SITUATION REPORTS
Issue date: 11/11/09 Section: Eagle Eye
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On Oct. 30, a bilateral defense cooperation agreement between the United States and Colombia was signed that will give the United States access to at least seven bases, including three air force installations. It does not include any provisions for an increased U.S. presence in Colombia. This deal has increased tensions around the region since it was announced in August, particularly with Ecuador, which declined to renew the lease to allow the United States to use the base at Manta as the staging ground for its counter-narcotics and counterterrorist operations in the eastern Pacific region. Tensions will continue to increase, especially since Brazil, Bolivia, Ecuador, and Venezuela have already expressed concerns about an increased U.S. military presence in the region.
NORTH KOREA: Weapons Grade Plutonium at the Ready
On Tuesday, Nov. 3, Pyongyang announced that it had completed the reprocessing of over 8,000 used fuel cells in order to create enough weapons-grade plutonium for at least one atomic bomb. Some analysts believe there may also be enough used fuel cells at plants being allegedly disarmed to produce weapons grade plutonium for another bomb. This comes less than a week after Pyongyang announced its willingness to resume six-party 'aid-for-disarmament' talks.
BULGARIA: Prime Minister Stresses Environmental Concerns in Trans-Balkan Pipeline
On Tuesday, Nov. 3, Prime Minister Boiko Borisov warned Russian officials that Bulgaria will abandon the Burgas-Alexandroupolis oil pipepline project if Moscow cannot guarantee the environmental protection of Black Sea beaches. Some analysts claim this move demonstrates Borisov's aim to move away from Russian influence and closer to the EU.
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