[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 32, Number 9 (Monday, March 4, 1996)]
[Pages 384-385]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Message to the Senate Transmitting the Uzbekistan-United States 
Investment Treaty

February 28, 1996

To the Senate of the United States:

    With a view to receiving the advice and consent of the Senate to 
ratification, I transmit herewith the Treaty Between the Government of 
the United States of America and the Government of the Republic of 
Uzbekistan Concerning the Encouragement and Reciprocal Protection of 
Investment, with Annex, signed at Washington on December 16, 1994. I 
transmit also, for the information of the Senate, the report of the 
Department of State with respect to this Treaty.
    The bilateral investment treaty (BIT) with Uzbekistan is designed to 
protect U.S. investment and assist the Republic of Uzbekistan in its 
efforts to develop its economy by creating conditions more favorable for 
U.S. private investment and thus strengthen the development of its 
private sector.
    The Treaty is fully consistent with U.S. policy toward international 
and domestic investment. A specific tenet of U.S. policy, reflected in 
this Treaty, is that U.S. investment abroad and foreign investment in 
the United States should receive national treatment. Under this Treaty, 
the Parties also agree to

[[Page 385]]

international law standards for expropriation and compensation for 
expropriation; free transfer of funds related to investments; freedom of 
investments from performance requirements; fair, equitable, and most-
favored-nation treatment; and the investor's or investment's freedom to 
choose to resolve disputes with the host government through 
international arbitration.
    I recommend that the Senate consider this Treaty as soon as 
possible, and give its advice and consent to ratification of the Treaty, 
with Annex, at an early date.
                                            William J. Clinton
The White House,
February 28, 1996.