|
Links June 7 09
Please add your links, views and news in the comments.
US presidents like to declare national emergencies. One, or even two, national emergencies are useful to justify domestic “enhanced surveillance” and “enhanced inspections. Heck, four or five “national emergencies” would be even better.
The US currently is under nineteen national emergencies. They were initiated under George Bush, and are being dutifully continued under Mr. Change — Barack Obama. Under US law, a law which was intended to limit such fololishness, a national emergency must be renewed annually before its anniversary. That has been faithfully done by President Obama in every case, with six of the 19 being renewed to date. Here they are:
Cote d’Ivoire – “Because the situation in or in relation to Côte d’Ivoire continues to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States, the national emergency declared on February 7, 2006, and the measures adopted on that date to deal with that emergency, must continue in effect beyond February 7, 2009.”
renewed February 4, 2009 BO
Zimbabwe – “Because the actions and policies of these persons continue to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the foreign policy of the United States, the national emergency declared on March 6, 2003, and the measures adopted on that date, on November 22, 2005, and on July 25, 2008, to deal with that emergency, must continue in effect beyond March 6, 2009.”
renewed March 3, 2009 BO
Iran – ” The actions and policies of the Government of Iran are contrary to the interests of the United States in the region and pose a continuing unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security, foreign policy, and economy of the United States. ”
renewed March 11, 2009 BO
Syria – “The actions of the Government of Syria in supporting terrorism, pursuing weapons of mass destruction and missile programs, and undermining U.S. and international efforts with respect to the stabilization and reconstruction of Iraq pose a continuing unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security, foreign policy, and economy of the United States.”
renewed May 7, 2009 BO
Burma – “Because the actions and policies of the Government of Burma continue to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States, the national emergency declared on May 20, 1997, and the measures adopted on that date, July 28, 2003, October 18, 2007, and April 30, 2008, to deal with that emergency, must continue in effect beyond May 20, 2009.”
renewed May 14, 2009 BO
Iraq — “Because the obstacles to the orderly reconstruction of Iraq, the restoration and maintenance of peace and security in the country, and the development of political, administrative, and economic institutions in Iraq continue to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States…”
renewed May 19, 2009 BO
That leaves 13 other US “national emergemcies” also in effect, no doubt to be renewed by Obama. In chronological order of expiration they are with respect to: Belarus, Russian Federation, Western Balkans, North Korea, The former Liberian regime of Charles Taylor, Lebanon, Terrorism, Persons who commit threaten to commit or support terrorism, Sudan, Weapons of mass destruction, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Middle East Terrorists and Cuba.
(This comment wouldn’t post with links. Please go to http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/index.php and enter month & year for Obama’s renewals.)
Posted by: Don Bacon | Jun 7 2009 15:46 utc | 12
|
