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Mexico Disputes Language in US Bill on Ratifying Trade Pact

Associated Press

   MEXICO CITY - Just days after agreement on a pact to replace the North
   American Free Trade Agreement, Mexico objected Saturday to legislation
   introduced in the U.S. Congress as part of an eventual ratification of
   the deal.

   JesusSeade, the Mexican Foreign Relations Department's undersecretary
   and chief trade negotiator for North America, said most of the billisin
   line with the typical process of ratification, but it also ``adds the
   designation of up to five U.S. labor attaches in Mexico tasked with
   monitoring the implementation of the labor reform that is under way in
   our country.''

   Seadesaid that was not part of the agreement signed December10 in
   Mexico City by Mexico, the United States and Canada to replace NAFTA,
   but was rather the product of ``political decisions by theCongress and
   administration of the United States.''

   Mexico should have been consulted but was not,Seadesaid,``and, of
   course, we are not in agreement.''

   Mexico said thatit resisted having foreign inspectors on its soil out
   of sovereignty principles, and that the agreement provided for panels
   to resolve disputespertaining tolabor and other areas. The three-person
   panels would comprise a person chosen by the United States, one by
   Mexico and a third-country person agreed upon by both countries.

   Seadecalled the designation of labor attaches ``unnecessary and
   redundant'' and said the presence of foreign officials must be
   authorized by the host country.

   "U.S. officials accredited at their embassy and consulates in Mexico,
   as a laborattachecould be, may not in any case have inspection powers
   under Mexican law,'' he added.

   Sunday trip to Washington

   Seadesaidthat he sent a letter to U.S. Trade Representative
   RobertLighthizerexpressing Mexico's ``surprise and concern'' over the
   matter and that he would travel to Washington on Sunday to convey the
   message personally toLighthizerand U.S. lawmakers.

   The elements of House Resolution 5430 in question ``display a
   regrettable mistrust'' in the treaty,which was negotiated ``in the
   spirit of good faith,'' the letter read.

   ``We reserve the right to review the scope and effects of these
   provisions, which our government and people will no doubt clearly see
   as unnecessary,'' it continued. ``Additionally, I advise you that
   Mexico will evaluate not only the measures proposed in the[bill]... but
   the establishment of reciprocal mechanisms in defense of our country's
   interests.''

   Mexico's Senate approved the modifications to the agreement Thursday
   evening 107-1.

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