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South America tries to ease rift over U.S. military
Fri Aug 28, 2009 12:55pm EDT
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By Kevin Gray
BARILOCHE, Argentina (Reuters) - South American leaders tried on Friday to defuse diplomatic tensions set off by a Colombian plan giving U.S. troops more access to its military bases.
The agreement between Washington and its closest Latin American ally has strained relations between Andean countries, and Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has warned it could put the region on the brink of war.
The plan is testing efforts by U.S. President Barack Obama to improve U.S. relations with Latin America, where leaders openly criticized the Bush administration and have welcomed Obama's message of change.
Chavez threatened this week to break off diplomatic ties with Colombia in his latest condemnation of a deal that allows the U.S. military access to seven Colombian military bases for joint operations to fight drug traffickers and leftist rebels.
The socialist leader again lashed out at the plan on Friday, but he appeared to soften his tone even as he questioned American motives behind the plan, calling it an attempt to increase U.S. influence in the region.
"This is part of a global strategy of the United States. That's what's this is. It's the reason behind these bases," he said.
The United States and Colombia say the agreement builds on an existing accord, but it has drawn heavy criticism from Chavez allies like Ecuador's Rafael Correa and Bolivia's Evo Morales.
Moderate Latin American governments have also expressed concerns about it, including regional powerhouse Brazil, which is leading diplomatic efforts to soothe tensions.
Many in the region are wary of U.S. intervention, recalling Washington's backing of right-wing military dictatorships decades ago.
Under the deal, U.S. military aircraft will be allowed access to Colombian bases but the number of military personnel will not go above the already permitted limit of 800 troops and 600 civilian contractors. About 260 U.S. military officials are now in Colombia.
Colombian President Alvaro Uribe defended the plan during Friday's meeting of Unasur, a regional political grouping of South American leaders, saying the military cooperation would help his country overcome years of conflict.
"We are not talking about a political game, we are talking about a threat that has spilled blood in Colombian society," he said.
Chavez is a fierce critic of Washington and views an increased American military presence in Colombia as an attempt to isolate his government or an attempted grab at his OPEC nation's massive oil reserves.
Obama has said Washington has no intention of significantly increasing its troop numbers in Colombia or establishing a U.S. base there.
(Additional reporting by Damian Wroclavsky and Jorge Otaola in Bariloche; Editing by Kieran Murray)
© Thomson Reuters 2009 All rights reserved
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