US lawmakers urge Colombia trade vote delay

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Reuters

US lawmakers urge Colombia trade vote delay
Thu Jun 7, 2007 2:38PM EDT

WASHINGTON, June 7 (Reuters) - Congress should delay voting on a free-trade agreement with Colombia until President Alvaro Uribe proves he is serious about reducing violence and jailing murderers of trade unionists, congressional opponents of the deal said on Thursday.

The demand came as Uribe was making his second visit to Washington in five weeks to lobby for approval of the pact and reassure Democrats who want to redirect and reduce U.S. anti-drug and military aid Colombia relies on to fight guerrillas and cocaine.

"Mr. Uribe has come back to Washington too soon. Come back next year, Mr. Uribe, and let's see what has actually been accomplished," said Rep. Jan Schakowsky, an Illinois Democrat who joined other lawmakers, human rights and labor groups at a news conference to protest the proposed pact.

Uribe has led a hard-line campaign to combat left-wing rebels and disarm illegal paramilitary gangs with the aid of billions of dollars in military and counter-narcotics assistance from Washington.

Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/bondsNews/idUSN0723854520070607

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http://www.inthesetimes.com.nyud.net:8090/images/29/01/repjan.jpg

Rep. Jan Schakowsky

[Joanne98]

1. Notice how they ALWAYS sneak the trade deals past us?

We're all watching the Senate Immmigration fight, so "someone" decides to SLIP by another trade deal. BASTARDS!