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Washington Post: Pass the Pact

Pass the Pact
U.S. economic woes strengthen the case for free trade with Colombia.

Washington Post
12 de noviembre de 2008

PRESIDENT BUSH denies reports that, in conversations with President-elect Barack Obama, he linked his support for a bigger auto industry bailout, or possibly a fiscal stimulus package, to a demand that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) end her legislative blockade of the Colombia free-trade agreement. The Obama transition team denies it, too. That's just as well, since every legislative proposal should stand or fall on its own merits. Fortunately, the Colombia agreement passes that test.

Democrats in Congress, regrettably echoed by Mr. Obama on the campaign trail, frame their objections not in economic but political terms, arguing that Colombia has a dismal record on human rights. This characterization defies all reality. Since President Álvaro Uribe's first election in 2002, murder has declined by 40 percent; kidnappings have fallen by 75 percent. Supported by the United States and by a huge majority of the Colombian people, Mr. Uribe's firm but professional military approach has decimated the Marxist Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (known as FARC), which once threatened to render the country ungovernable. Mr. Uribe has also brought right-wing paramilitary groups to heel. When evidence emerged recently that some of his troops had killed innocent people to inflate enemy body counts, Mr. Uribe fired 27 army officers and soldiers, including three generals.

Nor do the facts support Democrats' oft-repeated claim that Colombia is a particularly deadly place for trade unionists. Crime statistics for 2007 show that union members in Colombia were actually less likely to be murdered than members of the general population. This is partly due to the overall drop in homicide, but it is also because of special protective measures instituted by the Uribe government, at a cost of $38 million last year. More broadly, the U.S.-Colombia pact contains the same protections for labor rights -- and the environment -- that Congress accepted in a separate deal between the United States and Peru. A steadfast U.S. ally in South America, Colombia deserves the political seal of approval that the free-trade agreement would deliver -- not ostracism.

And then there's self-interest: The main economic effect of the trade agreement would be to enable U.S. producers -- automakers included -- to export to Colombia tariff-free. This would simply level the playing field, because 90 percent of Colombian goods already arrive in the United States tariff-free under temporary trade preferences that Congress recently renewed. With U.S. goods exports to Colombia totaling over $8 billion per year, the pact offers a nifty dose of stimulus for U.S. businesses and workers. While America stalls, Europe moves: The European Commission announced yesterday that it wants to start free-trade talks with Bogota. Why would Democrats need any deals or inducements to pass a measure that would promote U.S. foreign policy interests and create American jobs?

By Simon on Nov 18, 2008, 18:15 in Friendly Talkzone.

august says on Nov 18, 2008, 18:47:

Because it's just so satisfying to watch Uribistas fall all over themselves (not to mention to their knees in DC!) screaming about the supposed importance this tiny drop in the dolphin tank that is the US economy. Cough, cough, Uribe legacy, cough, who gives a f_ck, cough, cough.

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miamimike says on Nov 18, 2008, 19:08:

Colombia and Mr Uribe should make a first good will gesture by dropping any existing Trade Barriers(high import taxes) on US Products coming into their Country. No need to wait for any FTA to do this, the Question is why not and why not right now? Its not as if we(usa) have not already sent Billions in AID to Colombia, how about a goodwill gesture on Colombia's part for a change? Why is it up to the USA to always make the first move?

No hay Peor Ciego que el que no quiere Ver o Sordo que el que no quiera Oir--Soy Yo, Sarah Palin, Wasilla Alaska.

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Simon says on Nov 18, 2008, 19:10:

Cough, cough, Raul Reyes was bombed in his pajamas, cough, cough, Tirofijo died of a heart attack from nearby bombings by the military, cough, cough, Ingrid and the three gringos were rescued by Colombia's army, cough, cough.

It's even more fun watching the anti-Uribistas dreams fall flat!!

"Just an honest, decent Colombian trying to do the right thing."--Simon

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august says on Nov 19, 2008, 00:29:

mwah mwah mwaooo

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Buongone says on Nov 19, 2008, 01:22:

Cough, Cough. Sounds like a Farc sympathizer.

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benign.indifference says on Nov 19, 2008, 05:39:

OK, to talk about the actual text of the article, I find this claim specious (not in its veracity, but in its nature):

Crime statistics for 2007 show that union members in Colombia were actually less likely to be murdered than members of the general population.

While this may be technically true, what does it mean to say that in a country with one of the highest per capita murder rates in the world! I think this sort of misleading logic calls the entire article into question. The person is obviously trying to build a case with obfuscating facts.

I don´t doubt there are good reasons to pass this pact, but I don't appreciate efforts to use fuzzy logic to convince me.

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greg says on Nov 19, 2008, 10:06:

.The main economic effect of the trade agreement would be to enable U.S. producers -- automakers included -- to export to Colombia tariff-free. This would simply level the playing field, because 90 percent of Colombian goods already arrive in the United States tariff-free

This is what i don`t like. What percentage of Colombians can afford cars? So the upper class might benefit while the majority will probably get screwed over in some way. I haven`t read the agreement but it seems most of the FTA`s only benefit the rich

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romy says on Nov 19, 2008, 21:28:

Colombia and Guinea worst for unionists' murders
ITUC Annual World Survey: Onslaught Against Trade Unions Claimed 91
Lives in 2007

Brussels, 20 November 2008 (ITUC Press): The publication of this year's ITUC Annual Survey of Trade Union Rights Violations reveals an appalling record of union-busting, anti-union laws, intimidation and violence against workers' representatives in 2007.

A worldwide total of 91 trade unionists were murdered for defending workers' rights, with Colombia, where 39 lost their lives, by far the worst offender yet again. Second-worst was Guinea, where the regime of President Lansana Conte was directly responsible for the killing of 30 unionists during brutal repression of union-organised public demonstrations against corruption and violations of fundamental rights.

more (http://uk.oneworld.net/article/view/161636/1/5795)

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