Living in Peru : your everyday companion

(LIP-jl) -- Fresh off his trip from the United States, Peruvian President Alan Garcia declared U.S. officials 'are willing' to support Peru's push to ratify the free trade agreement between both nations.

"I think we have achieved some positive things," said Garcia after yesterday's meeting with U.S. Senator and Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Finance Max Baucus (Montana-D), and Senator Chuck Grasely (Iowa-R), a senior member the same committee.

"Judging from the expressions and gestures I received from U.S. Democratic and Republican representatives, as well as from the Secretary of State (Condoleezza Rice), I would say there is great will to support Peru," said the Peruvian leader.

Garcia met with such officials such as Charles Rangel (New York-D), Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, Harry Reid (Nevada-D), U.S. Senate Majority Leader, as well as with senior Republican legislative officials.

According to Peruvian Chancellor, Jose Antonio Garcia Belaunde -who accompanied the Peruvian president, the trip to Washington provided "very good and successful results."

"I believe the conditions to have the free trade agreement approved have been laid out by both sides, let us hope that the amendment issues which are being proposed can be resolved quickly. I do not believe there will be any problem from our side," said the Chancellor.

With only 9 months at the helm of the Peruvian government, Garcia concluded his second trip to Washington D.C. within the past six months.