[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 55 (Thursday, April 25, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E636-E637]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          GRANTING MOST-FAVORED-NATION TRADE STATUS TO ROMANIA

                                 ______


                          HON. BILL RICHARDSON

                             of new mexico

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 24, 1996

  Mr. RICHARDSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise to urge my colleagues to give 
their wholehearted supported to the legislation offered by the 
gentleman from Illinois [Mr. Crane] which would grant permanent most-
favored-nation [MFN] trade status to Romania. As I am sure you are 
aware, Romania has been granted MFN for the past 3 years, but it is 
subject to periodic renewal. It is now time to bring an end to this

[[Page E637]]

renewal process and make Romania's MFN status permanent.
  Romania meets all the criteria for permanent MFN: unhindered 
emigration; a free market economic system; a multiparty democratic 
political system with free and fair elections, and respect for basic 
human rights and freedoms. As a nation still in transition after the 
1989 revolution, Romania is still working to institutionalize these 
changes. But I have no doubt about the commitment of the Government and 
people of Romania to staying on the course of full integration into the 
Western community of nations. Romania is a founding member of the World 
Trade Organization, and has strongly expressed its desire for 
membership in such Western institutions as the EU and NATO. The 
granting of permanent MFN is regarded by foreign governments as a 
manifestation of U.S. support. It represents our acknowledgment that a 
nation has expressed strong commitment to the values that we hold dear. 
In a case such as Romania, it also signals our encouragement and 
support for the reforms that are still being made and the progress yet 
to come.
  Mr. Speaker, I am sure that my colleagues will agree that Romania is 
deserving of this support and acknowledgment. Since granting permanent 
MFN to Romania will not affect the United States budget, this 
legislation is literally a cost-free way for us to express to the 
people and Government of Romania our admiration for what they have 
accomplished in 6 short years, our encouragement for their efforts to 
continue on the path they have chosen, and our hope for a better future 
for their children.

                          ____________________