Colombia's President Lobbies for Trade Accord With US

Democratic lawmakers in Congress have criticized Colombia's human rights record and say they may not approve the free trade agreement as a result. Some also have expressed concern over the death-squad killings of labor organizers in that country, and a recent study showing that the cultivation of coca, the plant used to make cocaine, has increased in recent years.

U.S. lawmakers are considering cutting anti-drug aid to Colombia by 10 percent in 2008, and moving some of the funding from spraying coca crops to arresting drug traffickers.

Friday, Mr. Uribe is to appear in New York to honor former U.S. President Bill Clinton, who was in office when the United States began its joint effort with Colombia, called "Plan Colombia" to fight the international drug trade there.

Mr. Uribe's last trip to the United States to lobby for a free trade accord was in May. - VOA News