In an interview on CNBC, Zoellick said approval of the pact would give a boost to Jordan's King Abdullah, whose faces opposition in his country to joining a coalition with the United States against the perpetrators of last week's deadly attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.

     "King Abdullah is trying to support the United States," Zoellick said. "We've got to help him in his own country through trade liberalization."

     The U.S.-Jordan Free Trade Agreement, which was negotiated last year by the Clinton administration, has made slow progress in Congress this year because of its ground-breaking labor and environmental provisions that many Republicans oppose.

     But Jordanian Ambassador Marwan Muasher told Reuters he hoped the Senate would approve the pact before Jordan's King Abdullah visits the United States in the next two weeks.

     "We really hope the Senate will finally act on it," Muasher said. "It would give a tremendous boost both symbolically and in tangible terms to Jordan."

     King Abdullah was en route to Washington for talks with President George W. Bush last Tuesday, when the attacks in New York and near Washington canceled his plans.

     Under the pact, both countries pledged not to weaken their labor and environmental laws to attract trade and investment.

     That upset Republicans in both the House of Representatives and Senate, who said the provisions would impinge on U.S. sovereignty and open the door to trade sanctions.

     To mollify those concerns, Muasher exchanged letters with Zoellick saying neither country intended to use sanctions as an enforcement tool.

     That cleared the way for the Senate Finance Committee and the House Ways and Means Committee to approve the agreement and on July 31 the full House gave its okay as well.

     Further action has been delayed by Sen. Phil Gramm, who has threatened to weigh down the pact with controversial amendments if it goes to the Senate floor for a vote.

     A spokesman for Gramm on Tuesday said the senator was "continuing to try to work out problems with the legislation" and has not decided what steps he would take if it is brought to the floor before an agreement can be reached.

     "He has a deep and abiding concern about provisions that he believes impinges on American sovereignty and he's determined to work those out," the spokesman said.

     Muasher declined to say what else could be done to address Gramm's concerns, but acknowledged discussions were underway.

     "We are working with all sides to hopefully get it ratified soon," he said.