    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2002, Book I)]
    [May 3, 2002]
    [Pages 714-715]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Message to the Congress on the Restoration of Normal Trade Relations
    Treatment to the Products of Afghanistan
    May 3, 2002

    To the Congress of the United States:
        Public Law 99-190, 99 Stat. 1319, which took effect on December 19,
    1985, authorized the President to deny normal trade relations (NTR)
    tariff treatment to the products of Afghanistan. On January 31, 1986,
    President Reagan issued a proclamation denying NTR treatment to
    Afghanistan.
        I have determined that it is appropriate to restore NTR treatment to
    the products of Afghanistan. Restoration of NTR treatment will support
    U.S. efforts to normalize relations with Afghanistan and facilitate
    increased trade with the United States, which could contribute to
    economic growth and assist Afghanistan in rebuilding its economy.
    Therefore, in accordance with section 118 of Public Law 99-190, I hereby
    provide notice that I have issued the attached proclamation restoring
    NTR tariff treatment to the products of Afghanistan. The Proclamation
    shall take effect 30 days after it is published in the Federal Register.

                                                              George W. Bush

     The White House,

     May 3, 2002.

    Note: The proclamation of May 3 is listed in Appendix D at the end of
    this volume.

    [[Page 715]]