Thousands of Japanese protest U.S. base plan with a visit from BARACK OBAMA;COLOMBIAN TAMBIEN??

mariacvetanoski says on Nov 8, 2009, 06:11:

http://www.reuters.com/article/americasCrisis/idUSN07411579

Obama denies US creating military bases in Colombia

Obama: no intention of sending large numbers of troops

* Venezuela's Chavez says U.S. plan a step toward war

* Obama says opposition is "anti-Yankee rhetoric"

WASHINGTON, Aug 7 (Reuters) - President Barack Obama on Friday denied the United States is planning to set up military bases in Colombia as part of an upgraded security agreement with the South American nation.

"There have been those in the region who have been trying to play this up as part of a traditional anti-Yankee rhetoric. This is not accurate," Obama told Hispanic media reporters.

Leftist Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez -- a persistent critic of Washington -- has said the enhanced U.S.-Colombian security plan could be a step toward war in South America. On Sunday, Chavez called on Obama not to increase the U.S. military presence in Colombia.

Obama said this was a myth.

"We have had a security agreement with Colombia for many years now. We have updated that agreement. We have no intent in establishing a U.S. military base in Colombia," Obama said.

"This is continuation of assistance that we had been providing them. We have no intention of sending large numbers of additional troops into Colombia, and we have every interest in seeing Colombia and its neighbors operate peacefully."

The new security arrangement would allow the Pentagon to lease access to seven Colombian military bases for U.S. support in fighting drug traffickers and guerrillas involved in the cocaine trade.

The agreement would also increase the number of American troops in Colombia above the current total of less than 300 but not more than 800, the maximum permitted under the existing pact.

Colombia has accused Ecuador and Venezuela of assisting Marxist FARC rebels waging a four-decade-old guerrilla war against the Colombian state.

"I think Colombia has some legitimate concerns about the FARC operating from over the border. I hope that could be resolved in conversations with its neighbors," Obama said. (Reporting by Anthony Boadle, editing by Eric Beech)


will OBAMA visit the US BASES in COLOMBIA AS WELL??



©

Save the street children of Colombia Now!!

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Byron_Kostner says on Nov 8, 2009, 06:16:

"The new security arrangement would allow the Pentagon to lease access to seven Colombian military bases for U.S. support in fighting drug traffickers and guerrillas involved in the cocaine trade."

Like this would make a major difference, the war on drugs has been a complete failure, more troops won't change a damn thing. As long as there is a demand for cocaine around the world, the Colombian drug trade will continue.

Why any Colombian would support US bases in Colombia is beyond me.

Actions speak louder than words, but the self-righteous crusaders want to live by their own rules.

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makopp5 (☼Travelguide writer) says on Nov 8, 2009, 07:21:

makopp5 (☼Travelguide writer) says on Nov 8, 2009, 07:23:

Haghj00 says on Nov 8, 2009, 08:12:

United states should keep their military within their own boarders, the world would be a lot better off.
If there is a problem, it should be brought up in the UN and nations should deal with the problem together.

There is no god, never was and never will be.

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Pappassito (☼Travelguide writer) says on Nov 8, 2009, 08:20:

romy says on Nov 8, 2009, 08:30:

No world wars since the UN started...

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makopp5 (☼Travelguide writer) says on Nov 8, 2009, 08:54:

romy says on Nov 8, 2009, 09:17:

less coca cultivation jajajajaja

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Sam Salmon says on Nov 8, 2009, 10:36:

The opposition isn't Japanese it's Okinawan-this is important.

The Okinawan situation is old and there's A LOT of bad blood between the Okinawans and the yanquis.

' a la orden!'

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stocktrader says on Nov 8, 2009, 12:14:

Yeah the US should leave Japan. (I hate paying taxes to defend the rest of the world) Especially with their benevolent neighboors NOrth Korea and China. Just like no bases in Colombia with Chavez calling for his army to prepare for war this morning.

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coastalad says on Nov 8, 2009, 14:40:

doesnt help with a history of marines causing trouble in Okinawa.... one rape creates a lot of bad press,,, and rightly so

always avoiding white picket fences

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C5vzla (☼Travelguide writer) says on Nov 8, 2009, 14:41:

makopp5 (☼Travelguide writer) says on Nov 8, 2009, 15:09: