Speech #940116787

Mr. President. it is important that certain features of this legislation be stressed regarding our action to extend MFN to Romania. During the past few months. the Romanians have exhibited a very positive effort to comply with congressional intent on the issue of emigration. They understood that the Congress was concerned that emigration figures for individuals wishing to leave Romania had declined significantly last year and in the first 5 months of this year. Subsequently. however. the Romanians have increased their effort to grant exit approval to a growing number of people desiring permission to leave. And in addition to exit approvals. there has been an increase in the number of actual departures. an important distinction to make in discussion of the emigration issue. Since the beginning of June. emigration from Romania has shown a marked increase. However. if the present rate is maintained for the remainder of the year. the total number of emigrants would still not equal the figure for 1974. which was a low figure. While we have been pleased to see the rate of emigration increase recently. we certainly expect that the increase of the past 2 months will only be a beginning of a policy which will give those individuals who have a desire to leave the freedom to do so. The Romanians have already demonstrated good faith in their handling of this matter to date. and we expect that this good faith will result in an even less restrictive policy in the coming months. In accordance with this legislation. Congress will review the trade agreement in July 1976. to examine the impact of this legislation in terms of trade and changes in other policies mentioned in the Trade Act. During discussion of this review process in. committee. fears were expressed that emigration might return to its former. inadequate levels once MFN is granted. only to resume the current trend in the month or two immediately before the waiver period expires. I am pleased to note that the Romanians have communicated their official understanding that such a pattern will not unfold. During hearings on this legislation. I discussed the emigration issue in some depth with Mr. Arthur Hartman. Assistant Secretary of State for European affairs. Mr. Hartman conveyed certain assurances that he had received from Romania on emigration practices in the future. I ask unanimous consent that the text of our dialog be printed at this point in the RECORD.