You complain that Colombia labels enemies as communists and terrorists, but in the same paragraph you label Colombia as a "murderous country". There have been many abuses in Colombia and the poor are usually those who suffer most. This does not mean that the US should refuse to deal with Colombia. These are issues that should be resolved through economic policies and dialogue, not labeling them as "monsters". The US embargo on Cuba did not bring Castro's regime down, how do you think that it will help resolve tyranny in Colombia.
I am hopeful that through relations with the rest of the world Colombia will be able to solve the economic and political problems that have caused so much unrest in the country. These problems cannot and will not be solved by calling them monsters and telling them we won't deal with them.
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The last time I spoke to you, in 2003, FARC [Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia] guerrillas controlled quite a bit of your country.
The paramilitaries [controlled a large area] as well.
How much of Colombia is now under the control of your government?
At this moment, we have weakened all the terrorist organizations in Colombia—paramilitaries, guerrillas—we have restored law and order in the vast majority of our territory. They no longer have portions of our territory under their control, but they still have the power to harm citizens.
I understand that today you can walk down the streets of Bogotá safely. Five years ago it was far too dangerous.
We have seen the reduction of homicides from 35,000 per year to less than 17,000 last year, and kidnappings [have dropped] from 3,000 per year to 270 last year. Remember that before the beginning of my term, the FARC destroyed almost 200 municipalities. In the last months, they have been unable to destroy municipalities.
Why is the trade agreement so important to Colombia?
We need to give Colombians alternatives. One alternative is legal investment. The free-trade agreement is a way to bring much more investment to Colombia. Therefore, it is an alternative for my citizens to eliminate illicit drugs ... The other point I want to make is that the U.S.-Colombia free-trade agreement in economic terms is very tiny in comparison with the size of the economy of the United States. However, it is very important for Colombia.
To attract foreign direct investment?
Foreign direct investment and even domestic investment. The agreement is an example of other agreements that we are negotiating with Canada and the European Union.
If the free-trade treaty is ultimately rejected by the United States, will you turn to the EU and Canada?
No, no, no, no. We are negotiating this agreement, and we want these agreements [in addition] to the agreement with the United States.
But if you're turned down by the United States?
I cannot give space in my mind to the hypothesis that this agreement will be turned down ... In political terms, nobody can understand [why the agreement would be 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?
© 2008
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