[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: WILLIAM J. CLINTON (2000-2001, Book III)]
[January 17, 2001]
[Pages 2949-2950]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Letter to Congressional Leaders Transmitting a Report on the Extension 
of Normal Trade Relations Status for Certain Former Eastern Bloc States
January 17, 2001

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

[[Page 2950]]

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.
    Pursuant to section 302(b) of Public Law 106-200, on June 29, 2000, 
I determined that title IV of the 1974 Trade Act should no longer apply 
to Kyrgyzstan.
    As required by law, I am submitting an updated report to the 
Congress concerning the emigration laws and policies of Armenia, 
Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Moldova, the Russian Federation, Tajikistan, 
Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan. The report indicates continued 
compliance of 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 January 
18.