Speech #940118373

This commitment is significant in that it recognizes that the Romanian economy differs from those of market economy GATT members and also because it links achievement of the U.S. trade goal to the Romanian 5year plan. Mr. Chairman. your committee has taken particular note of the Presidents report to the Congress on April 24 invoking the Trade Acts freedom of emigration waiver. While your committee feels that the Presidents language transmitting the agreement and invoking the waiver could be clearer. we note that Romanian emigration has taken an upward trend in recent weeks indicating that the Trade Acts freedom of emigration provisions are beginning. to achieve their puipose..We believe that future Romanian emigration developments should be closely. monitored. In this connection. the .committee recognizes that the waiver will remain in effect until July 1976 when It could be extended for a 12month period. if approved by both Houses of Congress. Your committee has been assured that the President will recommend an extension of the waiver only in the event of a continued upward emigration trend. Mr. Chairman. with regard to the foregoing comments your committee wishes to make clear that the United StatesRomanian trade agreement is an individual case to be judged on its own merits and the committee does not consider the language of the Presidents report. in this instance. to be a precedent for any future consideration of bilateral agreements with nonmarket economy countries under section 402 of the Trade Act of 1974.