Brazil, Spain question US Colombia bases

[Judi Lynn]

Source: The Age (Australia)

Brazil, Spain question US Colombia bases
July 31, 2009 - 7:39AM

Brazil, Chile and Spain challenged the United States' decision to use and expand military bases in Colombia, saying they feared the move could heighten simmering tensions in Latin America.

President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva of Brazil and Michelle Bachelet of Chile said in Sao Paulo they would put the issue before an August 10 meeting of a nascent South American Defence Council in Ecuador.

Spain's foreign minister, Miguel Angel Moratinos, and his Brazilian counterpart, Celso Amorim, simultaneously told reporters in Brasilia that they would demand explanations from Washington over the bases.

The Colombian government's announcement July 15 that three of its military air bases were to be used by the United States as part of joint anti-drug operations has ignited concerns and anger among Colombia's neighbours.



Read more: http://news.theage.com.au/breaking-news-world/brazil-spain-question-us-colombia-bases-20090731-e3dq.html

[MasonJar]

1. We should be severing ties with Columbia not upping them. Once again Obama

mimics Bushista. South America wants to become a region for all the people; our policies infringe on that goal. If we cannot help, we need to stay out. Our job is to be sure Americans do not buy illegal drugs, not threaten democracies in S.America.

[EFerrari]

2. Go, Lula!

[jakeXT]

3. Interesting, I'm stil trying to find out what this Mallorca blast means

ETA, founded in 1959 and set to mark its 50th anniversary on July 31, is recognized as a terrorist organization by the European Union and the United States. The group is known to have killed over 820 people in the past 50 years while fighting for an independent Basque state.

However, ETA usually gives advance warning of its attacks to avoid unnecessary casualties. There were no such warnings prior to recent terrorist attacks.

Pavel Zolotorev, deputy director of the Moscow-based Institute for the U.S. and Canadian Studies, told RIA Novosti on Thursday that the recent terrorist attacks in Spain could be attributed to covert hostile actions of foreign intelligence services.

"I do not believe the terrorist attacks are connected with the 50th anniversary of ETA. It looks like covert operations conducted by foreign intelligence," Zolotorev said.

http://en.rian.ru/world/20090730/155680242.html

[bemildred]

8. That one does seem "odd".

OTOH if you wanted to undermine the present Spanish government, it might fill the bill somehow.

[Mudoria]

4. I didn't realize it was in their power to tell Colombia what it can and can't do..

who knew?

[Flaneur]

9. They can't, of course, but they are signalling their displeasure.

Perhaps much as we would if, say, Mexico or Canada had agreed to allow the Chinese to establish military bases on their territory.

Or in a more extreme historical example, if Cuba let the Soviet Union place nuclear missiles on her soil. Military deployments by imperial powers in one's neighboring countries can indeed be a legimate concern.

[madrchsod]

5. WHAT!.....Have`t they heard of the Monroe Doctrine?

[RedCloud]

6. Special ops are at work. Maybe Cheney's left behind thugs too?

Since when has the USA been concerned about drugs? Poppy fields are booming in Afghanistan again. That secret income is flowing back into the USA and financing more special ops wing nut projects.

[Brother Buzz]

19. Imperial interests is concerned about drugs if there is a profit to be made

Special ops in the Americas has run seamlessly for over a century. Cheney is nothing but a minor lieutenant in the bigger scheme of things.

[New Dawn]

7. K&R - No US occupation of Latin America!

[IndianaGreen]

10. Obama is still pursuing US imperialist policies of Nixon, Reagan, Clinton, and both Bushes

Our troops will be put in harm's way to protect, not the American people, but the financial interests of the bankers and financiers that brought us the collapse of our economy.

[Zorro]

11. So Hugo has a temper tantrum over the US bases in Colombia

Ain't that a shame.

[Arctic Dave]

12. TG, your so cute. :)

We've all seen your post already so stick to the topic of this post, OK. Thank you.

[Zorro]

15. Why is it so important to pander to Chavez' saber rattling?

When was the last time the US attacked a country in South America?

[wuushew]

16. You mean overtly?

It was only twenty years ago this year that all the crap went down in Panama. Surely you remember.

[Zorro]

17. When did Panama become a South American country?

Is that what they're teaching in elementary school?

Want to try again?

[wuushew]

18. wasn't Panama formerly Colombian territory created by U.S. fiat?

Whatever, this conversation is going nowhere productive. Goodbye.

[IndianaGreen]

13. Who is the US defending by putting bases in Colombia?

It sure is not defending the interests of the American working class and it certainly is not defending Latin Americans, if past history is any indication.

[The abyss]

14. Everyone in his or her right mind is questioning this call!

Judi, thanks for posting!

Recommend.

Hey people – wake up!

[Vidar]

20. K&R. I'm very glad Spain has added her voice. to the outcries.

[Judi Lynn]

21. Spain, Brazil Seek Info on Possible U.S. Bases in Colombia

Spain, Brazil Seek Info on Possible U.S. Bases in Colombia


BRASILIA – The foreign ministers of Spain and Brazil on Thursday demanded information about Colombia’s plans to establish U.S. bases on its territory, a move that some feel raises the risk of a “militarization” of the region.

Spain’s Miguel Angel Moratinos and Brazilian counterpart Celso Amorim expressed their reservations about the effects the military program could have at a press conference within the framework of the Spanish official’s visit to Brazil.

~snip~
Moratinos said that it is necessary to avoid a “process of militarization in Latin America.”

He added that Spain had asked for information from the United States and Colombia regarding what he called a “new situation,” although he said that it was a “bilateral question.”

“What we have is to work so that there is no spiral of misunderstanding and try to get Venezuela and Colombia to return to having a relationship of respect. We have to rebuild confidence,” he said.

Moratinos said that during the meeting he held Wednesday with Chavez in Caracas, the Venezuelan leader expressed his “willingness to (engage in) dialogue.”

Amorim said that Brazil “has received some explanations from Colombia” about the bases, but he added that “the presence of troops from countries that do not belong to the region is always of concern” and “should be better explained.”

More:
http://www.laht.com/article.asp?ArticleId=340428&CategoryId=14090