[House Document 108-159]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]



                                     

108th Congress, 2d Session - - - - - - - - - - - - House Document 108-159


 
NOTIFICATION TO ENTER INTO A FREE TRADE AGREEMENT WITH THE GOVERNMENTS 
     OF COSTA RICA, EL SALVADOR, HONDURAS, GUATEMALA, AND NICARAGUA

                               __________

                                MESSAGE

                                  from

                   THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES

                              transmitting

NOTICE OF INTENTION TO ENTER INTO A FREE TRADE AGREEMENT (FTA) WITH THE 
   GOVERNMENTS OF COSTA RICA, EL SALVADOR, HONDURAS, GUATEMALA, AND 
NICARAGUA, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 2105(a)(1)(A) OF THE TRADE ACT OF 
                 2002, PURSUANT TO 19 U.S.C. 2112(e)(1)




  February 24, 2004.--Message and accompanying papers referred to the 
         Committee on Ways and Means and ordered to be printed
                                           The White House,
                                     Washington, February 20, 2004.
Hon. J. Dennis Hastert,
Speaker of the House of Representatives,
Washington, DC.
    Dear Mr. Speaker: In accordance with section 2105(a)(1)(A) 
of the Trade Act of 2002 (the ``Trade Act''), I am pleased to 
notify the Congress of my intent to enter into a Free Trade 
Agreement (FTA) with the Governments of Costa Rica, El 
Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala, and Nicaragua (hereinafter 
``Central America'').
    This agreement will create new opportunities for America's 
workers, farmers, businesses, and consumers by eliminating 
barriers in trade with Central America. Our Central American 
partners have made dramatic progress in transitioning from 
countries wracked by civil war to peaceful, democratic 
societies. This agreement will write a new page of our history 
with Central America--one that depicts sustained engagement in 
support of democracy, peaceful regional integration, economic 
opportunity, and hope. This agreement is part of a broader 
strategy that my Administration is pursuing to expand economic 
opportunities and to promote economic growth and prosperity. We 
are also moving forward with negotiations to integrate the 
Dominican Republic in our FTA with Central America.
    Consistent with the Trade Act, I am sending this 
notification at least 90 days in advance of signing the United 
States-Central America FTA. My Administration looks forward to 
working with the Congress to develop appropriate legislation to 
approve and implement an historic free trade agreement with 
Central America.
            Sincerely,
                                                    George W. Bush.

                                
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