Colombia's Uribe pushes US trade

Version 0 of 1.

Colombia's President Alvaro Uribe has begun talks in Washington DC aimed at promoting his country's free trade agreement with the United States.

The deal, to be signed on 22 November, needs approval by Congress - which will be controlled by Democrats next year.

Some Democratic legislators have said they will oppose the pact unless it is rewritten with stricter labour laws.

Mr Uribe said he was tackling violence against trade unionists, another concern voiced by Democrats.

Both houses of Congress will be controlled by Democrats from January, following their success at last week's mid-term elections.

It is not clear whether Congress will vote on the US-Colombia trade deal under the current, Republican-dominated legislature or next year.

Mr Uribe also urged members of Congress to extend preferential tariffs for countries in the Andean region, which expire at the end of the year.

The Colombian leader was also expected to discuss the renewal of US military aid to Colombia.