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LATIN AMERICA |
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Colombia, US May Sign Military Pact
BOGOTA - Colombian Foreign Affairs Minister
Jaime Bermudez stated today the government
may sign a polemic military agreement with
the US without passing it to Congress.
Bermudez, who is taking part in an event
promoted by the Organization of American
States (OEA), stated the Executive Power has
the arguments to sign the agreement without
passing it to the Legislative.
He also said the government is convinced
that all requirements are carried out and
there's no need to pass it to Congress.
Regarding military agreement between Bogotá
and Washington there'll be at least 1 400 US
soldiers at Colombia; eight hundred
permanently and other 600 under contracting
conditions.
Colombia and the USA sustain this agreement
is aimed to fight drug trafficking in
Colombia. This argument is considered by
other countries of the region as a pretext
to cover Pentagon geopolitical real
intensions.
On the other hand, the US Congress approved
last week the Department of Defense's budget
of 680 billion dollars for 2010. From that
amount the Pentagon will use 46 million
dollars to refurbish the Colombian military
base of Palanquero, 111.85 miles from
Bogotá.
Colombian minister of Defense Gabriel Silva
is in Washington in an official visit to
discuss with US aouthorities this polemic
agreement. |
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