*EPF121 10/20/2003
Text: Bush Plans To Launch Talks on Free Trade Pact with Thailand
(White House press statement October 19) (230)

President Bush, following a meeting with Prime Minister Thaksin of Thailand, announced his intention October 19 to launch negotiations for a comprehensive free trade agreement (FTA) with that country in accordance with procedures specified by Congress, the White House said in a statement issued the same day.

Following is the text of the statement:

(begin text)

THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
(Bangkok, Thailand)

For Immediate Release
October 19, 2003

STATEMENT BY THE PRESS SECRETARY
Announcement of U.S.- Thailand FTA Negotiations

President Bush, following his meeting with Prime Minister Thaksin, announced today his intention to launch negotiations for a comprehensive free trade agreement (FTA) with Thailand, in accordance with the procedures specified by Congress. Thailand is the United States' 18th largest trading partner and an FTA will provide increased access to its large and growing market for U.S. farmers, manufacturers and service industries. This action builds on the historic FTA with Singapore, which the President signed earlier this year, and on his Enterprise for ASEAN Initiative.

The Administration will consult formally with Congress on a U.S.-Thailand FTA in the coming weeks, pursuant to U.S. Trade Promotion Authority enacted in 2002. After these consultations, the Administration will formally notify Congress of its intent to launch FTA negotiations and outline objectives for the negotiations.

(end text)

(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)

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