President George W. Bush promised Central American leaders on Thursday he would fight for congressional approval of a controversial free-trade pact that is testing his ability to forge deals that stick. "These are small nations, but they're making big and brave commitments," Bush said during a White House event with leaders from Costa Rica, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Honduras and the Dominican Republic. "Today a part of the world that was once characterized by oppression and military dictatorship now sees its future in free elections and free trade," Bush said. The U.S.-Central American Free Trade Agreement, or CAFTA, is by far the most controversial of the six free-trade agreements Bush has negotiated since taking office in 2001. It has languished at the White House since a May 28, 2004, signing ceremony with five Central American countries. A few months later, the Dominican Republic in the Caribbean was officially added to the pact. Bush did not say when he would send the pact to Congress, but promised to get more involved in the CAFTA fight. --More 2251 Local Time 1951 GMT
