[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 41, Number 42 (Monday, October 24, 2005)]
[Page 1552]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Message to the Congress Giving Notice of Intent To Enter Into a Free 
Trade Agreement With Oman

October 17, 2005

To the Congress of the United States:

    Consistent with section 2105(a)(1)(A) of the Trade Act of 2002, 
(Public Law 107-210)(the ``Trade Act''), I am pleased to notify the 
Congress of my intention to enter into a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with 
the Sultanate of Oman.
    The Agreement will generate export opportunities for U.S. companies, 
farmers, and ranchers, help create jobs in the United States, and help 
American consumers save money while offering them more choices. Entering 
into an FTA with Oman will build on the FTAs that we already have with 
Israel, Jordan, and Morocco, as well as the FTA that we have concluded 
with Bahrain, and will be an important step on the path to fulfilling my 
vision of developing economic growth and democracy in the Middle East 
and creating a U.S.-Middle East Free Trade Area (MEFTA) by 2013.
    Consistent with the Trade Act, I am sending this notification at 
least 90 days in advance of signing the FTA. My Administration looks 
forward to working with the Congress in developing appropriate 
legislation to approve and implement this Agreement.
                                                George W. Bush
 The White House,
 October 17, 2005.