CONTINUATION OF THE NATIONAL EMERGENCY WITH RESPECT TO THE ACTIONS OF THE GOVERNMENT OF SYRIA--MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES (H. DOC. NO. 112 107); Congressional Record Vol. 158, No. 65

<!-- -->

CONTINUATION OF THE NATIONAL EMERGENCY WITH RESPECT TO THE ACTIONS OF

THE GOVERNMENT OF SYRIA\\--MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED

STATES (H. DOC. NO. 112 107)

The SPEAKER pro tempore laid before the House the following message

from the President of the United States; which was read and, together

with the accompanying papers, referred to the Committee on Foreign

Affairs and ordered to be printed:

To the Congress of the United States:

Section 202(d) of the National Emergencies Act, 50 U.S.C. 1622(d),

provides for the automatic termination of a national emergency, unless,

within 90 days 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 national emergency with respect to the actions of the

Government of Syria declared in Executive Order 13338 of May 11, 2004,

as modified in scope and relied upon for additional steps taken in

Executive Order 13399 of April 25, 2006, Executive Order 13460 of

February 13, 2008, Executive Order 13572 of April 29, 2011, Executive

Order 13573 of May 18, 2011, Executive Order 13582 of August 17, 2011,

Executive Order 13606 of April 22, 2012, and Executive Order 13608 of

May 1, 2012, is to continue in effect beyond May 11, 2012.

While the Syrian regime has reduced the number of foreign fighters

bound for Iraq, the regime's own brutality and repression of its

citizens who have been calling for freedom and a representative

government endangers not only the Syrian people themselves, but could

yield greater instability throughout the region. The Syrian regime's

actions and policies, including obstructing the Lebanese government's

ability to function effectively, pursuing chemical and biological

weapons, and supporting terrorist organizations, continue to pose 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 in effect the national

emergency declared with respect to this threat and to maintain in force

the sanctions to address this national emergency.

In addition, the United States condemns the Asad regime's use of

brutal violence and human rights abuses and calls on the Asad regime to

step aside and immediately begin a transition in Syria to a political

process that will forge a credible path to a future of greater freedom,

democracy, opportunity, and justice. The United States will consider

changes in the composition, policies, and actions of the Government of

Syria in determining whether to continue or terminate this national

emergency in the future.

Barack Obama.

The White House, May 9, 2012.

&nbsp;