US-Colombia FTA
The Clinton-Colombia Connection: It Goes Back a Long Way
Arianna Huffington, huffingtonpost.com, April 9, 2008
Read More: Bill Clinton, Bill Clinton Colombia, Bill Clinton Colombia Trade, Cafta, Clinton Frank Giustra, Colombia, Colombia Free Trade, Frank Giustra, Glover Park Group Colombia Trade Pact, Hillary Clinton Colombia, Howard Wolfson, Howard Wolfson Clinton, Howard Wolfson Colombia, Mark Penn Colombia, U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement, Breaking Politics News
Hillary Clinton Colombia ties don't stop with Penn
By: Eamon Javers, Politicao.com, April 8, 2008
Mark Penn isn’t the only Hillary Rodham Clinton supporter on the wrong side of the Colombia trade agreement.
The Democratic-leaning advocacy firm the Glover Park Group, former home to Clinton campaign spokesman Howard Wolfson, signed a $40,000 per month contract with the government of Colombia in April of 2007 to promote the very agreement that Clinton now rails against on the presidential campaign trail.
Clinton Denounces Colombian Trade Deal
April 7, 2008
"As I have said for months, I oppose the deal, I have spoken out against the deal, I will vote against the deal and I will do everything I can to urge the Congress to reject the Colombia free trade agreement," the New York Democrat told a Washington gathering of the Communication Workers of America.
USW Calls on Congress to Reject Colombia FTA
Cites ongoing ‘Impunity Slayings’ of unionists by forces with ties to government
For Immediate Release April 7, 2008
Pittsburgh (Apr. 7) – Leo W. Gerard, President of the United Steelworkers (USW) today called on Congress to reject the proposed Colombia Free Trade Agreement transmitted by President Bush today for a vote.
Pelosi and Rangel Statement on Administration Sending Colombia Free Trade Agreement to Congress
April 7, 2008
"President Bush's statement today regarding his unprecedented decision to send a free trade agreement to Congress without following established protocols of Congressional consultation is counter-productive, jeopardizing prospects for its passage. Under present circumstances, we cannot support the U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement.
"A successful trade agenda depends on a joint partnership between the Congress and the Administration, where consultation is the norm, not the exception. Constitutionally, Congress is responsible for regulating international commerce. The President's disregard toward a co-equal branch of government serves only to work against the long-term interests of the United States and Colombia.
Hoffa: Penn "Demotion" Not Good Enough
latestpolitics.com, by Josh Gerstein, 6 Apr 200
The announcement from Senator Clinton's presidential campaign that Mark Penn has resigned as chief strategist is not enough to assuage one of Mr. Penn's top critics in the labor movement. The president of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, James Hoffa, said through an aide tonight that the change is of little significance, since Mr. Penn will continue to advise and poll for Mrs. Clinton's presidential bid.
Six Cabinet Members Tell Pelosi Administration Will Submit Colombia FTA Bill
insidetrade.com. April 5,2008
U.S. Trade Representative Susan Schwab and five other members of the Bush cabinet told House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) in an April 4 letter that the administration intends to submit the implementing bill to the U.S.-Colombia FTA without reaching an accommodation with the congressional leadership, according to informed sources.
Hillary Stands By Her Man, But Colombia Dumps Mark Penn
Mark Penn runs the labor-busting PR giant Burson-Marsteller and is the top strategist and pollster for Hillary Clinton's campaign for president. His mixed loyalties have been a continuing image problem for Clinton, to the degree his conflicts makes the news.
Is Free Trade Worth This?
Letter to the Editor, Washington Post. Thursday, April 3, 2008; Page A16
The March 31 editorial "Free Colombia" minimized not only the violence faced every day by Colombia's workers but also the complicity of U.S.-based multinational corporations in that violence, often with full knowledge of the Colombian government.
Cases have been brought against Coca-Cola, the Drummond mining company and Occidental Petroleum accusing them of supporting paramilitaries that terrorize and kill union organizers. These corporations and their peers are the real beneficiaries of President Bush's proposed trade deal.
It should be noted that most Colombian workers and their unions are against the proposed U.S.-Colombia trade agreement; unlike American investors, workers in Colombia have little to gain by further U.S. investment without real accountability for violence against unions and for other human rights abuses.