The Washington Post yesterday published an interview conducted last week with President Uribe of Colombia.  President Uribe addressed concerns over violence in Colombia, and what passing the Colombia TPA would mean for both countries. 

Q. The U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement was not brought to the floor of the House at the direction of Speaker Nancy Pelosi, essentially killing its chances for success until after the upcoming election. What is your reaction?

A. There is concern in our government, but we cannot lose our optimism. [We have a] long tradition of good relations between our two countries, and we cherish common democratic values. . . . We recognize our problems, but we are working every day, doing our best to overcome them. These circumstances make us optimistic.

Q. Why are the union leaders in the United States so adamant about the poor treatment of union leaders in Colombia? They claim that four union leaders were killed recently in Colombia and allege that it was the fault of your administration.

A. When my government began, Colombia suffered the assassination of more than 250 trade union leaders per year. . . . Last year, [it was] 26. This year, if we consider trade unions plus teachers, we have seen 19 assassinations. We have seen a reduction, but we are not happy because we need zero cases. At this moment, Colombia has a program under which we protect 9,000 Colombians -- [of these] 1,900 are trade union leaders. They are beneficiaries of this individual protection. This program is very expensive.

In the last two weeks, we have arrested the murderers in two cases. In one recent case, when a teacher who was seven months pregnant was stabbed to death, the murderer is now in jail. Two weeks ago, [in the case of] one other teacher who was killed, the students who killed him are in jail. We have more than 130 murderers in jail because of the determination of our government.

Q. And if the agreement passes, Colombia would have to remove its tariffs on U.S. products entering its markets?

A. Yes. With the Free Trade Agreement, we have to take away the tariffs. In political terms, nobody can understand [why the agreement is being rejected]. Colombia has a long tradition of friendship and loyalty with the United States. Colombia shares the democratic values of the United States. Colombia has had difficulties with other countries because other countries did not understand the reasons for our loyalty to the United States. Therefore I ask this question: Given these circumstances, how can anyone understand that the United States does not approve this agreement?

On Friday Colombian Vice President Francisco Santos spoke at the Chamber, along with U.S. Trade Representative Susan Schwab, on the current deadlock on the US-Colombia trade agreement.  Afterward they walked across the street to the Juan Valdez coffee shop to toast the good relations between the U.S. and Colombia.