Speech #960187621

I believe that we both need to be more sensitive to our respective security concerns. and we both need to discuss methods for insuring a proper response to recent Soviet aggression. Providing mostfavorednation trading status with the PRC requires the waiver of the JacksonVanlk provisions of the Trade Act of 1974. The JacksonVanik provisions prohibit granting MFN treatment to Communist countries if they deny their citizens the right to emigrate or if they place unreasonable conditions on emigration from the country. As the PRC cannot be said to allow free emigration. the President has asked Congress to waive the requirements of the JacksonVanik amendment. In doing so. the President has certified to Congress that he believes the granting of MFN status will promote freer emigration from China. and he has announced that he has received assurances from the Chinese Government that they intend to allow freer emigration. While I believe that the United States has an active interest in providing MFN treatment to China and in attempting to improve our overall relations with the Chinese. I do not believe that we should ignore either the human rights situation in the PRC or their record on emigration policy. It was about 1 year ago today. Mr.