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US Colombia deal 'not a threat' US Colombia deal 'not a threat'
(about 1 hour later)
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has sought to calm fears in Latin America about a planned new military agreement with Colombia.US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has sought to calm fears in Latin America about a planned new military agreement with Colombia.
Some countries in the region have expressed alarm over the US plans to use Colombian bases to combat drug traffickers and rebels.Some countries in the region have expressed alarm over the US plans to use Colombian bases to combat drug traffickers and rebels.
But Mrs Clinton said the accord would respect Colombian sovereignty and other countries would not be affected.But Mrs Clinton said the accord would respect Colombian sovereignty and other countries would not be affected.
It would also not lead to a significant increase in US troop numbers, she said.It would also not lead to a significant increase in US troop numbers, she said.
"The United States does not have and does not seek bases inside Colombia," said Mrs Clinton, following talks in Washington with Colombian Foreign Minister Jaime Bermudez. Speaking after talks in Washington with Colombian Foreign Minister Jaime Bermudez, Mrs Clinton said the agreement would not lead to the creation of US bases in Colombia.
She said the threat from Marxist rebels and drug traffickers in Colombia was very real but that the US was "committed to supporting the government of Colombia in its efforts to provide security to all its citizens". "It does provide the United States access to Colombian bases but command and control, administration and security will be Columbia's responsibility," she said.
"Any US activity will have to be mutually agreed upon in advance. The United States does not have and does not seek bases inside Columbia."
She also said there would be "no significant permanent increase in the US military and contractor presence in Colombia" and that other countries were not affected.
"This is about the bilateral cooperation between the United States and Colombia regarding security matters within Colombia," she said.
Regional benefit
Under the deal, the US military will be able to operate on Colombian soil to tackle drug-trafficking and terrorism.
Mrs Clinton said the threats were very real and that the US was "committed to supporting the government of Colombia in its efforts to provide security to all its citizens".
Mr Bermudez said developing "more effective mechanisms of cooperation" would benefit both Colombia and the region.Mr Bermudez said developing "more effective mechanisms of cooperation" would benefit both Colombia and the region.
"We have suffered, and we have learned from the lessons as a result of this suffering," he said."We have suffered, and we have learned from the lessons as a result of this suffering," he said.
Under the deal, the US military will be able to operate on Colombian soil to tackle drug-trafficking and terrorism.
A number of countries in the region have condemned the plan and Argentina has called the move "not helpful".A number of countries in the region have condemned the plan and Argentina has called the move "not helpful".
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has expressed fears the move would amount to preparation for an invasion of his country by US forces.Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has expressed fears the move would amount to preparation for an invasion of his country by US forces.