Bush marks Colombia's independence

WASHINGTON, July 22 (UPI) -- U.S. President George Bush Tuesday marked the 198th anniversary of Colombia's independence, saying President Alvaro Uribe has shown great courage.

Bush, using the occasion to urge Congress to approve the Colombia Free Trade Agreement, hailed the long diplomatic relationship between Colombia and the United States, noting the fledgling U.S. republic was among the first to establish relations with its neighbor to the south, which was established under the rule of law.

Bush said Colombia has come back from the brink of becoming a failed state under pressure from the drug cartels and Marxist rebels as a result of Plan Colombia, which began during the Clinton administration. Bush also praised the recent operation that freed hostages the rebels had been holding for years.

"It's been nearly two centuries since the United States of America and the nation of Colombia forged a friendship in the earliest days of our independence," Bush said. "In the years since, both of our nations have learned that the cost of maintaining a free society is remaining vigilant against the enemies of freedom. We believe that freedom is the birthright of all. We believe that it is the responsibility of free nations to support one another against those who would undermine our freedom."