Speech #1010066875

I am pleased that Hungary has moved to a position where the House is considering a bill to extend mostfavorednation [MFN] trading status to Hungary for a period of 5 years. As you will recall. this proposal received a majority of votes when it was brought to the floor under suspension last June. Taking Into consideration that emigration Is the sole focus of the JacksonVanik amendment. Hungary has done far better than its Warsaw Pact neighbors In encouraging emigration. The Twentyfifth Semiannual Report of the Implementation of the Helsinki Final Act reports good progress by Hungary on Implementation of Basket III of the act which focuses on human contacts. In particular. the section on family reunification reads: As part of the new passport regulations [effective January 1. 1988]. the Hungarian Government expanded the categories of persons whom a Hungarian may apply to emigrate to join. These now include brothers. sisters. and grandparents (as well as spouses. children. and parents). The U.S. Embassy in Budapest processed 66 applications by local nationals for immigrant visas for family reunification during the reporting period. including applicants processed to join refugees. There were no cases of refusals of emigration permission for family reunification. In addition. we cannot fail to recognize Hungarys contribution to the new wave of East Germans who are seeking to emigrate to West Germany. Hungary stands to play an increasingly Important role as these and many other Eastern Europeans seek to emigrate to the West. Despite these encouraging signs. I recognize President Bushs concerns over removing his authority to grant MFN status to Hungary and certain other Communist countries on a conditional basis for 1year renewable periods.