[House Document 104-10]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]





                                     

        104th Congress, 1st Session - - - - - - - - - - - - - House 
Document 104-10


 
        EMIGRATION LAWS AND POLICIES OF THE REPUBLIC OF BULGARIA

                               __________

                             COMMUNICATION

                                  from

                   THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES

                              TRANSMITTING

  A REPORT CONCERNING EMIGRATION LAWS AND POLICIES OF THE REPUBLIC OF 
                BULGARIA, PURSUANT TO 19 U.S.C. 2432(b)




   January 4, 1995.--Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means and 
                         ordered to be printed
                                           The White House,
                                     Washington, December 30, 1994.
Hon. Thomas S. Foley,
Speaker of the House of Representatives,
Washington, DC.
    Dear Mr. Speaker: On June 3, 1993, I determined and 
reported to the Congress that Bulgaria is in full compliance 
with the freedom of emigration criteria of sections 402 and 409 
of the Trade Act of 1974. This action allowed for the 
continuation of most-favored-nation (MFN) status for Bulgaria 
and certain other activities without the requirement of a 
waiver.
    As required by law, I am submitting an updated Report to 
Congress concerning emigration laws and policies of the 
Republic of Bulgaria. You will find that the report indicated 
continued Bulgarian compliance with U.S. and international 
standards in the areas of emigration and human rights policy.
            Sincerely,
                                                William J. Clinton.
   Report to Congress Concerning Emigration Laws and Policies of the 
                          Republic of Bulgaria

    This report is submitted pursuant to sections 402 and 409 
of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended (``the Act''), following 
Presidential Determination 93-26 of June 3, 1993, that Bulgaria 
is not in violation of paragraphs (1), (2), or (3) of 
subsections 402(a) and 409(a) of the Act.
    All current information indicated that the emigration laws 
and practices of the Republic of Bulgaria satisfy the criteria 
set forth in subsections 402(a) and 409(a) of the Act in 
respect of all matters covered in those subsections.
    Freedom of movement within Bulgaria and the right to leave 
it are enshrined in the 1991 constitution and are not limited 
in practice. No exit visa is required to leave Bulgaria, and no 
more than nominal fees must be paid by potential emigres. 
Thousands of Bulgarians left during 1992-1994 in search of 
economic opportunities in the West. Every citizen has the right 
to return to Bulgaria, may not be forcibly expatriated, and may 
not be deprived of citizenship acquired by birth. A number of 
former political emigrants were granted passports and have 
returned to visit or live in Bulgaria.
    There are no outstanding emigration cases involving the 
United States and no divided family cases in Bulgaria.
    In addition to its good emigration practices, Bulgaria has 
made substantial progress on protection of human rights, 
development of a democratic, free market society, and 
establishment of cooperative relations with the U.S. On 
December 18, 1994, Bulgaria held its third free election since 
the end of communist rule.