Obama praised for focus on U.S.-Colombia FTA

Obama praised for focus on U.S.-Colombia FTA    President Obama offered industry groups that lobbied vigorously for congressional approval of the U.S.-Colombia free trade agreement hope this weekend during the fifth Summit of the Americas at Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, by asking the U.S. trade representative to work with the Colombian government on several outstanding issues, including upholding rule of law and labor rights.
   'With both countries working together toward a resolution of remaining concerns that stand in the way of approval of the FTA, we believe that progress can be made toward the ratification of the agreement,' said Bill Reinsch, president of the Washington-based National Foreign Trade Council, in a statement.

Reinsch

   'It is our hope that in the coming weeks and months, both governments can work together to resolve outstanding issues and develop a path forward and timeline for action on the FTA,' he added.
   Senior Colombian government officials, including President Uribe, came to Washington in mid-September 2008 to make a pitch to lawmakers to approve the U.S.-Colombia free trade agreement before the end of the year. However, House Democrats, led by Speaker Nancy Pelosi, maintained a hold on approving the FTA. Many Democrats oppose the trade pact because of Colombian paramilitary violence against labor activists.