Panama denies agreement with U.S. on military bases

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Xinhua

Panama denies agreement with U.S. on military bases
2009-11-03 11:09:13

PANAMA CITY, Nov. 2 (Xinhua) -- Panama's Vice President and Foreign Minister Juan Carlos Varela denied on Monday his country had reached agreement with the United States on the creation of four aerial-maritime bases in the Panamanian coasts.

Varela made the denial in response to President of Peace and Justice Services Julio Yao's criticism of President Ricardo Martinelli's foreign policy and the alleged prospective establishment of aerial-maritime bases to combat drug, weapons and people trafficking.

The Panamanian opposition has claimed that these bases would be controlled by the United States. However, the Panamanian government denied those allegations, saying that those facilities will be under Panamanian control.

Read more: http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-11/03/content_12375771.htm

[damntexdem]

1. Let's hope they don't,

It took them four decades to get back Rio Hato -- which straddled the Pan American Highway (literally, the highway ran across the runways, with crossing guards that came down when the runways were in use). And, of course, it took decades longer to get back the Canal and the Canal Zone.

[earthside]

2. Bases?

What the hell is going on here?

The federal government is running a $1.4 TRILLION deficit this year ... and the Pentagon is talking about opening up more military bases abroad?

I think Panama ought to be able to defend its own coasts by now.

Until the U.S. comes to the realization that we simply cannot afford empire and the military trappings of empire, then we're never going to be able to get the federal debt crisis under control -- and that means that the economic crisis and high unemployment is going to continue for a long, long time.

[bertman]

3. +1

[era veteran]

4. Panama, to some extent will always be controlled by the USA

I am a zoneless person.

[Submariner]

5. The new Canal expansion Locks will be constructed large enough

for the Navy Super-Carriers (elevators and all) to pass through the canal for the first time, so you can bet there is a lot of Navy department sucking up to the Panama govt going on right now..

[Judi Lynn]

6. Panama building 4 anti-drug sea, air stations

Panama building 4 anti-drug sea, air stations
POSTED: November 3, 2009

PANAMA CITY (AP) — Panama's government is building four air and sea monitoring stations to fight trafficking of drugs, weapons and migrants.

The bases are to be located on the Pacific coast on routes used to smuggle drugs and transport laundered money.

Assistant Interior Minister Alejandro Garuz said Monday the sites will be manned by the national police, border agents and other government agencies.

He says the bases are a completely Panamanian initiative and the United States will not be involved.

An agreement to expand the use of bases in neighboring Colombia by U.S. troops for anti-drug and other missions has drawn criticism in the region.

http://www.tribtoday.com/page/content.detail/id/93889.html?isap=1&nav=5030