Colombia says will work with Democrats on deal (Reuters)

[Eugene]

Source: Reuters

Colombia says will work with Democrats on deal
Thu May 24, 2007 11:40AM EDT

By Doug Palmer

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Colombia accepts proposed U.S.
changes to a free trade agreement and is ready to take
additional steps to address concerns of Democrats in
Congress, the country's vice president said on Thursday.

Colombian Vice President Francisco Santos said "we will
work hand-in-hand" with U.S. Democrats over concerns
about a paramilitary scandal and violence against trade
union members.

Colombia has "no problem whatsoever" accepting proposed
labor, environmental and other changes to the agreement
as a result of a deal reached earlier this month between the
Bush administration and congressional Democrats, Santos
said.

That deal satisfies a long-time Democratic party demand
that labor and environmental provisions be enforced through
the same mechanisms as commercial terms of the pact.

-snip-

Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/politicsNews/idUSN2432414020070524