ExecutiveOrdersEO
Notice 12938NoticeG.W. Bush · R Quiet signal

Presidential Notice 12938

Continuation of Emergency Regarding Weapons of Mass Destruction

President George W. Bush continued for one year the national emergency first declared by President Clinton in 1994 regarding the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their delivery systems. The continuation is authorized under section 202(d) of the National Emergencies Act and extends the emergency beyond its November 14, 2003 expiration date.

Federal Register Open PDF 68 FR 62209

Impact dates

  1. Continued emergency expires unless further extended

Key directives

  • Continue national emergency declared in EO 12938, as amended, for 1 year
  • Publish notice in Federal Register
  • Transmit notice to Congress

Timeline

Immediate

  • Emergency continues in effect beyond November 14, 2003
  • Existing sanctions and authorities under EO 12938 remain active

Near term (90d)

—

Long term

  • Annual review cycle continues; emergency subject to further continuation or termination in 2004

Risks & tensions

  • Perpetual emergency status normalizes exceptional authorities
  • No substantive policy changes or new measures announced
  • Text vague on whether proliferation threat assessment is updated or merely recited
Presidential Notice 12938: Continuation of Emergency Regarding Weapons of Mass Destruction · Executive Orders