| Guatemalans try to block cafta vote Original Source Link: (May no longer be active) http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/news/local/11085629.htmhttp://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/news/local/11085629.htm
Posted on Tue, Mar. 08, 2005 Protesters block Guatemala free-trade vote
Associated Press
GUATEMALA CITY - Hundreds of protesters blocked lawmakers from voting on a free-trade agreement between Central America and the United States on Tuesday and authorities said they were prepared to send troops if the demonstrations continued.
Col. Wilfred Estrada, a spokesman for the army, said he was ordered to ready 500 soldiers and military police who would be deployed if a new round of protests erupted Wednesday or Thursday. No one was hurt or arrested Tuesday.
"There aren't enough lawmakers for quorum and when some who want to enter the building get close, they aren't allowed to," said Mariano Rayo, a congressman who got to the legislature early but then was prevented from leaving.
Demonstrators eventually dispersed, allowing the session to begin Tuesday night. Lawmakers passed a resolution pledging to compensate those who could be hurt by the agreement, known as CAFTA.
Protesters are demanding that the agreement be put to a public referendum - something Guatemalan President Oscar Berger has ruled out.
President Bush has said the accord would open new markets for U.S. goods and services while encouraging economic and democratic reforms in Central America, but he didn't have the votes in Congress in 2004. It was unclear whether he would have the support this year.
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