GIVE ALTERNATIVE TO DRUGS

By Extending A Trade Pact With 3 Andean Nations, Congress Could Stem
The Problem

Free trade among the United States and three Andean countries --
Peru, Colombia and Ecuador -- is a goal so clearly in America's
interest that it deserves strong backing from both parties in Congress.

Negotiations toward that goal resumed this month. An agreement is
needed to extend preferential access to the U.S. market for exporters
in the three Andean countries, which are on the front lines in the
drug war. Those preferences have encouraged alternatives to drug
production and trafficking in the three countries. But they will
expire next year without an agreement.

At the same time, an agreement would lower barriers in the three
countries to U.S. exporters and investors, creating more jobs and
opportunities for American companies. That would be especially good
news for Florida. Because of the state's proximity to the region,
Florida accounts for a significant share of U.S. trade and investment
- -- billions of dollars a year -- with the three Andean countries.

Additionally, an agreement would help the United States counter the
growing economic and political influence of China and Venezuela in
the Andean region.

Earlier this year, Democrats in Congress nearly defeated a free-trade
agreement with Central American countries. The Bush administration
would be wise to reach across party lines and try to address in
negotiations any legitimate concerns Democrats have about an Andean agreement.

Democrats, in turn, are obliged to give free trade with the three
Andean countries a fair hearing, and not ignore its obvious benefits.