Colombia's Uribe urges congressmen on trade deal (American Democrats)

[Judi Lynn]

Source: ABC News

Sunday, September 16, 2007
Colombia's Uribe urges congressmen on trade deal
By Patrick Markey

LLANOGRANDE, Colombia (Reuters) - Colombia's President Alvaro Uribe told visiting U.S. lawmakers on Saturday his government's record illustrated it was addressing Democrats' concerns over anti-union violence and impunity that have stymied their approval of a free trade deal.

After Democrats won control of the Congress in November, many doubted the future of U.S. trade deals with Andean countries. In Colombia U.S. lawmakers are particularly worried about attacks on union leaders, extrajudicial killings and a scandal tying some of Uribe's allies to illegal paramilitaries.

Uribe spoke after meeting with U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez and a congressional delegation, who visited Medellin as part of a three-country tour meant to shore up support for free trade pacts in Colombia, Panama and Peru.

"The facts show what this government proposed from the beginning, that Colombia no longer tolerates impunity," Uribe told reporters after the meeting at a farm on the outskirts of Medellin, a city once notorious drug violence.

In a piece of political theater, Uribe climbed up on a white horse in front of a crowd, carrying a cup of Colombian coffee in his hand and raising a salute to the U.S. visitors.



Read more: http://www.abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory?id=3607991

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Who drinks coffee sitting on a horse, other than Colombia's right-wing pResident Uribe?

[Judi Lynn]

1. Remember the sensation David Dreier caused there when he visited?

You may want to refresh your memory on two views of Republican Congressman David Dreier giving the officials in the Colombian National Assembly a good look at his butt when he sat on their podium during a time he believed they wanted to hear him give a speech recently.



They weren't as thankful for that view as he apparently imagined.

U.S. congressman contrite after Colombian faux pas
Thu Aug 30, 2007 6:39pm EDT

BOGOTA (Reuters) - A U.S. congressman said on Thursday he meant no offense when he hoisted himself onto the lectern of Colombia's lower house to address his Andean colleagues, some of whom were offended or simply amused by the faux pas.

Colombian newspapers carried pictures of Rep. David Dreier, a California Republican, sitting on top of the wooden podium and talking with local legislators on Tuesday while on an official visit.

Some in the photographs are seen smiling at Dreier while others avert their eyes uncomfortably. He was criticized in the press for showing a lack of respect.

"I have the highest regard for the Congress of Colombia," Dreier told reporters in Bogota. "I meant absolutely no offense ... I simply wanted to demonstrate my warm feeling and affection."

More:
http://www.reuters.com/article/politicsNews/idUSN3042486720070830?feedType=RSS&feedName=politicsNews&rpc=22&sp=true

Why so formal, Congressman Dreier? It's only their NATIONAL ASSEMBLY.