[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 2 (Wednesday, January 26, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: January 26, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
   REPORT TO CONGRESS CONCERNING EMIGRATION LAWS AND POLICIES OF THE 
 REPUBLIC OF BULGARIA--MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES 
                           (H. DOC. No. 197)

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Visclosky) laid before the House the 
following message from the President of the United States; which was 
read and, together with the accompanying papers, without objection, 
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 determination 
allowed for the continuation of most-favored nation (MFN) status and 
certain U.S. Government financial programs for Bulgaria 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 indicates continued Bulgarian compliance 
with U.S. and international standards in the areas of emigration and 
human rights policy.
                                                  William J. Clinton.  
  The White House, January 26, 1994.
                                  ____


   Report to Congress Concerning Emigration Laws and Policies of the 
                          Republic of Bulgaria

       This report on the emigration laws and practices of the 
     Republic of Bulgaria constitutes the periodic report required 
     by subsections 402(b) and 409(b) of the Trade Act of 1974, as 
     amended (``the Act''), as a consequence of 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 indicates that the emigration laws 
     and practices of the Republic of Bulgaria satisfy the 
     criteria laid out 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 and 1993 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 exemplary emigration practices, Bulgaria 
     respects fundamental human rights and is working to further 
     develop a democratic, free market society and to establish 
     closer relations with the United States.

                          ____________________