22719: (Chamberlain) Congress-Haiti (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: Greg Chamberlain <GregChamberlain@compuserve.com>

   WASHINGTON, July 16 (AP) -- Haiti would be allowed to sell clothing to
the United States duty-free once the White House certifies the country was
making progress in the protection of human rights, the Senate voted Friday.
   The legislation, approved by voice vote, is aimed at helping a country
whose economy is near ruin, thanks in part to decades of political tumult.
   Its passage came a week before a conference at the World Bank in
Washington of countries considering donations of aid to the Caribbean
nation.
   The bill would extend trade preferences to Haiti for the next seven
years. Each year, the president would have to certify to Congress that
Haiti is moving toward a free-market economy and democratic practices and
not supporting terrorism or violating human rights.
   The House has yet to act on a similar measure.
   ------
   The bill is S. 2261.
   On the Net:
   Congress: http://thomas.loc.gov/