US-Colombia military accords in UNASUR agenda

Brazil: The spokesman for Brazilian presidency, Marcelo Baumbach told the press that although Brazil considers the subject should be carefully analyzed, the military agreement between Colombia and the United States will surely be discussed at the UNASUR meeting in Quito, Ecuador, this Monday, affirmed an official source.

He pointed out that this meeting will be short and consisting, basically in transferring the pro tempore presidency of UNASUR to Ecuador and the signing of some agreements. Consequently no debates are foreseen, he indicated, it is natural that the issue of the military agreement between Colombia and the United States be touched upon in some manner.

"Brazil considers that at a latter date the subject should be discussed in UNASUR that is the appropriate forum for this debate. US presence in the region, regardless in the point of view of Colombia is always a disturbing situation since it is a foreign nation," explained the spokesman.

He pointed out that Brazil wants transparency in all decisions on these subjects and considers fundamental a forma guarantee of legal guarantee regarding future operations strictly inside Colombian territory.

Baumbach noted that Lula considered positive the initiative of his Colombian counterpart, Alvaro Uribe, of discussing this issue and added that explanations were well received but the subject is not over. Therefore, Brazil considers that further discussions are necessary.

The spokesman denied the possibility that Lula may make declarations on the military agreement in Quito and assured that "what Brazil sustains and the president considers is that the situation should be discussed. The presence of this issue even strengthens the importance of the Brazilian proposal of creating a Defense Council."

He added that Brazil considers that the subject should be frankly and openly discussed among all the members (Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay and Venezuela), at a later date in a forum to be scheduled.

Brasilia, Prensa Latina