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Cut Drugs to U.S. by Passing Colombia Free Trade, Say Ex-White House Drug Spokesman Bob Weiner and Policy Analyst Zoe Pagonis

Posted on: Wednesday, 8 July 2009, 13:42 CDT

WASHINGTON and MIAMI, July 8 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Congressional ratification of the Colombia Free Trade Agreement will help Colombia create new jobs outside of the drug trade and reduce the export of these lethal products to the United States, say former White House Drug Policy Spokesman Bob Weiner and Analyst Zoe Pagonis. They point out that Colombia is the number one source country for the drugs that lead to murders on U.S. streets, crowding in prisons, lines in hospital emergency rooms, school dropouts, and family disunion.

In an op-ed column in today's Miami Herald, "Trade Deal Would Reduce Drug Flow," Weiner and Pagonis contend, "A free trade agreement with Colombia will not only help both countries' economies but will reduce the deadly substances coming to our shores and killing our people. Without free trade, Colombia's people will be forced to remain dependant on their most lucrative business, drugs. Even as the world's third largest producer of coffee, revenue from that industry pales in comparison. The annual profit on a hectare of coffee is $500 versus an estimated $5,000 for coca."

Weiner and Pagonis point to studies showing that "A Free Trade Agreement would increase investment in Colombia by 4.5%, decrease unemployment by 460,000 jobs, and increase GDP by 4.5%."

"The United States would benefit. According to the United States International Trade Commission, an agreement would increase U.S. exports by 1.1 billion dollars."

"Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi said that Congress needs 'concrete evidence of sustained results' before negotiations can progress. Pelosi is right to ask for results," say Weiner and Pagonis. "Since President Alvaro Uribe came into office in 2002, significant progress has been made. As a result of his initiatives, assassinations have declined by 80 percent, homicides by 40 percent, kidnappings by 82 percent, and terrorist attacks by 77 percent."

"Trade unions oppose ratification - they cite 2,245 deaths of union leaders since 1991. However, 80% of these killings took place before Uribe took office seven years ago."

Weiner and Pagonis conclude, "The issue of free trade is tricky because congressional leaders properly support workers' rights and wages. This agreement does that, and more."

Link: http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/other-views/story/1131900.html

Contact: Bob Weiner/Zoe Pagonis 202-329-1700/301-283-0821

SOURCE Robert Weiner Associates

Source: PR Newswire

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