Reid Says Colombia Falls Short Of Necessary Progress On Labor Rights
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Date: December 7, 2007
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Date: December 7, 2007
Following his visit to Colombia, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) this week said Colombia is still falling short of the progress it must make in addressing violence against union leaders before Congress can consider a pending bilateral free trade agreement (FTA).
But he also emphasized that under the leadership of President Uribe, Colombia may be able to make the necessary progress.
"President Uribe is a capable leader and a friend to America," Reid said in a Dec. 5 statement. "Our visit suggests that if the Uribe administration continues to show the will to succeed and invest its resources properly, it is capable of eventually achieving the remaining necessary progress."
The statement said President Uribe in his meeting with Reid showed "his strong interest" in an FTA. "Our visit to the country made me even more convinced that before the U.S. enters into the FTA, more progress needs to be made on key issues like establishing a sustained record of addressing violence against union leaders," Reid said. It also pointed out that Colombia still has the "highest murder rate of trade unionists in the world."
He said he wants to be sure that paramilitary leaders that are demobilized under the U.S.-financed Plan Colombia are not "getting a free pass and that those receiving immunity for past crimes do not have the opportunity to commit new ones."
Reid also took issue with the Bush administration's Latin America policy overall in his Dec. 4 Senate floor speech explaining his vote against the Peru FTA. He charged that instead of a comprehensive policy of engagement that encompasses aid and a variety of trade approaches, the Bush administration has a "simplistic, singular policy of free trade agreements."
Reid visited Colombia as part of a larger trip to Latin America, which included stops in Guatemala, Paraguay, Mexico, Brazil and Argentina from Nov. 25 through Dec. 2.
The Bush administration is continuing its push for congressional consideration of the Colombia FTA, which Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez said this week is involving all agencies of the government. "This is a full court press. We have the full cabinet on this," he said on Dec. 3. "We see members every day."
President Bush in a press conference on Dec. 4 repeatedly urged passage of the Colombia FTA and said Latin America fears a defeat of the agreement more than it does Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.
"If the Congress does not pass the free trade agreement with Colombia, it will be a destabilizing moment," he said. "It would send a contradictory message to a country led by a very strong leader, who is working hard to deal with some very difficult problems."
In addition, the administration continues to lead congressional delegations to Colombia in the hope of securing more votes for the deal. Departing on Dec. 7, a new delegation led by Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte will include Reps. Tim Holden (D-PA), Patrick Kennedy (D-RI), Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) and Michael Rogers (R-MI).
In addition, the government of Colombia continues to reach out to members of Congress. Colombian Minister of Labor and Social Protection met with Ways and Means Committee Chairman Charles Rangel (D-NY) and trade subcommittee Chairman Sander Levin (D-MI) on Dec. 5 and Ambassador Carolina Barco met with Ways and Means Committee Chief Democratic Trade Counsel Tim Reif and trade subcommittee Deputy Staff Director Viji Rangaswami this week.
In addition, business groups are likely to "pivot" and focus on lobbying for both the Colombia and Korea FTAs in the new year, a business lobbyist said. The Emergency Committee for American Trade next week will release a letter at a press conference calling on Congress to pass the Colombia FTA. In addition, a business delegation of Washington representatives from trade associations and companies is scheduled to visit Colombia from Dec. 17 to Dec. 20.
This has led to increased speculation among congressional aides and lobbyists that the administration will decide to submit implementing legislation for the Colombia FTA next year, even if the leadership is not backing that step.
Observers warn that submitting the Colombia implementing legislation without the consent of the leadership will be a risky strategy because it could energize opposition, uniting those who oppose the FTA for substantive reasons with members angered by a unilateral administration submission.
In addition, the FTA continues to face strong opposition from U.S. unions which oppose the deal because of Colombia's record anti-union violence. The AFL-CIO is expected to release a report rebutting claims by Colombia that it has made progress on curbing anti-union violence. Labor and supporters of the FTA each hope their cases are strengthened by a report likely due early next year from the International Labor Organization (ILO) based on a fact finding mission last week. The ILO declined to provide details of that mission this week.
Strongly opposed to the Colombia FTA, Rep. Phil Hare (D-IL) warned that the agreement would face a tougher battle in the House than the Peru FTA, which passed the House without a majority of Democrats voting in favor.
"The strong Democratic vote last month against the Peru FTA -- which supporters claimed would pass with ease -- sent a clear message about the direction this Congress is moving when it comes to unfair trade agreements." he said in a Dec. 4 statement. "If brought up for consideration, I have no doubt the Colombia FTA would face an even fiercer battle."
Hare pointed out that President Bush in calling for the passage of the Colombia FTA failed to mention nation's "shameful record of violence against union organizers." Hare said America has "no business trading with a nation where forming or joining a union can cost you your life."
The Panama FTA remains derailed until the president of the National Assembly, Pedro Gonzalez-Pizon, steps down when his term expires in September, sources said. Gonzalez-Pinzon is wanted by the U.S. for the alleged murder of a U.S. soldier. Attorney Gregory Craig of Williams & Connolly said on Dec. 6 that he was retained in October to represent Gonzalez-Pinzon in the U.S.
Craig said he met with the Justice Department last month to discuss the case but declined to give further comment. "There is no extradition proceeding underway," he said. -- Erik Wasson
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The Citizens Trade Campaign (CTC) is a national coalition whose members include Americans for Democratic Action, Communications Workers of America, Friends of the Earth, IATPAction, International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, International Brotherhood of Teamsters, League of Rural Voters, National Farmers Union, National Family Farm Coalition, Public Citizen, UNITE-HERE, United Methodist Church General Board of Church and Society, United Steelworkers of America, United Students Against Sweatshops, and the Western Organization of Resource Councils, as well as regional, state, and city-based coalitions, organizations, and individual activists throughout the United States.
But he also emphasized that under the leadership of President Uribe, Colombia may be able to make the necessary progress.
"President Uribe is a capable leader and a friend to America," Reid said in a Dec. 5 statement. "Our visit suggests that if the Uribe administration continues to show the will to succeed and invest its resources properly, it is capable of eventually achieving the remaining necessary progress."
The statement said President Uribe in his meeting with Reid showed "his strong interest" in an FTA. "Our visit to the country made me even more convinced that before the U.S. enters into the FTA, more progress needs to be made on key issues like establishing a sustained record of addressing violence against union leaders," Reid said. It also pointed out that Colombia still has the "highest murder rate of trade unionists in the world."
He said he wants to be sure that paramilitary leaders that are demobilized under the U.S.-financed Plan Colombia are not "getting a free pass and that those receiving immunity for past crimes do not have the opportunity to commit new ones."
Reid also took issue with the Bush administration's Latin America policy overall in his Dec. 4 Senate floor speech explaining his vote against the Peru FTA. He charged that instead of a comprehensive policy of engagement that encompasses aid and a variety of trade approaches, the Bush administration has a "simplistic, singular policy of free trade agreements."
Reid visited Colombia as part of a larger trip to Latin America, which included stops in Guatemala, Paraguay, Mexico, Brazil and Argentina from Nov. 25 through Dec. 2.
The Bush administration is continuing its push for congressional consideration of the Colombia FTA, which Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez said this week is involving all agencies of the government. "This is a full court press. We have the full cabinet on this," he said on Dec. 3. "We see members every day."
President Bush in a press conference on Dec. 4 repeatedly urged passage of the Colombia FTA and said Latin America fears a defeat of the agreement more than it does Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.
"If the Congress does not pass the free trade agreement with Colombia, it will be a destabilizing moment," he said. "It would send a contradictory message to a country led by a very strong leader, who is working hard to deal with some very difficult problems."
In addition, the administration continues to lead congressional delegations to Colombia in the hope of securing more votes for the deal. Departing on Dec. 7, a new delegation led by Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte will include Reps. Tim Holden (D-PA), Patrick Kennedy (D-RI), Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) and Michael Rogers (R-MI).
In addition, the government of Colombia continues to reach out to members of Congress. Colombian Minister of Labor and Social Protection met with Ways and Means Committee Chairman Charles Rangel (D-NY) and trade subcommittee Chairman Sander Levin (D-MI) on Dec. 5 and Ambassador Carolina Barco met with Ways and Means Committee Chief Democratic Trade Counsel Tim Reif and trade subcommittee Deputy Staff Director Viji Rangaswami this week.
In addition, business groups are likely to "pivot" and focus on lobbying for both the Colombia and Korea FTAs in the new year, a business lobbyist said. The Emergency Committee for American Trade next week will release a letter at a press conference calling on Congress to pass the Colombia FTA. In addition, a business delegation of Washington representatives from trade associations and companies is scheduled to visit Colombia from Dec. 17 to Dec. 20.
This has led to increased speculation among congressional aides and lobbyists that the administration will decide to submit implementing legislation for the Colombia FTA next year, even if the leadership is not backing that step.
Observers warn that submitting the Colombia implementing legislation without the consent of the leadership will be a risky strategy because it could energize opposition, uniting those who oppose the FTA for substantive reasons with members angered by a unilateral administration submission.
In addition, the FTA continues to face strong opposition from U.S. unions which oppose the deal because of Colombia's record anti-union violence. The AFL-CIO is expected to release a report rebutting claims by Colombia that it has made progress on curbing anti-union violence. Labor and supporters of the FTA each hope their cases are strengthened by a report likely due early next year from the International Labor Organization (ILO) based on a fact finding mission last week. The ILO declined to provide details of that mission this week.
Strongly opposed to the Colombia FTA, Rep. Phil Hare (D-IL) warned that the agreement would face a tougher battle in the House than the Peru FTA, which passed the House without a majority of Democrats voting in favor.
"The strong Democratic vote last month against the Peru FTA -- which supporters claimed would pass with ease -- sent a clear message about the direction this Congress is moving when it comes to unfair trade agreements." he said in a Dec. 4 statement. "If brought up for consideration, I have no doubt the Colombia FTA would face an even fiercer battle."
Hare pointed out that President Bush in calling for the passage of the Colombia FTA failed to mention nation's "shameful record of violence against union organizers." Hare said America has "no business trading with a nation where forming or joining a union can cost you your life."
The Panama FTA remains derailed until the president of the National Assembly, Pedro Gonzalez-Pizon, steps down when his term expires in September, sources said. Gonzalez-Pinzon is wanted by the U.S. for the alleged murder of a U.S. soldier. Attorney Gregory Craig of Williams & Connolly said on Dec. 6 that he was retained in October to represent Gonzalez-Pinzon in the U.S.
Craig said he met with the Justice Department last month to discuss the case but declined to give further comment. "There is no extradition proceeding underway," he said. -- Erik Wasson
_______________________________________________
The Citizens Trade Campaign (CTC) is a national coalition whose members include Americans for Democratic Action, Communications Workers of America, Friends of the Earth, IATPAction, International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, International Brotherhood of Teamsters, League of Rural Voters, National Farmers Union, National Family Farm Coalition, Public Citizen, UNITE-HERE, United Methodist Church General Board of Church and Society, United Steelworkers of America, United Students Against Sweatshops, and the Western Organization of Resource Councils, as well as regional, state, and city-based coalitions, organizations, and individual activists throughout the United States.
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