Reply #15: Colombia Denies Talks With US Over Military Base

[Judi Lynn]

Colombia Denies Talks With US Over Military Base

Colombia's defense minister on Wednesday denied speculation that Colombia had offered to install an air base for the Pentagon.

Reuters Colombia's defense minister on Wednesday denied speculation that Colombia had offered to install an air base for the Pentagon but said it might boost U.S. landing rights on its territory to fight drug trafficking.
"Neither have we asked for the installation of a (military) base, nor have we offered it to them," Minister Juan Manuel Santos told reporters during a trip to Washington.

Ecuadorean President Rafael Correa, a fierce critic of the United States, has refused to extend the Pentagon's lease on the Manta air base used by the United States to battle drug traffickers in South America.

Media reports in Bogota, quoting defense sources, have said that Colombia, the world's top cocaine producer, could allow the installation of a U.S. base if Ecuador denied the extension.

U.S. officials have told Reuters further negotiations with Ecuador might be possible, noting that a possible deal might allow the U.S. military to land but not operate fixed facilities at Manta.

They also said Colombia and Peru have offered to discuss alternate sites for the Pentagon to use in counternarcotics operations.

More:
http://www.javno.com/en/world/clanak.php?id=65199

&w=395">~~~~ click for photo ~~~~



Defense Minister Juan Manuel Santos



Same guy, with Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff, Peter Pace.

Go half way down the page, click on thumbnail for huge photo
as Pace "has speaks" with Santos:
http://www.defenselink.mil/homepagephotos/homepagephotos.aspx?month=200701