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

This presidential determination imposes a sanction downgrading the PLO office status in the U.S. under the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, but immediately waives that same sanction for 180 days or until the next congressional report, whichever is later. The Secretary of State is directed to transmit the required section 603 report to Congress and publish the determination in the Federal Register.

Federal Register Open PDF 73 FR 10125

Impact dates

Aug 11, 2008
Sanction imposition period expires (180 days or next section 603 report, whichever is later)
Aug 11, 2008
Waiver effective period expires (180 days or next section 603 report, whichever is later)

Key directives

Impose section 604(a)(2) sanction downgrading PLO office status
Waive that sanction immediately under section 604(c)
Transmit section 603 report to appropriate congressional committees
Transmit this determination to Congress
Publish determination in Federal Register

Who is ordered

Secretary of State · Department of State

Timeline

Immediate

Sanction imposed and simultaneously waived
Secretary of State directed to transmit section 603 report to Congress
Determination to be published in Federal Register

Near term (90d)

Waiver remains in effect through initial 180-day period
Congressional report transmission required

Long term

Potential lapse or renewal depending on next section 603 report timing
Ongoing U.S.-Palestinian diplomatic relations contingent on compliance assessments

Risks & tensions

Simultaneous imposition and waiver creates symbolic pressure without practical effect
Vague 'whichever is later' clause creates indeterminate endpoint tied to unspecified future report
Document does not specify exact content or due date of section 603 report, creating procedural uncertainty