[House Document 108-24] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] 108th Congress, 1st Session - - - - - - - - - - - - - House Document 108-24 PERIODIC REPORT ON THE NATIONAL EMERGENCY WITH RESPECT TO TERRORISTS WHO THREATEN TO DISRUPT THE MIDDLE EAST PEACE PROCESS __________ COMMUNICATION from THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES TRANSMITTING A SIX-MONTH PERIODIC REPORT ON THE NATIONAL EMERGENCY, DECLARED IN EXECUTIVE ORDER 12947 OF JANUARY 23, 1995, WITH RESPECT TO TERRORISTS WHO THREATEN TO DISRUPT THE MIDDLE EAST PEACE PROCESS, PURSUANT TO 50 U.S.C. 1641(c) AND 50 U.S.C. 1703(c) [GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT] January 28, 2003.--Referred to the Committee on International Relations and ordered to be printed The White House, Washington, January 20, 2003. Hon. J. Dennis Hastert, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Mr. Speaker: As required by section 401(c) of the National Emergencies Act, 50 U.S.C. 1641(c), and section 204(c) of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, 50 U.S.C. 1703(c), I transmit herewith a 6-month periodic report prepared by my Administration on the national emergency with respect to terrorists who threaten to disrupt the Middle East peace process that was declared in Executive Order 12947 of January 23, 1995. Sincerely, George W. Bush. Periodic Report on the National Emergency With Respect to Terrorists Who Threaten To Disrupt the Middle East Peace Process I hereby report to the Congress on the developments over the course of the past 6 months concerning the national emergency, with respect to terrorists who threaten to disrupt the Middle East peace process, that was declared in Executive Order 12947 of January 23, 1995, as expanded in scope by Executive Order 13099 of August 20, 1998. This report, based upon information provided, is submitted pursuant to section 204(c) of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, 50 U.S.C. 1703(c) (IEEPA), and section 401(c) of the National Emergencies Act, 50 U.S.C. 1641(c). 1. There have been no amendments to the Terrorism Sanctions Regulations, 31 CFR Part 595 (the ``Regulations''), during the current reporting period. 2. As of November 22, 2002, the Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has issued two licenses authorizing the release of blocked funds after it was determined that there was no Specially Designated Terrorist (SDT) property interest in the funds. 3. As of November 22, 2002, three transactions were blocked, bringing the total blocked assets being reported to OFAC to approximately $6,451,000. The blocking of these funds prevents their conversion or other disposal for the benefit of the SDT. Federal agencies will continue to work closely to identify and block assets in which SDTs have an interest. 4. Since my last report, one U.S. financial institution is undergoing civil penalty enforcement action for allegations of prohibited transactions with an SDT. 5. The expenses incurred by the Federal Government in the 6-month period from July 23, 2002, through January 22, 2003, that are directly attributable to the exercise of powers and authorities conferred by the declaration of the national emergency with respect to terrorists who threaten to disrupt the Middle East peace process are estimated at approximately $222,000. These data do not reflect certain costs of operations by the intelligence and law enforcement communities. 6. Executive Orders 12947 and 13099 provide this Administration with a tool for combating fundraising in this country on behalf of organizations that use terror to undermine the Middle East peace process. The orders make it harder for such groups to finance these criminal activities by impeding their access to sources of support in the United States and to U.S. financial facilities. They are also intended to reach charitable contributions to designated organizations and individuals to preclude diversion of such donations to terrorist activities. The Executive Orders demonstrate the United State's determination to confront and combat those who would seek to destroy the Middle East peace process and our commitment to the global fight against terrorism. I shall exercise the powers at my disposal to deal with these terrorists and will continue to report periodically to the Congress on significant developments as required by law.