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Message to the Congress of the United States
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For Immediate Release Office of the Press Secretary June 24, 2008

Message to the Congress of the United States

ÿÿWhite House News


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 the enclosed notice to the Federal Register for
publication stating that the Western Balkans emergency is to continue in
effect beyond June 26, 2008.

The crisis constituted by the actions of persons engaged in, or assisting,
sponsoring, or supporting (i) extremist violence in the Republic of
Macedonia and elsewhere in the Western Balkans region, or (ii) acts
obstructing implementation of the Dayton Accords in Bosnia or United
Nations Security Council Resolution 1244 of June 10, 1999, in Kosovo, that
led to the declaration of a national emergency on June 26, 2001, in
Executive Order 13219 and to Executive Order 13304 of May 28, 2003, has not
been resolved. The acts of extremist violence and obstructionist activity
outlined in Executive Order 13219, as amended, are hostile to U.S.
interests and pose a continuing unusual and extraordinary threat to the
national security and foreign policy of the United States. For these
reasons, I have determined that it is necessary to continue the national
emergency declared with respect to the Western Balkans and maintain in
force the comprehensive sanctions to respond to this threat.

GEORGE W. BUSH

THE WHITE HOUSE,

June 24, 2008.

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