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Pass the Colombian trade treaty

The Rocky

Published March 11, 2008 at 12:05 a.m.

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The United States and Colombia, its beleaguered ally in a region where lately we seem to have fewer of them, concluded a free-trade agreement in February 2006. It has been pending in Congress ever since, and the Democratic leadership shows no signs of bestirring itself to get it passed. Recent events in South America suggest that it is in the United States' interest, and certainly in Colombia's interest, to pass the agreement, and soon.

On March 2, Colombian forces bombed a rebel encampment just inside Ecuador, killing, among others, Paul Reyes, the second in command of FARC, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia. Whatever its one-time political goals, FARC now exists largely for the sake of terrorism, drug trafficking and kidnappings for ransom or use as hostages. While deeply hated by most of the Colombian people, FARC's leftist rhetoric resonates with some nearby regimes.

Since taking office in 2002, Colombian President Alvaro Uribe has made great strides against the guerrillas, restrained the violent private militias that arose in reaction to them and done so without resorting to the excesses of previous governments. And he is reliably pro-Washington.

We don't want to be an unreliable friend. Passing the free-trade agreement would shore up a friendly government and help Colombia's economy and ours, too. Two years is long enough for any serious objections to the treaty to have arisen. The Democrats should say no to the protectionist wing of their party.

Comments

  • March 11, 2008

    7:44 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    gzipa writes:

    The USA has already been a good friend. Colombia is the 3rd largest recipient of U.S. taxpayer money.

    Colombia invading Ecuador does not necessitate an FTA. And there are flaws. Two Mexican university students were killed. The timing looks suspicious. French intelligence said the location of Reyes has been known. But the strike took place the day a French delegation was to meet Reyes to negotiate release of hostages. The Colombian government knew it. Many sources have stated that Colombia constantly throws roadblocks in the way of a peaceful hostage exchange. Such an exchange would look bad for both Presidents Uribe and Bush who have long advocated military action.

    The author supports the invasion of Ecuador because the FARC are drug-dealing terrorists. What he fails to mention is that many reports have shown that despite demobilization, the government-linked right-wing paramilitary are bigger drug dealers. Phone taps of the few paramilitary leaders, in a country club prison revealed they continue to conduct drug business. While President Uribe has authorized the extradition of many, he has denied requests for 5 paramilitary leaders.

    In his State of the Union address Bush satd the FTA would open a bigger market for American goods. 43 million people live in Colombia. However 55% live below the poverty level. Many work for $249 a month. Colombia has one of the largest disparities between rich and poor. Many wealthy have gotten it through drugs. So the market is much smaller than thought and the ones benefiting could be the same ones dealing drugs.

    The FTA can easily hurt the American worker. Colombia still leads the world in deaths or union members. The arrest rate is less than 10%. Union membership has dwindled significantly. Most of the deaths of union members are attributed to the government-linked paramilitary.

    A U.S. State Department report shows massive corruption in Colombia. There is wording in the FTA to protect Colombian workers. Enforcement is at the hands of who has the money. Many Colombians state they do not want American aid because it contributes to the corruption.

    It is estimated that FTA’s have cost the USA 3 million jobs. With low wages, absolute fear by workers, and massive corruption it is highly likely more American jobs will go. Like with Owens Illinois who closed their Godfrey plant and moved operations to Colombia.

    The Democrats are not against the FTA with Colombia. They want to give Colombia time to become a fair-trading partner and create a descent market for American goods without taking away American jobs. American taxpayers have already shown their support and friendship to Colombia with billions of dollars in aid. At this point we have everything to gain and nothing to loose by waiting for Colombia to make further positive strides.

  • March 11, 2008

    11:07 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    vudumom writes:

    Don't we have a trade agreement already? We get their drugs and they get our military and tax payer money.