Canada - Colombian agenda

Man Tequila says on Jul 16, 2007, 14:30:

Harper is a Canadian conservative, more moderate and pragmatic than a US republican. By US standards, I'd say he is economically conservative, socially moderate in practice, but with more conservative personal views. AI and Harper both have points.

Aunque no me creas/ si me lo propongo/ lograre olvidarte/ porque a fin de cuentas/ no soy tan cobarde./ Y termino todo una de estas tardes/ no sera dificil buscar algún sitio donde refugiarme/ donde nunca mas vuelvas a encontrarme. (Polo Montañez)

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adrimm says on Jul 16, 2007, 16:51:

I think that sums it up nicely Man Tequila - I might say his government is socially moderate by necessity tho.

I've enjoyed reading the commentary on El Tiempo in response to their "Canadian PM visits with Uribe" story. It's all in Spanish and includes some interesting viewpoints on Harper and Canada.

http://www.eltiempo.com/politica/2007-07-16/ARTICULO-WEB-NOTA_INTERIOR...

http://www.eltiempo.com/politica/2007-07-16/ARTICULO-WEB-NOTA_INTERIOR...

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Simon says on Jul 16, 2007, 17:13:

I think the lack of coverage by the Colombian media of the first ever visit by a Canadian head of state to Colombia was shameful. I didn't even see it on Caracol News at noon. But when that terrorist Bush came here last March, they talked about it for weeks in advance, showed it all on live TV, closed half of Bogota, they threw every compliment in the book at him: the most powerful in the world, the most important person on the planet, heck, I bet they even called him the creator of heaven and the earth!

But when the leader of this advanced, progressive, wealthy nation visits, the true 'colussos of the north' in terms of size, they don't show squat, how pathetically ignorant! Qué mediocridad, Dios mío!

HERE'S SIMON!!!!

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Timba says on Jul 16, 2007, 17:20:

The other news is that the number one refugee in Canada are Colombians. REcent testimony from a paramilitary member strongly implicates Uribe's cousin who is a senator. Accusations of killing farmers so that their land could be stolen/taken. The senator has immunity from prosecution.

The U.S. Congress is holding up the Colombian - American Free Trade Deal because of such revelations/crimes.

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manINred says on Jul 16, 2007, 17:49:

I am glad Harper has the piece of mind to ignore the usual ignorant criticism of him by bloated Human Rights Groups and visit Colombia, who he clearly knows is making great developmental improvements, and advance the interests of Canadian-Colombian relations. Both countries will benefit!

That's not surprising Simon, it's a bit unfortunate though, makes Colombia seem a bit subservient to the United States, and demeans what could become a fruitful relationship between the two countries.

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Simon says on Jul 16, 2007, 17:54:

"What does the first verse of the song "La cumbia" translate to in english, I should maybe know what i am trying to sing, thanks"

I agree 100%!

HERE'S SIMON!!!!

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calor11 says on Jul 16, 2007, 18:35:

When i read that Uribe has made 27 visits to the US, he seems to be placing all eggs in one basket, and become single minded in his vision to increase economic trade in his country. He's never visited Canada ? and as Timba mentions, the #1 refugees to Canada are Colombians. Shame...

Harper is quite right-wing, and often critized to be too friendly to US policies, a negative particularily in Canada, however every right-wing party suffers these accusations here.

I agree with manNred above and am glad that Harper has taken his stance, and knows that increased economic trade is part of the solution to improved living standards for average Colombians

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Man Tequila says on Jul 16, 2007, 18:48:

Canada has arranged this meeting to try to capture the momentum of the advantages of free trade with Colombia at a time when it feels abandoned by the US.

Makes sense. Mutual trade betwen the two countries has doubled in five years.

Colombia has already got a lot of money out of the US through Plan Colombia. It hopes to get more. To do this, it must persuade the Democrats or the next political party in power. Colombia may have all its eggs in the US basket, but it also knows the US markets are ten times the size of Canada's. If the papers continue to belittle the US and trumpet Canada, this may offend more Americans. I do not know how widely the visit was reported in Colombia or what was on Caracol. But for the above reasons, I am not surprised if the visit is not widely reported in the Colombian media. Canada is small, and not worth upsetting the US over.

Aunque no me creas/ si me lo propongo/ lograre olvidarte/ porque a fin de cuentas/ no soy tan cobarde./ Y termino todo una de estas tardes/ no sera dificil buscar algún sitio donde refugiarme/ donde nunca mas vuelvas a encontrarme. (Polo Montañez)

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adrimm says on Jul 16, 2007, 18:50:

Actually Calor,I really agree with Man Tequila

Harper is a Canadian conservative, more moderate and pragmatic than a US republican. By US standards, I'd say he is economically conservative, socially moderate in practice, but with more conservative personal views .

Unfortunately the situation with refugees coming to Canada isn't very consistent.. many who can get themselves here aren't always those most in need of getting out, rather vivos who manage to line up their ducks and jump the hoops.

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Tinto (Moderator) says on Jul 16, 2007, 18:50:

I'd say the Colombian media are sleeping on the job then. You can click on Google news, AP news or any of the business news wires and pick up numerous mentions of this story in English.

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Simon says on Jul 16, 2007, 18:52:

Are you telling us that the Colombian papers just going about their duty and reporting on a head of state's visit somehow "offends" Americans? Are you kidding or what?

HERE'S SIMON!!!!

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Simon says on Jul 16, 2007, 19:02:

Here are some cool photos of the visit:



http://www.presidencia.gov.co/prensa_new/fotos/2007/julio/16/foto1.htm

HERE'S SIMON!!!!

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manINred says on Jul 16, 2007, 19:03:

yeah man tequila, i'm a bit bemused as to why you would think that like simon is. You may have a point there but expand on it, because i don't understand it as you have written it.

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Man Tequila says on Jul 16, 2007, 19:05:

I am kidding. Unfortuantely, Americans and Democrats could care less about Canada or what is written in the Colombian papers. The US makes foreign policy decisions based on self-interest. It is true the Canadian market is much smaller than the US. Heck, maybe they didn't want to have to worry about extensive security arrangements like they did for Bush. I do thank you, Simon, for your kind words about Canada, but we are no colossus.

Aunque no me creas/ si me lo propongo/ lograre olvidarte/ porque a fin de cuentas/ no soy tan cobarde./ Y termino todo una de estas tardes/ no sera dificil buscar algún sitio donde refugiarme/ donde nunca mas vuelvas a encontrarme. (Polo Montañez)

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Simon says on Jul 16, 2007, 19:16:

Canada steps into void left by U.S.-Colombia rift

Hugh Bronstein
Reuters


Monday, July 16, 2007


BOGOTA (Reuters) - Canada started trade talks with Colombia on Monday and pledged full support for President Alvaro Uribe, who has seen his key bilateral relationship with the United States bog down in a scandal over human rights.

In a thinly veiled slap at U.S. congressional Democrats who oppose a trade deal with Colombia until the country's rights record improves, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper used a trip to Bogota to present himself as a steadier ally.

"We are not going to say fix all your social, political and human rights problems and only then will we engage in trade relations with you. That's a ridiculous position," Harper said in a media conference with Uribe at his side.

Uribe's international standing has been damaged by a scandal in which some of his closest political allies are in jail awaiting trial for helping paramilitary death squads.

But Harper backed Uribe's efforts at ending the country's four-decade-old guerrilla war and fostering economic growth.

"When we see a country like Colombia that has decided to address its social, political and economic problems in an integrated way, that wants to embrace democracy and human rights, then we say, 'We're in,"' he said.

Uribe is popular at home for his tough security policies, which he says are setting the stage for prosperity in a country where about half the population lives in poverty.

Colombia has received billions of dollars in U.S. aid to crack down on the cocaine trade. Democrats in control of the U.S. Congress are toughening conditions on that aid and oppose a trade pact due to rights concerns, including the fact that the Andean country leads the world in labor murders.

Uribe's former state security chief is accused of providing a death list of labor union leaders to paramilitary hit men.

Harper's visit comes as many Colombians feel betrayed by the United States for not backing the trade pact.

"This gives Canada an opportunity to come in and assure Colombia that it is a loyal ally," said Michael Shifter, an analyst at Washington-based think-tank Inter-American Dialogue.

"Harper and Uribe are two like-minded conservative leaders and this trip could be an opportunity to give Colombia another close ally at a time when it needs support," Shifter said.

Harper's trip includes stops in Chile, Barbados and Haiti.


© Reuters 2007


http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/news/story.html?id=385cc8f0-1bbe-4...

HERE'S SIMON!!!!

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