South Korean, US Presidents Confirm Commitment to FTA in Phone Call – More

Text of report in English by South Korean news agency Yonhap

["Roh, Bush Agree To Be Maximally Flexible In Fta Talks"]

DOHA, March 29 (Yonhap) – South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun [No Mu-hyo'n] and US President George W. Bush on Thursday held a telephone conversation and confirmed their “political will” to conclude a bilateral free trade agreement (FTA) deal, Roh’s spokesman Yoon Seung-yong said.

“During their phone dialogue that lasted 20 minutes, Roh and Bush exchanged views on the remaining obstacles, including automobiles, agriculture and textiles, and shared the view that the deal should bring equal profits and be concluded in a mutually beneficial manner,” said Yoon.

“The two leaders also agreed to instruct their respective governments’ FTA negotiators to be maximally flexible,” said the spokesman.

Yoon said Roh is scheduled to issue a special statement on Sunday, outlining his government’s position on the ongoing FTA talks with the United States and calling for public understanding of the deal.

He said Roh and Bush also discussed ways to resolve the North Korean nuclear problem.

“Bush highly valued close coordination between South Korea and the US over the North Korean nuclear issue and reconfirmed his will to settle the nuclear problem as soon as possible. Roh also proposed that both sides carry out procedures with patience,” said the spokesman.

The phone conversation took place when Bush called Roh at 2:45 p.m. (8:45 p.m. Korean Standard Time), Yoon explained, adding Roh received the phone call at his hotel in Doha. Roh is now on a three- day official visit to Qatar and is scheduled to return home on Friday.

On Wednesday, Roh said in a meeting with Korean residents here that he will make the final decision on whether to conclude the FTA with the US on returning home Friday from his week-long trip to the Middle East.

“The FTA is the mainstream of the time. I’ll do my best to produce the best outcome from the ongoing FTA talks with the US,” Roh said. “I’ve been given sufficient explanations on the issue and will receive the final report back at home. As head of state, I myself will make the final decision on my return home.”

The president made clear that he is committed to concluding the FTA with the US by the deadline, the end of March.

Roh also suggested that he may give up one or two things to help conclude the turbulent trade negotiations. “A deal is supposed to be mutually satisfactory. Otherwise, the deal can’t be concluded.”

A top Korean negotiator said in Seoul Wednesday that both sides can narrow differences and find common ground until the last minute, adding that disputes over rice, beef and auto trade have still not been resolved. Time is a critical factor as the two sides are trying to conclude an agreement by the end of this month to have it considered under Bush’s special US presidential authority.

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