Looks like the U.S. bases accord in Colombia is an almost done deal

[rabs]

Talk about a Friday news dump.

This is from El Espectador newspaper of Bogota. The story is confusing because headline says Uribe has signed the accord, while the foreign ministry said the text would be subject to technical revisions by both sides prior to signing.

In a speech today to the main business group in Colombia, Uribe asked for Correa's pardon for the attack on Ecuadoran territory last year (first time I have seen that) and spoke at length of the importance of better relations with Venezuela and Ecuador.

Do not know if there is an English-language story out of Washington on this yet.

(Spanish)
http://www.elespectador.com/noticias/politica/articulo156239-uribe-firma-acuerdo-de-bases-eeuu-y-llama-al-dialogo-correa-y-chave

Uribe asks Correa to pardon him (video, Spanish)

http://www.elespectador.com/noticias/politica/video-uribe-pide-perdon-ecuador

[EFerrari]

1. Heidi posted this bbc story in LBN:

Page last updated at 02:58 GMT, Saturday, 15 August 2009 03:58 UK

'Colombia-US base accord reached'

Colombia says it has completed talks with Washington on allowing US troops to use seven of its military bases.

Under the deal, the US military will be able to operate on Colombian soil to tackle drug-trafficking and terrorism.

A number of South American countries have condemned the plan and Argentina has said the bases are "not helpful".

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has expressed fears the move would amount to preparation for an invasion of his country by US forces.

Colombia's foreign ministry said that Bogota had agreed the text of the deal with the US.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8202724.stm

[rabs]

2. BBC reporting Colombian version, unsee any story out of Washington yet

from the AP, NYT, NBC etc etc.

Suspect nothing was released in Washington today, so as not to take Obama by surprise :-)

Fyi El Espectador's original headline said Uribe had signed (firmo) the accord. That headline was later changed to "cierra," the accord.

In case you did not see story earlier this week, the UNASUR conference late this month in Argentina to debate the bases has been moved from Buenos Aires to Bariloche. (About 1,200 clicks south of BA. Guess alvarito will feel safer there.)

Uribe this week said he would attend if the agenda included:

-- A review of Ecuador's arms purchases from Russia and China.
-- A review of Venezuela's arms purchases from Russia and China.
-- A review of Venezuela's arms purchases from IRAN.

Uribe trying to set the agenda for a UNASUR conference is not gonna go over very well with Lula, Michelle, Evo, Rafa and the rest of the gang :rofl: .

[Downwinder]

3. Looks like we have a Military Dictatorship.

They just haven't told us yet.

[Judi Lynn]

4. Of course it won't. Alvaro Uribe in the UNASUR driver's seat. Oh, YEAH.

That's going to go over well with the grown-ups.

http://2.bp.blogspot.com.nyud.net:8090/_7Se7iswAanA/SPtwEfFfCUI/AAAAAAAADX4/NIKB7t9uRFM/s400/alvaro_uribe_fullblock.jpg http://vivirlatino.com.nyud.net:8090/i/2008/12/46194.jpg

http://www.cbc.ca.nyud.net:8090/gfx/images/news/photos/2007/03/11/bush-colombia-cp-161514.jpg http://www.bnamericas.com.nyud.net:8090/ten/images/alvaroUribe.gif
I hope they've got some exquisite lessons waiting for the Little Prince.