    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1998, Book I)]
    [February 3, 1998]
    [Page 162]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Message to the Congress Transmitting the Latvia-United States Fisheries
    Agreement
    February 3, 1998

    To the Congress of the United States:
        In accordance with the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and
    Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.), I transmit herewith an
    Agreement between the Government of the United States of America and the
    Government of the Republic of Latvia extending the Agreement of April 8,
    1993, Concerning Fisheries Off the Coasts of the United States, with
    annex, as extended (the 1993 Agreement). The present Agreement, which
    was effected by an exchange of notes at Riga on February 13 and May 23,
    1997, extends the 1993 Agreement to December 31, 1999.
        In light of the importance of our fisheries relationship with the
    Republic of Latvia, I urge that the Congress give favorable
    consideration to this Agreement at an early date.

                                                          William J. Clinton

    The White House,

    February 3, 1998.