    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2007, Book I)]
    [May 2, 2007]
    [Pages 516-517]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks Following Discussions With President Alvaro Uribe Velez of Colombia
    May 2, 2007

        President Bush. It's been my honor to welcome a true democrat, a
    strong leader, and a friend, the President of Colombia. We had a long
    discussion.
        First, Mr. President, Laura and I remember
    fondly our trip to your beautiful country. It was my second trip to
    Colombia, my first to your capital, and it was a very special occasion.
    And we thank you and the First Lady for such gracious hospitality.
        Secondly, we had a discussion today about an important vote that our
    Congress must take, and that is a vote to confirm a free trade agreement
    with Colombia. This agreement is good for the United States. It's good
    for job creators, farmers, workers. This agreement is good for Colombia.
    It's good for job creators and workers and farmers.
        This agreement has strategic implications. It is very important for
    this Nation to stand with democracies that protect human rights and
    human dignity, democracies based upon the rule of law. So the free trade
    agreement with Colombia and Peru and Panama, these agreements are more
    than just trade votes, they're signals to South America that we stand
    with nations that are willing to make hard decisions on behalf of the
    people.
        The President is here to speak strongly about his record, and it's a
    good, solid record. I thank the Members of Congress for giving him a
    hearing. We expect them to be openminded, to listen to his record. And I
    urge the Congress to pass a trade agreement with Colombia and Peru and
    Panama because it's in our interest that they do so.
        And so, Mr. President, it's great to see you. Bienvenidos.
        President Uribe. Muchas gracias, Presidente.
        Good morning, distinguished journalists. I want to thank President
    Bush for the new meeting. It has been, as always, very constructive.
    This meeting has given my team and myself the opportunity to reiterate
    our commitment with democracy.
        We have three main objectives in our administration: to consolidate
    democratic security, to create more and more confidence in Colombia for
    people to invest in our country, and to fulfill very important social
    goals, to fulfill social goals before the deadline of the social
    millennium goals.
        Many people ask me, why you call your policy on security democratic
    security? Because it is security with human rights, because it is
    security for all Colombians, because it is security for trade union
    leaders, for those member of the opposition, for those who agree in
    their ideas with my Government, security for all Colombians.
        During my 5-year term, we have healthy elections, and Colombians
    have enjoy effectiveness of our freedoms because of our policy on
    security. Before my administration, many Colombians had the idea that
    the only way for my country to reach peace, it was by private criminal
    organizations. Today, because of the efficacy of our administration, the
    vast majority of Colombians are convinced that we will defeat terrorists
    by institutional ways, that the only way Colombia has for the future is
    the way of our democratic institutions.
        It is very important that the United State considers the necessity
    to advancing Plan Colombia. We haven't won yet in eradicating illicit
    drugs, but we are winning. And it is very important, the free trade
    agreement. I will explain in Capitol Hill, and I will explain to the
    American citizens the same I explain to President Bush this morning: The
    more our country can export, the better for my country to have high-

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    quality jobs with affiliation to the social security system.
        We are doing our best to defeat terrorists in a open country.
    Everyone in the world can go to Colombia; can oversight what our country
    is doing. And what our country does today is in favor of democracy.
        I want to thanks President Bush, his team, the people of Congress,
    and the American citizens for the help all of you have given our
    country. This integration is very important to promote democracy, to
    promote freedoms--freedom, to promote social justice. This is--these are
    our commitments.
        Thank you, President Bush.
        President Bush. Gracias, amigo.
        President Uribe. Muchas gracias.

    Note: The President spoke at 7:51 a.m. on the South Lawn at the White
    House. In his remarks, he referred to Lina Maria Moreno de Uribe, wife
    of President Uribe. The Office of the Press Secretary also released a
    Spanish language transcript of these remarks.