ExecutiveOrdersEO
DetDeterminationG.W. Bush · R Quiet signal

Presidential Determination

Waiver and Certification of Statutory Provisions Regarding the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) Office

President Bush waived for six months the statutory ban on the Palestine Liberation Organization maintaining an office in the United States, certifying that doing so served U.S. national security interests. The Secretary of State was directed to transmit the determination to Congress and publish it in the Federal Register.

Federal Register Open PDF 70 FR 62225

Impact dates

  1. Waiver expires (6 months from signing)

Key directives

  • Waive provisions of section 1003 of the Anti-Terrorism Act of 1987
  • Certify waiver is important to U.S. national security interests
  • Transmit determination to Congress
  • Publish determination in the Federal Register

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

  • Waiver takes effect upon signing
  • PLO office operations may continue

Near term (90d)

  • Six-month waiver period runs through April 14, 2006

Long term

  • Potential need for renewal or alternative arrangement after waiver expires

Risks & tensions

  • Temporary nature creates policy uncertainty; Congress may resist repeated renewals
  • Waiver of anti-terrorism statute involves tension between diplomatic engagement and counterterrorism posture
  • Text does not specify whether PLO office activities are conditioned or monitored
Presidential Determination: Waiver and Certification of Statutory Provisions Regarding the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) Office · Executive Orders