[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 133 (Tuesday, September 24, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Pages S11174-S11175]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. THOMAS (for himself, Mr. Robb and Mr. McCain):
  S. 2107. A bill to authorize the extension of nondiscriminatory 
treatment--most-favored-nation treatment--to the products of Mongolia; 
to the Committee on Finance.


            mongolia most-favored-nation status legislation

  Mr. THOMAS. Mr. President, I rise as chairman of the Subcommittee on 
East Asian and Pacific Affairs to introduce S. 2107, a bill to 
authorize the extension of nondiscriminatory treatment--formerly known 
as most-favored-nation status--to the products of Mongolia. I am 
pleased to be joined by the subcommittee's ranking minority member, 
Senator Robb, and Senator McCain as original cosponsors.
  Mongolia has undergone a series of remarkable and dramatic changes 
over the last few years. Sandwiched between the former Soviet Union and 
China, it was one of the first countries in the world to become 
Communist after the Russian revolution. After 70 years of Communist 
rule, though, the Mongolian people recently have made great progress in 
establishing a democratic political system and creating a free-market 
economy. Just this year, the country held its third election under its 
new constitution, resulting in a parliamentary majority for the 
coalition of democratic opposition parties. Rather than attempt to 
maintain its hold on power, the former government peaceably--and 
commendably--transferred power to the new government.
  Mongolia has demonstrated a strong desire to build a friendly and 
cooperative relationship with the United States on trade and related 
matters since its turn toward democracy. We concluded a bilateral trade 
treaty with that country in 1991, and a bilateral investment treaty in 
1994. Mongolia has received nondiscriminatory trading status since 
1991, and has been found to be in full compliance with the freedom of 
emigration requirements under title IV of the Trade Act of 1974. In 
addition, it has acceded to the Agreement Establishing the World Trade 
Organization.
  Mr. President, Mongolia has clearly demonstrated that it is fully 
deserving of joining the ranks of those countries to which we extend 
nondiscriminatory trade status. The extension of that status would not 
only serve to commend the Mongolians on their fine progress, but would 
also enable the United States to avail itself of all its rights under 
the WTO with respect to Mongolia.

  I have another, more personal, reason for being interested in MFN 
status for Mongolia. Mongolia and my home State of Wyoming are sister 
states; a strong relationship between the two has developed over the 
past 3 years. Several Mongolian Provincial Governors have visited the 
State, and the two governments have established partnerships in 
education and agriculture. Like Wyoming, Mongolia is a high plateau 
with high mountains on the northwest border, where many of the 
inhabitants make their living by raising livestock. I am pleased to see 
the development of this mutually beneficial relationship, and am sure 
that the extension of nondiscriminatory trade status will serve to 
strengthen it further.
  Mr. President, Congressman Bereuter has introduced similar 
legislation in the House. While we both realize that it is probably too 
late in the legislative year to move this bill forward before we 
adjourn sine die, we hope that introducing the bill now will serve as a 
starting point to move forward with this important measure early in the 
next Congress.
  Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be 
printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the bill was ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

                                S. 2107

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. CONGRESSIONAL FINDINGS.

       The Congress finds that Mongolia--
       (1) has received most-favored-nation treatment since 1991 
     and has been found to be in full compliance with the freedom 
     of emigration requirements under title IV of the Trade Act of 
     1974;
       (2) has since ending its nearly 70 years of dependence on 
     the former Soviet Union, made remarkable progress in 
     establishing a democratic political system and creating a 
     free-market economic system;
       (3) has recently held its third election under its new 
     constitution, resulting in a parliamentary majority for the 
     coalition of democratic opposition parties and a peaceable 
     transfer of power to the new government;
       (4) has concluded a bilateral trade treaty with the United 
     States in 1991, and a bilateral investment treaty in 1994;
       (5) has acceded to the Agreement Establishing the World 
     Trade Organization;
       (6) has demonstrated a strong desire to build a friendly 
     and cooperative relationship with the United States on trade 
     matters; and
       (7) the extension of unconditional most-favored-nation 
     treatment to the products of Mongolia would enable the United 
     States to avail itself of all rights under the World Trade 
     Organization with respect to Mongolia.

     SEC. 2. TERMINATION OF APPLICATION OF TITLE IV OF THE TRADE 
                   ACT OF 1974 TO MONGOLIA.

       (a) Presidential Determinations and Extensions of 
     Nondiscriminatory Treatment.--Notwithstanding any provision 
     of title IV of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C. 2431 et 
     seq.), the President may--
       (1) determine that such title should no longer apply to 
     Mongolia; and

[[Page S11175]]

       (2) after making a determination under paragraph (1) with 
     respect to Mongolia, proclaim the extension of 
     nondiscriminatory treatment (most-favored-nation treatment) 
     to the products of that country.
       (b) Termination of Application of Title IV.--On or after 
     the effective date of the extension under subsection (a)(2) 
     of nondiscriminatory treatment to the products on Mongolia, 
     title IV of the Trade Act of 1974 shall cease to apply to 
     that country.
                                 ______