Bush vows to push for US-Panama trade pact
WASHINGTON (AFP) — US President George W. Bush promised visiting Panamanian President Martin Torrijos Wednesday that he would push the reluctant US Congress to ratify a free trade pact between the two countries.
"Congress needs to get it done. This is important for both our nations, it's important for our economies, and it's important for our friendship," Bush told his guest. "I will continue to work hard on this important agreement."
Torrijos praised Bush as "a friend" of Panama, thanked him for his push behind the accord, and said: "We hope we'll be ready to help in any way in the process."
The US president, whose term ends in January, has been pushing Democratic leaders of the US Congress to hold up-or-down votes on free trade pacts with Colombia, Panama, and South Korea.
Bush meets with Colombian President Alvaro Uribe at the White House on Saturday, and the two leaders are scheduled to make a joint public statement -- presumably on the stalled trade agreement between their two countries.
