July 28 / Administration of George W. Bush, 2004

Environmental Protection Agency Adminis- meeting of the founding international part- trator Mike Leavitt, working closely with ners later this year. I look forward to work- the Department of State, the Department ing closely with our international partners of Energy, and the Agency to achieve the Partnership’s important for International Development. Adminis- goals. trator Leavitt will host a ministerial-level

Statement on Progress in Homeownership July 29, 2004

My administration has put forward an ag- new record for homeownership, and today, gressive agenda to help all Americans—es- more Americans, including minorities, own pecially first-time homeowners, low-income their own home than ever before. We will families, and minorities—achieve the dream continue to usher in a new era of owner- of owning their own home. Today’s home- ship by providing additional opportunities statistics show that we are mak- for all Americans to realize the American ing significant progress in building an own- Dream. ership society in America. We have set a

Letter to Congressional Leaders Transmitting the Executive Order on Termination of the National Emergency Declared in Executive Order 12722 With Respect to and Modification of Related Executive Orders July 29, 2004

Dear Mr. Speaker: (Dear Mr. President:) Executive Order 12722 of August 2, Consistent with subsection 204(b) of the 1990, imposed sanctions on Iraq in re- International Emergency Economic Powers sponse to its invasion of Kuwait and other Act, 50 U.S.C. 1703(b) (IEEPA), I hereby actions. Those sanctions were modified in report that I have issued an Executive Executive Order 12724 of August 9, 1990, Order (this ‘‘order’’) in which I terminate in light of Security Council the national emergency declared in Execu- Resolution (UNSCR) 661 of August 6, tive Order 12722 of August 2, 1990, amend 1990, which also imposed sanctions on Iraq. Executive Order 13290 of March 20, 2003, I have determined that the removal of the and take additional steps regarding the na- regime of Saddam Hussein warrants the tional emergency I declared in Executive termination altogether of the national emer- Order 13303 of May 22, 2003, and ex- gency declared in Executive Order 12722. panded in Executive Order 13315 of Au- This action is consistent with United Na- gust 28, 2003. I have determined that the tions Security Council Resolutions 1483 and situations that gave rise to these national 1546, of May 22, 2003, and June 8, 2004, emergencies have been significantly altered respectively, which substantially lifted the by the removal of the regime of Saddam multilateral economic sanctions against Hussein and other developments. Iraq.

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Although I am terminating the national former Iraqi regime, and their immediate emergency declared in Executive Order family members, among others, and cause 12722, pursuant to my authority under the transfer of certain of those assets to IEEPA, I am continuing for the near future the Development Fund for Iraq. Executive certain prohibitions with respect to prop- Order 13315 implements this provision of erty previously blocked pursuant to Execu- UNSCR 1483. tive Orders 12722 and 12724. Such prohibi- This order further modifies the actions tions are necessary on account of claims taken to address the national emergency involving Iraq. declared in Executive Order 13303, as ex- Consistent with section 203(a)(1)(C) of panded in Executive Order 13315, by IEEPA, 50 U.S.C. 1702(a)(1)(C), in Execu- amending the Annex to Executive Order tive Order 13290 of March 20, 2003, I or- 13315 to include certain persons deter- dered that certain blocked funds held in mined to have been subject to economic the United States in accounts in the name sanctions pursuant to Executive Orders of the Government of Iraq, the Central 12722 and 12724. Because of their associa- Bank of Iraq, Rafidain Bank, Rasheed tion with the prior Iraqi regime, I have Bank, or the State Organization for Mar- determined that these persons present an keting Oil be confiscated and vested in the obstacle to the orderly reconstruction of Department of the Treasury. I originally Iraq, the restoration and maintenance of exercised these authorities in furtherance peace and security in that country, and the of Executive Order 12722. In light of the development of political, administrative, changed circumstances in Iraq, and my de- and economic institutions in Iraq and, cision to terminate the national emergency therefore, I have determined that such per- declared in Executive Order 12722, I have sons should be subject to sanctions under now determined that the exercise of au- Executive Order 13315. thorities in Executive Order 13290 should Additionally, in UNSCR 1483, the Secu- continue in order to address the national rity Council decided that states shall take emergency I declared in Executive Order appropriate steps to facilitate the safe re- 13303 of May 22, 2003, and expanded in turn to Iraqi institutions of Iraqi cultural Executive Order 13315 of August 28, 2003, property or other items of archeological, regarding the obstacles posed to the orderly historical, cultural, rare scientific, and reli- reconstruction of Iraq. This order amends gious importance that were illegally re- Executive Order 13290 to that effect. moved from the Iraq National Museum, In Executive Order 13303 of May 22, the National Library, and other locations 2003, I declared a national emergency to in Iraq since August 6, 1990, including by address the unusual and extraordinary establishing a prohibition on trade in or threat to the national security and foreign transfer of such items and items with re- policy of the United States posed by obsta- spect to which reasonable suspicion exists cles to the orderly reconstruction of Iraq, that they have been illegally removed. This the restoration and maintenance of peace order, among other actions, implements and security in that country, and the devel- this international legal obligation. opment of political, administrative, and eco- I have delegated to the Secretary of the nomic institutions in Iraq. I expanded that Treasury, in consultation with the Secretary emergency in Executive Order 13315 of of State, the authority to take such actions, August 28, 2003, in light of UNSCR 1483 including the promulgation of rules and of May 22, 2003, in which the Security regulations, and to employ all powers grant- Council decided that states shall freeze the ed to me by IEEPA and the United Na- assets of the former Iraqi regime, Saddam tions Participation Act of 1945, as amend- Hussein, and other senior officials of the ed, as may be necessary to carry out the

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purposes of this order. The Secretary of Sincerely, the Treasury may redelegate any of these functions to other officers and agencies of the United States Government consistent GEORGE W. BUSH with applicable law. I have directed all agencies of the United States Government to take all appropriate measures within NOTE: Identical letters were sent to J. Den- their authority to carry out the provisions nis Hastert, Speaker of the House of Rep- of this order. resentatives, and Richard B. Cheney, Presi- I have enclosed a copy of this order, dent of the Senate. The Executive order is which became effective at 12:01 a.m. east- listed in Appendix D at the end of this vol- ern daylight time on July 30, 2004. ume.

Remarks in Springfield, Missouri July 30, 2004

The President. Thank you all. was speaking and not me. [Laughter] She Audience members. Four more years! is a great First Lady. Today you’ll hear Four more years! Four more years! some reasons why I think you need to put The President. Thank you all very much. me back into office, but perhaps the most Thank you. Please be seated. Thanks for important reason of all is so that Laura coming. It’s great to be in the heartland will be First Lady for 4 more years. of our country. And I want to thank you I appreciate my runningmate. I tell you, all for being here this morning to help kick he’s not the prettiest man in the race— off our Heart and Soul of America tour. [laughter]—but he’s got sound judgment, There will be big differences in this cam- and he’s got great national—he’s got great paign. They’re going to raise your taxes; experience in national security. He’s a we’re not. I have a clear vision on how steady man. I’m proud to have him by my to win the war on terror and bring peace side for 4 more years. to the world. They somehow believe the I thank my friend Roy Blunt for his lead- heart and soul of America can be found ership and for his great introduction. I’m in Hollywood. proud to be working with you. I appreciate Audience members. Boo-o-o! my friend Kit Bond. You need to send him The President. The heart and soul of back to Washington, DC. And 2 years ago, America is found right here in Springfield, you sent a good one from Missouri in Jim Missouri. Talent. I appreciate you, Senator. Thank I’m looking forward to the campaign. I’m you for being here. I’m honored that Kenny looking forward to getting out amongst the Hulshof and Jo Ann Emerson are with us, people. We’re going to Michigan and Ohio two fine Members of the House of Rep- this weekend. Everywhere I’ve been going resentatives. Thank you all for coming. the crowds are big, the enthusiasm is high, Proud you’re here. the signs are good: With your help, Dick Speaker Catherine Hanaway, it’s good to Cheney and I will lead this Nation for 4 see you again. It wasn’t just but yesterday, more years. it seemed like, we were in St. Charles, Mis- I’m sorry Laura is not here. I know you souri, together. Thank you for coming. I are too. [Laughter] You probably wish she appreciate your warm introduction there.

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