    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2004, Book I)]
    [March 1, 2004]
    [Pages 289-290]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Message to the Congress on Extending Generalized System of Preferences
    Benefits to Algeria and Terminating Benefits of Certain Other Countries
    March 1, 2004

    To the Congress of the United States:
        Consistent with section 502(f) of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended
    (the ``Act''), I am writing to inform you of my intent to designate
    Algeria as a beneficiary developing country and to terminate the
    designation of Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Bahrain, the Czech
    Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, and Slovakia as
    beneficiary developing countries for purposes of the Generalized System
    of Preferences (GSP).

    [[Page 290]]

        I have considered the criteria set forth in sections 501 and 502 of
    the Act. In light of these criteria, I have determined that it is
    appropriate to extend GSP benefits to Algeria. I have also determined
    that Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, and Bahrain have become ``high
    income'' countries, and I therefore terminate their designation as
    beneficiary developing countries effective January 1, 2006. Furthermore,
    consistent with the Act's prohibition on designation of European Union
    member states as beneficiary developing countries, I am terminating such
    designation for the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania,
    Poland, and Slovakia when they become European Union member states.

                                                              George W. Bush

     The White House,

     March 1, 2004.

    Note: The related proclamation of March 1 is listed in Appendix D at the
    end of this volume.