From: David Sangurima <sangu@igc.org>
Newsgroups: soc.culture.latin-america
Date: 19 Jul 92 11:28 PDT
Subject: BOLIVIA: U.S. ACCUSED OF PLANNING M
Nf-ID: #N:cdp:1473800070:000:3944
Nf-From: cdp.UUCP!sangu    Jul 19 11:28:00 1992


From: David Sangurima <sangu>
Subject: BOLIVIA: U.S. ACCUSED OF PLANNING M

/* Written 10:04 am  Jul 18, 1992 by hrcoord in cdp:reg.samerica */
/* ---------- "BOLIVIA: U.S. ACCUSED OF PLANNING M" ---------- */
From: Human Rights Coordinator <hrcoord>
Subject: BOLIVIA: U.S. ACCUSED OF PLANNING M

/* Written 12:08 am  Jul 18, 1992 by newsdesk in cdp:ips.englibrary */
Copyright Inter Press Service 1992, all rights reserved.  Permission to re-
print within 7 days of original date only with permission from 'newsdesk'.

Title: BOLIVIA: U.S. ACCUSED OF PLANNING MILITARY BASE IN THE AMAZON


la paz, jul 15 (ips/juan carlos rocha) -- amid growing discontent
over the overwhelming u.s. military presence in bolivia, the
united states was wednesday accused of planning to use the war
against drugs as a pretext to create a base in the amazon.

gregorio lanza, member of parliament and expert on the
struggle against drug trafficking, reported the existence of a
air bridge between fort briggs in the united states and santa
cruz in bolivia. he said the u.s. airforce's largest aircraft
'galaxy', landed in the bolivian town over 10 times in the past
few days.

on these trips, the aircraft carried enormous crates, the
content of which is unknown even to the the highest bolivian
government and military officials.

according to lanza, a military operation is also the reason
behind the presence of an unknown number of u.s. miltary,
officially classified as ''engeneers,'' who are supposedly
building classrooms the old drug sanctuary of santa ana.

reports from santa ana and lanza himself state that more than
150 north american soldiers are carrying out a top secret
military operation, supposedly to occupy an area in the region.

according to lanza, who based his report on an ''important
secret source,'' the most serious fact is that the operation has
not been authorized by the bolivian congress, but is condoned by
the government, without following the legal procedure.

the national press wednesday criticized the actions of the
government , which has also admitted that it does not know what
is in the crates. ''you don't look a gift horse in the mouth,''
commented bolivian foreign minister ronald maclean.

lanza speculated that the crates ''might contain armoured
vehicles, tanks or weapons,'' all of which are necessary for a
quick military operation.

a parliamentary comission travelled wednesday to beni, in the
north of the country, where the troops are stationed, in order to
verify the strategy and tactics of the u.s. military operation in
bolivia.

the deputy's denunciations were backed up by similar reports
published by the daily 'the reason''.

lanza said that the arrival of the u.s. troops is part of a
change in military strategy following the end of the cold war.

''the present aim is to occupy the bolivian amazon, to
establish military supremacy in the region,'' he commented.
(more)
----

parliamentarian andres soliz, on the other hand, said that the
united states chose bolivia as a site for this operations because
it was rejected by brazil, colombia and peru.

lanza announced vigorous action in the parliament, which is
scheduled to receive etensive and detailed information from the
ministers of foreign relations, internal affairs and defence on
the terms governing the presence of the u.s.troops in the
country.

last sunday bryan donaldson, an agent of the anti-drug office
shot and injured bolivian angel rojas suarez for no clear reason.
the agent was detained for only two hours, after which he was
freed and sent back to the united states by his embassy.

the incident took place a mere two days after the extradition
of bolivian roca suarez, the first person to be detained here
under the controversial ruling by the united states supreme court
legalizing detentions by united states officials outside of u.s.
territory, regardles of extradition treaties.
(end/ips/trd/so/jcr-sfi/mv/kb/92)
----