Thursday, January 12, 2006

A national emergency

Lock the doors and hide the children!

Today's federal register includes the following presidential document:

Continuation of the National Emergency Relating
to Cuba and of the Emergency Authority Relating to the
Regulation of the Anchorage and Movement of Vessels

On March 1, 1996, by Proclamation 6867, a national
emergency was declared to address the disturbance or
threatened disturbance of international relations
caused by the February 24, 1996, destruction by the
Cuban government of two unarmed U.S.-registered
civilian aircraft in international airspace north of
Cuba. In July 1996 and on subsequent occasions, the
Cuban government stated its intent to forcefully defend
its sovereignty against any U.S.-registered vessels or
aircraft that might enter Cuban territorial waters or
airspace while involved in a flotilla or peaceful
protest. Since these events, the Cuban government has
not demonstrated that it will refrain from the future
use of reckless and excessive force against U.S.
vessels or aircraft that may engage in memorial
activities or peaceful protest north of Cuba. On
February 26, 2004, by Proclamation 7757, the scope of
the national emergency was expanded in order to deny
monetary and material support to the repressive Cuban
government, which had taken a series of steps to
destabilize relations with the United States, including
threatening to abrogate the Migration Accords with the
United States and to close the United States Interests
Section.

Therefore, in accordance with section 202(d) of the
National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1622(d)), I am
continuing for 1 year the national emergency with
respect to Cuba and the emergency authority relating to
the regulation of the anchorage and movement of vessels
set out in Proclamation 6687, as amended and expanded
by Proclamation 7757.

To which I say: Rubbish and horseshit. But thanks for keeping us safe, big guy.

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