Colombia Deploys 15,000 Troops for Bush

[Rose Siding]

....About 15,000 Colombian security forces — backed by warplanes, helicopters, battleships and two submarines — will safeguard Bush's four-hour trip to discuss the nation's war on drugs. That is the same number of American troops deployed in the Fallujah offensive in Iraq (news - web sites).
........
Standing on the roof of Cartagena's Convention Center where Special Forces staged a mock hostage rescue Sunday, Fernandez said all boats will be barred from entering or leaving the port during Bush's stay, and the airspace will be shut down.

The sale of alcoholic drinks will be banned for 24 hours and workers are being given Monday off — in part to pre-empt protests, since many employees and students live in surrounding villages and would face roadblocks and searches if they tried to enter.
.........
But Bush will not see any of the walled city, unlike President Clinton (news - web sites), who toured its cobblestone streets in a horse-drawn carriage in August 2000. Bush and his conservative Colombian counterpart, Alvaro Uribe, will remain at a colonial estate on an island just off the coast for their talks.
.........
Residents expressed disappointment.

"When President Clinton came a lot of work was done to make the city more beautiful, which was good for tourism," said Camilo Vega, a 42-year-old trinket seller. "But this time, nothing is being done."

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=589&ncid=703&e=5&u=/ap/20041122/ap_on_re_la_am_ca/colombia_bush_security

[foo_bar]

1. I don't blame him for being paranoid

No, actually I do. If he lived his life half as morally or transparently as Bill Clinton, he wouldn't need the Elite Republican Guard shadowing every public appearance.

[AlinPA]

2. The slimy Bush** is hated by the whole world (except for the majority

in red states). The asshole can't go anywhere on this planet without a protest or security threat.

[Moderator]

3. Duplicate

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=1011293