Visiting Fellow Roger Noriega

President Bush's visit to Latin America presents a timely opportunity to consolidate a success story in Colombia and to remind everyone that great victories against the toughest challenges are possible when the United States provides consistent help to a neighbor that is, above all, willing to help itself. But Bush also must use his trip to challenge all parties--Democratic rivals and Colombian friends--to finish their good work by coming together to approve the pending U.S.-Colombia trade-promotion agreement has well as to ferret out corruption and other abuses.

Bush can start by giving due credit to Democrats in Congress for supporting Plan Colombia, which was a rare joint venture between the Clinton administration and House Republican leaders beginning in 2000. He also should recognize the Colombian people for their steady support for President Alvaro Uribe's bold and determined leadership and for their substantial investment in his "democratic security plan," which is rescuing their nation from war and recession. After all, although U.S. support is crucial, it represents only 6 percent of overall security spending that Colombia has brought to bear against lawless elements that threatened our common well-being.

A staggering amount of cocaine has been interdicted before it could reach U.S. streets and schoolyards, and the coca-production chain has been severely disrupted. Although the work is never ending, virtually all of Colombia's opium poppy used to produce deadly heroin has been eliminated. As narcoterrorist networks have been attacked by Colombian security forces, 35,000 guerrillas have laid down their arms and kidnapping and murder rates are in steep decline. Colombia's economy is rebounding, making it an important trade partner with the United States and proving that sound policies, not poisonous populism, is the answer to the region's nagging social unrest.

Still, the work is not done. The Bush administration has asked Congress for another $600 million in fiscal year 2008 to help Colombia build on a record of accomplishment. Early indications are that Democrats in Congress look with favor on this proposal.

Commercial Ties

But the promise of access to the U.S. market is an integral, logical step toward sustaining Colombia's economic growth and its ability to continue to carry its share of the anti-drug fight. The very communities that have been the source of violence and illicit drug trafficking in Colombia stand to benefit from jobs generated by honest commerce. By cementing these commercial ties and encouraging U.S. investment, we can help convert Colombia into a strong and stable strategic ally in a region threatened by an audacious self-declared enemy in Caracas.

But the U.S.-Colombia trade-promotion agreement faces a very uncertain future in a Democratically controlled Congress that is quite suspicious of the Bush administration's trade priorities and concerned about labor conditions in Colombia. Congressional leaders have yet to define their demands for improving labor protections. Nevertheless, these are men and women of goodwill and principle. If Colombia and the Bush trade team demonstrate a willingness to take concrete, specific measures to redress the serious labor-rights problems that Colombia faces, there is hope that Congress will take a longer look at pending trade agreements.

Of course, House Ways and Means Chairman Charles Rangel (D-N.Y.) and Senate Finance Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.) are serious legislators with other tax and spending priorities. Only Bush can forge a "grand bargain" with these leaders, which might well include the crucial trade measures pending before Congress. If Bush means to salvage his Latin America policy, he will have to make that deal.

And if Democratic leaders want to demonstrate that they can share power effectively, they will instruct their trade staff to strike a practical deal on the Colombia accord and others. Despite extraordinary improvements in terms of human rights and personal security, labor organizers have been targeted by violent forces apparently trying to suppress workers' rights. Of course, Democrats in Congress have every reason to use the trade debate as leverage to advance the defense of labor standards. And the Bush administration should encourage Democrats to define their demands and work with Colombians to effect vigorous programs to safeguard the full exercise of labor rights.

Success in Colombia

Bush gets little credit for his abiding commitment to the Americas. He understands and cares about the region and recognizes the high stakes at play in the region. He alone can help place the capstone on a policy success in Colombia by getting personally involved in ensuring all sides do their share of the work to pass the trade-promotion agreement this year.

Roger F. Noriega is a visiting fellow at AEI.