[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 157 (Thursday, December 8, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2493]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 4340, UNITED STATES-BAHRAIN FREE 
                   TRADE AGREEMENT IMPLEMENTATION ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                            HON. MARK UDALL

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 7, 2005

  Mr. UDALL of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 4340, 
the United States-Bahrain Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act. 
Overall I believe the agreement contains numerous important benefits 
for the people of both the United States and Bahrain.
  The agreement would allow 100 percent of American-made industrial and 
consumer goods and virtually all agricultural products to enter Bahrain 
duty free. The agreement would also expand access for the United States 
to many of the financial and service sectors in Bahrain along with 
strengthening intellectual property protections. This improved 
commercial relationship between our countries will benefit many sectors 
of the American economy, including agriculture, banking and securities, 
and high technology.
  I have supported a number of trade agreements to expand access to 
foreign markets for exports as part of a long-term strategy to 
strengthen the American economy. While expanding markets for American 
businesses and farmers is critical, I believe it needs to be done 
responsibly, accounting for the treatment and protection of workers and 
the environment. This agreement makes efforts to do so.
  Regarding the agreement's labor provisions, I am concerned that 
Bahrain is not in complete compliance with International Labor 
Organization, (ILO), core labor standards. But it is my understanding 
that Bahrain has committed in an exchange of letters--which will be 
included with the trade agreement--to modify domestic laws to comply 
with key labor standards. I commend the Kingdom of Bahrain for its 
commitment to modify its domestic laws, and I urge the Administration 
and the United States Trade Representative, (USTR), to monitor progress 
in this regard.
  In the future, I think the administration and the USTR would be well 
served by including labor provisions, such as those included in the 
United States-Jordan Free Trade Agreement, in the body of future trade 
agreements and by making them subject to sanctions via dispute 
resolution procedures. The dispute resolution procedures fall short in 
the case of the Bahrain FTA. It is important that the United States 
takes step to ensure our trading partners provide workers with basic 
labor rights. By including such requirements we dedicate ourselves to 
this goal.
  While this agreement is largely about the liberalized exchange of 
goods and services, it is also about building a stronger relationship 
with a strategic country in the Middle East.
  Opening up commerce between the U.S. and Bahrain can help us gain 
Bahrain's support for initiatives in other areas, such as resolving the 
Arab-Israeli conflict and restoring security to Iraq. In that 
connection, it is important to note that Bahrain is not observing the 
Arab League boycott of Israel. I welcome the U.S.-Bahrain Free Trade 
Agreement and urge its support.

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