[House Document 105-210]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]



105th Congress, 2d Session  - - - - - - - - - - House Document 105-210


 
                EMIGRATION LAWS AND POLICIES OF ALBANIA

                               __________

                             COMMUNICATION

                                  from

                   THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES

                              transmitting

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





  February 5, 1998.--Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means and 
                         ordered to be printed


                                            The White House
                                      Washington, January 21, 1998.
The Hon. Newt Gingrich,
Speaker of the House of Representatives,
Washington, DC.
    Dear Mr. Speaker: I am submitting an updated report to the 
Congress concerning the emigration laws and policies of 
Albania. The report indicates continued Albanian compliance 
with U.S. and international standards in the area of 
emigration. In fact, Albania has imposed no emigration 
restrictions, including exit visa requirements, on its 
population since 1991.
    On December 5, 1997, I determined and reported to the 
Congress that Albania was in full compliance with the freedom 
of emigration criteria of sections 402 and 409 of the Trade Act 
of 1974. That action allowed for the continuation of most-
favored-nation (MFN) status for Albania and certain other 
activities without the requirement of an annual waiver. This 
semiannual report is submitted as required by law pursuant to 
the determination of December 5, 1997.
            Sincerely,
                                                      Bill Clinton.
 Report to Congress Concerning Emigration Laws and Policies of Albania

    This report is submitted pursuant to sections 402 and 409 
of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended (``the Act''), following 
Presidential Determination Number 98-7 of December 5, 1997 and 
the accompanying report to Congress, that Albania 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 Albania continue to satisfy 
the criteria set forth in sections 402(a) and 409(a) of the Act 
in respect of all matters covered in those subsections.
    The right to emigrate is enshrined in Albanian law and has 
been reaffirmed in numerous European human rights conventions 
to which Albania is a signatory. Albania has had no emigration 
restrictions, including exit visa requirements, since 1991. 
Albanians have exercised this right in great numbers (several 
hundred thousand emigrants) since the collapse of the communist 
regime in 1991. We know of no reports of Albanians being denied 
the right to emigrate.

                                
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