Presidential Determination on Energy Assistance for the Democratic People's Republic of Korea

President George W. Bush authorized transferring $25 million from FY07 Eastern Europe/Baltic States assistance funds to provide energy assistance to North Korea, waiving legal restrictions under section 614(a)(1) of the Foreign Assistance Act. The determination directs the Secretary of State to notify Congress and publish the document in the Federal Register.

Federal Register Open PDF 72 FR 56873

Impact dates

Date TBD
Energy assistance to be furnished (timing unspecified beyond authorization)

Key directives

Transfer $25 million from FY07 Eastern Europe/Baltic States assistance to chapter 4 of part II of the Foreign Assistance Act
Furnish up to $25 million in energy assistance to North Korea
Waive provisions of law under section 614(a)(1) of the Foreign Assistance Act
Transmit determination to Congress
Arrange for Federal Register publication

Who is ordered

Secretary of State · Department of State

Timeline

Immediate

$25 million transfer and consolidation of funds authorized
Waiver of legal restrictions under section 614(a)(1) invoked

Near term (90d)

Energy assistance to be furnished to North Korea
Congressional notification and Federal Register publication

Long term

—

Risks & tensions

Redirects assistance from Eastern Europe/Baltic States to North Korea during ongoing nuclear negotiations (Six-Party Talks context)
Section 614(a)(1) waiver overrides normal congressional restrictions, raising separation-of-powers concerns
Energy assistance to North Korea historically contentious due to proliferation risks