Bush, Peru's president discuss free trade

WASHINGTON, Oct. 10 (UPI) -- U.S. President George Bush and President Alan Garcia of Peru said the main focus of their Washington meeting Tuesday was free trade.

"The central issue facing us right now is the passage of a free trade agreement," Bush said. "I assured the president that I will work with Congress as soon as possible to get this agreement passed."

The visit was Garcia's first to the White House. He served as president from 1985-90 and was elected again this July.

The two leaders also said that they discussed drug trafficking. Garcia said that the free-trade agreement is part of the effort to "re-launch" the fight because it will improve the economic conditions of the poor farmers in the Andes.