ExecutiveOrdersEO
DetDeterminationG.W. Bush · R

Presidential Determination

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

President Bush imposed a 180-day sanction downgrading the PLO office in the U.S. due to Palestinian noncompliance with commitments, but immediately waived that same sanction citing national security interests. Both the sanction and waiver expire in 180 days or upon submission of the next congressional report, whichever is later.

Federal Register Open PDF 72 FR 9225

Impact dates

  1. Next section 603 report to Congress (triggers potential earlier expiration of sanction/waiver)

  2. Sanction and waiver expire (180 days from signing) or upon next section 603 report transmission, whichever is later

Key directives

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

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

  • Sanction imposed on PLO office status
  • Sanction simultaneously waived
  • Waiver takes effect

Near term (90d)

  • 180-day sanction/waiver period runs
  • Secretary of State must transmit section 603 report to Congress

Long term

  • Potential reversion if next report transmitted after 180 days

Risks & tensions

  • Circular policy: sanction imposed and waived simultaneously, creating symbolic pressure without practical effect
  • Vague trigger for expiration ('whichever is later') creates uncertainty about actual duration
  • Congress may view simultaneous imposition/waiver as circumventing statutory intent
Presidential Determination: Implementation of Sections 603 and 604 of the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Year 2003 (Public Law 107-228) · Executive Orders