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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE Office of the Spokesman Taken Questions of November 29, 1993 1. Foreign Assistance Act Q. How long will consultations with Congress on the Foreign Assistance Act rewrite last? Will a draft be released? A. WE WILL BE CONSULTING WITH CONGRESS ON THIS BETWEEN NOW AND THE END OF JANUARY. WE PLAN TO SUBMIT AN ADMINISTRATION BILL BASED ON THE DISCUSSION DRAFT AFTER CONGRESS RETURNS FOR ITS NEXT SESSION. 2. PLO Q: Regarding the waiver for anti-P.L.O. legislation which expires in December, do we see the fact that Congress is not in session as being a problem? A: NO. UNDER THE TERMS OF THE MIDDLE EAST PEACE FACILITATION ACT, AS AMENDED, (PASSED BY CONGRESS IN MID-NOVEMBER), THE PRESIDENT HAS THE AUTHORITY TO WAIVE UNTIL JULY, 1994, CERTAIN LEGISLATIVE RESTRICTIONS RELATED TO THE PLO. THE FACT THAT CONGRESS IS OUT OF SESSION DOES NOT PRECLUDE NECESSARY CONSULTATIONS.(###)