Australia says may miss October 31 deadline on US free trade deal

SYDNEY (AFP) - Australia may miss the October 31 deadline to formalise a new free trade agreement (FTA) with the United States but it should still come into force on time at the start of next year, the government said.
Under the agreement, letters must be exchanged 60 days before the date it comes into force.
"We might not make the October 31 target to complete this process but we are still confident the FTA can come into force on January 1 next year," a spokesman for Trade Minister Mark Vaile said.
There were still a number of outstanding issues, the spokesman said, although the deadline could be shortened by mutual agreement.
"So if we miss by a day or two or three it shouldn't be a problem," he said.
Outstanding issues include labour provisions, concerns over copyright and pharmaceuticals.
"Our officials are continuing to discuss these technical issues surrounding implementation of the FTA," the spokesman said.
US ambassador to Australia Tom Schieffer said earlier this month he did not believe the deal would be implemented by January 1.

10/28/2004 - 00:52 GMT - AFP