[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.