ExecutiveOrdersEO
DetDeterminationG.W. Bush · R

Presidential Determination

Implementation of Section 603 and 604 of the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Year 2003 (Public Law 107-228)

President Bush imposed and simultaneously waived a statutory sanction downgrading the PLO office status in the U.S. for 180 days, citing national security interests, while directing the Secretary of State to transmit a report to Congress on Palestinian noncompliance with commitments.

Federal Register Open PDF 70 FR 3851

Impact dates

  1. Sanction imposed for 180 days or until next section 603 report, whichever is later

Key directives

  • Impose sanction under section 604(a)(2) downgrading PLO office status
  • Waive same sanction under section 604(c) for national security interest
  • Transmit section 603 report to appropriate congressional committees
  • Transmit determination to Congress and publish in Federal Register

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

  • Sanction imposed and waived effective January 7, 2005
  • PLO office status downgrade in effect but waived

Near term (90d)

  • 180-day sanction/waiver period runs through approximately July 6, 2005
  • Next section 603 report to Congress due

Long term

  • Potential reimposition or continuation depending on next congressional report

Risks & tensions

  • Circular structure: sanction imposed and immediately waived, potentially reducing practical effect
  • Vague trigger for extension ('whichever is later') creates uncertainty on actual expiration
  • National security waiver used to nullify congressionally mandated sanction
Presidential Determination: Implementation of Section 603 and 604 of the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Year 2003 (Public Law 107-228) · Executive Orders