OPEN LETTER TO CONGRESS FROM FORMER COMMANDERS OF THE U.S. SOUTHERN COMMAND SUPPORTING THE U.S.-COLUMBIA TRADE PROMOTION AGREEMENT

By U.S. SOUTHERN COMMAND GENERALS

Below is a letter to Congress signed by five former commanders of the U.S. Southern Command: Generals James T. Hill, Peter Pace, Charles E. Wilhelm, Barry McCaffrey and George Joulwan.


We are writing to urge your support for the U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement. This vital agreement will advance U.S. interests in Colombia, a strategically located country that is arguably our closest ally in Latin America. It will also underscore our deep commitment to stability and growth in the strategically important Andean region, which depends on Colombia's continued progress as a resilient and democratic society.

Colombia's transformation over the past decade is a triumph of brave and principled Colombians. It is also a remarkable achievement of bipartisan U.S. foreign policy.

Violence has fallen to its lowest level in a generation, and 45,000 fighters have been demobilized as the country's narco-guerrilla groups have lost legitimacy. While drug trafficking poses a continuing threat, Colombia's leaders have eliminated two-thirds of its opium production, and more than 500 traffickers have been extradited during the Uribe administration -- by far the most extraditions from any country to the United States.

Colombia's economic resurgence has been a critical factor in its recent progress. Robust investment has boosted economic growth and development. The creation of new jobs has provided tens of thousands of Colombians with long-term alternatives to narcotics trafficking or illegal emigration.

Deeper partnership

The U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement will build upon these recent advances to enhance long-term prospects for peace, stability and development.

Providing new incentives for investment and job creation, this landmark accord will help ensure that Colombia stays on the path of economic openness, the rule of law and transparency.

It is in our national interest to help Colombia progress along the road toward democratic consolidation and economic development. This trade agreement will advance U.S. security and economic interests by forging a deeper partnership.

Finally, approving this agreement will meet our duty to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Colombians as they have stood by the United States as friends and allies. For all of these reasons, we strongly urge Congress to approve the U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement.