President Imposes Import Sanctions on Logs and Timber Products from Liberia, Etc

The following are highlights of the sanctions imposed by EO 13348 (See EO 13348 and related documents for complete details):

Imports of Round Logs or Timber Products from Liberia Prohibited

According to EO 13348, except to the extent provided 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 effective date of this order, the direct or indirect importation into the U.S. of any round log or timber product originating in Liberia is prohibited.

EO 13348 provides that the term "round log or timber product" means any product classifiable in HTS Chapter 44 (entitled "Wood and articles of wood; wood charcoal"). EO 13348 explains that the illicit trade in round logs and timber products is linked to the proliferation of and trafficking in illegal arms, which perpetuate the Liberian conflict and fuel and exacerbate other conflicts throughout West Africa.

Other Sanctions, Prohibitions (Partial List)

Blocking property & interests in property of certain persons. EO 13348 provides that except to the extent provided in 50 USC 1702(b)(1), (3), and (4), or regulations, orders, directives, or license that may be issued pursuant to EO 13348, and notwithstanding any contract entered into or any license or permit granted prior to the effective date of this order, all property and interests in property of the following persons, that are in the U.S., that hereafter come within the U.S., or that are or hereafter come within the possession or control of U.S. persons are blocked and may not be transferred, paid, exported, withdrawn or otherwise dealt in (partial list):

Persons listed in the Annex of EO 13348;

Any person determined by the Treasury Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of State: to be or have been an immediate family member of Charles Taylor (the former President of Liberia); to have been a senior official of the former Liberian regime headed by Charles Taylor or otherwise to have been or be a close ally or associate of Charles Taylor or the former Liberian regime;

Etc.

Donation of certain articles prohibited. EO 13348 states that the making of donations of the type of articles specified in 50 USC 1702(b)(2) by, to, or for the benefit of, any person whose property or interests in property are blocked as described above are prohibited.

Evasive transactions & conspiracies to violate EO 13348 are prohibited. According to EO 13348, the following are prohibited: any transaction by a U.S. person or within the U.S. that evades or avoids, has the purpose of evading or avoiding, or attempts to violate any of the prohibitions set forth in EO 13348; and any conspiracy formed to violate any of the prohibitions set forth in this order.

U.S. Government Agencies Directed to Implement EO 13348

EO 13348 directs the Treasury Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of State, to take such actions, including the promulgation of rules and regulations, and to employ certain powers granted to the President as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of EO 13348. In addition, all U.S. government agencies are directed to take all appropriate measures within their authority to carry out the provisions of EO 13348.

EO 13348 (FR Pub 07/27/04) available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/06jun20041800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-17205.pdf.

President Bush's letter on EO 13348 to Congressional leaders (dated 07/23/04) available at http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2004/07/20040723-9.html