Obama Extends Peace Process, Anti-Terror Emergency

President Obama has extended a national emergency in effect for 15 years due to continued threat of terror attacks that could thwart the Middle East peace process. The extension of this national emergency exemplifies several points:

• the peace process is integral to U.S. interests, mandating that the White House declare an emergency due to efforts to continue the decades-long conflict;
• the national emergency has been in effect for 15 years. The basic premise of the conflict has not changed much;
• U.S. policies in place for over a decade are still being used today and a full reexamination of the peace process strategy is required;
• Hamas continues its long-stated policy of using terror to undermine any peace process breakthroughs, by fueling hate and distrust on both sides; and
• the White House uses the term “peace process” in a context implying present tense, suggesting that an actual peace process — and not just delays and accusations of obstruction — could exist once a viable negotiation strategy has been determined.

The letter from the White House to House and Senate leadership:

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 to the Federal Register for publication the enclosed notice stating that the emergency declared with respect to foreign terrorists who threaten to disrupt the Middle East peace process is to continue in effect beyond January 23, 2011.
The crisis with respect to the grave acts of violence committed by foreign terrorists who threaten to disrupt the Middle East peace process that led to the declaration of a national emergency on January 23, 1995, has not been resolved. Terrorist groups continue to engage in activities that have the purpose or effect of threatening the Middle East peace process and that are hostile to United States interests in the region. Such actions constitute an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security, foreign policy, and economy of the United States. For these reasons, I have determined that it is necessary to continue the national emergency declared with respect to foreign terrorists who threaten to disrupt the Middle East peace process and to maintain in force the economic sanctions against them to respond to this threat.
Sincerely,
BARACK OBAMA