[Ip-health] CAFTA statement by Reps. Rangel, Levin, and Becearra

[Mike Palmedo]

http://www.house.gov/levin/CAFTA%20statement%205-27-04.pdf

May 27, 2004

Reps. Rangel, Levin, and Becerra Statement on the Signing of the
U.S-Central America Free Trade Agreement

"With the CAFTA agreement to be signed tomorrow, the Bush Administration
shows it is not serious about increasing trade with Central America.  If
it were serious, it would have reached out to Congress - to Democrats
and Republicans - and put together a bipartisan agreement.  Instead the
Bush Administration lost a major opportunity by negotiating an agreement
that both Democrats and Republicans are avoiding.  Thanks to the Bush
Administration, this CAFTA is on a midnight train to nowhere - in an
election year or any year.

<snip>

"On a number of key issues, the CAFTA as negotiated by the Bush
Administration fails these tests.

"We urged USTR to modify its position relating to access to medicines in
the CAFTA countries.  Unfortunately, the CAFTA negotiated by the Bush
Administration includes a provision that will make it more difficult for
Central American countries to get low-cost life-saving generic medicines
to their citizens."

<snip>