In an explicit attempt to hide Washington's military objectives in South America, a US Air Force document submitted to Congress in May 2009 that provoked deep concerns in the region has been modified and re-published on November 16, 2009.
The official US Air Force document, revealed and denounced by this author on November 4, explained the justification for a $46 million request to improve the military installations in one of the seven bases Washington will occupy under the military accord signed on October 30 between Colombia and the United States.
The modified document has eliminated all mention of war and military operations in the region, as well as offensive language directed at Colombia's neighbors, Venezuela and Ecuador. Nevertheless, Washington's intentions remain the same.
The original Air Force document dated May 2009 outlined the importance of the military base in Palanquero, Colombia to enable "full spectrum military operations" in South America. The original military document also detailed the necessity of investing $46 million to improve the airfield, ramps and other essential installations on the base, converting it into a Cooperative Security Location (CSL) for US military missions in the region.
Original US Air Force document, May 2009:
"Establishing a Cooperative Security Location (CSL) in Palanquero best supports the COCOM's (Command Combatant's) Theater Posture Strategy and demonstrates our commitment to this relationship. Development of this CSL provides a unique opportunity for full spectrum operations in a critical sub-region of our hemisphere where security and stability is under constant threat from narcotics funded terrorist insurgencies, anti-US governments, endemic poverty and recurring natural disasters."
The US Air Force document dated November 16, 2009 and sent to the Congress under the title, "Addendum to reflect terms of the US-Colombia Defense Cooperation Agreement signed on October 30, 2009," alters the original controversial language, eliminating key terms and references that provoked grave concerns in the region. The November 16th Air Force document makes no mention of establishing a Cooperative Security Location (CSL) in Palanquero, Colombia, however it does consistently refer to Palanquero as a "location," retaining the original intentions.
Furthermore, the monetary request is reduced by a mere $3 million to $43 million, evidencing that the original project remains almost 100% in tact. Congress had previously approved the initial $46 million request made by the Pentagon last Spring, conditioning the funds on the final signing of the US-Colombia military accord, which was solidified on October 30th.
But the November 16 US Air Force document makes a clear attempt to disguise the original intentions by eliminating the provocative language referring to "full spectrum military operations in a critical sub-region"where security and stability is under constant threat from"anti-US governments."
That language in particular sparked immediate concerns and accusations regarding Washington's intentions to utilize Colombia as a launching pad to attack countries such as Venezuela, considered erroneously "anti-US" by many.
The modified US Air Force document of November 16, 2009:
"This project at Palanquero best supports the Combatant Command's (COCOM) Theater Posture Strategy and demonstrates our commitment to this relationship [with Colombia]. Development of this project provides a unique opportunity to support an important partner in a region of the western hemisphere where security and stability are under constant threat from narcotics funded terrorist insurgencies, endemic poverty and recurring natural disasters."
The original US Air Force document identified Palanquero as the perfect place to enable the implementation of the US global mobility strategy because it "provides access to the entire South American continent."
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