December 31, 2007

Today, I have signed into law S. 2271, the "Sudan Accountability and Divestment Act of 2007." I share the deep concern of the Congress over the continued violence in Darfur perpetrated by the Government of Sudan and rebel groups. My Administration will continue its efforts to bring about significant improvements in the conditions in Sudan through sanctions against the Government of Sudan and high level diplomatic engagement and by supporting the deployment² of peacekeepers in Darfur.

This Act purports³ to authorize⁴ State and local governments to divest¹ from companies doing business in named sectors⁵ in Sudan and thus risks being interpreted as insulating from Federal oversight⁶ State and local divestment actions that could interfere⁷ with implementation⁸ of national foreign policy. However, as the Constitution vests the exclusive authority to conduct foreign relations with the Federal Government, the executive branch shall construe⁹ and enforce this legislation in a manner that does not conflict with that authority.

GEORGE W. BUSH

THE WHITE HOUSE,

December 31, 2007.