    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1996, Book II)]
    [August 3, 1996]
    [Pages 1253-1254]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on Signing Legislation on Most-Favored-Nation Trade Status for
    Romania
    August 3, 1996

        Today I am pleased to sign into law H.R. 3161, authorizing the
    termination of the application of title IV of the Trade Act of 1974 to
    Romania. Under the provisions of this bill, the President may grant
    permanent most-favored-nation (MFN) status to Romania.
        This is an important milestone in U.S.-Romanian relations. Romania
    now joins other emerging democracies in Central Europe from which the
    United States has fully removed trade restrictions that originated in
    concerns about emigration practices during the Cold War. My approval of
    this bill reflects the strong U.S. support for the citizens of Romania
    in their efforts to overcome the legacy of decades of communist
    repression and to establish a full democracy based on respect for human
    rights, the rule of law, tolerance, and free market economics.
        This legislation enjoys strong bipartisan support in the United
    States, and I note that the granting of permanent MFN has the support of
    many Romanian leaders across the political spectrum.
        Romania's excellent record in respecting the right of free
    emigration, its considerable progress in establishing the fundamentals
    of a free market democracy and its strong cooperation with the United
    States helped facilitate passage of this bill. I am confident that
    Romania, as it proceeds toward integration with the Western democratic
    community, will continue its progress and intensify efforts to make
    democratic, free market reforms, develope good relations with its
    democratic neighbors and reach out to Romania's ethnic and religious
    minorities.

                                                          William J. Clinton

    [[Page 1254]]

    The White House,

    August 3, 1996.

    Note: H.R. 3161, approved August 3, was assigned Public Law No. 104-171.