suspended for 180 days

Near term (90d)

  • Congressional report transmission required
  • Waiver effective through approximately June 8, 2004

Long term

  • Potential reinstatement of downgrade if next section 603 report shows continued noncompliance
  • Ongoing congressional reporting cycle under the Act

Risks & tensions

  • Circular structure: sanction imposed and immediately waived may limit actual pressure on PLO/PA
  • Vague 'certain commitments' noncompliance not specified in text
  • Waiver contingent on national security interest assertion without elaboration
  • Duration uncertainty: 'whichever is later' creates open-ended timeline tied to unspecified next report date
Presidential Determination: Imposition and Waiver of Sanctions Under Section 604 of the FY 2003 Foreign Relations Authorization Act (Public Law 107-228) · Executive Orders