[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 163 (Friday, October 20, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1997]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         IMPROVING TIES BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND BULGARIA

                                 ______


                            HON. TOM LANTOS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 20, 1995

  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to call the attention of my 
colleagues to the progress and success that has been achieved by 
Bulgaria in the past 5 years, as the Government of Bulgaria has 
implemented a number of democratic reforms. Since that transformation, 
there has been considerable progress, although these times of change 
and instability have been difficult for many of the Bulgarian people.
  The relationship between the United States and Bulgaria has improved 
steadily since 1990, when the authoritarian Communist government was 
replaced by a democratically elected government. There have been a 
number of concrete indications of the growing cooperation between our 
two countries. In early 1991 our two countries completed a bilateral 
trade agreement, and as a consequence of that agreement, most-favored-
nation trading status was extended to Bulgaria in November 1991. Thanks 
to Bulgaria's progress, the House passed a bill earlier this year to 
grant permanent MFN trading status to Bulgaria.
  Several decisions have been made recently confirming the commitment 
of Bulgaria toward strong bilateral cooperation with the United States. 
These decisions include revoking export licenses from two arms trading 
companies for irregularities in their trade operations. The Bulgarian 
Government has taken positive steps to provide restitution of property, 
both private and communal, to individuals of Jewish descent. In 
addition, the Bulgarian Parliament has taken steps to strengthen and 
improve export and visa regulations, and it has reaffirmed support of 
the United States-supported peace program for Bosnia and the former 
Yugoslavia.
  Mr. Speaker, Bulgaria has been a source of stability in the Balkan 
region and this steadiness has contributed to preventing potential 
expansion of the crisis in the former Yugoslavia. Bulgaria has 
maintained its policy of noninterference in the affairs of other 
countries of the Balkans. With regard to humanitarian concerns, 
Bulgaria has been actively involved in providing humanitarian 
assistance and shelter to refugees from the regions of conflict.
  I commend our colleagues in the Bulgarian Parliament for their 
efforts and their legislative actions to ensure Bulgaria's transition 
to a democratic government and the full implement of market economic 
reforms. The dedicated members of the Bulgarian Parliament have played 
a critically important part in the progress, thus far, and I am sure 
will continue to play an essential role as this transformation 
continues and succeeds.

                          ____________________