-Caveat Lector- NAFTA dispute board sides with Mexico on trucks By SUZANNE GAMBOA The Associated Press 11/30/00 6:08 PM WASHINGTON (AP) -- A U.S. policy aimed at keeping unsafe Mexican trucks off American highways could be in jeopardy after Mexico won a round in a long-running dispute. The Transportation Department reported last year that it could confirm inspections for only 17,332 of the 3.5 million trucks entering the United States from Mexico in fiscal year 1997. About 44 percent of the inspected vehicles were taken out of service due to serious safety concerns. The North American Free Trade Agreement, approved in 1993, allowed Mexican trucks unrestricted access to U.S. highways in border states in 1995 and nationwide access starting last January. The Clinton administration has ignored the timetable, citing worries over safety, which prompted a protest from the Mexican government. A five-member panel formed to resolve the dispute issued a preliminary ruling favoring Mexico, Amy Stilwell, spokeswoman for the U.S. Trade Representative, said Thursday. NAFTA rules prohibit release of preliminary opinions, so Stilwell said she could provide no details. The full text has been given to the U.S. and Mexican governments, which have 14 days to respond, and a final ruling is expected Dec. 29, she said. "We are satisfied, but we are not celebrating yet," said a Mexican Embassy official who spoke on condition of anonymity. A Transportation Department spokesman confirmed the agency is reviewing the ruling but would not comment. A final ruling favoring Mexico could force the United States either to accept trade sanctions and keep all Mexican trucks off its roadways or significantly to enhance its truck-inspection efforts to ensure those allowed in are safe. Mexican trucks delivering goods for U.S. markets typically unload their cargo in a 20-mile commercial border zone for reloading on American trucks. "It is a simple fact that Mexican trucks are unsafe," said Rep. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, a NAFTA opponent. "We cannot allow NAFTA to open our borders and roll over the public safety laws that keep American families safe." Unions also cite safety in opposing full access for Mexican trucks, though they are unhappy that U.S. workers who load and drive trucks in the commercial zone could lose their jobs. Bret Caldwell, a Teamsters spokesman, said the union vehemently opposes access until Mexico increases safety standards but does not expect support from the NAFTA board. "We have no reason to believe that they are going to come back with a decision that has in it the interest of the American driver or the safety of the American highway," Caldwell said. Brown has introduced legislation that would restrict Mexican trucks from entering the United States until the Transportation Department's inspector general has certified that Mexican trucks and drivers comply with U.S. standards of safety, environmental controls and driver competence. ------ On the Net: Office of U.S. Trade Representative: http://www.ustr.gov Mexican Embassy: http://www.embassyofmexico.org/english/main2.htm Rep. Sherrod Brown: http://www.house.gov/sherrodbrown/ Copyright 2000 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. <A HREF="http://www.ctrl.org/">www.ctrl.org</A> DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion & informational exchange list. Proselytizing propagandic screeds are unwelcomed. Substance�not soap-boxing�please! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory'�with its many half-truths, mis- directions and outright frauds�is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRLgives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html <A HREF="http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html">Archives of [EMAIL PROTECTED]</A> http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ <A HREF="http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/">ctrl</A> ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
