THE WHITE HOUSE

                     Office of the Press Secretary
                            (Abuja, Nigeria)
________________________________________________________________________
For Immediate Release                                    August 27, 2000

                  TEXT OF A LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT
             TO THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
                    AND THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE

August 25, 2000

Dear Mr. Speaker: (Dear Mr. President:)

I am writing to inform you of my intent to add Nigeria to the list of beneficiary developing countries under the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP). The GSP program, which offers duty-free access to the U.S. market, was originally authorized by the Trade Act of 1974.

I have carefully considered the criteria identified in sections 501 and 502 of the Trade Act of 1974. In light of these criteria, I have determined that it is appropriate to extend GSP benefits to Nigeria.

This notice is submitted in accordance with section 502(f)(1) of the Trade Act of 1974.

Sincerely,

WILLIAM J. CLINTON

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