[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 42, Number 26 (Monday, July 3, 2006)]
[Page 1228]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Message to the Congress Transmitting Legislation To Implement the United 
States-Oman Free Trade Agreement

June 26, 2006

To the Congress of the United States:

    I am pleased to transmit legislation and supporting documents to 
implement the United States-Oman Free Trade Agreement (FTA). This FTA 
enhances our bilateral relationship with a strategic friend and ally in 
the Middle East region. The FTA will benefit the people of the United 
States and Oman, illustrating for other developing countries the 
advantages of open markets and increased trade.
    In negotiating this FTA, my Administration was guided by the 
objectives set out in the Trade Act of 2002. Congressional approval of 
this FTA will mark another important step towards creating a Middle East 
Free Trade Area. Like our FTA with Bahrain that the Congress approved in 
December 2005, and our FTA with Morocco that was approved in July 2004, 
this FTA offers another important opportunity to encourage economic 
reform in a moderate Muslim nation. Oman is leading the pursuit of 
social and economic reforms in the region, including by selling state-
owned businesses, encouraging foreign investment connected to broad-
based development, and providing better protection for women and 
workers. It is strongly in our national interest to embrace these 
reforms and do what we can to encourage them.
                                                George W. Bush
The White House,
June 26, 2006.