ExecutiveOrdersEO
DetDeterminationG.W. Bush · R

Presidential Determination

Imposition and Waiver of Sanctions Under Section 604 of the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Year 2003

President Bush imposed a statutory sanction downgrading the PLO office status in the U.S. due to Palestinian noncompliance with commitments, but immediately waived that same sanction for 180 days citing national security interests. The Secretary of State is directed to transmit the required report to Congress and publish the determination in the Federal Register.

Federal Register Open PDF 67 FR 72363

Impact dates

  1. Sanction imposition period expires (or extends to next section 603 report, whichever is later)

  2. Waiver expires (or extends to next section 603 report, whichever is later)

  3. Next section 603 report to Congress due (triggers end of sanction/waiver period if before 180 days)

Key directives

  • Impose sanction under section 604(a)(2): downgrade status of PLO Office in the United States
  • Waive same sanction for 180 days or until next section 603 report transmitted to Congress, whichever is later
  • Transmit initial section 603 report to appropriate congressional committees
  • Transmit determination to Congress
  • Publish determination in the Federal Register

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

  • Sanction imposed and simultaneously waived
  • Secretary of State directed to transmit report to congressional committees and publish determination

Near term (90d)

  • 180-day waiver period runs; next section 603 report due to Congress

Long term

  • Potential reimposition if waiver expires without extension; status of PLO office subject to congressional reporting cycle

Risks & tensions

  • Circular structure: sanction imposed then immediately waived may weaken deterrent credibility
  • Ambiguity on exact end date: 'whichever is later' creates uncertainty between 180-day clock and unspecified report timing
  • Congress may view waiver as circumventing statutory intent on Palestinian compliance
Presidential Determination: Imposition and Waiver of Sanctions Under Section 604 of the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Year 2003 · Executive Orders