    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2008, Book I)]
    [February 26, 2008]
    [Pages 276-277]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks Following a Meeting With Former Cabinet Secretaries and Senior
    Government Officials
    February 26, 2008

        I've just had a fascinating meeting with folks who have served our
    country nobly in the past. I thank them for coming. We got Democrats
    here; Republicans are here; concerned citizens. And our discussion was
    the trade bill with Colombia.
        The trade bill is--with Colombia is a really important piece of
    legislation for America's national security. A stable neighborhood is in
    our interests. We want people to be prosperous; we want people to be
    free; we want people to feel comfortable about making, you know, the
    tough decisions that democracy requires. And the trade vote with
    Colombia would say a clear message to a strong democratic ally: We
    support you; we support you in your efforts.
        A defeat of the trade bill with Colombia would send a contradictory
    message. It would embolden the false populism that exists on the
    continent. It would send a chilling signal to our allies, and it would
    harm national security of the United States.
        We also talked about the economic benefits. Many of the Colombian
    goods come into our country duty free. It seems like we ought to be
    treated the same way by sending our products into their countries. And
    this will particularly benefit small businesses and farmers and
    ranchers.
        And I want to thank you for your suggestions on how to advance this
    trade bill, how we can work with both Republicans and Democrats to get
    this trade bill out soon. It's in the Nation's interests. And a lot of
    times people think about trade, it's just an economic issue. In this
    case, it is a national security issue and one that the members of both
    parties must take seriously. And I repeat: If the trade bill with
    Colombia is defeated, it will harm the national security interests of
    the country.
        And I thank you all for coming. I appreciate your time. Thank you
    for your advice.

    Note: The President spoke at 2:11 p.m. in Room 350 of the Dwight D.
    Eisenhower Executive Office Building. The Office of the Press Secretary
    also released a Spanish language transcript of these remarks.

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