[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 43, Number 18 (Monday, May 7, 2007)]
[Pages 561-562]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
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.

[[Page 562]]

    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 enjoyed 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-
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 thank 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.