I guess my point here is that if there are no jobs, if there is no opportunity, if we want to isolate Colombia and not trade with them.... Frankly, I'm disturbed by the idea that suddenly we're beginning trade...we're already trading with Colombia. Countries all around the world are trading with Colombia. The only way they're going to dig themselves out of the morass they're in is to provide jobs and opportunities for their citizens. You can't do that by isolating them.
I'm not finished. They do need security, I agree 100%, but how do they find that security, and how do we move them in that direction? Everything we've seen has told us that the situation in Colombia over time has improved. Now, it has ups and downs, but it has improved. The security of the average Colombian is better than it was ten years ago. The security of trade unionists is better than it was ten years ago. Colombia is a violent society, and I think the government is struggling mightily to overcome that, with work to do. I agree 100%.
I know we have limited time, so my final question to you is about the new law on intelligence and counter-intelligence that the Colombian congress passed last summer. Margaret Sekaggya, as a UN envoy, welcomed this. She stated on the record that she believes this is a good thing. You appear to be a bit negative toward that in your comments. I want to read into the record that the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights noted on June 16 that this new law, with its emphasis on the guarantee of rights and the enforcement of strict compliance to political and legal controls, constitutes an adequate legal framework to prevent similar situations of illegal wire-tapping, that you referenced earlier.
The office also suggested an immediate implementation of this law and other changes required within the administrative department of security, or DAS. The office also highlights the diligent manner in which the Attorney General's office and the Inspector General's office are carrying out investigations of these allegations. My point is this: it looks as if, according to not just your testimony but other people's testimony, there was a serious problem there.
The government reacted to that problem. They changed the law. I'm not saying it's perfect. And another body—not just yours—has looked at this and said they believe they're headed in the right direction.
I don't think Colombia's perfect, don't get me wrong. But I think they're headed in the right direction.
Are you seeing at least a gradual improvement over time? I know there are challenges, but is there a basic improvement, freedom of movement, freedom of association, for the average person on the street in Colombia?