    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: WILLIAM J. CLINTON (1999, Book II)]
    [July 2, 1999]
    [Pages 1133-1134]
    [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
    July 2, 1999

    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 the freedom of
    emigration criteria of sections 402 and 409 of the Trade Act of 1974. On
    June 3, 1997, I

    [[Page 1134]]

    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 normal trade
    relations 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 by these countries with
    international standards concerning freedom of emigration.
            Sincerely,

                                                          William J. Clinton

    Note: Identical letters were sent to J. Dennis Hastert, Speaker of the
    House of Representatives, and Albert Gore, Jr., President of the Senate.
    This letter was released by the Office of the Press Secretary on July 6.