U.S. poised to shift Latin America policies

[Judi Lynn]

Nov. 22, 2006, 1:08AM
U.S. poised to shift Latin America policies
Congressional Democrats have different views on trade, immigration

BOGOTA, COLOMBIA — For the past six years, Democrats have accused President Bush and the Republican-controlled Congress of pursuing counter-productive policies in Latin America or of ignoring the region altogether.

Now, following their victories in midterm elections giving them control of the House and Senate, many Democratic lawmakers are promising subtle policy changes on immigration, trade and U.S. military aid.

"We will be in a position to try to raise the profile of these issues," said Tim Rieser, an aide to Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., poised to take the chairmanship of the Appropriations Committee's foreign operations panel. "Congress doesn't drive the ship, but it has a big role in how far it goes and in which direction."

The first sign of a changed U.S. relationship may appear today when, after years of bare-knuckle negotiations, U.S. and Colombian officials gather in Washington to sign a trade agreement.

But congressional passage of the agreement, as well as a similar deal with Peru, now seems in doubt because Democrats are generally more skeptical of trade pacts.
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http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/world/4353017.html