Continuation of Emergency With Respect to the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro)

President George W. Bush continued two national emergencies for one year: one declared May 30, 1992, regarding the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro) and expanded in 1994 for Bosnian Serb actions; and another declared June 9, 1998, regarding Kosovo. The continuation maintains blocking of certain property and restrictions on transactions with persons indicted for war crimes by the ICTY until underlying claims and political conditions are resolved.

Federal Register Open PDF 67 FR 37661

Impact dates

May 30, 2003
1992 emergency continuation expires unless further extended
May 30, 2002
expiration of 1992 national emergency without continuation

Key directives

continue national emergency declared May 30, 1992, for 1 year beyond May 30, 2002
continue national emergency declared June 9, 1998, for 1 year beyond June 9, 2002
maintain blocking of property subject to claims or encumbrances
maintain restrictions on transactions with persons under ICTY indictment
publish notice in Federal Register and transmit to Congress

Who is ordered

President · Executive Office of the President

Timeline

Immediate

continuation of national emergencies takes effect upon notice publication
blocking of property subject to claims or encumbrances remains in place

Near term (90d)

annual review cycle for emergency continuation completed

Long term

continuation of sanctions framework until resolution of Kosovo crisis, Milosevic associate status, and ICTY indictments
potential unblocking of property once claims/encumbrances resolved under applicable law

Risks & tensions

tension between sanctions relief for peace agreement compliance and continued blocking for unresolved property claims
vague standard for when 'status of all remaining blocked property is resolved' creates implementation uncertainty
ICTY indictment-based restrictions operate without explicit due process protections in the notice