Bush sends Central American trade pact to Congress

0 Comments | AFP, June, 2005

WASHINGTON (AFP) — US President George W. Bush sent the Dominican Republic-Central American Free Trade Agreement to the US Congress for what is expected to be a tough fight for approval.

"The Agreement is in our national interest, and I urge the Congress to approve it expeditiously," the president said in a letter to lawmakers and released by the White House.

Bush said the pact, known as DR-CAFTA, will create "significant new opportunities for American workers, farmers, ranchers, and businesses" and will expand access to Central American and Dominican markets for US agricultural products.

Most congressional Democrats and some Republicans have vowed to oppose the trade agreement, which includes Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and the...