Colombia counters critics over U.S. bases row

BOGOTA, Oct. 21 (UPI) -- In the latest indication that a Latin American row over U.S. use of military bases in Colombia is far from over, Colombia has reacted sharply to critics and asked neighboring nations to open their borders to inspection for foreign military presence.

Populist governments led by Venezuela have been waging an international campaign against U.S. troop deployments at Colombian bases for anti-narcotic operations. Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez says the bases are a threat to Venezuela, and other populist critics say the bases may be used for military intervention into their countries.

Both the Obama administration and Colombia have rejected the allegation.

Colombian Defense Minister Gabriel Silva said that critics of the U.S. use of Colombian bases that have been demanding non-intervention assurances from Colombia should reciprocate by pledging they would not grant military bases or refuge to guerrillas or drug traffickers, MercoPress reported.

He called on critics of Colombia to provide reciprocal guarantees within the framework of the Union of South American Nations, one of the forums where Colombia was singled out for criticism.

He told Estado de Sao Paulo newspaper Colombia's neighbors had to guarantee they would not agree to strategic and command centers being established on their territories.

In March last year Colombian military forces crossed into neighboring Ecuador in pursuit of Colombian FARC rebels who had set up base on the Ecuadorian side of the border territory. Ecuador responded by breaking off diplomatic relations, but in recent weeks the two sides have begun talking about reconciliation.

Silva dismissed criticism of the U.S. use of Colombian military bases, saying the joint anti-narcotic operations were based on mutual respect for sovereignty and non-interference in internal affairs.

He also rejected demands for texts of a Colombian-U.S. base agreement to be opened for examination by neighboring countries. The agreement has not been ratified yet and is still awaiting assessment by the State Council, he pointed out.

Also, he said, examination of security pacts and treaties had to be reciprocal and encompass all agreements signed by Colombia's neighbors.

Silva's pronouncements come amid moderating attempts by Brazilian President Luiz Inaco Lula da Silva, who received Colombian President Alvaro Uribe for talks earlier this week. Although Lula repeated calls for guarantees the U.S. use of Colombian bases was not a pretext for intervention in the region, he told the media he trusted both Uribe and U.S. President Barack Obama.

Analysts said the populist governments' objections to the U.S. use of Colombian bases had already been highlighted as a reason for large-scale arms purchases by countries that see the bases as a threat.

The Venezuelan rhetoric has drawn criticism from neighboring countries of President Chavez's internal policies and handling of dissent.

While visiting Brazil, Uribe pointedly referred to Colombia and Brazil as Latin America's leading democracies -- an implied reference to Venezuela's handling of dissent and recent crackdown on the media.