Posted on 06/29/2009 9:58:51 PM PDT by FromLori
President Barack Obama said Monday he is confident the U.S. and Colombia ultimately can reach a deal on a stalled trade agreement, despite continuing differences about the killings of labor leaders in Colombia.
"It is important that Colombia pursue a path of rule of law," Obama said after White House meetings with Colombian President Alvaro Uribe.
Obama said more progress is needed in the world's most dangerous country for union organizing, but noted that the number of labor deaths is on a "downward trajectory" while the number of those prosecuted for the "blatant human rights offenses" has gone up.
Of the bilateral trade agreements with Colombia, Panama and South Korea concluded by the Bush administration but never approved by Congress, Colombia may be the most controversial.
Supporters of the agreement, including business groups and most Republicans, argue that the Andean nation is one of America's strongest allies in the Western Hemisphere and leads the fight against narcoterrorists. It deserves a stronger economic relationship that would also benefit American exporters, the supporters insist.
Opponents, led by Democrats, labor groups and human rights organizations, say Colombia has yet to show that it has ended violence against labor leaders and violations of worker rights. Obama himself opposed the deal as a presidential candidate.
The International Trade Union Confederation said in a report this month that Colombia remains the world's deadliest country for labor organizers, with 49 killed last year, up from 39 in 2007 but down from 78 in 2006.
It is unlikely that Congress will take up the agreement any time soon.
"There are obvious difficulties involved in the process," Obama said, with Uribe at his side. "But I am confident that ultimately we can strike a deal."
Obama says he has instructed U.S. trade representative Ron Kirk to work with U
(Excerpt) Read more at finance.yahoo.com ...
He wants free trade but not if you are decimating the Communists in your own land.
What about ‘meddling’, Obama?
Isn’t this what you are doing?
Bambi will try to bully Colombia into supporting an anti-Honduras-impeachment UN resolution, in exchange for the free trade.
Ping!
“free trade” + communists = good
“free trade” + slave labor = good
“free trade” + unions = good
The mind of a “free trader” revealed.
Another good post, FromLori
Well with this and the light bulbs, he really has knocked this week out of the park!
I wonder if this is going to be another deal where our jobs go there, there products(formerly made here) comes here, while our products don’t get sold there...
union organizing? well we certainly know who owns Zero
Colombia will not support Zelaya.....as they would not support Chavez.
The way this administration (and Pelosi in particular) has treated Colombia is disgusting!
You wonder? Let's say you cut the Colombian tariff on an American-made bulldozer from 30% to 0%. Do you think one is more or less likely to sell?
The American economy is in shambles and the American taxpayer’s paycheck is the bank that is subsidizing your thieving globalist economy.
Yet you never give up. It’s pretty clear that you’ve been reinvigorated by the Obama presidency and you guys, to paraphrase another, are now going for the headshot on the American people.
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