Labor, Rights Groups Vow to Stop CAFTA in Congress

[Say_What]

<clips>

WASHINGTON, D.C., Dec 10 (OneWorld) -- As U.S. trade officials put the finishing touches on a new free trade agreement with five Central America countries, groups opposed to the deal expressed confidence that they could defeat it in Congress when it is submitted some time next year.

Noting that the proposed Central American Free Trade Agreement, or CAFTA, is unlikely to include tough sanctions against countries that deny workers the right to organize, Michigan Rep. Sander Levin warned the administration that the agreement will be defeated unless it guarantees basic labor rights.

"I'm here to say to the administration, 'Turn it around or it will be turned down,'" Levin told reporters at a news conference organized by labor, environmental, church, development, health, and human rights groups opposed to the pact.

The Bush administration is hoping to conclude negotiations with trade ministers from Costa Rica, El Salvador (news - web sites), Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua by the end of this week, although it reportedly plans to wait until it can reach a similar accord with the Dominican Republic early next year before submitting the entire package to Congress for approval under "fast-track" authority that was approved by the House of Representatives 215-214 last year.

<http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=655&e=1&u=/oneworld/20031210/wl_oneworld/4536748941071062632>

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CAFTA Would Likely Cause Thousands of Central American Farmers to Lose Their Jobs as Highly Subsidized U.S. Agricultural Goods Flood Their Markets

* The countries of Central America — with predominantly agricultural economies — stand to gain little trade benefits from the proposed Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA), as most of their exports already enter the U.S. duty free under the Reagan-era Caribbean Basin Initiative (CBI).

* CAFTA will not lead to job creation within the United States, but is almost certain to accelerate the continuation of manufacturing job loss.

* Washington-pressed CAFTA talks could be useful to U.S. trade negotiators by providing additional leverage against South America in faltering FTAA negotiations.

* Washington will overlook corruption and drug trafficking in Central America so as not to delay the trade agreement.

In January 2002, President Bush announced his intention to “explore a free trade agreement with the countries of Central America,” modeled after the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and as another precursor to the proposed region-wide Free Trade Area of the Americas, scheduled to be achieved by 2005. The Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA), whose members include Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua (negotiations with the Dominican Republic will begin in 2004), has undergone a series of negotiating rounds with the U.S. throughout the past year that are expected to conclude in the ninth and final gathering, scheduled to take place in Washington from December 8-12.

<http://www.coha.org/NEW_PRESS_RELEASES/New_Press_Releases_2003/03.73_CAFTA.htm>

[Maple]

1. Yup

Keep em poor, that's what I always say.

Why at this rate, they'll NEVER be able to have jobs to organize ABOUT!

Veeeeery clever thinking!

[corporatewhore]

2. lets say good bye to "free" trade bush and

anybody who wants to support corps instead of people includng dems