CAFTA likely to miss Jan. 1 target

[deminks]

Several countries affected by slowly pending trade agreement may need additional preparation time

WASHINGTON (CNN) - Staffers on Capitol Hill and in the Bush administration said Thursday it is unlikely that the Central American-Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement will become active Jan. 1, as had been planned.

The office of the U.S. Trade Representative would not comment on reports that no country is ready to implement the trade pact.

A statement from USTR spokeswoman Christin Baker said all parties had recognized that the Jan. 1 start date "was an ambitious goal, and that all countries might not have completed their implementation process by that time. Other U.S. free trade agreements have had a longer preparation period to get ready, so the need for additional time is not unusual."

She continued, "The United States is prepared to have the CAFTA-DR enter into force as early as Jan. 1, but only with countries that have made sufficient progress in adopting new laws and regulations where necessary. We will move forward as long as at least one country is prepared, and will accommodate new entrants as they become ready."

http://money.cnn.com/2005/12/30/news/international/cafta/index.htm?section=money_latest

I think this is a huge embarrassment for Georgie.

[1932]

1. I wonder if the truth is that the signatory nations are having political

problems passing the implementing laws in their legislatures.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

2. Hmmm. Free trade, huh? Well, I think free trade is a good thing.

So a Costa Rican will be able to trade his workforce to interested parties in the USA unimpeded, like it happens in EU countries?

Wha... NO? But what the hell? Isn't it Free Trade????? :sarcasm: