ExecutiveOrdersEO
DetDeterminationG.W. Bush · R

Presidential Determination

Waiver and Certification of Statutory Provisions Regarding the Palestine Liberation Organization

President Bush waived for six months a provision of the 1987 Anti-Terrorism Act that restricted U.S. dealings with the Palestine Liberation Organization, citing national security interests. The Secretary of State was directed to transmit the waiver to Congress and publish it in the Federal Register.

Federal Register Open PDF 69 FR 21679

Impact dates

  1. Waiver expires unless renewed

Key directives

  • Waive section 1003 of the Anti-Terrorism Act of 1987 for 6 months
  • Transmit determination to Congress
  • Publish determination in the Federal Register

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

  • Waiver takes effect upon signing
  • Secretary of State directed to transmit to Congress and publish in Federal Register

Near term (90d)

  • Waiver remains in effect through mid-October 2004

Long term

  • Potential renewal or expiration of waiver after 6-month period

Risks & tensions

  • Periodic waiver creates uncertainty for PLO-U.S. relations
  • Congressional oversight tension: statute requires presidential override of legislative restriction
  • Timing in 2004 amid active Israeli-Palestinian conflict and U.S. election year
Presidential Determination: Waiver and Certification of Statutory Provisions Regarding the Palestine Liberation Organization · Executive Orders