Letter from Rep. Jim McGovern (D-Massachusetts) to President Bush, March 5, 2007

Letter from Rep. Jim McGovern (D-Massachusetts) to President Bush, March 5, 2007

March 5, 2007

George W. Bush
President of the United States
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, D.C. 20500

Dear Mr. President,

Having just returned from a visit to Colombia, I am writing to urge that you publicly express our government's strong and unequivocal commitment to human rights when you make a brief stop there later this week.

Your upcoming trip can provide an important opportunity to remind all sectors of Colombian society that human rights, respect for victims' rights and truth are important to the United States.

While there have been some positive initiatives put forth by the government of President Alvaro Uribe, it is also clear that the situation confronting many Colombians remains dangerous. Serious human rights crimes against the civilian population continue to be committed by all the armed actors - including the FARC, ELN, the official Colombian security forces and the paramilitaries (notwithstanding the current effort to demobilize them).

This is a critical time in Colombia, and there are many people who are hopeful that the cycle of war and violence that has plagued that country for far too long can finally be turned around. However, there is deep concern among many in Colombia that without strong pressure and vigilance the situation could easily deteriorate.

Mr. President, any effort you can make to publicly recognize the human rights challenges in Colombia - and acknowledge the work that those in the human rights community have been doing at great personal risk - would be a powerful message about how important these issues are to our country.

I appreciate your consideration of this request.

Sincerely,

James P. McGovern
Member of Congress

cc: Condoleezza Rice, Secretary of State
Milt Drucker, Chargé d' Affaires