[Peace-discuss] Fw: Lula Calls Obama about Honduras & Colombia Bases

[unionyes]

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From: <moderator at PORTSIDE.ORG>
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Sent: Saturday, August 22, 2009 10:02 AM
Subject: Lula Calls Obama about Honduras & Colombia Bases


> Brazil Calls for Stronger U.S. Action on Honduras
> 
> Xinhua (China) 
> August 22, 2009
> 
> http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90777/90852/6736422.html
> 
> Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva called U.S.
> President Barack Obama on Friday, in a bid to ask for a
> stronger U.S. action on the Honduran issue, local media
> reported.
> 
> According to Lula, a less tolerant attitude from the
> United States would not only facilitate the return of
> ousted Honduran President Manuel Zelaya to his position
> but also contribute to improve the U.S. relations with
> South America.
> 
> "The President said that this is not about the U.S.
> interfering in Honduras," said Brazilian Foreign
> Minister Celso Amorim.
> 
> However, according to Amorim, the United States are in
> condition to put an adequate amount of pressure over the
> new Honduran administration since the country's economy
> is highly dependent on the United States, thus the U.S.
> attitude may make a difference in the matter.
> 
> President Lula also believes that the Organization of
> American States (OAS) can increase the pressure over the
> post-coup Honduran government.
> 
> According to Amorim, President Obama said that there
> will be an OAS mission to Honduras in the next few days,
> after which he and President Lula will evaluate any
> decisions to be taken.
> 
> Zelaya has won wide support from a number of Latin
> American countries since the June 28 coup that threw him
> out of office and forced him into exile.
> 
> But the day when Zelaya to restore power seems remote as
> the interim government remains reluctant to compromise
> under international pressure.
> 
> President Lula also suggested a meeting between
> President Obama and the South American Union countries
> in order to discuss the U.S.-Colombia military
> agreement, which has been causing a lot of controversy
> in the continent. Obama has yet to respond to the
> proposal.
> 
> 
> Brazil Calls Obama over US Bases
> 
> BBC August 21, 2009
> 
> http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8215504.stm
> 
> Mr Lula has said that the "climate of unease" in
> Latin America disturbs him
> 
> Brazil's leader has called on US President Barack Obama
> to meet South American leaders to calm fears about the
> US military presence in Colombia.
> 
> Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva expressed his concerns in a
> phone call to President Obama, Brazil's foreign minister
> said.
> 
> He wants guarantees that US troops will be restricted to
> fighting drugs and terrorists within Colombia only.
> 
> The US and Colombia are finalising an agreement to give
> the US military greater access to seven bases.
> 
> 'Winds of war'
> 
> Brazil's Foreign Minister Celso Amorim said President
> Lula told Mr Obama it was "very important" that he
> attend a South American summit in Argentina starting
> next Friday.
> 
> The Unasur meeting has been specifically called to
> address the Colombian bases issue.
> 
> On Tuesday, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton tried
> to calm fears by saying the US would not establish its
> own bases and would not increase troop levels in
> Colombia, where 800 US soldiers and 600 US contractors
> are already based.
> 
> Mrs Clinton said the accord would respect Colombian
> sovereignty and other countries would not be affected.
> 
> Venezuela and Ecuador had expressed fears the move
> amounted to preparation for an invasion of their
> countries by US forces.
> 
> Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez warned that "the winds
> of war were beginning to blow" across the region.
> 
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