BOGOTA — Critics of free trade with Colombia who talk about human rights are really more concerned about protectionism, Stephen Harper claims.
That was the prime minister’s blunt message Wednesday as he stood beside his Colombian counterpart on the eve of a historic free-trade deal coming into effect.
“We can’t block the progress of a country like this for protectionist reasons, and you trying to use human rights as a front for doing that,” Harper said in Colombia’s presidential palace after being asked about critics who cite human-rights concerns in dealing with the country.
The NDP opposed the Conservative government’s signing of a free-trade agreement with Colombia in 2008 and tried to block the deal. But the deal passed and it takes effect Monday.
Similar concerns over human rights held by some American lawmakers and labour groups have held up a U.S.-Colombia free-trade pact. The Obama administration hopes to win the approval of the long-delayed deal when Congress returns next month from its summer recess.
American labour groups claim Colombia is one of the most dangerous countries in the world for trade unionists. There have been a number of murders and kidnappings of union leaders and journalists over the years and it’s alleged the Colombian government is linked to violent paramilitary squads.
But Harper said Colombia has come a long way, and the country’s past should not get in the way of future trade.
“I think there are protectionist forces in our country and in the United States that don’t care about development and prosperity in this part of the world,” he said. “And that’s unfortunate.”
He said the best way to allay those fears is to help lift Colombia out of poverty, in part through the free exchange of goods and services.
“No good purpose is served in this country or in the United States by anybody who is standing in the way of the development of the prosperity of Colombia,” he said.
“Colombia is a wonderful country with great possibilities and great ambition, and we need to be encouraging that every step of the way.”
Harper acknowledged Canadian companies who operate in Colombia still face significant risks, even though the government has made big strides to improve security. A weekend attack on a Canadian oilfield raised fresh concerns about the country’s tenuous grip on security.
Colombia’s largest Marxist guerrilla group, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), has stepped up attacks on the country’s oil sector in recent months. The attacks have sparked a debate over who should provide security, the government or the oil companies.
On Sunday, the FARC was blamed for blowing up drilling equipment and burning 1,000 barrels of crude at a field near the Venezuelan border operated by the Canadian firm Alange Energy (TSX-V: ALE).
The head of an association of multinational oil companies that operate in Colombia told a local radio station Wednesday that it is up to the government to protect workers and infrastructure from rebel attacks.
But Colombia’s defence minister said it’s impossible for the military to guard every oil installation and it’s up to the companies to hire security forces.
Many companies have pushed out into remote, rebel-held parts of Colombia, operating at their own peril. The FARC has been blamed for a spate of kidnappings. One incident involved contractors working for the Canadian firm Talisman Energy.
Chris Spaulding, Talisman’s manager in Colombia, said while there are risks, things are getting better.
“The general trend is that the security situation is significantly improved here,” Spaulding said.
“For years and years and years, the industry knew there were significant resources here, but couldn’t get in to explore, develop, produce because of security problems.
“Security issues now are significantly better. The industry can get in, start to progress the projects.”
Also Wednesday, Harper spoke by telephone to British Prime Minister David Cameron about the situation in Libya. Both Canada and Britain are part of a NATO-led bombing mission aimed at forces loyal to dictator Moammar Gadhafi.
Origin
Source: Toronto Star
That was the prime minister’s blunt message Wednesday as he stood beside his Colombian counterpart on the eve of a historic free-trade deal coming into effect.
“We can’t block the progress of a country like this for protectionist reasons, and you trying to use human rights as a front for doing that,” Harper said in Colombia’s presidential palace after being asked about critics who cite human-rights concerns in dealing with the country.
The NDP opposed the Conservative government’s signing of a free-trade agreement with Colombia in 2008 and tried to block the deal. But the deal passed and it takes effect Monday.
Similar concerns over human rights held by some American lawmakers and labour groups have held up a U.S.-Colombia free-trade pact. The Obama administration hopes to win the approval of the long-delayed deal when Congress returns next month from its summer recess.
American labour groups claim Colombia is one of the most dangerous countries in the world for trade unionists. There have been a number of murders and kidnappings of union leaders and journalists over the years and it’s alleged the Colombian government is linked to violent paramilitary squads.
But Harper said Colombia has come a long way, and the country’s past should not get in the way of future trade.
“I think there are protectionist forces in our country and in the United States that don’t care about development and prosperity in this part of the world,” he said. “And that’s unfortunate.”
He said the best way to allay those fears is to help lift Colombia out of poverty, in part through the free exchange of goods and services.
“No good purpose is served in this country or in the United States by anybody who is standing in the way of the development of the prosperity of Colombia,” he said.
“Colombia is a wonderful country with great possibilities and great ambition, and we need to be encouraging that every step of the way.”
Harper acknowledged Canadian companies who operate in Colombia still face significant risks, even though the government has made big strides to improve security. A weekend attack on a Canadian oilfield raised fresh concerns about the country’s tenuous grip on security.
Colombia’s largest Marxist guerrilla group, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), has stepped up attacks on the country’s oil sector in recent months. The attacks have sparked a debate over who should provide security, the government or the oil companies.
On Sunday, the FARC was blamed for blowing up drilling equipment and burning 1,000 barrels of crude at a field near the Venezuelan border operated by the Canadian firm Alange Energy (TSX-V: ALE).
The head of an association of multinational oil companies that operate in Colombia told a local radio station Wednesday that it is up to the government to protect workers and infrastructure from rebel attacks.
But Colombia’s defence minister said it’s impossible for the military to guard every oil installation and it’s up to the companies to hire security forces.
Many companies have pushed out into remote, rebel-held parts of Colombia, operating at their own peril. The FARC has been blamed for a spate of kidnappings. One incident involved contractors working for the Canadian firm Talisman Energy.
Chris Spaulding, Talisman’s manager in Colombia, said while there are risks, things are getting better.
“The general trend is that the security situation is significantly improved here,” Spaulding said.
“For years and years and years, the industry knew there were significant resources here, but couldn’t get in to explore, develop, produce because of security problems.
“Security issues now are significantly better. The industry can get in, start to progress the projects.”
Also Wednesday, Harper spoke by telephone to British Prime Minister David Cameron about the situation in Libya. Both Canada and Britain are part of a NATO-led bombing mission aimed at forces loyal to dictator Moammar Gadhafi.
Origin
Source: Toronto Star
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