    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1993, Book I)]
    [April 13, 1993]
    [Page 428]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    [[Page 428]]

    Letter to Congressional Leaders on Trade With Ecuador
    April 13, 1993

    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 Ecuador
    as a beneficiary of the trade-liberalizing measures provided for in this
    Act. Designation will entitle the products of Ecuador, except for
    products excluded statutorily, to duty-free treatment for a period
    ending on December 4, 2001.
        Designation is an important step for Ecuador 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 Ecuador results from consultations
    concluded in January 1993 between my Administration and the Government
    of Ecuador regarding the designation criteria set forth in section 203
    of the ATPA. Ecuador has demonstrated to my satisfaction that its laws,
    practices, and policies are in conformity with the designation criteria
    of the ATPA. The Government of Ecuador has communicated on these matters
    by letter to the Office of the United States Trade Representative and in
    so doing has indicated its desire to be designated as a beneficiary.
        On the basis of the statements and assurances in Ecuador'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 Ecuador that are
    pertinent to the designation criteria.
        My Administration looks forward to working closely with the
    Government of Ecuador and with the private sectors of the United States
    and Ecuador to ensure that the wide-ranging opportunities opened by the
    ATPA are fully utilized.
        Sincerely,

                                                                Bill Clinton

    Note: Identical letters were sent to Thomas S. Foley, Speaker of the
    House of Representatives, and Albert Gore, Jr., President of the Senate.
    The related proclamation is listed in Appendix D at the end of this
    volume.