MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

US/Colombia free trade treaty “heading for approval”

US ambassador in Colombia William Brownfield

The free trade treaty between United States and Colombia, pending US congressional approval, is on route to be confirmed said US ambassador in Bogotá William Brownfield.

“I’d say we’re heading for its approval”, said the US official on the Tuesday edition of the Colombian financial publication La Republica, adding that the treaty was not “frozen or stalled”.

Brownfield recalled the recent meeting at the White House of Colombian President Alvaro Uribe with Barack Obama, who said he was committed to having Congress approve the free trade treaty, although “some political problems must be solved first”.

“The current US government believes in free trade and even when we are only seven months into the current administration, we have proposed no modifications to the treaty”, added the US diplomat.

Furthermore given the current global crisis, “a free trade accord would help our exporters, which would be encouraging and positive for the whole economy”.

Brownfield pointed to “some problems to resolve” such as “labour and human rights issues” which have been signalled by the Democrats in both houses, as obstacles for the ratification of the treaty. The US/Colombia free trade accord has been finalized and waiting for US congressional approval for almost two years.

Anyhow, “everybody acknowledges that Colombia is a much better country regarding human rights and labour rights, than it was several years back: data is a most significant support to this improvement”.

“This means we are not saying there have been no advances, rather that the US would like to see further improvements on those issues”, concluded Brownfield.

Colombia is the US staunchest ally in South America and with support from Washington has been able to turn back the guerrilla tide and make serious inroads into combating the massive narcotics business which is strategically allied with terrorist organizations.

Colombia has also agreed to have US troops displayed in seven Colombian bases to help with the monitoring and surveillance of guerrilla groups and drugs business continence.

US trade unions and human rights organizations have lobbied strongly against what they describe as excesses of the Colombian government and forces.