    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2005, Book II)]
    [November 16, 2005]
    [Pages 1728-1729]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Message to the Congress Transmitting Proposed Legislation To Implement
    the United States-Bahrain Free Trade Agreement
    November 16, 2005

    To the Congress of the United States:
        I am pleased to transmit legislation and supporting documents to
    implement the United States-Bahrain Free Trade Agreement (the
    ``Agreement''). This Agreement enhances our bilateral relationship with
    a strategic friend and ally in the Middle East region and will promote
    economic growth and prosperity in both nations.
        In negotiating this Agreement, my Administration was guided by the
    objectives set out in the Trade Act of 2002. The Agreement reflects my
    Administration's commitment to opening markets and expanding
    opportunities for American workers, farmers, ranchers, and businesses.
    The Agreement will open Bahrain's market for U.S. manufactured goods,
    agricultural products, and services. As soon as it enters into force,
    the Agreement will eliminate tariffs on all manufactured goods that the
    United States sells to Bahrain and immediately remove Bahrain's import
    duties on over 80 percent of U.S. agricultural products. The Agreement
    is also one of the most comprehensive ever negotiated to reduce barriers
    to trade in services and will create new opportunities for U.S. services
    firms.
        The Agreement contains procedures that will facilitate cooperation
    between the United States and Bahrain on environmental and labor
    matters. The labor chapter of the Agreement reinforces Bahrain's recent
    legislative actions to expand democracy and improve the protection of
    worker rights, including trade union rights. Provisions in the Agreement
    requiring effective enforcement of environmental laws will contribute to
    high levels of environmental protection.
        The approval of this Agreement will be another significant step
    towards creating a Middle East Free Trade Area by 2013. This Agreement
    offers the United States yet another opportunity to encourage economic
    reform in a moderate Muslim nation as we have done through our free
    trade agreements with Jordan and Morocco. Leaders in Bahrain are
    supporting the pursuit of social and economic reforms in the region,
    encouraging foreign investment connected to broad-based development, and
    providing

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    better protection for women and workers. It is strongly in our national
    interest to embrace and encourage these reforms, and passing this
    legislation is a crucial step toward that end.

                                                              George W. Bush

     The White House,

     November 16, 2005.

    Note: This message was released by the Office of the Press Secretary on
    November 17.