    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1991, Book I)]
    [June 24, 1991]
    [Pages 718-719]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Letter to Congressional Leaders on Trade With Bulgaria
    June 24, 1991

    Dear Mr. Speaker:  (Dear Mr. President:)
        In accordance with section 407 of the Trade Act of 1974 (Public Law
    93-618, January 3, 1975; 88 Stat. 1978), as amended (the ``Trade Act''),
    I am transmitting a copy of a proclamation that extends
    nondiscriminatory treatment to the products of the Republic of Bulgaria.
    I also enclose the text of the ``Agreement on Trade Relations Between
    the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the
    Republic of Bulgaria,'' including exchanges of letters that form an
    integral part of the Agreement, which was signed on April 22, 1991, and
    which is included as an annex to the proclamation.
         The Agreement will provide a nondiscriminatory framework for our
    bilateral trade relations, and thus strengthen both economic and
    political relations between the United States and the Republic of
    Bulgaria. Conclusion of this Agreement is an important step we can take
    to provide greater economic benefits to both countries. It will also
    give further impetus to the progress we have made in our overall
    diplomatic relations since last year.
        I believe that the Agreement is consistent with both the letter and
    the spirit of the Trade Act. It provides for mutual extension of
    nondiscriminatory tariff treatment, while seeking to ensure overall
    reciprocity of economic benefits. It includes safeguard arrangements to
    ensure that our trade with the Republic of Bulgaria will grow without
    causing disruption to the U.S. market and consequent injury to domestic
    firms or loss of jobs for American workers.
        The Agreement also confirms and expands for American businesses
    certain basic rights in conducting commercial transactions both within
    the Republic of Bulgaria and with Bulgarian nationals and business
    entities. Other provisions include those dealing with settlement of
    commercial disputes, financial transactions, and government commercial
    offices. Through this Agreement, the Republic of Bulgaria also

    [[Page 719]]

    undertakes obligations to modernize and upgrade very substantially its
    protection of intellectual property rights. Once fully implemented, the
    Bulgarian intellectual property regime will be on a par with that of our
    principal industrialized trading partners. This Agreement will not alter
    U.S. law or practice with respect to the protection of intellectual
    property.
        On January 22, 1991, I waived application of subsections (a) and (b)
    of section 402 of the Trade Act to the Republic of Bulgaria. I
    determined that this waiver will substantially promote the objectives of
    section 402, and, pursuant to section 402(c)(2) of the Trade Act,
    notified the Congress that I have received assurances that the
    emigration practices of the Republic of Bulgaria will henceforth lead
    substantially to achievement of those objectives.
        I urge that the Congress act as soon as possible to approve the
    ``Agreement on Trade Relations Between the Government of the United
    States of America and the Government of the Republic of Bulgaria'' and
    the proclamation extending nondiscriminatory treatment to products of
    the Republic of Bulgaria by enactment of a joint resolution, referred to
    in section 151 of the Trade Act.
        Sincerely,

                                                                 George Bush

                        Note: Identical letters were sent to Thomas S.
                            Foley, Speaker of the House of Representatives,
                            and Dan Quayle, President of the Senate. The
                            letter was released by the Office of the Press
                            Secretary on June 25. The Agreement on trade
                            relations and the exchange of letters between
                            U.S. and Bulgarian officials were printed in the
                            ``Federal Register'' of June 28. The related
                            proclamation on trade with Bulgaria is listed in
                            Appendix E at the end of this volume.