Uruguay Supports Unasur
To Evaluate
Colombian Bases
Montevideo - Uruguayan
President Tabare Vazquez said on Tuesday he
supports the Union of South American Nations
(Unasur) to evaluate the United States'
military presence in Colombia.
"An evaluation by the Defense Commission
(under Unasur) of the use of Colombian
military bases by the U.S. would be
interesting, "Vazquez told reporters.
Under a pending Colombia-U.S. military
agreement, Washington could gain access to
at least seven Colombian military bases by
the year 2019, and in return, Washington
would offer Bogota some 5billion U.S.
dollars in aid.
Colombian President Alvaro Uribe in early
August made a whirlwind seven-nation tour to
head off regional objections of thepending
deal, but did not succeed with Uruguay.
In a press release issued by Vazquez's
office on Aug. 6, the Uruguayan president
reaffirmed the long-term stance his country
has held against "the establishment of
foreign military bases not only in Paraguay
but also in any part of Latin America."
He also said the principle of
non-intervention regarding the internal
affairs of other countries must be fully
oberserved.
A special summit of Unasur is scheduled for
Aug. 28 in Bariloche, Argentine to discuss
the issue. Vazquez said he will attend the
meeting.
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