Speech #990221766

I rise in support of my colleagues motion to discharge House Resolution 475 from the Committee on Ways and Means for consideration by the Committee of the Whole House. Under the provisions of the JacksonVanik amendment to the Trade Act of 1974. Congress mandated that mostfavorednation treatment for nonmarket economy countries be predicated on the existence of freedom of emigration from these countries. In the case of Romania. it is clear that the Romanian Government has not upheld its obligations called for under these provisions. To make matters worse. the United States Government annually condones Romanias notorious record on emigration by waiving the full requirements of JacksonVanik. Just the fact that the number of Romanians allowed to emigrate in 1985 declined by 18.5 percent compared to 1984 demonstrates the unsupportability of continued MFN status for Romania. Perhaps more important than mere numbers is the cold disregard for the basic human rights of those Romanians who apply to emigrate. Undue hardship and harassment. frequently leading to job demotion and dismissal. apartment eviction. and general ostracism by society. are synonomous with emigration. Obstacles are confronted every step of the way by those who wish to leave Romania. Examples of such obstacles range from inordinate delays in processing application forms to outright bribery.