"Sanction" is an interesting word, in that, depending on context, it can have diametrically opposing meanings. [Wikipidia]

this was brought home to me in reading Edmund Morris's Theodore Rex:

The memos were classified Confidential, Private, and Personal. Root filed them, knowing such strictures, in Roosevelt's parlance, usually meant "Hold for Publication." He had hardly done so, indeed, before Congress asked for documents relating to Miles's insinuations, and the President sanctioned their release.

boy, howdy! hi, Faldage that's not too ambiguous (upon reflection, he clearly approved their release) -- especially as, 10 pages earlier you can find this:

Plunging deep into sociological theory, Knox postulated the "underlying laws" that linked all social and industrial movements, and the common-law "sanctions" that prompted them. Was it rash of the President to seek sanctions of his own?

here's the AHD4 view: http://www.bartleby.com/61/2/S0060200.html