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Date of publication: April 3, 2008

Source: Washington Post

The March 31 editorial "Free Colombia" minimized not only the violence faced every day by Colombia's workers but also the complicity of U.S.-based multinational corporations in that violence, often with full knowledge of the Colombian government.

Cases have been brought against Coca-Cola, the Drummond mining company and Occidental Petroleum accusing them of supporting paramilitaries that terrorize and kill union organizers. These corporations and their peers are the real beneficiaries of President Bush's proposed trade deal.

It should be noted that most Colombian workers and their unions are against the proposed U.S.-Colombia trade agreement; unlike American investors, workers in Colombia have little to gain by further U.S. investment without real accountability for violence against unions and for other human rights abuses.

BILL FLETCHER JR.

Chairman, Board of Directors

BAMA ATHREYA

Executive Director

International Labor Rights Forum

Washington