Dear President Roh:
As you know, I have long been a champion of deepened trade and economic links between the United States and Korea. Alone among many, I first called for free trade agreement (“FTA") negotiations with Korea in 1999 and have consistently supported that goal. I strongly admired your courageous decision to enter into FTA negotiations with the United States last year and continue to believe that an FTA between our two countries holds enormous opportunities for our economies and workers.
Unfortunately, I am deeply disappointed that Korea was unable to commit to normalize beef trade at the conclusion of negotiations. Throughout the talks - notably at the December 2006 round of negotiations held in my home state of Montana - I made it clear that my support for this agreement hinges on whether Korea commits to lift its unscientific ban on exports of American beef. Your government’s failure to do so has put me in the position of opposing the recently concluded agreement. And, as I have stated publicly, I will continue to oppose the agreement until American beef is flowing into the Korean market and I have adequate assurances that it will continue to do so.
I welcome your strong verbal commitment to abide by the international standards of the World Animal Health Organization (“OIE"). Those standards are clear ? U.S. beef, bone-in, boneless, and offals, regardless of the age, are as healthy and safe as any beef produced in the world. This was the conclusion of an OIE panel of expert scientists earlier this year, and the full OIE is expected to formalize this recommendation next month. Your timeframe for resolving this issue is critical and will inform my actions in the coming weeks and months.
I appreciate your personal attention to this vital matter.
Sincerely,
Max Baucus
Source: Ranking Member’s News
