Colombia's Uribe under fire over U.S. bases pact

[Judi Lynn]

Colombia's Uribe under fire over U.S. bases pact
Published: Nov. 6, 2009 at 11:22 AM

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BOGOTA, Nov. 6 (UPI) -- Colombian President Alvaro Uribe is once again under fire over the contents of a security pact that permits wide-ranging U.S. access to Colombian military bases as part of counter-narcotic and counter-terrorism operations in South America. U.S. counter-narcotic authorities say Colombia is a major conduit for cocaine and heroin smuggled in the United States.

Uribe fought bitter diplomatic battles throughout the summer with critics of the military cooperation in neighboring countries. He recently told neighbors he would scrutinize their international military arrangements if they kept haranguing him over the U.S. pact.

That was before the Colombian opposition got access to the full details of the agreement, signed last Friday. The deal was roundly denounced as a Colombian sell-out and a virtual U.S. occupation of Colombia. The United States has consistently said it is not setting up bases in Colombia but sharing the use of Colombian military bases to fight drug warlords and terrorist suspects.

Exactly how the agreement will work and what it will cover remains mired in controversy. State Department spokesman Ian Kelly told reporters the agreement "doesn't provide us with any kind of bases in Colombia. It provides us with an opportunity to cooperate with Colombia in some issues related to counternarcotics and interoperability in that regard." Controversy was revived after reports citing a U.S. defense document that stated the U.S. military will not only have access to Colombian military bases, but also be able to use major international civilian airports. According to the reported provisions, U.S. personnel and defense contractors will also enjoy diplomatic immunity.

More:
http://www.upi.com/Top_News/Special/2009/11/06/Colombias-Uribe-under-fire-over-US-bases-pact/UPI-74511257524559/



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The Three Graces: Vice President Francisco Santos, Alvaro Uribe, and Francisco's cousin
Defense Secretary Juan Manuel Santos, whose family owns Colombia's largest newspaper.

http://vbjorgan.files.wordpress.com.nyud.net:8090/2009/10/president-alan-garcia-with-president-alvaro-uribe1.jpg

Moment of consultation with fellow massacre-prone S. American President, "Wide Load" Alan Garcia of Peru.