Frente Amplio rejects FTA with US
Prensa Latina, Cuba
Frente Amplio Rejects FTA with US
15 August 2006
Montevideo, Aug 15 (Prensa Latina) The Political Board of Uruguay’s Frente Amplio (FA, in Spanish) on Tuesday ratified its rejection of the US-sponsored Free Trade Agreements within the framework of the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA).
The FA Board’s decision ratified a resolution approved by that organization’s Plenary body, "rejecting the US-sponsored FTAA project and the eventual bilateral agreements" within that framework.
In addition, it called the government to reach trade agreements with other countries when they favor the nation’s incorporation into world trade, without affecting sovereignty and regional accords.
The ratification of the FA’s rejection of a FTA with Washington was made public after President Tabare Vazquez informed the people on his decision to become the only spokesman on the free trade agreement with the United States.
The president’s decision followed Foreign Minister Reinaldo Gargano’s rejection of a possible FTA between Montevideo and Washington, because it would affect the local economy and relations with MERCOSUR.
The declaration of the FA Political Board, made up of that organization’s major political sectors, is seen here as strong support for the foreign minister’s stance.
