U.S.
Defense Secretary Robert Gates attends a press conference at the
presidential palace in Bogota, Thursday, April 15, 2010. (AP
Photo/Fernando Vergara)
BOGOTA —
U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates on Thursday pushed for a stronger
trade relationship with Colombia as part of his efforts to solidify
support for the United States in a region where rival countries, both
friends and foes, are attempting to expand their influence.
Iran is trying to expand its influence in the region, and Russia and
China are making commercial inroads.Gates said he hopes to see a "renewed effort" to finalize a free trade agreement with Colombia, which he hailed as a "linchpin of security and prosperity in South America."
"It's a good deal for Colombia. It's also a good deal for the United States," Gates said.
Gates' remarks followed meetings with Colombian President Alvaro Uribe and Defense Minister Gabriel Silva, where he said the issue was raised.
President Barack Obama has pushed to advance free trade with Colombia, even discussing the matter last year with Uribe at the White House. More broadly, Obama has outlined a plan that he says would double trade in the next five years and also support 2 million American jobs.
But the issue has been tricky politically, where lawmakers are skeptical that free trade agreements won't cost American jobs.
A free trade agreement with Colombia in particular, already negotiated under President George Bush, has stalled in Congress. Backed by union supporters, congressional Democrats say allegations of violence against labor leaders must be addressed first, as well as more guarantees that such an agreement won't hurt the U.S. economy.
Prior to his Colombia visit, he met with top leaders in Peru, where the two countries discussed expanding military cooperation on such issues as counternarcotics.
In Colombia, Gates said Bogota was quickly becoming an "exporter of security on the global stage" that made it a vital ally to the United States.
"Colombia's success against terrorist groups and against the narcotraffickers does offer them opportunities to share that expertise" throughout the region, Gates said.
Gates also expressed continued U.S. support for Colombia's next administration following the country's May elections.
Former Defense Minister Juan Manuel Santos is the favorite in election polls to succeed Uribe, who is barred from seeking a third term.
Uribe said U.S. support has been "extremely useful."
"This battle hasn't been won yet, but we are in the process," Uribe said.
Gates said a new defense cooperation agreement with Brazil and his latest trip to Peru and Colombia is about deepening bilateral ties.
"They are about opportunities to enhance cooperation," in areas like science and technology, cyberspace and countering the narcotics trade, Gates said.