Bush pushes free trade area. (Insider Report).(George Bush )(Brief Article)

Speaking to representatives of the Organization for American States (OAS) and the World Affairs Council in Washington, D.C. on January 16th, President George Bush reaffirmed his commitment to creating a Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) by 2005. The president also announced his intention to expand U.S. funding of the World Bank for this purpose. "We're working to build a Free Trade Area of the Americas, and we're determined to complete those negotiations by January of 2005," said Mr. Bush. "We plan to complete a free trade agreement with Chile early this year. And once we conclude the agreement, I urge Congress to take it up quickly. And I ask the Senate to schedule a vote, as soon as it returns, on renewing and expanding the Andean Trade Preference Act. Today, I announce that the United States will explore a free trade agreement with the countries of Central America.... Our purpose is to strengthen the economic ties we already have with these nations ... and to take another step toward completing the Fr ee Trade Area of the Americas."

Striking a very Clintonesque note on the benefits of government spending on unconstitutional international social programs, Bush boasted: "The United States' funding for international basic education assistance programs this year will be over 45 percent higher than last year. And this spring, the first of our regional teacher training ...