(a) Authority
(1) In general To facilitate the assignment of persons to Iraq and Afghanistan or to posts vacated by members of the Service assigned to Iraq and Afghanistan, the Secretary of State may waive the application of the provisions of section
8344 or
8468 of title
5 on a case-by-case basis for employment of an annuitant in a position in the Department of State for which there is exceptional difficulty in recruiting or retaining a qualified employee, or when a temporary emergency hiring need exists.
(2) Termination of authority
The authority of the Secretary under paragraph (1) shall terminate on October 1, 2008. An annuitant reemployed pursuant to such authority prior to such termination date may be employed for a period ending not later than one year after such date.