Riley taking economic development trip to Colombia
Published: November 2, 2009
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Alabama Gov. Bob Riley is leading a delegation of government leaders on an economic development trip to Colombia.
Riley and his delegation are leaving Monday on the three-day trip that will include meetings with business prospects, senior government officials and President Alvaro Uribe.
Riley said he considers the South America country a growing market for the export of Alabama goods.
Alabama exported more than $432 million of goods and services to Colombia in 2008. State officials say Colombia is Alabama’s ninth largest export market. The state’s top exports to Colombia include industrial machinery, aircraft, vehicles and electrical machinery.
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Reader Reactions
A little more to this AP reporting perhaps? “More than 4,000 Colombian union leaders have been assassinated since 1986, according to the U.S. State Department, a figure it says accounts for most union murders in the world.“ per http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N16333983.htm
I hope Governor Riley will be asked by some enterprising journalist how he squares the above with his visit. I’m hardly a neo-liberal yet think he and other in Alabama seeking business profits via trade with Columbia can do this. I however believe addressing human rights concerns ought to be required as part of any such effort.
Alabama’s own Drummond Coal has a recently refiled lawsuit raising some serious allegations as their contracting for the abuse and killing of union organizers. Chiquita finally was nailed after years of denial plus US hegemony remains a concern for many to our south.
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