Central American presidents said on Thursday a new trade deal passed by the U.S. House of Representatives would save tens of thousands of manufacturing jobs in the region, but farmers feared they will be overwhelmed by U.S. exporters, Reuters reported. El Salvador's President Tony Saca, a close U.S. ally with troops in Iraq, said the trade treaty would bring jobs. "We woke up today with the certainty of a free trade agreement that has been a dream for the country for many years," he told reporters. Honduran President Ricardo Maduro called the pact "a victory for Central America," and industry leaders predicted it would bring fresh investment to the region. The U.S.-Central America Free Trade Agreement, or CAFTA, scraped through the House early on Thursday. The Senate has already passed it, but technically must vote again because all bills affecting government revenues must begin in the House. Senate supporters hope opponents will agree to final approval without further debate. That would send the bill to President George W. Bush for his signature. The pact also must be approved in Nicaragua and Costa Rica. Textile factories in Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic will not be able to export much more to the United States, but the agreement locks in the temporary duty free access the region already enjoys. -- SPA 2231 Local Time 1931 GMT
