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Colombian Uribe boosts tough-guy image over Chavez

Colombian Uribe boosts tough-guy image over Chavez

By Hugh Bronstein | November 23, 2007

BOGOTA (Reuters) - When President Alvaro Uribe abruptly fired Venezuela's Hugo Chavez this week as mediator in hostage talks with rebels it confirmed Uribe as the kind of tough decision maker most Colombians say the country needs.

A quick-to-anger micro-manager who takes charge of everything from army offensives to road building, the conservative Uribe took office in 2002 pledging to push leftist guerrilla rebels out of the cities and off the highways.

Chavez, known for hurling insults at right-leaning leaders, quietly accepted the decision that Uribe summarily took on Wednesday with a terse statement accusing the Venezuelan leader of overstepping his bounds as a negotiator.

The tactful response from the usually fiery Chavez is what Uribe, popular despite a scandal linking some close political allies to right-wing death squads, has come to expect.

Democrats in the U.S. Congress say they will not sign a U.S.-Colombia free trade deal because of worries that Uribe has not done enough to protect human rights in the country.

But in Colombia, the diminutive lawyer and farmer from the mountains outside Medellin is respected as a decisive leader who runs the country much like one of the ranches where he likes to show off his horseback riding skills to guests.

At one of his televised town hall meetings, where voters complained that a public works project was behind schedule, the bespectacled Wall Street favorite pulled his mobile phone from his pocket to call a Cabinet minister to express his ire.

The crowd broke into applause.

Uribe's displays of anger seem to come from a place many Colombians understand as victims of a four-decade-old war. His father was killed years ago in a botched rebel kidnapping.

"NO MORE, THANK YOU"

In August he asked Chavez to broker a swap of hostages, believing the leftist Venezuelan was the only one who could clinch a deal with guerrillas who say they admire him.

When Chavez asked Uribe for permission to talk with Colombian generals about the hostages, the Uribe responded with the humor he often uses to diffuse tension with the Venezuelan leader: "No, you might turn them into Chavez-followers."

But on Wednesday Chavez got on the telephone with the head of Colombia's armed forces and asked about the kidnap victims whom Uribe wants to swap for guerrillas held in jail.

Canceling the talks ended the best hope for hostages such as French-Colombian Ingrid Betancourt, snatched during her 2002 presidential campaign, and three American defense contractors captured during a 2003 anti-drug mission.

While hostages' families complained Uribe had lost his patience too soon, polls show most Colombians trust his handling of the rebels because of his success at reducing urban crime.

Colombia and Venezuela share a 1,367-miles (2,200-km) border and Chavez's economic policies, which have reduced incentives for investment in manufacturing, have been a boon for Colombian business as exports to Venezuela soar.

"They have a pragmatic, mutually dependent relationship," said Rafael Nieto, a political commentator and former Colombian deputy justice minister.

"This is why Uribe is one of the few people in the world who can tell him: 'You can go so far and no more, thank you.' It is also why the response from Chavez on Thursday was so polite," Nieto said.

(Reporting by Hugh Bronstein; Editing by Saul Hudson and Vicki Allen)

© Copyright 2007 The New York Times Company

By Simon on Nov 24, 2007, 16:53 in Politics & the war.

slguy says on Nov 24, 2007, 16:58:

Great post, Simon!

For the life of me, I cannot figure out why so many board members here hate Uribe. The man takes no shit. Gotta admire that.

Before you throw me out, make sure I pay my bar tab

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Sr Tertius says on Nov 24, 2007, 17:46:

"At one of his televised town hall meetings, where voters complained that a public works project was behind schedule, the bespectacled Wall Street favorite pulled his mobile phone from his pocket to call a Cabinet minister to express his ire. The crowd broke into applause."
How glad are we he's not a populist!

"polls show most Colombians trust his handling of the rebels because of his success at reducing urban crime."
For which he is not responsible.

"For the life of me, I cannot figure out why so many board members here hate Uribe."
I've explained my disapproval (not really hatred) of Uribe in two languages. I don't know the corresponding expression in English, but in Spanish it is "no hay peor sordo que el que no quiere escuchar."

"The man takes no shit."
Well, I find little virtue in yelling. If he yelled and DID the things he yelled about, I'd be more supportive.

"When the finger points to the moon, the fool looks at the finger" (Chinese proverb)

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Simon says on Nov 24, 2007, 18:10:

"for the life of me, I cannot figure out why so many board members here hate Uribe."

It's 'cause they don't want Colombia to change...for the better!!

HERE'S SIMON!!!!

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miamimike says on Nov 24, 2007, 19:13:

Let me say, I for one do not hate Uribe for what he has done to date in Colombia. Hopefully Uribe will investigate those numerous Deaths of those Union Members with the same Vigor he displyed when he learned of this public works project. Certainly the deaths of those laboring to improve the Lot of the Common Colombian working man and women should be attacked with the same energy and vigor,,,Until He does this, I am in agreement of holding up the signing of any US/Col Trade Agreements,,,Does anyone know how many of these thugs have been brought to justice for the Deaths Union Members?

"Wait a minute. What did you just say? You're predicting $4-a-gallon gas? That's interesting. I hadn't heard that." -- Feb. 28, 2008 --George W. Bush, Washington, D.C.

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billyb says on Nov 24, 2007, 20:44:

",,,Does anyone know how many of these thugs have been brought to justice for the Deaths Union Members?"

Do you?

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miamimike says on Nov 24, 2007, 21:23:

BillyB: No

Obviously from your answer, neither do you,,,LOL

"Wait a minute. What did you just say? You're predicting $4-a-gallon gas? That's interesting. I hadn't heard that." -- Feb. 28, 2008 --George W. Bush, Washington, D.C.

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billyb says on Nov 24, 2007, 21:33:

That's why I was asking. :)

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bartolo_colon says on Nov 24, 2007, 22:13:

Despite Chavez's blustering, oil, and money, I think Uribe is in the drivers seat in the region. With a population nearly twice the size of Venezuela, and a battle hardened, well equiped U.S. backed military that out numbers Venezuelan troops nearly 3 to 1, Colombia also has an economy twice as large as there neighbor. Chavez is in no position to fuck around with Uribe, and he knows it. Chavez will continue to influence lesser nations like Cuba and Bolivia, but Colombia is like a 6 foot 4 big sister who is capable of beating her little brothers ass.

Hey, careful, man, there's a beverage here!

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billyb says on Nov 24, 2007, 22:27:

And nobody wants to fuck with their 6' 4" big sister, jeje.

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bartolo_colon says on Nov 24, 2007, 22:45:

Nope, that would be pretty embarasing,no?

Hey, careful, man, there's a beverage here!

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billyb says on Nov 24, 2007, 22:57:

I have a cousin who's ex husband is a general in the colombian army and i remember him telling me once, during the maritime limits crisis with Venezuela, that they factored one colombian soldier being the equivalent to three venezuelans. Of course, all this hardware Chavez is buying might change the equation. But i'm not too worried, because as we have seen with the arab armies, shiny new weapons are useless in the hands of untrained and unmotivated soldiers.

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Morrongo says on Nov 25, 2007, 08:53:

Much more positives than negatives with Uribes Presidency, as far as I am concerned.To keep everybody happy is impossible.
Agree with miamimike though, on his comments.Wish he would start changing things on the Union front as some of his new laws only give loop holes to pay workers less ,much less than the minimum.

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Chelesupercono says on Nov 25, 2007, 09:14:

Uribe absolutely did the right thing by stopping Chavez, it's a matter of respect and maintaining control. A moron like Chavez, left to his own devices could get way out of control...fast. And no one to date has slammed him harder than the King of Spain, who should be voted Man of the Year!!!

never go to bed with someone crazier then you are, you will do it and you will regret it.......

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slguy says on Nov 25, 2007, 13:08:

Nah. You're here, too. ;)

Before you throw me out, make sure I pay my bar tab

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Rikito says on Nov 29, 2007, 14:59:

WOW! Cassini77 almost wrote two sentences. A literary giant is he!

It is not life that matters, but the journey.

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