Democrats' Michaud Criticizes Canada-Colombian Trade Agreement

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Bloomberg

Democrats' Michaud Criticizes Canada-Colombian Trade Agreement

By Theophilos Argitis

May 7 (Bloomberg) -- Michael Michaud, a leader of U.S. congressional Democrats opposed to a free-trade agreement with Colombia, said Canada's plan for an accord with the Latin American country won't improve human rights.

``I don't buy Prime Minister Harper's argument,'' Michaud said by telephone, referring to Canada's Stephen Harper. ``The president of Colombia, if he wants to truly treat the workers fairly and deal with labor rights and low standards, he can pretty much do that now. He doesn't need a trade agreement to deal with that.''

Canadian Trade Minister David Emerson said in an interview two days ago that he's ``cautiously optimistic'' a pact with Colombia can be reached by September. Harper has made the issue a priority, saying an agreement will help improve democracy in Colombia and help President Alvaro Uribe stem violence against labor leaders.

A Canada-Colombia accord also would give Canadian farmers preferential access to the U.S.'s third largest market for wheat exports in Latin America at a time when Democrats in Congress are stalling a similar deal over concerns about violence against labor organizers in Colombia.



Read more: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601082&sid=aAXl9515CKHw&refer=canada

[freefall]

1. Mike Michaud is a man of and for the average person. n/t

[MaineDem]

2. That's my Congressman!

We don't agree on everything but he's pretty decent on trade issues.

[OhioChick]

3. K&R

:kick:

[Joanne98]

4. Uribe is a monster who kills his own people...

[Judi Lynn]

6. You bet he does. He's just a lucky little fascist that he has friends who are squatting in high

places! Monsters are really skilled at acquiring power they don't deserve, aren't they?

http://550.dreamhosters.com.nyud.net:8090/yvke/files/img_noticia/t_uribe_bush_131.jpg

[ToughLuck]

5. FairTrade is the way, not this FreeTrade bullshit.