[House Document 104-156]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]





        104th Congress, 2d Session - - - - - - - - - - - - House 
Document 104-156


 
                EMIGRATION LAWS AND POLICIES OF ROMANIA

                               __________

                                MESSAGE

                                  from

                   THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES

                              transmitting

   AN UPDATED REPORT CONTAINING THE EMIGRATION LAWS AND POLICIES OF 
                 ROMANIA, PURSUANT TO 19 U.S.C. 2432(b)




   January 3, 1996.--Message and accompanying papers referred to the 
         Committee on Ways and Means and ordered to be printed
To the Congress of the United States:
    On May 19, 1995, I determined and reported to the Congress 
that Romania 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 Romania and certain other activities 
without the requirement of an annual waiver.
    As required by law, I am submitting an updated report to 
the Congress concerning the emigration laws and policies of 
Romania. You will find that the report indicates continued 
Romanian compliance with U.S. and international standards in 
the area of emigration policy.

                                                William J. Clinton.
    The White House, January 3, 1996.
 Report to Congress Concerning Emigration Laws and Policies of Romania

    This report is submitted pursuant to sections 402 and 409 
of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended (``the Act''), following 
Presidential Determination 95-22 of May 19, 1995, that Romania 
is not in violation of paragraphs (1), (2), or (3) of sections 
402(a) and 409(a) of the Act.
    All current information indicates that the emigration laws 
and practices of Romania continue to satisfy the criteria set 
forth in sections 402(a) and 409(a) of the Act with respect to 
all matters covered in those subsections.
    Freedom of movement within Romania and the right to leave 
are enshrined in the 1991 constitution and are not limited in 
practice. No exit visa is required to leave Romania, and no 
prohibitive fees must be paid by potential emigres. Thousands 
of Romanians left during 1990-1995 in search of economic 
opportunities in the West. Every citizen has the right to 
return to Romania, may not be forcefully expatriated, and may 
not be forcibly deprived of citizenship acquired by birth. A 
number of former political emigrants were granted passports and 
have returned to visit or live in Romania.
    There are no outstanding emigration cases involving the 
United States and no divided-family cases in Romania.
    In addition to its non-restrictive emigration practices, 
Romania continues to make commendable progress in its human 
rights practices. Romania has worked to achieve excellent 
relations with the United States, has played a constructive 
role in the region, and has demonstrated its commitment to 
complete the transition to a fully democratic, free-market 
society.

                                
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