31 



ways, and that's really the question of how we set up this commis- 

 sion and how it relates to the NAFTA itself. 



But let me make it clear, this administration is for a three-nation 

 panel on the environment. That's what we're negotiating, starting 

 today. It will have real teeth in it. It will be concrete and meaning- 

 ful, and we are committed to it. So if there was any doubt in any- 

 one's mind — and I apologize for any misperceptions or 

 misstatements which might have been made — then I think I've just 

 clarified those. 



Mr. Roberts. I appreciate that response. 



I have some further questions but in the interests of time and 

 the vote, Mr. Chairman, I shall return. I yield back. Thank you. 



The Chairman. I thank the gentleman. 



Mr. Brown. 



Mr. Brown. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. 



Mr. Allard. Would the gentleman yield for just 1 second? 



Mr. Brown. Certainly. 



Mr. Allard. I'd like to make a unanimous-consent request that 

 all members be allowed to submit a written prepared statement, 

 Mr. Chairman. Would that be allowed? 



The Chairman. Yes; without objection. Any member may submit 

 a prepared statement for the record. Those statements will be 

 placed at the beginning of the hearing. 



Mr. Allard. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. 



I thank the gentleman for yielding. 



The Chairman. Mr. Brown. 



Mr. Brown. It is a pleasure to see you here, Mr. Ambassador. 

 Knowing you and your past background, I have great confidence in 

 your ability to do an outstanding job of negotiating with the Mexi- 

 cans and Canadians and other nations. 



I just want to express the view that you have already heard from 

 many, that a successful supplemental agreement on environment, 

 labor, and import surges I think is essential to the passage of this. 

 I hope that you will give that every possible attention. Many of us, 

 including me, have introduced legislation that would suggest mech- 

 anisms for doing this. I don't know that any of them are perfect, 

 but it was done to indicate our interest and concern over this issue. 

 The reasons are very simple: If we don't take care of these issues, 

 many of us won't get reelected. That's a powerful motivator for us. 



In that connection, refresh my memory. Is there a provision to 

 establish a network of research institutes with Canada and Mexico 

 that would deal with some of these issues that we're talking about 

 here? I seem to recall seeing a reference to that someplace. 



Ambassador Kantor. Not in the NAFTA itself, Mr. Brown, there 

 is not. 



Mr. Brown. In the supplementals, possibly? 



Ambassador Kantor. In the supplementals what we hope to 

 have, in addition to the commissions, of course, is access to — if not 

 full-time — secretariats with expert staffs, whether it be labor 

 standards and safety, or in the environmental area, which can do 

 the kind of work which I think you and I would agree needs to be 

 done in order that we have a serious and concrete agreement. 



We raise these standards throughout North America, not har- 

 monized down, which I think is a great worry. 



