    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1996, Book I)]
    [February 28, 1996]
    [Pages 341-342]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Message to the Senate Transmitting the Uzbekistan-United States
    Investment Treaty
    February 28, 1996

    To the Senate of the United States:
        With a view to receiving the advice and consent of the Senate to
    ratification, I transmit herewith the Treaty Between the Government of
    the United States of America and the Government of the Republic of
    Uzbekistan Concerning the Encouragement and Reciprocal Protection of
    Investment, with Annex, signed at Washington on December 16, 1994. I
    transmit also, for the information of the Senate, the report of the
    Department of State with respect to this Treaty.
        The bilateral investment treaty (BIT) with Uzbekistan is designed to
    protect U.S. investment and assist the Republic of Uzbekistan in its
    efforts to develop its economy by creating

    [[Page 342]]

    conditions more favorable for U.S. private investment and thus
    strengthen the development of its private sector.
        The Treaty is fully consistent with U.S. policy toward international
    and domestic investment. A specific tenet of U.S. policy, reflected in
    this Treaty, is that U.S. investment abroad and foreign investment in
    the United States should receive national treatment. Under this Treaty,
    the Parties also agree to international law standards for expropriation
    and compensation for expropriation; free transfer of funds related to
    investments; freedom of investments from performance requirements; fair,
    equitable, and most-favored-nation treatment; and the investor's or
    investment's freedom to choose to resolve disputes with the host
    government through international arbitration.
        I recommend that the Senate consider this Treaty as soon as
    possible, and give its advice and consent to ratification of the Treaty,
    with Annex, at an early date.

                                                          William J. Clinton

    The White House,

    February 28, 1996.