USA: US COMMERCE SECRETARY RON BROWN PRESS CONFERENCE

(13 Mar 1996) English/Nat

On the eve of his trip to Colombia, U-S Commerce Secretary Ron Brown says he is hopeful the recent sanctions against the South American country can soon be lifted and relations returned to normal.

While admitting that relations are currently strained due to alleged involvement by the Colombian administration in drug trafficking, Brown presented an optimistic, upbeat picture of the trading future between the two nations.

Brown's planned visit to Colombia next week could hardly come at a more controversial time.

Last week President Clinton ruled that Bogota had not been cooperating fully with the U-S anti-drug programmes.

The U-S concluded that President Samper's government and legislature were awash with drug money and imposed economic sanctions.

Despite all this, Brown said that Washington wants to expand economic links with the region.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"For many years we have not paid enough attention to trade and commercial opportunities in our own area. Specifically, we haven't paid enough attention to Latin America. We have tried to change that in the Clinton administration. There is tremendous economic potential - tremendous potential for growth in Latin America. There is some data that suggests that growth opportunities there are as just as significant as in Asia."
SUPERCAPTION: Ron Brown, U-S Commerce Secretary

Brown acknowledged while relations between the two countries are strained, but said the U-S delegation he is heading, which includes about 150 businessmen, will be received warmly.

But crucially, he said he did not expect to meet with President Ernesto Samper.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"There has been a glitch in our relationship in a very important issues - and that is drug trafficking. That should not affect the broad parameter of our relationship. We have had close relationship with Colombia for many years and I would anticipate that would continue to be the case."
SUPERCAPTION: Ron Brown, U-S Commerce Secretary

He said the sanctions should not affect the "broad parameters" of U-S-Colombian relations, but acknowledged that commercial ties will be damaged.

Official estimates indicated that the sanctions could affect over one (b) billion U-S dollars in loan requests Colombia has made to international lending institutions.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"I am hopeful that in fact the reasons for that decertification would soon be eliminated and in fact our trade relationship and the rest of our relationship will be back on an even keel."
SUPERCAPTION: Ron Brown, U-S Commerce Secretary

Brown will take part in a business forum in Cartagena, expected to attract 12-hundred entrepreneurs.

The group will make recommendations to a meeting of trade ministers on ways to accelerate the goal of free trade in the Americas.

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