Read it & Weep: Bush Executive Order

I did want to write about something else as I resume blogging here in the Pyrenees after a two week absence & despite a very shaky modem connection, but this piece of info from our so-called White House, has me infuriated. Although I haven’t been able to catch much live news from the US, I may have missed reactions to this, but as far as I can tell I haven’t seen any – & certainly not on any of our favorite poetry blogs (where right now we seem to have a bunch of silly one-upmanship re who the 5 best film directors are, given the recent death of Bergman & Antonioni). At any rate, the piece below comes to me via an email from Marilyn Hacker:

*Bush Executive Order: Criminalizing the Antiwar Movement*

*by Michel Chossudovsky, Global Research, 20 July 2007*

*The Executive Order entitled “Blocking Property of Certain Persons Who
Threaten Stabilization Efforts in Iraq” provides the President with the
authority to confiscate the assets of whoever opposes the US led war. *

A presidential Executive Order issued on July 17th, repeals with the stroke
of a pen *the right to dissent* and to oppose the Pentagon’s military
agenda in Iraq.

The Executive Order entitled *”Blocking Property of Certain Persons Who
Threaten Stabilization Efforts in Iraq*” provides the President with the
authority to confiscate the assets of “certain persons” who oppose the US
led war in Iraq:

“I have issued an Executive Order blocking property of persons determined to
have committed, or to pose a significant risk of committing, an act or acts
of violence that have the purpose or effect of threatening the peace or
stability of Iraq or the Government of Iraq or undermining efforts to
promote economic reconstruction and political reform in Iraq or to provide
humanitarian assistance to the Iraqi people.”

In substance, under this executive order, opposing the war becomes an
illegal act.

The Executive Order criminalizes the antiwar movement. It is intended to
“blocking property” of US citizens and organizations actively involved in
the peace movement. It allows the Department of Defense to interfere in
financial affairs and instruct the Treasury to “block the property” and/or
confiscate/ freeze the assets of “Certain Persons” involved in antiwar
activities. It targets those “Certain Persons” in America, including civil
society organizatioins, who oppose the Bush Administration’s “peace and
stability” program in Iraq, characterized, in plain English, by an illegal
occupation and the continued killing of innocent civilians.
The Executive Order also targets those “Certain Persons” who are
“undermining efforts to promote economic reconstruction”, or who, again in
plain English, are opposed to the confiscation and privatization of Iraq’s
oil resources, on behalf of the Anglo-American oil giants.

The order is also intended for anybody who opposes Bush’s program of
“political reform in Iraq”, in other words, who questions the legitimacy of
an Iraqi “government” installed by the occupation forces.

Moreover, those persons or nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), who provide
bona fide humanitarian aid to Iraqi civilians, and who are not approved by
the US Military or its lackeys in the US sponsored Iraqi puppet government
are also liable to have their financial assets confiscated.

The executive order violates the First, Fourth and Fifth Amendments of the
US Constitution. It repeals one of the fundamental tenets of US democracy,
which is the right to free expression and dissent. The order has not been
the object of discussion in the US Congress. Sofar, it has not
been addressed by the US antiwar movement, in terms of a formal statement.

Apart from a bland Associated Press wire report, which presents the
executive order as “an authority to use financial sanctions”, there has been
no media coverage or commentary of a presidential decision which strikes at
the heart of the US Constitution..

*Broader implications*

The criminalization of the State is when the sitting President and Vice
President use and abuse their authority through executive orders,
presidential directives or otherwise to define “who are the criminals” when
in fact they they are the criminals.

This latest executive order criminalizes the peace movement. It must be
viewed in relation to various pieces of “anti-terrorist” legislation, the
gamut of presidential and national security directives, etc., which are
ultimately geared towards repealing constitutional government and installing
martial law in the event of a “national emergency”.

The war criminals in high office are intent upon repressing all forms of
dissent which question the legitimacy of the war in Iraq.

The executive order combined with the existing anti-terrorist legislation is
eventually intended to be used against the anti-war and civil rights
movements. It can be used to seize the assets of antiwar groups in America
as well as block the property and activities of non-governmental
humanitarian organizations providing relief in Iraq, seizing the assets of
alternative media involved in a reporting the truth regarding the US-led
war, etc.

In May 2007, Bush issued a major presidential National Security Directive
(National Security and Homeland Security Presidential Directive NSPD 51/HSPD
20), which would suspend constitutional government and instate broad
dictatorial powers under martial law in the case of a “Catastrophic
Emergency” ( e.g. Second 9/11 terrorist attack).

On July 11, 2007 the CIA published its “National Intelligence Estimate”
which pointed to an imminent Al Qaeda attack on America, a second 9/11
which, according to the terms of NSPD 51, would immediately be followed by
the suspension of constitutional government and the instatement of martial
law under the authority of the president and the vice-president. (For
further details, see Michel Chossudovsky, Bush Directive for a “Catastrophic
Emergency” in America: Building a Justification for Waging War on Iran?
June 2007)

NSPD 51 grants unprecedented powers to the Presidency and the Department of
Homeland Security, overriding the foundations of Constitutional government.
It allows the sitting president to declare a “national emergency” without
Congressional approval. The implementation of NSPD 51 would lead to the de
facto closing down of the Legislature and the militarization of justice and
law enforcement.

*”The President shall lead the activities of the Federal Government for
ensuring constitutional government….”
*
Were NSPD 51 to be invoked, Vice President Dick Cheney, who constitutes the
real power behind the Executive, would essentially assume de facto
dictatorial powers, circumventing both the US Congress and the Judiciary,
while continuing to use President George W. Bush as a proxy figurehead.

NSPD 51, while bypassing the Constitution, nonetheless, envisages very
precise procedures which guarantee the powers of Vice President Dick Cheney
in relation to “Continuity of Goverment” functions under Martial Law:

“*This directive shall be implemented in a manner that is consistent with,
and facilitates effective implementation of, provisions of the
Constitution concerning succession to the Presidency or the exercise of its
powers, and the Presidential Succession Act of 1947 (3 U.S.C. 19),
with
consultation of the Vice President and, as appropriate, others involved.
Heads of executive departments and agencies shall ensure that appropriate
support is available to the Vice President and others involved as necessary
to be prepared at all times to implement those provisions.” ( *NSPD 51, op
cit.)

The executive order to confiscate the assets of antiwar/peace activists is
broadly consistent with NSPD 51. It could be triggered even in the absence
of a “Catastrophic emergency” as envisaged under NSPD 51. It repeals
democracy. It goes one step further in “criminalizing” all forms of
opposition and dissent. to the US led war and “Homeland Security” agenda.

——————————

*ANNEX *

*TEXT OF THE EXECUTIVE ORDER*

*July 17, 2007*

*Executive Order: Blocking Property of Certain Persons Who Threaten
Stabilization Efforts in
Iraq<>
*

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws
of the United States of America, including the International Emergency
Economic Powers Act, as amended (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.)(IEEPA), the
National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.)(NEA), and section 301 of
title 3, United States Code,

I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, find that, due
to the unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign
policy of the United States posed by acts of violence threatening the peace
and stability of Iraq and undermining efforts to promote economic
reconstruction and political reform in Iraq and to provide humanitarian
assistance to the Iraqi people, it is in the interests of the United States
to take additional steps with respect to the national emergency declared in
Executive Order 13303 of May 22, 2003, and expanded in Executive Order 13315
of August 28, 2003, and relied upon for additional steps taken in Executive
Order 13350 of July 29, 2004, and Executive Order 13364 of November 29,
2004. I hereby order:

Section 1. (a) Except to the extent provided in section 203(b)(1), (3), and
(4) of IEEPA (50 U.S.C. 1702(b)(1), (3), and (4)), or 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 date of this order, all property and interests in
property of the following persons, that are in the United States, that
hereafter come within the United States, or that are or hereafter come
within the possession or control of United States persons, are blocked and
may not be transferred, paid, exported, withdrawn, or otherwise dealt in:
any person determined by the Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with
the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Defense,

(i) to have committed, or to pose a significant risk of committing, an act
or acts of violence that have the purpose or effect of:

(A) threatening the peace or stability of Iraq or the Government of Iraq; or

(B) undermining efforts to promote economic reconstruction and political
reform in Iraq or to provide humanitarian assistance to the Iraqi people;

(ii) to have materially assisted, sponsored, or provided financial,
material, logistical, or technical support for, or goods or services in
support of, such an act or acts of violence or any person whose property and
interests in property are blocked pursuant to this order; or

(iii) to be owned or controlled by, or to have acted or purported to act for
or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, any person whose property and
interests in property are blocked pursuant to this order.

(b) The prohibitions in subsection (a) of this section include, but are not
limited to, (i) the making of any contribution or provision of funds, goods,
or services by, to, or for the benefit of any person whose property and
interests in property are blocked pursuant to this order, and (ii) the
receipt of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services from
any such person.

Sec. 2. (a) Any transaction by a United States person or within the United
States that evades or avoids, has the purpose of evading or avoiding, or
attempts to violate any of the prohibitions set forth in this order is
prohibited.

(b) Any conspiracy formed to violate any of the prohibitions set forth in
this order is prohibited.

Sec. 3. For purposes of this order:

(a) the term “person” means an individual or entity;

(b) the term “entity” means a partnership, association, trust, joint
venture, corporation, group, subgroup, or other organization; and

(c) the term “United States person” means any United States citizen,
permanent resident alien, entity organized under the laws of the United
States or any jurisdiction within the United States (including foreign
branches), or any person in the United States.

Sec. 4. I hereby determine that the making of donations of the type
specified in section 203(b)(2) of IEEPA (50 U.S.C. 1702(b)(2)) by, to, or
for the benefit of, any person whose property and interests in property are
blocked pursuant to this order would seriously impair my ability to deal
with the national emergency declared in Executive Order 13303 and expanded
in Executive Order 13315, and I hereby prohibit such donations as provided
by section 1 of this order.

Sec. 5. For those persons whose property and interests in property are
blocked pursuant to this order who might have a constitutional presence in
the United States, I find that, because of the ability to transfer funds or
other assets instantaneously, prior notice to such persons of measures to be
taken pursuant to this order would render these measures ineffectual. I
therefore determine that for these measures to be effective in addressing
the national emergency declared in Executive Order 13303 and expanded in
Executive Order 13315, there need be no prior notice of a listing or
determination made pursuant to section 1(a) of this order.

Sec. 6. The Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Secretary of
State and the Secretary of Defense, is hereby authorized to take such
actions, including the promulgation of rules and regulations, and to employ
all powers granted to the President by IEEPA as may be necessary to carry
out the purposes of this order. The Secretary of the Treasury may redelegate
any of these functions to other officers and agencies of the United States
Government, consistent with applicable law. All agencies of the United
States Government are hereby directed to take all appropriate measures
within their authority to carry out the provisions of this order and, where
appropriate, to advise the Secretary of the Treasury in a timely manner of
the measures taken.

Sec. 7. Nothing in this order is intended to affect the continued
effectiveness of any rules, regulations, orders, licenses, or other forms of
administrative action issued, taken, or continued in effect heretofore or
hereafter under 31 C.F.R. chapter V, except as expressly terminated,
modified, or suspended by or pursuant to this order.

Sec. 8. This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right,
benefit, or privilege, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in
equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies,
instrumentalities, or entities, its officers or employees, or any other
person.

*GEORGE W. BUSH*

*THE WHITE HOUSE,*

*July 17, 2007.*
——————————

Below is the text of the Message to the
Congress of the United States
Regarding International Emergency Economic Powers Act
<>

[There has been no response by the US congress or commentary by individual
Senators or Representatives.]

*Office of the Press Secretary July 17, 2007*

*Message to the Congress of the United States Regarding International
Emergency Economic Powers Act*

*White House News*

*Executive Order: Blocking Property of Certain Persons Who Threaten
Stabilization Efforts in Iraq*

Pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, as amended (50
U.S.C. 1701 et seq.)(IEEPA), I hereby report that I have issued an Executive
Order blocking property of persons determined to have committed, or to pose
a significant risk of committing, an act or acts of violence that have the
purpose or effect of threatening the peace or stability of Iraq or the
Government of Iraq or undermining efforts to promote economic reconstruction
and political reform in Iraq or to provide humanitarian assistance to the
Iraqi people.

I issued this order to take additional steps with respect to the national
emergency declared in Executive Order 13303 of May 22, 2003, and expanded in
Executive Order 13315 of August 28, 2003, and relied upon for additional
steps taken in Executive Order 13350 of July 29, 2004, and Executive Order
13364 of November 29, 2004.

In these previous Executive Orders, I ordered various measures to address
the unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign
policy of the United States posed by obstacles to the orderly reconstruction
of Iraq, the restoration and maintenance of peace and security in that
country, and the development of political, administrative, and economic
institutions in Iraq.

My new order takes additional steps with respect to the national emergency
declared in Executive Order 13303 and expanded in Executive Order 13315 by
blocking the property and interests in property of persons determined by the
Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Secretary of State and
the Secretary of Defense, to have committed, or to pose a significant risk
of committing, an act or acts of violence that have the purpose or effect of
threatening the peace or stability of Iraq or the Government of Iraq or
undermining efforts to promote economic reconstruction and political reform
in Iraq or to provide humanitarian assistance to the Iraqi people.

The order further authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation
with the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Defense, to designate for
blocking those persons determined to have materially assisted, sponsored, or
provided financial, material, logistical, or technical support for, or goods
or services in support of, such an act or acts of violence or any person
designated pursuant to this order, or to be owned or controlled by, or to
have acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly,
any person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to
this order.

I delegated to the Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the
Secretary of State and the Secretary of Defense, the authority to take such
actions, including the promulgation of rules and regulations, and to employ
all powers granted to the President by IEEPA as may be necessary to carry
out the purposes of my order. I am enclosing a copy of the Executive Order I
have issued.

*GEORGE W. BUSH*

*The White House,*

*July 17, 2007*

—– End forwarded message —–

http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=6377

Bush Executive Order: Criminalizing the Antiwar Movement

by Michel Chossudovsky, Global Research, 20 July 2007

The Executive Order entitled “Blocking Property of Certain Persons Who Threaten Stabilization Efforts in Iraq” provides the President with the authority to confiscate the assets of whoever opposes the US led war.
A presidential Executive Order issued on July 17th, repeals with the stroke of a pen the right to dissent and to oppose the Pentagon’s military agenda in Iraq.

The Executive Order entitled “Blocking Property of Certain Persons Who Threaten Stabilization Efforts in Iraq” provides the President with the authority to confiscate the assets of “certain persons” who oppose the US led war in Iraq:

“I have issued an Executive Order blocking property of persons determined to have committed, or to pose a significant risk of committing, an act or acts of violence that have the purpose or effect of threatening the peace or stability of Iraq or the Government of Iraq or undermining efforts to promote economic reconstruction and political reform in Iraq or to provide humanitarian assistance to the Iraqi people.”

In substance, under this executive order, opposing the war becomes an illegal act.

The Executive Order criminalizes the antiwar movement. It is intended to “blocking property” of US citizens and organizations actively involved in the peace movement. It allows the Department of Defense to interfere in financial affairs and instruct the Treasury to “block the property” and/or confiscate/ freeze the assets of “Certain Persons” involved in antiwar activities. It targets those “Certain Persons” in America, including civil society organizatioins, who oppose the Bush Administration’s “peace and stability” program in Iraq, characterized, in plain English, by an illegal occupation and the continued killing of innocent civilians.

The Executive Order also targets those “Certain Persons” who are “undermining efforts to promote economic reconstruction”, or who, again in plain English, are opposed to the confiscation and privatization of Iraq’s oil resources, on behalf of the Anglo-American oil giants.

The order is also intended for anybody who opposes Bush’s program of “political reform in Iraq”, in other words, who questions the legitimacy of an Iraqi “government” installed by the occupation forces.
Moreover, those persons or nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), who provide bona fide humanitarian aid to Iraqi civilians, and who are not approved by the US Military or its lackeys in the US sponsored Iraqi puppet government are also liable to have their financial assets confiscated.

The executive order violates the First, Fourth and Fifth Amendments of the US Constitution. It repeals one of the fundamental tenets of US democracy, which is the right to free expression and dissent. The order has not been the object of discussion in the US Congress. Sofar, it has not been addressed by the US antiwar movement, in terms of a formal statement.

Apart from a bland Associated Press wire report, which presents the executive order as “an authority to use financial sanctions”, there has been no media coverage or commentary of a presidential decision which strikes at the heart of the US Constitution..

Broader implications

The criminalization of the State is when the sitting President and Vice President use and abuse their authority through executive orders, presidential directives or otherwise to define “who are the criminals” when in fact they they are the criminals.

This latest executive order criminalizes the peace movement. It must be viewed in relation to various pieces of “anti-terrorist” legislation, the gamut of presidential and national security directives, etc., which are ultimately geared towards repealing constitutional government and installing martial law in the event of a “national emergency”.

The war criminals in high office are intent upon repressing all forms of dissent which question the legitimacy of the war in Iraq.

The executive order combined
with the existing anti-terrorist legislation is eventually intended to be used against the anti-war and civil rights movements. It can be used to seize the assets of antiwar groups in America as well as block the property and activities of non-governmental humanitarian organizations providing relief in Iraq, seizing the assets of alternative media involved in a reporting the truth regarding the US-led war, etc.

In May 2007, Bush issued a major presidential National Security Directive (National Security and Homeland Security Presidential Directive NSPD 51/HSPD 20), which would suspend constitutional government and instate broad dictatorial powers under martial law in the case of a “Catastrophic Emergency” ( e.g. Second 9/11 terrorist attack).

On July 11, 2007 the CIA published its “National Intelligence Estimate” which pointed to an imminent Al Qaeda attack on America, a second 9/11 which, according to the terms of NSPD 51, would immediately be followed by the suspension of constitutional government and the instatement of martial law under the authority of the president and the vice-president. (For further details, see Michel Chossudovsky, Bush Directive for a “Catastrophic Emergency” in America: Building a Justification for Waging War on Iran? June 2007)

NSPD 51 grants unprecedented powers to the Presidency and the Department of Homeland Security, overriding the foundations of Constitutional government. It allows the sitting president to declare a “national emergency” without Congressional approval. The implementation of NSPD 51 would lead to the de facto closing down of the Legislature and the militarization of justice and law enforcement.

“The President shall lead the activities of the Federal Government for ensuring constitutional government….”

Were NSPD 51 to be invoked, Vice President Dick Cheney, who constitutes the real power behind the Executive, would essentially assume de facto dictatorial powers, circumventing both the US Congress and the Judiciary, while continuing to use President George W. Bush as a proxy figurehead.

NSPD 51, while bypassing the Constitution, nonetheless, envisages very precise procedures which guarantee the powers of Vice President Dick Cheney in relation to “Continuity of Goverment” functions under Martial Law:

“This directive shall be implemented in a manner that is consistent with, and facilitates effective implementation of, provisions of the Constitution concerning succession to the Presidency or the exercise of its powers, and the Presidential Succession Act of 1947 (3 U.S.C. 19), with consultation of the Vice President and, as appropriate, others involved. Heads of executive departments and agencies shall ensure that appropriate support is available to the Vice President and others involved as necessary to be prepared at all times to implement those provisions.” ( NSPD 51, op cit.)

The executive order to confiscate the assets of antiwar/peace activists is broadly consistent with NSPD 51. It could be triggered even in the absence of a “Catastrophic emergency” as envisaged under NSPD 51. It repeals democracy. It goes one step further in “criminalizing” all forms of opposition and dissent. to the US led war and “Homeland Security” agenda.

ANNEX

TEXT OF THE EXECUTIVE ORDER

July 17, 2007

Executive Order: Blocking Property of Certain Persons Who Threaten Stabilization Efforts in Iraq

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, as amended (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.)(IEEPA), the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.)(NEA), and section 301 of title 3, United States Code,

I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, find that, due to the unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States posed by acts of violence threatening the peace and stability of Iraq and undermining efforts to promote economic reconstruction and political reform in Iraq and to provide humanitarian assistance to the Iraqi people, it is in the interests of the United States to take additional steps with respect to the national emergency declared in Executive Order 13303 of May 22, 2003, and expanded in Executive Order 13315 of August 28, 2003, and relied upon for additional steps taken in Executive Order 13350 of July 29, 2004, and Executive Order 13364 of November 29, 2004. I hereby order:

Section 1. (a) Except to the extent provided in section 203(b)(1), (3), and (4) of IEEPA (50 U.S.C. 1702(b)(1), (3), and (4)), or 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 date of this order, all property and interests in property of the following persons, that are in the United States, that hereafter come within the United States, or that are or hereafter come within the possession or control of United States persons, are blocked and may not be transferred, paid, exported, withdrawn, or otherwise dealt in: any person determined by the Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Defense,

(i) to have committed, or to pose a significant risk of committing, an act or acts of violence that have the purpose or effect of:

(A) threatening the peace or stability of Iraq or the Government of Iraq; or

(B) undermining efforts to promote economic reconstruction and political reform in Iraq or to provide humanitarian assistance to the Iraqi people;

(ii) to have materially assisted, sponsored, or provided financial, material, logistical, or technical support for, or goods or services in support of, such an act or acts of violence or any person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to this order; or

(iii) to be owned or controlled by, or to have acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, any person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to this order.

(b) The prohibitions in subsection (a) of this section include, but are not limited to, (i) the making of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services by, to, or for the benefit of any person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to this order, and (ii) the receipt of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services from any such person.

Sec. 2. (a) Any transaction by a United States person or within the United States that evades or avoids, has the purpose of evading or avoiding, or attempts to violate any of the prohibitions set forth in this order is prohibited.

(b) Any conspiracy formed to violate any of the prohibitions set forth in this order is prohibited.

Sec. 3. For purposes of this order:

(a) the term “person” means an individual or entity;

(b) the term “entity” means a partnership, association, trust, joint venture, corporation, group, subgroup, or other organization; and

(c) the term “United States person” means any United States citizen, permanent resident alien, entity organized under the laws of the United States or any jurisdiction within the United States (including foreign branches), or any person in the United States.

Sec. 4. I hereby determine that the making of donations of the type specified in section 203(b)(2) of IEEPA (50 U.S.C. 1702(b)(2)) by, to, or for the benefit of, any person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to this order would seriously impair my ability to deal with the national emergency declared in Executive Order 13303 and expanded in Executive Order 13315, and I hereby prohibit such donations as provided by section 1 of this order.

Sec. 5. For those persons whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to this or
der who might have a constitutional presence in the United States, I find that, because of the ability to transfer funds or other assets instantaneously, prior notice to such persons of measures to be taken pursuant to this order would render these measures ineffectual. I therefore determine that for these measures to be effective in addressing the national emergency declared in Executive Order 13303 and expanded in Executive Order 13315, there need be no prior notice of a listing or determination made pursuant to section 1(a) of this order.

Sec. 6. The Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Defense, is hereby authorized to take such actions, including the promulgation of rules and regulations, and to employ all powers granted to the President by IEEPA as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this order. The Secretary of the Treasury may redelegate any of these functions to other officers and agencies of the United States Government, consistent with applicable law. All agencies of the United States Government are hereby directed to take all appropriate measures within their authority to carry out the provisions of this order and, where appropriate, to advise the Secretary of the Treasury in a timely manner of the measures taken.

Sec. 7. Nothing in this order is intended to affect the continued effectiveness of any rules, regulations, orders, licenses, or other forms of administrative action issued, taken, or continued in effect heretofore or hereafter under 31 C.F.R. chapter V, except as expressly terminated, modified, or suspended by or pursuant to this order.

Sec. 8. This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right, benefit, or privilege, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, instrumentalities, or entities, its officers or employees, or any other person.

GEORGE W. BUSH

THE WHITE HOUSE,

July 17, 2007.