[hedgetrimmer]

United States and Central America Sign Historic Free Trade Agreement
05/28/2004

Tariffs on 80% of U.S. Exports to Central America are Eliminated Immediately

WASHINGTON – U.S. Trade Representative Robert B. Zoellick and Ministers of five Central American countries today signed the U.S. Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) a historic agreement that will eliminate tariffs and trade barriers and expand regional opportunities for the workers, manufacturers, consumers, farmers, ranchers and service providers of all the countries.

“For the United States, the signing of CAFTA opens a new chapter in the history of our relationship with Central America. CAFTA will put the U.S. relationship with Central America on a more solid mutual foundation, firmly grounded in our shared commitment to democracy, free markets, free people, and hope,” said Zoellick.

The signing of the final agreement, a 2,400 page document, took place in the Hall of the Americas at the headquarters of the Organization of American States (OAS), where President Bush first announced his plan to negotiate an FTA with Central America during a speech in January 2002.

http://www.ustr.gov/Document_Library/Press_Releases/2004/May/United_States_Central_America_Sign_Historic_Free_Trade_Agreement.html

[NMC EXP]

The signing of the final agreement, a 2,400 page document

1) "Agreement" - not a treaty therby bypassing the Constitution's requirement for a 2/3's senate vote to ratify.

2) "2,400 page" - which means it ain't about free trade. That would take one paragraph.