The Two-Year Clock

This thread traces the designation system's time limits, renewals, removals, and additions as recurring decisions rather than permanent labels.

increasingBearing stren­gth in each eventdecreasing

Initial Two-Year Term

Initial Two-Year Term A limited designation The appendix states that a foreign terrorist designation remains valid for two years. Temporary by design The time limit makes continued status dependent on later review rather than automatically permanent.

New Entries at Any Time

New Entries at Any Time Continuing authority The law permits new organizations to be added at any time after the Secretary of State consults the Secretaries of Justice and Treasury. A living register The list can therefore expand between scheduled renewal periods.

Renewal Must Be Deliberate

Renewal Must Be Deliberate No automatic extension A designation must be explicitly renewed or it expires automatically. Renewal is described as a voluntary act. Continued activity required The Secretary of State must demonstrate that terrorist activity continued and that the statutory criteria still apply.

Three Organizations Removed

Three Organizations Removed A review with consequences Albright allowed three organizations to be removed from the original list because they had ceased terrorist activity and no longer met the criteria. Evidence can change status The removals illustrate that the register is not described as unalterable.

Cancellation by Decision

Cancellation by Decision A separate exit route The Secretary of State may cancel a designation if the decision is judged justified. Congressional notification Congress must be notified, preserving a formal governmental step even as the designation is withdrawn.

At the moment an organization is designated

Under the procedure after the first list is created

As the two-year term approaches its end

October 1999

When the Secretary of State judges cancellation warranted