[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.