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Bush Says U.S.-Colombia Trade Deal Can Counter Chavez Nadine Elsibai / Bloomberg | March 12, 2008 President George W. Bush said passage of a free-trade agreement with Colombia is ``pivotal'' to U.S. interests, in part to counter the influence of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez. ``We would cripple our influence in the region'' if Congress fails to approve the accord, Bush said in an address to the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in Washington. ``If the U.S. turns its back on its friends in Colombia, this will set back our cause far more than any Latin American dictator can hope to achieve.'' Bush said Chavez has praised terrorists in ``the latest step in a disturbing pattern of provocative behavior. ``As it tries to expand its influence in Latin America, the regime claims to promote social justice,'' Bush said. ``In truth, its agenda amounts to little more than empty promises and a thirst for power.'' The Colombia accord faces opposition in the Democratic- controlled House and Senate. Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus, a Montana Democrat, said during a March 6 hearing that pending trade agreements with Colombia, Panama and South Korea will be considered only after Congress passes a measure to help workers harmed by foreign competition. Opposition to the Colombia agreement is stronger in the House of Representatives, and a deal with the Senate on trade assistance still may not mean the Colombia accord -- or any trade deal -- will pass Congress this year. The agreement would help President Alvaro Uribe show Colombians that democracy and trade leads to jobs ``which would make it harder to recruit people to violence and terrorism and drug trafficking,'' Bush said. `Our Influence' He said the Colombian government has fought drug lords and maintained democracy. ``These actions have required courage,'' he said. The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, designated by the U.S. and Europe as a terrorist organization, is seeking to destabilize Colombia through ``hostage-taking and assassination, much of it funded by drug trafficking,'' the president said. Colombian Trade Minister Luis Guillermo Plata today said a trade agreement with the U.S. is needed to ensure political stability in South America. CLICK ON THE BANNER TO BUY TERRORSTORM IN |
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