The White House
Office Of The Press Secretary
July 25, 2008
Statement By President Bush On Expanded Sanctions On Zimbabwe; Bush Signs Executive Order Against Illegitimate Mugabe
Regime
STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT
Today [July 25, 2008] I have signed a new Executive Order that expands our sanctions against the illegitimate Government
of Zimbabwe. The new Executive Order significantly enhances our ability to designate individuals in and entities
connected to the Mugabe regime. Under the new Executive Order, the Treasury Department will today designate several of these government-controlled entities.
This action is a direct result of the Mugabe regime's continued politically-motivated violence, disregarding calls from
the Southern African Development Community, the African Union, and the United Nations to halt the attacks. The regime
has also continued its ban against NGO activities that would provide assistance to the suffering and vulnerable people
of Zimbabwe. No regime should ignore the will of its own people and calls from the international community without
consequences.
Should ongoing talks in South Africa between Mugabe's regime and the Movement of Democratic Change result in a new
government that reflects the will of the Zimbabwean people, the United States stands ready to provide a substantial
assistance package, development aid, and normalization with international financial institutions.
In the meantime, I am reaffirming my commitment to support the suffering people of Zimbabwe, authorizing the use of up
to $2.5 million from the U.S. Emergency Refugee and Migration Assistance Fund to assist Zimbabwean refugees and asylum
seekers who have been displaced due to the ongoing violence in their country. We will also continue our efforts to
provide food and health assistance as part of our commitment to help the people of Zimbabwe in their time of greatest
need.
ENDS