Colombia Free Trade AgreementStatement by Secretary Condoleezza RiceWashington, DC April 10, 2008 At this critical moment regarding the Colombia Free Trade Agreement, the President has sent a letter to Capitol Hill urging them to move forward on discussing, voting, and ultimately passing a final measure for his signature. This call to action by President Bush has been made in the interest of one of America’s strongest friends. From the perspective of American foreign policy and American interests, there is perhaps no more important free trade agreement in recent memory than the Colombia Free Trade Agreement. Through sustained bipartisan policy, Plan Colombia, and strong leadership by the democratically-elected President Uribe, Colombia has not only come back from the brink of being a failed state, but is becoming one of the most successful states in Latin America. This critical ally of America has done all of the right things to try to bring stability, democracy, and prosperity to its own citizens. At the same time, the Government of Colombia is making significant progress in protecting unionists and reducing labor violence, fighting terrorism, demobilizing paramilitaries, and standing strong against hostile anti-American states and forces in Latin America. Colombia deserves the support of the Administration and Congress on this vital issue to the stability and well-being of the people of Colombia.
2008/265 Released on April 10, 2008 |