... in response to Uribe and Chavez Together , posted by Kiltboy1 on Dec 18, 2005Colombia and Venizuela are neighbors.Even though Uribe and Chavez are miles apart politically it is smart on Uribes part to at least try and keep a dialog going.
As far as Bush and Crew,even though I am a republican and choose Bush over his opponents I am afraid you are right.They are more intent on protecting outrageous drug prices by US drug companies than having a real trading partner in Colombia.Colombians cannot afford US drug prices,I do not blame them one bit for just cranking out their own generics.Its a simple choice between the health of your citizens and some company selling a pill for $10 that costs them $.05 to produce.I used to buy real Cipro here.It was $10 a pill.The generic is about $.30 a pill.
They make enough money selling in the US where the government allows a company many years of exclusive rights to sell a drug then lets thier lawyers extend the protection another few years while they appeal the patent expiring.
AND,to get the rebel leaders to just quit you need to grant them amnesty.There are no saints in this senario.Insisting on extraditing and procescuting them makes it smart for them to fight untill the end.
Colombia is the one country in South America not contaminated by a socialist contingency of any real power.They can be a model of economic prosperity for the rest of South America.We need to support them in this,not look out for our lobyists and political supporters.
Pete
