Ileana Ros-Lehtinen: “it is critical for us to recognize the positive, far-reaching implications of CAFTA. CAFTA is not solely about trade, it…”

“it is critical for us to recognize the positive, far-reaching implications of CAFTA. CAFTA is not solely about trade, it is about lives. It is about promoting U.S. national security objectives in our own backyard. By strengthening our allies, our neighboring countries, we are helping to strengthen our own efforts to fight the scourge of terrorism. Free markets and economic development are the best weapons against tyranny, against poverty and against disease. CAFTA will promote democratic governance, thus advancing stability and consolidating freely-elected governments who are allies in the war against drugs and the War on Terror. Failure to pass CAFTA in Congress will cripple our efforts to freeze out narco-terrorist gangs and others who threaten our national security. Madam Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support CAFTA. A vote for CAFTA is a vote for our U.S. national security interests. ____________________”