Opinion ID: 2463629
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Department of State's Support of Hunt.

Text: The second proviso of the Hickenlooper Amendment exempts its application in any case with respect to which the President determines that application of the act of state doctrine is required in that particular case by the foreign policy interests of the United States and a suggestion to this effect is filed on his behalf in that case with the court. This provision avoids the situation that concerned the United States Supreme Court in Sabbatino : that judicial determinations of parties' rights might interfere with, or embarrass, the Executive Branch of the government. [11] There has been no such request filed with any court in this case. In fact, the Department of State has indicated its belief that the Hickenlooper Amendment was passed precisely to permit American courts to entertain suits such as this, brought in pursuit of hot oil; that the nationalization of Hunt's interest in the Sarir field by Libya violated international law; and that wherever possible Hunt should be supported in his pursuit of legal remedies. [12] It is apparent, therefore, that the Department of State has determined that adjudication of Hunt's claim by the judicial branch of our government will cause no serious harm or embarrassment to the conduct of foreign policy by the Executive Branch of our government.