[Congressional Bills 104th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 200 Introduced in Senate (IS)]







104th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 200

 Expressing the sense of the Senate that the Republic of Trinidad and 
 Tobago should be considered for accession to the North American Free 
                            Trade Agreement.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                           December 19, 1995

Mr. Lugar submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 
                          Committee on Finance

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
 Expressing the sense of the Senate that the Republic of Trinidad and 
 Tobago should be considered for accession to the North American Free 
                            Trade Agreement.

Whereas the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago meets the requirements for accession 
        to the North American Free Trade Agreement (hereafter referred to as the 
        ``NAFTA'');
Whereas the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago has successfully implemented 
        programs to liberalize the country's economy and trade regime, 
        particularly by lowering tariffs, divesting its holdings in the 
        production sector, and promoting private sector development;
Whereas the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago has entered into a Bilateral 
        Investment Treaty and an Intellectual Property Rights Agreement with the 
        United States;
Whereas the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago has expressed an active interest in 
        entering into negotiations for accession to the NAFTA;
Whereas the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago seeks to ensure that the markets of 
        North America and the markets of Trinidad and Tobago are open to each 
        others' products and services on a reciprocal basis;
Whereas major United States-based multinational companies are successfully 
        operating in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and access to the NAFTA 
        would afford these companies enhanced investment security as well as a 
        more comprehensive legal framework for their operations in Trinidad and 
        Tobago;
Whereas the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago is a small but significant non-OPEC 
        producer of oil and gas and has continually and significantly 
        contributed to the energy security of the Western Hemisphere;
Whereas several United States energy companies have substantial investments in 
        the petrochemical and hydrocarbon sectors of the economy of Trinidad and 
        Tobago; and
Whereas many members of the Congress and the Administration have applauded the 
        fiscal discipline which has led to the continued liberalization of the 
        economy of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and have expressed 
        interest in including the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago in the NAFTA: 
        Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That it is the sense of the Senate that the Republic of 
Trinidad and Tobago should be deemed ready, willing, and able to 
undertake all of the general obligations imposed by the North American 
Free Trade Agreement and that the President should consider favorably 
the request of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago to commence 
negotiations for accession to the NAFTA as soon as comparable 
negotiations with the Government of Chile are concluded.
                                 <all>