[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1992, Book I)]
[February 5, 1992]
[Pages 204-205]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Letter to Congressional Leaders on Beneficiary Trade Status for Estonia, 
Latvia, and Lithuania

February 5, 1992
Dear Mr. Speaker:   (Dear Mr. President:)
    I am writing to inform you of my intent to add Estonia, Latvia, and 
Lithuania to the list of beneficiary developing countries under the 
Generalized System of Preferences (GSP). The GSP program offers duty-

[[Page 205]]

free access to the U.S. market and is authorized by the Trade Act of 
1974.
    In extending nondiscriminatory, most-favored-nation treatment to 
Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, the Congress provided that I should take 
prompt action to grant GSP benefits to the Baltic States, provided they 
each satisfied the eligibility requirements. I have carefully considered 
the criteria identified in sections 501 and 502 of the Trade Act of 
1974. In light of these criteria, and particularly the Baltic nations' 
ongoing political and economic reforms, I have determined that it is 
appropriate to extend GSP benefits to Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.
    This notice is submitted in accordance with section 502(a)(1) of the 
Trade Act of 1974.
    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 
                        related proclamation is listed in Appendix E at 
                        the end of this volume.