Home > News & Policies > July 2002

For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
July 3, 2002

Presidential Letter on Emigration Laws
ext of a Letter from the President to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President of the Senate
July 3, 2002

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

Pursuant to sections 402 and 409 of the Trade Act of 1974, I am submitting an updated report to the Congress prepared by my Administration on the emigration laws and policies of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Moldova, the Russian Federation, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan.

On September 21, 1994, President Clinton determined and reported to the Congress that the Russian Federation was not in violation of paragraphs (1), (2), or (3) of subsection 402(a) of the Trade Act of 1974, or paragraphs (1), (2), or (3) of subsection 409(a) of that Act. On June 3, 1997, he also determined and reported to the Congress that Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine were not in violation of the same provisions, and 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.

On June 29, 2000, pursuant to section 302(b) of Public Law 106-200, President Clinton determined that title IV of the 1974 Trade Act should no longer apply to Kyrgyzstan, and on December 29, 2000, he made a similar determination with respect to Georgia pursuant to section 3002 of Public Law 106-476.

The attached report indicates continued compliance by Armenia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Moldova, the Russian Federation, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan with international standards concerning freedom of emigration.

Sincerely,

GEORGE W. BUSH

# # #