Venezuela
Alert on US-Colombia Accord
Caracas - Announcements about the
real scope of a military agreement between
the United States and Colombia that could go
beyond establishing the seven announced
bases is complicating even more the
Colombian-Venezuelan relations'' prospects.
Although details about the agreement are
still unknown, a communiqué issued by the US
embassy to Bogota said that after signing
that agreement, the US troops will be able
to move freely around the country and will
not be confined to their respective bases.
For Venezuelan experts and President Hugo
Chavez, it is all about turning the whole of
Colombia into a military base.
President Chavez also announced that he
would present, at the upcoming Union of
South American Nations (UNASUR) Summit, a US
document that confirms his apprehensions
about establishing those bases in the
neighboring country.
Excerpts of the document read by the
president say it is not about actions
against drug trafficking or terrorism, as US
and Colombia authorities are saying, but a
plan to gain military control of the South
American and African regions.
Chavez said they are trying to guarantee
their control over the Venezuelan oil,
Amazonia, with its mineral and biological
resources, and the Southern Cone's aquifer.
An element of special interest is the
immunity that the agreement would grant to
the US soldiers, who under that accord could
commit even aggressions against Venezuela,
without being taken to court.
Faced with that situation, Chavez considered
that a continental action is necessary, the
beginning of which could be the UNASUR
summit in Bariloche, Argentina, on August
29, if a firm stance against establishing
the mentioned bases is achieved.
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
