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Hare Responds to President's Comments on Free Trade Agreement with Colombia

Statement

By: Phil Hare
By: Phil Hare
Date: March 31, 2008
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Trade

Congressman Phil Hare (D-IL), a member of the House Trade Working Group, today released the following statement in response to remarks by President Bush regarding the U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement (FTA).

"President Bush just doesn't get it. Our so-called ‘courageous ally in South America' is home to the worst violence against union members in the entire world.

"39 trade unionists were murdered in 2007, and another 13 to date in 2008. Of the more than 2,500 murders of trade unionists since 1986, only 80 cases—around 3 percent—have resulted in convictions.

"Until the Colombian government finds the real courage to stop this violence and bring the perpetrators to justice, a free trade agreement with that nation should be completely out of the question."


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