(Duplicate) Colombia's president criticizes Obama

Colombia's president criticizes Obama Wed Apr 2, 8:43 PM ET
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080403/ap_on_el_pr/colombia_us_obama_1

BOGOTA, Colombia - Colombia's president sharply criticized U.S. presidential contender Barack Obama on Wednesday for opposing a trade deal with his country, calling the Democrat out of touch with the realities of the South American nation.

The White House is urging Congress to approve the agreement, which would remove most tariffs on American exports and cement Colombia's preferential trade status with the United States.

But Illinois Sen. Obama said Wednesday he would oppose the deal.

"I deplore the fact that Senator Obama, aspiring to be president of the United States, should be unaware of Colombia's efforts," President Alvaro Uribe said in a statement. "I think it is for political calculations that he is making a statement that does not correspond to Colombia's reality."

Obama and New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton are wooing labor union members as they campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination in Pennsylvania, where the primary is April 22.

"I will oppose the Colombia Free Trade Agreement if President Bush insists on sending it to Congress because the violence against unions in Colombia would make a mockery of the very labor protections that we have insisted be included in these kinds of agreements," Obama said Wednesday at a meeting of the Pennsylvania AFL-CIO in Philadelphia.

By sloopskipper on Apr 3, 2008, 03:36 in Politics & the war.

Bluesdude says on Apr 3, 2008, 13:03:

Is there really violence against trade unions by the Colombian authorities? Are the trade unions fronts for FARC? Do they incite riots and violence first? Obama should answer these questions first. I believe he will say anything to get elected. I expect Obama's so far left, he will probably support the FARC. Maybe he can room with Chavez?

Bluesdude No Mas Gringas Por La Vida

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Waterdawg says on Apr 3, 2008, 13:24:

Non of the Three Main candidates have a clue about economics .. All three are nothing more than closet politicians .. Very sad state of Affairs in the US..

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toneloc24 says on Apr 3, 2008, 16:27:

I guess he knows that the gravy train will end.

Bluesdude - Get a clue about trade unions in Colombia. The info is widely available to be read. People just suddenly seem to die and no one knows anything....over and over again. It's a question that either Uribe answers....or he looks elsewhere for the next sucker FTA deal for his friends. He appears not interested in answering. Oh well.

"Don't tase me, bro!!!!"

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sloopskipper says on Apr 3, 2008, 18:03:

I think that you will find that none of them have much interest in Colombia, at least at the moment, and would only back the FTA if that got them more votes than it lost.

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