U.S. warns Costa Rica against rejecting CAFTA

[arcos]

Source: Reuters

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Costa Rica could lose valuable access to the U.S. market if the country rejects a free trade agreement with the United States when voters go to the polls on Sunday, a top U.S. official said.

The United States respects Costa Rica's sovereign right to decide whether to join the pact, "but, I hope whatever decision is made is based on the facts," U.S. Trade Representative Susan Schwab said in a statement on Thursday.

<snip>

"It is difficult to imagine any U.S. administration renegotiating the current agreement or negotiating a new trade agreement with Costa Rica if this agreement is rejected. The opportunity for Costa Rica to enjoy the benefits of regional free trade is now," Schwab said.

The warning came as Costa Rica prepared to vote Sunday on whether to join the U.S.-Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA), which the U.S. Congress narrowly approved in 2005. Some Costa Rican opponents of the pact have argued it could be renegotiated and improved if voters reject it.

<snip>

Schwab also took issue with a recent letter from Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi that said Costa Rica would not lose current U.S. trade benefits if the pact is rejected.

<snip>

Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/politicsNews/idUSN0434959520071004

---

:grr: :grr: :grr:

[Skink]

1. Prepare to be boarded.

[tom_paine]

19. The murdering Bushie Borg, you can bet that what they get in public

is nothing ocmpared to what the Bushies will do to them, Black Ops style, perhaps economic or currency fuckery, perhaps other dirty tricks, if they can spare some criminals from their Amerikan Homeland Operations, which are no doubt now quite large.

"Resistance is futile."

NO. Resistance is NOT futile! Stand and be true, Costa Rica. Show us the meaning of courage.

[Auggie]

2. A little blackmail with your capitalism?

[arcos]

3. That's exactly what they're doing...

The US is blackmailing Costa Rican voters... :grr:

[subsuelo]

4. hey we're all for democracy

as long as you vote the way we tell you to

[Deja Q]

5. I wonder why, those free jobs would help their economy and people...

[redqueen]

6. They're onto the scam.

Why do South American voters seem more aware of these scams than most others on these continents?

Perhaps it's the first-hand experience with brutal repression... maybe it makes them more sensitive to it, more aware...

[nadinbrzezinski]

22. Not quite... Costa Rica is a democracy and hasn't has an army since 1949

in fact, Costa Rica is one of the strongest democracies in the hemisphere.

Oh and they are in CENTRAL AMERICA...

;-)

[redqueen]

28. Yeah I know... that's why I said THESE CONTINENTS.

You know, meaning the American ones? To which the central part is kind of... you know... attached?

Jesus.


As for Democracies... yes, this is one too. Aren't they all just the same and equally perfect?

[sadiesworld]

7. Our government doesn't even respect US sovereignty...

they sure as hell don't give a rat's ass about Costa Rica's sovereignty.

[htuttle]

8. That's a nice little country you have there -- it would be a shame if anything were to happen to it

http://imgred.com/

[defendandprotect]

9. Making an offer they can't refuse . . . !!!!

Pax Americana --

[Hulk]

10. Hey, where do they get off voting for what's BEST FOR COSTA RICA????

Wonder if we could ever do that?

[Demeter]

11. Since The Dollar Isn't Worth the Paper It's Printed On, Or Won't Be Shortly

Costa Rica loses nothing by losing US markets.

[Judi Lynn]

12. Stay the course, Costa Rica. Be the democracy you want to be. n/t

[burrowowl]

13. U$A spreading democracy

vote like the U$A says!

[emsimon33]

14. I hope that Costa Rica holds firm

[bvar22]

15. WTF!!!!

We didn't get to vote on CAFTA, NAFTA, or SHAFTA.

[Theres-a]

16. SHAFTA!

And Rec.

[goforit]

17. LOL!!! Another newley formed "evil axis" country. Oooogah Booogah!!

[Spazito]

18. Threats aren't what they used to be....

bush has neutered the 'threat' capacity, imo. Countries are diversifying their access to other countries for their exports, the US dollar isn't what it used to be and the reputation of the US, thanks to bush, ain't what it used to be either.

The only ones who don't seem to realize the changed reality is the bush admin and it's kool-aid drinking supporters.

[IndianaGreen]

23. This is particularly true when the imperial armies are bogged down in Iraq

As the last remaining evil empire collapses, the peace loving people of the world discover their own ability to take control over their lives and destiny.

[HughMoran]

20. Costa Ricans - if you are reading this post - do NOT vote for CAFTA

You will live to regret it.

[Triana]

25. Oh PLEASE let them NOT vote for this!!

They'll be screwed.

[mark414]

21. Read: Give our corporate masters cheap labor and materials

[Selatius]

24. The US government is a gangster for capitalism.

This kind of behavior sickens me.

[w4rma]

26. A gangster for corporatism. (nt)

[Judi Lynn]

27. Three more days! Hope the people's wishes will be respected. n/t

[Tyler Durden]

29. I want these bullies IN JAIL...

In LEAVENWORTH in GENERAL POPULATION with all of the interesting sexual abuse that entails. Call me an asshole, but they've been fucking the country since Newt's "Contract."

[Theres-a]

30. kick