[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1992, Book I)]
[July 2, 1992]
[Pages 1070-1071]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Letter to Congressional Leaders on Trade With Bolivia

July 2, 1992
Dear Mr. Speaker:  (Dear Mr. President:)
    Pursuant to section 203 of the Andean Trade Preference Act (ATPA) 
(19 U.S.C. 3202), I wish to inform you of my intent to designate Bolivia 
as a beneficiary of the trade-liberalizing measures provided for in this 
Act. Designation will entitle the products of Bolivia, except for 
products excluded statutorily, to duty-free treatment for a period 
ending on December 4, 2002.
    Designation is an important step for Bolivia in its effort to fight 
against narcotics production and trafficking. The enhanced access to the 
U.S. market provided by the ATPA will encourage the production of and 
trade in legitimate products.
    My decision to designate Bolivia results from consultations 
concluded in April 1992 between this Administration and the Government 
of Bolivia regarding the designation criteria set forth in section 203 
of the ATPA. Bolivia has demonstrated to my satisfaction that its laws, 
practices, and policies are in conformity with the designation criteria 
of the ATPA. The Government of Bolivia has communicated on these matters 
by a letter to Ambassador Hills and in so doing has indicated its desire 
to be designated as a beneficiary.
    On the basis of the statements and assurances in Bolivia's letter, 
and taking into account information developed by the United States 
Embassy and through other sources, I have concluded that designation is 
appropriate at this time.
    I am mindful that under section 203(e) of the ATPA, I retain the 
authority to suspend, withdraw, or limit the application of ATPA 
benefits from any designated country if a beneficiary's laws, policies, 
or practices are no longer in conformity with the designation criteria. 
The United States will keep abreast of developments in Bolivia that are 
pertinent to the designation criteria.
    This Administration looks forward to working closely with the 
Government of Bolivia and with the private sectors of the United States 
and Bolivia to ensure that the wide-ranging opportunities opened by the 
ATPA are fully utilized.
    Sincerely,

                                                             George Bush

                    Note: Identical letters were sent to Thomas S. 
                        Foley, Speaker of the House of Represent-

[[Page 1071]]

                        atives, and Dan Quayle, President of the Senate. 
                        The related proclamation is listed in Appendix E 
                        at the end of this volume.