Sudan Executive Order Signed

The President signed the Darfur Peace and Accountability Act ("DPAA"), into law on October 13, 2006. In order to take appropriate account of the relevant provisions in the DPAA, and to continue the Administration's pursuit of sanctions against Sudan, the President issued an Executive Order, "Blocking Property Of And Prohibiting Transactions With The Government Of Sudan" on October 13, 2006 ("the E.O."). The E.O. blocks all property and interests in property of the Government of Sudan that are in the United States, that come within the United States, or that are or come within the possession or control of U.S. persons, including their overseas branches, and prohibits U.S. persons from engaging in any transactions involving such property or interests in property. It also prohibits all transactions by U.S. persons relating to Sudan's petroleum or petrochemical industries, including, but not limited to, oilfield services and oil or gas pipelines. The current sanctions will no longer prohibit trade and related transactions or humanitarian assistance in the areas of Sudan specified in the DPAA, including Southern Sudan, Southern Kordofan/Nuba Mountains State, Blue Nile State, Abyei, Darfur, and marginalized areas in and around Khartoum, provided that the Government of Sudan does not have any property interest in the transaction. In addition, the new Order preserves a full trade ban on the areas of Sudan not specified in the DPAA.