*EPF202 06/12/01
Text: Bush Suspends Jerusalem Embassy Act Another Six Months
(Bush says suspension necessary for U.S. national interest) (320)

Acting on his authority under the 1995 Jerusalem Embassy Act, President Bush on June 11 suspended for six months the process of moving the U.S. embassy in Israel to Jerusalem. The new waiver takes effect on June 15, the date he was required by law to act on the matter.

In a memorandum to the Secretary of State, released by the White House June 11, the president said he has determined that the suspension was "necessary to protect the national security interests of the United States," but added, "my Administration remains committed to beginning the process of moving our embassy to Jerusalem."

Following is the text of the memorandum:

(begin text)

THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary

June 11, 2001

Presidential Determination No. 2001-19

MEMORANDUM FOR THE SECRETARY OF STATE

SUBJECT: Suspension of Limitations Under the Jerusalem Embassy Act

Pursuant to the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, including section 7(a) of the Jerusalem Embassy Act of 1995 (Public Law 104-45) (the "Act"), I hereby determine that it is necessary to protect the national security interests of the United States to suspend for a period of six months the limitations set forth in sections 3(b) and 7(b) of the Act. My Administration remains committed to beginning the process of moving our embassy to Jerusalem.

You are hereby authorized and directed to transmit this determination to the Congress, accompanied by a report in accordance with section 7(a) of the Act, and to publish the determination in the Federal Register.

This suspension shall take effect on June 15, 2001.

GEORGE W. BUSH

(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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