FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 21, 2008
Contact: Alci Maldonado
Phone: 571-276-3109

PASSAGE OF THE COLOMBIA FREE TRADE AGREEMENT IS VITAL TO OUR NATIONAL INTERESTS

The following opinion piece has been submitted to key national publications. The RNHA urges its members and other concerned individuals to submit their own opinions and letters to editors of local, regional and national publications. The following link is useful in identifying and contacting the media http://www.congress.org/congressorg/dbq/media/

Op-Ed By: Raul Danny Vargas, Former National Chairman, Republican National Hispanic Assembly

The Free Trade Agreement between the U.S. and Colombia , initially signed in November, 2006 and amended in May, 2007, remains before Congress waiting for enabling legislation to put the agreement into effect. Now is the time to stand up for America ’s economic and national security interests and vote for this good agreement.

President Bush was correct when he declared “this agreement with Colombia will advance our national security and economic interests”. (Remarks to the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, March 12, 2008)

At a time when there is a resurgence of Anti-American socialism taking place in pockets of Latin America in places like Venezuela , Bolivia , and Nicaragua , we must stand with our strongest pro-democracy, pro-free market ally. Colombia and its President Alvaro Uribe, have been steadfast friends and partners and have been effective at fighting drugs, crime and terror. Under President Uribe, Colombia has strengthened it democracy, reformed its economy and improved civil rights. We must not walk away from this obligation and opportunity to ensure free and fair trade and to send a signal that the United States can be trusted and has the courage to support its allies.

Former Democratic Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle was right when he said “there are important regional economic and political imperatives in favor of the Colombia agreement. It would affirm America 's interest in and commitment to Colombia 's economic development while also increasing market access for U.S. goods”. ( Washington Post, June 25, 2007)

Ratifying and implementing the Free Trade Agreement Colombia would bring increased economic opportunity to the people of Colombia through sustained economic growth, new employment opportunities, and increased investment. It would reinforce democracy by fighting corruption, increasing transparency, and fostering accountability and the rule of law

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice was also right when she stated “The agreements we have negotiated are good and fair. Walking away from them now means walking away from the millions of people in these countries who believe that trade and investment are the key to their prosperity and well-being. It means walking away from our commitment to fight poverty and promote opportunity, and the consequences would be felt in the region for years to come”. (The Miami Herald, July 15, 2007)

Colombia has made significant gains in dealing with internal issues some members of congress has pointed to as concerns. Colombia has demobilized tens of thousands of paramilitary forces. They have established mechanism to protect trade unions and labor activists. And the revised trade agreement includes some of the strictest labor and environmental protections of any agreement in history.

U.S. Chamber of Commerce President, Thomas Donohue was right on when he noted “As the second-largest Spanish-speaking country in the world, Colombia has a market that is enticing: It grew by 7 percent last year and, despite its high tariffs, is already a top global export market for U.S. crops such as corn and cotton. With the trade agreement in place, U.S. exports are projected to rise by more than $1 billion per year” (Politico, March 3, 2008)

Clearly, there is broad agreement that it makes political, economic, and security sense to move forward with this agreement. However, we must resist the urge to play internal politics with this important agreement. Congress must act now to pass this agreement and strengthen our economic and security interests. All Americans who agree with this common sense agreement should contact their members of Congress and urge them to Pass the Colombia Free Trade Agreement Now.

The mission of the Republican National Hispanic Assembly is to build a membership organization to foster the principles of the Republican Party in the Hispanic community, provide Hispanic Americans with a forum to play an influential role in local, state, and national Party activities, increase the number of Hispanic Republican elected officials, and create and maintain a network of Hispanic Republican leaders.