[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 129 (Wednesday, September 29, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Pages S11640-S11641]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. LAUTENBERG:
  S. 1657. A bill to authorize the extension of nondiscriminatory 
treatment (normal trade relations treatment) to the products of 
Albania; to the Committee on Finance.


        REMOVAL OF ALBANIA FROM JACKSON-VANIK TRADE RESTRICTIONS

  Mr. LAUTENBERG. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce a bill 
authorizing the President to grant permanent Normal Trade Relations 
status to Albania, overcoming the so-called Jackson-Vanik restrictions 
in Title IV of the Trade Act. This legislation is urgently needed so 
that when Albania joins the World Trade Organization later this year, 
the United States can enter into full WTO relations with this market-
oriented country in the Balkans.
  Mr. President, I offer this legislation and seek the support of my 
colleagues for three reasons: First, the Cold War-era Jackson-Vanik 
restrictions are no longer relevant for Albania. We should free our 
relations with Albania from restrictions applied to communist 
countries. The Jackson-Vanik restrictions applied to countries with 
non-market economies which limited emigration. Albania now has a market 
economy which some may argue needs more regulation. Albanians are now 
also free to emigrate, sometimes much to the chagrin of Albania's 
neighbors. The President certified Albania to be in compliance with the 
Jackson-Vanik requirements in January 1998 and has continued to report 
that Albania remains in compliance. The certification process is simply 
a relic of the Cold War.
  Second, granting Albania permanent Normal Trade Relations, or NTR, 
status through the WTO will encourage and support Albania's free-trade 
orientation and integration into the global trading system. Little more 
than a decade ago, Albania was closed off from the rest of the world by 
a severely Stalinist regime. Today, all major political forces in 
Albania--including the governing Socialist Party and the opposition 
Democratic Party, which led the first post-Communist government--
support democracy, free trade and integration with the West. A 
delegation from Albania's Parliament made clear the breadth and depth 
of support for Albania's WTO membership. Albania has enacted virtually 
all the necessary legislation and implementing regulations necessary to 
meet WTO standards and will implement the rest prior to its WTO 
accession. They will not even require a transition period. We should 
reward this tremendous positive change by welcoming Albania into the 
WTO and opening our markets to Albanian goods on a fair basis 
negotiated through the WTO.
  Third, this bill will benefit U.S. firms by securing Albania's 
commitment to WTO standards and giving the United

[[Page S11641]]

States access to WTO dispute settlement mechanisms with regard to 
Albania. The annual certification requirement under existing law would 
require the United States to demur from entering into full WTO 
relations with Albania when that country becomes a member later this 
year. Thus, without the enactment of this legislation, we will not have 
access to WTO dispute settlement mechanisms and will only be able to 
engage in economic relations with Albania on a bilateral basis.
  Mr. President, for the reasons I have outlined--moving beyond the 
Cold War, supporting development of a market economy and democracy in 
Albania, and providing WTO protection of market access for American 
businesses--I hope the Congress will enact this legislation. The United 
States has been a leading advocate for Albania's accession into the 
WTO. We should continue that support by passing this legislation. I 
would ask the Finance Committee and the full Senate to act 
expeditiously so this bill can be signed into law before Albania 
becomes a WTO member.
  At this point, Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that a copy 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. 1657

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

     SECTION 1. FINDINGS.

       Congress makes the following findings:
       (1) Albania has been found to be in full compliance with 
     the freedom of emigration requirements under title IV of the 
     Trade Act of 1974.
       (2) Since its emergence from communism, Albania has made 
     progress toward democratic rule and the creation of a free-
     market economy.
       (3) Albania has concluded a bilateral investment treaty 
     with the United States.
       (4) Albania has demonstrated a strong desire to build a 
     friendly relationship with the United States and has been 
     very cooperative with NATO and the international community 
     during and after the Kosova crisis.
       (5) The extension of unconditional normal trade relations 
     treatment to the products of Albania will enable the United 
     States to avail itself of all rights under the World Trade 
     Organization with respect to Albania when that country 
     becomes a member of the World Trade Organization.

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

       (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 
     Albania; and
       (2) after making a determination under paragraph (1) with 
     respect to Albania, proclaim the extension of 
     nondiscriminatory treatment (normal trade relations 
     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 of Albania, 
     title IV of the Trade Act of 1974 shall cease to apply to 
     that country.
                                 ______