| President Bush Friday urged the U.S. Congress to | | | | Product) of $245 billion," said. |
| approve a set of free trade accords with Colombia, | | | | Lawmakers in U.S. Congress have voiced support for |
| Panama and Peru. VOA's Brian Wagner reports that | | | | the agreements with Panama and Peru, but the future |
| Mr. Bush said the trade deals will benefit U.S. business | | | | of the Colombian plan is unclear. Some legislators have |
| and boost democracy in the region. | | | | criticized the Colombian government for failing to |
| President Bush made the speech in Miami, Florida | | | | prevent or investigate attacks on union leaders. They |
| noting it is crucial for U.S. trade with Latin America and | | | | say Colombia must do more before a trade deal is |
| other parts of the world. He said that $72 billion in | | | | approved. |
| goods and products passed through Miami's ports last | | | | President Bush said Colombia's President Alvaro Uribe |
| year. | | | | has made great strides in his nation, while he |
| The president said the strength of international trade | | | | recognized that some concerns remain. But he |
| has helped push the area's economic growth and | | | | stressed that increasing ties with Colombia was the |
| employment levels above national averages. "I think the | | | | best way to bring about further improvements. |
| case for trade is unmistakable in Miami, and we need | | | | "Colombia's record is not perfect, but the country is |
| to make that case all over the country. I've come to a | | | | clearly headed in the right direction and is asking for |
| place that has benefited from trade so others around | | | | our help," he said. |
| the country can understand it can happen in their | | | | The president also said the deal with Colombia was |
| areas as well," he said. | | | | crucial to America's strategic interests in the region, |
| Mr. Bush said a centerpiece of his economic policy has | | | | especially in the fight against drug traffickers and |
| been pursuing free trade deals with other nations, and | | | | terrorist groups. |
| while in office, he has expanded the number of such | | | | In recent months, the Bush administration has sought to |
| deals from three to 14. | | | | strengthen ties with Latin American allies, amid sharp |
| Now he is again pressing Congress to approve | | | | criticism from Venezuela's leftist President Hugo |
| pending trade agreements with Colombia, Panama and | | | | Chavez and some other regional leaders. |
| Peru. He said U.S. exporters will benefit the most under | | | | The president said the three pending trade deals could |
| the deals, because they would lower trade duties on | | | | help further those efforts. "This agreements will |
| many American products sent to the Latin American | | | | counter their false populism promoted by some nations |
| nations. | | | | in the hemisphere. These agreements will strengthen |
| "Our free trade agreements would knock down many | | | | the forces of freedom and democracy throughout the |
| of these barriers and level the playing field for our | | | | Americas," he said. |
| businesses and farmers and workers. Together these | | | | After the speech, President Bush departed Miami to |
| agreements would expand access to 75 million new | | | | spend the weekend on his ranch in Crawford, Texas. |
| customers with a combined GDP (Gross Domestic | | | | |