Colombia, US to sign deal on military bases this week (Roundup)

Oct 27, 2009, 18:28 GMT

   Washington - Colombia and the United States are planning to sign 'at the end of the week' a controversial military deal, Colombian Defence Minister Gabriel Silva said Tuesday in Washington.

   The deal whereby Colombia is set to allow the United States use of seven military bases on Colombian soil was announced this summer, although it has yet to be signed by Washington and Bogota.

'If possible,' Silva noted, it will be signed Friday when he himself returns to Bogota.

   The US-Colombian plan has drawn sharp criticism from Latin American leaders who worry that the US presence could threaten the sovereignty of neighbouring countries and promote meddling in internal affairs.

   Bogota and Washington have insisted that the bases will be used only to combat drug-trafficking and terrorism within Colombia's borders.

During his stay in Washington, Silva met Monday with US Defence Secretary Robert Gates and with Michelle Leonhart, head of the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

Silva defended the Colombian government's decision not to seek the approval of Congress for the proposed deal. Colombian Foreign Minister Jaime Bermudez had said Monday that the government feels 'all requirements have been fulfilled' and there is no need to consult Congress.