Colombia is a model for Latin America: John Kerry

[Bacchus4.0]

http://colombiareports.com/colombia-news/news/27850--colombia-is-a-model-for-latin-america-john-kerry.html

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Kerry, who has been nominated for US secretary of state, said at a senate confirmation hearing on Thursday that he hoped Washington could make progress in the Western Hemisphere with improved relations with Venezuela, Bolivia and Ecuador, much like the success the United States had with Colombia.

"Colombia is a model for the region. It is an example to the rest of Latin America about what awaits them if we can convince people to make better decisions," said Kerry.

"Colombia has suffered too long due to insecurity and violence associated with armed conflict... President Santos has taken the difficult step towards finding a political solution and indicated that the lessons learned from past peace processes will be taken into account. Any negotiations to strengthen democracy, the rule of law, human rights, that leads to peace is good and deserves our support," said the former presidential nominee.

Kerry also lauded the security efforts made by ex-president Alvaro Uribe in a critical moment of unrest in addition to president Santos's continued efforts.

[bemildred]

1. Fifty years of civil war is the way to go, eh? nt

[Bacchus4.0]

2. you'll have to ask JK what he meant

I don't think Colombia is a model either although the past decade has showed much improvement from a nearly failed state.

[bemildred]

3. Kerry won't get far in Latin America with this stuff.

If he wants them to listen, he's going to have to be realistic. I like Santos so far, he seems like a pragmatist, long overdue.

[politicasista]

5. Good. Work at State

Since you know more than SOS Kerry does on this issue.

Obama can't win either, neither can Kerry.

[bemildred]

6. Right, he is above criticism, and so are you no doubt.

So the question is, why do you stoop to bothering mere unimportant peons like us?

[politicasista]

7. LOL

Ain't nobody bothering anyone.

[bemildred]

9. Now now, you got testy, admit it. nt

[politicasista]

11. Nope n/t

[bemildred]

12. Bye. nt

[politicasista]

4. Guess Kerry bashing is still alive and well on DU n/t

[naaman fletcher]

8. Let me ask you,

Could you please explain why you think that Colombia, as opposed to, say, Ecuador is a model for Latin America or do you not have an opinion other than that Kerry must be right?

[politicasista]

10. IDK, but will wait and see

what Team Obama says about this.

Don't remember all these questions/demands when HRC was SOS. Strange.

[naaman fletcher]

13. OK,

Well, there is a lot of debate in the LA forum, and MASSIVE, DAILY disagreement, but by and large most people try to have an informed opinion that goes beyond "Because Obama said so".

[politicasista]

14. Ok n/t

Last edited Wed Feb 6, 2013, 07:49 PM - Edit history (1)

[Bacchus4.0]

15. Chile might be the best "model"

good economy, stable, less crime than Colombia, smooth transition of power between opposing parties, good relations with the US, and no continuing war of course. JK was probably just referring to Colombian-US relations.

not Ecuador, and definitely not Colombia's neighbor to the east.

[naaman fletcher]

16. I wasn't asserting that either was,

I was just trying to provide a contrast that might accurately represent the view of some others here.

[Bacchus4.0]

17. yeah, got it n/t

s