Quito, June 13, 2006 
 

Mr. George Bush
President of the United States of America
Washington, D.C. 
 

Dear Mr. President: 

Convinced of the importance of guaranteeing the flow of trade from the Andean region to the United States of America and aware that the trade preferences granted under the “Andean Trade Promotion and Drug Eradication Act (ATPDEA)” will expire this year, we would like to request their extension for those of our countries that require it in order to advance our national development and ensure the wellbeing of Andean workers and entrepreneurs whose livelihoods depend upon those exports.  

We deem the extension of those tariff preferences to be necessary while the trade agreements to which Bolivia, Colombia and Ecuador aspire are worked out, finalized and implemented in accordance with their respective visions and interests, so as not to disrupt their trade with the United States. 

The Government of Peru, given the importance of ensuring its access to the United States market, wishes to clearly state that this request, which it supports for reasons of solidarity with its Andean neighbors, does not in any way constitute an impediment to the approval of the Free Trade Agreement signed this past April 12 with the United States, in the Congresses of both Peru and the United States, in the knowledge that each country in the subregion has different visions of and approval rates for a trade agreement.  

We would like to reiterate that our governments remain committed to the fight against drug trafficking, which was the original reason for the establishment of those tariff preferences.   

It is for this particular reason that we avail ourselves of the opportunity to express to Your Excellency the assurances of our highest and most distinguished consideration.