Living in Peru : your everyday companion

(LIP-ir) -- The United States government is not demanding that Peru change its legislation to adjust itself to the amendments in the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) explained U.S. Ambassador James Curtis Struble.

"The administration's position is very clear, we have never asked a commercial partner to make changes in their laws, to implement an agreement, before it is considered by the U.S. Congress. It wouldn't be fair to insist on a change when the country (Peru) has shown an intention and interest in keeping promises," stated Ambassador Struble.

The Ambassador explained that after the treaty is ratified by U.S. Congress there will be a period of implementation in which both countries will need to make the necessary regulatory adjustments before the treaty is put into effect, "but the adjustments will go into effect with the treaty."

The U.S. Ambassador didn't discard the fact that the treaty could be ratified in July or in the beginning of August, before congress' summer recess. However he pointed out that, that could be a little tight and that September would be a more appropriate month. He asked Peru to "be a little patient with the U.S."

Ambassador Struble explained that U.S. President George Bush has firmly asked Congress to ratify the agreement in August. House of Representatives President and democratic leader Nancy Pelosi assured that democrats would be ready to vote on the FTA in September.