[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1992-1993, Book II)]
[December 10, 1992]
[Pages 2180-2181]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Letter to Congressional Leaders on the Determination Not To Prohibit 
Fish Imports From Colombia
December 10, 1992

Dear Mr. Speaker:  (Dear Mr. President:)
    Pursuant to section 8(b) of the Fishermen's Protective Act of 1967, 
as amended (22 U.S.C. 1978(b)), generally known as the Pelly Amendment, 
I am notifying you that on November 3, 1992, in accordance with section 
101(a) of the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), the Secretary of 
Commerce certified to me that a denial of an affirmative finding and 
resulting embargo of yellowfin tuna and products derived from yellowfin 
tuna harvested in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean (ETP) by Colombian 
flag vessels has been in effect since April 27, 1992.
    By the terms of the MMPA, such certification is deemed to be a 
certification for the purposes of the Pelly Amendment, which requires 
that I consider and, at my discretion, order the prohibition of imports 
into the United States of products from the identified country, to the 
extent that such prohibition is sanctioned by the General Agreement on 
Tariffs and Trade. The Pelly Amendment also requires that I report to 
the Congress any actions taken under this subsection and, if no import 
prohibitions have been ordered, the reasons for this action.
    After thorough review, I have deter-

[[Page 2181]]

mined that additional sanctions against Colombia under the Pelly 
Amendment will not be imposed at this time while the Administration 
continues to implement an international dolphin conservation program in 
the ETP.
    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.