Key US senators seek progress on S Korea trade pact
Thursday, 22 July 2010
WASHINGTON, July 21 (AFP): A group of senior US senators offered President Barack Obama their "strong support" yesterday as he forges ahead with a free trade deal with South Korea opposed by some of his Democratic allies.
"We write to applaud your call for a prompt resolution of outstanding issues to the US-Korea Free Trade Agreement (KORUS FTA) this year and to reiterate our strong support for such action," the lawmakers wrote in a letter to Obama.
The group included Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry, Senate Agriculture Committee Blanche Lincoln, and Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Daniel Inouye-all Democrats.
It also included Independent Senator Joe Lieberman, who chairs the Senate Homeland Security Committee; Democratic Senator Dianne Feinstein, who chairs the Senate Intelligence Committee; and East Asia and Pacific Affairs Subcommittee Chairman Jim Webb, a Democrat.
Democratic Senators Mark Warner, Daniel Akaka, Maria Cantwell, and Mark Begich were also part of the group, which threw its weight behind Obama's vow to resolve difficult disputes holding up congressional approval for the deal.
"We share your commitment to addressing the outstanding issues with the Agreement, including trade in beef and autos, and securing congressional approval in an expeditious manner," the lawmakers wrote.
"We write to applaud your call for a prompt resolution of outstanding issues to the US-Korea Free Trade Agreement (KORUS FTA) this year and to reiterate our strong support for such action," the lawmakers wrote in a letter to Obama.
The group included Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry, Senate Agriculture Committee Blanche Lincoln, and Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Daniel Inouye-all Democrats.
It also included Independent Senator Joe Lieberman, who chairs the Senate Homeland Security Committee; Democratic Senator Dianne Feinstein, who chairs the Senate Intelligence Committee; and East Asia and Pacific Affairs Subcommittee Chairman Jim Webb, a Democrat.
Democratic Senators Mark Warner, Daniel Akaka, Maria Cantwell, and Mark Begich were also part of the group, which threw its weight behind Obama's vow to resolve difficult disputes holding up congressional approval for the deal.
"We share your commitment to addressing the outstanding issues with the Agreement, including trade in beef and autos, and securing congressional approval in an expeditious manner," the lawmakers wrote.