[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 35, Number 27 (Monday, July 12, 1999)]
[Page 1281]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Letter to Congressional Leaders Transmitting a Report on Emigration 
Policies and Trade Status of Certain Former Eastern Bloc States

July 2, 1999

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 the freedom of 
emigration criteria of sections 402 and 409 of the Trade Act of 1974. 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 normal 
trade relations for these countries and certain other activities without 
the requirement of an annual waiver.
    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 by these countries with 
international standards concerning freedom of emigration.
    Sincerely,
                                            William J. Clinton

Note: Identical letters were sent to J. Dennis Hastert, Speaker of the 
House of Representatives, and Albert Gore, Jr., President of the Senate. 
This letter was released by the Office of the Press Secretary on July 6.