For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
March 7, 2003
Message to the Congress of the United States
Pursuant to section 204(b) of the International Emergency Economic
Powers Act, 50 U.S.C. 1703(b) and section 301 of the National
Emergencies Act, 50 U.S.C. 1631, I hereby report that I have exercised
my statutory authority to declare a national emergency with respect to
the unusual and extraordinary threat to the foreign policy interests of
the United States posed by the actions and policies of certain
individuals who have formulated, implemented, or supported policies
that have undermined Zimbabwes democratic institutions.
Over the course of more than 2 years, the Government of Zimbabwe
has systematically undermined that nations democratic institutions,
employing violence, intimidation, and repressive means including
legislation to stifle opposition to its rule. This campaign to ensure
the continued rule of Robert Mugabe and his associates was clearly
revealed in the badly flawed presidential election held in March 2002.
Subsequent to the election, the Mugabe government intensified its
repression of opposition political parties and those voices in civil
society and the independent press calling on the government to respect
the nations democratic values and the basic human rights of its
citizens. To add to the desperation of the besieged Zimbabwean people,
the current government has engaged in a violent assault on the rule of
law that has thrown the economy into chaos, devastated the nations
agricultural economy, and triggered a potentially catastrophic food
crisis.
As a result of the unusual and extraordinary threat posed to the
foreign policy of the United States by the deterioration of Zimbabwes
democracy and the resulting breakdown in the rule of law, politically
motivated violence, and the political and economic instability in the
southern African region, I have exercised my statutory authority and
issued an Executive Order which, except to the extent provided for in
regulations, orders, directives, or licenses that may be issued
pursuant to this order, and notwithstanding any contract entered into
or any license or permit granted prior to the effective date:
blocks all property and interests in property of the individuals
listed in the Annex to the order;
prohibits any transaction or dealing by United States persons or
within the United States in property or interests in property blocked
pursuant to the order, including the making or receiving of any
contribution of funds, goods, or services to or for the benefit of the
persons designated pursuant to the order.
The Secretary of the Treasury is further authorized to designate
any person determined, in consultation with the Secretary of State, to
be owned or controlled by, or acting or purporting to act directly or
indirectly for or on behalf of, any persons designated in or pursuant
to the order. The Secretary of the Treasury is also authorized in the
exercise of my authorities under the International Emergency Economic
Powers Act to implement these measures in consultation with the
Secretary of State. All Federal agencies are directed to take actions
within their authority to carry out the provisions of the Executive
Order.
This Executive Order further demonstrates the U.S. commitment to
supporting Zimbabwes democratic evolution, and strengthens our
cooperation with the European Union in efforts to promote that
evolution. The European Union has acted to freeze the assets of 79
individuals responsible for the political, economic, and social
deterioration of Zimbabwe. With the exception of two individuals no
longer associated with the Government of Zimbabwe, this order
encompasses all those identified by the European Union.
I have enclosed a copy of the Executive Order I have issued.
GEORGE W. BUSH
THE WHITE HOUSE,
March 6, 2003.
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