    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2005, Book I)]
    [May 12, 2005]
    [Pages 785-786]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks Following a Meeting With Central American Leaders
    May 12, 2005

        Good morning. Thank you for coming. Welcome to the White House, and
    welcome to the Rose Garden.
        I want to thank
    the six
    Presidents who have joined me today. We've
    just had a constructive dialog in the Cabinet Room about our mutual
    interests. Our mutual interests are prosperity for our people and peace
    in the region. I am honored to be here with six really fine leaders,
    people who have stood strong for democracy and who care deeply about the
    people of their nations.
        We're here today, as well, because the best way to achieve peace and
    prosperity for our hemisphere is by strengthening democracy and
    continuing the economic transformation of Central America and the
    Dominican Republic. All of us agree that

    [[Page 786]]

    the Central American and Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement
    presents us with an historic opportunity to advance our common goals in
    an important part of our neighborhood.
        CAFTA brings benefits to all sides. For the newly emerging
    democracies of Central America, CAFTA would bring new investment that
    means good jobs and higher labor standards for their workers. Central
    American consumers would have better access to more U.S. goods at better
    prices. And by passing this agreement, we would signal that the world's
    leading trading nation was committed to closer partnership with
    countries in our own backyard, countries which share our values.
        For American farmers, businesses, and workers, CAFTA would create a
    more level playing field. Under existing rules, most of Central
    America's exports already enter the United States duty free. But our
    products still face hefty tariffs there. By passing CAFTA, we would open
    up a market of 44 million consumers who already import more of our goods
    and services than Australia or Brazil. And we would create incentives
    for factories to stay in Central America and use American materials
    rather than relocate to Asia, where they are more likely to use Asian
    materials.
        Finally, for the Western Hemisphere, CAFTA would bring the stability
    and security that can only come from freedom. Today, a part of the world
    that was once characterized by oppression and military dictatorship now
    sees its future in free elections and free trade, and we must not take
    these gains for granted. These are small nations, but they're making big
    and brave commitments, and America needs to continue to support them as
    they walk down the road of openness and accountability. By transforming
    our hemisphere into a powerful free trade area, we will promote
    democratic governance, human rights, and economic liberty for everyone.
        The United States was built on freedom, and the more of it we have
    in our own backyard, the freer and safer and more prosperous all of the
    Americas will be. I applaud these leaders for their vision. I thank them
    for working with Members of Congress from both political parties to
    persuade those Members about the importance of this piece of
    legislation. I assured them I will join in the efforts to get this bill
    passed. This bill is good for Central American countries; it is good for
    America.
        I want to thank you all for being here. Que Dios los bendiga.

    Note: The President spoke at 11:39 a.m. in the Rose Garden at the White
    House. Participating in the meeting with the President were: President
    Abel Pacheco of Costa Rica; President Leonel Fernandez Reyna of the
    Dominican Republic; President Elias Antonio Saca Gonzalez of El
    Salvador; President Oscar Berger of Guatemala; President Ricardo Maduro
    of Honduras; and President Enrique Bolanos of Nicaragua. The Office of
    the Press Secretary also released a Spanish language transcript of these
    remarks.