MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Bush pushes strongly for CAFTA

President George W. Bush used a speech Thursday at the Organization of American States headquarters in Washington to put pressure on the U.S. House of Representatives to ratify a free-trade agreement with Central America, CAFTA.

Addressing a pro-free trade Hispanic organization, Mr. Bush emphasized that CAFTA, the accord comprising Honduras, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, El Salvador and the Dominican Republic, is crucial to his goal of promoting democracy.

The pact "will help spread democracy and peace," he said with the flags of the 34 member-nations of the Organization of American States displayed behind him.

Already approved by the U.S. Senate - and by lawmakers in three Central American nations - CAFTA goes next week to the floor of the House.

"This bill is more than a trade bill. This bill is a commitment of freedom-loving nations to advance peace and prosperity throughout the Western hemisphere. And that's important for members of Congress to understand" Bush said.

The treaty has run into resistance in the Lower House that has delayed the vote. Some critics say it will spur job losses in the United States, while others say it does not adequately protect rights of workers in the participating countries.

The Bush administration has already moved to appease legislators from textile- and sugar-producing states by limiting imports of those products from Central America and the Dominican Republic.

While the president is making a strong push for ratification of CAFTA, opponents have also intensified their efforts.

A coalition of international NGOs, including British-based charity Oxfam, issued a statement Thursday criticizing CAFTA for a provision that extends the pharmaceutical industry patents system beyond the five-year period guaranteed under World Trade Organization rules.

The provision in the treaty, which would delay the production of cheaper generic versions of medical drugs brought thousands of Guatemalans onto the streets last March to protest Congressional ratification of CAFTA.