DATE=02/13/02

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

NUMBER=2-287935

TITLE=BUSH/CENTRAL AMERICA UPDATE (S)

BYLINE=GREG FLAKUS

DATELINE=SAN SALVADOR

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

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INTRO: President Bush concluded his trip to Latin America, Sunday. His last stop was the Central American nation of El Salvador, for a half-day visit with regional leaders. As VOA's Greg Flakus reports from San Salvador, trade was at the top of the agenda, even though U-S officials say a trade agreement with the region remains a long way off.

TEXT: In a joint news conference with Salvadoran President Francisco Flores, just before the lunch meeting with all seven regional leaders, Mr. Bush emphasized his commitment to free trade. He noted that he had proposed a free trade agreement with Central America in January and that this is part of an overall strategy to strengthen commerce throughout the western hemisphere.

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We are also going to continue to pursue the Free Trade of the Americas, which aims to encompass the entire hemisphere in a free trade agreement. Completing these agreements will promote prosperity throughout the hemisphere and reinforce the region's progress towards political, economic and social reform.

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U-S officials concede that such agreements are unlikely to be completed any time soon, but Mr. Bush wants to at least start the process of talking about the issue, with an eye towards possible future accords. (signed).

NEB/GF/FC