    [Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 34, Number 53 (Monday, January 4, 1999)]
    [Pages 2536-2537]
    [Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    <R04>
    Letter to Congressional Leaders Transmitting a Report on Normal Trade
    Relations With Former Eastern Bloc States

    December 29, 1998

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

        On September 21, 1994, I determined and reported to the Congress
    that the Russian Federation was not in violation of paragraph (1), (2),
    or (3) of subsection 402(a) of the Trade Act of 1974, or paragraph (1),
    (2), or (3) of subsection 409(a) of that Act. On June 3, 1997, I
    determined and reported to the congress that Armenia, Azerbaijan,
    Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine were not in violation of the same
    provisions, and I made an identical determination on December 5, 1997,
    with respect to Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and
    Uzbekistan. These actions allowed for the continuation of most-favored-
    nation (MFN) status for these countries and certain other activities
    without the requirement of an annual waiver.

    [[Page 2537]]

        As required by law, I am submitting an updated report to the
    Congress concerning the emigration laws and policies of Armenia,
    Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, the Russian
    Federation, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan. The
    report indicates continued compliance of these countries with
    international standards concerning freedom of emigration.
        Sincerely,
                                                William J. Clinton

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