I came across this posting from Voice of America on another list. I hope
it is of interest to some of you.
Steven Zahniser
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Tue, 16 May 1995 10:59:56 -0700
From: Walter Morales <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: CARIBBEAN/NAFTA (S-ONLY) By DAVID GOLLUST/U-S CONGRESS
DATE=5/15/95
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-178869
TITLE=CARIBBEAN/NAFTA (S-ONLY)
BYLINE=DAVID GOLLUST
DATELINE=U-S CONGRESS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION HAS ENDORSED LEGISLATION THAT
WOULD GIVE CARIBBEAN STATES TRADE BENEFITS EQUIVALENT TO THOSE
ACCORDED MEXICO UNDER THE NORTH AMERICAN FREE TRADE AGREEMENT,
NAFTA. AS V-O-A'S DAVID GOLLUST REPORTS, THE LEGISLATION WOULD
PHASE-IN THE CARIBBEAN'S FREE-TRADE STATUS WITH THE UNITED
STATES.
TEXT: ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS SAY THE LEGISLATION NOW BEFORE
CONGRESS WOULD ADDRESS THE "UNINTENDED" NEGATIVE CONSEQUENCES
THAT NAFTA IS HAVING ON THE CARIBBEAN STATES -- AND ALLOW THOSE
COUNTRIES TO CONTINUE A PERIOD OF ROBUST ECONOMIC GROWTH.
THE LEGISLATION -- IN SLIGHTLY DIFFERING HOUSE AND SENATE
VERSIONS -- WOULD PHASE-IN TRADE CONCESSIONS OVER SIX OR TEN
YEARS, AND GIVE MEMBER COUNTRIES OF CARIBBEAN BASIN INITIATIVE
THE SAME ACCESS TO THE U-S MARKET THAT MEXICO HAS UNDER NAFTA.
ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE ALEXANDER WATSON, TESTIFYING AT
SENATE SUBCOMMITTEE HEARINGS, SAID CARIBBEAN LEADERS HAVE BEEN
CONCERNED THAT NAFTA WILL SUBSTANTIALLY ERODE THEIR ACCESS TO THE
U-S MARKET:
///WATSON ACTUALITY///
THEY WEREN'T LOOKING FOR A HANDOUT, THEY WERE LOOKING
FOR ACCESS TO OUR MARKETS TO STRENGTHEN THEIR ECONOMIES.
WE SUPPORT THAT FULLY. AND WE THINK THAT THIS
LEGISLATION CONTRIBUTES MARKEDLY TO THAT END WITH A
REALIZATION OF OUR FOREIGN POLICY OBJECTIVES.
///END ACTUALITY///
THE 1984 U-S CARIBBEAN BASIN INITIATIVE HAS CONTRIBUTED TO A
DOUBLING OF TRADE BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND CARIBBEAN REGION
--WITH THE UNITED STATES ENJOYING A TWO BILLION DOLLAR ANNUAL
TRADE SURPLUS. (SIGNED)
NEB/DAG/PT
15-May-95 4:45 PM EDT (2045 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
