We don’t say it all that often, but President Bush is right: Congress should pass the Colombian free-trade agreement now. Bush signed the deal two years ago. The Democratic majority in Congress has refused to approve it out of a legitimate concern over the state of human rights in Colombia and less legitimate desires to pander to organised labour or deny Bush a foreign policy win.

We believe that the trade pact would be good for America’s economy and workers. Rejecting it would send a dismal message to allies the world over that the US is an unreliable partner and, despite all that it preaches, does not really believe in opening markets to trade. If the Congress does not approve the trade pact, prospects would dim considerably since it would lose the cover of the rule that provides for an up-or-down, no-amendment vote.

Washington must keep pressing Bogotá to reduce abuses by Colombia’s army, ensure the prosecution of paramilitary thugs and rein in violence against union members. It has a powerful tool to do that: $600 million a year in mostly military and anti-narcotics aid.

Failing to approve this trade agreement would do nothing to improve Colombia’s human-rights record. Walking away from it now would alienate many people in Colombia and undermine Washington’s credibility. — International Herald Tribune