16 December 2004
Bush Delays Move of U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem
Cites "national security interests" in memorandum to Secretary Powell
President Bush announced December 15 that the United States would delay moving its embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem for an additional six months.
The U.S. Congress enacted legislation in 1995 calling for the United States to relocate its embassy in Israel. Under the provisions of the law, the president has the power to postpone the move every six months on the basis of national security interests.
Following is the text of President Bush's memorandum to Secretary of State Colin Powell:
(begin text)
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
December 15, 2004
December 15, 2004
Presidential Determination
No. 2005-14
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 6 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 after transmission of this determination and report to the Congress.
GEORGE W. BUSH
(end text)
(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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