Mixed reception for ex-Colombia president

[Judi Lynn]

Mixed reception for ex-Colombia president
Álvaro Uribe received a standing ovation, but a group petitioned his selection as keynote
by Melany Barr | Monday, March 28, 2011 at 12:08 am

http://thedp.com.nyud.net:8090/files/imagecache/article_250wide/images/2011/03/28/03252011_ColombianPresident043.jpg

Flanked by a seven-foot-tall bodyguard and a dozen suit-clad officials, former president of the Republic of Colombia Álvaro Uribe headed to Huntsman Hall, where hundreds of students and academics gathered to hear him speak Friday evening. However, not all were pleased by his visit.

Uribe delivered the opening address for the 2011 Wharton Latin America Conference held March 25-26. The conference, entitled “Latin America: the New Land of Opportunity,” aimed to create awareness of the economic potential of Latin America. Uribe’s speech, held in partnership with the Wharton Leadership Lecture Series, focused on the importance of private enterprise to the region’s political and economic development.

~snip~
A group of 74 students, professors, scholars and staff signed a letter to Penn President Amy Gutmann and Wharton Dean Thomas Robertson in protest of the decision to invite Uribe to serve as keynote speaker. The letter outlined the various criminal investigations pending against Uribe and members of his administration.

~snip~
Despite controversy over the choice of Uribe as keynote speaker, the former president concluded his address to thunderous applause and a standing ovation.

More:
http://thedp.com/article/mixed-reception-ex-colombia-president

[rabs]

1. Mubarack follows uribe to Georgetown

(video, animated, 3 minutes -- ironic)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e6X806iJz8A