30 December 1998
(Libya's support for terrorism poses threat to US national security) (780) Washington -- President Clinton notified Congress December 30 that as a result of the Government of Libya's continued support for terrorism, he will continue the national emergency with respect to Libya. "The Government of Libya has continued its actions and policies in support of terrorism, despite the calls by the United Nations Security Council, in Resolutions 731 (1992), 748 (1992), and 883 (1993), that it demonstrate by concrete actions its renunciation of terrorism," the President stated. President Clinton also cited Libya's refusal to deliver the two Lockerbie bombing suspects for trial, "even though the United States and United Kingdom accepted Libya's proposal to try the suspects in a Scottish court in a third country. Libya's stalling in handing over the suspects is yet another indication of Libya's continued support for terrorism and rejection of international norms," he said. Following are the texts of the President's letter to Congress and the notice to the Federal Register: (Begin letter to Congress) THE WHITE HOUSE Office of the Press Secretary December 30, 1998 TEXT OF A LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT TO THE SPEARER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE December 30, 1998 Dear Mr. 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 the enclosed notice, stating that the Libyan emergency is to continue in effect beyond January 7, 1999, to the Federal Register for publication, Similar notices have been sent annually to the Congress and published in the Federal Register. The most recent notice was signed on January 2, 1998, and appeared in the Federal Register on January 6, 1998. The crisis between the United States and Libya that led to the declaration of a national emergency on January 7, 1986, has not been resolved. The Government of Libya has continued its actions and policies in support of terrorism, despite the calls by the United Nations Security Council, in Resolutions 731 (1992), 748 (1992), and 883 (1993), that Libya demonstrate by concrete actions its renunciation of terrorism. Such Libyan actions and policies pose a continuing unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and vital foreign policy interests of the United States. Furthermore, the Libyan government has not delivered the two Lockerbie bombing suspects for trial, even though the United States and United Kingdom accepted Libya's proposal to try the suspects in a Scottish court in a third country. Libya's stalling in handing over the suspects is yet another indication of Libya's continued support for terrorism and rejection of international norms. For these reasons, I have determined that it is necessary to maintain in force the broad authorities necessary to apply economic pressure to the Government of Libya to reduce its ability to support international terrorism. Sincerely, WILLIAM J. CLINTON (End letter to Congress) (Begin notice to Federal Register) THE WHITE HOUSE Office of the Press Secretary December 30, 1998 NOTICE CONTINUATION OF LIBYAN EMERGENCY On January 7, 1986, by Executive Order 12543, President Reagan declared a national emergency to deal with the unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States constituted by the actions and policies of the Government of Libya. On January 8, 1986, by Executive Order 12544, the President took additional measures to block Libyan assets in the United States. Every President has transmitted to the Congress and the Federal Register a notice continuing this emergency each year since 1986. The crisis between the United States and Libya that led to the declaration of a national emergency on January 7, 1986, has not been resolved. The Government of Libya has continued its actions and policies in support of terrorism, despite the calls by the United Nations Security Council, in Resolutions 731 (1992), 748 (1992), and 883 (1993), that it: demonstrate by concrete actions its renunciation of terrorism. Therefore, in accordance with section 202(d) of the National Emergencies Act (SO U.S.C. 1622(d)), I am continuing the national emergency with respect to Libya. This notice shall be published in the Federal Register and transmitted to the Congress. WILLIAM J. CLINTON THE WHITE HOUSE, December 30, 1998. (End notice to Federal Register)