Brasília - The implantation of the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) is in the hands of the United States. This affirmation comes from Federal Deputy Luiz Carlos Hauly (PSDB-PR), who participated in a meeting, yesterday (9), in the Chamber of Deputies' Foreign Relations and National Defense Comission, with the United States Ambassador to Brazil, John Danilovich.

"The restrictions on integration are in their hands. The restrictions on Brazilian products are what is hampering integration with the FTAA. The decision is out of our hands," said Hauly, who is also the coordinator of the Brazil-United States Parliamentary Front. The chief obstacles to the bloc's becoming a reality are agricultural subsidies, competition in the service sector, and intellectual property.

Following his meeting with the members of the Commission, Ambassador Danilovitch said that negotiations will continue next year. "Without any doubt, it is possible to proceed with the negotiations. We confirm our commitment to the FTAA process. They are getting ready to move ahead in 2005," he pointed out.

Besides removing the obstacles to Brazilian products, Deputy Hauly also proposed that the American government carry out an emergency program to aid the infrastructure of Brazil. According to the lawmaker, the help could take the form of a type of Marshall Plan - the post-World War II reconstruction plan implemented by the United States in Europe in 1948-1951.

The other topics discussed at the meeting were: Haiti, nuclear disarmament, the need for regular encounters between American and Brazilian legislators, the Kyoto Protocol, and immigration.

Agência Brasil
Reporter: Carolina Pimentel
Translator: David Silberstein
12/10/2004