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APRIL 23, 2001

President Bush and the leaders of all Western Hemisphere nations except Venezuela signed a free-trade agreement on Sunday at the Summit of the Americas.

The proposal calls for development of the world's largest free trade zone by 2005. Only democracies can participate, so should the political climate of any nation change, they would be exempted from future summits and plans.

Bush must get Congress' approval to enact any free trade agreements.

The summit, held in Quebec City, Quebec, was marred by heavy and occasionally violent protest since it opened on Friday. Assembly of First Nations Chief Matthew Coon Come criticized the summit for not including the voices of indigenous leaders.

A copy of the agreement the 33 nations signed will be made public, in response to considerable outcry. Copies of a draft had been leaked among activists and protesters over the weekend.

Venezuela was the only dissenting voice, holding back on the 2005 deadline set by the agreement.

Get the Story:
Leaders Affirm Free Trade Zone (The Washington Post 4/23)
Coon Come gets in brief sting (Southam News 4/21)

Relevant Links:
Summit of the Americas - http://www.americascanada.org

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