The US Trade Attache for the Caribbean Region, Dennis Simmons, has said that the start date for the DR-CAFTA agreement has not been changed, according to Listin Diario. However, US ambassador Hans Hertell recently stated that the 1 January 2006 date is not guaranteed and stressed his concern for the slow preparations being made by the DR for the implementation of the treaty. Hertell said he hoped that the country doesn’t fall behind when the treaty comes into effect and will remain as a founding partner of DR-CAFTA. Confidential information sent from the US Trade Department to the signatory countries’ Commerce Ministries has led to speculation in recent reports in two Nicaraguan newspapers indicating the treaty would be postponed. According to the source, the US will take a final decision on 5 December. Signatory countries are behind schedule in their approval of important legislation for the implementation of the DR-CAFTA treaty. The DR must pass the law that controls government purchasing and contracting as well as the law that protects intellectual property.