A Conversation With Álvaro Uribe

Q. Try to explain to the American people how important the Free Trade Agreement is to your country -- what it means in terms of growth and how damaging it would be to you, who have been a strong U.S. ally, if the agreement is rejected.

A. It creates concerns in our people.

Q. Concerns, or are they really upset?

A. Many people are upset.

Q. You put so much on the line for an ally, and Washington doesn't come through for you?

A. We have problems and the determination to overcome those problems. We have extradited to the United States during my term almost 700 individuals who have been indicted in the United States.

Q. Are you talking about FARC leaders?

A. They are drug traffickers, members of the FARC, members of the paramilitaries. But we need to give Colombians alternatives. One alternative is legal investment -- the Free Trade Agreement is a way to bring much more investment to Colombia. Therefore, it is an alternative for my citizens to eliminate illicit drugs. The Free Trade Area of the Americas has failed so far. Therefore, the only way for countries to have a friendship with the United States is by way of bilateral agreements.

The other point I want to make is that the U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement, in economic terms, is very tiny in comparison with the size of the economy of the United States. However, it is very important for Colombia. We consider that we won't have the possibility to increase our exports to the United States in the coming years, but the Free Trade Agreement gives us the possibility to increase the investment rate in Colombia.