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Fact Sheet: Defending Democratic Values We Share with Colombia
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For Immediate Release Office of the Press Secretary July 22, 2008

Fact Sheet: Defending Democratic Values We Share with Colombia

ÿÿWhite House News


President Bush Commends President Uribe On His Commitment To Provide A
Better Future For Colombian People, Urges House Speaker Nancy Pelosi To
Allow A Vote On U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement

Today, President Bush honored Colombia's Independence Day. Colombia and the
United States have had a long history of close ties in the nearly two
centuries since the United States and Colombia forged a friendship. It is
the responsibility of free nations to support one another against those who
would undermine freedom, and the United States is committed to the security
of Colombia and to defeating the forces of terror. Approving the
U.S.-Colombia free trade agreement (FTA) is one the most important steps
that America can take to show its support for Colombia. The U.S.-Colombia
FTA will advance our national security and bring economic gains for both
countries. Congress should give this steadfast ally the support it deserves
and quickly act to approve this agreement.

The United States And Colombia Have Worked Together To Combat Violence And
Instability

President Alvaro Uribe has been a strong and capable partner in fighting
drugs, crime, and terror. He has demonstrated that he is deeply committed
to providing a better future for the people of Colombia. Since President
Uribe took office in 2002, the Colombian government reports that homicides
have dropped by 40 percent, kidnappings by more than 80 percent, and
terrorist attacks by more than 70 percent.
  þ Earlier this month, President Uribe and his Administration scored an
    impressive triumph. Members of the Colombian military successfully
    rescued 15 hostages _ including three Americans _ being held by the
    FARC. The success of this rescue mission underscores the progress the
    Colombian government has made. Just this past Sunday, more than a
    million Colombians marched in their nation's streets, calling on the
    FARC to release its remaining hostages and stop practicing terror.
  þ Reforms to Colombia's criminal justice system have improved the
    effectiveness of the justice system and dramatically increased
    conviction rates. Since President Uribe took office, Colombia has also
    extradited over 680 criminal suspects _ mostly for drug trafficking _
    to the United States. Just this May, President Uribe extradited 15
    paramilitary leaders to the United States to face drug trafficking and
    other charges.
  þ Labor conditions in Colombia have significantly improved. Homicides of
    labor unionists dropped 80 percent, from approximately 186 in 2002, the
    year Uribe took office, to fewer than 40 in 2007.In response to
    concerns over attacks on labor unionists, the Prosecutor General's
    Office established a sub-unit to examine these cases. In addition,
    approximately 1,950 labor unionists are receiving protection under the
    Colombian Ministry of Interior and Justice's $39.5 million protection
    program. One third of this program's budget _ $13.1 million _ goes to
    protect this group.

Colombia's Economy Is Rebounding, And People's Lives Are Improving

Last year, Colombia's economy saw the largest growth rate in nearly three
decades. Unemployment and poverty are at their lowest levels in a decade.

Colombia has laid the foundation for bringing government services to areas
retaken from illegal armed groups and increased investment in alternative
development, human rights protection, and social services.

To Demonstrate America's Good Faith, Congress Must Approve The Colombia
Free Trade Agreement

The single most important step we can take to strengthen our relationship
with Colombia is for Congress to approve the U.S.-Colombia Free Trade
Agreement that our countries signed more than a year and a half ago. Over
the past six years, President Uribe has transformed his country from the
brink of a failing state to a stable democracy with a growing economy. He
has partnered with the United States in the fight against drugs and terror
and done everything the United States asked of him, including revising the
free trade agreement to include some of the most rigorous labor and
environmental protections in history.
  þ Opening markets is extremely important during this time of economic
    uncertainty. Last year, exports accounted for more than 40 percent of
    America's total economic growth. Over 90 percent of imports from
    Colombia enter our country duty-free, but the 10,000 American
    businesses that export to Colombia _ including 8,000 small and
    mid-sized businesses _ face tariffs of up to 35 percent, with rates
    even higher for some agricultural products. Once the agreement is in
    effect, Colombia will eliminate tariffs on more than 80 percent of U.S.
    exports of industrial and consumer goods immediately and 100 percent of
    U.S. exports over time.
  þ Tariffs imposed on U.S. exports to Colombia are estimated to have
    exceeded $1.1 billion while the trade agreement has awaited
    Congressional approval. Failure to approve the free trade agreement is
    hurting American businesses that want to sell their products in
    Colombia. Leveling the playing field would make American products more
    competitive in Colombia and support higher-paying jobs here in the U.S.
  þ Approving the U.S.-Colombia free trade agreement is an urgent national
    security priority. While the FARC has seen its power reduced, the
    terrorists are still actively plotting against the Colombian
    government. It is in America's interest to stand by Colombia in the
    face of this threat, and the best way to do so is for Congress to allow
    a vote on the Colombia free trade agreement.

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