Bush on Fence about Palestine?

Bush imposes, then waives, PLO sanction


Is Bush asleep and he doesn't want anyone to know?

June 30, 2006

MEMPHIS, United States (AFP) -US President George W. Bush temporarily downgraded, then reinstated, the status of the Palestine Liberation Organization's office in the United States, the White House said.

In a memorandum for US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Bush said he was acting under the Foreign Relations Authorization Act of 2003, which laid out sanctions for "noncompliance by the PLO and the Palestinian Authority with certain commitments."

Bush said he was imposing a "downgrade in status of the PLO Office in the United States" -- but then immediately used his waiver power under the law.

The sanction, and its waiver, will last 180 days from June 30, the date of Bush's memorandum, or until the a new report on Palestinian activities is submitted by the White House, according to the letter.

Palestinians must comply with the law in four areas: recognition of the state of Israel, acceptance of UN Security Council Resolutions 242 and 338, resolving the conflict between Israel and Palestine through negotiation and peaceful means, and a renunciation of terrorism and acts of violence.

Other sanctions Bush could impose under the law are: denial of visas to PLO and Palestinian Authority officials, designation of either group as a terrorist organization and revoking US aid to the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

Future sanctions and waivers will depend on subsequent reports.

The president has the right to waive any of these sanctions if he deems it "in the national security interest of the United States," the letter said.