Bush thanks Colombia for trade -- and coffee
During almost eight years in office, President Bush has paid homage to the birthdays of many democracies. Italian Independence Day. Greek Independence Day. Even Cuban Independence Day. OK, so that one is celebrated in Miami.
Today he used the occasion of the 198th anniversary of Colombia's independence to urge Congress to enact the Colombia Free Trade Agreement.
In April, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco) put the kibosh on the treaty for this year, saying Congress simply needs more time to consider it "in light of the economic uncertainty in our country." She also accused Bush of trying to "usurp the discretion of the speaker of the House" to schedule legislation.
Since then, Colombian President Alvaro Uribe has brought down crime rates, overseen a daring rescue by the Colombian army of hostages held by the terrorist group FARC and presided over a growing economy. And Bush, with only a few months left on the clock, is pushing Pelosi to reconsider. In his remarks today during an East Room celebration he said of Uribe:
He's done everything we have asked him to do and more. He's told members of Congress that approving this agreement is one of the most important steps that America can take to show its support for Colombia. Now the Colombian people are waiting to see what our Congress will do. To demonstrate America's good faith, to stand by our strong friend, to send a clear signal that we appreciate our ally, the United States Congress must approve this free trade agreement.
Bush is so eager to conclude the trade pact that he even had kind words for his Democratic predecessor, Bill Clinton, noting that a plan to rescue Colombia from the grip of drug cartels and kidnappers initiated by the Clinton administration 10 years ago "is working."
As for the impact on the U.S. economy, Bush said:
Opening markets is especially important during this time of economic uncertainty. Last year, exports accounted for more than 40 percent of America's total economic growth. Doesn't it make sense to continue that kind of growth during these economic uncertain times? I think it does.
Bush also thanked Colombia for one product that is already freely traded in the United States. "As many of you may know, Colombia [exports] America's primary source of energy -- a resource that many Americans use, and we thank you for your coffee," he said.
-- Johanna Neuman
Photo: Tim Sloan AFP/Getty Images
