    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1996, Book II)]
    [July 18, 1996]
    [Pages 1154-1155]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on Signing Legislation on Most-Favored-Nation Trade Status for
    Bulgaria
    July 18, 1996

        Today I am pleased to sign into law H.R. 2853, authorizing the
    termination of the application of Title IV of the Trade Act of 1974 to
    Bulgaria. It permits the President to accord permanent most-favored-
    nation (MFN) status to Bulgaria.
        This is an important milestone in U.S.-Bulgarian relations. Bulgaria
    joins Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia as democratic countries
    from which the United States has fully removed trade restrictions that
    originated in concerns about human rights practices during the Cold War
    period. The legislation signals America's confidence in the political
    development of Bulgaria and reaffirms America's commitment to Bulgaria
    as it continues its difficult and historic economic transformation.
        Bulgaria's favorable record on immigration, its progress in the
    protection of human rights and development of a democratic, free-market
    soci-

    [[Page 1155]]

    ety, and the establishment of cooperative relations with the United
    States helped facilitate passage of H.R. 2853.

                                                          William J. Clinton

    The White House,

    July 18, 1996.

    Note: H.R. 2853, approved July 18, was assigned Public Law No. 104-162.