[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1998, Book II)]
[December 29, 1998]
[Pages 2216-2217]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Letter to Congressional Leaders Transmitting a Report on the Emigration 
Policies and Trade Status of Certain Former Eastern Bloc States
December 29, 1998

Dear Mr. Speaker:  (Dear Mr. President:)
    On September 21, 1994, I determined and reported to the Congress 
that the Russian Federation was not in violation of paragraph (1), (2), 
or (3) of subsection 402(a) of the Trade Act of 1974, or paragraph (1), 
(2), or (3) of subsection 409(a) of that Act. On June 3, 1997, I 
determined and reported to the Congress that Armenia, Azerbaijan, 
Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine were not in violation of the same 
provisions, and I made an identical determination on December 5, 1997, 
with respect to Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and 
Uzbekistan. These actions allowed for the continuation of most-favored-
nation (MFN) status for these countries and certain other activities 
without the requirement of an annual waiver.
    As required by law, I am submitting an updated report to the 
Congress concerning the emigration laws and policies of Armenia, 
Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, the Russian 
Federation, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan. The 
report indicates continued compliance of these

[[Page 2217]]

countries with international standards concerning freedom of emigration.
        Sincerely,

                                                      William J. Clinton

Note: Identical letters were sent to Newt Gingrich, Speaker of the House 
of Representatives, and Albert Gore, Jr., President of the Senate.