On September 23, 2001, President Bush issued Executive Order #13224, "Blocking Property and Prohibiting Transactions with Persons Who Commit, Threaten to Commit, or Support Terrorism." This order prohibits us from doing business with terrorists and terrorist organizations.

The Office of Foreign Assets Control within the US Department of Treasury administers this Executive Order. This office maintains the list of terrorists and terrorist organizations identified in the President's Executive Order.

The Office of Foreign Assets Control has directed its rules particularly to banking institutions and securities/investment houses. Presumably, there is a low risk of States having transactions with these individuals or organizations. However, agencies should ensure no payment of state funds are issued to those individuals or organizations identified in the Executive Order.

Information regarding prohibited terrorists and terrorist organizations can be accessed on the following website:

http://www.treas.gov/offices/enforcement/ofac/