Intended Colombia-U.S. military agreement causes regional concerns

by Alejandra del Palacio

MEXICO CITY, Aug. 10 (Xinhua) -- An intended Colombia-U.S. military agreement has led to wide concerns in South America that it means an increased U.S. military presence in the region.

The Colombian government insists the agreement, which allows the presence of 800 U.S. soldiers and 600 civilian contractors from the Pentagon or U.S. security organizations for 10 years at Colombian bases, is aimed at combating drug trafficking and terrorism in South America.

The agreement has so far received more negative reactions than positive ones from other South American governments, although Colombian President Alvaro Uribe last week made a tour to different countries explaining and seeking support for the agreement.

REACTIONS IN UNASUR REGION

Leaders of the Union of South American Nations (Unasur) expressed their concerns about the agreement when they met at a summit in the Ecuadorian capital, Quito, Monday but stopped short of reaching an agreement on the issue.

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said the bases were "a threat" to his country and Colombia was conducting "a war policy," adding the agreement "could generate a war in South America."

The Brazilian government demanded guarantees from Colombia that the activities of U.S. soldiers in Colombia would be restricted to the latter's territory.

A ministerial meeting will be held on Aug. 24 in Buenos Aires to further discuss the military agreement.

Observers say the agreement would further complicate Colombia's already strained ties with neighbors in the region. Colombia does not have diplomatic relations with neighboring Venezuela and Ecuador.

Over the past months, Colombia has accused Venezuela and Ecuador of having direct links with the anti-government Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC).

A few weeks ago, Colombia said it had a video to prove that FARC financed Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa's presidential campaign in 2006, which was flatly denied by Correa.

More recently, Colombia accused Venezuela of arming FARC, after Colombian soldiers found FARC was using rocket launchers allegedly from the Venezuelan military.

Venezuela and Ecuador denounced the accusation as fake, saying it was made to justify the presence of U.S. soldiers in the region.