WASHINGTON, Dec. 22 (UPI) -- U.S. President George Bush signed into law an act aimed at promoting the institution of democratic systems in the Palestinian Authority.
However, Bush said certain sections of the "Palestinian Anti-Terrorism Act of 2006" would be subject to his interpretation and others would be taken as "advisory."
"My approval of the act does not constitute my adoption of the statements of policy as U.S. foreign policy," Bush said. "Given the Constitution's commitment to the presidency of the authority to conduct the nation's foreign affairs, the executive branch shall construe such policy statements as advisory."
The president said portions of the act that relate to "access to certain information by a legislative agent" and "a report on certain assistance by foreign countries, international organizations, or multilateral development banks" would be subject to "the president's constitutional authority to withhold information that could impair foreign relations, national security, the deliberative processes of the executive, or the performance of the executive's constitutional duties."
