Leader of Colombia 's Opposition to Discuss Free Trade, U.S. Aid; Bush Visit to Latin America at National Press Club

Leader of Colombia 's Opposition to Discuss Free Trade, U.S. Aid; Bush Visit to Latin America at National Press Club on Wednesday, March 7, 10 am, ET

USW NEWS ADVISORY

Contacts: Berta Joubert-Ceci, International Action Center , (267) 257-7742

Adam Isacson, Center for International Policy, (202) 232-3317

Gary Hubbard, United Steelworkers, (202)778-4384, (202) 256-8125

Who: Senator Gustavo Petro, leader of Colombia 's main opposition party, the Democratic Pole. Petro, is a former member of the M-19 guerrilla movement. He has led efforts in Colombia 's Congress to investigate revelations of ties between paramilitary death squads and top politicians. The resulting scandal has brought the arrests of many members of Colombia 's Congress who collaborated with the drug-funded, pro-government militias.

What: Senator Petro wil l be in Washington to discuss the scandal, and his own securityin a hearing of the Inter-American Commission of Human Rights.

Where: National Press Club, Lisagor Room, 13th Floor

When: Wednesday, March 7, 2007, 10:00 AM

Sen. Petro will also discuss the following issues at the press briefing:

-The unfolding paramilitary scandal in Colombia , which has touched key political allies of President Alvaro Uribe;

- The human rights situation in a country that is the United States ' closest ally in Latin America ;

- The free-trade agreement with Colombia pending ratification in the U.S. Congress;

- The future of "Plan Colombia " and aid to the largest U.S. military aid recipient outside the Middle East , now under consideration by the Democratic-led Congress; and

- The general situation in Colombia on the eve of George Bush's visit to Bogota this weekend.

The United Steelworkers (USW) is sponsoring the press briefing in solidarity with the human rights struggle for justice by the independent union leaders in Colombia in collaboration with Amnesty International, the International Action Center , Human Rights Watch and the Inter-American Commission of Human Rights. The USW is an international union representin g 850,000 workers employed in metals, mining, paper, rubber and oil refining the U.S. and Canada .