US, Colombian Leaders Want Free Trade Agreement | Voice of America - English
U.S. President George Bush and Colombian President Alvaro Uribe met at the White House Saturday for talks on boosting security in Colombia, spreading democracy in the region, and passing a free trade agreement that is awaiting approval by U.S. lawmakers.
President Bush praised the Colombian leader for transforming his nation into a powerful example of democracy. "TheUnited States supports Colombia's efforts to modernize its securityforces, to fight terrorists and drug kingpins, and to provideColombians with alternatives to lives of terror and narco-trafficking.And your efforts are working," he said. Since President Uribetook office, President Bush said homicides in Colombia are down 40percent, kidnappings are down 80 percent, and terrorist attacks aredown 70 percent. Since 2002, Colombia has extradited more than 720criminal suspects to the United States, mostly for drug trafficking. InJuly, Colombia's military successfully rescued 15 hostages, includingthree Americans, that were being held by rebels of the RevolutionaryArmed Forces of Colombia, known as FARC. Speaking to reportersalongside President Uribe, President Bush said FARC is now far weakerbecause of what he called the Colombian leader's decisive action. "It'sundeniable that progress is being made," he said. "FARC is weaker. FARCis on the run. People are leaving FARC because of the generous handthat the government has reached out with." The presidentcriticized U.S. lawmakers for blocking a vote on a free trade deal withColombia which he says is in America's interest because it will boostexports. President Uribe said the deal will help draw moreforeign investment to Colombia and create more high-quality jobs todraw people away from harvesting illicit crops such as the plants thatproduce cocaine. "Free trade agreement for us is the possibilityto give certainty to investors for them to come to Colombia, and themore investors come to Colombia the less difficult for us to defeatterrorism," he said. Colombia is America's fourth largest trading partner with commerce last year totaling $18 billion. PresidentBush said Congress needs to pass the free trade agreement for nationalsecurity reasons as well as Colombia has consistently spoken outagainst anti-U.S. governments in the hemisphere. "What happensin Colombia can affect life in the United States," he said. "You've gota strong supporter here. And after I leave office, it is going to bevery important for the next president and the next Congress to standsquarely by your side." Some congressional Democrats haveopposed the free trade agreement because of concerns over Colombianlabor protections and abuses by paramilitary units. PresidentUribe said his government is improving living standards by providingsecurity with democracy and investment with social responsibility. "Weare working to have Colombia with more confidence, confidence to investin Colombia, to live in Colombia, to study in Colombia, to find jobs inColombia," he said. President Uribe and President Bush meet withother leaders from the hemisphere in New York this coming week fortalks on expanding free trade.