[House Document 104-169]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]



                                     

        104th Congress, 2d Session - - - - - - - - - - - - House 
Document 104-169


 
       EMIGRATION LAWS AND POLICIES OF THE REPUBLIC OF BULGARIA

                               __________

                                MESSAGE

                                  from

                   THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES

                              transmitting

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




  January 30, 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 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 
the Congress concerning emigration laws and policies of the 
Republic of Bulgaria. You will find that the report indicates 
continued Bulgarian compliance with U.S. and international 
standards in the area of emigration policy.

                                                William J. Clinton.
    The White House, January 29, 1996.
   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 sections 
402(a) and 409(a) of the Act.
    All current information indicates that the emigration laws 
and practices of the Republic of Bulgaria satisfy the criteria 
set forth in sections 402(a) and 409(a) of the Act in respect 
to 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 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 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 in the protection of human rights and 
the development of a democratic, free market society, and 
continues to establish cooperative relations with the U.S. On 
December 18, 1994, Bulgaria held its third free election since 
the end of communist rule. As a result of that election, the 
Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP) effectively controls the 
government. Cooperative relations with the U.S. have continued, 
and we have noticed no significant problems on the human rights 
front since the BSP came to power.