    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1993, Book II)]
    [October 15, 1993]
    [Pages 1758-1759]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Message to the Congress on the Determination Not To Prohibit Fish
    Imports From Panama
    October 15, 1993

    To the Congress of the United States:
        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 August 18, 1993, in accordance with section
    101(a) of the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), the Secretary of
    Commerce certified to me that a ban on the importation of yellowfin tuna
    and yellowfin tuna products from Panama has been in effect since
    December 22, 1992. This ban is the result of a finding by the Assistant
    Administrator for Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service, that
    Panama's marine mammal program was not comparable to that of the United
    States, as required by the MMPA.
        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 any products from the certified country to the
    extent that such prohibition is sanctioned by the General Agreement on
    Tariffs and Trade. The

    [[Page 1759]]

    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 determined that additional sanctions
    against Panama will not be imposed at this time. The Government of
    Panama is currently engaged in developing a marine mammal program that
    is comparable to that of the United States. The results of these efforts
    should be evident in an anticipated annual report and request for a
    finding of comparability for 1994 from Panama.

                                                          William J. Clinton

    The White House,
    October 15, 1993.