ExecutiveOrdersEO
EO 13098Executive OrderClinton · D Quiet signal

Executive Order 13098

Blocking Property of UNITA and ProhibitingCertain Transactions With Respect to UNITA

This executive order blocks all U.S.-based property of UNITA (the Angolan rebel group) and designated senior officials and their families. It also prohibits U.S. persons from importing non-certified Angolan diamonds, and from selling or supplying mining equipment, vehicles, and related services to certain areas of Angola outside government control.

Federal Register Open PDF 63 FR 44771

Impact dates

  1. Order effective at 12:01 a.m. EDT

Key directives

  • Block all property of UNITA and designated senior officials/family members in U.S. jurisdiction (Sec. 1)
  • Prohibit import of non-certified Angolan diamonds (Sec. 2(a))
  • Prohibit sale/supply of mining equipment to Angola except through designated points of entry (Sec. 2(b))
  • Prohibit sale/supply of motorized vehicles/watercraft/spare parts to Angola except through designated points of entry (Sec. 2(c))
  • Prohibit mining and transportation services to non-state-administered areas (Sec. 2(d))
  • Prohibit evasion or attempted violation of any prohibition (Sec. 3)
  • Authorize Treasury Secretary, in consultation with State Secretary, to designate officials, points of entry, non-state areas, establish humanitarian exemptions, and promulgate regulations (Sec. 5)
  • Direct all agencies to implement order including suspension of existing licenses (Sec. 5)

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

  • Property blocking takes effect at 12:01 a.m. EDT August 19, 1998
  • Diamond import ban effective immediately
  • Prohibitions on equipment, vehicle, and service sales take effect

Near term (90d)

  • Treasury/State designation of specific UNITA officials, points of entry, and non-state-administered areas
  • Promulgation of implementing regulations and humanitarian exemptions

Long term

  • Ongoing enforcement of sanctions regime tied to UN Security Council resolutions
  • Potential adjustments based on Angolan peace process developments

Risks & tensions

  • Certificate of Origin regime verification relies on Angolan government capacity—may be weak
  • Designation authority delegated to Treasury/State without specific timeline for completion
  • Extraterritorial reach via U.S.-registered vessels/aircraft may create friction with flag-state principles
  • Humanitarian exemption scope left entirely to executive discretion
Executive Order 13098: Blocking Property of UNITA and ProhibitingCertain Transactions With Respect to UNITA · Executive Orders