Argentine FM
Shows Concern Over
U.S.-Colombia Military Deal
Visiting
Argentine Foreign Minister Jorge Taiana has
expressed concern over the military defense
pact signed recently between the United
States and Colombia, saying the pact does
not help ease tensions in the region, media
reports said Wednesday.
Addressing a forum of local legislators and
business people here on Tuesday, he said
that Argentina hoped Latin American
countries would resolve regional issues by
their own strength.
Foreign military forces could not help solve
the diplomatic rows between Colombia on one
side and Venezuela and Ecuador on the other,
he said.
Foreign military presence in South America
was a very sensitive and worrisome issue,
Taiana added.
Colombia concluded negotiations and signed
an agreement with the United States earlier
this month, which was aimed to enhance
bilateral military co-operations.
Under the agreement, the United States is
allowed to use several military bases in
Colombia until 2019. In return, Colombia
would get us$5 billion dollars in economic
aid.
Closer military cooperation between the two
countries has led to strong protest and
widespread suspicion among countries in the
region, which viewed the deal as a grave
threat to regional stability.
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
