Brazil’s Lula Proposes Meeting With Obama On Colombian Bases

Brazilian President Luis Inacio Lula da Silva suggested a meeting with the members of the Union of South American Nations, or Unasur, and U.S. President Barack Obama to discuss a proposed increase in U.S. military presence in Colombia, a move that has made some South American leaders uneasy.

Lula and other dignitaries were in Quito for Ecuadorean President Rafael Correa’s swearing-in for a second term and also for Ecuador’s take over of the rotating presidency of the group for a year. Lula made his comments at Correa’s swearing-in ceremony, broadcast on national television.

Other regional leaders, such as Argentine President Cristina Fernandez, spoke about Lula’s proposal. Fernandez said she believes the U.S. proposal is “a belligerent, unprecedented and unacceptable situation.”

Fernandez asked that Colombian President Alvaro Uribe also be present in the proposed meeting. Uribe was noticeably absent from the Unasur presidency ceremony Monday.

The meeting between Unasur leaders would be held in Argentina, though the date has yet to be determined.

Fernando Lugo, Paraguay’s president, suggested the meeting take place before the end of the month. On Aug. 24, the defense ministers of Unasur countries will discuss the U.S. military base installation plans.

Colombia’s Uribe announced last month that the U.S. would be allowed access to Colombian military bases largely in order to combat drug trafficking.

The statements by the heads of state came as Chile handed the role of president pro tempore of Unasur to Ecuador, and just minutes before Correa was sworn in for a second presidential term.

Unasur is comprised of Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Chile, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay and Venezuela.