Logan Act

The Logan Act is a statute enacted in 1799 and last modified in 1994 U.S. law. He forbids citizens to carry without the express permission of the government political negotiations with foreign governments and officials in relation to conflicts with the United States or to counteract their actions. It should be avoided that secret lobbies make arrangements internationally. Contacts with other states should be done on ordinary state visits. Their agenda and actual content can be watched by the media and all state organs.

The law is named after George Logan (1753-1821), who in 1798 led peace negotiations with the Quasi-War in Paris. Violations of the law are punishable. The Logan Act was, however, never been used.

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Any citizen of the United States, wherever he 'may be, who, without authority of the United States, Directly or Indirectly commences or carries on any correspondence or intercourse with any foreign government or any officer or agent thereof, with intent to influence the measures or conduct of any foreign government or of any officer or agent thereof, in relation to any disputes or controversies with the United States, or to defeat the measures of the United States, Shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than three years, or both. This section Shall not abridge the right of a citizen to apply himself, or his agent, to any foreign government, or the agents thereof, for redress of any injury Which hey june have sustained from seeking government or any of its agents or subjects.

• Source of law (United States)