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July 2, 2008

McCain Discusses Human Rights with Colombian President 
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=1CF4534:A6F02AD83191E160EA8DC346C9BD0053F47489ACC27D21EE&
 
Republican presidential candidate praises Colombia's efforts to combat
drug trafficking, leftist guerrillas 
John McCain (L) and his wife Cindy (C), are received by Colombian
President Alvaro Uribe (R) in Cartagena, 01 Jul 2008Republican U.S.
presidential candidate John McCain has praised Colombia's efforts to
combat drug trafficking and leftist guerrillas, while urging the
government to improve its human rights record.McCain met for nearly two
hours with Colombian President Alvaro Uribe Tuesday in the Colombian
city Cartagena. The lawmaker is visiting the South American nation and
Mexico this week to highlight his support for free trade agreements, and
highlight his foreign policy credentials.The free-trade agreement
between the U.S. and Colombia is stalled in the Democratic-controlled
U.S. Congress, due to concerns over the murders of trade unionists.
Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama is among those opposed to
the deal. McCain has said blocking the agreement would set back economic
and security interests.McCain says he and Mr. Uribe did not discuss
Obama during t!
 heir meeting, saying the campaign "ends at the water's edge."The
presumptive Republican nominee will travel to Mexico later Wednesday,
for talks with President Felipe Calderon on Thursday.Meanwhile, the
Obama campaign says the presumptive Democratic nominee will visit
Jordan, Israel, Germany, France and the United Kingdom. The campaign did
not say if Obama planned to visit Iraq and Afghanistan. The campaign did
not offer specific travel dates.Obama has said the trip will give him an
opportunity to assess the situations in countries critical to U.S.
national security and consult with friends and allies about common
challenges. McCain has criticized Obama's foreign policy views and
experience.


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