The Free Trade Agreement of the Americas and Problems In Implementation

George Bush is running into serious problems in Latin America. Unlike his predecessor, Mr. Bush seems to care much more about Latin America, and seems to respect Latin American countries much more, unlike the amoral Clinton. In 1995 when the pro-business President Eduardo Frei was president of Chile, Chile came close to joining NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement), the problem being Mr. Clinton in having little emphasis, and the democrats in the senate. However, today, we are governed by an insolent balding socialist who is anathaema to free trade along with his government supporters, Mr. Lagos being the problem, rather than the enthusiastic Mr. Bush. In this case however, it is not the fault of Mr. Lagos who has been lobbying hard in Washington to get the agreement to go through. Unfortunately for Chile, unlike the jewish lobby who gets what it wants, there is no Chilean caucus to pressure congress to pass laws. This time the Democrats led by Mr. Max Baucus, who opposes a free trade agreement with Chile, based on the false argument that Chile is "protectionist", when despite the socialists being in power, the socialists have not meddled much with the economy. Mr. Baucus is a fool who has forgotten that the true protectionists has been the USA, passing laws to protect their dying steel industry, as well as their agriculture. The fact that they are having fears of competition shows that they are acting in a "protectionist", almost childish way. Why childish? for the simple reason that no one in their right mind would be afraid of Chilean products bypassing american products. It is true in some areas there might be a decline, but the american enonomy is big enough to bounce back, demand product from both countries without each losing out to the other. If they are afraid of that, then why dont they ban "japanese cars"? For the simple reason that they fear a smaller country will be more competitive than them. Now Chile really needs this Fast Track Agreement because with it, we will for sure join the developed countries. Unlike chaotic Mexico (which many ignorant democrats assume will also be Chile's case), we have regulatory laws, clear laws of investment, no graft or petty official corruption, enviromental laws, modern banking laws, an educated work force, and a competent business elite.

The U.S should pass the Free Trade Agreement act now, because we continue to be the best government, most stable and fastest growing economy in south america (even though we grow at a lousy 4% a year due to our inept government policies). The U.S.A should also lift all visa requirements for any Chilean citizen that is visiting as a tourist, and kick out all pro-communist assylum seekers. The U.S was not afraid of dividing Latin America when it made the rash and stupid decition of giving the Argentines the recognition of extra-members of NATO.

The US is also legendary in backing up allies, and then trying to ditch them. This happened when Nixon and the genious in foreign policy Sec. of State Henry Kissinger backed up the new Military Government in Chile, by opening up lines of credit, sales of weponry, etc. Then came the idiotic moronic democrat, Jimmy Carter, one of the worst US presidents in living memory, who helped promote with the democrats in the senate, the so-called "Humphrey-Kennedy" Law, which did not allow Chile to purchase American made weapons, because of supposed "human rights abuses", or the usual lies of the communists. Ronald Reagan continued this insolence, despite the fact that he was selling and giving weapons to the contras in Nicaragua, military men of little training, and irresponsible Nicaraguan military commanders. As mentioned in the recent "de-classified" CIA archives, which prove nothing about american support, but rather discoordinated opinions by ambassadors, General Pinochet required that the "Humphrey-Kennedy Law" be lifted immediately, because of a possible Argentine threat to Chile if they won the Falkland's War. The American response was to be "patient". Is this the way the US treats their Allies? Definetely not...if they had told Israel to be "patient" it would have dissappeared from the map, and destroyed by the Arabs. Even the Pakistani leadership, better than the previous one, but irresponsible nevertheless, received more aid, and free weapons, and weapons sale than Chile ever did. Chile was never given anything for "free", we always paid for everything. Hence, American support comes and goes, but luckily for Chileans, we are used to relying on our selves, on our hard work and sacrifice. Back when we had our banking crisis, similar to the one in Argentina today, no one "bailed us out", or gave us "aid" but we set policies to fix our own problems together with officials from the world bank, rather than blaming the IMF (International Monetary Fund), or everyone else.

Thus, in a pessimistic tone, will Chile ever be allowed to join the NAFTA? Or is it all a lie? Only time will tell....perhaps when we join in another 50 yrs.

Article by:
Cristian Subiabre