Waiver and Certification of Statutory Provisions Regarding the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) Office

Defense & Security Democracy & Governance

In simple terms

President Bush waived for six months the statutory ban on the Palestine Liberation Organization maintaining an office in the United States, certifying that doing so served U.S. national security interests. The Secretary of State was directed to transmit the determination to Congress and publish it in the Federal Register.

Federal Register Open PDF 70 FR 62225

Record & deadlines

Oct 14, 2005Signed
Signed by the President
Oct 28, 2005FR published
Published in the Federal Register · 70 FR 62225
Federal Register PDF
Apr 14, 2006
Waiver expires (6 months from signing)

Key directives

Waive provisions of section 1003 of the Anti-Terrorism Act of 1987
Certify waiver is important to U.S. national security interests
Transmit determination to Congress
Publish determination in the Federal Register

Who is ordered

Secretary of State · Department of State

What to expect

Immediate

Waiver takes effect upon signing
PLO office operations may continue

Near term (90d)

Six-month waiver period runs through April 14, 2006

Long term

Potential need for renewal or alternative arrangement after waiver expires

Risks & tensions

Temporary nature creates policy uncertainty; Congress may resist repeated renewals
Waiver of anti-terrorism statute involves tension between diplomatic engagement and counterterrorism posture
Text does not specify whether PLO office activities are conditioned or monitored