The BBC reports: New row over Colombia-US accord.
I had noted last week when the deal was signed that the Uribe administration had chosen not to allow the Colombian Congress to vet the deal, a move that caused some political tension with the opposition.
That lack of review meant a high likelihood of surprises in the agreement after it was signed and made public. To wit:
Under the 10-year deal, the US military will not only have access to military bases, but also be able to use major international civilian airports.
US personnel and defence contractors will also enjoy diplomatic immunity.
Immunity, per se, is not a new revelation, at least in terms of military personnel. This may be the first time that contractors have been mentioned. The ability of the US to use civilian airports is a totally new revelation. At a minimum that provision strikes me as symbolically quite important as it takes the US presence from more remote bases and places it in population centers.
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