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US-Colombia deal 'not a threat' | |
(about 5 hours 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. |
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. | 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. |
"It does provide the United States access to Colombian bases but command and control, administration and security will be Colombia's responsibility," she said. | "It does provide the United States access to Colombian bases but command and control, administration and security will be Colombia'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 Colombia." | "Any US activity will have to be mutually agreed upon in advance. The United States does not have and does not seek bases inside Colombia." |
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. | 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 co-operation between the United States and Colombia regarding security matters within Colombia," she said. | |
Regional benefit | Regional benefit |
Under the deal, the US military will be able to operate on Colombian soil to tackle drug-trafficking and terrorism. | 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". | 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. |
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. |