I read with interest the July 21 letter from Paul Aasness regarding the Central American Free Trade Agreement.
I find it strange that Aasness writes a lengthy letter on the benefits of CAFTA without once mentioning the devastation this trade deal will have on our region. Aasness seems quite intent on applauding Sen. Norm Coleman, R-Minn., Congressman Mark Kennedy, R-Minn., and President Bush while ignoring the economic mayhem this ill-conceived agreement will have on our sugar industry.
Aasness failed to mention in his letter that the Minnesota Farm Bureau and the Minnesota Corn Growers Association have not taken a position of support for CAFTA. He also ignored the opposition of most congressional leaders from our textile manufacturing regions in the United States.
Thankfully, most of the congressional delegation from Minnesota recognized the importance of the sugar industry to Minnesota (as well as many other CAFTA short comings) and voted no on CAFTA.
I am also thankful that our Congressman Collin Peterson, D-Minn., has stood up for the vast majority of farmers in our district and has provided wonderful leadership toward defeating CAFTA.
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David H. Roche
Fergus Falls, Minn.
