ExecutiveOrdersEO
DetDeterminationClinton · D

Presidential Determination

Sanctions Against Pakistan for Detonation of a Nuclear Explosive Device

President Clinton formally determined that Pakistan, a non-nuclear-weapon state, detonated a nuclear explosive device on May 28, 1998, triggering mandatory sanctions under section 102(b) of the Arms Export Control Act. The determination directs relevant U.S. government agencies to impose the congressionally prescribed sanctions and orders the Secretary of State to transmit the determination to Congress and publish it in the Federal Register.

Federal Register Open PDF 63 FR 31881

Impact dates

  1. Determination signed and sanctions triggered

  2. Agencies to impose sanctions under section 102(b)(2)

Key directives

  • Determine Pakistan detonated nuclear explosive device May 28, 1998
  • Direct relevant agencies to impose sanctions described in section 102(b)(2) of Arms Export Control Act
  • Transmit determination to appropriate congressional committees
  • Arrange publication in Federal Register

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

  • Sanctions automatically triggered under Arms Export Control Act
  • Determination transmitted to Congress and published in Federal Register

Near term (90d)

  • Agencies implement specific sanctions under section 102(b)(2)

Long term

  • Potential bilateral relationship strain
  • Possible congressional action to modify or waive sanctions

Risks & tensions

  • Mandatory sanctions structure limits presidential flexibility
  • May complicate Pakistan cooperation on Afghanistan, counterterrorism
  • Potential congressional vs executive branch tension over waiver authority
  • Vague 'relevant agencies' language — specific implementing actors not enumerated
Presidential Determination: Sanctions Against Pakistan for Detonation of a Nuclear Explosive Device · Executive Orders