[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 29, Number 15 (Monday, April 19, 1993)]
[Pages 582-583]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Letter to Congressional Leaders on Trade With Ecuador

 April 13, 1993

Dear Mr. Speaker:  (Dear Mr. President:)

    Pursuant to section 203 of the Andean Trade Preference Act (ATPA) 
(19 U.S.C. 3202), I wish to inform you of my intent to designate Ecuador 
as a beneficiary of the trade-liberalizing measures provided for in this 
Act. Designation will entitle the products of Ecuador, except for 
products excluded statutorily, to duty-free treatment for a period 
ending on December 4, 2001.

[[Page 583]]

    Designation is an important step for Ecuador in its effort to fight 
against narcotics production and trafficking. The enhanced access to the 
U.S. market provided by the ATPA will encourage the production of and 
trade in legitimate products.

    My decision to designate Ecuador results from consultations 
concluded in January 1993 between my Administration and the Government 
of Ecuador regarding the designation criteria set forth in section 203 
of the ATPA. Ecuador has demonstrated to my satisfaction that its laws, 
practices, and policies are in conformity with the designation criteria 
of the ATPA. The Government of Ecuador has communicated on these matters 
by letter to the Office of the United States Trade Representative and in 
so doing has indicated its desire to be designated as a beneficiary.

    On the basis of the statements and assurances in Ecuador's letter, 
and taking into account information developed by the United States 
Embassy and through other sources, I have concluded that designation is 
appropriate at this time.

    I am mindful that under section 203(e) of the ATPA, I retain the 
authority to suspend, withdraw, or limit the application of ATPA 
benefits from any designated country if a beneficiary's laws, policies, 
or practices are no longer in conformity with the designation criteria. 
The United States will keep abreast of developments in Ecuador that are 
pertinent to the designation criteria.

    My Administration looks forward to working closely with the 
Government of Ecuador and with the private sectors of the United States 
and Ecuador to ensure that the wide-ranging opportunities opened by the 
ATPA are fully utilized.

    Sincerely,
                                                  Bill Clinton

Note: Identical letters were sent to Thomas S. Foley, Speaker of the 
House of Representatives, and Albert Gore, Jr., President of the Senate.