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DetDeterminationClinton · D Quiet signal

Presidential Determination

Suspending Restrictions on U.S. Relations With the Palestine Liberation Organization

President Clinton issued a determination suspending four statutory restrictions on U.S. relations with the Palestine Liberation Organization through February 12, 1997, certifying it was in the national interest and that the PLO, Palestinian Authority, and successor entities were complying with peace process commitments. The determination was made under the Middle East Peace Facilitation Act of 1995 and directed the Secretary of State to transmit it to Congress and publish it in the Federal Register.

Federal Register Open PDF 61 FR 43137

Impact dates

  1. Suspension of statutory restrictions expires

Key directives

  • Suspend Section 307 of Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 re PLO through February 12, 1997
  • Suspend Section 114 of Department of State Authorization Act re PLO through February 12, 1997
  • Suspend Section 1003 of Foreign Relations Authorization Act through February 12, 1997
  • Suspend Section 37 of Bretton Woods Agreement Act re PLO IMF observer status through February 12, 1997
  • Certify PLO/PA/successor entities complying with section 604(b)(4) commitments
  • Certify funds used for intended purposes
  • Transmit determination to Congress
  • Publish determination in Federal Register

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

  • Suspension of four statutory restrictions takes effect upon signing
  • Secretary of State directed to transmit to Congress and publish in Federal Register

Near term (90d)

  • Continued U.S. engagement with PLO without statutory restrictions
  • Monitoring of PLO/PA compliance with peace commitments

Long term

  • Suspension expires February 12, 1997 unless extended
  • Potential renewal or lapse of restrictions affects Middle East peace process trajectory

Risks & tensions

  • Temporary nature of suspension creates policy uncertainty after February 1997
  • Congressional notification requirement suggests potential legislative pushback
  • Compliance certifications depend on executive branch assessment of PLO behavior, creating verification risk
  • IMF observer status provision touches multilateral institution governance tensions
Presidential Determination: Suspending Restrictions on U.S. Relations With the Palestine Liberation Organization · Executive Orders