43 



them. So we have to assume that if it comes up here, that is the 

 circumstance that will persist at the time and he will advocate it. 



Mr. Glickman. And the Mexican negotiators know that we have 

 to have some modifications on the environmental end and labor 

 issue for the President to be able to come back and sell this agree- 

 ment to the Congress. 



Ambassador Kantor. I think that in the President's meeting 

 with President Salinas — as you know, when he was President-elect, 

 that was the first foreign leader he met with. In my meetings with 

 Dr. Cordoba and Minister Sara and Mr. Blanco and in our various 

 other meetings we have had in discussions and telephone calls we 

 have made it quite clear that that is the criteria. 



Mr. Glickman. Is there any concern in the administration that 

 if we don't get an agreement that the Salinas government will fall? 



Ambassador Kantor. The Salinas government falling I think is 

 a little bit too hysterical on the part of some folks. I think what 

 we want to do is understand that this is an important agreement 

 for increased growth in North America, for global growth, for help- 

 ing American business and workers as long as we have good, 

 tough, supplemental agreements. 



That is what we have to understand. To the degree that it helps 

 stabilize not only this Mexican Government but helps to continue 

 to draw them toward a market economy and further democratiza- 

 tion, then we ought to welcome it as a country. 



I think President Salinas has done a fine job in this regard. I 

 don't think we are looking at governments falling. I think we are 

 looking at a serious political situation, frankly, in all three coun- 

 tries. 



I think you are right in your political assessment of what is 

 going on up here. I am a rookie, but even I have the picture. 



Mr. Glickman. I just basically say that in a modem global world, 

 dealing with the Europeans and the people in the east Asian com- 

 munity, it does make sense. If we can get a fair agreement, the 

 Americas should be together in trying to compete with the rest of 

 the world. 



Ambassador Kantor. As you all on this committee know better 

 than anyone, we will create the largest free-trade zone in the 

 world. Let me tell you, that will have a tremendous power in deal- 

 ing with the rest of the world in terms of opening markets further. 

 It will make a big difference. 



That is assuming that we will be successful, of course. 



The Chairman. Mr. Canady. 



Mr. Canady. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. 



Mr. Ambassador, we appreciate your being here today. I just 

 want to join in in bringing to your attention again the letter that 

 the Florida delegation sent to you expressing our serious concerns 

 about the impact that the proposed agreement will have on Florida 

 agriculture. Florida agriculture is a multibillion dollar business in 

 Florida. It is my personal concern that the agreement will have a 

 devastating effect on Florida agriculture. 



At the risk of replowing some ground — I apologize. We were gone 

 for some votes and some of these questions may have already been 

 addressed. 



