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Text of a Letter from the President to the Speaker of the House of
Representatives and the President of the Senate
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For Immediate Release Office of the Press Secretary October 17, 2008

Text of a Letter from the President to the Speaker of the House of
Representatives and the President of the Senate

ÿÿWhite House News


Dear Madam Speaker: (Dear Mr. President:)

Section 202(d) of the National Emergencies Act, 50 U.S.C. 1622(d), provides
for the automatic termination of a national emergency unless, prior to the
anniversary date of its declaration, the President publishes in the Federal
Register and transmits to the Congress a notice stating that the emergency
is to continue in effect beyond the anniversary date. In accordance with
this provision, I have sent to the Federal Register for publication the
enclosed notice stating that the emergency declared with respect to
significant narcotics traffickers centered in Colombia is to continue in
effect beyond October 21, 2008.

The circumstances that led to the declaration on October 21, 1995, of a
national emergency have not been resolved. The actions of significant
narcotics traffickers centered in Colombia continue to pose an unusual and
extraordinary threat to the national security, foreign policy, and economy
of the United States and to cause unparalleled violence, corruption, and
harm in the United States and abroad. For these reasons, I have determined
that it is necessary to maintain economic pressure on significant narcotics
traffickers centered in Colombia by blocking their property and interests
in property that are in the United States or within the possession or
control of United States persons and by depriving them of access to the
U.S. market and financial system.

Sincerely,

GEORGE W. BUSH

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